Awesome, and Then Some

[mgc1961]

(Warning: Good friends have refused to believe a word of what I’m about to relate. Your credulity is about to be strained.)

The setting was the Universal lot in Hollywood, and I was preparing a prime-time special to be called “Dick Cavett’s Backlot U.S.A.” We’d somehow lured Mae West out of her most recent retirement. We had Mickey Rooney and Gene Kelly. We needed another big-name guest.
Someone came in with a message and casually dropped the words, “The Duke is shooting over on the Western street.”

I was fairly sure that by “Duke” he didn’t mean Edward VIII. Before there was time to even think, “Feets, do yo’ stuff,” I was all but out the door. My producer, the splendid Gary Smith, didn’t need to ask where I was going. He just said, “Get him for the show.”

“Sure thing,” I said, laughing.


There's more at http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/awesome-and-then-some/

[trumad]

1. I love Dick Cavett...

He has the best stories of anyone...

[mgc1961]

2. No doubt.

In my job, I've met a lot of celebrities and dignitaries but I rarely get a chance to engage them in meaningful conversations like Mr. Cavett.