In case you weren’t in Southern California on Thursday night this was one of the calmer pre-show moments. Special thanks has to be given to Dumont Marketing who basically pulled books out of Los Angeles’ ass after a communication snafu that still had us bookless (except for that one!) by 7:30. The rest of the night at the Hollywood Improv went off famously though and not just because Patricia Heaton (“The Middle”) was the hostess with the mostess. The cast of funny people telling stories about laughter and marriage, all of whom contributed to the book included Emmy winners Lew Schneider (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Dan Bucatinsky (“Scandal”), John Riggi (“30 Rock”), the comedian Wendy Liebman and the writer/performer Joan Rater, (executive producer for “Grey’s Anatomy”). The place was packed, with flowing food, drinks and cupcakes, all provided by Mom.me, the website for thinking women with a sense of humor who also happen to be Moms. Inspired by the intimacy of the room, I told some never before stories about my own wedding and some bad anniversaries in less than celebratory hotels. (See Chapter 8 “Find Ways To Relax” in the book if you want to read one of them!). Patty told everyone how I used to be a very sad clown, Lew recalled a very bad comedy set where his wife Liz showed her loyalty, Dan tried to remember something he was supposed to do when he met his husband of 23 years the filmmaker Don Roos that I won’t reveal here, Joan told an amazing story of finally realizing how lucky she was to be married to her generous husband of years having spent many of those years thinking it was she who was doing him a favor, Wendy did her classic stand up marriage material that never ceases to make you laugh until you cry and John Riggi told some balls out details, almost literally, about his courtship with his husband David. The truth was bared about what it means to go the distance in a marriage and many, many laughs were had. All around a great night to remember.
If you happen to be in NYC this week, you can catch me and Dan and some fantastic New York storytellers, including comedian Judy Gold, the two women who run “Odd Mom Out,” Elisa Zuritsky and Julie Rottenberg, the comedian Marla Schultz, and married writers Kimberlee Auerbach Berlin and Ethan T. Berlin at The Triad Theater on Wednesday night. Looking forward to a great East Coast trip with radio and TV appearances I will post as they happen. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, you can catch me at 12 noon Monday on “Press Play” with Madeleine Brand!
