Mr. Media Interviews by Bob Andelman

From 2011: Robert K. Elder’s new interview collection, The Film That Changed My Life: 30 Directors on Their Epiphanies in the Dark, a sure thing in my life. Elder, who was on Mr. Media last year to talk about his book, Last Words of the Executed, has once again found an irresistible topic of discussion. And listen to just a few of the internationally celebrated top directors who shared their cinematic inspiration with him: Danny Boyle, Kevin Smith, Gurinda Chatha, Richard Linklater, John Woo, John Wate

From 2010: I don’t know that the world was bouncing on its heels, waiting impatiently for someone to finally collect the last words of men and women subject to the death penalty in the United States, but now that we have it, Robert K. Elder’s "Last Words of the Executed" makes for a fascinating read.

From 2010: even if you haven’t heard of guitarist Adam Falcon before, I can tell you he’s been a familiar face around some pretty familiar names: George Benson recorded a couple of his songs, for example. He also worked with two more of my favorites, the late great Rick James and Robert Palmer. And Adam was discovered at age 15 when he snuck into The Fillmore East to watch Sly & The Family Stone.

From 2012: I’m going to unabashedly flirt with one of the stars of The Artist myself for the next 10 minutes and apologize to my wife later. I’ll even mention that she has a new film, Caroline and Jackie, in which she shares billing with her “Grimm” co-star, David Giuntoli, and hope that’ll score me a point or two in conversation. (Hell, did I just say that out loud?)

From 2008: Check out cartoonist Mike Lynch’s work on his web site, HeyKidsComics.com while you listen to this interview. Lynch, who lives in the foothills of the White Mountains in rural New Hampshire with his wife and three cats, freelances for advertising agencies, calendars, books and so on. He’s also on the board of the National Cartoonists Society.

From 2009: I received an email from Tim Jackson, editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Defender newspaper. He wanted to know why no one solicited the opinion of America’s corps of African-American editorial cartoonists. With his help, I invited a number of these cartoonists to join us in a discussion:

• David G. Brown, cartoonist for the Los Angeles Sentinel;

• Ron Rogers at the South Bend Tribune;

• Barbara Brandon-Croft, "Where I'm Coming From";

• Dr. Yaounde Olu.

From 2012: I had a strange reaction to discovering Paul Brannigan's biography, This is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl, had been written about Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl: Too soon? Which doesn’t make sense, I know, coming after the 20th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s landmark album, Nevermind.

From 2009: I’m not one to put labels on a person, but I guess if the cover of Jason Stuart’s latest DVD can describe him as “America’s top gay stand-up comic,” then it’s okay for me to repeat it. But that leads to a question: Does “gay” mean homosexual men only? If he’s the nation’s top gay stand-up comic, where does that leave lesbian comedians such as Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, Carol Leifer or Judy Gold? And Jason, if you’re the #1 gay comedian, who is #2?

From 2010: Kreskin, who has broken records at casinos nationwide and overseas, will reveal why he’s now banned from all casinos and is not permitted to play poker anywhere in the world—except here on Mr. Media. We’re also going to touch on a more serious subject: Kreskin’s recent revelation that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, how he delayed treatment for an entire year, and how he is cured of it—amazing! And folks, don’t try that at home! So join me now as... Kreskin returns!

From 2010: There is never a dull moment when Kreskin is around. The first time here, on March 12, 2009, we talked about the movie based on his life, The Great Buck Howard, produced by Tom Hanks and starring John Malkovich as you know who. Last time he was here, in September 2010, we talked about his new shows in Las Vegas, where for the first time ever he offered 30-minute gambling seminars. For the price of admission, you could hear his perfectly legal tips on poker, blackjack...