Dave Lefkowitz interviews broadcast legend Dick Cavett
Topics include: Groucho Marx, Lillian Hellman, Mary McCarthy, TV, theater.
Segment scheduled to air Oct. 11, 2014 as part of the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Please Note: Segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast.
All content (c)2014 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
An advertisement: Bob Dylan for WaxVac ear cleaner.
Segment aired Feb. 8, 2014, as part of the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Please Note: Segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full show with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast: Full Episode
All content (c)2014 TotalTheater Productions. More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
RABBI SOL SOLOMON’S RABBINICAL REFLECTION #66 (5/12/2013): Jodi on HLN
Aired May 11, 2013 on Dave’s Gone By. Youtube clip: http://youtu.be/igCxYCb4zLo
Shalom Dammit! This is Rabbi Sol Solomon with a Rabbinical Reflection for the week of May 11th, 2013.
After four months of testimony and two days of deliberation, an Arizona jury found Jodi Arias guilty of first-degree murder. The next step is deciding whether she’ll get the death penalty for whacking her boyfriend, Travis Alexander.
Demure, bespectacled, cute and goofy, Arias tried to prove she killed in self-defense. But considering that her significant other was stabbed multiple times, shot, and then almost decapitated, the defense of “he hit me one time too often” seems just a little suspect.
My heart goes out – no, not to the victim, but to the HLN cable network. What will they do now that their only form of programming for the past half a year has been snatched from them? If it wasn’t for Jodi Arias, HLN would be showing disputes in traffic court. I can just hear Nancy Grace now, “Twelve minutes past the meter! Why didn’t they boot his car? Someone in law enforcement dropped the ball; where’s the justice?”
HLN was so addicted to Jodi Arias that when those Russian kids bombed the Boston Marathon, and then a giant fertilizer factory exploded in Texas, and every other channel in America was, like, “We should cover this,” HLN said, “Ooh…Jodi is dabbing her eyes and showing emotion – we can’t cut away now!”
And what the hell does HLN stand for, anyway? It used to be CNN Headline News; CNN – Cable News Network. There was a logic to the acronym. Just like an IUD is an intra-uterine device, and my BVD’s were first produced by Bradley, Voorhees and Day, and IBM stands for when I go to the bathroom and make number two, HLN should signify something intelligent. HN would stand for Headline News. So what the hell is up with the “L”? I think HLN stands for, “Hey, Listen, we have Nothing to offer except five months of Jodi Goddamn Arias.”
Now, there probably will not be a trial of that Tsarnaev animal, or of that Aurora shooting lunatic. If they take a plea, HLN ratings take a dive. But somebody’s bound to kill somebody soon. And maybe they’ll look like a hot librarian. And maybe they’ll hire enough lawyers to push the trial into sweeps week. And maybe there’ll be a confession video and experts in forensics, and lawyers who rhyme. So that when we start bombing North Korea, and Syria sends chemical-tipped missiles over Tel Aviv, while a 9.3 earthquake caused by global warming pushes Los Angeles into the Pacific Ocean, by God we’ll have something interesting to watch on television. HLN – Here Lies News or How Low? Neverending.
This has been a Rabbinical Reflection from Rabbi Sol Solomon, Temple Sons of Bitches in Great Neck, NY.
RABBI SOL SOLOMON’S RABBINICAL REFLECTION #60 (3/10/2013): Whose Line Returns
Aired March 9, 2013 on Dave’s Gone By. Youtube clip: http://youtu.be/Yhyv7lhIT6E
Shalom Dammit! This is Rabbi Sol Solomon with a Rabbinical Reflection for the week of March 10th, 2013.
A bit of happy, wonderful news from the world of television: “Whose Line is it Anyway” is coming back for a summer run. That delightful show, where improvisers take suggestions from people and do crazy things with them – kind of like Congress – it’s been off the air for six years. Even though reruns make it feel like it was just last Wednesday.
