Dick Clark (or someone like him) phoned this morning about a TV "biopic" that he wants to develop for ABC, based on my life. He seemed hot to play me himself, both "me's"--then and now. But the more he talked, the more he thought better of it--like this: "Wouldn't I be perfect for the young Ray Riffles? Of course! Who else? Gosh, there's a time when I would have killed for that role. But let's face it, I'm not 28 anymore. And as for Baba Ray NOW, that wouldn't exactly be Oscar-class casting either." (Sure wouldn't, Dick, you're still too old to play me--at any age.)

Anyway, after facing reality, he put on his Dick Clark Productions hat and got down to work, casting The Ray Riffles Story (working title only) in his mind. Some interesting Young Ray/Older Ray combinations that came up:

Ewan McGregor - Clint Eastwood (oh, sure--but wouldn't you be flattered?)
Mathew Perry - Dennis Hopper (closer, much closer)
Darrell Hammond - both parts (...with an eye to the budget)
Cedric the Entertainer - James Earl Jones (Quixotic, but conceptually fascinating)

Who would I propose?

Leonardo di Caprio - Ray Riffles (That's right: who knows the older Ray better than I do?)

Stay tuned.