I’m totally on the bandwagon with the EL James trilogy “50 Shades Of Gray” and now I’m kind of embarrassed about it.  Did you see the sketch on SNL about it?  Freaking hilarious.  Here’s the thing though:  the sex writing is steamy—but I’m more into the actual story.  I’m also fascinated by the writing that’s kind of bad and the inacurate facts.  A college student doesn’t have a lap top?  Eating at I Hop instead of Waffle House while in “Georgia”?  And just call it “Savannah”.  Sheesh. Meanwhile don’t tell me what happens as I’m halfway into the second book.   So last week actor Ryan McPartlin came in for an interview.  He plays Captain Awesome on Chuck.  Yeah, I didn’t know who he was either—but I think he’d be good to play Christian Grey?!  I kind of assault him about this during our chat.  And his wife made him read the book?  She is thinking ahead here.  Smart woman.

Have you been listening to the new Jack White?  If you follow me on twitter and facebook you know I’m obsessed.  Obsessed!!  Blunderbuss is incredible and I can’t stop listening.   I finally got a chance to watch “It Might Get Loud” and I hate to admit I was a little disapointed.  The Jack White parts were so great but the Edge was so boring!  Hey Davis Guggenheim, next time just do the movie on him!  Meanwhile, I talked to Davis last year and here it is if you care.

I have been cranking with the interviews lately.  They’re all posted here.  Bonnie Raitt (incredible), Vanessa Williams (fabulous), Greg Allman (giggles), Lisa Rinna (hysterical) and Chyna talked to me about her Avengers XXX film.  It’s my dream to do a show that’s strictly interviews and stuff.  Someday……..  Until then, check some of them out if you’re bored.

Laters…

It’s time for a check in and yes it’s been over a month since we’ve talked here.  Nothing too exciting to report except trying some new Atlanta restaurants.  Props to the delicious Cakes And Ale,  a terrific Decatur spot.  The menu is a little intimidating with things like arancini (?)  as an appetizer.  Turns out they are delicious fried risotto balls!!  Perfect.  If you go I’d get the duck which tastes like bacon.  This is an extreme compliment as I can’t stop thinking about it all day today.  While we’re on the topic of restaurant reviews you’ve got to read my pal John Kessler’s scathing review of a new chain that came into town.  I won’t call it out since I’ve never been so I’ll let John do it here.  By the way, not only is he an amazing guy he’s one of my all time favorite food writers.  I’ll take his word for it.

Beside being fired up about this I’ve been watching too much TV.  Besides my obsession with Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live (is 5 nights too many?!  I don’t know) I’m so into Revenge!!  Every episode gets better.  It’s like Dynasty.  I cannot wait for GCB with Kristin Chenoweth.  Anything that’s called “Good Christian Bitches” is something to sign me up for immediately.  I’m also excited a year in advance for the possibility of a remake of the 70′s book “Scruples” with Natalie Portman.   Yes please.

OK I am going to bore you with another Charlie picture.  Yes, I know he looks like he’s from a rural area with his two missing teeth.  I cannot believe he is growing up so fast!!! And yes, I’ve “instagramed” his picture like the old ass hipster that I am.  What-ever.

I love saying that a few days before New Years.  Thanks to everyone who checks in here every now and then.  I know I need to update more but it’s been sidelined by my addiction to social networking (follow me on twitter @maradavis !!).  We have plans to go to a fun New Year’s house party tonight.  It will be great but I’m never one to shy away from staying home.  Is it bad to say my greatest joy in life these days is getting into bed before 10 and sleeping 8 hours?  Heaven!!  Ok, I’m officially getting old (or I’m already old?).  No, no, really, my greatest joy is my family.  I couldn’t live without them.

This was taken yesterday at the Cake circle of friends (thanks Liz Bradley). I feel pretty lucky that his first concert was in a lounge of a fancy hotel.  Can’t you tell he looks thrilled?  He did enjoy it—especially coming on the mic to thank everyone.  He LOVES being on stage (wonder where he gets that from?).

Have a great 2012 and again, thanks for reading!!  Talk to you next year!!

It’s not everyday you get asked to the Washington DC version of the Academy Awards.

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When my brother Ian called to say he had an extra ticket I jumped at the chance.

Just being in the Kennedy Center is breathtaking.  Besides the tons of A list celebrities in attendance there were Senators, members of Congress and CEO’s in the house. We instantly recognized Thomas Friedman from the New York Times followed by Alan Greenspan who I accidentally knocked down.  Seriously.  He is kinda small and frail and I’m well, you know.

We then went to find our seats and learned we had a better view than Madeline Albright.

Some people were snapping pics left and right I was trying to play it cool (yeah, OK).

