Friday, February 16, 2018

Podcast Perry


Marc Maron, eat your heart out!

It wasn't so long ago that I thought the word "podcast" referred to the names of the actors in The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. But once I learned about podcasts I've seen them proliferate over the years such that virtually everyone in America either has one, frequently guests on one, or is Larry Wilmore.

Actually even Larry Wilmore has one.

As part of the whirlwind promotion for my new book in this, The Year of Perry Block, I was scheduled by my publisher Donna to do my first podcast. Now all throughout my life public speaking has never been a problem for me because all throughout my life I've always managed to avoid public speaking.

But if this is The Year of Perry Block, It's time for me to step up and speak up --- if I don't pass out first.

"What if I screw up?" I asked Billy Dees, purveyor of the podcast.

"You'll be fine," Billy replied. "I'll get you through it. Nobody screws up."

We began the show. Billy asked about my background. This is a tough one for me because the most significant achievement of my adolescence was breaking my addiction to destroying Styrofoam.  But I exaggerated the experience, and I think it played well.

Moving on, we discussed how I attended the one comedy club in Philadelphia  in the early 70's to watch my friend perform stand-up while I cowered next to the Exit Sign.  My beginning to write humor in my thirties, the first examples of which were rejected by the American Journal of Accountancy for being too dry. And my later development of the Human Resources Comedy Troupe, a sort of SNL for Human Resource professionals which led to my being the first person in history to be excommunicated by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). 

Not only did I notice Billy stifling yawns, he actually put on pajamas.

"How did you begin writing your blog, Perry?" he asked.

"Well, Billy," I answered, "when I started on Twitter in 2010, I didn't know much about social media. I thought 'Twitter' was the dirtiest sounding clean word in the English language."

"And the blog?"

"Boy do I hate that word!  It sounds like the sound you make just before you are about to throw up. BUUULLLLOGGGGG!"

"I...um ... see.  What is the meaning of "Nouveau Old, Formerly Cute?"

"It refers to Boomers hitting the age of 60 who hate the idea they're old so they say things like 'I'm old but I'm just beginning to be old' or --- since I'm a pretentious jerk --- 'I'm old but I'm Nouveau Old!' As for Formerly Cute, just look at me!"

"Okay, that's just swell!" said Billy. "Thanks for joining us, folks. Perry's book Perry Block - Nouveau Old, Formerly Cute is available wherever fine books are sold ... along with his."

"How did I do?" I asked Billy.

"Remember how I said nobody screws up?"

"Sure do!"

"So I was wrong."

Nah, he didn't really say this. 

Here's the link to the podcast together with a very nice introduction by ace podcaster Billy Dees.


Listen to it with someone you love.

After all, this is The Year of Perry Block.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I listened to the podcast and left a comment. You can thank me later for not mentioning your singing (or lack thereof) skills. Perry Como you're NOT. I'm sure most listeners would liken it to a cat clawing a chalkboard with a rubber band around his nuts. Also, you failed to mention to love of watching paint dry, or your younger brother, Abe Vigoda.

Overall, it was very entertaining and I'm proud of you. You're still the funniest writer east of the Mississippi.
Keep up the good work.

Perry Block said...

You didn't realize it WAS a cat clawing a chalkboard in the manner stated. I knew the sound would be far preferable to my actual singing and it proved true. I even got two marriage proposals. From four legged fans.

Yes, I am the funniest writer east of the Mississippi if and when the Mississippi overflows all the way to Atlantic City. Unless there's a funny lifeguards we don't know about. Thanks, Big Guy!