his morning was just like any other, but different. Wednesdays  we assemble a variety of people who are either in the news or the spotlight and characters who have a story to tell and every session has its highlights. Let me tell you about today. You may have heard Howard Weitzman on KNX. He was, for a short while, one of the so-called "dream team" of lawyers who put up that amazingly able defense of a man who might well have killed his wife, Nicole,  and her friend, Ronald Goldman ...O.J.Simpson. I truly believe, from what the distinguished lawyer said, that he is convinced that Simpson did it. He didn't use those words precisely, but he did say that he thought that the jury had reached the wrong verdict! Knowing the man I would wager that the reason he didn't stay on the payroll was that he'd have found it hard to defend Simpson - who happens to be in L.A. today for a service in honor of the late attorney Johnnie Cochran. Weizman's words in Cochran's praise were eloquent and heartfelt.
Last night Stefanie Powers opened at the Pantages theater in Hollywood in a very well-produced and finely staged production of an outstanding Rodgers and Hammerstein musical; The King and I. Unlike many of the shows of the fifties and sixties that appear shallow and ponderous with the passage of the decades, the brilliance of the score and the well-constructed storyline hold up extremely well. Stefanie had starred in the part in London's West End. For a woman whose first language was Polish and who grew up in America, you could easily have convinced this immigrant that she was born and raised in "The Colonies." A fine performance as the young Englishwoman who became teacher to the many children of the King of Siam. Bright and early this morning she was our second guest. The subjects were several, but reverted to the one real love of her life, the late William Holden, the Oscar winning actor. He taught her a lot,  including a love of Africa and animals. She has spent much of her time, energy and talent running the William Holden Wildlife Foundation in Kenya. They care for animals and teach the young people to share her respect for the animals in the wild. She's always a good conversationalist. A personal note, I have seen her jump into a bullring in Mexico City, borrow a cape, and face down a bull who was none too respectful of her Hollywood stature.
Today the schedule included Suzanne Sommers. She's that extremely outspoken and confident "survivor"; a most successful actress, author, entertainer, entrepreneur. Her current book, in a series that's reached a dozen ,(with six of them having made it to the new York Times bestseller list), is titled "Slim and Sexy Forever." It's worth reading ,if weight, diet and nutrition are some of your concerns. A good conversationalist who  seems willing to tell you more than you need to know. The toughest question she answered for me was, "Suzanne, for many ...perhaps most of your fans who fell in love with you in "Three's Company," a large part of your physical attraction were your breasts. You had breast cancer. What did that do to your confidence and your opinion of yourself.?." Do tune in and hear her answer. She's a dynamo who'll not be stopped. She"s the same person but with smaller breasts now.
Once upon a time there was Louella and there was Hedda and they ruled the world of Hollywood news and gossip. They could make or break the career of any star. They were tough and powerful, but by comparison to to-day's gossip-mongers, they were kidstuff. Liz Smith is a survivor. Her stock in trade is far more gentle than most and that has helped her survive in this cutthroat business of gossip writing. She joined us from New York and the timing could not have been more perfect.
She is still read daily in many dozens of news papers ...however, she joined us right as she was being fired from her job. They had offered to keep her on at a 95% reduction in payment. 82 years old and as feisty as ever. During the past quarter century there has been a mushrooming of gossip-writing and reporting. It is now a national pastime to seek all the warts, to tear down, to ruin wherever possible, the stars, actors, actresses ...anyone in the public eye. It appears that nowadays with the plethora of magazines, TV shows, internet sites and blogs, we are a nation consumed with the world of gossip. Liz said of today's gossip reporting that it was "a tawdry jewel in a crown of free speech." She also targeted the complete lack of style of today's stars and she called the red carpet..."fashion pornography," and added that when the stars are not there, they go around like rag pickers. No, this women is never shy to say exactly as she feels. I hope you'll hear the conversation. At her age and with her experience she has earned the right to do and say whatever pleases her.
Her one unfulfilled ambition? To be carried by as many newspapers as was Walter Winchell. It'll never happen. He was read daily in over 2000 newspapers. But one can dream.
Those were just the women of this morning's recording session. Next time, I'll write about the men.