Gore Vidal Gets the Last Word

A memorial tribute for the late Gore Vidal took place today in the theater where his play "The Best Man" is currently running.  James Earl Jones even showed up for a scene.  But, befitting Vidal, it was mainly witty verbal fest, with everyone from Richard Belzer and Candice Bergen  to Michael Moore and Dennis Kucinich joining in, with old friend Dick Cavett hosting.  Vidal one-liners recalled:  “Envy is the central fact of American life”; “Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little” and “There is not one human problem that could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.”

The back page of the program gave Gore the last word:  “The only good thing I find is that the rest of you sons of bitches are going to join me.”

Love this Kucinich anecdote:  He recalled that when he met Vidal in 2003, he asked for advice on his first race for President. “You’ve got to do something about your hair,” Vidal told him. “It’s dreadful. I can’t bear to look at it.”