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Popp, a Queens resident and plumber by day and a musician by night, welcomed his 60 minutes of fame as Farley's first guest. "I think this is great," said Popp, who refers to his music as British invasion rock-and-roll. "You have to be somebody to get on 'David Letterman.'"
"Highball" will spotlight artists usually overlooked by mainstream media. Not every artist, Farley said, "fits into a neat little niche." The idea for the show the name is a takeoff of MSNBC's "Hardball With Chris Matthews" had been in her head for a while. It wasn't until she suffered a life-threatening blood disorder last year that she took action.
"When faced with the possibility of death, you don't say, 'Someday I'll do that,'" Farley said. "You see clearly that that 'someday' is today."
The first wave of guests will be artists who she says have touched her life in some way, because, "after all, it's my show."
She's been a Popp groupie for a few years and also is a fan of tonight's guest, Steve Espinola, a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. "I'm drawn to his work, not only because of the refinement of his delightful pop compositions, but because of his wonderfully quirky lyrics," Farley said. His instruments many homemade - are rather peculiar, too. "Steve will be playing a 19-string electric tennis racket on the show," Farley said.
Laurence Gonzales, a Chicago-based author, will be the "Highball" guest in April, while he's on tour to promote his latest book, "Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why."
"I was drawn to his book to find some kind of explanation as to why I've survived some harrowing health problems," Farley said. "Now I get to interview him in person. That's such an honor."
Moments before the first show, Farley looked every bit the talk-show host makeup, blond hair tucked in a bun, petite fur-trimmed jacket, ankle-length black skirt, and black boots. Her nerves were on edge, though, as she clutched a clipboard full of questions. At least she was prepared or so she thought.
"So, I'm your guinea pig?" said Popp, flashing the audience a Hollywood smile as he took the first sip of his highball. "Too bad I only drink rum and coke. Whoa! This is strong too much of this and I'll be spending the night in a Hoboken prison."
Another sip. An even bigger grin. Then followed wisecracks about the video fireplace, displayed on a television screen and the only prop on "the set."
Farley had to be quick - very quick - if she wanted to get in a question. A moment's pause and her guest was off to the races.
"When you flush, think of us," said Popp, raising his glass in the air to toast his day job. The audience was in stitches as he rambled on about sewer rats and "punks ripping off bathroom doors" in Manhattan nightclubs.
"We're cutting off the highballs NOW," said Farley, who will serve only non-alcoholic drinks to future guests.
When Popp finally focused on music, he became another person. A rendition of "Cecilia Elizabeth," a song he wrote in memory of his mom, moved more than one audience member to tears. "Bill is a very good example of why I'm doing this show," Farley said. "Joking around with him, you never realize he has this whole other side. I'm glad the audience got to experience that."The talk show is monthly. Upcoming dates and guests can be found at maryannfarley.com. END
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Shes a Letterman for the unknown By Vera Lawlor, The Record
Perched on bar stools, Mary Ann Farley and Bill Popp chatted over highballs as about 50 people listened. It was the opening night of "Highball! with Mary Ann Farley," a monthly talk show at the tiny Symposia Bookstore in Hoboken.
"People keep asking what channel this show will air on," said Farley, a writer, musician, and painter who lives in Hoboken. "It will be on no channel. It's just 'airing' in the bookstore. Live. In person."
The only recording of the hour-long show, she said, will be the one playing in audience members' memories. |
