Driving Mr. Asner
Rob Taub
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I had the good fortune to meet Ed Asner more than 40 years ago when I was driving a yellow cab in New York City.
I was at the northeast corner of 57th and 7th when the back door slammed and a familiar voice rumbled, “Mr. Taub!!!” He’d obviously read my hack license and I certainly knew who he was, so in my best Lou Grant impression I replied, “Mr. Asner!!!”
For the next 15 minutes we talked about film, television and theater and it was as if we’d been friends for life. I told him that I’d been reading Irwin Shaw since I was 13 years old and I loved his work in Rich Man, Poor Man. He divulged some great backstage stories about The Three Penny Opera and I mentioned that my father had seen him in a play called The Connection and how my parents loved theater and recounted a story about them seeing Zero Mostel at the Cafe Wha? back in the day.
He asked about my background, and after finding out I attended Ithaca College, he said, “That’s great! So did Gavin McLeod and Richard Deacon.”
We continued chatting after we’d reached his destination and I remember the conversation as if it took place yesterday. He not only left me a generous tip, but Ed Asner made a lasting impression on a 22 year old boy by treating me with a kindness and respect that I still find rare today as a man of 65.
Thanks, Mr. Asner.
The Russian Tea Room is serving up a new type of dish…
Located steps from Broadway, the New York institution has been a go-to gathering spot for artists, celebrities, and royalty since its opening nearly 100 years ago and Broadway at The Russian Tea Room is a weekly one-hour AM radio show/streaming/podcast dedicated to productions from Broadway, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and every venue in between.
Host Rob Taub is a devoted advocate of the arts, previous host of radio programs on iHeart Radio as well as a long-time contributor to People Magazine. Rob is also a national spokesperson for Know Diabetes By Heart. Broadway at The Russian Tea Room has created a “safe space” for actors, writers, directors and producers to discuss their achievements, artistic dreams, hysterical off-nights, and continued hopes as they share stories about their careers.
Broadway at The Russian Tea Room is a unique program, with a host who’s been attending a wide range of productions for more than 50 years. We reach a sizable audience across the globe, and we are not here to review or critique, but rather to promote and support the arts.
The program airs Sundays from 5 – 6 pm on 970 AM and is live streamed at www.am970theanswer.com Podcasts can be found here: https://omny.fm/shows/broadway-at-the-russian-tea-room/playlists/podcast
Tune in Sunday at 5pm on 970 AM or livestream here.
Podcasts of past shows!
Rob Taub has enjoyed an eclectic career in film, television, radio and journalism. His work in television has encompassed everything from scripted comedies to producing World Wrestling Entertainment. As a journalist Rob has written more than 200 articles for top tier outlets including People Magazine, Foxnews.com The Cauldron/SI and The Huffington Post. Rob’s distinctive voice can be heard in several of the Coen Brothers most memorable movies including Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink. Rob has made more than 200 appearances as a political pundit/humorist on Fox News where he shares his unique perspective on the world with viewers. He also plays the role of Russell Carlton on The Onion News Network and is a regular contributor to numerous Sirius XM Radio shows where he offers his opinions on politics, sports and popular culture. Rob hosted Tech Hub, a weekly radio show on WOR-AM and is a frequent speaker/commentator on type 2 diabetes as well as being a spokesperson for Know Diabetes by Heart, a joint venture of the American Heart Association. His new radio program, Broadway at The Russian Tea Room can be heard on AM970 The Answer on Sundays from 5 – 6 pm. Rob serves on the Board of Directors of the Foreign Press Correspondents Association. Rob is a graduate of Ithaca College. Learn more about Rob at www.robtaub.com twitter @robmtaub
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