Stephen Winer
@rowrbazzle.bsky.social
Former Writer for David Letterman, Robert Klein, Dick Van Dyke and The Disney Channel All New Mickey Mouse Club. Writer of film essays for The Criterion Collection
44 years ago tonight, the first television show I wrote for made its debut. David Letterman and Merrill Markoe changed my life when they hired me and my partner Karl Tiedemann to write for LATE NIGHT. Hard to believe it’s been 44 years but, as you can see, the show was originally in black and white.
February 1, 2026 at 11:34 PM
44 years ago tonight, the first television show I wrote for made its debut. David Letterman and Merrill Markoe changed my life when they hired me and my partner Karl Tiedemann to write for LATE NIGHT. Hard to believe it’s been 44 years but, as you can see, the show was originally in black and white.
“Rich Corinthian Leather”
Trump on Mpls: "Do these people really want to have rapists and drug dealers and people from prisons and murderers, do they really want to have them in the community? It's really insurrectionists and agitators and they're paid ... everybody has a beautiful sign with brand new wood. Leather panels."
January 30, 2026 at 8:38 PM
“Rich Corinthian Leather”
As great a comic talent as has lived in our time. And I refuse to read any obituary of her that puts HOME ALONE in the headline.
January 30, 2026 at 8:33 PM
As great a comic talent as has lived in our time. And I refuse to read any obituary of her that puts HOME ALONE in the headline.
It must be a great relief for Bari Weiss and Tony Dokoupil to know that they’ll never be arrested for performing Journalism.
January 30, 2026 at 5:18 PM
It must be a great relief for Bari Weiss and Tony Dokoupil to know that they’ll never be arrested for performing Journalism.
I know they’re saying it’s an “electrical error” but…
January 21, 2026 at 5:24 AM
I know they’re saying it’s an “electrical error” but…
CULTURAL NOTES:
Somehow, in the span of four days, I’ve managed to see a man pull his own tooth out with pliers twice - once on stage and once on film. I won’t give titles because of spoilers but if I see it again in a musical, I’m going to stop watching stuff altogether.
Somehow, in the span of four days, I’ve managed to see a man pull his own tooth out with pliers twice - once on stage and once on film. I won’t give titles because of spoilers but if I see it again in a musical, I’m going to stop watching stuff altogether.
January 14, 2026 at 5:59 AM
CULTURAL NOTES:
Somehow, in the span of four days, I’ve managed to see a man pull his own tooth out with pliers twice - once on stage and once on film. I won’t give titles because of spoilers but if I see it again in a musical, I’m going to stop watching stuff altogether.
Somehow, in the span of four days, I’ve managed to see a man pull his own tooth out with pliers twice - once on stage and once on film. I won’t give titles because of spoilers but if I see it again in a musical, I’m going to stop watching stuff altogether.
At least Al Capp will have someone to talk to now.
January 13, 2026 at 7:03 PM
At least Al Capp will have someone to talk to now.
The great writer Dennis Potter gave a final interview as he was dying of cancer. He said he named the tumors that were killing him “Rupert” and “Murdoch” because of how much he hated them. I think that the hellscape we’re living in can be traced back to the day Murdoch decided to buy this paper.
January 9, 2026 at 8:57 PM
The great writer Dennis Potter gave a final interview as he was dying of cancer. He said he named the tumors that were killing him “Rupert” and “Murdoch” because of how much he hated them. I think that the hellscape we’re living in can be traced back to the day Murdoch decided to buy this paper.
Defying Depravity
This is good. The Kennedy Center is not there anymore. This is a zombie version, and a full boycott is appropriate until it can be restored to what it was and what it should be. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/a...
Stephen Schwartz Criticizes Kennedy Center, Saying He Won’t Host Gala
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Defying Depravity
Now I hope to live long enough to hear thoughts and sentiments like those expressed in a Presidential inauguration.
January 1, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Now I hope to live long enough to hear thoughts and sentiments like those expressed in a Presidential inauguration.
It’s a genuinely Happy New Year in NYC!
January 1, 2026 at 7:31 AM
It’s a genuinely Happy New Year in NYC!
Well, that was a year!
December 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Well, that was a year!
You, boy!
Yes, Mr. Scrooge?
Is Donald Trump still a racist, sexist, homophobic, antisemitic pathological liar, narcissist, demented pedophile and criminal imbecile?
Yessir, Mr.Scrooge!
I TOLD THOSE GHOSTS THEY CAME TO THE WRONG HOUSE!
