Seems a day doesn’t go by when there’s not a news story about the mis-deeds, bad actions, or just plain horrendous attitude of some Hollywood star.

You’d think they all were a degenerate bunch of self-serving pleasure seekers.

But, back in 1982, an incident occurred that put Paul Newman on the top of my permanent list of all-time class acts, while he was in Boston shooting a movie titled, The Verdict.

They were shooting on “G” street in South Boston—an area of tightly packed, turn of the century homes much like this…

Because of the way the houses are constructed—when they catch fire, it’s hard to stop the blaze before it destroys the whole building.

As it turned out—just such a fire broke out in “Southie” several doors down from where Newman and his crew were shooting interior scenes in a home on “G” street.

Upon arriving at the scene—I soon found a woman who lived in the burning home. She’d lost everything—managing to escape with the clothes she was wearing and her beloved dog—nothing more.

As I stood there interviewing her in the drizzle—the trauma of her heart-wrenching ordeal was obvious to all.

The noise and commotion caused by the fire stopped the filming near-by. Among those who came out to see what was going on was Paul Newman.

Word of what happened to the woman reached him.

He COULD have ignored what was occurring.

He COULD have called for his limo, and left.

He COULD have done a lot of things.

But, minutes after I interviewed the woman who was wandering aimlessly in distress—Newman quietly made his way over to her, and began to comfort her. A few minutes later, as a crowd began to gather around them—he sent her his trailer—and told the crew to take care of her there.

I recall reporting on his actions in one of my subsequent radio reports from the scene.

The name of the woman, and what happened to her in the months that followed are impossible to recall. All I have for reference these days are my hand scrawled notes on the back of the fading photograph taken by a local newspaper photographer.

But, although the photograph is fading—the memory of a legend’s kindness to someone he’d never see again

remains as bright as his star in Hollywood’s history.

—Steve

By now—most everybody whose been on-line for more than 7 minutes has gotten one of those e-mails promising untold riches by the bag-load…and most of the time, we just hit the delete key and keep on looking at wacky videos on You-Tube…

But the other day– this one found its way into my computer—

—and as I read it—I began to chuckle at what the scamster was proposing..

Keep in mind this is SUPPOSED to be from a lawyer—a man charged with UPHOLDING the law…

He tells me he is contacting me because a dead guy who had the SAME LAST NAME as me died of a broken heart after his whole family was killed in a plane crash…

Ah..let’s see…my last name is SBRACCIA… It’s a really ODD NAME…

There’s only about 7 of us in the entire universe–and I think I know all of ‘em….I’D certainly be aware if half of us were wiped out.

STRIKE ONE, SCAMMER !

And, wouldn’t you know it– the ole dead guy’s left 9-million in the bank——

——–which those nasty bankers will keep unless I claim it!

…and here’s how Mr. Justice proposes we do it……We’ll LIE!

NOW, we’ll both be rich!

After proposing this little fraud— he asks that I BE HONEST about STEALING….

Ah, buddy, if I’m going to lie about being the dead guy’s heir– do you think I’m gonna be honest with YOU? Especially if there’s a gazillion bucks involved! Ever hear of no honor among thieves?
Strike TWO!

Realizing there might just be someone out there who won’t committ a major felony for big bucks— he covers all bases by admiring my morality–then asks me to LIE AGAIN–and not tell anyone about his rip-off plan!

STRIKE THREE Buck-o !
It’s too bad this scamster isn’t a real lawyer!! I’d love to see what our North Carolina judges would do to him!

—Steve

On the subject of news: This is the link for today’s NBC-17 news story by Steve

When I started this blog 18 minutes ago– I promised it would be a place where you could talk back to your TV.. ( we even put it in the title to make sure the promise wouldn’t be forgotten.)

Our recent post regarding brushes with greatness prompted reader Lisa Sullivan to send us her own tale… So,

Here’s Lisa’s story…

My former boyfriend was sent on the mission to Panama. His battalion dropped down on Noriega’s house and helped secure the site during the whole Panama Invasion thing.

Manuel Noriega

Prior to this mission, I had purchased a plane ticket to visit him at his mother’s house in Daytona. I couldn’t pass up a trip to the Sunshine state at Christmas time so I still went. Though I missed my boyfriend I had a great time nonetheless.

Well, the week drew to a close and it was time for me to fly back to Boston.

While waiting to board the plane, this older gentleman walked up to the gate counter to inquire about his seat. This wouldn’t be something I would ordinarily notice except that he had a briefcase with the initials “MF” on it.

I took a double-take and realized who it was, Marlin Fitzwater, President Reagan’s official Press Secretary.

Marlin Fitzwater

I thought it was pretty neat in and of itself that he would be on my plane. I never expected what happened next.

