A Point in the War on Celebrity Interviews

Dear Philip Roth,

Bravo!  I just read the "Out to Lunch" piece on you in November's Vanity Fair.  Good job on flummoxing John Heilpern, the writer of the piece:

Philip Roth met me at the restaurant of his choice, the West Street Grill, overlooking the Green in Litchfield, about 20 minutes' drive from his home in Connecticut.  The famously private novelist had made an eccentric condition of our meeting, however.  I was not to mention what he ate for lunch.

Not that he ordered anything unusual.  (And the popular restaurant is conventional enough.) But, still... This was the lunch that dare not speak its menu. 

I suppose Heilpern thought it an "eccentric" request because after all, the column is called "Out to Lunch," and you're going out to lunch, so why not set the scene and give a little insight into what the interview subject likes to eat?

Personally, I don't know how you felt, but I'm going to hope you feel the same way I do:  It's stupid.  I hate those celebrity interviews that always take place over a meal and mention that some famous actress had a hearty appetite and dug into a steak.  Or that a writer nibbled on a salad.  Who cares?  It's not setting the scene--it's giving the reader another way to judge the interviewee, and we could use a little less of that in our celebrity-focused society.

Hopefully you're setting a precedent for everyone else.  I'm not holding my breath, but at least this was a breath of fresh air.

Thanks so much!
Your pal,
Jill

No Time to Talk

Dear Oprah,

I watched your show semi-regularly, but I had to stop because then I'd watch "The View," which came right after, and then my whole morning would be shot.

Now that it's your final season, I thought I'd try watching again.  This time, it'd be even better because I could DVR the show and watch it whenever.  And, it comes on at 4:00 in my TV market, so it's kind of an end-of-day indulgence.

I think I've seen 1.5 shows in the two weeks you've been on the air.

Oops.  So much for that plan.

I'm not sure I'll be able to catch up.  I'm kind of sorry about that, but I'm also trying to be cognizant of my own time limitations and priorities.  I figured you'd be OK with that, since you're trying to help us all live our best lives, yet it must kind of stink to know that my best life doesn't necessary have a daily dose of you.

I'll do what I can though, because I do enjoy and learn a lot from your show when I get to see it. Best of luck for a successful last season!

Your pal,
Jill

Feeling the Burn

Dear Gilad,

Even though my butt is still sore from Wednesday's workout, I'm getting ready to work out with you again.  I'm kind of hooked on your "Total Body Sculpt" show.  True, my body needs some massive sculpting, and even though I'm not sure a <30 min. workout does a whole lot, it's definitely better than nothing.  I also like the fact that it's relatively stationary and I don't have to try to fit some wacky choreography or scads of equipment in my tiny living room.  Plus, I like the fact that you have an upbeat attitude.  I chuckle when I see the commercial that mentions the Wall Street Journal calling you an "Israeli studmuffin."

I could go on, but I don't think you'd approve. You'd tell me to put down the laptop and pick up my hand weights.  Yes, sir!  I'm on it!

See you in a couple.

Your pal,
Jill

Found: Duran Duran Scrapbook #3

Dear Grainne Cleare,

I have your Duran Duran Scrapbook #3, which spans the years 1983-1987, with an additional article from 1990.  If you remember (and you obviously have to rely on your memory, since I'm holding your scrapbook), this period includes Simon's big boating accident and Simon and John's "most wonderful haircut" according to you.  You still like Roger, but you've drawn in a mustache on one of Andy's pictures. And apparently you got to see them live in concert on Wednesday 22 April 1987 at RDS Simmonscourt Dublin, because you've got a full set list and a ticket stub--12 pounds 50!  I can't imagine one of their tickets going that cheap today--what a deal!

How did it wind up on my bookshelf?  It was a gift, and there's a much longer story behind that, but mostly, it was a gift.  I've tried to be careful with this book since I took possession of it, although the articles and pictures are taped or glued onto the pages, so they tend to stick together a little bit.  Nothing's ripped though--everything is still in decent shape, including the end pages where you calculated how much you'd spent on Duran Duran-related purchases.  I also want to applaud you on noting the dates on most of the articles and  pictures--after all, you do want to know when Simon snuck those beauties into the yacht club.

Still, as much fun as this book is (and as a fellow Duranie, I have truly enjoyed it.), I feel a little guilty having it in my possession, especially since it's part of a series.  I mean, you still have books 1 and 2, right?  And perhaps you've kept up with them?  Your volume 3 needs to be part of the set!  I'd feel awful if there's a small hole in your heart because you don't know where this is.  Please drop me a line with your address, and I'll ship it to you (jilljaracz AT yahoo).

Saving a prayer,
Your pal,
Jill

For the Record

Dear Khloe Kardashian Odom,

Hey, I didn't get the memo that you were no longer on the Pill.  Was it in a press release?  Or was this just casual conversation in a highly selective interview setting?

If it's the former, please add me to your mailing list.  As a writer, I'm constantly on the lookout for new stories ideas and leads, and my goodness, this was so earth-shattering that I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you share that information with the rest of the world!

Please reach me at pa2jilljaracz @ yahoo . com and keep me up to date with all the latest from Khloe!  Or tweet me @jilljaracz!  Or whatever!

Thanks!!!
Your pal,
Jill

P.S.--You have your own website and blog too???  Where the hell have I been?

P.P.S.--What is it that you do again?