EP 502: John Lithgow Takes on Trump in Rhyme and Verse

John Lithgow shares some of his favorite poems from his new book Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown: Verses for a Despotic Age and how a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous song inspired him to express his political voice through rhyme and verse. He reveals that he originally wanted to go into fine art instead of acting, how his poetry books have returned him to his childhood love of drawing, and why the motley cast of characters around Donald Trump serve as endless sources of inspiration for his humorous illustrations. We also discuss his magnificent turns as Roger Ailes and Winston Churchill on screen, how this classically trained actor was convinced to play an alien on the hit sitcom Third Rock from the Sun, and how Twilight Zone: The Movie has made him every flight attendant’s favorite star. We talk about his series of books and albums for children, we dig into his dark poem about the President’s deadly mishandling of the Coronavirus, and John ponders whether might he one day want to star as Trumpty Dumpty himself.

Order his book Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown: Verses for a Despotic Age on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Be sure to check out some of John's celebrity video readings of Trumpty Dumpty on Youtube and follow John on Twitter @JohnLithgo. Today's episode was sponsored by Freeform's new series Kal Penn Approves This Message, now streaming new episodes on Wednesdays on Hulu.