In her life Mrs Linklater has hung out with some pretty funny people. There was Harold Ramis of Groundhog Day fame, who was in the same touring company as she at Second City, but doesn't seem to recognize her as as blond. She recently ran into him at her health club. "Hi, Harold, how's it going?" Long, blank "Is this a stalker?" stare. "Harold, it's me. . .Okay, nevermind."
There was John Swartzwelder, a former boyfriend, now writing funny stuff for the Simpsons, who asked her to wait at least six months before calling him back again, so he could save up some interesting things to talk about. She wishes she was making this up.
And now there is Dave Barry, the world's funniest humor columnist ever in the history of mankind, who has never met or dated Mrs. Linklater, so he has nothing to complain about.
But, along with those other funny people whose names she dropped like melons down an elevator shaft, Dave Barry has also left her building. Yes, after almost three decades, he has decided to quit writing his column. At least until he decides whether or not he wants to start writing it again.
And Mrs. Linklater is just devastated. In case you've been living in a comedy free zone the past few years, here is the first paragraph of his last column today. It's all you need.
Posted on Sun, Jan. 02, 2005 Miami Herald
The last word, for now; humorist gives jokes a rest
There comes a time in the life of every writer when he asks himself -- as Shakespeare, Tolstoy and Hemingway all surely asked themselves -- if he has any booger jokes left in him.
If the word "booger" made you laugh, then you and Dave and Mrs. Linklater have the same sense of humor.
And you can understand her pain.
9 comments:
Dave Barry is great. Sad news indeed.
Oh no, I can't believe it! I've been reading Dave Barry's column since I was a child, it's the first section I grab out of the sunday paper. What will I do without my weekly dose of wit?!
I feel for you Mrs. Linklater, I share your pain.
xoxo~Bernadette
http://journals.aol.com/quartrlyfecrysis/ConfessionsbyQuartrLyfeCrysis/
PS, very funny about the Simpsons guy ;)
Dave Barry will surely be missed. Many of us are left holding a deflated whoopee cushion this week...
having been born and raised in Miami... Dave was a household name. We fought over who got to read his column first. I'm going to miss reading him.... although I did get a book he wrote with someone who's name escapes me right now. My step dad bought it for me for Christmas... signed with pictures from the book signing... I'll have at least another week of Dave... surely I'll have withdrawals
Tracy
I have his book, Dave Barry's Guide to Life, and I folow his widom scrupulously. May I recommend Andy Borowitz as a stopgap measure.
Andy Borowitz is a hoot. Thanks. Mrs. L
so sorry Dear Mrs. L...........
we will pledge to tell you booger jokes from time to time to ease the pain.
judi
My condolances Mrs. L.
~JerseyGirl
I love Dave Barry. The word "booger" did make me laugh. And I definitely feel your pain.
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