The answer is blowing in the wind

Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

Joan Baez performs during a concert for folk music legend Pete Seeger at Madison Square Garden in Nedw York on May 3, 2009 marking his 90th birthday. Proceeds from the show will go to Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an organization founded by the singer 40 years ago to preserve and protect the Hudson River. AFP PHOTO/TIMOTHY A. CLARY

LOS ANGELES - Joan Baez won't be serenading me anytime soon. During a TV Critics Press Tour news conference for her upcoming "American Masters" profile on PBS, I asked about her current relationship with former boyfriend Bob Dylan, who agreed to be interviewed for the documentary. "Well, I really don't have one," said Baez, speaking via satellite from Newport, R.I. When I pressed the issue, the singer shot me a look that suggested the next time she plays Minneapolis, she'll probably close her concert by smashing a guitar over my head. I had a much easier time later in the evening hanging with punk legend Patti Smith, who may be ferocious onstage but is beyond charming in casual conversation. I managed to be slightly less offensive at the cocktail party following the TV critics' annual awards show, despite the fact that I temporarily stole Bryan Cranston's award, confessed my crush on "The Big Bang Theory's" Kaley Cuoco to her co-star Kunal Nayyar and lost five bucks, no thanks to Alan Ball. I bet a friend that Ball would be unaware that there's a noted English soccer player who shares his name. To my chagrin, Ball had heard of the chap, thanks to his "American Beauty" collaborator Sam Mendes. After forking over the dough, I told Ball I would no longer be watching his show, "True Blood." "Don't hate the show," he pleaded. "Hate the man."

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