Easiest way to get count val from mysql in bash -

maybe should use python or perl dont know any.

i have 4 statements , check if there errors longer hour. user setup dont need enter mysql user/pass. statement in mysql_webapp_error_check.sh

#!/bin/bash mysql testdb -e "select count(*) tbl last_error_date < date_sub(now(), interval 1  hour);" 

how make give me return value (count(*)) instead of printing screen?

then i'll write if statement , output stdout/err cron use email me (otherwise want script silent nothing emailed unless theres problem)

#!/bin/bash echo show databases\; | mysql -u root | (while read x;   echo "$x"   y="$x" done echo "$y" )