January 1st - January 13th

OK, so I've got some catching up to do. Here are the letters I've written for the first 13 days of the year.

January 2006

Sunday January 1

Happy New Year! This is the day to start resolutions, and my number one resolution is being put into action by this very journal that you’re reading. My first letters of the New year will go to people involved in the areas I want to concentrate on.

Tom Galantich -

An actor who I saw filling in for the lead role in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” on Broadway (usually played by John Lithgow) and also in “Mamma Mia” a few years ago. I aspire to do what Mr. Galantich does, perform night in and night out on the Broadway stage, so I wrote to him and asked for advice.

Art Linkletter-

An entertainment icon. This man created and hosted two long running shows, “People are Funny” and “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” In addition, he’s written over twenty best selling books. Mr. Linkletter was a personal friend of Walt Disney and the TV host of the opening day ceremonies at Disneyland in 1955. I am writing him for advice on both getting ahead in show business and advice on a one man tribute show about Walt Disney that I am hoping to perform Off Broadway by the end of 2006.

James Downey-

“Saturday Night Live” helped to form my comic sensibility, and I’ve been an avid fan since it began in the mid 1970’s (though I was too young to get most of the jokes back then.) James Downey has been a key player, both as writer and performer, on the show from the very beginning. One of my life’s ambitions is to appear on “SNL” as host or player, so I wrote to Mr. Downey for advice.

Jennifer LeRoy-

In my capacity as a NYC tour guide, I am called upon often to give tours of a landmark restaurant, The Tavern on the Green. The owner of the Tavern for years was Warner LeRoy, grandson of the founder of Warner Brothers, an son of a legendary Hollywood director/producer. Mr. LeRoy bought the tavern in the 1970’s and made it one of the most profitable restaurants in the world. He passed away a few years ago, but his daughter Jennifer has continued the tradition. I wrote to her to thank her for keeping her father’s legacy alive and asked for some anecdotes about her dad and the Tavern that I can add to my tour as well as advice on running a business.

Monday January 2nd

Procrastination has always been a big character flaw of mine, so I’m spending the second day of the new year writing to a famous Doctor who specializes in helping people correct unwanted behavior.

Dr. Phil McGraw -

Though he’s only had a TV show for a few years, this man has quickly become America’s self help guru and a man that I admire. I wrote to Dr. Phil letting him know how much his books and show have meant to me and asked him for advice on keeping my goals in sight.

Tuesday January 3rd

Today is my father’s 67th birthday, so I thought I’d send a letter dedicated to him. On March 10th, he is getting married at home plate in Yankee Stadium (the only person in the eight decade history of the landmark Stadium to be allowed to do so.) I’m writing a letter to the Mayor of NYC in my father’s behalf to ask him to perform the wedding ceremony.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg -

A self made billionaire who took office in tough circumstances (just after 9/11/2001) Mayor Bloomberg has kept the City on the same even keel that his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani started. In a city this large, that’s no small task, especially for a man who previously held no political office. I wrote to him to congratulate him on his success, ask him to marry my dad, and thank him for his stewardship of the City.

Wednesday January 4th

If I’m going to start a project involving the use of the US Postal System, I figure that I’d better inform the current Postmaster General.

Postmaster General John E. Potter

An incredible story, Mr. Potter rose through the ranks of the Postal System, from clerk in the Bronx, to the esteemed position of Postmaster General. He took office just before September 11, 2001. He’s done an amazing job of dealing with more challenges (post 9/11 shutdown of air traffic, anthrax scare, rise in email and instant messaging, etc.) than any other Postmaster General in history

Thursday January 5th

As mentioned, I’m planning a one man show on Walt Disney, who is my personal hero. (You’ll see many letters throughout 2006 that deal with this topic.) I chose to write to a man who knows more about Walt Disney than anyone else.

Dave Smith

For almost forty years, this man has been head of the Disney Archives, the keeper of the collection of all things related to the Disney company. He’s written many comprehensive books on the subject, including “Disney A to Z”, the definitive Disney guide. If I’m going to seek advice from anyone about my proposed show, Dave smith is the guy.

Friday January 6th

This is the twelfth day of Christmas, Three Kings Day. Supposedly this is the day that the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar arrived in Bethlehem to visit baby Jesus. While not widely celebrated in the US, this is a huge day in many other countries, and for many the official end of the Christmas season. (I know that this has always been the day when my family takes down the tree and the decorations.) Who better to write to on this day than three reigning monarchs? Definitely a rarity in the 21st Century.

Mohammed VI - King of Morocco

One of the youngest monarchs, King Mohammed was in his 30’s when he ascended to the throne in 1999. He has helped to modernize Morocco’s infrastructure.

Harald V - King of Norway

From the “old school” of monarchs (he is related by blood to the King of Sweden and the Queen of England) King Harald has had some health issues in the past few years but is still a guiding light of this beautiful country.

Malietoa Tanumafili II -King of Western Samoa

In his 90’s, King Malietoa is still going strong as leader of this small island nation in the South pacific. My wife and I are fans of Polynesian cuisine, so I feel a connection to Western Samoa, though I’ve never actually been there.

