Ivan Lett

Now might be a good time for Americans and Danes to revisit Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes."

The 2026 omen outside my window today; hoping it's a stalwart defender, at very least from pigeons

Never hearing again about what David Brooks thinks about anything would be a marvelous Xmas gift to humanity.

"When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company!" #DickVanDyke100

#FromTheArchive: “A poetry reading builds up to a climax, and if it’s a success it leaves the audience somewhat high.” —Lawrence Ferlinghetti from the March/April 2007 issue of Poets & Writers Magazine. Read more: at.pw.org/Ferlinghetti

When I saw a former Jeopardy champion's twin brother appear on the show before their relationship was clarified, I thought I had jumped timelines, that I might be free.

Both once grand equalizers

I was too young to know all the words to this when it came out, so how on earth do you know it?

My first cockamouse encounter and no photographic proof... I've failed my city.

In Pictures: Remembering Susan Stamberg, one of NPR's Founding Mothers Susan Stamberg joined NPR at its start, originally to cut tape — literal tape, with a single-sided blade — at a time when commercial networks almost never hired women.

An NPR OG, always a friend to books, RIP Susan Stamberg www.npr.org/sections/the...

So...no one is going to point out the grammar of "No songs in English should not be allowed at [the Superbowl]"? What language does Danica Patrick speak?

It's telling that I behave like a 1986 cartoon teenager every time a new (reimagined) Jem single is released.

An AI company wants to hire a poet to review their models...and you know someone is going to do it...

Americans Reach Record Low for Leisure Reading Researchers say leisure reading is one of the “simplest tools in our public health toolkit.”

And there's very little in place to reverse the trend that's not already under attack

Nothing quite like spending a summer afternoon with Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers

David Brooks faces the truth of US history — and runs away - Salon.com NY Times' pet conservative offers a lengthy apologia for America — and gets pretty much everything wrong

This is why history and historians matter: www.salon.com/2025/07/26/d...

Current NYC temp: Grendel's grundle

It's days like today that the 2 senators per state really amplifies the focus on land above people that is built into our founding.

I was today years old when I realized that potential fans of my writing could be called Lett-ers.

Pete Hegseth Performs Bizarre Fruit Ritual as War Rages in Middle East The Defense Secretary found a unique way to wait out Trump’s two-week timeframe to decide what to do in Iran.

So it's not a dog whistle? Or just a regular whistle? www.thedailybeast.com/pete-hegseth...

Anne Burrell, host of Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America,' dies at 55 Anne Burrell, the celebrity chef best known for hosting 'Worst Cooks in America' on Food Network, has died at age 55.

"Brown food tastes good." RIP to a wonderful teacher and TV personality ew.com/anne-burrell...

Some day I'd like to interview a person who ordered and ate Papa John's on purpose.

Ah, the celebrities and top journalists pleading for people to buy their books... There's a simple answer to their consternation...

I enjoy that the intentions of my soul are so discernible that other people's dogs go out of their way to encounter me.

repeat after me:

The New York Times Is The Problem www.oliverexplains.com/p/the-new-yo...

Despite the griping and hand-wringing of "regretful" voters, pretty sure a snap reelection today, 6 months past and havoc wreaked, would yield the same results, because people are that bored. Such is brain rot.

“Among all forms of mistake, prophecy is the most gratuitous.”

—Middlemarch, by George Eliot

And for those of us who work in these industry fields, it's brutal out there.

Ruth Buzzi, purse-wielding comedian on 'Laugh-In,' dies at 88 Ruth Buzzi, the actress and comedian who made audiences belly-laugh as the purse-wielding spinster Gladys Ormphby on the groundbreaking sketch comedy series 'Laugh-In,' has died at 88.

ew.com/ruth-buzzi-d...

One of my middle school stage roles was a play version of Laugh-In. Strange to think the 24 year interval between its last airing and our production is the same as Molly Shannon's final SNL season until now. RIP Ruth Buzzi.