A vintage Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon ad by Hirschfeld. How many Nina’s can you find?
Author: tomversation
Vintage comic strip shopping
I’ve been vintage comic strip shopping again, adding to my collection. I bought some more original cartoon art. This time I got four Momma strips by Mel Lazarus. Mel recently passed away, so this makes it even more special. And I purchased an original pen and ink King Aroo strip from Sept. 3, 1962, done by Jack Kent the strips’s creator and cartoonist. I just learned about King Aroo recently and love the style and comedy of Jack. I purchased a couple of compilation books of the comic strip last year. These strips are all signed.
The Momma strips are pen and ink originals from 1973. I also love Mel’s other comic strip, Miss Peach. Would love to get my hands on one of them. I’ve seen pre-production pages from a book, but I would love the original newspaper strip.
I would also love an original Peanuts strip, but those seem to be going for $25,00o to $50,000 and up!
I also purchased these new books. Love the shape, perfect to fit comic strips. The Gumps and Krazy Kat.
10 things you didn’t know about newsman Ayman Mohyeldin
10 With Tom
10 questions in 10 minutes
Ayman Mohyeldin, shown here, is one of my favorites at MSNBC. I love saying his name, but even more than that, he is an excellent newsman, whether he is traveling the world or anchoring behind the desk. I had a chance to ask Ayman the 10 With Tom questions, here they are:
TOM: You travel a lot, how many miles do you think you’ve gone this year?
AYMAN: I think I’ve made it around the world at least twice so far.
TOM: Favorite location to visit?
AYMAN: With all the traveling I do… Home is my favorite location to visit.
TOM: You must have some airport or travel secrets?
AYMAN: I could make millions with the travel secrets I’ve learned. How much are you willing to pay? I can get you through any airport pretty easily…wait, is TSA going to read this?
TOM: Do you prefer anchoring the news or being out in the field reporting?
AYMAN: My heart will always be in the field. But anchoring is a mental challenge as well. They both have advantages and disadvantages. I am a huge foodie, so field food was not good on my waistline. I pretty much ate my way through life when I was field reporting.
TOM: Favorite season. And why?
AYMAN: Summer. More reasons to be lazy.
TOM: Do you believe in Bigfoot?
AYMAN: No.
TOM: I really thought he would.
TOM: What song would you sing for your American Idol audition?
AYMAN: No Sleep Till Brooklyn
TOM: What did you have for breakfast today?
AYMAN: Iced Coffee and a cheese Man’ousha (google it and thank me later).
TOM: What’s something you always wanted to do as a child but never got to do?
AYMAN: Go to band camp.
TOM: What are two things you would do if you woke up to find yourself completely invisible?
AYMAN: I would sit in on a few high level meetings at the Oval office between world leaders specially some specific country leaders. And I would definitely crash the finals of the World Cup.
Thanks, Ayman! Good sport.
Being a one man newspaper act
The Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) has a story about an Alaskan newspaper, the Skagway News, where the editor is also the only writer, editor lays out the paper, brings it to the printer, picks it up and distributes it.
From the article: “As the editor/reporter,” the listing for her job explained, “you will be responsible for writing every story, laying out every issue, sending it to the printers and picking it up in Whitehorse, [Yukon Territory], two hours away. You and our business manager are also responsible for distributing the papers throughout town and mailing them to the Lower 48.”
I love this, as I have been doing this for over 11 years with the Coconut Grove Grapevine the daily news in our little sailing village in Miami, FL. Well, every part except the having it printed, because the Grapevine is an online publication and I doubt it would ever exist if it wasn’t, although in the early 1980s, the Coconut Grove Grapevine was a monthly or twice monthly printed newspaper which I worked on as a kid, that’s where I got the name for the online Grapevine.
I worked at a place where I typeset and layed out newspapers and the Coconut Grove Grapevine was a client.
Interestingly enough, many of the people I know in Coconut Grove today, worked for the original Grapveine, mostly as writers just starting out.
