John Updike and Robert Benchley

In 1997, John Updike wrote a book review for The New Yorker of Laughter’s Gentle Soul: The Life of Robert Benchley by Billy Altman. I had the distinct honor of being contacted by The New Yorker to verify some facts in Updike’s review. It is obvious that Updike was a fan of Benchley’s work. He says: “I was a keen consumer of popular culture when Benchley was a part of it. I sat in the local theatre and laughed at “The Courtship of the Newt” and “How to Take a Vacation”; I read through his collections—“20,000 Leagues under the Sea or David Copperfield,” “From Bed to Worse or Comforting Thoughts About the Bison”—marvelling at their impudence; I would have even stayed up to listen to his ten-o’clock-Sunday-night radio program, “Melody and Madness,” if my parents had let me.”

Updike’s full review may be found in the April 7, 1997 issue of The New Yorker, v. 73, issue 7, pp 88-94.

--Submitted by RBS Director, Gordon Ernst

The Ties That Bind at "21"

It is official: No ties required for New York's "21" Club. This was probably the only restaurant to require a tie for gentlemen; now "coat and tie" are optional.

Mark your calendars!

April 1st -- Deadline for entries to the 2009 Robert Benchley Society Award for Humor competition. Watch this blog for details in a few days.

October 9-12, 2009 Seventh Robert Benchley Society Annual Gathering. This year in Boston.

Benchley Inauguration Day Special

Just in time for Inauguration Day, Robert Benchley announces that the recession is over. You heard it here first. Watch Benchley explain how the economy works. Hopefully the White House is watching too.

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Newsletter

From Matt Dewald, director, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop January/February 2009 Newsletter

2008 RBS Humor Prize Winner Madeleine Begun Kane Judges 4th Annual HumorFeed Competition

"Robillard's story was a delightful parody," said Kane. "And the title made me laugh out loud!" ...Read the story at http://humorfeed.com/press/20090115coffee.html

Thurber House is now accepting submissions for the 2009 Columbus Literary Awards!

The Columbus Literary Awards is a biennial award sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and administered by Thurber House, that recognizes the most outstanding literary works produced by Franklin County writers in the genres of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Each winner receives an award of $5000 to encourage his or her writing career.

Three judges in each genre will determine the winner. Winners will be notified in September and celebrated at a reception and reading in October.

Guidelines and application form can be downloaded online at: www.thurberhouse.org. All applications must be received at Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 by 4:00
p.m. Monday, May 4, 2009. Postmark dates will not be accepted.