Mr. Media Interviews By Bob Andelman

Once again, novelist Adi Tantimedh pulls together drama, action, humor, erotica and Ravi PI’s morality in an irresistible tandori stew, this time in "Her Beautiful Monster." If you can imagine the work of Max Allan Collins stirred with curry, you’ll want to read the Ravi PI series! This is Adi’s second visit to Mr. Media.

A.J. Jacobs committed himself to what might be the world’s largest genealogy project, the Global Family Reunion. Like all A.J. Jacobs’ book ideas, it began small and it went somewhat haywire when he discovered he was also cousins with his wife of 15 years, Julie. And that was just the beginning. Julie will join us midway to offer her perspective on husband/cousin A.J.’s latest endeavor. A.J.’s latest book is "It’s All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree." It truly goes all o

From 2010: Fans of this show know I’m not a regular watcher of the soaps, but I know Walt Willey is not your average soap star, either. When he’s not taping new episodes of "All My Children, he’s working as a standup comedian. And when he’s not doing either of those professional pursuits, he and his wife run the Crystal Mesa Farm Bed & Breakfast in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Don't miss his story of flying home with fellow actor Val Kilmer and how they spent the time discussing... Susan Lucci!

From 2011: Cynthia Kraack's "Ashwood" offers a touch of speculative fiction, economics forecasting and a bit of science fiction. It would make a brilliant, edgy movie in the right hands. If you’re looking for a story with a strong female lead, look no farther. If you’re looking for a tale in which people come together and overcome evil for a common good, this is a reading commitment you won’t regret.

From 2012: Harvesting Ashwood introduces us to Minnesota in the year 2037. There still isn’t much trust in the world, not between business and government and certainly not when it comes to protecting individual liberties. Federal employees are generally corrupt and corruptible; security is a daily grind; and feeding the residents and employees of the Ashwood estate is an unrelenting challenge. Fortunately, our heroine, Anne Hartford, is still the most resourceful woman in these somewhat United States.

From 2008: Loony left, rabid right—author Marty Beckerman thinks there are idiots on both sides. And who’s to say he’s wrong? Beckerman wrote the new book, "Dumbocracy: Adventures with the Loony Left, the Rabid Right, and Other American Idiots." It’s a wild ride through modern politics as viewed through the lens of a young man not afraid to call life the way he sees it.

I’m a fan of the rare modern musicals – Grease, Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, White Nights to name a few. My favorite in the genre would probably be my first: Mary Poppins. It is as charming today as it was the first time I saw it with my grandfather – and the Rockettes – at Radio City Music Hall. Joining me today is Richard Barrios, a guy who knows a thing or two about the intersection of film and music. His latest book is "Must-See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can’

From 2010: As Jonathan, Maulik Pancholy’s moments on "30 Rock" have shown how much an actor can do in a confined space; have we ever seen Jonathan anywhere beyond the 20 feet or so path between his desk and Jack’s? Does he sleep there? Even Kenneth the NBC Page has a demonstrated life outside of the network, right?

Reading the grand 100th issue of Michael Eury’s Back Issue magazine was a thrill for me, recapturing the fan scene and zine scene of my teen years, and filling in many gaps in my knowledge of The Comics Buyers Guide, FOOM, SquaTront, Amazing World of DC Comics, Charlton Bullseye and much more. This special issue also gives us an insider’s view of Back Issue itself, thanks to previous Mr. Media guest Bob Greenberger’s interview with editor Michael Eury, today’s guest.

From 2010: It’s almost Valentine’s Day and have I got the perfect interview! Rob Elder is the founder of a pair of websites that capture both the joy and angst of modern romance. First, the joy: ItWasLoveWhen.com is dedicated to cataloging the exact moment when you realize that you are in love with someone. And then, inevitably, there’s the angst: Elder’s second site, ItWasOverWhen.com, is dedicated to cataloging the exact moment when you realize a relationship isn’t going to work.

From 2011: Robert K. Elder’s new interview collection, The Film That Changed My Life: 30 Directors on Their Epiphanies in the Dark, a sure thing in my life. Elder, who was on Mr. Media last year to talk about his book, Last Words of the Executed, has once again found an irresistible topic of discussion. And listen to just a few of the internationally celebrated top directors who shared their cinematic inspiration with him: Danny Boyle, Kevin Smith, Gurinda Chatha, Richard Linklater, John Woo, John Wate

From 2010: I don’t know that the world was bouncing on its heels, waiting impatiently for someone to finally collect the last words of men and women subject to the death penalty in the United States, but now that we have it, Robert K. Elder’s "Last Words of the Executed" makes for a fascinating read.

From 2010: even if you haven’t heard of guitarist Adam Falcon before, I can tell you he’s been a familiar face around some pretty familiar names: George Benson recorded a couple of his songs, for example. He also worked with two more of my favorites, the late great Rick James and Robert Palmer. And Adam was discovered at age 15 when he snuck into The Fillmore East to watch Sly & The Family Stone.

From 2012: I’m going to unabashedly flirt with one of the stars of The Artist myself for the next 10 minutes and apologize to my wife later. I’ll even mention that she has a new film, Caroline and Jackie, in which she shares billing with her “Grimm” co-star, David Giuntoli, and hope that’ll score me a point or two in conversation. (Hell, did I just say that out loud?)

From 2008: Check out cartoonist Mike Lynch’s work on his web site, HeyKidsComics.com while you listen to this interview. Lynch, who lives in the foothills of the White Mountains in rural New Hampshire with his wife and three cats, freelances for advertising agencies, calendars, books and so on. He’s also on the board of the National Cartoonists Society.

From 2009: I received an email from Tim Jackson, editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Defender newspaper. He wanted to know why no one solicited the opinion of America’s corps of African-American editorial cartoonists. With his help, I invited a number of these cartoonists to join us in a discussion:• David G. Brown, cartoonist for the Los Angeles Sentinel;• Ron Rogers at the South Bend Tribune;• Barbara Brandon-Croft, "Where I'm Coming From";• Dr. Yaounde Olu.

From 2012: I had a strange reaction to discovering Paul Brannigan's biography, This is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl, had been written about Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl: Too soon? Which doesn’t make sense, I know, coming after the 20th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s landmark album, Nevermind.

From 2009: I’m not one to put labels on a person, but I guess if the cover of Jason Stuart’s latest DVD can describe him as “America’s top gay stand-up comic,” then it’s okay for me to repeat it. But that leads to a question: Does “gay” mean homosexual men only? If he’s the nation’s top gay stand-up comic, where does that leave lesbian comedians such as Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, Carol Leifer or Judy Gold? And Jason, if you’re the #1 gay comedian, who is #2?

From 2010: Kreskin, who has broken records at casinos nationwide and overseas, will reveal why he’s now banned from all casinos and is not permitted to play poker anywhere in the world—except here on Mr. Media. We’re also going to touch on a more serious subject: Kreskin’s recent revelation that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, how he delayed treatment for an entire year, and how he is cured of it—amazing! And folks, don’t try that at home! So join me now as... Kreskin returns!

From 2010: There is never a dull moment when Kreskin is around. The first time here, on March 12, 2009, we talked about the movie based on his life, The Great Buck Howard, produced by Tom Hanks and starring John Malkovich as you know who. Last time he was here, in September 2010, we talked about his new shows in Las Vegas, where for the first time ever he offered 30-minute gambling seminars. For the price of admission, you could hear his perfectly legal tips on poker, blackjack...