"We are born in an age when only the dull are treated seriously, and I live in terror of not being misunderstood," wrote Oscar Wilde.

***

The adorable John Stamos won his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the other day. His star is right next to that of Dick Van Dyke, who originated the role that John is now playing on Broadway – Albert in "Bye, Bye, Birdie."

John says that 30 years ago he was walking down Hollywood Boulevard to an audition for the TV show "General Hospital." He says at the time he thought to himself, "I’ll never have a star!" (Oh, ye of little faith.) The handsome Mr. Stamos went on to have a long career on "General Hospital," "Full House," "ER" and elsewhere.

The New York critics piled on the Roundabout’s revival production of "Bye, Bye Birdie" but audiences evidently don’t pay much mind to that kind of thing anymore. The musical remains over 90% sold out at every performance and continues to climb.


Image © Joan Marcus

I have always adored John Stamos and I am very happy to be writing this about a truly nice guy.

***

Bette Midler hopes you’ll think about accepting her challenge. She is so dedicated to her New York Restoration Project, redeeming parks and gardens all over NYC, plus removing tons of garbage, that she says if you send her a contribution between now and the end of the year, she’ll personally match every dollar up to 100 grand. The address for your check is NY Restoration Project, 254 W 31st St., 10th floor, 10001.

***

The Brits recently arrested a prolific rapist, age 52, whom they called "The Night Stalker," in connection with up to 200 attacks on women – and sometimes men. And, get this! The victims were all elderly, most between ages 68 and 93. Scotland Yard had been on this case for at least 12 years. Finally, they decided the rapist was someone who worked with the elderly and they were correct. He is a care worker with a disabled wife at home.

***

"You can fake an orgasm but you can’t fake laughter," said the super-famous Bob Dylan.

Boy oh boy! Was Bobby ever right. I am laughing right now having just experienced Dylan’s new CD, "Christmas In the Heart," with its old-fashioned couple in a two-horse sleigh on the cover.



It is hard to know exactly what to think of this where a virtual god of rock decides in his dotage that he’ll serve himself up singing things like "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," "Do You Hear What I Hear," "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful." Dylan croaks along and some of this is so hilarious, you have to start over to hear the famous lyrics again.

This is one for the Christmas books – a perfect gift for all your ’70s pals who have worshipped Dylan all these years. Nobody knows whether to laugh or cry as this toils on, zinging down one Yule favorite after another. It ends peacefully with "The Christmas Blues." Yes, it surely does.

I am playing this over and over again. I don’t know when a CD has affected me like this one.