Still, the CW Network, which is co-owned by CBS and Warner Brothers – CW – that’s how they got their initials – did you know that? It’s a good thing it wasn’t Fox and Universal. Anyhoo, they’ll be airing the brand-new season of “Whose Line is it Anyway.” And it’ll be just like old times. Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie and Wayne Brady will all be back to do their thing. Which means Ryan will be genius, Colin will be bald, and Brady won’t be that funny but he can sing the phone book and shake his tush for the ladies.
Drew Carey will not be back to host, and let’s face it, that’s a blessing. He meant well, but he was the weak link when he was in scenes. And when he wasn’t, the camera would spend half the program showing him laughing instead of showing us what he was laughing at. If I wanna spend a half hour watching someone giggle like an idiot, I’ll go visit my uncle Brian in the mental home. And the tragic part is he works there in personnel. But I digress.
For all its flaws, “Whose Line is it Anyway” was an oasis of old-fashioned entertainment. And by old-fashioned, I don’t mean like barbershop quartets and public hangings. I mean simple, live-by-your-wits live performance. Look around: all the sitcoms now are shot like movies, all the movies look like video games, and all the video games look like the end of the world. “Whose Line” is just four brave souls and a piano-playing lesbian. How can you beat it?
I admit, I have had my secret dreams of being part of an improv troupe. I’m quick-thinking, I’m funny, I can imitate noises. Here, listen, listen: shhhhhhh – that’s a shower. Shhhhhhhhhh. Not bad, right. Sssssssssssss. That’s a bicycle tire running out of air. Or my Cousin Velvel pishing his pants. See? My talents are protean.
I can also spin comic monologues out of thin air. Here, wait wait. Okay. Hi, my name’s Rabbi Sol. Great to be here. Hey . . . how about those . . . sports teams. You ever notice how they, uh, play sports? One time I met a friend, he was going off to play tennis – no wait, softball. I was like, “Hey, friend. Where you going?” And he’s like, (different voice) “I’m going to play softball.” And I’m, like, (different voice) “Why” – no, wait, that’s his voice. I’m like, “Why?” And he says, (different voice) “Because I like it. Football’s too dangerous.” And then he hurts himself. See? My stories have an arc!
But I know improvisation is really about the other person, working with your partner to create magic. So let’s do this. You say something funny, and I’ll build on it. Go ahead: Uh huh, yes, and . . . Yes, and . . . Yes and . . . And how long have you been a gynecologist? The ostrich farm. Aaaand scene.
Of course, to be on a show like “Whose Line is it Anyway,” you also have to be musical. You have to take a topic and instantly fashion it into a song. I can do that! Here: Doi doi doi doi-doi-doi-doi-doi-doi-doi. I went to the synagogue to pray to HaShem. There were many people there, I said hello to them. They threw me on the beemah and started feeling up my crotch. And when it was over I was missing my tallis and my watch. My tallis, my wallet, and my watch. Yeah!
CW, you have my resume. I’m sure the show will be great as it is, but there’s always room for . . . improv-ment.
This has been a Rabbinical Reflection from Rabbi Sol Solomon, Temple Sons of Bitches in Great Neck, New York. You may now read the Talmud in the style of your own devising.
Here is the 387th episode of the long-running radio show/podcast, Dave’s Gone By, which aired on UNC Radio, June 2, 2012. Info: davesgoneby.com.
Featuring: Dave chats with actor-singer John Davidson. Plus: Saturday Segue (born n’ unicorn), Dave Goes Off on the birthers, Bob Dylan – Sooner & Later (goofiness), Inside Broadway (One Man, Two Guvnors).
