Comic Jeff Cesario, who has been writing for new TV shows starring Russell Brand and Queen Latifah, returns to the Twin Cities June 21-22 at Moe's in Mounds View. While doing research for a pilot for a History Channel retro comedy, "The Dick Rossi Show," Cesario fell in love with a Rat Pack video.

jon bream

"I don't care if you're 16 years old or 90, do yourself a favor and download 'Sinatra Live at the Sands With Count Basie' from 1966, I believe. It's a perfect musical capsule of the spirit of that time — confident, sometimes bittersweet, but always, always moving forward, always in fifth gear. It just roars at you. It'll seriously renew your faith in America."