Happy 100th birthday to Cpl Melvin Kaminsky aka Mel Brooks - the Mensch of Mensches When speaking of his service with the 78th Infantry Division in WWII, he reportedly said, “I was a combat engineer. Isn’t that ridiculous? The two things I hate most in the world are combat and engineering.”

On this date in 1962, a hotel in Atlanta refused to provide a room to Dr. Ralph Bunche because he was Black. Dr. Bunche was an under-secretary-general of the United Nations at the time and the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for mediating an armistice in the Middle East.

I think about gay men during the AIDS crisis, in the face of what often seemed like utter hopelessness, using everything in the arsenal--rage, resolve, defiance, humor, sexual energy, imagination, and art--to prevent despair from ruling the day. Even Larry Kramer didn't simply say, "We're doomed."

🎶Whoa, Black Betty🎶

We've lost Harold Wheeler, supremely talented arranger, orchestrator, and music director - from The Wiz and Dreamgirls through Hairspray, Ain't Too Proud, and Side Show. He was a delight to spend time with and listening to his music was equally thrilling.

SUSAN COLLINS: The people of Maine want independence FOX NEWS: You've voted with President Trump about 94% of the time

reposting because @jackviertel.bsky.social had missed it, but also because it would be a marvelous book for a lazy summer Sunday 💙📚

@booktweeting.bsky.social I'm just curious as to whether you've read any of my three books, given that you're a book reviewer and apparently a book fanatic. No pressure. Just curious. They're, y'know...books.

Just thought I'd mention that Hitchcock's Rebecca is a good movie. And it's on Youtube.

🎯🎯🎯🎯 @samyoungman.bsky.social

Criterion Channel put up The Straight Story, which I hadn't seen since its original release. Not only is it an absolutely wonderful movie, but what a joy to watch a movie made by someone who actually knows how to shoot one. You won't be sorry.

Wow, Trump finally got a crowd to show up at the Kennedy Center.

It seems odd that so many people condemn Platner for fighting in the Iraq war, but give Collins a pass on voting to authorize and fund it.

live your life in such a way that the entire world isn’t waiting to see your accursed name pried off every building

Now the Times is writing about Platner's shirt being tucked in during his victory speech. What's the Pillsbury Doughboy afraid of?

As a Robert Altman fan I was pleased to see that A Wedding showed up on the Criterion Channel. I hadn't seen it since its original release. It's painfully terrible. Oh, well.

I swear to god if the Times prints another chickpea recipe I may embark on a campaign to eat all the chickpeas in the world just to stop them. They certainly do have their obsessions. But chickpeas and Graham Platner? It's more confusing than The French Connection.

Who is the anti woman candidate in the Maine senate race? Unequivocally Susan Collins and there are many receipts.

If he was a Democratic senate candidate from .. say... Maine, NYT would look like one of those dogs crazily digging for some dirt nuggets with unnatural speed and ferocity.

I need the moon And a Cole Porter tune Those beguines don't begin to beguine In the afternoon. You might not think Lee Adams was the best of the 60s lyricists but he was damn good, and needs a little more recognition. I'm happy to be his champion.

Platner in Bar Harbor. At least half the audience of 800 is made up of women.

According to the Times, Josh Turek, a Paralympian, "coasted to victory" in the Democratic Senate Primary in Iowa. I'm not sure "coasted" was the best choice of words. Or was it intended as a little joke? Not my kind of joke.

Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in America.  He embodies the broken system we’re running against. It’s time to come together: The People vs. Ken Paxton

In all the back and forth lately (admittedly with a limited bunch of us) about Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth can I put in a good word for The Matchmaker, a play that is much more than the sum of its parts -- and with a great curtain line?

The last man nearly ruined this place, He didn't know what to do with it. If you think this country's bad off now, Just wait til I get through with it. Kalmar and Ruby should be Trump's official songwriters.

Does the NY Times own stock in a chickpea company? This is getting ridiculous.

With his sharp wit and fierce compassion, he was a crucial leader securing fair and affordable housing, promoting LGBTQ+ rights, and protecting our financial systems from ruin. My thoughts and prayers are with Barney’s family and loved ones. May his memory be a blessing.

