Brief Encounters

Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks

By: Dick Cavett

Narrated by: Dick Cavett

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

A 2016 Grammy nominee for Best Spoken Word Album

Dick Cavett is back, sharing his reflections and reminiscences about Hollywood legends, American cultural icons, and the absurdities of everyday life.

In Brief Encounters, the legendary talk show host Dick Cavett introduces us to the fascinating characters who have crossed his path, from James Gandolfini and John Lennon to Mel Brooks and Nora Ephron, enhancing our appreciation of their talent, their personalities, and their places in the pantheon. We tag along as Cavett spends an afternoon with Stan Laurel at his modest apartment in Los Angeles, spars with Muhammad Ali at his training camp, and comes to know a young Steve Jobs - who woos him to be Apple's first celebrity pitchman. He also offers piquant commentary on contemporary politics, the indignities of travel, the nature of comedy writing, and the utter improbability of being alive at all.

On his talk show, Cavett welcomed the leading figures from film, music, theater, literature, comedy, sports, and politics and engaged them in conversation that made viewers feel that the discussion was taking place in their own living rooms. Jimmy Fallon, the new host of The Tonight Show, has called him "a legend and an inspiration" and has written a foreword that makes clear the debt that today's talk show hosts owe to Dick Cavett. Brief Encounters opens the door on how Cavett's mind works and what it is like to live in his world.

To spend a few minutes or an hour or even a whole evening with Dick Cavett is an experience not to be missed, and now there's no reason to deny yourself. Settle in, and enjoy the conversation!

©2014 Richard A. Cavett (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Cavett at his best

What did you love best about Brief Encounters?

Cavett's style. He obviously enjoys being the smartest guy in the room. He has had a fascinating life and he shares it in perfectly sized doses.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cavett is Cavett.

Which character – as performed by Dick Cavett – was your favorite?

He did them all very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No- you don't want to use it up too quickly.

Any additional comments?

His sniping at conservatives- Cheney, Palin, Limbaugh- comes off as petty and dated.

Profound, Engaging, and Relentlessly Charming

Where does Brief Encounters rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Dick Cavett reads this collection of his NYT columns with such perfect delivery that you almost forget that he is a master of the spoken word. Every chapter is engaging, and Cavett manages to teach you about some much without even seeming to. A must listen!

Was decent until he got into the psyco-babble

Somewhat interesting until he gets into psyco-babble and philisopic-babble and his thoughts about the brain and dreams. Then he went off the deep end in a perfect example of 60's bull crap.

"Brief Encounters" a strong sequel to "Talk Show"

"Brief Encounters" is an intricate yet, entertaining use of language. Much in the same way that "Talk Show" was before it. This follow-up effort is quite enjoyable. Mr. Cavett remains a wonderful storyteller.

However, "Brief Encounters" is not quite as enthralling as "Talk Show. "There are plenty of interesting stores found in "Brief Encounters." one such story is about the time which Mr. Cavett spent with Muhammad Ali.

"Brief Encounters" retains the emotional impact of its predecessor. Mr. Cavett discusses subjects as: the country's calamity of gun deaths, alcoholism, mental illness, personal friends whom have died. The book of course, is filled with uplifting memories about both is famous friendships and childhood ones alike. I would say"Brief Encounters" is a must for anyone whom enjoys intelligent humor and honesty about the lived experience!

Cavett..once again brilliant

Dick Cavett seems to be one of the brightest, self effacing and interesting people on this earth. His stories are chock full of funny and interesting stories from his funny and interesting life. His wit and brilliance shine through in his performance and content in every spoken word (true about all his books). If he hadn't led the life he has he would have been an incredible professor...he has a way of capturing ones attention and imagination and you find yourself hanging on every word. To spend an evening in his company must be a very memorable and pleasent experience. Thank you for sharing.

Boring

Lifeless, boring fought through it, just. Was hoping for a lot more.
Want my credit back... :(

Hard to follow

Pass on this one. Much too drawn out and bland. No spice or belly laughs.

An Excellent Read!

I really lovced this memoire. So witty! I need to listen to more of Dick.

no intro by Jimmy Fallon, Cavett has lost his edge

First off, this audiobook claims to have an introduction by Jimmy Fallon but it doesn't.

Secondly, his musings are dated, out of touch and barely interesting.

A great book to listen to while you walk or drive

While I enjoyed the entire book, I thought that the essays and biographical elements of the first half were slightly superior to the stories which Cavett relates in the second half of the book.
But I would counsel anyone who has an interest in the era of television which Dick Cavett speaks about, to read this book. Or to listen to it.

Retrospective of a suave raconteur

Perhaps not as well-known here as in the U.S., Cavett is a kind of American Michael Parkinson —famous for interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono and a host of other stars, including Muhammad Ali. A silky intellectual with an easy, light-hearted style, Cavett is well-placed to offer celebrity insights. This is a collection of columns Cavett wrote, rather than a memoir, but it does contain some fascinating gems - the best is about his encounter with Stan Laurel, living out his final years in an LA apartment when Cavett goes to pay homage. Cavett’s discussion of his origins as a gag-writer for The Tonight Show is also fascinating. Here and there, he embarks on tangents featuring American comedians or entertainers I’d never heard of. But it’s testament to his gently self-deprecating tone that I was never tempted to abandon the book, after the first half-hour or so. My edition didn’t contain the Jimmy Fallon foreword. That aside, it’s a pleasant listen, and recommended for anyone with an interest in fame and the entertainment industry, and particularly the darker side of celebrity. It’s striking how many of those mentioned, from Richard Burton to Groucho Marx, had what might be described euphemistically as troubled personal lives.