Looks like it's going to be One of Those Weeks.
Not that I think anyone cares but I've decided to vote for Bernie Sanders in the California primary. I love the idealism of his rallies and supporters but I look at the hard numbers and see the slimmest of chances he'll be the nominee. Unlike some who are voting for him, I do not see Hillary Clinton as a terrible alternative. Senator Sanders himself once said — and I trust he still believes — that on her worst day, she was better than anyone the Republicans were going to put up.
The Sanders backers who are now out trashing Hillary and vowing not to vote for her remind me too much of the Nader supporters who in 2000 told us that if Ralph couldn't be president, there wasn't a bit of difference between Al Gore and George W. Bush. I think history has shown us that this was dead wrong…about as wrong as electing President Trump this time out.
In other news: Jeffrey Stackhouse wrote to remind me that Baayork Lee is not only choreographing shows now but directing many, as well. He says, "I was privileged to be directed by her in the 1995 try-out of MacGregors, a musical about a Scots clan (with a supernatural twist), written by Italians Robert Steiner and Max Bartoli, with music by the terrific Gianluca Cucchiara." He also writes that she "was very gracious and professional." I would not expect anything less from such a gracious and professional performer.
I find myself enjoying Larry Wilmore's show a lot these days. It seems to have found its groove and they've assembled a great bank of supporting players and contributors. I especially like a gent named Rory Albanese who I believe used to write for The Daily Show. He's very funny and very perceptive. I don't find much wrong with the current Daily Show but I also don't find enough right that I don't let several episodes stack up on my TiVo before watching them. I watched almost every Jon Stewart episode A.S.A.P.
Wednesday evening, Antenna TV is running a Johnny Carson episode from June 12, 1984 with guests Dick Cavett, Jimmy Brogan and "comedian Dave Barry," sez. I assume this is not the Dave Barry who is now well known for writing humorous books since he wasn't very well known in '84. I'm assuming it's Dave Barry, the stand-up comedian who played all over the U.S., with frequent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, until his passing in 2001. This Dave Barry was a prolific performer in night clubs and hotels and — of special interest to us around here — he also had a lot of jobs doing voices for animation. You heard him in a lot of cartoons from Warner Brothers, Max Fleischer and other studios.
I'll be back soon. I promise.