The Writer's Life 7/3 - Champ

There's an interesting one-man show coming to Broadway: The Undisputed Truth, starring Mike Tyson, directed by Spike Lee. It seems an effort to rehabilitate his image. At one time Tyson was in the argument of greatest heavyweight of all-time. He struck fear into opponents and the general public until a relative unknown, Buster Douglas, flattened him in one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. From there his career and life began a downward spiral that included marriage/divorce to actress Robin Givens, a rape charge for which he did a stretch in prison, the chomping of Evander Holyfield's ear during a bout, and the bizarre tattooing of his face. If all humans are enigmas, he is among the most enigmatic. It's said that he reads extensively. I hope the show goes well. If memory serves, it has been a long time since he's been in trouble. I do not like one-man shows, perhaps because they remind me of school, which I hated, or because I spend so much time alone. I love interaction between characters. Still, this show seems to have potential as long as it's not done as spin or a rationale for despicable behavior. Although I believe he was railroaded on the rape charge, I have no doubt he forced himself on the woman, who was either ridiculously naive or looking for a payout. That was a long time ago, and we are all entitled to redemption. Maybe Mike Tyson has found it, but I wouldn't bet on it.

RIP Andy Griffith, TV legend, 86. Griffith had an amazing career, mostly on the small screen, but he did have two major roles in films. He played a yokel in the service comedy No Time for Sergeants (1958), which also had a run on Broadway and no doubt led to his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor in his eponymous series. His best work was as a cynical, megalomaniacal TV star in A Face in the Crowd, a performance that gave me the creeps. The Andy Griffith Show, which was re-dubbed Mayberry RFD for its final season in '68-'69, filmed 249 episodes. Matlock, which was so popular among senior citizens, filmed 195. Astonishing. He's finally on his way to Mount Pilot. Well done, sir.

I thank the three people who bought books today.

Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f