News of the Week: New Books, Frog Cops, and Are People Falling Out of Love with Pizza?

New Year, New Books

If one of your resolutions is to read more, here are some suggestions.

The Anthony Bourdain Reader by Anthony Bourdain. This actually came out a few months ago, and I thought it would get more attention. It’s a collection of essays, diary entries, reviews, and other short and long pieces (some published for the first time) by the late writer, cook, and TV host.

Eat Your Ice Cream by Ezekiel Emanuel. This is subtitled “Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.” It focuses on attitude and having fun as much as nutrition, and any health book that advises eating ice cream is one I can get behind.

Advance Britannia by Alan Allport. This is the second volume in Allport’s history of Britain’s role in World War II. (Here’s the first.)

Nothing Random by Gayle Feldman. Fans of the original What’s My Line? (and the history of book publishing) will probably love this look at Bennett Cerf and Random House, the publishing house he built.

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven. A novel about America’s favorite sitcom family of the 1940s and ’50s, the Newmans, and how the fake TV facade disintegrates and the show’s ratings start to fall in 1964.

Rise of the De-Influencers

Question: If you gain a following online as being the opposite of an influencer, someone who embraces boredom, doesn’t that actually make you an influencer? Discuss.

American Pie

I’m not very good at math so I have a natural suspicion of statistics and numbers. And I refuse to believe that Americans aren’t eating that much pizza anymore.

Headline of the Week

“AI-Generated Police Report States Utah Officer Was Turned Into a Frog”

RIP Aldrich Ames, Michael Reagan, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Stewart Cheifet, Eva Schloss, Diane Crump, John Mulrooney, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Sidney Kibrick

Aldrich Ames was the counterintelligence chief who was serving a life sentence for revealing U.S. secrets. He died Monday at the age of 84.

Michael Reagan was a political radio show host and the son of former president Ronald Reagan. He died Sunday at the age of 80.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell was a former senator from Colorado. He died last week at the age of 92.

Stewart Cheifet was the creator and host of the popular tech show The Computer Chronicles. He died last month at the age of 87.

Eva Schloss was a Holocaust survivor and the stepsister of Anne Frank. She died Saturday at the age of 96.

Diane Crump was the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She died last week at the age of 77.

John Mulrooney was a comic and actor. He took over The Late Show with Joan Rivers after she was fired, filled in as host on The Pat Sajak Show, was a host of Comic Strip: Live, starred in Midtown North on Comedy Central, and also hosted radio shows. He died last month at the age of 67.

Isiah Whitlock Jr. appeared in such TV shows as The Wire, Veep, Your Honor, and The Residence, and movies like 25th Hour, Da 5 Bloods, and Enchanted. He died last month at the age of 71.

Sidney Kibrick was a child actor in the Our Gang/Little Rascals shorts. He died Saturday at the age of 97.

This Week in History

Dragnet Premieres (January 3, 1951)

It had started on radio in 1949, and when it moved to NBC television (while also remaining on radio), Jack Webb didn’t want to continue the Sgt. Joe Friday role he had been playing (he wanted Lloyd Nolan to take over). But he eventually did, and the show ran for many years. His first partner was Sgt. Ben Romero, played by Barton Yarborough. But the actor died and was only in the first two episodes. Friday’s new partner became Sgt. Ed Jacobs, played by Barney Phillips. He was replaced in season two by Officer Frank Smith, first played by Herb Ellis for a few episodes and then played by Ben Alexander.

First State of the Union Address (January 8, 1790)

It was given by George Washington in New York City.

This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Listerine (January 3, 1942)

Early ads for Listerine promoted the benefits of using it for colds and sore throats, not bad breath. You could even get a Throat Light for 75 cents!

Sunday Is Hot Toddy Day

Or, instead of Listerine, you could have some booze to help make your cold feel better. It’s a traditional drink that has many uses during the chilly winter months.

Here’s a recipe for a Classic Hot Toddy from Cookie + Kate, and here’s one for a Maple Rum Hot Toddy from Wallflower Kitchen that replaces the whiskey or bourbon that’s usually used with rum. And if you want one without the alcohol, here’s the Non-Alcoholic Hot Not Toddy from The Spruce Eats.

I just like saying the name. Hot Toddy! Hot Toddy! If you didn’t know it was a drink it would sound like the name of a card game or an exotic dancer.

Next Week’s Holidays and Events

Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day (January 11)

This seems like a cruel thing to do in the middle of January.

The 83rd Golden Globes (January 11)

You can watch it on CBS starting at 8 p.m.

National Nothing Day (January 16)

This was created in 1972 by San Francisco Examiner columnist Harold Pullman Coffin. It’s the day of the year when you don’t honor or celebrate anything. But if you do that, aren’t you celebrating the day?