The fall blog

I am not, as you may have noticed, an assiduous blogger -- for which most of the world seems grateful. But it is time to catch up. I've been asked about major league baseball, steroids, and Barry Bonds. My answer is I don't know. His situation is yet to be legally resolved, and until it is, I'll simply observe that he is one of the best players in the history of the game. . . and if he did in fact enhance his natural talents in some chemical way, he certainly made more of it than anyone else did. . . . should there be an asterisk by his record? I am happy to say I don't have to decide that. . . .  I share the view that DOUBLE PLAY should be a movie . . . I pitched it with a producing partner all over LA before it came out, and succeeded only in firming my resolve to give up show business. But, one never knows. . . . We do have Jesse Stone # 5 shooting in Nova Scotia. And Appaloosa begins principal photography in Santa Fe in a couple of weeks. . .  I have little opinion on the quality of writing on TV, because I don't watch it. Basically I only watch ball games and an occasional movie on The Western Channel. I can say that Joe Buck is the best play by play guy in America, and that the combo of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy who do the Sox games are the best pair in America. Remy is a damned legend around here. . . . As for the difference between TV and feature films, it is rooted in money (there's a surprise). To stay inside budget on a TV movie they often shoot in a maybe 19 or 20 days. A feature has more money and more time. . . you can afford better directors, better writers, you can frequently attract bigger stars: If Appaloosa were a TV movie, it is less likely that it would star Ed Harris, Viggo Mortenson, and Rene Zellweger . . . or be directed by Harris. This is not always the case (e.g. Lonesome Dove), but it is often so. If a story is too long for a feature film, it might go to a mini series format on television. As was the initial plan for All Our Yesterdays. Which of course didn't work out. In either case, it often depends on who wants to do it. On the Jesse Stone movies, Tom Selleck initiated proceedings. On Appaloosa, Ed Harris did so. People write books on this subject, and even I, who know very few things, and have a small vocabulary, could go on for pages. But if you get the idea that it has to do with money and luck, than you know what I do. . . . remember that NOW AND THEN (Spenser) will be published on October 23. . . I will be speaking at the Whitney Humanities Center at Yale University on October 24. . . . Daniel T. Parker was said to have stolen the show (Tempest) at the Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival this summer . . . David Parker and the Bang Group will be appearing at the Roberts Theater in the Calderwood Center in Boston on November 7 thru the 10th . . . talk to you soon (or pretty soon, maybe)
rbp

Comments

[Sam Farris]

Viggo Mortenson was on Letterman last night and spent some time talking about "Appaloosa". He was sporting a Buffalo Bill-style moustache and goatee, and he really looks like a good fit for the part. He's already shown in many other films that he can act. He implied they were already filming in Santa Fe NM - maybe they're still in pre-production rehearsals or something. Ed Harris was great in the "Riders of the Purple Sage" movie a few years ago, so I have high hopes for "Appaloosa".

[Tracy Meisenbach]

Mr. Parker,

The Appaloosa Horse Club is very interested in your book and movie. Would you please contact me so I can tell you about our ideas?

Thank you,

[Georgiann Kite]

Hi Mr. Parker,
Ed Harris is one of my favorite actors and I am sure he will be great, he always is. As far as Barry Bonds is concerned, I have always found him to be somewhat pompous and annoying. I can appreciate the man's talent (if not artificially enhanced)but, for some of us who live in the Bay Area, enough is enough. Even his team members are not that thrilled.
I had the opportunity to see your son Daniel and he was very good. It must make you and Joan extremely proud to have two such talented sons. Good for all of you.
I look forward to the next Spencer.
Cheers,
Georgiann Kite

[Lisa]

I'm so excited to learn that Appaloosa is being made into a movie! I hadn't heard that. And with good people! My husband and I both loved that book.

What a travesty that a fabulous movie from Doubleplay has not been or is not being made.

[Maria]

Happy Birthday

[Michael Howe]

Sir,I'am afraid you have been exposed.Raisins
Never have and never will ruin oatmeal cookies.Stick that in your pipe.(Hundred Dollar Baby).

[Will Grigg]

Regarding the defilement of oatmeal cookies by raisins, de gustibis non disputandem est -- and from my comment above, my personal preference should be obvious. :-)

Mr. Parker, while dealing with the protracted absence of a new Spenser novel I was drive to sample of of your other works, and I'm the richer for it. I've read nearly the entire Jesse Stone series just in the last month, and I'm nearly through Appaloosa, which I got yesterday.

Speaking of taste -- isn't it odd that both Jesse and Spenser like beef tongue on light rye? I prefer sandwich meats that can't taste me back. But as noted above, there's just no arguing about taste.

Oh -- Just days ago I re-read "A Catskill Eagle," and was struck by the fact that your description of the Costigan empire is oddly prescient in light of recent headlines about Blackwater.

Thanks for providing me with countless hours spend in the company of your endlessly fascinating literary creations!

[Will Grigg]

Regarding the defilement of oatmeal cookies by raisins, de gustibis non disputandem est -- and from my comment above, my personal preference should be obvious. :-)

Mr. Parker, while dealing with the protracted absence of a new Spenser novel I was drive to sample of of your other works, and I'm the richer for it. I've read nearly the entire Jesse Stone series just in the last month, and I'm nearly through Appaloosa, which I got yesterday.

Speaking of taste -- isn't it odd that both Jesse and Spenser like beef tongue on light rye? I prefer sandwich meats that can't taste me back. But as noted above, there's just no arguing about taste.

Oh -- Just days ago I re-read "A Catskill Eagle," and was struck by the fact that your description of the Costigan empire is oddly prescient in light of recent headlines about Blackwater.

