John Lithgow: A Confederacy of Dumptys

[@Waddyaknow]

This man is a treasure.

[@amcinternetsolutionsllc8563]

A modern day Dr Zeus.... awesome Lithgow, from creation to delivery, he hits the ball out of the park,, with flowing panache, he stands out and delivers, a rhyme for the ages to soothe our hurting soul...

[@strangepattie]

How many people can say, “Acting is my day job”?

[@agny369]

John's humility is something lost on alot of people today... I'm not religious whatsoever but as an ex-addict I know that humble pie is the only thing that can stop a snowballing catastrophe. More people should consider this

[@phyllisneal8687]

What a treat 💞 To hear John Lithgow once more, doing what he does best💞 Bravo, John! BRAVO!

[@patj4952]

Kudos to the Common Wealth Club of CA for having on one of the absolute best, most talented actors ever. Mr. Lithgow is a joy to listen to.

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

He really is one of the greatest entertainers of our times. 👏👏👏

[@swisskiwi1478]

Lovely man. The type of person everybody would love to meet bc you can just see that he is genuine. Well done Mr Lithgow! 👏

[@hasslefreerental7833]

I love John's deliciously vocal depictions of a dangerously funny political era that in future times will be known as: Cautionary rhymes & tales of a time gone by, when the beloved and, once thought pure American Democracy almost unraveled at the seam by a controversial amateur clown and his loyal minion enablers.

[@hasslefreerental7833]

@Doug Fir WAIT a minute, I thought Democrats stole the election from "president" Trump???? No???? Oh, I see, ... And just like that HYPOCRITE republican's went back to believe in Democracy and the power of the American vote. You're just mad 'cause your party will forever be known as the Party of: The Insurrectionists, WHITE Suppremacists, Neo Nazis, of RACISTS, BULLIES, Racial DISCRIMINATION, ABHORRENT, DISGRACEFUL, Flag poles/fire extinguishers police beating bastards, ..... among 1000s of other history friendly "QUALITIES " that only GOP Conservative Republicans could pull it off. I vehemently believe that you, Trump-CON-artists, should make up your minds IF the system is "RIGGED" or NOT! Your dishonest, deceptive, loathsome, repugnant hypocrisy and your negligent tendencies in malpractice habits of claiming to have moral standards and beliefs to which your actions, lies, and covert deceptions are pure pretense and never consisted by facts but pure hate, insanity, and lunacy. Can you guys please go to your alternated reality on earth 2.0 and leave this one for reality engaged folks??? Ps. And please, don't forget to take your beloved, all powerful & all knowing DEMIGOD leader, bleach injector/Covid denier aka: Your Majesty KING of the "Brain-less", and his entire Cabal of conspiracy theory plots/Jewish space lasers & Q-anon "SCHOLARS" with you? Thank you! Sincerely, Hope2neverHearFromYouagainGirlBye!

[@patrickderp1044]

@@hasslefreerental7833 new jersey and virginia just had elections on the same night. new jersey and virginia are both d+10 states. virginia had thousands of election observers and hundreds of lawyers prepared to call foul. new jersey had nothing. for some reason that night virginia didnt go d+10 but new jersey went like everyone expected. in science this is called an "A/B test" it is clear that if the GOP thinks there really was cheating, the way to stop it isnt to prove it after the fact, it is to have election observers and lawyers in as many precincts as possible.

[@michaelweber5702]

@@patrickderp1044 , they often weren't allowed to observe ...

[@craftycriminalistwithms.z3053]

@@michaelweber5702 show me proof please

[@arezooshaytoon]

Aside from being a wonderful brilliant actor its ALWAYS wonderful to just listen to him. He is fascinating to listen to.

[@aubreyaskew2652]

Always liked this man and his character acting but didn't know he was at this level of truth telling! Perfect description of the orange fool of an embarrassment of a president.Well done John!

