Author Bio
Even though I've had five books published, I rarely write anything personal about my life, and the following should explain why. I would almost never say anything all that personal that involved others which most personal things do, and I rarely go out. Once a columnist reported my being at some event and called it a "sighting."
Another time it was reported about another event "He was actually there." It's not that I'm so special. It's just that if you're seldom seen, it seems to some, newsworthy if you are spotted somewhere.
Mostly I stay home and write books, plays and five commentaries a week for CBS news radio which I've been doing for the last six years.
In the evenings I like to watch comedy tapes I've collected. Scenes from SCTV are among my favorites. If I'm not watching comedy, I watch sports. I seldom see movies or plays, because I live in that world so much writing during the day. I'm sure I'm missing some great work. I have managed to see Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind, and Best in Show, mockumentaries all made by brilliant people.
In addition I do a considerable amount of advocacy work on behalf of people I don't feel should be in prison. There's a book right there. I've been particularly involved in the case of Brandon Hein. You can go to Brandon Hein.com, if you'd like to know why that case got my attention.
I also host about a half dozen charity events a year. That's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.
It's a real challenge, because they want me to be humorous, but the events concern children's blood cancer, bone marrow transplants, kids in crisis etc. – not a lot of humor there.
I've been married to a very successful children's book author for the last twenty four years. We have a son. My wife is constantly being asked to write books. As I've said, I've written five, but no one's ever asked me to write one.
I'm on the board of Help U.S.A. one of the nation's largest providers of services for the homeless. I have a daughter who's a brilliant stand up comedienne who opened for Linda Ronstadt recently on Broadway. She also works for Help U.S.A.
I've read non-fiction all my life. Right now I'm reading David Gergen's book Eyewitness to Power.
Mostly I read about political and social issues. Even though I was impeached as president of my fifth grade class for "talking incessantly," I've still retained my interest in all the issues that confront us.