Avenue G

Madonna as big sister? -- Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

by blogSpotter
I just finished listening to Christopher Ciccone’s Life with My Sister Madonna -- I had the book on tape for 6 months before I got to it. I thought it would be boring, but it was actually fascinating. Christopher’s book describes a love-hate sibling rivalry in which the creative, gay Christopher orbits as a satellite around his 2-year older, million-megawatt celebrity sister Madonna. Christopher’s book gives a first-hand look into the frailties, quirks and vulnerabilities of the Material Girl. From 1984 thru 2006 (when a quarrel left them estranged) Christopher was Madonna’s dresser, stage manager, backup dancer, decorator, and moral support. Though he is gay and a brother, I discern that Christopher probably felt like 'first man' in Madonna’s life -- he probably felt usurped when Madonna married English producer Guy Richie who was apparently homophobic and unaccepting of Christopher’s orientation.

Ciccone’s book was generally panned as a disloyal rant from a disgruntled brother and ex-employee. I don’t get that from it at all -- in fact I think Christopher’s book is as much a brotherly love paean as a critique. Christopher and Madonna are both hugely talented and creative -- you can see where some professional jealousies as well as territorial feelings could creep in. I foresee that these two fellow travelers will get back together at some point. Some of Ciccone’s revelations about Madonna actually go counter to her public persona; she doesn’t drink or do drugs and is fairly modest around the house (no slinky gowns or underwear). Ciccone describes his sister as a highly disciplined task master who has total control over her finances and schedules. The 'slutty girl' image is very much a fabrication for publicity. If Ciccone's stories are true, Madonna drew him into her sphere at various points with promises (apartment lodging, production roles) that she would then withdraw. That Ciconne would come running back over and over again reminds me just a little bit of Lucy and Charlie Brown with the football.

It looks like the undoing of the sibling togetherness happened in the mid 90’s when Madonna befriended Ingrid -- a wealthy gossip from Miami who convinced Madonna that Christopher was hopped up on drugs (true, in part but highly exaggerated). Madonna withdrew her patronage from Christopher’s design efforts, and even eventually refused final payment on a couple of the projects she‘d engaged him in. At one point where Madonna was raking in $53 million a year, her poor brother was tanking in his restaurant business, begging rides after his car was repossessed, and scrounging up money for a $10K medical bill.

I don’t see this book as sour grapes. I too have an extremely out-going popular older brother. I spent my teenage and college years being 'Bryan’s brother'. I can tell from Christopher’s account (even his gift with words) that he’s an extremely smart and talented person -- someone who would shine brightly if he wasn’t having to shine next to Venus or the Sun. What I read between the lines is that Christopher and Madonna are soul mates of sorts -- people who have actually accommodated each other’s dysfunctions since a shared childhood. They have a love that can probably survive the nastiest of fights. This book is a great, albeit slightly voyeuristic read. There aren’t so much heroes and villains as much as flesh-and-blood people. There’s no black and white dichotomy -- just a thousand interesting shades of gray.

© 2009 blogSpotter

Labels: Book Reviews

Steve Martin reflects on his life -- Picture courtesy of Scribner

by blogSpotter
I'm almost finished listening to Steve Martin's memoir "Born Standing Up". Given Martin's driven, extroverted nature the title is nearly an accurate statement. From the time Martin was in a 2nd grade school play, he craved the spotlight and performing in front of big crowds. Martin says that he was shy under normal circumstances, but audiences didn’t bother him. Other disclosures about Martin's early life were not all that exciting. His parents were Glenn, a real estate agent and Mary Lee, a housewife. He was born in Waco but the family moved to Garden Grove California shortly thereafter. Martin revealed that his father was fairly cold and distant and they had a strained relationship.

Martin worked as a teen at the Disney Magic Shop, selling magic kits. Later, he worked at the Bird Cage in Knott's Berry Farm doing a magic act that he'd developed while selling the kits. Early on, Martin wanted to be a serious magician or maybe even a singer. His singing career was blunted in elementary school -- Martin sang "America the Beautiful" for his mother and she laughed so hard that she cried. In his magic act, Martin noticed that people laughed at his comic asides and that he almost got a better audience reaction if the magic trick failed. Gradually, Martin came to see that his gift was with quirky comic irony, and not with magic. His actual emergence into comedy was slow and winding process over the 10 years following high school.

