What’s It Like In North Korea?

Jun 12, 2018 | Authors

With Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un meeting face to face, it’s a good time to listen to my 2016 interview with Wendy Simmons about her book, “My Holiday In North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place On...

Best Thing I’ve Read Today

May 16, 2018 | Authors, Comedians, Television

A few weeks ago, I recommended Nell Scovell’s book “Just The Funny Parts,” in which she not only writes about her career as a TV (mostly comedy) writer, but also about the sexism she encountered both on the job and while looking for more...

Book Recommendation: “Just The Funny Parts”

Apr 24, 2018 | Authors

Nell Scovell’s “Just The Funny Parts” is the best book I’ve read this year. Scovell has been a TV writer for over 30 years, including “Sabrina The Teenage Witch,” which she created. She’s also worked on “The...

The Pleasures And Pitfalls Of Interviewing Authors

Mar 13, 2018 | Authors

I wrote recently about how interviewers can do a better job, so it’s only fair I talk a little about guests. The best are those who come to the interview with more than just expertise. They must have the ability to tell a story or explain things in simple,...

Joshua Zeitz, “Building The Great Society”

Feb 3, 2018 | Authors, podcasts

Joshua Zeitz says the presidential legacy most at risk under Donald Trump isn’t that of Barack Obama, but of LBJ. I asked him to explain while we discussed his book, “Building The Great Society: Lyndon Johnson’s White House.” We talked about...

David Evanier on Woody Allen Backlash

Jan 27, 2018 | Authors, Movies, podcasts

Over the last few weeks, several actors and actresses who have appeared in Woody Allen movies (e.g. Joaquin Phoenix, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Rebecca Hall, Greta Gerwig, Rachel Brosnahan, Ellen Page, and Mira Sorvino) have made public proclamations of regret in...