Q&A;

By Joel Stein Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000
    • Henry Winkler co-stars in Neil Simon's The Dinner Party on Broadway.

    Q. Not only was I the youngest person in the audience, but my mom was the second youngest. Do you find yourself having to talk loudly during performances?

    A. No. The audience comes equipped with its own ear horns. They block people's view, but all hear perfectly.

    Q. When you first found out John Ritter was in the play, did you think, "God, I can't believe I have to work with a washed-up sitcom actor"?

    A. No. I thought, "Here's a friend I've known since 1976."

    Q. Is Neil Simon physically abusive?

    A. He uses his tongue as a whip, but I've never seen him use his fists.

    Q. You ever take out the Fonzie action figures and play with them?

    A. When I am depressed, I have been known to mutilate my Fonzie doll. Mostly with pins.

    Q. Would Fonzie think I'm cool?

    A. Yes, definitely.

    Q. You're just saying that.

    A. His brother was Richie. Richie was a journalist. I don't lie.

    Q. Fonzie and Richie weren't brothers.

    A. I considered him to be my brother. I was very emotional.

    Q. Why hasn't Ron Howard given you any work since Night Shift?

    A. Joel, I'm putting you in charge of finding that out, because it's disgraceful. I remember his birthday every year.

    Q. How did the play do in Washington?

    A. I got to meet Bob Edwards, one of my idols. He is the newsman on Morning Edition on NPR. He is one of the great radio minds of all time.

    Q. Did he interview you?

    A. Yes.

    Q. Are you going to talk about me like that after this?

    A. I'm not sure yet, Joel.