After sitting down in my seat in coach, I was flipping through a magazine when up walks Marlin Fitzwater…who proceeds to plop down right next to me!

I was in shock but dear god, I hope I didn’t show it!

We said our pleasantries, got comfortable in our seats, and then struck up a conversation about my trip to Florida and his.

It was then that the flight attendant walked up to Mr. Fitzwater and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Fitzwater, we have an off-duty pilot up in first class willing to give up his seat and sit here if you’d like an upgrade.” Mr. Fitzwater looked at her, looked at me, and then said, “No, that’s quite alright. I’m enjoying my conversation with this nice young lady right here.”

At this point, if I had had water in my mouth, I would’ve proceeded to promptly spit it out. Lucky for me (and him) I didn’t! Instead, I just smiled and looked at the flight attendant.

From that point on, we flew all the way from Orlando to Dulles (I was on a one-stop, no change of planes flight)occasionally chatting as we flew.

When we got to the decent in Arlington, Mr. Fitzwater leaned over and said, “See that, that’s my neighborhood down there,” pointing his finger to Arlington.

He got off the flight and I continued on to Boston (after calling my grandfather from a pay phone cuz I just HAD to tell him right then!).

THAT was my brush with greatness, only it wasn’t actually a brush. I guess you would call it an encounter…and a VERY COOL one at that!

Thanks for that story Lisa !!!

We’ve all gotten those internet scam proposals that tell us we’ve won zillions of dollars if we’ll only give up a bit of personal information to the scamsters… Tomorrow, we’ll share one that takes the scamming to new lows—while being unitentionally funny at the same time..

—Steve

On another subject– here’s the link to today’s NBC-17 news story I covered today

There are times in everybody’s life when they’ve said—boy, I wish I’d NEVER said that….

It’s especially true when you can look at your words through the perfect vision of hindsight…

What seemed so assured at the time turns out to be dead wrong…

So in that spirit of 20/20 hindsight—let’s look at some quotes of note from back in the day…

I CAN’T REPEAT THIS ENOUGH….

The following three quotes are from the same person.

In 1944, he said, “Don’t bring up the subject of politics. I have no interest in it…

In 1948 he said: “I can’t conceive of any circumstance that could make me consider any political post from dog catcher to king of the universe.”

Still later In 1948, he said: “I’m not available for—and could not accept—any nomination to public office. My decision is firm and definite!”

Yet Dwight Eisenhower was elected president—twice.

SINGING A DIFFERENT TUNE..

How about the famous entertainer who said, “I’ll tell you flatly– he can’t last.”

Jackie Gleason said that in 1956…

about Elvis Presley….

TOUGH GUY….

How about the guy who said “Nobody’s going to bother me.. I don’t need bodyguards…I’ve taken care of myself all my life.”

Jimmy Hoffa said that in a 1975 Playboy interview…

Between the time he said it—and the time the magazine hit the newsstands—Hoffa disappeared and was never seen again…

EYE KNOW THE FUTURE…

How about the big-time media publication that opined: THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY DOESN’T HAVE TIME TO SIT DOWN AND KEEP THEIR EYES GLUED TO A SCREEN…

That was the New York Times …

.

…talking about something called TV in 1938..

BOY… I’m glad I never said any of those things! !

—STEVE

The link to today’s NBC-17 news story I covered

There are times in your life when your path crosses someone else’s—and that person is either doing wonderful things with their life—or is on the way towards doing wonderful things.

I can recall a couple instances…

BRUSH WITH GREATNESS #1….

Back in the mid 70’s I was looking for work and ended up at the CBS all-news station in Boston.

My timing was impeccable. The same day I applied for a writer’s job I got it, because a young news-writer had given her notice–she was heading to Providence, Rhode Island to try her hand at on-air reporting at one of the local stations there…

Her run there was very successful—and soon local TV in New York was calling… After that it was the network.. Game shows followed as did her spot on the Today show.

And these days, I can sit back and say, ” I was the man who replaced Meredith Vieira.”

BRUSH WITH GREATNESS #2

Back in the day—that same radio station was known for its extremely liberal editorial policy—which was dictated by the then general manager.

And those editorials were penned by a young woman who was a hell of a writer.

I don’t think she agreed politically with any of the stuff she wrote—but—she could sell it. She eventually left Boston and went to CBS New York. There she ended up as Dan Rather’s writer. Politics called and she moved on to writing speeches for Ronald Reagan.

Among some of her finest work was Mr. Reagan’s eulogy speech following the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Yes, Peggy Noonan was one tremendous writer. And she still is.

And why do I tell these stories? To remind us all that greatness is everywhere. Maybe even staring you in the face–if you’re smart enough to recognize it.

—Steve

Link to the story I covered today on NBC-17