What Might've Been: Eischied (1979)

 Eischeid was one of David Gerber's last projects for Columbia Pictures Television, along with the equally ill-fated David Cassidy: Man Undercover, the latter a spin-off from Police Story. Joe Don Baker ("Walking Tall") had the title role for his only series gig. 

Unfortunately, NBC fumbled by putting Eischeid opposite Dallas. Ballgame over.

In this sampler, Eischeid must clear Captain Finnerty (Alan Oppenheimer) of a murder charge. Jim Backus and Shelley Berman guest star.

In memory of Baker, 89, who has passed away. No rating out of respect.

How Pepsi brought a couple together (1981)

 One of the better ads in the "Pepsi Generation" ad campaign of the early 80's was this gem from 1981. It's a middle school dance, and a young boy is being encouraged to ask a girl to dance with him, especially seeing as how she doesn't have a date (or so it'd appear). Turns out she's a wee bit taller, so, she has to take her shoes off to dance with him.

This is the longer version.

Oh, this was SO adorable.

Celebrity Rock: Ringo (1964)

 Bonanza star Lorne Greene scored a mammoth hit on the country charts in 1964 with "Ringo", a tale about a lawman's final meeting with an old friend turned outlaw.

An Allan Sherman fan channel posted the video.

In his career, Greene also recorded vocals for the Bonanza theme, and his last known recording was in the mid-80's animated musical, "Heidi's Song".

Notes from around town

 Back in January, WTEN meteorologist Steve Caporizzo had announced his retirement, taking effect at the end of June. The Pet Connection segments during the 5:30 pm news will continue, however, after June 30.

Now comes word that WRGB senior anchor Liz Bishop, who started as a weekend sports reporter all the way back in 1973 as a graduate of UAlbany, is hanging up her microphone, too.

Bishop, currently co-anchoring the 10 pm news on sister station WCWN, was inducted into the NY broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016. Her retirement leaves WTEN/WXXA's John Gray as the last of the old guard anchors still working. WRGB will honor Bishop with a special on May 30, which may be her last night.

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Eight months ago, a teenager from Canada was arrested for a swatting hoax at Bethlehem High School.

Apparently, enough time has passed where some other jabroni thought it'd be a good idea to make pseudo-terroristic threats to schools in the 518, as we're more than a month away from graduation.

Doane Stuart School, and the accompanying Nurses College Charter High School, in Rensselaer, Myers Middle School and KIPP Community School in Albany, were closed today out an abundance of caution WNYT is reporting that Hackett Middle School also received threats. Police in both Rensselaer & Albany are currently investigating.

Some people just don't want to get the message.

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For years, Spencer's Gifts was a staple at Crossgates Mall.

Now, a new Spencer's, complete with a new logo, is poised to open in downtown Troy, occupying space in the former Trojan Hardware building that is home to other business tenants.

A sign in the window reads, "Coming soon", but no date has been announced for the opening. The new shop will stand alongside Star & Sparkle, a shop dedicated to the supernatural, among other things.

Pete Rose is reinstated, and eligible for baseball's Hall of Fame

 Pete Rose, whose career ended with his banishment from Major League Baseball in 1989 due to his gambling on baseball, and on his own team, was reinstated, along with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and the rest of the Black Sox of 1919, by Commissioner Rob Manfred, who announced additionally that from this point, "lifetime" bans will end with the passing of a banned individual. Rose passed away last fall.

ESPN offers more:

It wasn't so long ago that president Trump had stumped for Rose's reinstatement, though his motives weren't exactly honest. He just wanted something else to take credit for, and you know he will.

There are those who feel Manfred made a mistake, because this would open the door for accused cheaters like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemens to finally get into the Hall as well. Time will tell.

Free music in the hometown 2025

 If you're waiting for Albany's Alive at 5 to begin its season, why not cross the river to Troy for some free music?

We'll start with Ryan's Wake on River Street.

Ryan's Wake logo

Tomorrow: Maggie's Clan

May 21: The Accents.

May 28: Beadle Brothers.

June 4: Yacht Lobsters.

June 11: Troy Music Revue.

June 18: Unforgettable Fire (U2 tribute band).

And as the Ryan's Wake series ends, Rockin' on The River begins with a 4 show schedule. Concerts are scheduled on an every other week basis.

June 25: Skeeter Creek w/Chris Sanders. Rain date is July 7.

July 9: Ginger Geezus w/Deb Zep Duo. Rain date July 16.

July 23: Side B w/Shannon Tehya & Hunter Frost. Rain date July 30.

August 6: Lucid Street w/Ky McClinton Duo. Rain date August 13.

As soon as Powers Park's summer lineup is available, we'll post it here.

Just call him the Orange Grinch

 We'll start with Farron Cousins as he discusses Donald Trump's latest harebrained scheme.....

For years, the GOPers falsely claimed there was a war on Christmas, but now, it seems they'd be on board with the Orange Grinch and his 100% tariffs on Mattel.

But I think we know who wouldn't be on board, and that would be WWE, which has a licensing deal with Mattel dating back to 2009. Today's action figures don't come cheap to begin with, but jacking up prices of WWE action figures (i.e. Bron Breakker, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley) will make a lot of kids very upset if their parents can't afford them.

The idea behind this is that Trump wants all products to be made in the USA, instead of being outsourced to China and elsewhere. Once again, that has the stench of his head troll, Stephen Miller, giving him bad ideas. And this is the nuttiest of bad ideas.

Watch. It won't take long before Trump backs off again on the tariffs, and his brand of bullying is getting tiresome.