Tag Archives: television

Day 218: Jon Stewart

Photo: AP Photo/Brad Barket

Photo: AP Photo/Brad Barket

My second letter this year to a long standing (ok, sitting) host of late night television. Thanks for the memories Jon – see you at the party on January 5th!

Day 218

You’ve been coming into our living rooms, ahem…bedrooms perhaps, for more than 15 years. More importantly you’ve been informing us and entertaining us – you’re like a therapist only better. Sure, you listen, you process information and become an active voice in the conversation, only you cut through the charades and bullshit and deliver the medicine we need with a soothing spoonful of humor that makes the insanity of the reality – or is it the reality of the insanity? – somehow easier to swallow.

Day 218-3I’m writing you as part of a year-long commitment that I’ve made of writing handwritten letters every day. It’s a lost art – or as your pal Steve Carell said (I wrote him on Day 7), “Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It’s disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there’s something visceral about opening a letter – I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting.” He’s so right.

While everyone is grilling you about what you will do next, my wish is that whatever you do, you find time to be with those you love – maybe even write them a letter. Speaking of you writing letters, a response from you would be the pinnacle of my Year of Letters. Right now that honor goes to either my father or an inspiring 100 year-old doctor from California who wrote me back. I also received a response from George W. Bush.

Anyway, good luck and thanks.

With respect and admiration and a bit of a man crush,
Reed Sandridge 

Day 218-2P.S. A wiser man than me once said, “Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may.” Well played, sir.

P.P.S. Mark your calendar for January 5th, 2016 – I’m throwing a party for all 365 people who have received a letter this year. More details at YearOfLetters.com or email me at reed@yearofletters.com. Your drinks are on me!

Day 65: Beau Willimon, House of Cards

House-of-CardsI just recently got hooked on House of Cards. This is typical – shows are out for years before I start watching them and I usually start watching them on Netflix and binge completely on an entire season.

Last weekend Season 3 came out and I spent the better part of my awake hours that weekend devouring the newest thirteen chapters.

I thought I would write the show’s creator, Beau Willimon. Why not? I doubt he’ll ever get my letter – I’m sending it to him in care of Netflix which is probably like sending a letter to Bono in care of Island Records. Note to self: write Bono.

SPOILER ALERT: This letter contains spoilers!

YearOfLetters-4

Beau, 

Congratulations on another excellent season of House of Cards. While I live here in Washington DC, 14 blocks from Frank and Claire’s home on Pennsylvania Avenue, I’ve never been into politics. Probably because I don’t have any interest in being a part of that world you so cleverly paint on the show. However, I do find myself addicted to the Underwoods’ saga.

Your fan,
Reed

PS. You do owe me a weekend though – I missed the last one due to Season 3 bingeing.
PSS. Why the (bleep) did you have to kill off Rachael?