Topsy Turvy World

From an article at vanityfair.com, edited by yours truly: According to New York State Department of Health guidelines, live audiences are permitted for talk shows and other studio productions, provided those in attendance are part of the cast and crew. Employees, cast and crew may make up a live audience of no more than 100 individuals, or 25% capacity, whichever is lower, and audience members must maintain a social distance of at least six feet in all directions. For Saturday Night Live to comply with those restrictions, it was required to pay ticket holders for their time. Audience members received a check for $150 from Universal Television at the end of the broadcast of the season 46 premiere October 3rd, hosted by Chris Rock. Here’s a pic. It may be hard to see the folks in the upper seats, but does it look like social distancing was observed?

Here’s the most amusing headline I spotted today, from foxnews.com: “Election officials to voters: Stop pouring hand sanitizer on mail-in ballots.”

RIP MLB Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan, 77. His career spanned 1963-’84. He played for five teams. A ten-time All-Star, he was a member of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, part of the successive championships in ’75 and ’76, the NL MVP in each of those seasons. He won five Gold Glove awards and one Silver Slugger. His #8 was retired by the Reds. He is a member of their Hall of Fame and also that of the Astros. He finished with a batting average of .271, had 268 homers and 689 stolen bases. In the New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, James named Morgan the best second baseman in baseball history, and also the “greatest percentages player in baseball history” due to his strong fielding percentage, stolen base percentage, walk-to-strikeout ratio, and walks per plate appearance. In 1999 Morgan ranked #60 on The Sporting News’ list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. In 1985 he began a decades long run in broadcasting, which included stints at ABC, NBC and ESPN. Awesome, sir. Thank you. (Facts from Wiki)

I believe Lebron James is hopelessly misguided politically, but there’s no questioning his lion heart.

This remains a baffling modern phenomenon, from an FN headline: “At least 8 police officers hurt, 76 people arrested as Lakers celebration spirals into ‘violent and destructive’ riot.” Why do some people believe a championship gives one license to ill?

In the off-season the Cowboys signed QB Dak Prescott to a four-year contract that guarantees $86 million. Yesterday he had what appears to be season-ending ankle surgery.

God Save the Queen! Johnny Rotten, 64, former front man for the Sex Pistols, has endorsed Trump for president. This topsy-turvy world is endlessly fascinating.

The floating book shop was rained out today, Columbus Day.

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