Observations — Notes To Casting Directors Everywhere

I have fond memories of actor Raymond Burr before he became the title character in the legendary TV series, “Perry Mason.’ Prior to that juggernaut, in 1940’s movies primarily, Burr was often cast as the “heavy,” largely because he was.  Also because he was a fine actor and could pull it off despite the fact that, in private, he was a kind, gentle soul and generous philanthropist.

Raymond Burr

Chris Christie

Thinking about this, I wondered who could take his place. Who could pull off the stock “bully" character on screen? It was obvious to me immediately that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was perfect for the role, and acting is second nature for most politicians, if acting is even required in Christie’s case.  Once that came to me I realized many of our politicians might have a second lives as actors or visa versa, as did Ronald Reagan. Though it was pretty much the exact same thing in his case.

So I started thinking of other prominent politicians and what kind of characters they might play.

For example, if they bring back “Gomer Pyle” featuring Gomer as an aging misogynist, Mike Huckabee could have a lucrative second career.

If they ever remake Deliverance, Rand Paul might want to audition.  He seems to have the same worldview. And the pious Rick Santorum could be cast as a mayor of any city that outlaws dancing.

Aaron Schock, R, Illinois

Paul Ryan, R, Wisconsin

However, we might have to get innovative if we want to expand the casting opportunities to accommodate aging politicians. I’m proposing a new sitcom, ”Golden Boys,” about a gay senior center, starring Senator John McCain and his bff, Senator Lindsay Graham.  In the first episode Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock plays a visiting Midwestern go-go boy who helps the boys celebrate a birthday. Hilarity ensues.  In the second episode, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan deftly portrays a sexy, flirty Midwestern fitness instructor to get the old boys in shape. Hilarity ensues again.  Senator Orrin Hatch makes a guest appearance to teach The Golden Boys how to sing and attempts to produce a septuagenarian version of “Glee.” Watch for the spin off.  Vladimir Putin is rumored to take Donald Trump’s place on “The Apprentice,” with losers spending the rest of their lives in Gulags. However, others say, based on the success of Mike Pence, Putin may move to southern Indiana and run for governor, using the slogan, ”I don’t like gay people either.”  He revives the hit single, “I’m too sexy For My Shirt” as the reality show’s theme song, or if that fails, his campaign theme.

Opinion — Indiana Ad Leaves Out Important Facts

A big and no doubt expensive ad in The New York Times tries to convince NY businesses to move to Indiana without telling them Indiana is anti-gay and is a place where the marriages of many of their employees would be invalidated. The state’s legislature is in the midst of passing an amendment to the state constitution to outlaw same sex marriage as well as civil unions. Why would New Yorkers want to move there?  Is it because the Indiana Governor wants creationism taught as a science?

I’m a Hoosier to the bone; but it’s hard to stay proud when my birth state acts like Alabama and Mississippi in the ‘60s. Shame on Pence and Bosma.  It’s pretty clear that in the future the International Olympic Committee will disqualify potential sites if they discriminate against minorities.  I suspect the NFL and other such groups will soon do the same.

Booknotes — Banned Books Update

We’re in the middle of Banned Book Week.  Independent Bookstores and libraries are busy promoting books that many people don’t want you to read — books by such legends a Mark Twain, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Ray Bradbury.

Banned Book Week

September 22 — 28

North Carolina was right on time when, according to the Los Angeles Times, a county school board member joined the majority to ban Ralph Ellison’s classic about American racial attitudes.  Invisible Man won the National Book Award in 1953.  One of the board members couldn’t “…find any literary value” in a book that a national critics’ poll (1965) declared the “greatest American novel written since World War II.”

It’s not all that surprising to hear about literary censorship in the South, particularly if the subject is at least partially about racism. It is more fun to talk about the unexpected.  NUVO, an alternative weekly in Indianapolis, reported some strange goings-on in the red state’s capitol.  Not only did the anti-evolution, anti-gay governor Mike Pence officially proclaim Banned Book Week in Indiana, the first lady read from the often-banned children’s book Harriet the Spy at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library.  The book has been criticized and challenged for its alleged portrayal of the main character as a disobedient child with lesbian overtones (or undertones?).

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library, Indianapolis

Indiana’s previous governor, Mitch Daniels, now president of Purdue University, was in the censorship spotlight recently by revelations that while in the state’s highest office he searched for ways to remove books by historian Howard Zinn from college curriculums.

Incidentally, the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library honors the Indiana author of Slaughterhoue Five, banned by the state of Missouri and one of the most challenged, as well as honored books in American literature.  The library, featuring a week-long program on the subject of censorship, opened two years ago.

September 26, 2013 UPDATE:  The decision in North Carolina to ban Invisible Man was reversed today. The book is back on the shelves.