[@orbtain]

@Robert Hunt how is it "half the country" when the 2020 presidential election's record voter turnout barely crossed 60%? you literally think the entire voting base is half blue, half red? just wait until you learn how gerrymandering works

[@kn9ioutom]

TRUMPSTER Will Spend The Rest OF His LIFE IN COURT !!! 😁😁😁

[@charisserempel23]

@@kn9ioutom or a box.

[@TnT24u]

@@kn9ioutom But NOT ONE DAY IN PRISON sadly

[@karwalker7791]

Thanks to brilliant John Lithgow and to his wife and others who encourage him in his new talent! Love him as an actor. Creepery should be infamous.

[@d.thurston8524]

He has such a clever wit and stately manner. I loved him in 3rd Rock and his movies, immensely talented.

[@annajacob7981]

Spectacular! Such a joy to hear John Lithgow sharing his wonderful imagination, wit and humor. Love his words 🧡

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fairwitness7473]

Shel Silverstein for grown-ups! I have loved John for a long as I can remember. What a spectacularly talented man!

[@bertrandlechat4330]

A lovely Welshman with a lovely Welsh name, carrying on the tradition of Welsh bards. You rock, John.

[@bawbtherevelator6445]

True. Now if we get John to notice the basic contradictions of the sentence/: "I'm very embarrassed to talk about my Harvard Phi Beta Kappa.," John will be even better. But no one's perfect...

[@bawbtherevelator6445]

Hey, I like John too. Honest!!!!

[@foragegrasspause2gotoloop961]

Hear hear!

[@ryangibson2831]

John is not Welshman/Welsh, he is not from Wales, he's from the State of New York. Although I thought he was british throughout my life. He embodied the essence of Churchhill though in The Crown.

[@hamptontanguero]

Witth a sharp pen and sharper wit, A Trinity of poems for the ages John Lithgow done writ. Slowly, without haste, he cuts to the chase and lays the corrupt to waste.

[@loricrawford1952]

This is great so far, keep it going!

[@caroletomlinson5480]

Glorious evening with Lithgow 👍

[@helenromanelli2544]

OMG...I love this man. He is a wordsmith without peer. His eloquence is so exquisitely on target as to make us wince even as we laugh. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@laurelrobbins8673]

I have loved John Lithgow for a very long time - his range of acting talent is impressive. I’m so happy that this aspect of his talent has shown itself. I love that he talks about satire - I believe that satire and sarcasm are the weapons of intellectuals. Unfortunately, so many people do not recognize these things for what they are, but we can certainly use them to evaluate people’s intelligence. Maybe if we make understanding both of these things a requirement for folks before they are allowed to run for office, we could make sure that they are smart enough to do the job.

[@madelynroesch7279]

There's a kinship to Dr. Seuss here with the poetry.

[@uniquelylily1166]

I love John Lithgow, as an actor of course, but this just shows how intelligent he truly is. And so very subtle😆

[@patstevens8970]

Absolutely genius! Somehow the phrase “a Roald Dahl for grownups” came to my mind - you are a wordsmith of great caliber! The proof is in the pudding, a pudding with a standard of its own. Can only be compared to itself. So excuse the comparison to Mr Dahls. Thanks a lot! You made my day.

[@T-aka-T]

More like Dr Seuss perhaps. Delightful but derivative.

[@carmenpbronx9190]

Thank you John Lithgow your so delightful to listen and for your truth 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Love

[@KimberlyBishh]

He has a warm way of rhyme that has a personal meaning to me..he can really pluck my strings😆❤

[@AlexanderDunetz]

KW : I wanna play in a Mozart to Brahms quartet with you ....... pluck each others' strings.

[@loricrawford1952]

it's ok i have that kind of crush on Donald Sutherland, Dustin Hoffman and Ed Harris

[@1wer819]

Your hard work has given a very valuable and truthful vision of our history. The artful giggles soften my anger with the harm created by these characters. Love and admiration for John's gifts to the world!

[@bethm6941]

What a brilliant man. TY for having him on. Love his intellect and humor.

