A Tribute To A Rebirth And A Death From The Past Week (VIDEOS)

Two events that happened this week touched my heart in different ways. To pay tribute, I offer you this quick post.

The entire free world knows by now that Stephen Colbert will be replacing David Letterman on The Late Show. Like Jon Stewart said, I can't wait to walk by The Ed Sullivan Theatre in Manhattan to see Colbert's name on the marquee.

I know he'll be dropping his The Colbert Report personae for the new show, and jumping back into his own skin. Here's one of the reasons why I love him so much: he brilliantly played his character to perfection. My favorite example of doing what he did best was when he was a guest on The O'Reilly Factor.

At the age of two, Mickey Rooney had already made his first public appearance in his parents vaudeville act. Multi-talented , Mickey could sing, dance and act, and so began the Hollywood legend's long career. I loved him best in Boys Town with Spencer Tracy, National Velvet with a young Elizabeth Taylor and an older Mickey playing the real-life character, Bill Sackter, who spent more than 40 years in an institution and now experiences life and love for the first time in the movie, Bill.

Mickey also had a bit part in Breakfast at Tiffany's as the offbeat upstairs neighbor of Audrey Hepburn, and joined other Hollywood legends such as Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle and Jonathan Winters in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

RIP, Mickey, and thanks for the entertainment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieiQ3c6dn6k

I hope you all have a fabulous week.

My Day Of Zen: Being In The Audience For The Daily Show

At the risk of sounding ridiculous and terribly insincere, yesterday was one of the most memorable days in my life because I had the chance to be part of the audience for a taping of my favorite television show, The Daily Show.

Along with my brother and sister-in-law I spent the day in Manhattan's Hells Kitchen where the studio is located, picking up our tickets, eating a leisurely lunch and then returning to the studio.

Jon Stewart has always been a favorite of mine since replacing Craig Kilborn on The Daily Show, changing its direction toward seeing the hypocrisy in journalism while also finding the emotion in key topical issues.

I continue to be impressed by how bright he is. He has to be. Whether interviewing heads of state, renowned journalists, musicians or businessmen, Stewart always holds his own while keeping the interview entertaining and whimsical.

Yesterday I was not disappointed.

When I walked from the lobby into the main studio, my first steps felt as if I was walking onto hallowed ground.

Sitting in the front row, it was fun watching the crew and getting warmed up by the comedian Vince August. August engaged with the audience, using his own brand of humor to get us roaring with laughter.

NOTE: I should have thought twice before he asked me what I do for a living. When I told him I write he asked me what I write about. When I told him disability (I should have said midlife; it's funnier) he said, "Oh, good way to bring the audience down." Then I added, "but about ability", so he made a joke (I think I must have been nervous because I don't remember what he said), and then he asked the audience to give me a round of applause.

Phew.

Jon Stewart is a regular guy, only he's so much more than regular. When he first walked onto the stage, he graciously walked a few feet in front of us, asking us for any questions, telling us some funny stories, and after the show he came back to thank us for coming.

He's a real mensch.

With his guest, Nate Silver, the statistician and writer who analyzes sports and elections (think Moneyball), Jon conducted an interview that let us in on the funny side of algorithms, while allowing us to see the human side of genius.

My one regret is that I didn't have the nerve to say something I thought would be funny but complimentary. It would have gone something like this:

"When you helped to induct Bruce Springsteen into the Kennedy Center Honors, you said Bruce must be the illegitimate child of James Brown and Bob Dylan. I think you must be the illegitimate child of Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks."

Do you think he would have laughed?

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