Book: Thirty-Nine Years of Short-Term Memory Loss by Tom Davis

39 Years of Short-Term Memory Loss: The Early Days of SNL from Someone Who Was There

Tom Davis

I am a huge fan of Saturday Night Live, especially the early days, so I eat up anything to do with that era of the show. This autobiography falls into that category.

Tom Davis, as few of you may know, was part of the comedy team "Franken and Davis" with current Minnesota Senator Al Franken. Both became writers on the first five years of SNL and were also featured performers during that time as well. They also came back for a second stint in the 80s-90s.

This autobiography is unlike any that I have ever read. It reads less as a form of narrative than Davis presenting the facts of his life as he thinks of them. He jumps back and forth in time at will where most writers of memoirs would present the facts in strict chronological order.

This gives the book the feel that you are sitting with Davis somewhere and having a conversation with him.

Davis has had an interesting life outside of SNL. The book details his friendship with the Grateful Dead and Timothy Leary, a trip to India, several run ins with the Rolling Stones. There are enough anecdotes in his life that he could fill seven books.

Davis is also an excellent writer. The first mention of John Belushi's death in book is so poignant and moving that you can't help but be affected by Davis' words.

If you are a fan of the early days of SNL, then this book is a must have. He might not have been a break out star on the show, but he lived one hell of an interesting life.

Film: UP

Disney-pixar-up-movie-poster-2

There is a 5 to 10 minute span at the beginning of this movie where the brilliance of Pixar and the filmmakers really shine through. They show us the life of the main character, Carl Fredricksen, from a child to an elderly man. The filmmakers show us how he became the man he is--his loves, his fears, and the tragedies he lived through. This segment is both funny and sad, heart warming and heart breaking. You could give other artists 3 hours of film time and you wouldn't get the same kind of character portrait you get here. And the boys at Pixar did it all in 10 minutes--with no dialogue and no narration. That was just brilliant.

It's bravura film making. That scene alone should qualify UP for an Oscar. And not an animation Oscar, a real, honest to god, given out at the end of the show Best Picture Oscar.

The story is about dreams and the pursuit of them. This plays out in many forms. About how you shouldn't delay in chasing after the dream. That no dream in impossible or unattainable. But, also, the difference between showing determination and obssession in the pursuit.

This being said, the filmmaker create a world of magic and wonder. It is a world where the implausible becomes the reality.Where imagination is key. Yes, you could go through the entire movie and pinpoint all the things that can conceivably happen, but you won't want to. You'll want to be swept up in the fantasy.

The script and plot is intelligent and engaging. There is a lot going on in this story, and where it goes is imaginative and unlike anything else you'll see this year.

UP is a great movie. I saw it almost 12 hours ago and I still smile when I remember seeing it. It's just perfect.