Farewell, Partner

Farewell, Partner

You’ll find why I’m shedding more than a few tears tonight. Willie Garson was a versatile actor, best known for his ambitious portrayal of Stanford on the original SEX IN THE CITY, as well as several memorable co-starring roles in movies like FEVER PITCH and other TV series like USA’s WHITE COLLAR.  He was a … Read more

Welcome Back

Welcome Back

My best friend is named Bob Boden. He has been since a fateful September 9, 1974 when your author was stumped on a tough mixed-up word in the daily newspaper Jumble game that to this day occupies several minutes of my time to solve every morning. A few weeks ago I couldn’t honestly write those … Read more

Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die?

Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die?

Today is Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.  I will spend the majority of it at my newly chosen temple, praying for the opportunity to maximize what bodes to be the most challenging year of my life to date. One of the most powerful prayers on today’s docket is the Unataneh Tokef, which … Read more

Never forget

Never forget

As I write this, there are memorial services ongoing in New York, Washington, Pennsylvania and elsewhere commemorating the somber 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center.  As a native New Yorker, I took these attacks emotionally and personally.  While I did not personally lose anyone close to me in the buildings or … Read more

A Genius – Even At A Urinal

A Genius – Even At A Urinal

If it’s the week after Labor Day, then it must be time for a great new buzzworthy drama on FX.   This year’s entry, the latest “American Crime Story” season, a scathing retelling of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinskyscandal called “Impeachment”, is already off a stellar start, garnering significant favorable social traction.  As someone who visioned this … Read more

Shelter From The Storm

Shelter From The Storm

Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form Come in, she said I’ll give ya shelter from the storm I survived the remnants of Hurricane Ida physically this week.  My biggest loss … Read more

In One Ear and In The Other

In One Ear and In The Other

Here’s what else youneedtoknowtoday. If like me you’re a devotee of The Daily, the Michael Barbaro-fronted weekday podcast from The New York Times, you know why the last five words are without separation.  That phrase is the semi-colon between the podcast’s signature main story, an extended interview or series of sound bites that delves into … Read more

In a New York state of mind

In a New York state of mind

So with Jeopardy-gate in a temporary (?) lull your author can tend to his own life again, and once again Leblang Across America is in airplane mode, this time the destination being his roots in New York. Once again we are meeting the confluence of exciting present and troubling past, simply letting the fact we … Read more

Take me out to the ballgame!!

Take me out to the ballgame!!

After a one-year hiatus my favorite weekend of the summer is here.  The New York Mets are finally back in Los Angeles, this time for a four-game series which I will be fortunate enough to be attending at least three of them in person. Some of the best days of my life have been spent … Read more

Jeopardy-gate?: Putting focus groups in focus

Jeopardy-gate?: Putting focus groups in focus

A report from The Week (https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/jeopardy-s-dual-hosting-plan-reportedly-came-about-because-mayim-bialik-was-too-busy-for-the-main-gig/ar-AANibW4?ocid=msedgntp )emerged this morning that Sony TV executives actually wanted Mayim Bialik as the new host if the daily version of Jeopardy!, citing focus group testing that confirmed that audiences thought her performance was best.  This new tidbit emerged in light on the ongoing criticism of their choice of executive … Read more