Photo credit: William Watkins,  2014

I debated with myself (a formidable opponent) for some time about whether or not to attempt a blog. While I enjoy writing, I certainly didn’t want to commit all my failings and foibles to paper (or internet) every week, as if that would be remotely interesting to anyone at all.

What I did – and do – want to do is to comment on some things that we are doing at The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation and some things in the worlds of the arts and of show business (sometimes those worlds are very far apart and on occasions those worlds collide). And to include more “musings” than the “reporting” on our work that fits in our “Update” newsletters from the foundation; moreover, to do that on a more frequent basis than the 4 to 6 times per year of that vehicle.

This is something I can do. I talked with some friends and they agreed. Always good to have a reality check. They also said they would enjoy reading it. Always good to have an ego stroke, too.

But then came the hardest part. . .what to call it? The challenge of coming up with content on a regular basis paled next to this. I have seen some really awful titles for blogs, believe me. Most I can’t name for fear of legal reprisal.

But there was one blog that I had started to read recently whose title was kind of catchy and conveyed a certain coziness of tone about it. I won’t say the name because I am not particularly fond of the content but let’s just say it took the writer’s name and a comfy piece of furniture and combined them — as in “From Dan’s Divan” or “From Sophie’s Settee.”

“…Donna’s Davenport.” “…Flora’s Footstool.” “…Oscar’s Ottoman.” It just calls to mind someone curling up by a lovely fire for a chat. Or writing a letter on a cold winter’s night. Just from them to me. Sweet.

But damn it! Where’s the piece of furniture that goes with my name? “From Bill’s Barstool” doesn’t quite do it (ifsha knowsh whatah mean). “From William’s What-Not”? Let’s not go there.

Plan B. We’ll describe the content. “Bill Babbles”. “From the Chair(man)”. “Brainstorming With Bill”. “Backstage Banter” – a genuine contender, submitted by my friend Peggy.

“Bill’s Broodings” – too depressing was the consensus. Yes, I agreed – maybe a little too “Hamlet”-like. But kind of fun. I could see it. Well, of course I could: I was recovering from a respiratory infection and plastered on codeine for the cough — I could see lots of things. There I’d be on the homepage in a dramatic photograph, draped all in black and holding poor Yorick’s skull. Alas! We nixed it. (View the video montage at the bottom of this post for a better understanding of why no one will let me play Hamlet and why we squelched “Bill’s Broodings” as a name.)

So, somewhat by default and ‘though it’s a little reminiscent of Weight Watchers. . . Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you “William Weighs In”. On all sorts of stuff. About the arts. About the foundation. About funding. About the business of show and the craft of performing. I’ll be doing it – “weighing in”, that is – every other week to start.

So, welcome. Pull up a chair, your own barstool, a retro beanbag from the ’70s – and enjoy. And “weigh in” with your comments in return after whichever posts strike your fancy. (They’re moderated and I reserve the right to edit. No fits, no fights, no feuds, and no egos, amigos. No spam. No foul language beyond the PG-13 level.)

So, now this blog, “William Weighs In”, is launched. And may God bless her and all who sail in her.

Now click to enjoy the short silent video below. If you’re on a smartphone, you may need to click this link to view instead.