Biographer: Carson’s Inner Circle Tough To Crack
In regard to getting confidantes to open up, Johnny Carson’s inner circle has proved more difficult than Sinatra’s, according to author Bill Zehme who is currently writing a biography about the iconic late night host and previously wrote The Way You Wear Your Hat: Frank Sinatra and the Lost Art of Living. Appearing Tuesday on Garry Meier’s radio show (WGN) in Chicago, Zehme told listeners, “There’s such a cone of silence around … Read More
Colbert, Keillor, Lancaster Release New Books
The months of April and May have usually been rife with comedy books and this year is no different. Here's a quick look at some new releases. Children's Books Stephen Colbert’s book I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) debuted atop many bestseller lists upon its release last week. Written by the comedian, the satirical children’s picture book is a first-person narrative told through the eyes of a pole that tries his hand at various … Read More
Biographer: Carson’s Inner Circle Tough To Crack
In regard to getting confidantes to open up, Johnny Carson’s inner circle has proved more difficult than Sinatra’s, according to author Bill Zehme who is currently writing a biography about the iconic late night host and previously wrote The Way You Wear Your Hat: Frank Sinatra and the Lost Art of Living. Appearing Tuesday on Garry Meier’s radio show (WGN) in Chicago, Zehme told listeners, “There’s such a cone of silence around … Read More
Eighth Muse Feature Stories & Reviews
Colbert, Keillor, Lancaster Release New Books
The months of April and May have usually been rife with comedy books and this year is no different. Here's a quick look at some new releases. Children's Books Stephen Colbert’s book I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) debuted atop many bestseller lists … [Read More...]
Zweibel, Barry Hit Funnybone With ‘Lunatics’
Lunatics, the new, jointly-written novel by Dave Barry and Alan Zwiebel, hits the ground running and doesn’t stop, tucking and rolling itself into a funny, politically incorrect tumbleweed that’s sure to leave the toes of a certain conservative … [Read More...]
Martin’s Book of Tweets Available Today
To say Steve Martin, 66, has accomplished much is an understatement. Since beginning his showbiz career as a 15-year magician at Disneyland in 1960, Martin has won an Emmy, a Grammy, and was the 2005 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. … [Read More...]
Sedaris’ ‘Me Talk Pretty’ To Be Released in Iran
Publishers Weekly and the Iran Book News Agency (yes, there is such a thing) reported this week that American humorist David Sedaris’ book … [Read More...]
Multimedia
Biographer: Carson’s Inner Circle Tough To Crack
In regard to getting confidantes to open up, Johnny Carson’s inner circle has proved more difficult than Sinatra’s, according to author Bill Zehme who is currently writing a biography about the iconic late night host and previously wrote The Way You Wear Your Hat: Frank Sinatra and the Lost Art of Living. Appearing Tuesday on [...]
Louis C.K., The Onion earn Webby Awards
While self-published books have allowed authors to slip under the distribution gate that is The Powers That Be, comedian Louis C.K. simply opened the gate and let himself in last year when he began selling his new standup comedy special, Louis C.K. – Live at the Beach Theater, directly to his fans via his web [...]
Onion Founding Editor Back For Third Stint
Eight months after The Onion announced it was moving its headquarters to Chicago from New York, “nearly a third of the 23 New York-based editorial staffers rejected as relocation package”, according to a recent story in the Chicago Tribune. The news is one of the more interesting bits in a story that rehashes some information, [...]
Standup
Comedy Womb Reunion Chock-Full of Memories
To demonstrate his displeasure with the comedian onstage, the man removed his prosthetic leg and tossed it at the comedian’s feet. He then removed his other prosthetic leg, and tossed that onto the stage, as well. And as if the whole double leg-tossing thing wasn’t weird enough, the socks on the fake legs didn’t match. [...]
Zanies Comedy Club Founder, Owner Dies
For the second time in less than a year, the Chicago stand-up comedy scene suffered a loss that struck at the heart of the city’s stand-up origins as Rick Uchwat, the founder and owner of Zanies Comedy Club, died Wednesday after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 64. Uchwat opened his first Zanies [...]
Comedy Video Prompts Child Porn Charges
When your homemade video goes viral the notoriety that follows is a publicist’s nirvana. One thing quickly leads to another and before you know it you’re the next Keenan Cahill with 25 million YouTube hits on your duet with 50 Cent and an appearance in the new “Jennifer Aniston’s Sex Tape” commercial for SmartWater. So [...]
Musings
Musings: Monday, November 21, 2011
Few celebs have mastered the art of Twitter – and yes there’s an art to 140 characters of worthwhile commentary – like Steve Martin. On the eve of People Magazine’s annual “Sexiest Man Alive” issue (on newsstands now), Martin (right) tweeted “Waiting by phone for Sexiest Man Alive announcement”. Some of Martin’s best Tweets came [...]
Musings: Thursday, October 6, 2011
There are just some things the Eighth Muse looks forward to each year, one of which is the Best American Nonrequired Reading series. In fact we still chuckle at the 2009’s list of Best Titles of Poems Published in 2008 which includes: “Dad Jokes Around Defining AIDS” by Chip Livingston “I Need More Cowbell” by [...]
Musings: Friday, June 24, 2011
Comedy writers Tyler Perry, Aaron McGruder, and Ali LeRoi are among 21 television writers cited by writer/filmmaker Olufunmilayo Gittens in “African-American Television Writers: Breaking Barriers & Creating History” a feature story that recently appeared in the Atlanta Post. Both Perry (Meet the Browns, House of Payne), and LeRoi (Are We There Yet?) currently have shows [...]
Books
Colbert, Keillor, Lancaster Release New Books
The months of April and May have usually been rife with comedy books and this year is no different. Here’s a quick look at some new releases. Children’s Books Stephen Colbert’s book I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) debuted atop many bestseller lists upon its release last week. Written by the comedian, the [...]
Zweibel, Barry Hit Funnybone With ‘Lunatics’
Lunatics, the new, jointly-written novel by Dave Barry and Alan Zwiebel, hits the ground running and doesn’t stop, tucking and rolling itself into a funny, politically incorrect tumbleweed that’s sure to leave the toes of a certain conservative champion and her supporters smarting. Also, most readers will never look at Mickey Mantle’s rookie baseball card [...]
Martin’s Book of Tweets Available Today
To say Steve Martin, 66, has accomplished much is an understatement. Since beginning his showbiz career as a 15-year magician at Disneyland in 1960, Martin has won an Emmy, a Grammy, and was the 2005 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He has excelled as a stand-up comedian, screenwriter (Roxanne, Bowfinger), playwright [...]
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