Early in my own star-afflicted journalism career, I bagged an interview with Mel Gibson, then in his Mad Max/Gallipoli glory. I arrived in his publicists office in L.A., and was shown to a conference room. There was something odd in the PR person's demeanor, and I figured it out once Mel walked in in a cloud of alcohol fumes. It was just after 10am. After half an hour, the publicist visited and looked searchingly at both of us: Is everything OK? Mel and I looked at each other and shrugged. It was going as well as it could, I guess. For the record, the overwhelming screen presence of Mel shrank as he sat there in front of me. But he was wearing clothes, and the story worked out just fine.
Peter, I realized too late he was not a guy you interviewed straight on. I should have just gone drinking with him. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a drinker. And it sounds like it would have been tough to keep up.
My favorite line: “On the plus side, he didn’t say anything anti-Semitic.” If I’d been reading this in the morning drinking my coffee, I’d have spit it all out from laughing so hard. There were several other lines that almost made the top spot, but the droll tone I attributed to you for that particular one was the tie breaker. This one bears re-reading often.
About the time or a little after Coal Miner's Daughter I was starting out in an agency that repped Lee for film and television. I was low girl on the totem pole, and most of our interactions were around the Lone Star Cafe and hanging out on the bus with him, the band, roadies and the occasional star. I met Jeff Bridges and Sam Shepherd on the same night—they were too handsome and I'd smoked too much to be able to have a conversation so I just walked off the bus! But Lee was always just a kind soul, as were the rest of the crew.
I consider myself to have expertise in the world of poison ivy. It has been decades since I had a case partly because I got the desensitization shots and mostly because I can now recognize it subliminally -- my eyes move on their own until I consciously notice it. But of all the cases I have had which included oozing, weepy sores on my right forearm, I have never been given antibiotics but I have had steroids in both oral and topical forms -- the topical was "inclusion therapy" which kept the arm wrapped in gauze bandages with the steroid cream under them.
In these times you made me laugh, poison ivy and all. Yeah, you’re dedicated.,Thank you.
lol. Thank you. We need to laugh to survive
Early in my own star-afflicted journalism career, I bagged an interview with Mel Gibson, then in his Mad Max/Gallipoli glory. I arrived in his publicists office in L.A., and was shown to a conference room. There was something odd in the PR person's demeanor, and I figured it out once Mel walked in in a cloud of alcohol fumes. It was just after 10am. After half an hour, the publicist visited and looked searchingly at both of us: Is everything OK? Mel and I looked at each other and shrugged. It was going as well as it could, I guess. For the record, the overwhelming screen presence of Mel shrank as he sat there in front of me. But he was wearing clothes, and the story worked out just fine.
Peter, I realized too late he was not a guy you interviewed straight on. I should have just gone drinking with him. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a drinker. And it sounds like it would have been tough to keep up.
I love this piece! You're such a wonderful writer and I'm so glad you're here on Substack.
I grew up in Kingston, knew the Band and others who we all saw at Joyous Lake. I love how you captured the quirkiness. It wasn’t just Levon!
Levon was a sweet guy. You couldn't help liking him. Garth, I wanted to strangle. Although musicians consider him a genius.
I subscribe for such first sentences. And last.
A joy to read over and over! “The Satyr in Bungalow D” just arrived. Guess what I’ll be reading this week!
Christina, I hope you enjoy it. It's best read in May. But if someone buys a copy next month, I will say the same for June.
My favorite line: “On the plus side, he didn’t say anything anti-Semitic.” If I’d been reading this in the morning drinking my coffee, I’d have spit it all out from laughing so hard. There were several other lines that almost made the top spot, but the droll tone I attributed to you for that particular one was the tie breaker. This one bears re-reading often.
Levon was an absolute sweetheart. I had the chance to work with him in the late 80s. ❤️🩹
Jodi, Please,tell us more.
About the time or a little after Coal Miner's Daughter I was starting out in an agency that repped Lee for film and television. I was low girl on the totem pole, and most of our interactions were around the Lone Star Cafe and hanging out on the bus with him, the band, roadies and the occasional star. I met Jeff Bridges and Sam Shepherd on the same night—they were too handsome and I'd smoked too much to be able to have a conversation so I just walked off the bus! But Lee was always just a kind soul, as were the rest of the crew.
You have had some pretty unique adventures, which seems to be right up your alley.
Greetings you in his underwear was indeed an establishment of trust.
The poison ivy, a test to see if you would return.
I love your writing.
😂😂😂😂❤️
Run it every day‼️‼️‼️
I didn't go to J. school. I dated Tony Lukas and asked him questions.
Joyce, first time for me! Do you have a light?
I consider myself to have expertise in the world of poison ivy. It has been decades since I had a case partly because I got the desensitization shots and mostly because I can now recognize it subliminally -- my eyes move on their own until I consciously notice it. But of all the cases I have had which included oozing, weepy sores on my right forearm, I have never been given antibiotics but I have had steroids in both oral and topical forms -- the topical was "inclusion therapy" which kept the arm wrapped in gauze bandages with the steroid cream under them.
I was like "Hey! I've read this before!" Then I kept right on reading. I love this one. Required reading for every journalism student!