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Writer, performer, humorist, whose "Loh Down on Science" and "The Loh Life" air on KPCC. Her one-woman show "Mother on Fire" has been extended at the 24th Street Theater through Feb. 19.
Last book I bought: " The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less" by Barry Schwartz
Book(s) I'm reading: "Paranoia of Everyday Life: Escaping the Enemy Within" by Gerald Alper and "Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World" by Mark Kurlansky
Total number of books I own: So many we use stacks of them to support the collapsing Ikea furniture --- it's Van Nuys bohemia.
Five books that mean a lot to me:
"The Shame of the Nation" by Jonathan Kozol
"The Trials of Lenny Bruce: the Fall and Rise of an American Icon" by Ronald K.L. Collins and David M. Skover
"Pavilion of Women" by Pearl S. Buck
"Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World" by Rita Golden Gelman
"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
Last film I saw: "Benji" --- I have small children, '70s family movies are comforting and the mother figures are so refreshingly middle-aged and fat!
Last DVD I bought: All come magically in the mail. The most recent treasure is "Duck's Breath Mystery Theater 30th Anniversary."
Total number of films I own: Basically one shelf of "for your consideration" (relish the faux feeling of power)
Five films that mean a lot to me:
"Amarcord," directed by Federico Fellini
"The Sound of Music," directed by Robert Wise
"The Lord of the Rings," directed by Peter Jackson. (Battle of Helm's Deep always feels like metaphor for my career.)
"Pee-wee's Playhouse" boxed sets are cherished family heirlooms.
Where is the TV category? "The Kumars at No. 42" (BBC) feels wonderfully seminal.
Stereo or iPod: stereo
Last CD or song I bought: "Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies," Richard Perlmutter, in bulk
Song currently playing: "The Can-Can" for the girls; Richard Burton singing "Camelot" for me
Five songs that mean a lot to me:
If the category could be broadened to include comedic riffs and monologues, some classics are
"I Shot a Moose," Woody Allen
"The Insomniac Soliloquy," Shelley Berman
"Class Clown," George Carlin
Sam Kinison's Jesus-on-the-cross bit, where he screams, "Ow, ow ow!"
Richard Pryor's tale of lighting himself on fire, so true
Favorites
Wine: Wha ---? Life is too short ... Modern Spirits vodka
Charity: Access Books, which creates libraries for disadvantaged school kids. I also like Kipp Academy of Opportunity in South Los Angeles, just sent a check for two glockenspiels.
Vacation: vodka and spider solitaire
Vice: Shamelessly mocking the Christmas cards sent by friends, particularly if they are in the industry. I am currently compiling list of industry Christmas card violations.
Five people who I'd like to see answer this survey:
This question feels very VH1 "Behind the Music." I'd enjoy a squint into the circa 2006 "What a long strange ride it's been, and where are they now?" souls of Leona Helmsley, Ivana Trump, Cat Stevens (or whatever he is currently called), the remaining Vanilli and, for all seasons, Arnold. He once said he battled grueling hours in the makeup chair with footbaths, sugar cookies and his favorite Austrian Christmas music. Is it still playing? Inquiring minds want to know.
For more information, please visit http://www.variety.com.
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