Hi, Everybody:
I, too, had to pick one of two choices, both of which involved traveling to L.A., but at different times. I just finished writing a book that will come out in October, and I knew I would have to go to L.A. in July to do some pre-publicity. Unfortunately, I could not get my meetings and interviews to coincide with Fest week, so I spent last week soaking up the unseasonably hot and humid L.A. weather. Now I'm back in Chicago, fondly remembering playing at the piano party in 2002 at the Anaheim Marriott -- what a fun night that was.Â
No doubt those of you who can make it this time will have a blast. If this is your first time, you'll be in for lots of fun surprises and wonderful cameraderie among the folks who post here. You're in good hands with Midnite!
Ben
P.S. In case you're wondering, the title of my book is "Inventing Late Night: Steve Allen and the Original Tonight Show" (Prometheus Books, release date Oct. 1, 2005). Foreword by Jay Leno. It's already listed on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For those of you in Southern California, Jayne Meadows (Allen's widow) and I taped an interview with talk show host/columnist Arlene Peck that will air some time in October on one of your local cable stations.