If Donald Trump's main goal was to have the world pay a lot of attention to him, he's probably succeeded leagues beyond his wildest expectation. I'm weary of reading about this guy and wearier, right now at least, of writing about him. So let's see what else there is to talk about.
Stephen Colbert did well in the ratings with his convention shows, though they felt to me like he was doing two different programs at once. One was a clever comedy show with a point of view. The other was the usual infomercial for this new series or that new movie. I wish they'd decide that the latter had to go. There are about ninety things Colbert does better than Jimmy Fallon but fawning over celebrities who have a new film opening this weekend isn't one of them.
There are reports and rumors circulating that Bill Cosby is blind. Well, so is justice. In an interview in the new Playboy, Jeffrey Toobin says that he's confident that if the judge allows other women ("other" than the one this case is about) to testify about their experiences with Cosby, jail time awaits the comedian. I think he probably belongs there but I'd sure have a hard time sentencing a blind show biz legend to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
I missed mentioning the 102nd birthday of another comedy legend — Professor Irwin Corey — who hit that impressive age on July 29. This is from Wikipedia…
For an October 2011 interview, Corey invited a New York Times reporter to visit his 1840 carriage house on East 36th Street. Corey estimated its resale value at $3.5 million. He said that, when not performing, he panhandled for change from motorists exiting the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Every few months, he told the interviewer, he donated the money to a group that purchased medical supplies for Cuban children. He said of the drivers who supplied the cash, "I don't tell them where the money's going, and I'm sure they don't care." Irvin Arthur, Corey's agent for half a century, assured the reporter that Corey did not need the money for himself. "This is not about money," Arthur said. "For Irwin, this is an extension of his performing."
I dunno if he's still doing that but if he is next time I get back to New York, I think I'll track down where he panhandles and see if I can talk to him for an hour if I keep giving him change. Very funny man.