Kid Glover

Julie Hagerty, Christopher Evan Welch and John Glover in The Marriage of Bette and Boo.

Although he's hardly a kid anymore, John Glover still talked about acting with a young man's passion when I interviewed him for Time Out New York. Some actors bristle when reminded that they once appeared on soap operas, but he spoke enthusiastically about his stint as an evildoer who kidnapped beloved matriarch Mary Stuart on Search for Tomorrow, where my mother and I first noticed his talent.

Now that his character's been bumped offSmallville, I hope he'll be spending more time on the New York stage in shows like The Marriage of Bette and Boo. Incidentally, when I pulled out my copy of the script to reread in preparation for the interview, out popped a program from an NYU production of the play from more than 15 years ago. In the cast as Matt, the narrator and son of the title characters — Rainn Wilson.

Eloping in Newport

Postcard from the altar.

I'd always wondered why people go to flea markets and antique stores to purchase other people's old postcards and photographs. Then, during a Memorial Day weekend in the country with friends, we took a trip to Millerton, N.Y., where I stumbled upon this gem at an antique market.

It says, "Hello Girls, I eloped Sat. nite and am on my honeymoon. Having a swell time. Are you surprised? So am I. Harold"

For only $1, how could I not pick it up? This is the sort of thing that could spark a writer's imagination and inspire a book or play. Exactly who were Ella and Grace Anthony, and what was Harold's relationship to them? The Newport address makes me wonder if they come from old money? This is something I will probably spend way too much time pondering?

Making Ice

When I overheard this conversation at a Dunkin' Donuts on Second Avenue yesterday, I thought my grandmother, who I loved and lost 15 years ago, had risen from the dead:

Older woman: How much is an iced coffee?

Counter guy: $2.39.

Older woman: Oh, I don't have that much. How much is a regular coffee?

Counter guy: $1.61.

Older woman: I'll have that. Can you put a few ice cubes in it?

Killer Tomatoes & a Killer Reunion

I nearly broke out laughing in the deli yesterday when I saw this headline, before I realized how serious the situation could turn out to be.

I've actually never seen that legendarily awful '70s horror flick. (Somehow the Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys never got around to riffing that one.) But I eagerly anticipate the planned remake.

And speaking from Mystery Science Theater, I was sorry to see that the web site for MST3K spin-off The Film Crew is down, which I guess means no more DVDs from them. On the plus side, the original MST3K gang has a second DVD under its Cinematic Titanic moniker coming out this month.

And, perhaps most delicious, there's an MST3K reunion scheduled for San Diego Comic-Con in July.

Is it really as historic as I think it is? Isn't this the first time Joel and Mike have appeared together post-MST3K?

The Muse of Hate

I love the plot summary for The Cordelia Dream, a commissioned play from Irish scribe Marina Carr that's receiving it's world premiere in London this winter with the RSC :

"A musician and his rival, a younger woman, are having a long-awaited conversation. As they spit their mutual malice with precision they question the hatred that has fuelled their desire to outdo each other in pursuit of art. With echoes of King Lear, The Cordelia Dream promises to unpick the belief that a muse must be made of love."

It's true in politics as well as art, I think. And that's why I hope that Obama will pick Hillary as his running mate.