Dumb Struck
•I’m not a big believer in labor strikes. As of this writing, the Writers Guild of America is entering its third month, on strike, and the Screen Actors Guild, along with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, have just joined us on the picket line. The issues facing both labor and management are varied and more complex than ever. Do I have a better way to proceed than by striking in a joint effort to reach fair and equitable solutions for all? Nope. So, I’m absolutely supporting my Guild while also bowing out from even speculating. Besides, when I post here, I’d rather not trade in social or political commentary… unless I find something particularly nettlesome. Then, rather than delivering a polemic, I’ll probably just be whining about something that bugs me. I will, however, do my best to mind my manners — especially since I’m “renting” this space on my wife’s website.
•The documentary, Being Mary Tyler Moore, Executive Produced by Mary’s husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine (a force in his own right), aired last month on HBOMax and is now the recipient of an Emmy nomination in the category for Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special. Congratulations especially to Robert and Terry Sims for whom Personal Assistant to MTM does not nearly begin to describe all Terry meant to Mary, Robert, as well as to me and Ronda. BMTM would not be the paean to Mary had Terry not worked so diligently and cared to make this documentary all that it is and Ronda and I were honored to take part.
•God works in mysterious ways. Though I was on the precipice of casting and set construction for a new TV series when the WGA called a strike, the time off has given me the opportunity to help Ronda with her new book launch, building her website, picking up my socks and emptying the dishwasher. Actually, we try sharing the load on the Rondarosa but trust me, Ronda is daily-tasked with an avalanche of paperwork, bill paying, and account management for which I have absolutely no skillset. So, most of the time, I stick to the manual labor around the Rondarosa. All in all, the work usually divvies up pretty well; but the last few years (okay, the last last ten — since we married), Ronda has had so much more to do that she’s been unable to care and feed her writing as much as she’d like. As much as I’d like. And that’s why I’m thankful I’m getting a chance to spell her.
•Thank you to the Isaacs who wished me happy birthday, leading the audience, from on stage, at the Grand Ole Opry. Cindy Owen, founding partner of Given Entertainment, did the heavy lifting by arranging one of (if not) the most incredible birthday celebrations I’ve had in all these [REDACTED] years. Ronda and I made wonderful new friends in the Isaacs -- Ben, Lilly, Sonya, and Becky -- who are filled to overflowing with talent and the love and joy of/for Christ. What an utterly unexpected and unequaled birthday celebration. As Ronda likes to say about my life now that I live here in the South, "From Hollywood to Dollywood". Thank you, all. I could not be more humbled and grateful.