Past Interviews: Bob
Sylvester, Sr. |
April 18, 2003 Interview with John Duel, BIGGEST DADDY: Hark, what would be Shakespeares favorite team if he were still alive? JOHN DUEL: If Shakespeare were alive today, assuming he
were a MLB rather than a cricket fan, his favorite team would be either the Kansas City
Royals or the Los Angeles Dodgers. It depends on if he is smitten with the English royalty
evident in KC's name or with the common man as evidenced in the origins of LA's name
dating back to the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. I think he might favor the latter, but being
a Giants' fan myself I'd rather he favor the former. JD: I'm pretty easy going, but having taken up teaching I've learned that obvious lies are a big pet peeve of mine. Students seem to find it easier to deny the obvious than own up to responsibility. In the work force, people who couldn't accept responsibilty for their actions always annoyed me as well. BD: How would you describe life in Burbank? JD: Life in Burbank is pretty grand. I'm 15 minutes from
Hollywood, 15 minutes from Dodger Stadium where I go to root for the visiting team (which
might explain my team's 8-20 mark at Chavez Ravine), less than 30 minutes from the beach
and an hour's drive to my parents. I'm a six block walk from the AMC 28 and tons of eating
establishments. The weather is nearly always sunny. Of course, Burbank is in the valley so
the summer months can get mighty hot--but I believe I mentioned that the beach is only 30
minutes away. JD: Yes, several times. I have gone to see Jewel (my
personal favorite) sing. Calista Flockhart was also a guest that time and I enjoyed Ally
McBeal (seasons one and three anyway). My sister is a big Garth Brooks fan and since I
live in Burbank we meet up to go when he's in town. And I've met Garth, who knows my
sister by name, after the Tonight Show. JD: There are so many, and it really depends on what a
person is into. Jane Smiley is a gifted writer, and her books are definitely worth the
read. I'd recommend Moo because it's funny. The Shadow Song by Terry Kay is beautifully
written and the most romantic book I've ever read (don't worry it's not a romance novel).
I read a lot of fantasy and George R. R. Martin's current series is quite remarkable. The
Harry Potter series is fun, and well written. Neil Gaiman is noteworthy as well. The
Princess Bride (the novel) is hilarious as is the film. But my favorite book remains
Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. JD: I used to, but not since I stayed teaching. JD: That's like asking someone to name the greatest
ballplayer of all-time! Jack Benny was great with the one-liners. Red Skelton was a comic
genius. Bill Cosby has some unforgettable routines. George Carlin always makes you think
while laughing. Jerry Seinfeld's wry style grew on me (in part because of a great
television show). Carol Burnett was incredibly funny. I'm not a huge Dennis Miller fan,
but I think his line about education is funny, and I paraphrase: You know there's a
problem with education when you consider that of the 3 "Rs" only one starts with
an "R." JD: I've never seen Anna Nicole's show. I teach Tuesday
nights, so I've only got some of 24's first season when they ran it on another night. I
did love the first season of Alias. JD: The best thing is definitely the kids. They can be
amazingly insightful, funny and warm-hearted. They have an energy that is incredible to be
around. One student told me she was at first disappointed to be in my class a second
straight semester because she got a "C" from me, and that she wished she had a
certain other teacher who is an easy "A." But after thinking it over she
realized that she learned a lot in my class, including how to write, and that, she said,
was more important than getting an "A." Those types of statements make life
worthwhile. JD: I have the grit and determination of George Brett, the
hustle of Pete Rose, the enthusiasm of David Eckstein...did you mean looks? I also have
the height of David Eckstein (or perhaps Freddie Patek), but I don't think any ballplayer
looks like me unless Jason Alexander is playing baseball and no one told me. JD: Mark Twain probably holds that distinction because he
basically invented the American voice. This question would be agrued heatedly in our
department with names like Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Faulkner brandied about. For
contemporary writers, it is hard to beat Jane Smiley, who I mentioned previously. JD: Dental floss. It absolutely drives me bonkers when I
have something stuck in my teeth. I have dental floss in my car, for heaven's sake! JD: With my feet firmly on American soil, thank God. JD: No. JD: The division I'm in seems pretty competitive. I'm
obviously relying on a lot of young arms doing well to compete next season. I'd like to
say next year; I'd be disappointed if we're not in within the next three seasons. JD: How quickly I was accepted into the league. It has been
extremely enjoyable (but that's not really a surprise). JD: I know Jeff from a college friend of mine who
recommended that we add him to my other Diamond Mind league, which is now in its 6th
season. Jeff joined two years ago (when I was defending champs) and in each of the last
two seasons he has beat me in the World Series. He came down to Burbank once and we met
face-to-face, which might explain why I've never starred in one of his movies. Seriously,
Jeff is a great guy. JD: My students? JD: I'll trade just about anyone this season to help build
for next. Glaus, Olerud would probably top the list. I want young pitchers, relief
pitchers, starting pitchers and minor league prospects who can really pitch. It wouldn't
hurt if they can hit like Jason Jennings, but if they can pitch like he does I won't hold
a bad bat against them. |