NOT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND

Another collection of Blount sharpness. If it's no better than his previous offerings, it's no worse either. And that's not half bad. Blount has a keen instinct as to where the world is just a tad out of plumb (which is mostly everywhere, of course), coupled with the good sense to describe what's askew while grinning broadly. You always suspected, didn't you, that when it comes to electronic things like VCRs ""there are too many angels in there dancing on the head of a pin."" Blount can write funny stuff about things and funny things about stuff, but he's at the top of his acerbic form writing about those in the performing arts--like writing and politics. ""Nixon achieved his apotheosis through dedicated scrabbling, hard-earned governmental expertise, and profound character flaws,"" he observes. ""When John Wayne died, America panicked and elected Ronald Reagan. Who is tall."" There are appreciative pieces on Mark Twain, Bear Bryant and Bill Murray, and a not-so loving number on the olympian who wears make-up, Carl Lewis.""We are seeing a resurgence of Humor in this country,"" says the author, ""as in the Harding and Coolidge administrations. My theory is that Humor flourishes in times of chipper but ill-advised composure."" Good'ol Roy is one of the more fragrant blooms in the flowering of funny writing during this odd era. And, like all the best funny writers, Blount is perceptive indeed.