Author: Bill Thompson

Jackie Collins

Bill Thompson

Glamour, glitz, sex, power, drugs, and money. All were staples of novels by Jackie Collins.

At the same time her sister Joan was making her name as an actress, Jackie Collins honed her craft as the author of novels in the tradition of Jacqueline Susann or Mickey Spillane.

And she was really, really good at it. She wrote 32 novels, all of which became New York Times Best Sellers. Her books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide. And many have been made into movies or TV series.

I interviewed Jackie Collins several times over the years. The interview you’re about to hear was my first with her.

So here now, from 1985, Jackie Collins.

Jackie Collins died of breast cancer in 2015, just two weeks before her 78th birthday.

Carl Reiner

Bill Thompson
Winner of 2019 Mark Twain prize Carl Reiner
Photo: John Mathew Smith

We lost a true American comedy genius last week.

Carl Reiner was 98 when he passed away.

I first met Carl Reiner in 1993, and again in 1995, when he published a sequel to his iconic 1950s novel “Enter Laughing.”

So here now, from 1995, Carl Reiner:

Carl Reiner won nine Emmys, a Grammy, and The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Sam Donaldson

Bill Thompson

If Donald Trump thinks he’s getting a rough time from the journalist who cover him at the White House, he’s never met Sam Donaldson.

From 1977 to 1989 — the Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan years — Donaldson was was Chief White House correspondent for ABC News.

During those twelve years, Donaldson proved to be a relentless, aggressive reporter, never letting the president get away with a vague, evasive, or unsatisfactory answer to a question.

Ironically, the title of Donaldson’s 1987 book was a phrase he never actually said. The book was called
“Hold On, Mr. President.”

But listen to this interview that’s more than 30 years old and see if it doesn’t have a lot of relevance to what we see going on right now today.

So here now, from 1987, Sam Donaldson.

Sam Donaldson retired from ABC News in 2009. He is 86 now. and serves on the Board of New Mexico First, a bipartisan booster organization.

Richard Shenkman

Bill Thompson

As we head into the Independence Day weekend, it’s a good time to look back on American history.

For example, we all know that Christopher Columbus discovered America. No, wait, Leif Erikson did.

Abe Lincoln once walk 3 miles to return a library book.

George Washington had wooden teeth.

Are these things true, or are they Legends and myths?

In 1989, investigative journalist Richard Shankman wrote a book called “Legends, Lies, and Cherished Myths About American History.”

Here now, from 1989, Richard Shenkman. \

Rick Shenkman has written several other books debunking the myths of history. And he is founder and editor of the History News Network website.

George Lindsey

Bill Thompson

Is it possible to get a major supporting role on a major television show, and have it cripple your acting career?

It nearly happened to George Lindsey. You remember him as Goober from The Andy Griffith Show.

Taking that role, he says ,typecast him for years to come.

I met him about 25 years ago, when he wrote a memoir called Goober in a Nutshell.

So here now, from 1995, George Lindsey.

George Lindsey was 83 when he died in 2012. but thanks to Andy Griffith Show reruns, Goober lives on.

Vanna White

Bill Thompson

Vanna White has been turning the letters on TV’s “Wheel of Fortune” since 1982.

But viewers of the show know that Vanna is much more than just a letter turner.

Soon after joining the show, she rose to nearly the prominence of host, Pat Sajak.

I met Vanna White in 1987. She had written a memoir called “Vanna Speaks,” and I interviewed her at the convention of the American Booksellers Association.

So, here now, from 1987, Vanna White.

Vanna White is 63 now. She is signed to co-host “Wheel of Fortune” through 2022.

Anthony Bourdain

Bill Thompson

Tomorrow, June 25th, would have been Anthony Bourdain’s 64th birthday.

That’s why June 25th has been designated “Bourdain Day” by friends of the late chef, author, TV personality, and world traveler.

Bourdain shot to fame some twenty years ago with his book “Kitchen Confidential,” in which he pulled back the curtain to let us see what really goes on in a restaurant kitchen.

But his book also helped elevate food preparation to an elite profession.

I first met him in the spring of 2001….

Anthony Bourdain died on June 8th, 2018, by suicide, while on location in France for his TV show “Parts Unknown.”

Daniel Handler as Lemony Snicket

Bill Thompson

Baby Boomers had The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books. Millennials had Harry Potter. And Generation Z grew up with Lemony Snicket.

From 1999 to 2006, author Daniel Handler — writing under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket — wrote a series of books called “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

That’s why his book was called “The Penultimate Peril.|

So here now, from 2005, Daniel Handler, otherwise known as Lemony Snicket.

Daniel Handler turned 50 earlier this year. And although Lemony is in retirement, Daniel Handler is still writing books and poetry.

Chris & Bob Elliott

Bill Thompson
Bob Elliott

Father’s Day is this Sunday and all this week on Now I’ve Heard Everything we’ve been featuring interviews about fathers.

Today a conversation with a father and son who have been making us laugh for decades.

Actor-comedian Chris Elliott and his dad, Bob Elliott, collaborated on a 1989 book called “Daddy’s Boy: A Son’s Shocking Account of Life with a Famous Father.”

Chris Elliott Photo: Alan Light

Don’t be alarmed — it’s a parody celebrity tell-all memoirs, and was all very, very tongue-in-cheek — as was our interview just before Fathers Day 1989.

I’m not sure if their book ever did become a major bestseller, although it did get a really nice write-up in the New York Times and a lot of other places..

Chris Elliott remains active and popular in moveis and TV.

Bob Elliott died in 2016. He was 92.