Once everyone was in their seats a voice piped in and said “ladies and gentelmen the President Of The United States”.  The photographers were going crazy as they walked in.  The Obamas sat in a box next to honorees Meryl Streep, Sonny Rollins, Yo Yo Ma, Barbara Cook and Neil Diamond.

I took a deep breath and soaked it all in. Being in the Kennedy Center and in the same room as the President and First Lady?  I don’t care how you roll with politics—this was pure magic.

The first honoree was Meryl Streep.  Tracy Ullman came out and it was so great to see her (where has she been??).  She gave a hilarious speech about Meryl and then they showed a montage of her movies produced by Mike Nichols.  Then they did this play/song and dance thing with Stanley Tucci, Kevin Kline, Emily Blunt and the extremely talented Anne Hathaway.  She sang and did a split at the same time.  No joke!

After that it was a tribute to legendary sax player Sonny Rollins.  Bill Cosby came out and gave a hilarious and surprisingly brief (for Bill Cosby) monologue.  Herbie Hancock and many jazz legends played an incredible set of music afterwards. Just when the show couldn’t get any better out comes Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick to honor Broadway legend Barbara Cook.  They had several unbelievable Broadway/Opera singers but the only ones I was familiar with were Patti Lupone (incredible) and Glenn Close (fantastic).  The power of these women singing together just electrified the atomosphere.

After a short intermission John Lithgow was next to induct Neil Diamond.  I’m not sure what the connection is between these two but he was entertaining.  They did a medley of songs with starting with Rapheal Saadiq.  Then Jennifer Nettles came out and was amazing (more on her later).  Just when you thought it couldn’t get better Lionel Richie comes out and blows everyone away.  After that Smokey Robinson sang and I’m sorry to say he was just OK.  The interesting thing is that we thought the Neil Diamond part was going to be the highlight and it turned out to be just alright.

Finally it was Yo Yo Ma’s turned to be honored.  Stephen Colbert came out and did the most hilarious speech.  This made up for the fact that Elmo (??) gave him a big speech as well.  Then they had a few different styles of music to represent him including classical, world music and bluegrass.  This completely trumped the Neil Diamond Part.

After the main event was over they had a big dinner with a full orchestra, 3 course meal and dancing.  The only star I had the nerve to go up to was Jennifer Nettles because I kind of know her.

She recognized me instantly and was super nice.  She introduced me to her husband, I asked for this picture and then people started coming up to her left and right. At first I felt kind of bad but people were doing that to the stars all night.  At the table next to us I watched a lady in her 90′s completely wear down Lionel Richie.

A 17 year girl at our table couldn’t sit still because she got a picture with Anne Hathaway.  Stephen Colbert walked by but I totally chickened out.  Plus I had to play it cool since we were sitting with all kinds of fancy people.

When I got home it was as if my glass slipper came off.  I’m trying to stay on Ian’s good side so I can go again next year.

The Kennedy Center Honors airs December 27th on CBS, see if you can find me

This is just typical.  You plan a trip for months to have the most magical time EVER at Disney World and what happens?  Your kid gets strep throat and Scarlet Fever.  I know it sounds like 1955 but seriously, I cannot make this up.  Charlie had been complaining of a sore throat a few days earlier and I kept saying “no you don’t, you’re fine!  We are going to Disney!!”.  While refusing to believe Charlie was sick we did manage to get one day at the Magic Kingdom while he was heavily medicated on ibuprofen.

The deal was sealed the following day when he had high fever and a rash. The magic was over and we decided it was time to hit it.  Thankfully Disney can extend your passes for 25 (!) years so now we HAVE to go back.

We ended up going to my mom’s early.  She lives in Boca Raton, the only place where you can buy a high chair for a DOG.

We had a nice low key Thanksgiving while waiting for Charlie’s sickness to improve.  Arlene couldn’t have been happier to have us so it all worked out.

I’m excited to get back to work this week as we have lots coming up.  The “dave-fm Holiday Road Show” is back, I’ll be broadcasting from a different mall every day starting December 5th with Toys For Tots.  And check this out—I am going to the Kennedy Center Honors!!  My brother goes every year for work and this year he’s invited me to be his date.  They are inducting Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo Yo Ma and Sonny Rollins.  Total once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait to post pictures and stuff.  Stay tuned!

Hope you had a great holiday week.

Sometimes I forget to post some of the fun interviews I’ve done recently because they’re all on dave.fm.  If you care check out our conversations with actress Debi Mazar, figure skater Johnny Weir, Mike Mills from REM and this fun video with Top Chef Master and judge, Hugh Acheson.  He was such a nice guy and I love his restaurants.