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend and former colleague, Congressman Barney Frank. Barney’s courage to come out as the first openly gay man in Congress inspired many, and his steadfast commitment to fighting for civil rights transformed the lives of millions of Americans.

Strunk and White advise us (demand from us) that we write with nouns and verbs, not adjectives and adverbs. But has there ever been a more felicitous or colorful line than "by the sharp lapel of your checkered coat?" Two great adjectives. All competitors are welcome. But Frank Loesser, geez.

I suppose after half a century or more I might as well admit that Moon River is a great song. Not sure why it took me this long, especially since I’m a mad Mercer fan. Just a little slow on the uptake I guess. Tonight was the night.

As a progressive, I've carved out a spot of grudging respect for David French. No more. His hit piece on Platner is classic uninformed gobbledegook from the right wing ivory tower, sanctimonious, snotty and without any time spent getting to know anything real. Get your ass up here for god's sake.

In 1962, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opened at the Alvin Theatre on this day. When I made my list of greatest musicals for @bcdreyer.social I left it off. I'm just standing here saying, "shame! Shame!"

Will the Met Gala be over soon? I'm all clogged up.

Currently having thoughts and offering prayers.

Break up the Mets!

Comparisons between Platner and Fetterman seem to me to be classic classism. Platner has more than adequately explained the extreme bad judgment of his younger self and his program and policies are far to the left of where Fetterman's ever were. I think AOC is actually a better comparison.

Today is August Wilson's birthday. Would that he were here to celebrate it. We might have ten more plays. I'm happy he has a hit revival on Broadway though.

Graham Platner is spot-fucking-on. 🎯🎯🎯👇

I first saw Follies in March of 1971, and I've seen and listened to it a hell of a lot since. How is it that only tonight did I realize that: Buddy: "I may play cards all night and come home at three." Sally: "Just leave a light on the porch for me" is a joke lifted from Ado Annie & Will Parker?

@lenschiff.bsky.social Every time I read anything about Trump's war with Iran I picture Gene Wilder in a bar during the intermission of Springtime for Hitler mumbling "no way out" over and over while Zero Mostel has another drink.

RIP Eric Overmeyer, who wrote great TV shows, not to mention the play On the Verge. In '83 he was one of 3 finalists for a Harvard fellowship; I was a judge. Harvard said no: not talented enough. The other 2: August Wilson and David Henry Hwang – talented but too specialized. It's a bad college.

What is the word "of" doing here? In the New York Times for chrissakes. "How Long of a Wait at Security? For Many Passengers, It Was Anyone’s Guess."

I'm a pretty good cook, but unless I'm making creme brûlée, I try to avid recipes where one of the instructions is "ignite a blowtorch and..." Maybe it's just me.

Happy birthday (number 124) to the great Son House, who taught the world about what the Delta Blues really sounded like and meant, and (not to put too fine a point on it) taught me to play slide guitar in 1968.

Tomorrow is pub day for Daniel Okrent's extraordinary Sondheim biography ART ISN'T EASY, a fascinating and extraordinarily well-researched life study packed into 230 wonderfully written pages. Okrent was on with Terry Gross this afternoon for a swell 40 minutes. Get the book. You won't be sorry.

Times banner headline: Oil Shock Sends Tremors Through World Economy: ‘This Really Is the Big One’ Translation: World to Trump: "Here's another nice mess you've gotten us into."

The great Davids Hays has left us. Among many great works he designed a remarkable number of cult flops: A Family Affair, UTBU, Look We've Come Through, Bring Back Birdie, The Goodbye People, Dr. Cook's Garden, Drat! The Cat, A Murderer Among Us (Severn Darden!) The Last Analysis, and more. RIP.

Very disappointed that I was unable to buy a branded Trump poop souvenir today. I was prepared to pay good money, as long as toilet paper was supplied as a free bonus gift. Also hoping for an autograph, but I understand it's hard to sign a turd with an autopen.

Why is it that every time I install an update on my laptop or phone everything gets harder to do? Things that used to take one keystroke now take two or three, and I see nothing that actually helps. Just a bunch of tech-nerds playing with their gear to make my life more confusing. Which isn't nice.

Venezuela is a pretty small country compared to some others. I can't imagine running it will be very difficult.