Before his canine memoir Marley and Me
turned four-legged misbehavior into publishing industry gold and sold three million copies, Grogan delighted Philadelphia Inquirer
readers with his weekly columns centered on the foibles of contemporary suburban life. While 78-year-old Laugh-In
star Arte Johnson rises to the occasion with competence and grace, he still seems a rather baffling choice to perform the musings of a baby boomer husband and father. According to reports in the trade media, Grogan does not approve of how his previous employer has chosen to organize, market and republish his columns in book form. While stories about animals make up only one of the package's six disks, the title and cover imply a Marley sequel. Given Grogan's undeniable talent and the loyalty of his fans, the recycling of old material without his input seems especially disheartening. With more context and vision, Bad Dogs Have More Fun
could have been transformed from a reasonably decent listening experience into something special. Simultaneous release with the Vanguard Press hardcover. (Sept.)
