2008
You are browsing the archive for 2008.
Asimov Resurrected
An anonymous reader of Salt in Wound sent me this update on the Isaac Asimov Super Quiz situation. She so wished to remain anonymous that she wouldn’t even post this as an anonymous comment. Q: What quiz is returning? A: Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz returns to the Times Union comics pages on Monday, Jan. 21. […]
One Thing Considered
I’m new here, and I’d like to start with a confession: I don’t listen to public radio. This is somewhat of a shock, because I definitely fit public radio’s target demographic—smug weaklings. Close friends have tried to sway me, mentioning fascinating tidbits they’ve heard on This American Life, and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, and […]
"Bernie Berlitz" part one
Several months ago, Juan, a man very beloved to John and I for his stone wall building at our house, saw Isa as we were on our way out and he said (in Spanish) “Hello, Isabella! How are you!” She stared at him blankly. I nudged her. “Isa, aren’t you going to respond?” I said.“I […]
cluster bombs before the peace
Chatter is increasing, the DGA and management may be close to a deal. So the studios take the opportunity to cut loose a bunch of writers. They know, as soon as this settles, they’ll no longer be able to claim force majeure. So it’s last call, belly up to the bar, boys. Like Israel dropping […]
The State of the Strike
The DGA and management are negotiating. Meanwhile, the WGA keeps making deals with companies looking for a competitive edge. So pressure is being exerted from both sides. Ken Ziffren, the universally respected entertainment lawyer who played a big part in resolving the 1988 dispute, has stepped in as the directors’ lead negotiator. The Oscars are […]
Elmer Dessens
Between 1996 and 1998, Elmer Dessens was 2-8 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, with an ERA above 6.00. He didn’t pitch all that often, but for some reason, probably because of his first name, I seized on him as emblematic of the team’s futility. Ten years and five teams later, at age 36, with a lifetime […]
Jami Attenberg reads at Book Soup
That’s right, tomorrow, Sunday, at 4 p.m. Come on out!
Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz
As of the new year, Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz was dropped from the Albany newspaper, reducing the number of dead authors on the comics page by one. There have been daily letters to the editor ever since. Today’s begins:I read, with amused interest, the outcry over the pulling of the Super Quiz from the daily […]
Friday round-up
It really has been quite a week. First we had Frank’s mirthless situation, we had our poor pregnant marine labeled a ‘compulsive’ liar who actually turned up buried in a backyard, and now this: a scrapbooking tale of woe.
Jack Silbert, curator