I am a Law and Order
fanatic. I can watch the original version or its later counterpart S.V.U. (Special
Victims Unit) over and over again, even if I have seen them before. When there
is a marathon on for a holiday or some random Saturday I am in my glory.
Sometimes I have forgotten the twists and turns so it is like watching it for
the first time. But even if I know line by line what is going to happen I still
can sit back and be completely entertained. Besides the intriguing and griping
storylines, the show would be nothing without the four main actors portraying
the lead detectives (and of course Captain Cragen- I adore Dann Florek).
A major part of the show
and definitely a favorite of mine, is Sergeant John Munch played by Richard
Belzer. A unique quality of this character and actor is that Richard Belzer is
the only actor to portray the same character on over ten different shows (see
link below for details).
Mr. Belzer is a New York
comedic legend, and former reporter, whose natural acting abilities flow on screen. He is
often making lighthearted cracks and looking for the government conspiracies,
which apparently is much like his real life persona. I couldn’t ask for a
better combo.
A few weeks ago after browsing
on the Barnes and Noble website, which I am not even positive what drew me
there; I came across book signing gold. The Tribeca location right near my job
was going to be hosting a signing for Richard Belzer’s latest book that had
just come out. I knew I would be there. I took the perfect timing as a sign that
it was meant to be.
In the very beginning of the talk, Mr. Belzer
explained why he was compelled to research and write about these kinds of
stories. He said that he was “fascinated with
things that are true but not generally known”. Wow. For an instant I was
floored. I love true stories (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011/07/for-true-story-part-i-plays.html) and I usually do find myself with
ones that no one around me has heard of before. In my circle of friends I am
not reading anything that they are (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html). There is no Fifty Shades of Grey or Hunger
Games for me. Half the time after I finish explaining what the book I am
reading is about, I expect to be committed. Now I was hearing this amazing
celebrity writer so eloquently phrase what appears to be my true love too. I
always say I love true stories but I too love true stories that are not
generally known. That is what originally drew me to Mr. Belzer’s new book,
“Dead Wrong Straight Facts on the Country’s Most Controversial Cover-ups”.
This latest work at first might
appear to see like a conspiracy theory. Many of these cases are very famous and have been discussed and analyzed by every writer
and expert in their respective fields. Speculations about the end of the lives
of Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. and even the connections between them are common even to this day. But now
we finally have the last word on their deaths and the research behind the
conclusions reached. Who can resist a true story that to quote the author are “eternal crime stories that’s why we are still interested in stories that are over thirty, forty years old.”
Another intriguing draw to this read
are the stories that are less known. Stories about Frank Olson, Henry Marshall,
George Krutilek, Fred Hampton, Vincent Foster, and Dr. David C. Kelly fill the
remaining chapters. Although I do not know these, Mr. Belzer touched on
them briefly, and I am eager to begin this book as quickly as possible.
Mr. Belzer is not slowing down any
time soon. He has three new books coming out next year. Among them will be a
sequel to this book: Dead Wrong Two, and an anthology to commemorate the
fifty-year anniversary of the assassination of J.F.K.
During the talk, Mr.
Belzer was wonderful. He was so friendly, warm, brilliant, honest, funny, and
sarcastic- a person favorite of mine. Probably because it is a trait we share.
I was so sad when the reading and talk was over. He was such a breathe of a
fresh air. He also had his little dog with him that he had found as a stray in
France several years ago. I have never seen a dog so loyal to its master and so
quiet. He apparently always by his owner’s side.
Now when I watch Law and
Order S.V.U. I will always be a little bit more partial to my fellow partner in
crime and true stories.
For Richard Belzer:
For the book:
For the event and finding
others in your area:
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