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I Love Bobby Rivers

Bobby is a new friend, but I feel as though I’ve known him for years. His face and voice, coming from the television in my early days in New York, provided the background and soundtrack of some of my best memories. He always seemed to be on TV and I was amazed that he was so easy when talking to the likes of Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. He was a celebrity in his own right, but there was something about him that made me think we could be friends. Bobby was warm and funny and I knew he would be fun at a party. I loved coming home, putting on my pajamas and watching Bobby banter with my idols.

Life is funny. All these years later and we have actually become friends and I’m beginning to understand why he was so good on TV; why we all wanted him in our living rooms and bedrooms; and why some of the most amazing people in the world have been interviewed by him and feel the same way I do about watching Bobby Rivers.

Bobby is a smart man with an encyclopedic knowledge of film and can talk to a post. I love that about him. Bobby listens because he really wants to know what you have to say. Listening is a special gift. A lot of people ask questions but few actually want to hear the answer. The end result? You'll tell him anything.

Today I was struck by a piece Bobby wrote about growing up. The piece is called Bobby Kennedy: Watts 1968. Read it.

Our childhoods couldn’t have been more different. Even so, I felt closer to him as I read his story about growing up. Bobby Rivers has a way of intertwining our history with culture and making us more the same than we are different.

I am baffled that NBC News has hired Cody Gifford to review movies when there is someone far more entertaining and knowledgeable available.

All I can do is quote Whoopi Goldberg – “ What the hell?!?”
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Comments

Glenn said…
Bobby is indeed a great person. I had the honor of working with him on Whoopi's radio show. Always funny, even that early in the morning. I always found his movie reviews to be spot-on. G
Fri Jun 04, 09:58:00 PM
Anonymous said…
That's our Bobby!
Fri Jun 04, 10:01:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I've been following Bobby Rivers for 25 years! You've described it to a "T"! Nobody compares on Film and theatre talk, but he knocks me over with his knowledge of everything else. He's just amazing and an amazing friend. Thanks for getting his name out there !
Fri Jun 04, 10:04:00 PM
Dan Sebring said…
I first met Bobby when he was doing radio in Milwaukee in the late 1970's and I was a club DJ. We didn't know each other all that well. Still I was impressed by his knowledge and quick wit. Many years passed by before we reconnected on facebook where I have found he continues to be one of the most knowledgeable, entertaining, and just plain fun people I know.
Fri Jun 04, 10:08:00 PM
Unknown said…
Thanks for the comments, y'all. It's nice to know you're out there reading and nice to know you all feel the same way about Bobby ;-) Pass it on!
Fri Jun 04, 10:51:00 PM
Unknown said…
Bobby is a friend and an inspiration. His intelligence, wit, and persona are unmeasured.

It's always good to hear someone else feel the same way. Great post.
Sat Jun 05, 01:30:00 AM
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