Good News/ Bad News

The Good News (at least for fans of comics artist Chris Ware and his comic book series Acme Novelty Library, as well, I presume, for Mr. Ware himself): Tonight Showtime debuts the video version of the acclaimed National Public Radio documentary This American Life (Good News for fans of the show and for host Ira Glass). One of the segments, an unusual childhood memory, is visually accompanied by animation by Ware. TV Squad did have a link to the video, but said segment is currently "unavailable."

The Bad News: The oddest of a collection of oddballs, Calvert DeForest, a.ka. Larry "Bud" Melman, the odd looking, odd sounding, odd acting and just plain damned odd little man transformed by his appearances on Late Night with David Letterman into the most unlikely Pop Culture icon of the 1980's, died Monday night at the age of 85, reports Mark Evanier on his blog News From ME. For more on the death, and life, of this comedy savant, check out his Wikipedia page.