Host: Dave Lefkowitz
Guest: entertainer John Davidson
00:00:01 DAVE GOES IN 00:11:00 DAVE GOES OFF – The Birthers 00:24:30 SATURDAY SEGUE: Born n’ Unicorn 01:06:00 GUEST: John Davidson 01:44:00 Sponsors 01:51:00 INSIDE BROADWAY (news (01:51:00) & One Man, Two Guvnors (02:21:00)) 02:13:00 BOB DYLAN – Sooner & Later: goofiness 02:55:30 Friends & Weather 03:04:30 DAVE GOES OUT
June 2, 2012 Playlist: “The Unicorn” (00:24:30; The Irish Rovers). “Born in the Wind” (00:28:00; Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3). “Born First” (00:32:00; Kate & Anna McGarrigle). “I Was Born” (00:36:00; The Magnetic Fields). “Born, Never Asked” (00:38:00; Laurie Anderson). “Horn” (00:43:00; Nick Drake). “Born to the Breed” (00:44:30; Judy Collins). “Heart of the Heartland” (00:49:00; Mark Kennis). “Say it Again” (01:03:30) & “Sixty Sucks!” (01:39:00;John Davidson). “Life Story” (02:03:00; Closer Than Ever, 1989 off-Broadway cast w/ Lynne Wintersteller). “Wigwam” (02:17:00), “Love Sick” (02:32:30), “If Dogs Run Free” (02:43:00), “Must Be Santa” (02:51:00; Bob Dylan). “Street Rock” (02:23:00; Kurtis Blow & Bob Dylan).
John DavidsonJames Corden in One Man Two GuvnorsDylan & ChumleyMitt Romney vs. unicorn
Topics include: 30 Rock, Mr. President, television.
Segment originally aired Jan. 28, 2012 on the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast.
All content (c)2012 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
Here is the 369th episode of the long-running radio show/podcast, Dave’s Gone By, which aired on UNC Radio, Dec. 3, 2011. Info: davesgoneby.com.
Host: Dave Lefkowitz Guests: singer Carole Demas and writer Bruce Jay Friedman
Featuring: Dave chats with actress Carole Demas and author Bruce Jay Friedman. Plus: Rabbi Sol Solomon’s Rabbinical Reflection on Coca Cola, Bob Dylan – Sooner & Later (Don DeVito tribute), Inside Broadway (news & Judd Woldin tribute), Saturday Segue (rock birthdays).
Note: Bruce Jay Friedman passed June 3, 2020 at age 90.
00:00:01 DAVE GOES IN 00:13:30 GUEST: Carole Demas 00:54:30 GUEST: Bruce Jay Friedman 01:49:30 Sponsors 01:57:30 Bob Dylan – Sooner & Later (Don DeVito) 02:27:00 Weather 02:31:00 INSIDE BROADWAY (news (02:31:30), Judd Woldin) 02:39:30 SATURDAY SEGUE – Rock Birthdays 03:01:30 Rabbi Sol Solomon’s Rabbinical Reflection on Coca Cola 03:10:00 Friends 03:19:00 DAVE GOES OUT
Dec. 3, 2011 Playlist: “The Magic Garden” (08:00) & “See Ya” (Carole Demas & Paula Janis on “The Magic Garden”; 03:21:00). “Summer Nights” (Carole Demas & Barry Bostwick in Grease 1972 original Broadway cast; 00:51:30). “In the Garden” (Van Morrison; 09:30:00). “Bruces” (Monty Python; 01:45:00). “Going, Going, Gone” (01:58:30), “You’re a Big Girl Now” (02:07:00), “Black Diamond Bay” (02:11:30) & “Shelter from the Storm” (live) (02:21:00; Bob Dylan). “Finale” (02:36:30; Raisin 1973 Broadway cast). “Jenny Jenny” (02:40:00; Little Richard). “City Girl” (02:42:00; Joan Armatrading). “Goodbye to Romance” (02:46:00; Black Sabbath). “This is a Rebel Song” (Sinead O’Connor; 02:51:30). “Barcarolle” (02:54:30; Tom Waits).
Carole Demas, then & nowBruce Jay FriedmanBruce Jay Friedman’s bookDon DeVitoEdwin Judd WoldinRabbi Sol Solomon
Dave Lefkowitz interviews Too Slim (Fred LaBour), Ranger Doug (Douglas B. Green) and Joey the Cowpolka King (Joey Miskulin) of Riders in the Sky
Topics include: Western music, Toy Story, television.
