In Ted Merwin’s charming Back of the Book piece (“A Phone Call From Grandma,” July 27), he might have included mention of the late Jewish comedian Shelley Berman’s classic routine from his best-selling comedy album, “Outside Shelly Berman.”
The bit was entitled “Franz Kafka on the Telephone,” and can be heard on YouTube. On the comedy album cover, Mr. Berman can be seen talking on the telephone. He also performed it on the TV variety show “Hollywood Palace” in 1964.
Manhattan