the list of 9 for november 18, 2007:
NINE FAMOUS PEOPLE I'D INVITE TO A DINNER PARTY
In honor of Thanksgiving... The game of "What historical figures would you have over for dinner?"has been played for ages. The predictable answers are Joan of Arc, Jesus, Ghandi and the like.Thank you, but I'm limiting my own fantasy guest list to still-living people who all speakEnglish, so they can understand each other and so I can follow what's being talked about. Anactual assembly of these souls seems more possible that way. If my list includes mostlyentertainment figures, can you blame me? I'm in entertainment! Besides, I wouldn't know what tosay to more "important" people like Nelson Mandela or Stephen Hawking anyway.
- Ice-T. Why not? The actor/rapper/former pimp has gotenough stories to tell for years of dinner parties. He's very funny and naturally outspoken.I can't imagine ever being bored with Ice-T in the room.
- Werner Herzog. The cult German filmmaker's clipped butfluent English makes me laugh even when he's being serious. He has a million hair-raising talesfrom his near-catastrophic film productions, and is hyperintelligent to boot. Other greatdirectors might keep mum at a gathering, but Herzog's guaranteed to be an engaging raconteur.
- Johnny Rotten. For exactly the same reasons as Ice-T.
- Emma Thompson. At first glance, you'd think she'd befrightened off by the likes of these hell-raisers. But I think the talented actor-writer couldhold her own very well, and would add a bit of class to the proceedings too.
- John Waters. Now here's a guy who loves to talk.You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting some TV show or magazine article that features a fewchoice words from John Waters. His droll, catty commentary always ensures a good time, and heknows a lot about the most random stuff.
- Ellen Degeneres. I've seen little of her talk show, butI can tell that she's a much more affable host than all those late night loudmouths who aren'tlistening to their guests so much as waiting for the next chance to crack wise. I imagine she would be very good, at least, at asking the other guests great questions.
- Sarah Vowell. I'm taking a chance here, not at all surethat the geeky history buff would be as outspoken in such an intimidating crowd as she is in herbooks and This American Life monologues. But she's a walking encyclopedia and has thisamazing squeaky voice. If nothing else, she might make some wonderful faux pas.
- Miranda July. This artist/writer/filmmaker is the onlyperson on this list who's actually younger than I am, and I'm no spring chicken anymore. I guessthat's an argument for age making for a more interesting conversationalist. But despite herrelative youth, Miranda July stands out. She seems shy and fragile, to look at her, but she's agood talker and I'm guessing she could cook up some brilliantly creative party game ideas.
- Warren Buffett. The buttoned-down billionaire may feel alittle put off by all these weirdos, but Buffett appears to be an excellent conversationalist andI'm sure nearly everybody at the table, as wealthy as most of them already are, would love to hearwhat the second richest man in America has to say. Plus, the virulently pro-choice atheist who'slived in the same modest Omaha home for decades probably wouldn't be all that out of place in thiscrowd. Lunches with Buffett have been auctioned off for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here'shoping he'd be willing to eat with us for free.
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