Yes, Mr. Scrooge?
Is Donald Trump still a racist, sexist, homophobic, antisemitic pathological liar, narcissist, demented pedophile and criminal imbecile?
Yessir, Mr.Scrooge!
I TOLD THOSE GHOSTS THEY CAME TO THE WRONG HOUSE!
December 25, 2025 at 6:21 PM
You, boy!
Yes, Mr. Scrooge?
Is Donald Trump still a racist, sexist, homophobic, antisemitic pathological liar, narcissist, demented pedophile and criminal imbecile?
Yessir, Mr.Scrooge!
I TOLD THOSE GHOSTS THEY CAME TO THE WRONG HOUSE!
Yes, Mr. Scrooge?
Is Donald Trump still a racist, sexist, homophobic, antisemitic pathological liar, narcissist, demented pedophile and criminal imbecile?
Yessir, Mr.Scrooge!
I TOLD THOSE GHOSTS THEY CAME TO THE WRONG HOUSE!
Bari Weiss has just announced that she has pulled the airing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” because it “wasn’t ready”. She plans to add comments from Karoline Leavitt on how the Grinch is really entitled to all the presents. Weiss expects the show will be ready to air sometime in June.
December 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Bari Weiss has just announced that she has pulled the airing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” because it “wasn’t ready”. She plans to add comments from Karoline Leavitt on how the Grinch is really entitled to all the presents. Weiss expects the show will be ready to air sometime in June.
If MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL has endured for six decades, much of it must be credited to the Broadway level score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. Here is the exquisite “Winter was Warm” sung perfectly by Victoria Clark: youtu.be/YlpQ-FyC-YQ
Victoria Clarke - Winter Was Warm
YouTube video by Murphy Edwards
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
If MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL has endured for six decades, much of it must be credited to the Broadway level score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. Here is the exquisite “Winter was Warm” sung perfectly by Victoria Clark: youtu.be/YlpQ-FyC-YQ
I guess this means the Tonys will now be moving to MySpace.
Breaking: The Oscars Are Leaving ABC For YouTube Starting in 2029
Oscars Bolt from ABC to YouTube Starting in 2029
The Academy announced on Wednesday:
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I guess this means the Tonys will now be moving to MySpace.
One of the best things that can happen to you in life is to meet your childhood hero and find out they’re everything you hoped they’d be. I was lucky enough to meet and work with Dick Van Dyke and I can tell you it’s all true. Happy 100th to the master, Dick Van Dyke.
December 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
One of the best things that can happen to you in life is to meet your childhood hero and find out they’re everything you hoped they’d be. I was lucky enough to meet and work with Dick Van Dyke and I can tell you it’s all true. Happy 100th to the master, Dick Van Dyke.
The producers of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES have announced that it will close three weeks before it opened.
December 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The producers of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES have announced that it will close three weeks before it opened.
This one goes out to the Whovians:
December 7, 2025 at 7:37 PM
This one goes out to the Whovians:
Trump is the proud winner of the first Rise of Cthulhu Award.
December 5, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Trump is the proud winner of the first Rise of Cthulhu Award.
Woody Allen turns 90 today. He is such a towering figure in the Arts that I completely forgive him for the greatest scandal of his life. Obviously I’m talking about his appearance on Bari Weiss’ podcast.
December 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Woody Allen turns 90 today. He is such a towering figure in the Arts that I completely forgive him for the greatest scandal of his life. Obviously I’m talking about his appearance on Bari Weiss’ podcast.
This is the same expression my cat used to make just before she hawked up a hairball.
November 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This is the same expression my cat used to make just before she hawked up a hairball.
What’s all this I hear about RFK Jr. and Olivia Nuzzi “belching”? For goodness sake, what’s so sexy about belching? I never thought…what?…And what does that mean?…Really?!!…well, that’s VERY different…Never mind!
November 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
What’s all this I hear about RFK Jr. and Olivia Nuzzi “belching”? For goodness sake, what’s so sexy about belching? I never thought…what?…And what does that mean?…Really?!!…well, that’s VERY different…Never mind!
“You, boy! What day is it?”
November 22, 2025 at 5:01 AM
“You, boy! What day is it?”
Thank you, BOOKFORUM! Until today I had never really noticed the resemblance between James Baldwin and Don Knotts.
November 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Thank you, BOOKFORUM! Until today I had never really noticed the resemblance between James Baldwin and Don Knotts.