Newest Documentary Film
A one hour tour de force of comedy, commentary and conversation with Howard Zinn, Robert Altman, Mort Sahl, Lewis Black, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jimmy’s mother
& more.
Thanks Andy!
For many years in the 1990’s I pitched myself to TV and Radio shows in Boston and Los Angeles asking to do commentaries following the newscast “like Andy Rooney”.
Once I mentioned Rooney’s name they knew exactly what I meant, even if they didn’t hire me they knew what I was talking about.
In 1999 I actually was hired to do the “Andy Rooney “spot on the new 60 Minutes II program on Wednesday nights. Over the course of two seasons I wrote and presented somewhere between 30-50 (can’t remember off the top of my head) such commentaries for national broadcast.
For over 30 years Andy Rooney wrote and presented 1097 of them.
I saw his last one Sunday night and it was great, really great.
I was always impressed with the simplicity and directness of his TV commentaries- one guy with a point of view, talking straight into a camera and into the Sunday night living rooms of an America winding down from the weekend.
He wasn’t fancy, he was straightforward. He said what he thought was right and never pandered. By his own admission he wasn’t always right but “I was right more than I was wrong” – a lifetime batting average of over 500, not bad stats for anyone in the commentary business.
In the spirit of truth telling he said he had been terribly wrong in the past about a few things one of which was opposing US intervention in WWII where he served and wrote for The Stars and Stripes.
After he saw the concentration camps of Europe at the end of the war he admitted “I was wrong.”
He talked about how lucky he was that a high school English teacher told him he was “a good writer” and how those words encouraged him to “set out to become a writer.”
Even though he and his commentaries appeared on Television over a 1000 times he never considered himself a television personality- he was a writer- and was simply reading publicly what he had written in private.
He said a writer’s job is to tell the truth and that he probably never said anything on 60 Minutes that the audience didn’t already know.
There was a great sense of humility and gratitude on display in his last commentary as he reflected on one of the most formidable careers in television and journalism.
“All this time I’ve been paid to say what is on my mind- you don’t get any luckier than that. I wish I could do it forever, but I know I can’t.”
How many people have a job they wished they could do forever?
Thanks Andy for all you’ve written and for all you’ve said, you helped a lot of people, like me, find their voice.
JT
“Campaigning for Laughs”, I tried to explain to the Boston Globe that I can’t control the White House or Congress,
but I do what I can to …..
http://bo.st/q9nvHI
From the Boston Globe
Sure, times are tough. The economy is bad, Washington seems paralyzed, and there’s a steady drumbeat of bad news from Afghanistan. Jimmy Tingle sees all that and still thinks we can live the American dream.
“Every single generation has had challenges,’’ Tingle said. “How was the job market for the Pilgrims?’’
We can’t get bummed out, the Cambridge comedian insists. We have to remember “the big picture of what America is and our own potential as people. Regardless of what’s happening in the economy or with politics, we can’t let it hold us back as individuals.’’
To that end, he has made “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream,’’ a movie that comes to the Brattle Theatre next weekend.
“I wanted to try to make something to remind not only the audience, but to remind me of what we stand for. What are our values? What are our principles?’’ Tingle said over coffee at Café Algiers, in Harvard Square. “I can’t control the Congress, I can’t control who’s in the White House or what they do. I can’t control the media. I can do what I can do, using the skills I have, to make a contribution.’’
Do you believe what I said in this interview is true?
I did this interview last Friday for the Patriot Ledger by cell phone standing on a corner in Harvard Sq.
Alex Stevens of A & E – Wicked Local and GateHouse Media, was asking me all these questions about our film “The American Dream” and what it means to me. I tried to be honest but do you think I’m being too optimistic?
I can’t believe he printed the last line of the interview !
What do you think ?
Enjoy
JT
Tonight on Cape Cod
The Wellfleet Preservation Hall in Wellfleet Mass is a real jewel on Cape Cod. It is a former Catholic Church that was donated to the Town of Wellfleetand last year converted into an art and culture community center, http://wellfleetpreservationhall.org/.