[@judychandler8485]

I loved this. John Lithgow is so amazing ; he gets a standing ovation ! Bravo !!! 👏

[@markwinsor446]

Puts me in mind a bit of Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Lithgow's poems are more complex and nuanced, but they play in the same sandbox. Wonderful!

[@neilmoore7194]

I needed a dose of Lithgow tonight!

[@kirstenpetersen3582]

We need MORE!

[@funface4]

Thank you John Lithgow I truly loved every one of these poems you read. Never knew you were an incredible poet too. Beautiful person you are. I enjoyed this.

[@Chereese0808]

I absolutely love everything about John Lithgow. He's a great artist too. Who knew. I'd love to have a conversation with him. He's very interesting. Brilliant man. Great interview, Thank you very much!

[@vickihoffman3360]

I accidentally landed on this wonderful poetry about scoundrels. Thank you Commonwealth Club, John Lithgow and Melissa Caen. Delightful!

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Our pleasure!

[@lornespry]

Lithgow is a treat - whatever he's doing!

[@mutualbeard]

"History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes. " - Mark Twain. Metaphorically and now literally!

[@d.thurston8524]

Twain is my most favorite author.

[@gilgemash]

@boughton ...and now, LITERARILY, too 😷🌈 🤓🤘

[@patrickderp1044]

@@d.thurston8524 twain iis now banned in many places that teach CRT (critical race theory, which doesnt exist according to how angry a person is)

[@d.thurston8524]

@@patrickderp1044 I doubt that. CRT is only taught in law schools. Why DEM surrogates don't point that out is beyond me. Twain book Puddin Head Wilson should be required reading along with Huck Finn in all high school Lit courses.

[@d.thurston8524]

Rhymin like Simon. Too scary but I keep hope alive.

[@hieroglyphictributes6795]

Pure delight! Thank John for so succinctly summing up these vile characters and imparting your delicious humour in rhyme. 😊👍

[@randybutler1575]

I am a 70 year old black male and I am astonished to see how much John and I are alike

[@gilgemash]

We, ALL, come from amoeba 😷🌈

[@pbs7705]

He's on the edge, always, and I'm a believer!

[@The6thelement9413]

I’ve always adored John Lithgow. Thank you.

[@lynnmaupin-simpson1215]

Ah, once, twice, thrice added to my reading list. Humor is what we need. It is appreciated. And all the dogs, who are daily vlogged, can go back to just bow wowing and chasing squirrels as these three reads will have my attention.

[@katiekarakondis3348]

Humor is definitely a necessity in life, and the best way to tell the truth!

[@bethm6941]

Lithgow reminds me of Gilbert & Sullivan. Just love it.

[@BluetheRaccoon]

John Lithgow is the grandaddy of my dreams, and his reading his poems of wisdom to us truly a gift.

[@veredp.6779]

Brilliant! Witty! Spot on!

[@elaineburnett5230]

Well done John Lithgow! The circle is complete, what a perfect use of the English language.

[@lauriebolles3149]

So Trump is kind of a Typhoid Mary.

[@tessierashpoolmg7776]

Best explanation heard today....

[@christopherbegley6461]

@@tessierashpoolmg7776 Great Orange Plague (GOP)

[@tessierashpoolmg7776]

@@christopherbegley6461 🤣🤣🤣🤣👏👏👏👏

[@markhonea2461]

@@christopherbegley6461 omg I must use that if you don't mind!?👍

[@priscillachapman9145]

I had no idea of the education and intelligence of this man. He always sounded refined and smart but so does “Frazer”. This was very entertaining and I will get these books. What a delight.

[@TheNocturnalLogician]

I love John Lithgow so much! :'D If anyone deserves immortality, I'd choose him.

[@dawnoleary7606]

My first time watching him was The world according to Garp and I believe Stephen King what a gem

[@apostababelindajames7461]

Me too. He played a transsexual ( today his role of her would most likely be spoken of as the term transgender ) ex-NFL receiver, Roberta Muldoon.

