Howard Cozell

For non-American readers: the late Howard Cozell was a famous television sports broadcaster. One of his former colleagues, Al Michaels, has written a book that includes some anecdotes about Cozell.

The following quote is from the New York Post's article about the book.

Cosell was reaching “a new level of surliness,” and after a horrible broadcast during the 1984 baseball playoffs where he was noticeably drunk, he harangued Michaels about his baseball knowledge, then told him, “you need to learn how to take a stand.”

Michaels followed his advice immediately, excoriating Cosell for “drinking all night” and ruining the telecast.

 "I’ll take a stand right now, Howard,” Michaels said. “The next time you’re in this shape when we’re doing a game, either you’re not going to be there or I’m not going to be there. Is that a good enough stand for you?”

My Letter to The Atlantic

I wrote my Letter to the Atlantic Monthly in response to an article appearing in June 2006 which included a  supposedly complete list of US Presidents with "mental problems."  Although the list included Franklin Pierce and US Grant, both of whom displayed (to use their wishy-washy phrase) "alcohol dependence," they overlooked a President I include in my book. My Letter which appeared in the August 2006 edition of the magazine read as follows:

I’m surprised that the list of presidents identified as suffering from a “mental illness” makes no mention of Andrew Johnson’s alcoholism. During his tenure as military governor of Tennessee, observers suspected Johnson of absenting himself from his duties for days while on benders. After being elected as Abraham Lincoln’s second-term vice president, Johnson spent the night before the inauguration drinking with friends. Scheduled to make brief remarks to the Senate, he gulped down two huge brandies in front of witnesses, staggered into the Senate, and delivered a rambling and incoherent speech that mortified Lincoln.

James Graham
Author, Vessels of Rage: The Secret History of Alcoholism
Lexington, Va.

 

Michael Phelps going to rehab after DWI

"Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps announced Sunday he’s checking into rehab following his recent DWI bust.

"Phelps, who has won 18 gold medals in the Olympic pool, was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence Tuesday in Maryland."

Frank Sinatra

In their 2005 book Sinatra:The Life authors Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan write extensively (on pages 325-327) about the singer's drinking. They quote Dr. Robert Morse, chairman of the Medical/Scientific Committee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: "There is little doubt that Sinatra had a serious 'drinking problem.'  ... To have such a high tolerance—I see references to consumption of a bottle a day of Jack Daniel's—is the most specific symptom. One can have this kind of tolerance only by becoming an alcoholic. Much of what we know about Sinatra's drinking is consistent with alcoholism."

Anthony Summers contacted me prior to publication. Based on portions of the unpublished manuscript he shared with me, including references to his reported bottle-a-day habit I told him I thought "Sinatra was an alcoholic." He quotes me on page 327 of the published book. 

Jack Daniel's currently has a number of commercials on American television featuring Sinatra. One can be viewed here, another here and yet another here.

Ray Rice Swears off Hard Liquor ...

... but he continues to drink wine.

I have news for Ray Rice: alcohol is alcohol is alcohol.

If you don't know what why NFL footballer Ray Rice is making news view this video.

Which Country Drinks the Most Alcohol?

National alcohol consumption statistics tend to be accurate for one simple reason: alcohol is a popular source of tax revenue in most countries.

Based on this survey Ireland doesn't deserve its reputation as the home of boozers. Citizens in twenty other countries out-drink them.

King Richard III may have been a drunk

King Richard III may have been a drunk say researchers who claim he drank three litres of alcohol every day.

Scientists have built up new picture of King after tests on bones and teeth Identified significant changes to alcohol intake after he was crowned in 1483 Showed 25 per cent increase in alcohol consumption ...