There are few things Jay likes to do more in life than talk with Rob Long, and he got to do it on last week’s National Review cruise. Sitting in a lounge, Jay asks Rob about books, music, TV, standup, food … They talk about Groucho, the Stooges, Gleason, Pryor, Johnny, Letterman, “Cheers,” “The Simpsons,” “All in the Family” … Pork chops, ham, pig’s feet … Jay could not have had a better time, and you might agree with him. Enjoy an hour with this unique American – a Ricochet eminence – Rob Long.

Subscribe to Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger in Apple Podcasts (and leave a 5-star review, please!), or by RSS feed. For all our podcasts in one place, subscribe to the Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed in Apple Podcasts or by RSS feed.

Now become a Ricochet member for only $5.00 a month! Join and see what you’ve been missing.

There are 6 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    That was a fascinating interview. Rob is such an incredibly private person, I thought Jay did a marvelous job of keeping the conversation going. 

    • #1
  2. EHerring Coolidge
    EHerring
    @EHerring

    Interesting thing comparing French and southern food.  I hadn’t thought about that before.  A cruiser in line at the breakfast buffet asked the Indonesian server what polenta is.  He got an answer involving ground corn.  The cruiser seemed confused.  I started to lean over and say “grits” but my server asked for my order so I moved on.

    I miss Johnny Carson. 

    • #2
  3. milkchaser Member
    milkchaser
    @milkchaser

    The whole point behind Larry David’s persona and comedy is anxiety. His character seems drawn toward increasing the anxiety in any scene. He is incapable of much embarrassment. He’ll say whatever comes to mind, especially if he thinks he’s pointing out something everyone else is pretending not to notice.

    It’s funny once you realize it’s his schtick. As Groucho had his lust and avarice, Larry has his tactlessness and lack of shame. Sometimes he gets away with it and sometimes he gets busted. The only thing we can expect for sure in every episode is that Larry’s loyalty is pretty much only to himself.

    And Larry’s character will never be reformed. He’ll never see the light and change. 

    • #3
  4. David Guaspari Member
    David Guaspari
    @DavidGuaspari

    Apropos the end of the conversation, a remark from Abel Gance: Life is tragic but not serious.

    • #4
  5. Joe D. Inactive
    Joe D.
    @JosephDornisch

    I stopped watching the Simpsons back in 1998/9 when Homer effectively caused Flander’s wife to die. That was it for me – Homer had already gotten too ridiculous and I fully realized it there.

    • #5
  6. Charlotte Member
    Charlotte
    @Charlotte

    Well, I can think of at least one advanced, successful civilization that does not indulge in pig products…

    • #6
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.