Martin studied philosophy and theater, first at California State and then at UCLA. He never completed a degree since his performing career intervened. He started out with a beard and scruffy clothes, doing left-wing political humor. By his mid-20's, he decided that the political humor was passé and limiting -- he left it completely behind. He honed a more conservative image with a 3-piece white gabardine suit and short haircut. Martin says that he was honoring the advice of an experienced club manager: "Always dress better than your audience".

Martin supplemented his meager stand-up income by working as a comedy writer for The Smothers Brothers, The Glenn Campbell Goodtime Hour and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. He landed 16 appearances on The Tonight Show; he was crest-fallen when he heard through the grapevine that Carson thought his humor was too silly. For several of the Tonight Show appearances, Martin was only allowed to appear when there was a guest host. Carson later came around to liking Martin's humor (by the mid 1970's) and actually boosted his career at that point.

Martin tried recreational substances on a couple of occasions, had bad reactions and never touched them again. He actually experienced repeated anxiety attacks as the result of one dalliance with amyl nitrate. He also was a very light drinker, not liking how even one drink could affect his performance. There are details to his biography that will make one envious. He knew the Eagles as they were forming their group -- even offered feedback on the group's name ("Eagles" vs "The Eagles"). He dated Linda Ronstadt at the height of her popularity and he even had Fleetwood Mac as his opening act when he first started to headline at nightclubs.

Martin's personal life has been pretty stable and undramatic, considering the turmoil of his comic persona. He's had two marriages (Victoria Tennant 1986-1994) and Anne Stringfield (2007-present). He dabbles in art and actually has a very serious side to him.

Before signing off, here is some background on his trademark slogans and tactics:
• I'm a wild and crazy guy -- he would go into the routine when his act was bombing; it frequently brought everyone back around.
• Well excuuuse me -- the finale to an act where he told the camera man before the show to ignore his pleas for a spotlight. (very big laugh-getter).
• Arrow-through-head prop -- Part of Martin's act from the beginning; a couple of club owners who didn't get his humor told him to lose it.

The memoir deals mostly with Martin's early career, although his first stint on Saturday Night Live is mentioned (along with the rock star following that resulted). All told, Steve Martin has had a terrific career and life. Someone this complex, brilliant and driven should expect nothing less.

© 2008 blogSpotter

Labels: Book Reviews

Carlin dishing out sacrilege -- Picture courtesy Wikipedia

by blogSpotter
George Carlin is a favorite comedian of mine. In the '60's, he was very cutting edge, seen by some as the successor to Lenny Bruce. In 2006, as he approaches the 70 mark, he's about as cutting edge as a Bill Cosby Jello commercial to most young people. Nevertheless, I like his rascally nature and his unusual take on things. Carlin began his career as a DJ in Bosier City, Louisiana at age 20. From there, he developed a comedy act which eventually led him to Rowan and Martin's Laugh In where he did his zoned-out hippie dippie weatherman character.

I'm now listening to his latest book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?". I love the thought-provoking sacrilege in the title. As the first Christian, did Jesus have to remain Kosher? Or was he technically even a Christian? I feel certain he never had a cheeseburger; there were no Sonics or Wendy's at the time. Mr. Carlin -- shame on you for making me ponder such things. Carlin spends a lot of time discussing word play. He's bothered by job-inflation euphemisms -- why is a clerk now a "sales associate"? Likewise, he's bothered by politically correct speech; "differently-abled" has no real meaning since all of us are "differently-abled". He considers it to be the feminization of speech. Speaking of femininity, Carlin deems the names of feminine deodorants as boring (e.g., Summer's Eve). He proposes Vaginilla and Lime Labia. In the chapter I just finished, Carlin feels that the ultimate wimp sign is "Thank You for Not Smoking". Carlin would put up a sign that reads:

"If you light a cigarette, we will extinguish it somewhere on the surface of your body".

I'm shocked, I'm appalled and furthermore I'm entertained. Carlin's rants couldn't be taken too seriously, some of them don't even make that much sense. The hippie dippie comic has probably availed himself of some mood enhancers – it expands his imagination to be sure. In closing, I can only imagine Jesus enjoying a baked ham and a milk shake. Be gone these blasphemous thoughts, lest I start laughing again.

© 2006 blogSpotter.

Labels: Book Reviews