Gossip! – Steven Slater’s reality show offer

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

#stevenslaterrealityshowLast week, Steven Slater, a disgruntled Jet Blue flight attendant made headlines and a flighty exit from his career when he reportedly cursed at passengers, grabbed two beers and slid down that inflatable, emergency evacuation slide. Instead of languishing in unemployment or, um, jail, Slater’s got an agent and is sorting through various offers for his own reality show, where he would help people quit their jobs in dramatic, TV-friendly ways. I feel like SNL’s Seth Meyers when I say, really?! I mean, really. Because that’s what this country needs: more unemployment and bad reality TV.

Share Button
Posted in American Hype, Dinner Party Talk, Gossip!, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What I’m Doing – Master Class Philippe Petit

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield


I’ve just finished an amazing life experience-studying tightrope walking with the legendary Philippe Petit in his first ever master class. Philippe, you may remember, made international headlines when he walked a wire between the two World Trade Center towers in 1974, and was the subject of this year’s Academy Award winning documentary about the walk, Man on Wire. Yes, I walked the wire with him-what he calls “Baptism on the wire.” But more, I learned how to approach the impossible…. Oh, and his 2 rules of class: no yawning and no leaning. Just try that for a day!

Share Button
Posted in American Fun, American Icons, Dinner Party Talk, Gossip!, Life 101, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Gossip! – Hot Dogs: The Competitive Eating Musical

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

#hotdogsthecompetitiveeatingmusicalOne of the highlights of the New York City summer is attending Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island and watching the weirdly fascinating sport that is competitive eating. Competitive eaters have gotten a lot of attention recently, starring in TV shows, documentaries, and now, at last, in an off-Broadway musical. Hot Dogs: The Competitive Eating Musical will hit Manhattan in early fall. The star of the show is Johnny Cashew, inspired by the real life eating champion, Joey Chestnut. Sadly, there will be no actual eating during the show. Apparently, it’s hard to belt out showtunes with a hot dog shoved down your trap.

Share Button
Posted in American Fun, Gossip!, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Holidays – National Garage Sale Day

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield


We’ve read recently about all the garage sale buys that people have taken home and discovered they are worth a fortune…like the woman in Omaha who bought a chair at a garage sale and got home to find $3000 stuffed in its cushions. That’s a fantastic payday. I garage sale much for the same reason my grandmother did: its a happy morning spent pawing through people’s stuff to find fun, fabulously cheap things with an added bonus of getting the town gossip. Today’s the day. There will be signs everywhere. Follow the arrows, people! There’s treasure to be had!

Share Button
Posted in American Fun, Decorating, Garage Sales, Gossip!, Holidays, Life 101, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Holidays – International Left Hander’s Day

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Today is International Lefthanders Day, so help celebrate five to 15 percent of the population who just can’t do anything “right”. The world is built for righties, so this evening, give your favorite southpaw a pat on the back for his or her bravery in operating manual transmissions, sitting at those uncomfortable right-handed desks and continually bumping elbows at crowded dinner tables. Better yet, reward them with something from The Left Hand. Or congratulate them on their high IQ, as lefties tend to be smarter and generally more fabulous than right-handed people. (Just kidding.) (Sort of.)

Share Button
Posted in American Fun, Dinner Party Talk, Holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

American Fun – Carrie-oke

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Bruce and the real Carrie on the CBS Early Show set.


I think William Hung’s long-lost dad as been found! In Kansas! And he’s a real karaoke star! At the Carrie Underwood themed karaoke contest (appropriately dubbed the “Carrie-Oke” contest) a rising star has stepped to the stage: Mr. Wong, a Chinese gentleman with a penchant for screech. This video of his improvised (um, erratic) version of Carrie’s hit, “Before He Cheats” is sure to become an Internet smash. Does he really think he’s going to win the prize (tickets to Carrie’s concert) or was Mr. Wong just on the losing end of an “I dare you” bet?

Share Button
Posted in American Fun, Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Parties, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

American Fun – National Parks Free Weekend

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

I love visiting the geysers at Yellowstone.

This weekend more than 100 national parks are offering free admission and discounted hotel rooms nearby. Some of the major parks participating are:

There are only two more free park weekends in 2010, Sept. 25 and Nov. 11, so grab your hiking boots and head out to enjoy the great outdoors.

Share Button
Posted in American Fun, History of Fun, Holidays, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

American Pets – Dog sings to crying baby

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

This video is a total heart warmer. People (read: parents) always say to be extra careful with big dogs and babies, but I sense a lifelong friendship in this duo. This Husky-looking dog sits by a crying baby’s crib and “sings” to soothe him or her. Believe it or not, it actually works. What is up with all these singing Huskies? Wes isn’t a Husky, but I’m still going to teach him some Gwen Stefani.

Share Button
Posted in American Pets, Pet Fun, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Strangers on a Train

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Actual overheard subway ride conversation.

New Yorkers are forced to get along. We’re often squeezed into tight spots with too many people, particularly on the subway. On my ride this morning, a large woman tried to wedge herself into a spot too small for her cheeks. The skinny woman she sits on is not happy and barked, “Don’t sit on me!” Cheeky barked back: “I paid my fare, b*tch! I’m sitting down.” Accusations about body mass, sweat, and smell flew back and forth as the rest of New York went about our business. The um, ladies, settled their dispute when the skinnier woman got up to depart, turned to her foe and sweetly said, “Have a nice day.” As Cindy Adams would say (had she not mysteriously disappeared without explanation from the New York Post): “Only in New York, kids, only in New York.”

Share Button
Posted in Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pet Fun – NYC Canine-Friendly Bars

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

New Yorkers’ two great loves, their dogs and bar hopping, are no longer at odds with one another. Many bars are now opening their doors to man’s other best friend (read: dog, not booze), and Huffington Post has conveniently compiled a list of 12 canine-friendly bars in NYC. So if you’re in New York City this weekend, go out and enjoy a pint with your pooch. Just remember to always practice responsible walking, and give the leash to a designated walker. Are there any dog-friendly bars in YOUR town?

Share Button
Posted in American Pets, Dinner Party Talk, Pet Fun, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment