Joel Daly at the Beverly Arts Center (Photos & Commentary)

Joel was at his best yesterday on stage at the Beverly Arts Center. Penny Golden asked all the right questions, and Joel had the audience in the palm of his hand. The highlight of the afternoon was probably the moment he read one of his old commentaries from the book...about the first day of school for his daughter. He teared up in the middle of it, and so did every single person in the auditorium (even this emotionless German-American reporter).

"Sorry," he said, after regaining his composure, "It's the Irish thing. We have bladders of tears behind our eyes."

He stayed for quite a while after the interview, answering audience questions, signing autographs, and chatting with everyone...