Grateful

I felt a deep sadness following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. I saw her as a great source of hope and truth in the world. There was something in the narrative of the story of the human condition that seemed right: the exiled daughter returning, the people rallying around her, the world ready for a change of peace despite violence.

I see Barack Obama last night and as I am inspired, I also worry. I hear even a newscaster on FoxNews praise his speech. One on MSNBC remarks how he reminds him of Bobby Kennedy. Hope does take audacity. It’s quite something how people who preach the hate and fear that become violence rarely become victims of it themselves. It’s those that challenge us to look within ourselves and others, look past our differences, be the change we seek –it’s the Gandhi’s, King’s, Kennedy’s, Bhutto’s, that are slain.

I’m not saying we should even the score.

What I’m saying is that when Ms. Bhutto was killed, I was tempted to give up. I had to ask why.

Let’s Play Oddball

Heather Havrilesky made a sly reference (and link) to me in her post on Salon.com about Jay Leno’s new show. Can you find it?

Many years ago, Heather did an interview with me for Salon about my talk-show-in-a-theatre, The J. Keith van Straaten Show. Good to know I haven’t done too much since then to diminish my reputation as an aspirational oddball…

Follow Me!

Hello My Tweeple…. Yes, I’ve jumped on to the bandwagon and am on Twitter. I still don’t quite get it (whereas Facebook makes complete, metaphysical sense to me), but please… Follow J_Keith and get little updates on my doings.

Then somebody explain it to me.

Carrot Top

Sometimes life gives you lemons and you make lemonade. Other times you get carrots and you make… a little 3-minute video. Enjoy!

Only Human

Hello Friends,

Thanks to all those who attended my game show pilot presentation of WORD1. I’m working on editing the show now.

Meantime, I’ll be posting some videos of past “What’s My Line? – Live On Stage” segments and other goodies to keep you warm throughout the winter.

As usual, I pepper this blog with photos of my travels, the latest being to New York. Make sure to add me as your friend on Facebook for even more updates!

WOW! (Word One Week!)

It’s here! The debut of our new game show. Check it out at http://www.word1.tv

I promise the show is better than the site.

The First Word

I’m very excited to announce a brand new project… The debut of a new game show created by myself and Jim Newman. It’s called WORD1 and it’s premiering as a live pilot presentation on November 17, 19, & 20 at ACME Comedy Theatre. More info will be posted here in the coming days and at www.word1.tv

I hope you’ll join us for some fun-filled evenings of fast-paced games and prizes!

Through Bone-Colored Glasses

I got new glasses. They’re made of bone. I can’t tell if I’m being a good egg, cuz that’s an environmentally-friendly, renewable resource OR if I’m a bad egg because I’m exploiting an animal (at least I hope it’s an animal bone).

Either way, here’s looking at YOU, blog-reader!

Mr. Blackwell, RIP

Mr. Blackwell was a Mystery Guest on “What’s My Line? – Live On Stage” in December of 2004. While I’m grateful for every celebrity who takes time to join us on stage, there’s a special affection I have for those who did so before we had any reviews, any long list of previous guests, or any demo reel to prove to people that we’re not complete weirdos. Mr. Blackwell agreed to be on show #6 and he would have done show #1 if the scheduling had allowed. When people say that all he did was criticize, I have to smile and shake my head, because I remember how generous he was to me, and I remember the raucous cheer that erupted when he was asked to “enter and sign in please.” An audience not knowing who they were going to see was thrilled that a real gentleman had joined us. I’m glad I got to sit next to him for a little while –even if he didn’t care for my tie.

No Laughateering

The Captain Creamsicle’s Laughateers show, scheduled for October 22, has been canceled.

I mention this because I was to be in it.

Also, just another reminder, I did not name the group.