February 26, 2002
 
Chatting with an old friend today, I found out that a mutual acquaintance of ours -- a nice guy with a beautiful basso profundo voice -- is on the short-list to become the new voice of Tony the Tiger.
 
The current Tony is a man named Thurl Ravenscroft, who has been the voice of the sugar-addled feline since Tony's birth in 1952. Thurl has had an amazing career. Thurl sang with Elvis. Thurl's the guy who sang "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and "No Dogs Allowed" (from Snoopy Come Home). Thurl even has his own fan site. Thurl's cool.
 
Thurl's in his late 80's.
 
Somewhere, in a sleek building in Chicago, Battle Creek or Los Angeles, is a guy or gal making sure that, should Thurl no longer be able to carry out his Tony duties, a new Tony can step in immediately.
 
Five guys are on the short-list for the role.
 
Of course, once you land the voice of Tony the Tiger, you're basically set for life.
 
Five guys -- five nice guys, I reckon -- each, in a small way, waiting for Thurl Ravenscroft to die.
 
 

 
February 14, 2002
 
Boy, am I glad to be back in San Francisco. In the last 6 nights, I've slept in 5 different beds. (Hey, get your mind out of the gutter.)
 
Toy Fair was a smashing success. I pitched Hogwash! to a bunch of different companies and got serious interest from about half a dozen of them, including a few whose products I respect immensely. (Of course, serious interest and a quarter'll get you a phone call, but hey.) More on this as it develops.
 
 

 
February 7, 2002
 
I'm off to New York City tomorrow morning. I'll be attending Toy Fair -- the big toy/game industry shindig -- and showing Hogwash! to as many industry folk as I can. I return on the 14th.
 
Wish me luck.