Tonight, September 24th we will be presenting “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream” Live on Screen & Stage as a benefit for the Wellfleet Preservation Hall.
I’m really looking forward to showing our one hour documentary to be followed by a Q & A and live performance.
If you are in the area and a fan of film, comedy and politics and social commentary I encourage you to stop by and enjoy yourself in this great new venue.
We’ve got some great folks in the film including interviews with Howard Zinn, Robert Altman, my mother and more !!!!
All information on the film and our other upcoming shows and performances including our Bostonarea debut of “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream” at The Brattle Theater in Cambridge on Oct 7,8th and 9th is available at www.jimmytingle.com
Talk Soon
JT
I’m really glad the “hikers” are free but I have one question,,,,
I am very grateful the American “hikers” have been released by the Iranian government after posting $500,000 “bail”. But I do have one question- of all the places in the world to go “hiking” what made them choose the border between Iraq and Iran?
Where they just sitting around one night when the topic came up? “You know Josh, I feel like going for a hike.”
“Really? Sounds cool, where should we go?”
“How about he Appalachian Trail? No”
“Yellow Stone National Park? Nah”
“The Canadian Rockies? No, no, no. “
“I was thinking more like the border between Iraq and Iran.
It should be really peaceful there sometime over the next 200 years.”
My advice to Americans considering exotic “hikes”, try the Blue Hills of Greater Boston. They’re stunning.
The town lines of Milton and Canton intersect with Randolph.
From the peak of 500 feet, on a clear day, you can see Quincy.
Of course it’s not without risk.
You have to drive on Boston’s “treacherous” Southeast expressway to get there.
What would Jesus do?
Sometimes I wonder if Christ was here today and running for public office would the Christians vote for him?
Imagine Jesus at a press conference being peppered with questions about the issues of the day.
“Mr. Christ, the crime rate is out of control, the murder rate is through the roof, drive by shootings and gang warfare are rampant- what are your views toward the death penalty?”
Christ looks down, tilts his head to one side, brings his feet together and stretches his arms out wide into the “crucifix” position- mimicking him on the cross.
He holds the “crucified “ pose for a full minute while the crowd of onlookers and reporters uncomfortably stare, gasp, snap pictures and record it on their phones.
People tweet the media and text their friends that candidate Jesus has “flipped his lid” is “out of touch”, “soft on crime” and obviously far too irresponsible to represent “the people”.
But seriously what would Christ say about the state having the power over life and death?
Think about that -the state having the power over life and death.
The people who run the registry of motor vehicles in charge of the electric chair?
Some guy’s been on death row for 12 years he finally get’s up the electric chair – the warden looks at him and says “I’m sorry Mr. Jones but you’re in the wrong line”.
You need to go home, get a birth certificate, a copy of your registration, 2 pictures Id’s and come back and get into the line marked “unpaid tickets, license renewal, and executions.”
“Gladly” says the inmate.
How’s that “Hope & Change” working out? Today it’s Historic!!!!
A few people have asked me in a condescending way through social media “How’s that Hope & Change working out for you?”
For thousands of Gays and Lesbians who would like to serve freely and openly in the US military with the repeal of Don’t ask, Don’t Tell today, “Hope & Change ” is working out pretty well.
According to Politico, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said today “the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” marked a “historic day” for both the military and the nation. “Thanks to this change, we moved closer to the goal of the foundation of values that America’s all about: equality, equal opportunity and dignity for all Americans,” Panetta told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen.
“This is a historic day for the Pentagon and the nation. As secretary of defense, I’m committed to removing all barriers that would prevent Americans from serving their country and from rising to the highest level of responsibility that their talents and capabilities warrant,” he said. “These are men and women that put their lives on the line in defense of this country – that’s what should matter most.”
Mullen, whose “courageous testimony and leadership” Panetta credited for the successful repeal of the controversial policy, echoed the defense secretary’s message, saying that because of the end of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” “we are a stronger joint force, a more tolerant joint force, a force of more character and honor.”
How’s the “Hope and Change” working out ?
The Hope is always strong, the change is usually slow. No Retreat, No Surrender!
Does MA really need 3 Casinos?
