BRIEF ENCOUNTERS Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks

The erudite Cavett has been a stand-up comedian, a skilled writer for Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, and a host of both ABC and PBS talk shows. Here he shares some of his NEW YORK TIMES commentary. Subjects run the gamut from scary repetitive dreams to airport security and celebrities such as Arthur Godfrey, Groucho Marx, and Jonathan Winters. We can hear the impact of his age in the tonality and pacing of his narration, but, for the most part, it is precise, appealing, and, at moments, laugh-out-loud funny. Cavett attempts to convince us that he still reflects his unassuming Nebraska middle-class upbringing, but his full-scholarship Yale education is mentioned dozens of times. He exhibits many biting elitist observations and critiques, often directed at conservative politics and Americans with a more basic education. On balance, this is an entertaining listen. W.A.G. [Published: JANUARY 2016]