When Jack Jett asked me to come on his radio talk show as a guest co-host last Sunday, Aug. 2, joining him and John No Dough in the role of "third mic," I was hesitant. Because I'm really not a talkative guy. (In fact, I was just now tempted to write "I am not a loquacious fellow," which should convey the sense that I'm more of a thoughtful, self-indulgent scribbler than a snappy & spontaneous conversationalist.)

Furthermore, I couldn't help but think back to my last experience "appearing" on a live radio program, when I joined Chris Vognar and Krys Boyd on the think show a couple of years ago to talk about upcoming Fall films. Christopher Kelly was supposed to be joining us this time -- which would have populated the tally sheet with three "chris's" (or two "chris's" and a "krys," for you sticklers in the reading audience) and one John -- but he had a last-minute conflict and was forced to cancel, leaving me and Vognar to cover the subject.

You might note (if you were prone to note such things) that I have not made a "reappearance" on the think show to talk about film -- or anything else, for that matter. This might be because I had so little to contribute to the last conversation. In my defense, I came fully prepared to talk at length about upcoming Fall films, but Krys kind of threw us a curve ball by directing a good portion of the conversation to films from earlier in the year. (Sly, very sly.) For Vognar -- a seasoned professional (and a really great and friendly guy, I hasten to add) -- this presented no problem whatsoever; but the truth of the matter was that I had just recently gotten my start in the film coverage role, and thus had only actually seen about half of the movies Krys referenced. Which led me to repeat on several occasions: "Well, I actually didn't see that one. Hehe."

Anyway, mindless of this internal baggage, I told Jack I'd be pleased to do his show, and so arrived at the Rational Radio studios (off Carpenter Fwy. near Mockingbird) about half an hour before airtime. Jack and John made me comfortable, got my headphones and mic set to go, pointed out my cough button, and then we went over the two-hour program schedule. David, the audio tech and producer, manned the control booth as we prepared to go live.

Our call-in guest list included Jon Kelly (a guy who finds hidden messages in backwards-played audio -- including some eerily foreshadowing stuff surrounding the Challenger shuttle disaster); Sandra Bernhard (comedian, singer, and outspoken social commentator -- in addition to being Jack's designated "Jewish sistah"); Matthias Meinharter, a founding member of the Vienna-based Vegetable Orchestra (a musical performance group which actually plays fresh vegetables, and then ends the event by making a soup out of them for the audience to consume); and -- as more or less the headliner -- Michael Ian Black, whose new Comedy Central show, "Michael & Michael Have Issues," is currently getting a good deal of attention. (At least on Comedy Central).

Small problem: Michael Ian neglected to call in, leaving us with about a half-hour to fill with extemporizing. Which is how I came to discover what dead-solid radio professionals Jack and his crew really are. During the commercial breaks, they prepped discussion topics and we carried on with the show with nary a hiccup; I found myself conversing semi-intelligently on such topics as the birther movement, the history of Texas Gigs / Pegasus News, how many beer cans I threw out onto John Carpenter Fwy. on the way into the station, and -- naturally -- upcoming Fall films. Which brought me full circle and with a hint of nostalgia back to my earlier radio days.

(O.K., make that "day.")

Anyhow, it was great to see that Jack is recovering nicely from his heart bypass surgery, and it was cool to observe him in his element, which is -- most definitely -- behind the microphone.

And for those who heard me state on the air that we have a president with "Saddam" in his name, just remember: I'm a more careful writer than a conversationalist.

(Oh, and Michael Ian Black: phone home!)