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Ask Mr. Know-It-All By Gary Lee Clothier
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Q: What can you tell me about Bram Stoker, the author of "Dracula"? -- G.M., Peoria, Ill.
A: Abraham "Bram" Stoker (1847?1912) was an Irish novelist and short-story writer who is best known for his 1897 novel "Dracula." As a child, he was mostly bedridden because of illness. By the time he entered school, he had fully recovered and became an excellent athlete. He graduated with honors from Trinity College in Dublin.
In 1878, Stoker married Florence Balcombe, whose former suitor was Oscar Wilde. The couple moved to London, where Stoker became involved with the Lyceum Theatre. He later became its business manager, a position he held for nearly 30 years. Along with his theater duties, he was part of the literary staff of the London Daily Telegraph.
Stoker wrote other horror novels besides "Dracula," as well as other fiction, including "The Snake's Pass" in 1890. He and his wife had one child, a son. After suffering several strokes, Stoker died at age 64.
Q: For many years I enjoyed "The Carol Burnett Show." I especially enjoyed it when Carol would introduce Lyle Waggoner and then melt when he came on stage. I used to melt also. Then, all of a sudden, there was no more Lyle Waggoner. How long was he on the show? Why did he leave? -- Y.C.L., Holland, Mich.
A: "The Carol Burnett Show" aired on CBS from 1967 until 1978. Lyle Waggoner (1935- ) was with the show from the beginning and remained until 1974, when he decided it was time to move on and explore other professional avenues. He prepared himself for his departure by becoming involved in theater and other TV shows during time off from taping "The Carol Burnett Show." He also received additional "exposure" as Playgirl magazine's first seminude centerfold in 1973. (Some sources say that because of this, the producers of "The Carol Burnett Show" asked him to leave.)
In 1979, he created Star Waggons to provide custom location trailers exclusively to the entertainment industry.
Q: My husband and I frequently watch the TV courtroom reality show "Judge Judy." Who pays the judgments that are made against the defendants? -- D.B., Scotts, Mich.
A: Judith Sheindlin is an outspoken former family court judge who received national attention after the television news program "60 Minutes" aired a segment about her. TV producers later asked her to preside over her own courtroom reality show, and the first episode of "Judge Judy" aired in September 1996.
"Judge Judy" is not scripted. Sheindlin is given a half-page summary, which she doesn't always read, for each case she hears. The complaints and judgments, which are paid by the show's producers, are real. Before the show, both parties agree to accept the judge's decision and to not pursue the case outside the show's court. Litigants are paid $100 for their appearance on the show, plus a small amount for each day the show is taped. Airfare and hotel accommodations are also paid. The courtroom audience is paid and is prompted when to laugh or to fake conversations among themselves.
Q: Bok is an uncommon name in this country. I would like to know if political cartoonist Chip Bok is descended from or related to Hannes Bok, the classic fantasy/science fiction illustrator? -- J.F.C., San Pedro, Calif.
A: Chip Bok was the staff editorial cartoonist for the Akron Beacon Journal from 1987 to 2008. His editorial cartoons are syndicated and appear regularly in more than 100 publications, including the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Time and Newsweek.
There is little chance that Chip Bok is related to Hannes Bok. Hannes Bok is the pseudonym for Wayne Francis Woodard (1914-1964), who was an American artist and illustrator, as well as an amateur astrologer and writer of fantasy fiction and poetry.
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© 2011, Gary Clothier DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK
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Arnold Ahlert | ||||||||||||