Thanks for providing me with countless hours spend in the company of your endlessly fascinating literary creations!

[Steve Carruthers]

Mr Parker,

I've read and/or seen all of the Jesse Stone novels (that is until I found out that High Profile is on its way to my local library. They are a good read and a good watch as well, so I can't wait for High Profile and Jesse Stone #5 to be "released".
I've also gotten into the Spenser novels and find them equally intriguing. I finished Potshot in two days. Most of it sitting on my sofa this last Saturday while finishing off a pot of coffee with a little Irish Cream. The Sunny Randall series (especially Blue Screen) is next.

Keep up the great work.

[Will Grigg]

Hey -- It occurs to me that with Appaloosa heading for the big screen, there really SHOULD be an effort to do a Spenser movie. The series was great (God bless your memory, Robert Urich), but the character really deserves a cinematic treatment.

And just this morning as I spied a budget DVD at the convenience store, I found the perfect pair to play Spenser and Susan: George Clooney and Katherine Zeta-Jones. Go ahead -- look at the cover photo from "Intolerable Cruelty" and tell me that it doesn't just SCREAM "Spenser and Suze"? They're just now getting to be the right ages, too.

As for Hawk... Avery Brooks was perfect, but he may be a bit too old now. Or maybe not. I'm open to suggestions!

[Kathy Rote]

I confess I'm greedy -but to have a story that brings Spencer, Hawk, Jesse and Sunny together for some crime busting would delight me more than words can say.

[KathyRote]

The ultimate delight for me would be a meeting of Spencer, Hawk, Jesse and Sunny to catch the most cunning and evil bad guy of their respective careers !!!!!!

[anne]

Mr. Parker,

I LOVE your Jesse Stone series! When can we expect the next one? Love the character and also Tom Selleck's portrayal of Jesse. There are not enough of these books or movies. Please, please write more...then pick up the phone and tell Mr. Selleck and CBS to make this character into a weekly series. Not much on TV now...we could use more Stone!!!

Anne

[Christopher A Blanchard]

My Great Master of the Mystery, I have been pondering a question that perhaps you can help me with. I am an avid reader of the SSS series (Spenser/Sunny/Stone) after an introduction to your characters in the 80's via the tv show "Spenser: For Hire". By the way was it Sister Corita who did the Spenser Splash? But back to my real question, I have all the Books in Hard Cover.. and I do mean all (a few of them autographed by you) I have several DVD versions of the Television Movies with both Robert Urich and Joe Montegna as Spenser and the 3 Jesse Stone movies that were available via DVD. There are however 2 things notably missing from my collection however...the TV Series and the Spin Off "A Man Called Hawk" Are there any plans to release them on DVD?

[Floyd Bogart]

Would never assume to suggest to you how your characters develop, but will say that I enjoy the "teasers" where various people from the other series(Rita Fiore, Martin Quirk) show up immensely.

Just keep taking things where your muse carries you and I'll be content...

http://squidoo.com/robertbparker/

[Jerry Szymanski]

Mr. Parker:

I have read every Spenser book written, and have finally come to a conclusion. As someone who met THE woman, married her, and remained married to her for (so far) thirty-five years, I find myself getting tired of Spenser and Susan's constant psychological examination of their "US-ness" from book to book. If they are afraid to commit, so be it. However, give us readers a break from this self-indulgent effluvient. Isn't it about time for Spenser and Hawk to partake on a grand adventure? P-L-E-A-S-E!

[Spensa 65]

Damn I like your Spenser books. Can't get into Sonny yet, but I've read three of the Jesse Stone books.
I'll tell you how bad I've got the bug. I'm trying to find a chronological order in Spenser. You seem to hop all over the place. Really good read though...

Spensa 65

[Christopher A Blanchard]

Can't get into Sonny? I like that series. Jesse Stone is ok for a fix between Spensers, but its like a triple A game, just something to pass the time you can get to a real game.

I agree that I would like to see more Spenser Movies or even a return to TV, but Joe Montenga is a tough enough sell, but for the love of god, get Avery back. The new Hawks are pathetic.

Lastly....

Is this Legit ????

http://www.dvdcollections.tv/product.php?productid=114327

I so want it, but Pirating is not my cup of tea.

[Spensa 65]

Don't know about legit, but it's real.. I just ordered the third and fifth published Spenser books. Waiting patiently for them to get here. My master plan is to take four or five with me on vacation and kick back.

[Betty Trenkle]

When will your next Jese Stone DVD be released. I had read in the paper about one be made in Nova Scotia, I think.

Please let me know. Thanks, BETTY

[DAVE7007]

GREAT MOVIES SERIIES WITH TOM SELLECK...I DONOT WATCH MOVIES NORMALLY, UNLESS IT IS PORNO...BUT LOVED THESE SERIES OF MOVIES WITH SELLECK...MOST MOVIES THAT ARE NOT PORNOS ARE ASS.,..AND BORING..

[John Peterson]

Um, not to put too fine a point on it, but I believe you're wrong about the best play-by-play announcer in baseball. It's Vin Scully of the Dodgers--there is no one better than Vinny.

I still love your books anyway...

[J Harrison]

Hi Nr. Parkere,
Finally got off my keister and looked at your website.
Hope you all have fun with the new puppy. Poor Pearl 3!
Last year I started at the beginning and read all of the Spenser novels...in order. It was good to go back!
Enjoy reading your books very much.
Keep up the good work!
By the way, I am in San Diego. The Padres were swept last weekend for the first time by the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Crap!