Book Tour--My day off includes Amy Sedaris!

As many of you probably already know, Amy Sedaris has written another book, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People, and she is currently on book tour promoting it. My own book tour has crossed hers today--giving me the opportunity to attend her event in Asheville, NC tonight. I've seen her before and she's extremely entertaining and sharp-witted in person. So I wanted to make sure to see her again. Tonight she repeatedly performed her Miss Jane Pittman imitation--not only is it spot-on but it's hilarious. (I love Cicley Tyson--but who doesn't, right?) And, she did her Al Jarreau imitation too. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

I even got a chance to ask her a question during the Q&A about "A Blank White Christmas" her title to a possible "Strangers With Candy" Christmas movie. She didn't directly answer me which I'm fine with but I'm dying to see Jerri Blank's Christmas! The possibilities are endless. When I had Amy sign my book I got a few minutes of face time with her and we talked about how difficult book tours can be. But seeing her is certainly a highlight of my tour. Especially since she didn't come even close to making a stop anywhere near to where I live. I only got to see her because I'm so far away from home.

We were not permitted to take photos of Amy but this is me in the crowd tonight, desperately clutching my copy of Amy's book. And yes, thank you for covering your mouth when you cough!

I broke the first rule of Book Tour: Don't Buy Books--Sell Books!

Saturday, November 13th I'm signing books in Woodruff, SC (outside of Spartanburg/Greenville SC) at 2pm at The Broken TeaPot TeaParlor. See you there!

1980s Christmas: Silver Spoons

"Here we are face to face, a couple of silver spoons..."

Continuing with my posts about TV holiday moments from the 1980s, it has been suggested to me to include this sugary favorite: 1982's "The Best Christmas Ever."

In this season one story, Ricky Stratton is excited to spend his first Christmas with his wealthy father. But when an adorable little boy knocks on their mansion door, the Stratton family discover a homeless family living in a nearby cave. Ricky and his father not only sacrifice their own gifts to give them an unexpected Christmas, but Edward offers the needy family a leg up. Together the families sing ‘Silent Night.’

What makes this TV episode worth remembering is special guest Joey Lawrence as the young, homeless boy. Both Ricky Schroder and Joey Lawrence on the screen at the same time is enough pre-teen super stardom to light a small city. Considering how difficult Hollywood is on child actors, it's pretty amazing that both of these guys, now men, still have succesful careers in the industry.

Tell me what you like about this episode. You can watch it on the first season DVD release available at Netflix--or this mini-sode from Crackle below.

Book Tour: Columbus, Georgia recap

Welcome to the Columbus library!

November 11th, Veteran's Day, I spoke at the Columbus library about Christmas on TV--even highlighting holiday programing that includes a military theme. I promised the crowd that I would re-list those program titles that I brought up. Of course, all these titles and more are included in the upcoming Tis the Season TV book I wrote.

World War I: true-life story about a spontaneous truce that arose between the French and British troops with the Germans on Christmas 1914. See also: the 2005 movie "Joyeux Noel," and the History channel documentaries "The Christmas Truce" and "Christmas at War."

World War II: inspired by a true story/drama about Christmas Eve in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes forest. See also: the 2002 movie "Silent Night." There are also several Christmas movies that take place during WWII including: 1944's "I'll Be Seeing You," 1944's "Since You Went Away," and 1988's "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

The Korean War includes holiday episodes of M*A*S*H and the 1997 TV movie "A Thousand Men and A Baby."

And for the Vietnam War, I discussed "Bob Hope Entertains the Troops--The Vietnam Years" which is the DVD set in the library's collection which includes several of the TV specials made from Bob Hope's annual USO tours to entertain soldiers.

The TV series JAG created their own holiday episode in the fifth season entitled "The Ghosts of Christmas Past" that pays homage to Bob Hope's USO Christmas tours.

Two more contemporary TV Christmas movies have been made that address issues of soldiers in more recent conflicts including 2006's "The Christmas Card" and 2002's "The Christmas Visitor."

Of course, this is just some of the many Christmas titles that incorporate soldiers or the military.

Many thanks to the Friends of the Library for the opportunity to speak at the library. I miss Columbus already!

Book Tour: Augusta GA recap

Everyone keeps asking me when I'm going to be on the History Channel and when the TV Guide Network TV special is going to air--and I still don't know. But THIS is where I'll announce those dates and times as soon as I know! So stay close to this blog if you're looking forward to seeing those upcoming TV specials.

Apparently I recently won an election in South Carolina!!

My latest book signing on my book tour took place at the main library in downtown Augusta, Georgia yesterday. If you aren't familiar with the geography, this sleepy Southern town is just over the South Carolina border--so close that my hotel was actually just a few miles away in South Carolina. Straight out of a nightmare, my short drive to the library turned into an odyssey as my Mapquest directions took me into rural SC where I was lost--and almost late to my program! I had to stop several times and ask locals for directions--the best directions were from a young counter girl working at a chicken shack. She was great and very helpful. My 11 minute drive to the library took me more than an hour and tears were shed. But the new library facility in downtown Augusta is amazing! And I was asked to write a Top 10 list of Christmas programs that are in their library collection for the library's website. Nice.




