Mr. Media Interviews by Bob Andelman

2011: Imagine my surprise when my former agent showed up in the email asking to come on Mr. Media to talk about his first novel, "Primacy. Fortunately, it is a really fine first effort. The action is fast and furious and its stars are both female: Liane, the animal researcher, and Bea, the talking bonobo. Yes, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" fans, the" Primacy" apes talk and it’s purely a coincidence of timing that "Primacy" followed on the heels of a great ape flick. I highly recommend you read "Primacy

2010: Doug Glanville is a different cat—scratch that; “cat” doesn’t seem the right reference. Let’s call him a gentleman. I’ve got a lot of questions for this veteran of 15 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. But I’m going to start with this one: why does singer John Oates—that’s right, the second half of “Hall & Oates”—rate an entire paragraph in the acknowledgements of your book?

2010: If anything, "Outsourced" is “Community” relocated to India. The community college study lounge has been replaced by a call center. Ben Rappaport is Joel McHale and the better part of the ensemble cast of characters consists of Indian kooks instead of California kooks. As for being racist? The only people who think that haven’t watched the show. It’s sweet, it’s funny, but it no more makes fun of Indians than “The Office” picks on Scranton, Pennsylvania natives.

2019: Joining me today is Aaron Hart, lead singer of the Denver glam rock band Love Stallion, which is a bit of a throwback to a kinder, gentler age, and yet it seems pretty damn fresh today. Hart will be performing two songs live on the show today, the Love Stallion single, “Slow Release,” plus “Valentine.”

2011: "Wake Up and Dream" takes the triumph of James Maddock's "Sunrise on Avenue C" and successfully builds upon it. The lyrics are sharper, the hooks catchier, and the overall sound consistent from the first song to the last. If you’ve never heard him before, I'll give you a little taste of James Maddock’s work. When we talk about classic rock, I don’t think of music I’ve been forced to endure a thousand times in life – I’m looking at you, Pink Floyd.

2011: Who could possibly lie in the face of NBC correspondent Harry Smith? (Other than soulless CBS News executives, that is.) C’mon – that face, those eyes? He’s got Honest Abe written all over him.

2011: When Keith Morrison is telling a story – excuse me, reporting a story — his tone is so steady, his timing so perfect, you might just miss a crucial detail. That is to say, if silk had a voice, it might sound like Keith Morrison of NBC News. And wait till you hear what he has to say Lester Holt and Brian Williams... arm-wrestling!

2011: If I were you, and you were interested in getting a job in the entertainment industry, I’d listen to today’s interview with writers Mark Scherzer and Keith Fenimore. Then I’d order their new book, Hire Me, Hollywood: You Behind-the-Scenes Guide to the Most Exciting—and Unexpected—Jobs in Show Business. Trust me, it’s that good. Frankly, even if you don’t have stars in your eyes, this book is a great read.

2011: Chase Thompson and Tyler McMullen, now recording professionally as Goodnight Argent, is beginning to see the payoff for their dedication. In 2009, they won the Grand Prize in the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition. In 2011, Goodnight Argent produced a 7-song EP called “Ignorance is Paradise.” On today's show, they perform two acoustic songs exclusively for Mr. Media viewers and listeners: "Don't Get Sentimental" and a cover of One Republic's "Everybody Loves Me."

2011: Kate Snow is a veteran of “Dateline NBC” who jumped ship to guide rookie newsmagazine host Brian Williams through these early days of “Rock Center.” Okay, that may not be how anyone will officially explain the situation at NBC News, but who you gonna believe? Them or Mr. Media?