But anyway, I’ve always been proud of the current Coconut Grove Grapevine as being a one-man operation – I find the news or edit the press releases that come in, I take the photos, interview people, design the layout and stories, sell the ads, etc. etc. Very much like the Skagway News. And I do mine all part time although it seems full time.
Anyway, here’s the Skagway article in the CJR.
Ask or you won’t get
I’ve been doing this 10 With Tom interview thing here and for the Huffington Post, and I’ve noticed something interesting with the people I interview. They are not shy about asking for changes to the questions, content or even publication dates. I’ve been interviewed many times myself and it never dawned on me to ask for anything, except a few years ago, I would ask publications to refer to me as Tom Falco, cartoonist, rather than writer or editor.
I’ve had subjects for 10 With Tom ask me to remove certain things and to replace certain questions and to change a word here or there and to even publish on certain dates to coincide with something they were promoting. I don’t mind, I’m not doing investigative journalism, so I’m glad to do it, but I learned from these successful people to ask for what you want.
I used to have a boss so many years ago. He used to tell us in the advertising department of the newspaper we worked for, “Ask or you won’t get. Ask 10 people and maybe one will say yes.” Words to live by.
10 things you didn’t know about The Vamipre Diaries’ Daniel Newman
10 With Tom
10 questions in 10 minutes
Daniel Newman is best known for his TV roles on The Vampire Diaries, Heroes, Homeland, One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, 7th Heaven and soon The Walking Dead. He was a Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Louis Vuitton model when photographer Bruce Weber discovered him. His musical work appeared on the Twilight soundtrack. The seventh season of The Walking Dead TV series hinted at Daniel playing the part of Richard, working security with The Kingdom’s leader, Ezekiel. Fans are excited for the series’ season 7 premier on October 28, 2016.
I had the chance to ask Daniel the 10 With Tom questions. He has an excellent sense of humor and loves his fans friends.
TOM: Which show did you have the most fun on – The Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead or Heroes.
DANIEL: Is this a yes or no only interview? Rapid fire? Lol.. well I’m gonna fuckin fail this then. Ha. Vampire Diaries was awesome in the fact that my Twitter jumped up 300,000 fans after it, with the most amazing kids from all over the world. And they all bought my album on iTunes and sold out all my concerts so to go from a broke waiter bartender to selling out places was mind boggling. That wouldn’t have happened without it. To still get so many messages daily from kids in Europe, Egypt, Russia, Dubai, Japan, USA, Philippines, and hardcore in South America. They just love that show so it was a privilege.
But joining Walking Dead has been a whole new level. My role’s only barely been revealed so far, but the network used my character’s images for so much press and publicity for this new season, so a ton of people on the streets here in the US have come up to me to talk and on airplanes. I’ve never had that before. I was just trying to build my tech company this year, so a couple random lucky breaks and tons and tons of hard work have been a huge blessing this year. I was amazed after I was revealed on the finale half a million new people followed me on Twitter and Instagram, and all write to me about their families and lives and cool stuff. Blown away by all the love and excitement they have for my character and the plot this season.
The show is Iconic, and the cast and creators have created such a worshiped legendary series that people are so invested in and love, it’s really an honor to be able to be a part of it.
TOM: You are great about following fans back on social media. Why do that? Isn’t that a lot of “voices” coming at you at once when you follow almost 600,000 on Twitter alone?
DANIEL: I don’t have any fans. They’re friends. We’re all equal people. The reason I try my best to follow so many people back is, a couple of my heroes I admire followed me on Twitter and I got the biggest thrill out of it. I know it’s so stupid and silly but for some reason I just felt like I was “connected” to them, and mattered to them. It’s the smallest little gesture of respect and connection. I realized how special and powerful it is. And it only takes a second to acknowledge someone in real life. Smile at them or shake a hand and listen. And sometimes it means the world to people. Inspires people. Or just makes them have a happy moment they’ll manifest positivity that day to other people. It was so simple and silly, but really meant a lot to me. So that left an impression with me and I wanted to give that feeling to everyone that follows me. So whenever someone that’s following me writes to me, I just click the follow button back.
