A phone call from Don Rickles.

A few weeks ago I saw DON RICKLES perform at my Temple — the newly-converted (no pun intended) Saban Theatre, near the corner when Larry Flynt ran his Penthouse empire for decades.

It was the first time DON RICKLES had performed in Los Angeles in 17 years.

Since I’ve been a major fan for years, and we live close to each other, I really wanted to see him do his thing.  I’ve watched him on “KIMMEL”, “LETTERMAN”, and back when he toyed with “REGIS”.

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Tonight I was on the phone with Gloria Gordon, when I kept getting interruptions.  “I think it’s the Democrats,” I told her, “but I’ve gotta get off anyway — more work to do.”

A deep voice came on the line.
“I’m a fan of yours,” he said.

I struggled to place the familiar-sounding timbre.

It didn’t sound like a Democrat.

“I’m a fan of YOURS,” he said.

I still didn’t know what he was saying.

“I loved your letter,” he said.  “Terrific fan letter.  This is Don Rickles.”

After I got over my SHOCK — I told him again how I’d bought three tickets at face value.  How I’d seen him on television over the years, playing with every comic host and making them all crack up.
I told him I had his book.

He asked Vin and me to go have a drink sometime.  I’m going to take him up on it.  With the book.

After I hung up, I was smiling ear to ear.

What a cool move.  No wonder DON RICKLES is a legend.