VIEWER'S RESPONSES, BURNING QUESTIONS, AND THINGS TO COME!

Well, the response to our live 2 hour Christmas free-for-all was inspirational! We thank the many callers, some of whom were actually not related to any of us, for sharing their holidays with the 1600 family, who likely rank somewhere between the Osmond Family, the Partridge Family, and the Manson Family among the people least welcome to prepare the egg nog for your next holiday bash!

And best of all, dinner was really GREAT! Chef Jerry gave cast and crew a delicious, mouthwatering bird which was devoured in due course as soon as the cameras stopped rolling. The side dishes all came out pretty well, too. Everyone survived quite nicely, and no Tums or Alka Seltzer were necessary to soothe upset stomachs afterward. However, we note that only Pete the Builder was brave enough to try the jellied cranberry sauce. By the time we got out of the studio, it was far too late to get a glass of Christmas cheer anywhere. So sugarplums still dancing in our heads, we trundled off for home, already scheming to top "Cooking with 1600" with another gala soiree in 2008!

So, what's coming up in 2008, you ask?

We start off with a bang next Saturday with our friends the Smithereens at the State Theater on Saturday night, January 12th! Guitar giant Richard Thompson will join us before his show at the Lisner Theater on January 23rd (get your tickets now!) and the 9:30 Club hosts Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on February 16th- they were a killer opening act for Gov't Mule, and we can't wait to hear more out of this smokin' blues band! And then we look forward to a visit to the Iota Club and Cafe on February 19th for Brian Vander Ark of the Verve Pipe! Soon after that, we'll be back at Jammin' Java, for the return of the Adrian Belew Power Trio on March 15th...sure to be sold out, so act now!

And of course, there's a few other items we're working on but don't want to let the cat out of the bag just yet! Keep watching and check this website for more info as it becomes available! You'll be the first to know.

Now for a few emails and notes we received after the Christmas show:

Caught a new episode today 11/26 on channel 10 cox cable. seems like a long time since last new show. has the gas gone out of the show? see no new blog entries since june and at end of todays show steve said so long and farewell. does that mean that was last show?and steve really should sit more ladylike if he's going to keep wearing shorts!
visitor_email: grantnapier@live.com

Thanks, dude. Can't understand why you're not seeing new shows, you should have new episodes every week! Next time, just remember to put the Wild Turkey away, and turn the set on at 10 pm Fridays! And there were lots of blog entries in October, November and December. Maybe you went to the old blog site? This is where we're at now, tell your friends, and drop us a line to say hi! We're here for the long haul, you're not rid of us so easily. And Steve....LADYLIKE? BWAH- HAH- HAH!!! You SLAY me! I knew the striking TV writers had to have an outlet to keep sharp! That's the funniest thing I've heard since Condi Rice called Russia's elections fixed!!!

you mentioned 10cc but left out the lovin spoonful...same idea - reo speedwagon was a very old fire engine - bill cosby, beverly sills, johnny cash, henny youngman = cosby, sills, cash, and youngman - cocteau twins were characters from a claude monet book...i think - u2 is from the spy plane -
visitor_email: kstewart@gmu.edu

Yes, Ken, you get points on the Cocteau Twins and U2. However, the Lovin' Spoonful was named for how junkies typically prepare their heroin. And wasn't it really Crosby, Tillis, Crash and Hung- Norm Crosby, Mel Tillis, Billy "Crash" Craddock, and William Hung, who sang "She Bangs" so painfully on American Idol, only to be narrowly beaten out by the Clark Bros. (Roy and General Wesley (Ret.) on the Next Great American Band? Seriously, we could probably do 2 more shows on band names- glad you enjoyed it!

I love your show... Have you heard of a band called MOFRO? They're out of Jacksonville, Florida and play "swamp cracker" front porch soul. They opened for half of the Allman's 2007 summer tour... Cheers - Ted
visitor_email: tedbowler@msn.com

Sorry we missed that, Ted. It sounds like an interesting mix. I used to wear a mofro, but when I went to the salon to get it permed, all the guys in the neighborhood snickered at me and threatened to beat me up. It was embarrassing. Steve was at the Brothers' show here, but probably too hammered to remember the opening act...what's that? J. Geils and Heart? I thought you said it was Dio and Foghat!

And once again, thanks to everyone who tuned in and called, especially our pal, the infamous Tommy Gavin! See ya at the next show!

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more inspired (?) silliness. We always enjoy running into and hearing from you guys, and appreciate your thoughtful recommendations, camaraderie, and heckling!

And onto another wild year!