Hey! I don’t normally send emails on Mondays, but you know what they say: If you can’t shake it up on Substack, how can you expect to shake it up ANYWHERE ELSE?
Plus, I can’t wait another moment to tell you that I went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and had the time of my life. One of these will be my holiday card:
Anyway, don’t knock Madame Tussauds until you try it. I made jokes about that place for years, but then it opened a powerful portal into my soul. Plus, I got to MAKE A WAX MOLD OF MY HAND!
Five quick recs:
BEEF (Netflix series) — I binged the bejeezus outta this show and loved it all. It’s so well-acted, well-written and well-soundtracked with a ‘90s alterna-vibe that’ll make nostalgic for Gavin Rossdale’s curls and the opening notes to “Cornflake Girl.”
TALK EASY (podcast) — Host Sam Fragoso is in his 20s and talks to artists in a way that prompts them to reveal more of themselves than they (or you) expect. This week he does a masterful job interviewing Michelle Williams.
CRYING IN H MART by Michelle Zauner (memoir) — Like a cheap squirrel, I waited ‘til it came out in paperback before reading. By god, it’s a masterpiece. Spring for the hardcover, Denise.
BROOKLYN’S LAST SECRET by Leslie Stein (graphic novel) — It follows a punk band on tour and is relatable even if you aren’t in a band and have never left the basement. I adore Leslie’s art style and energy, and I think one chapter made a wrinkle on my forehead disappear.
BICS (not the razors) — That stands for the Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase, and I’ll be there Saturday with friends and comics and perhaps a Moscow mule from the snazzy ginger liqueur tasting room across the way.
Cheers to comedian/actor/friend Matt Champagne — we became Zoom pals during the pandemic and finally met in person two weeks ago! I took him to a live podcast taping for women over 40, and he swears he had a blast.
OK, that’s it — thanks for sharing a pinch of time with me. My birthday is on Friday, so the next time we meet I’ll look a little more like Ruth Gordon.
never bring a knife to a gunfight or a cellphone to a bathroom,
whit