[@loricrawford1952]

Jim Jordan, Mitt Romney, Louie Gomer, Tom Cotton, Tom Tillis, Mo Brooks -- keep it going! These would make some much needed comic relief for weary Americans

[@joethabroyles1211]

Yes! I need my sense of humor back!

[@yu12si7]

....you starting right out with Andrew Jackson and my precious Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee, Creek Cousins/Ancestors rocks my world....thank you so much....you are so amazingly talented. I adore you, John Lithgow! (Hardback ordered and on the way. Thank You!) .....just heard Custer..and the cover-up for the first time. Humans are so vulnerable in our weaknesses. Please everyone buy this book if you can. Thanks to your history expert wife!

[@ketolife2797]

Custer got Siouxed.

[@cynthiajohnston9065]

@@ketolife2797 lol

[@greenbrain8725]

This guy is a treasure. Unfortunately, no Trumper will understand his witty poems.

[@karenkrilanovich4084]

John Lithgow, is a Delightful Poet

[@ashokmehta15]

The great John Lithgow. Thank you sir.

[@nancyball7816]

Love John Lithgow. I will be giving your books for Christmas gifts

[@loricrawford1952]

Great idea!

[@bettyfox321]

I love his excellent intelligence and his warmth of speech. It’s fun to listen and smile for a while, even when we are truly sick of all of the offenses taken on our country, I can see the light around the world now❣️

[@HerrFrankenstein]

Rhymes... Once you pop... You can't stop... Thanks for the video, much appreciated...

[@oceanrock733]

John and I are both directly descended from William Bradford, the Mayflower Immigrant who wrote the Mayflower Compact. Among the other ten million! Proud to be related to him.

[@yu12si7]

thanks so much for sharing this!

[@mlfclevel]

Literature is wonderful in the hands of a creative genius. Love this conversation.

[@loricrawford1952]

Please do a scoundrel book on Ted Cruz, do it for the Texans who are progressive and sane

[@momszycat4148]

I love this man! An American treasure💙

[@66otnt]

THANK YOU JOHN LITHGOW !!!

[@kirstenpetersen3582]

But John, we all love you and of course you will be popular and your books selling. Thats Why!

[@lmansur1000]

Very nice! Delightful is the word! I love this. I am being educated and enjoying it immensely at the same time!

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@pleaserespect8657]

Mr Lithgow was in the main cast of the first movie I ever saw and a little kid , harry and the Hendersons. Sir you have a special place in my heart 🙂

[@MsMarta57]

I know what I’m buying some of my family this year for Xmas, the trilogy byJohn. An excellent way to share history with adults and older children. Simply amazing

[@irishmade8136]

American kids will learn alot of their History while having fun. History can be boring but this will make it easy and easy to understand and remember. Well done John from Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

[@Pleiades888]

John Lithgow's intellect and clarity of thought warms my heart. He weaves tale of truth to power in the form of a sonnet in iambic pentameter. His elegant syntax in structural architecture of words build a glorious picture in my mind while his light hearted limerick humor of a Leprechaun make me smile from ear to ear. I have a silly grin on my face when listening to him read his poetry. Pure ecstasy! An Irish Blessing for you: 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May Good Luck pursue you each morning and night.

[@kevinevans2244]

Thank you john.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@babznme]

I enjoyed this very much! I like you Mr. Lithgow, always have liked your talent in so many forms. And I love that you have read your audio books. As I enjoy your voice as well!

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryanb9526]

Love Lithgow ... he's an Americsn treasure!

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

Brings John Lennon's two books to mind, "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard In The Works."

[@peepla7]

His talent has no end!

[@kristinamelnichenko5775]

Fabulous 👏👏👏👏 Thank you Good Sir

[@ThePolarPrince]

Best villian in the Dexter series!

[@tombarlow6076]

Good job on the interview allowing ame time for him to read the poems!

[@diannaholiday9086]

You do a lovely illustrated poem for Carnival of the Animals. I read it to my children for years, and now as adults, they would not, could not give it away!