I understand it seems inevitable that Massachusetts will proceed with casinos in the state. But seriously do we need three casinos to be built at the same time?
Seems a little like overkill to me considering it is an unproven entity in Massachusetts and the economy is in tough shape. How well did Nevada and Vegas do these last couple of years? Not well at all – I think Nevada had the highest unemployment in the country. I’m no big fan of casinos to prop up states at all but if it must be done one casino would be plenty for starters. In a few years if anyone has any money left- OK build another. If not turn it into a wind farm. How about three wind farms, or three more schools or hospitals or manufacturing plants, something that builds us up rather than something that sucks money out of people’s pockets.
Check out this video
What are your thoughts?
See Jimmy’s new film “American Dream” Live at the Brattle Theatre, Oct 7-9, 2011
http://brattlefilm.org/2011/10/07/jimmy-tingles-american-dream-live-on-stage-and-screen/
911 Prayer for America
Hi everyone,
I wrote this poem during the days and weeks following 9/11. If you like it feel free to pass it on.
Peace to you and yours
JT
There’s a hole in the tip of Manhattan
A hole in the soul of America.
A hole in the center of our psyche
A hole in the foundation of our confidence
There’s a hole in the faith of our country
That fills churches in search of a God
There’s a crack in the national mirror
Empty chairs around the family table
Dark houses of our missing neighbors
Vacant desks of our absent workers
On our streets,
There’s a wail from the widows with candles
Sobs from the orphaned with pictures
The face breaks on the lawyer, the dead women’s husband
Flags and flowers for the public servants
There’s a hole in the soul of America
Afraid with the televised pictures
Numb with the morning papers
Grieving for the land they loved
Grieving for the land they lost
Grieving for the innocent victims
Grieving for the broken families
Grieving for the friends still weeping
Grieving for the ones who fight fire
Grieving for the ones who fight crime
Grieving for the City that never sleeps
Grieving for the City on a Hill
There’s a hole in the soul of Humanity
And we pray for all of our leaders
Good people and well intentioned
Condemned to retaliation,
Doomed to retribution
Sentenced to seek revenge
And we pray for those who go marching
Toward an enemy they can’t even see
Brave in the shadow of their fathers, Brave in the duty of history
Brave in the Madness, Brave in the Sadness, Brave in the Blindness
And I pray to the Prophets of History
Privy to the word of God
Moses on the Mountain with those 10 commandments
We all tend to ignore them because their so damn inconvenient
Jesus on the Cross for the Love of his neighbors,
Jesus on the Cross for the Love of his enemies
Mohammed in the Koran with words that escape
Fanatic followers abusing religion with hate
But the Koran is clear: “If you destroy one life it’s as if you destroyed the whole world
If you save one life it’s as if you have saved the whole world”
And God Cries from the tablets on Top of Mt. Sinai
“Save the World”
And God cries His last breath from the Cross on Good Friday
“Save the World”
And God Cries from the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
“Save the world”
And God cries and God cries and God cries
There is a hole in the soul of His Children
Love can fill the hole
And God is Love
And we ask; where is God?
Strangers with shovels on the Tip of Manhattan
Fill the hole
Firefighters from Boston and Chicago drive to New York to help find their brothers and sisters
Fill the hole
Hollywood stars raise millions for victims
Benefits and fund-raisers and letters and cards
Boston Red Sox fans in Fenway Park sing “we love NY”
Fill the hole
And the Mayor
Fills the hole
And the governor
Fills the hole
And the president
Fills the hole
And the media
Fills the hole
The interfaith prayer services on the steps of city hall
Fill the hole
Neighbors in the park with candles
Try to comfort the missing girl’s roommates
She was on the 106th floor that Tuesday morning
Candlelight vigils for peace
Fill the hole; Young people in uniform for war
Fill the hole
Flags at half mast and flags in our windows
The Star Spangled Banner and the prayer of St. Francis
The Star of David, the teachings of Islam and the Letters of Paul
Fill the hole
And the hole in our soul is our “Cross to bear”
And that “Cross to bear” Fills the Hole
Follow Jimmy!