This is the vehicle that I'm driving across this great country on my book tour. I am pleased to learn that people are taking notice of the car magnets which have my encyclopedia's cover design and website. If you see me, you gotta wave!

My next book event is tomorrow--at the library in Columbus, Georgia at 4 pm. In honor of Veteran's Day, I'll be talking about some of the many, many military/Christmas programs that air on TV--from Bob Hope's memorable USO tour Christmas specials to the more contemporary TV movies The Christmas Card and The Christmas Visitor. By the way, are you aware that Hallmark Channel Christmas programming begins this weekend? Go to their website to check their schedule so you don't miss you're favorite TV movies. Click on the link:

Hallmark Channel

1980s Christmas: Knight Rider

You know you watched it--and you loved it. Okay, maybe it was just me. But the 1980s were a different time. Knight Rider's second season produced its only Christmas-themed episode, entitled "Silent Knight." On his way to a formal Christmas banquet, Michael Knight decides to help a gypsy boy who is being pursued by bank robbers. The boy is a witness to their criminal act and the robbers want to make sure he can’t identify them. But the boy’s gypsy family interferes with Michael’s ability to keep him safe. This episode is so bad, it's good. Even K.I.T.T. is able to arrange to buy Christmas gifts for his colleagues! This 1983 episode is available on DVD--and at Netflix.




Of course, if that's not enough holiday Hasselhoff for you, check out the Baywatch Christmas episode, 1994's "Silent Night, Baywatch Night." This is a two part episode (that's two hours!) of beach adventures. It includes special guest Danny Woodburn--an actor you may remember as the recurring character Mickey on Seinfeld. This Christmas episode also includes Pamela Anderson in a macrame bikini working with orphans. Aaawwww....Christmas is for the kids, isn't it? Anyway, this episode isn't out on DVD yet--but I found it easily on Youtube.

Book Tour: Charlotte, NC recap

Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC

To recap the day's events, I had a book signing today in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some of you may not know that I used to live in Charlotte--so this was a sort of homecoming for me. It was wonderful to visit some of my favorite restaurants (Wolfman Pizza and Lupie's Cafe) and see some old friends again.

Park Road Books (located in Park Road Shopping Center) is a fabulous indie book store with an incredible staff. Thanks to them for their help and assistance! I left behind a few copies of my book--so if you weren't able to stop by this afternoon, you'll still be able to purchase one locally there.

This is me--eagerly 30 minutes early!

That DC Superheroes Pop-Up book next to me (right side of photo) was awesome! And, Olympic speed skater/author, Apolo Ohno, will be occupying my seat there at Park Road Books in just a couple of days. Cool!

My dear friend Charlie from Charlotte dropped by to say 'hi.'

My next stop is Tuesday, Nov. 9th at 7pm at the Main Library in Augusta, Georgia (East Central Regional Library). I'll actually be speaking as well as signing books. Come on down and tell me about your favorite Christmas memories from television.

Then on Thursday, Nov. 11th I'll be speaking again at the Columbus Library, in Columbus Georgia. If you're interested in my upcoming tour, dates and locations--check the blog page "2010 Author Events" along the right hand side of this blog. Or just ask me. That's easy too :)

Book Tour: Charleston, WV recap

Taylor Books in downtown Charleston

Earlier today I had a book signing at Taylor Books in Charleston, West Virginia--what a fabulous place! As you can see, the facade of the downtown store fronts look like a European shopping district. Very classy. Inside this independent book store, I found so many cool books that I had to remind myself there wasn't enough room in the car to buy everything I wanted! I did flip through Amy Sedaris' new book--when I saw the several pages of photos of her suggested stretches to avoid crafting injuries, I laughed loud enough to get everyone in the store to look at me.

Anyway, my appearance and book signing went well!! I met several new friends. Carla told me about her favorite movies: "The House Without A Christmas Tree," "Silent Night, Lonely Night" and "Remember the Night." I suggested that if she liked Barbara Stanwyck in "Remember the Night"--she should check out "Christmas in Connecticut" too.

That's my name in florescent chalk!!

Now I'm in Charlotte, NC--Saturday, Nov. 6th at 2 pm I'll be at Park Road Books at Park Road Shopping Center. I drove by the location earlier tonight and I got a little misty. I thought Park Road sounded familiar!? You see, I used to live in Charlotte, about ten years ago, and I used to live right by here! So I guess I felt a little nostalgic. Once I saw the place, I knew instantly where I was--even if I didn't remember the address. I hope to see some of my old friends tomorrow as well as make a few new friends. See ya then.

I did another interview today--and it's already online! This is in anticipation of my program at the Augusta, Georgia library next Tuesday!! click on the link below:

The Augusta Chronicle's Movie Talk Blog with movie columnist Stephen Yusko. Thanks Stephen!