httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyqJpPPwJUM

Because the CBC doesn’t see fit to allow non-Canadians to watch material they post on YouTube, for crying out loud, I’ve moved the CBC clip I posted earlier after the jump.  Replacing it above is an excerpt from an upcoming documentary on Richler, “The Last of the Wild Jews,” premiering on Bravo! in March.  For good measure, I’ve added another clip after the jump in which Richler takes a swipe at Canada for being so Canadian (we’re nice and all, but, sheesh, he’s got a point).  Sadly, because it too is a CBC clip, it cannot be viewed by non-Canadians.

Today is Mordecai Richler‘s birthday (1931-2001).

Here’s a little anecdote from Richler’s On Snooker:

When Northrop Frye discovered that my friend Bob Weaver golfed, he was appalled.  “I had no idea you engaged in executive sports, Bob,” he said.  (83)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byF2xLVcxsU

Mordecai Richler on the writing process in a CBC feature from 1971

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJ-FHhHXpY

Richler, then living in London, makes some not very flattering observations about Canada (i.e. “boring” and rather too pinched and fastidious)