Segment originally aired Aug. 20, 2011 on the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast: Full Episode
All content (c)2011 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
Shalom Dammit, this is Rabbi Sol Solomon with a Rabbinical Reflection for the week of February 27th, 2011.
Chaos, turmoil, madness, uncontrolled rebellion – no, I’m not talking about Libya, I’m talking about Charlie Sheen. The handsome but unprincipled actor who makes Lindsey Lohan look like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Shtetl.
After yet another stay in rehab – ooh, that must have been a tough three days – Sheen pronounced himself fit as a fiddle and ready for work.
Just what CBS wanted to hear about their hit show, “Two and a Half Men.” Only Charlie Sheen’s idea of being ready for work is vilifying his boss – the show’s creator – on syndicated radio.
He called producer Chuck Lorre an earthworm, a maggot, and a charlatan – which is pretty strong stuff to call anyone who isn’t a lawyer.
But okay, who among us hasn’t said terrible things about their boss? I once called the chief of the Southeast New England Board of Rabbis a douchebag. Because he was. But I didn’t do it in public. I did it quietly, behind his back, the way you’re supposed to insult people.
More upsetting in the latest Charlie Sheen incident is his migration into Mel Gibson mode. In Sheen’s rant, and apropos of nothing, the actor repeatedly calls Chuck Lorre by his birth name, “Chaim Levine.” Sheen claims he did it as a way of calling out the real man, instead of the guy’s phony Hollywood persona. Too bad it sounded like Sheen saying, “Here’s another Jew using his money and power to abuse poor, underpaid actors.”
Yes, Chuck Lorre did change his name from Chaim Levine. Just like Archie Leach switched his name to Cary Grant, and Arthur Rosenberg magically became Tony Randall.
But in this day and age, what kind of pathetic loser would change his name to make it less ethnic and more saleable in Hollywood? Gee, Carlos Estevez – d’ya think there’s a possibility changing your name to Charlie Sheen got you playing boyfriends and lotharios instead of Mexican drug dealers and auto mechanics? Just ask your brother Emilio how much work his name got him.
Now I’m not in agreement with concealing your heritage, but sometimes you do what you have to do, to get a job. For example, when I first started looking for a job as a rabbi, I had to change my real name. What synagogue would hire Fergus O’Malley?
No, I’m kidding, but seriously; it is not surprising to hear anti-Jewish slurs tumble from the mouth of a Sheen. Charlie’s father, Martin, has been a longtime Palestinian sympathizer. He even appeared at a right-of-return rally alongside Ralph Nader and Susan Sarandon back in 2000. Yeah, let’s give Palestinians right of return – as soon as Americans have right of return to the 93rd floor of the World Trade Center.
Anyway, CBS-TV has finally said, “goodbye Charlie” and halted production on “Two and a Half Men,” which should really be called “A-Man-and-a-Half and a Moron.”
Meanwhile, the moron believes that he has successfully completed rehab – no problem with alcohol, no problem with drugs, no problem with beating the crap out of prostitutes. Come to think of it, no wonder Martin Sheen is pro-Arab: his son would make a great Libyan dictator!
Perhaps I’m being cruel. From watching “Celebrity Rehab,” I know addiction is terrible, and the nasty things Charlie Sheen says are just his disease talking. Then again, if diseases could talk, my hernia would have its own blog.
I do not wish ill on Charlie Sheen. I do not wish well on him, either. We can pretty much stop hoping he’ll ever be a “Two-and-a-Half Mensch,” but at least he could grow up and get some real help. Why, he could even go to the Chabad people – a telethon his own father has pitched for.
And if Charlie feels like calling the Chabadnicks by their Jewish names, I’m sure they won’t mind.
This has been a Rabbinical Reflection by Rabbi Sol Solomon, Temple Sons of Bitches in Great Neck, New York.
Dave Lefkowitz interviews television writer Ross Brown
Topics include: television, scriptwriting
Segment originally aired Jan. 29, 2011 as part of the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Please Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast: Full Episode
All content (c)2011 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
