Stephen Colbert, Up Close and Personal!

THAT’S ME AND STEPHEN COLBERT!

Stephen Colbert at the Times CenterStephen spoke for 90 minutes to a packed auditorium, 370 strong, of Colbert Nation fans Friday night at The Times Center in mid-town Manhattan. My buddy Dennis and I were among them! What a wonderfully memorable evening, and it was not without suspense, because Dennis and I were the last two people on the waiting list who managed to get in. Colbert had already started speaking by the time we got inside, but fortunately we didn’t miss much. On the audio player you can hear a passable recording with a few minutes spliced together of Colbert commenting on his show, his real fear of bears, and the true story behind his broken wrist.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/NOV07/ColbertTimesCenter.mp3]

Stephen Colbert's AutographYou can watch the video of Colbert falling and breaking his wrist at this link. After the talk there was a book signing, and because I’d already asked Santa for I Am America (And So Can You!) I bought the new DVD, The Best of The Colbert Report. Dennis’ camera makes me look gigantic compared to Colbert, but I think we’re actually about the same height. Something I would like to emphasize is that when Colbert is out of character he positively exudes sincerity and appreciation of your being there to see him, with the BS meter reading flat at zero.

The Mr. A Cookie

I’m back from NYC, and in an upcoming post I’ll have something VERY special to tell you about the trip, but first I want to show you a cookie I got in Penn Station at a wonderful bakery/eatery called Zaro’s.

Zaro's Black & White Cookie

I hope Steve Ditko knows about this, because it could be called the Mr. A cookie! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ll have to watch the first two minutes of this part of the superb program In Search of Steve Ditko.

Dog Rat In New York

For the next couple of days D.F. Rogers and I will be at the Big Apple Con in — where else? — the Big Apple. I hope to finally meet Mark Evanier in person. Dennis and I also hope to talk to comic book artist Joe Sinnott, just like we did 30 years ago! I’m traveling light, and won’t be taking a laptop computer, so unless the hotel has more than just Wi-Fi hot-spots for Net/Web access, my next post will be sometime Sunday.

Jo Stafford, Right Tonight For Temptation

Let’s hear some more Jo Stafford, in recognition of her 90th birthday, a couple of days ago. Here are two songs by Jo that were on the radio at the same time, in 1947, the year this picture was taken with Tommy Dorsey and somebody who I assume you recognize.

Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford - 1947

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/NOV07/ImSoRightTonight.mp3,http://www.dograt.com/Audio/NOV07/Temptation.mp3]

Let the first one play through, then for contrast the second song will come in to give you an idea of her versatility.