Update 2-1-05

Hi,

First, something left out of last week's letter, due to lack of space, from Robert Fiveson: I wrote "Johnny Goes Home," the 90-minute special mentioned last week in Johnny Carson's obituary. The show received a 30 Nielsen share (huge) when it aired.

Next, related, from Donald Faber: Thanks for the memories (whoops, that was Bob Hope, wasn't it?) My first job after graduating from college and returning to New York City was as a page and tour guide at NBC. There, I had the distinction of having been a page on the old "Tonight Show" before it moved to Los Angeles the following year. I have so many great memories of that time, no doubt mellowed by the passing years, but in retrospect it was a rare and great opportunity to see and meet SO many stars and performers. It was also great to drink with members of that great "Tonight Show" band in Hurley's Bar hours before the show! That band was the steady gig that helped pay the bills for some of the best jazz musicians of the time. Carson's death 'twas indeed a bit of sad news to hear, the end of yet another era. (Donald also mentioned that the famous Kenneth Tynan interview with Johnny Carson from the New Yorker is available at: http://www.newyorker.com/archive/content/?050124fr_archive03)

Also, from Donald, a Valley Stream information link spent specifically to me, but I thought other people might be interested, too. As usual, I'm guessing this doesn't include Green Acres/Millbrook and the North Woodmere/Lynbrook areas that contributed to South. http://www.nonprofitmaps.org/longislandindex/profile.asp?nassau=Valley+Stream&NassBtn=View
+Profile&suffolk=Select+community

A question from Jerry Bittman, also delayed from last week because of all the great Carson material he forwarded: The other night, I was watching the Comedy Channel, and they had a stand-up comedian on. Unfortunately, I did not get his name, but he said he was from Valley Stream, and he talked about playing stickball in the schoolyard when he was young. Does anybody know who he is?
Another quick follow-up from last week: The piece I passed on by Marc Shaiman, about Bette Midler on the next-to last Carson show, merely credited Shaiman as being a musician -- because I was keeping the focus on Carson. Shaiman has also been nominated for three Oscars and is the Tony Award-winning composer of the current Broadway hit Hairspray.

On another subject, word comes from Dennis Shapiro that two-dozen people are paid 40th reunion partygoers, which gave Dennis enough money to glide through the February 1st deadline. The next push is for June, so I'll let money trickle in till April, then start sending out more urgent reminders.
From Zelda White Nichols: Well, the movers pack us up today, and after the moving van is loaded and pulls out tomorrow afternoon, so do we. I don't know if I gave you my new e-mail address, but it's: zelda.nichols@high-rock-lake.com. The next time I read your newsletter we will be in Lexington, North Carolina.

[Rich -- I hope it was a smooth trip and that it will be an easy transition. It rained a little bit last Friday in Los Angeles, but now it's sunny and 70 again.]

Also forwarded by Mr. Fiveson: There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them. (If you don't send this to five old friends right away, there will be five fewer people laughing in the world.)

A longer piece, forwarded by Barbara Blitfield Pech, among others. I know this has been around for a while, but, hey, it's cold where most of you are, and it's not even midwinter:
George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The main man in China!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you. Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you, or will you not, tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was dead in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the
Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No, but now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. Then get me the U.N. Condi: Yes, sir.
George: No, not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.

Finally, the repeating reunion information, also skipped last week for lack of space:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65

Rich