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'SPIN' associate lad-itor Dave Itzkoff pulls off the impressive feat of having back-to-back articles in The Times 'Arts & Leisure' this week.

The first is a much-needed (but too tepid by half) takedown of Saturday Night Live's reliance on celebrity scandals and fluff over politics and "out there" sui generis comedy.

The second is about The Golden Girls as the unlikely progenitor of some of this year's hit shows.

Two pieces in one week! Bravo, sir!

But before Itzkoff can preen around West 43rd Street like Martin Prince after winning two Grammar Rodeos, along comes the Times Book Review to sock him in the stomach like Nelson Muntz.

In an essay by Jonathan Miles, we're told that Itzkoff's memoir Lads, "strives for nasty laughs, but barely even gets the nastiness down." He also calls the book "nerdy," its author "a twerp," and offers this bit of avuncular advice:

"memo to Itzkoff: it's the rare female over 12 who will be impressed by your collection of 'vintage action figures.'"


Ouch. As Nelson would say "Haw-haw!"
The All Too Ready for Prime Time Players [NYT]
Comedy's Golden Training Ground [NYT]
Misbehavin' [NYTBR]