TOM: You went to Yale for a bit, what did you major in?
DANIEL: Trouble.
TOM: Who would you rather be, Batman or Superman. Why?
DANIEL: Method man. Or Ginger man. Uber man. Venmo man. Elon Muskman. There’s so many legendary people right now reinventing life, industries, societies. I’m far more fascinated with modern revolutionaries changing the political and socioeconomic landscapes. It’s magical to be able to steal glimpses into the hidden secret worlds of our generation’s leaders. Especially the ones that think they’re incognito with no one the wiser as they puppet master global change. So much is happening right now, and with the internet, everything is right under your nose, you just have to know where to look and what you’re searching for, and it’s all exposed. I’m kind of a fin-tech nerd.
TOM: Last shows you binge watched?
DANIEL: House of Cards, Homeland, Narcos, Queen of the South, Golden Girls
TOM: Favorite season
DANIEL: The other one
TOM: What did you have for breakfast?
DANIEL: Peanut butter and banana sandwich with mayonnaise and a Redbull
TOM: Favorite beer/cocktail
DANIEL: Sober for years. I mastered that class. Was everything, then just tequila in the end. But I died in 2009 when I was walking through an intersection and a drunk driver ran a red light and ran over me at about 50 mph and left me dead. Fortunately I was right by a hospital and witnesses got the ambulance there in minutes to revive me and after a coma and years of surgeries and physical therapy they got me back to brand new. I feel incredible with only a couple tiny scars on my knee and elbow. Huge miracle. Gave me a clear focus and purpose and passion for people and great hard work.
TOM: I see you’re the only Walking Dead cast member who’s been featured nude before. You’re on the cover of the international hit art campaign REDHOT100 absolutely naked. After they featured Olympic athletes and the top 100 celebrity redheads, and you were featured on Connan Obrien, GQ, vogue, BBC, and pretty much all the press and news worldwide. Congrats. How did that happen?
DANIEL: I was honored to be picked. I love how they fight against bullying and teach people to love themselves the way they are. It’s a cool cause all going to the Anti Bullying Alliance, and I was amazed to get the cover and be in all the art galleries. Besides, it’s pretty humbling being in the company of Olympians and this group. I’m definitely proud of it.
TOM: If you could remake a classic movie, which would it be?
DANIEL: Goonies? Indian Jones? Porkies? Flashdance? Haha ok maybe not.
Thanks, Daniel! Good sport. We’ll be watching for you in The Walking Dead!
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The Little Shop of Horrors art
A friend and I were driving through Coral Gables the other day and we came upon this. Far be it from me to criticize another’s art, but come on, this is art? We had a tropical system passing through the area and I almost thought this was something that fell from a building or was destroyed in the storm, only one thing – the storm hadn’t arrived yet!
Then I found out that the City of Coral Gables paid almost $1 million for this piece that looks like it’s out of Little Shop of Horrors, we were afraid to get too close fearing that it would start singing, “Feed Me,” and eat us alive.
It almost appears to eat the building.
Looks like a pile of scrap metal from this angle.
Reaching for the sky.
Coral Gables chose an artist from New York, Alice Aycock to create the commissioned piece. I don’t think I’ve seen anything this ugly even in New York. Is she punking us? She was chosen out of 181 other artists, I shudder to think what they came up with if this was the winning piece. There are actually two of them, a big one and a little one. At first I thought they were multiplying, but there are only the two.
In all fairness, Alice does a wonderful job with sculptures, you can see her work at her website here: www.aaycock.com. But are these flowers a good example of her work and are they worth $1 million?
They are sort of in a back area of the Gables, off Biltmore Way and Coral Way, near the traffic circle on Segovia, where the business area meets the residential area, near the Grenada Golf Course. Check it out if you get a chance, don’t get too close, and let me know what you think.
There’s a petition to get rid of them, so not sure how long they will last. It may just end up being expensive scrap metal.
Am I bored by high culture?