Saturday January 7th

For Christmas, my dad gave me the deluxe wide screen edition of the summer 2005 hit “Batman Begins.” I’ve always been a big Batman fan. (The 1989 version with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson as the joker will always be my favorite, but this is the best version of Batman since then.) My wife and I watched the movie tonight (eating popcorn made with the gourmet popcorn maker that our neighbors gave us for Christmas.) I decided to write letters to two of the people who helped to make the movie such a success.

Christopher Nolan

The director of “Batman Begins”, he also was at the helm for two of the most interesting movies of the recent era, “Insomnia” and “Memento.” I’m writing to him to thank him for getting the Batman movie franchise back on track.

Michael Caine

Mr. Caine’s book and video “Acting on Film” has been a great influence on me, and has helped me in many on-camera situations. To see him play Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s butler in “Batman Begins” was a big surprise, but added gravitas to a movie that could have been taken lightly. I wrote to this multiple Oscar winner to ask him for advice and to congratulate him on his work.

Sunday January 8th

I watched “King of the Hill” tonight and realized how underrated and overlooked this long running Fox series has been, compared to its contemporaries “The Simpsons and “South Park.” It’s better than most live action family sitcoms, but gets ignored because it’s animated. I thought I might write to the creator of the show.

Mike Judge

He started out by teaching himself animation techniques and submitting short films to “Saturday Night Live.” Within a few years, Mike Judge was world famous as the creator of MTV’s most successful show, “Beavis and Butthead.” after making a classic film based on his “SNL” shorts, called “Office Space” he moved to Fox, where he launched his series about hank hill and his family, set in Mr. Judge’s home state of Texas. In my letter, I asked Mr. Judge for advice on getting ahead in show business.

Monday January 9th

“Phantom of the Opera” set the record tonight for the longest running show in Broadway history (with no signs of slowing down.) I’ve seen it five times (most recently in the fall of 2004.) I’ve enjoyed it every time. In its entire 18 year run, there is one actor who has been there, in a lead role, the whole time.

George Lee Andrews

A Broadway legend, this man is currently playing the role of Monsieur Andre in ”Phantom.” and has been with the show, in a variety of roles, since the beginning. I wrote to him to congratulate him, and to ask for advice on a show business career.

Tuesday January 10th

Today was decision day for the newest class of the Baseball Hall of Fame. One of my all-time favorite players, Goose Gossage, has been mentioned as a possible inductee for the past few years, and I was hoping he would get the call today. Unfortunately, he didn’t, so I decided to send him a letter to let him know how much he means to me.

Goose Gossage

One of the best closers in baseball history, Rich “Goose” Gossage distinguished himself with the NY Yankees of the late 1970’s. Unlike today’s closers, Gossage would routinely pitch three innings to finish a game and his scowl struck fear into the hearts of opposing batters. He was my baseball hero growing up, and I wanted to let him know that even if he didn’t get the call, he’s still in my Hall of Fame.


Wednesday January 11th

Today marks the 35th anniversary of one of the most groundbreaking TV shows in history, “All In the Family.” I grew up in the 1970’s, so I remember watching this show with my family, and it brings back nothing but good memories. I chose to mark the anniversary by writing to the remaining cast and creator to let them know what their show meant to me.


Norman Lear

The man who started it all. He not only created “All In the Family” but was responsible for “The Jefferson’s”, “Maude”, “Good Times” and “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” A true genius who cares deeply about his country, he also bought an original copy of the Declaration of Independence and sends it on tour around the country so American citizens can see it up close and be inspired by it.


Rob Reiner

Played Mike Stivic (AKA “Meathead” ) on the show, is now one of the most acclaimed directors (“When Harry Met Sally”, “A Few Good Men”, “Stand By Me”, “The Princess Bride”, “Misery”) in Hollywood.

Jean Stapleton

A legendary actress before “All In the Family” she turned Edith Bunker into a fully rounded character, rather than the one note portrayal lots of other actresses might have gone with.

Sally Struthers

Archie’s little daughter Gloria, more famous in recent years for her efforts in eradicating third world hunger.

Thursday January 12th

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the debut of one of my favorite shows as a kid (of course, I saw it in reruns, as I was born two years after it came on the scene) “Batman” this campy show redefined the image of Batman and changed the way people watched TV (two consecutive nights, “same bat time, same bat channel”) just like all in the family, I’ve decided to write to all the remaining major cast members of the show.

Adam West

Batman himself. No matter who came after him in the cape and cowl, Adam West IS Batman. He was my earliest hero, and I wrote him to tell him as much. ( I named my first son Adam, is that a coincidence or not?)

Burt Ward

The man who played Robin was my favorite. I met him when he came to Jersey City to make a personal appearance. Last year I took my two year old son to a comic book convention in Secaucus to meet him and have a photo taken. I wrote him to thank him for being so gracious in meeting us.

Yvonne Craig

Batgirl herself. I wrote to her because she’s just as much a part of my childhood memories as Adam West or Burt Ward.