On September 27, 1954, American television changed forever. The launch of The Tonight Show heralded in a new era of late-night entertainment—one built on spontaneity, satire, music, and the unmatched intimacy of live television. Though late-night TV is now a staple … Continue reading
Louis Armstrong, one of history’s most beloved and influential jazz musicians, was rarely seen without his Star of David necklace. While many assumed it was simply a fashion statement, Armstrong wore it as a deeply personal tribute to the Jewish family … Continue reading
The Brill Building: A Fabled Landmark in the Heart of New York One of the joys of spending so much time in New York is discovering historic spots amidst the ever-changing landscape. I love visiting the New Amsterdam Theater to see … Continue reading
The West Wing is my favorite TV show. As a professional historian focusing on presidential elections and American political history, I admire Aaron Sorkin’s patriotic and idealistic writing about government. It’s easy to be cynical about politicians, but Sorkin created … Continue reading
The Man by Irving Wallace: A Visionary Novel of Its Time The first “adult book” I ever read was The Man by Irving Wallace. It’s a sprawling 788-page novel, written in 1964, about the first African-American President of the United States. … Continue reading