I was asked today to be a judge at a local Film Festival. I turned them down. I can’t sit through all those movies in one day, it would drive me insane. I’ve also turned down judging arts events, as they take a day or two of looking at non-stop art and then making decisions on who and who wouldn’t be part of arts festivals and shows. Guess I just don’t have the patience.
But Breaking Bad, Real Housewives, Naked and Afraid. I’m in. I’ll sit for hours on end watching these shows and their marathons. Not sure what it says about me but the high culture events bore me. TV doesn’t.
The queen of reality tv
10 With Tom
10 questions in 10 minutes
Glenda Hersh shown here, is an Emmy award winning producer and co-president and CEO of True Entertainment and Original Media, two leading producers of reality tv. True was taken over by Endemol which makes me laugh because I had a friend who worked for Endemol in Miami and he would always tell me to come and pitch some of my reality show ideas that I had. I never did, but it’s almost coming full circle with Glenda doing 10 With Tom today.
TOM: You produce the Real Housewives of Atlanta and Real Housewives of Potomac, but not the others (NY, NJ, OC, Beverly Hills, Melbourne, etc.). How do they have that same flavor and look if they are done by different production companies?
GLENDA: What makes the franchise so great is that each location has its own distinctive personality, but they all share a similar grammar and feel.
TOM: Of all the housewife shows, which would you like to be a part of if you had to, not including your own?
GLENDA: I would love to be a part of my own [RHOA and RHOP], because I am so proud of them. However, if I had to choose another location it would Beverly Hills because the weather is better.
TOM: What would be your housewife opening tagline?
GLENDA: “You can sleep when you’re dead.”
TOM: You also produce Don’t Be Tardy, Vanity Fair Confidential, Hack My Life, A Baby Story and Trauma: Life in the ER, and Mystery Diagnosis. Original Media’s series include renowned Ink Master and spin-off Ink Master: Redemption, Swamp People, Dual Survival, Comic Book Men, and I Love You…But I Lied. That is some lineup, when do you sleep and what do you do for relaxation?
GLENDA: I am also married with a 7-year-old son, so sleep is not a huge part of my life. But I do run off to my lake house for relaxation when I can.
TOM: Ink Master is back for its 8th season on August 23 on Spike TV. Do you have any tattoos yourself?
GLENDA: I don’t have any tattoos personally, but I am a huge fan of the art.
TOM: Last show you binge-watched?
GLENDA: House of Cards
TOM: Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul?
GLENDA: Breaking Bad
TOM: Favorite city you have lived in?
GLENDA: New York City
TOM: Last song you listened to?
GLENDA: “I Took a Pill in Ibiza,” by Mike Posner.
TOM: Glenda, interesting name. Were you named after someone?
GLENDA: I don’t know what my mother was thinking. I can’t say that it was easy as a kid, but as an adult I love it. I rarely have to use my last name; how many Glendas do you know?
Thanks Glenda! Check out some of Glenda’s work when Ink Master returns to Spike TV with a new season on Tuesday, August 23 at 10 pm eastern time.
Remembering Smokey Stover
I bought an old book the other day called, “Great Comics.” It has comic strips from the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune. So many I remember well from the Daily News years ago. There is Dick Tracy, Dondie, Little Orphan Annie and Smokey Stover, to name a few.
I always loved Smokey Stover. I never understood it, but loved it and my mother did, too. She liked the crazy words thrown out throughout the strip like “Notary Sojac” and “Foo.” Smokey, created by cartoonist Bill Holman, was a fireman and the strip was about his crazy life. He and his boss Chief Cash U Nutt drove to fires in the Foo Mobile.
The Smokey Stover comic strip started running in March 1935 and ended in 1937 when Bill retired it. I guess I remember it from the early ’70s, possibly, late ’60s.
After seeing it in the “Great Comics,” book I looked for more Smokey strips online and was pleased to find a whole site dedicated to Smokey and gang with hundreds of comics from the 1930s through the 1970s. That’s here: www.smokey-stover.com
Check it out if you get a chance. It’s really good stuff.