[@AnnaPilgrim]

👏👏👏 John Lithgow

[@michaelwilliams714]

John, that was Excellent!

[@ritamariekelley4077]

Perfect description of Trump in iambic pentameter! So nauseous of hearing about that wack job, but John has made it so palatable.

[@debvance9175]

This was wonderful, thank you.

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@georgethalman1639]

I truly appreciated the host Melissa can and her engaging persona in the social media that was used for the and reading of the book excellent work I really enjoy poetry when it comes from a process of digging deeper I can really enjoy that all my questions are being addressed and it's just not a creative license dominating the poem I'd love to join the Commonwealth of California I must research that organization cheers to both you!

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

Absolutely!!

[@commonwealthclubworldaffairs]

BECOME a MEMBER: www.commonwealthclub.org/membership

[@kathyjones274]

Couldn't have said it better.

[@evamerritt9308]

I am buying the book. Bravo!!!

[@jimchallender4616]

Please ask Mr. Lithgow if he could entertain the thought of applying his phenomenal intellect to the "Burgeoning New Technologies" that are at the precipice of a what could possibly be the beginning of a "Whole New World".

[@bellygunnermusic]

that was great prologue. wow.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

I wrote a 56 second parody called "The Ballad of Rumpty Dumpty" last year after rumpT lost the election, but i've never heard anyone else really use the word "Dumpty" for anything else before. I love language. And John Lithgow. :)

[@sandragruhle6288]

Mr. Lithgow is wonderfully amazing! His repertoire of books ranges from pre-school’s McFarkle McBride, to adult satire. Those are simply his side gigs! He performed in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for years before going international. He acts, he writes, and it would not be surprising if he had both musical and artistic talent as well. He is a treasure! His political positions were loudly proclaimed to the public, and he was a factor in the 2020 election. Thank you!

[@janusatthegate6201]

Trump was/is a legend in his own mind and implodes when others do not follow suit toward him.

[@annalyon8443]

I am an historian, focus on antebellum (Pre 1860) American yrs. I see the colonization of and subsequent 400 years on this continent, years including this decade, as not a deep surprise, just yet again disappointing. I'm not a profssional historian, just a BA in history, minoers in economics and printmaking. Self-employed as a professional visual artist since1978, but lived with scholars talking to me in headphones while I worked 18 hour days....thanks to many pre-digital formats...using both sides of my brain.... Love you Lithgow! Love you on Perry Mason. I really enjoyed this.

[@nativetexan53]

Love it!!!

[@annewillmott3091]

Mellisa is not really needed, not very organized, he could go on without any guidance however she’s so lovely to watch….. loved it….

[@lauraw.7008]

Thank you so much for allowing/encouraging John Lithgow to read so much from his book 📖 Now I absolutely MUST buy his book.

[@Heartfelt-zv7wh]

Hi John we are STILL watching & laughing to your “3 Rd Rock From The Sun “ show on our DVDs . We love you & your poems YOU ROCK JOHN !! 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

[@loricrawford1952]

Rudy Giuliani! Kelliane Conway and "alternative facts"!

[@roseboudreaux9922]

John Lithgow is a universal legend that we have delightfully been presented by our creator God's cornucopia of amazing blessings to humanity. To ease us onward beyond the aftermath of the Trumpian Tragedy not to forget but to emotionally, mentally and spiritually recover from the horrors of such a Trumpian evil that ended hundreds of thousands precious lives. May all our beloved rest in peace.

[@danielostroff8632]

Lithgow is spot on! Charm and wit.

[@jdouglaskeaggy8190]

I love this thanks for the laugh

[@annalyon8443]

oh, I meant to say, as a commercial artist, you have crhops for the dying art of editorial cartoons and writing.

[@rowdy.rockers]

Third Rock!!

[@foragegrasspause2gotoloop961]

*how dare* she not mention "Harry and the Henderson's" when giving his bio! Lol

[@JnTmarie]

Thank you for this interview and putting the ugly truth that we have done this over and over again in history. We scoff at the stupidity in the past and alas we repeat.