Fellow Drummer Cubby O'Brian, Guido Sarducci, Kramer & Larry David All Drop In!

 August 18, 2024

   My father's birthday was yesterday. I miss the guy. I will say this. He was one stubborn Norwegian.

Al Bell's Flying A Days

   There is little doubt some of that stubborness rubbed off on me. A reporter once asked Kathy what it is like living with me and she said, "invading Viking, only child."

   Meanwhile, I got the nicest email from a Hollywood director:

   'Thanks for your entertaining and educational magazine. I am always impressed with the passion and knowledge of your writers and readers on subjects of the old west. When I was just 19, I headed west, not for gold, but for Hollywood. Since then, I worked most of my life in TV, including being Head Writer on Candid Camera and Director on Curb Your Enthusiasm."

—Tom Kramer

Tom Kramer, at left, with Don Novello and Dawn on the set of Fridays

   So, long story short, we are going to feature Tom in an upcoming What History Has Taught Me. When I asked about his early career he sent me a YouTube link to a skit he co-directed on the show Fridays, which was a west coast counterpart to Saturday Night Live back in the eighties. Check it out and watch for the dude at the end of the pan left in the first scene:

A Fistful of Darwin, 1981

   Yes, I am referring to this cat:

Michael Richards on Fridays skit

   When Tom confirmed it was in fact "Kramer" from Seinfeld, he told me to look for another Seinfeld alum and I think I found him:

Larry David, at left, with Father Guido

Sarducci

(Don Novello)

   In conversation, Tom told me his father-in-law played drums on the Mouseketeer Show and I blurted out, "Cubby O'Brian?" and Tom said yes and then Tom sent me this signed and framed photo:

Signed and personalized photo

by Cubby O'Brian

   So this completes my Mouseketeer fascination after getting this juicy mash note from Annette:

Daily Whip Out: "First Crush"

"Why? Because we love you! M-O-U-S-E!"

—Mouseketeer Club sign off