What Might've Been: The Shape of Things (1982)

 George Schlatter was back on top at NBC with Real People. In the spring of 1982, he sold the network a short-term satire-variety series that really was an attempt to recapture the spirit of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, but built around women.

The Shape of Things, however, despite its concept, would not get past its 3 episode order. It wasn't that viewers weren't ready for it, the network actually fumbled the ball by not doing enough to promote it. Plus, each episode had a different set of hostesses. The one constant on the men's side was David Ruprecht ("The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island"), who I believe appeared in all three episodes.

The only complete episode available is the finale, headlined by Rita Moreno (9 to 5, ex-The Electric Company), Eileen Brennan (Private Benjamin, ex-13 Queens Boulevard), Donna Dixon (Bosom Buddies), and Nancy Dussault (Too Close For Comfort). Guests include Alan King, Robert Guillaume (Benson), Howie Mandel, six months away from St. Elsewhere & Laugh Trax, & Rhonda Bates (Speak Up America).

If they were going to treat King like that, they should've sent for Rodney Dangerfield, as that would've been more his schtick to get disrespected.

No rating. Just a public service. Baseball was priority 1 at my house in the spring.

MLB 2025 preview, part 4: Assessing the NL East

 The Philadelphia Phillies snapped the Atlanta Braves' string of NL East titles in 2024, but were eliminated in the division round by the Mets, the last team to end a string of Atlanta division titles in 2006. However, the Phillies, who haven't won a title in 16 years, have an albatross that could keep them from winning another title. More on that later.

For the Braves to reclaim the division, they need outfielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. and pitcher Ian Anderson to be completely healthy. Anderson appears to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery 2 years ago. The Braves, more concerned with Acuna, acquired Bryan De La Cruz from Miami as insurance. Assuming Anderson makes it back to Atlanta, he'll join a rotation quite different from when he was sent to Gwinnett 3 years ago. Max Fried is in New York (Yankees). Mike Soroka has made his way back to the division (Washington) after pitching for the White Sox last year. The new ace is Chris Sale, and Anderson figures to slot in as a #4 or #5 starter behind Sale, Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder, and prospect Spencer Schwellenbach.

Atlanta also acquired Jurickson Profar (San Diego), a former infielder who could move back in, a la Mookie Betts, if Ozzie Albies gets hurt again.

As for the Phillies, they were so sure they'd win the Pete Alonso sweepstakes in free agency, such that Bryce Harper, who converted to a 1st baseman due to injury, was willing to find another position. Harper, still looking for his first championship, is showing signs of maturity, if only it would show when he loses his temper over questionable strike calls. Alonso re-upped with the Mets, so Harper is set at 1st for the duration. Filling a need in the outfield, Philadelphia brought in Max Kepler (Minnesota), and signed Jesus Luzardo away from Miami to help shore up the pitching.

Harper could've been a champion if he'd stayed in Washington one extra year, but the Nationals haven't been the same since that 2019 title run. Former closer Sean Doolittle is now a "pitching strategist", which is something the stat geeks might understand. The biggest changes seem to be in the infield, where Washington brought in Nathaniel Lowe (Texas), Amed Rosario (finished 2024 in Cincinnati), and Paul DeJong (Kansas City), while welcoming back Josh Bell after he spent last year in Arizona. Add in rookie Darren Baker, the son of former player & manager Dusty Baker, and the Nats have plenty of pieces, but only 4 infield slots for starters.

Not impressed with the pitching after Jake Irvin was roasted by the Mets in a preseason game last week. The lack of depth on the mound could hurt more than help.

Speaking of help, Miami needs plenty of it, and it could lead to another pitcher from the 518 making it to "The Show". Amsterdam grad Dale Stanavich was invited to camp. Depending on how well he's done, he could be in the bigs before the year is out. Meanwhile, the Marlins reeled in Jonah Bride (Texas) and Matt Mervis (Cubs) to help in the infield, but losing De La Cruz, arguably their best outfielder last year, and Luzardo will be a problem. Sandy Alcantara is back after missing last season, but the rotation otherwis doesn't scare.

Projected order of finish:

1. Atlanta.

2. Mets.

3. Philadelphia.

3. (tie) Washington.

5. Miami.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Musical Interlude: Drift Away (2002-3)

 Uncle Kracker peaked at #9 on the Hot 100, and dominated the Adult Contemporary chart in 2003 with a cover of Dobie Gray's 1973 hit, "Drift Away". Part concert video, part concept video (location shooting in Kracker's hometown of Detroit), Gray joins Kracker in the 2nd half of the song.

"Drift" topped the Adult Contemporary chart for 7 months.

MLB 2025 preview, part 3: Sorting out the AL East

 In part 2, we sifted through the issues that the Yankees have had this preseason. I don't share the optimism of certain local sports personalities, and I'll leave it at that.

Now, let's take a look at the rest of the AL East;

In Boston, the big story was the Red Sox picking up pitcher Walker Buehler from the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, while Garrett Crochet was picked up from the Chicago White Sox after the Southsiders had a historically horrid 2024 campaign. Once feared closer Aroldis Chapman has made Boston his latest stop, for however long that lasts, but it's more likely that Liam Hendriks, who last pitched for Chicago in 2023, will be the closer if he's 100% healthy.

The other major headline in Beantown, of course, was the heisting of Alex Bregman from Houston, although they're talking about a position change for Bregman, rather than move incumbent 3rd baseman Rafael Devers. Bregman, paired with Devers and Trevor Story should give Boston plenty of infield firepower.

Missing from the Boston lineup is outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who has moved to Baltimore, where he's reunited with former St. Louis teammate Dylan Carlson, who played for Tampa Bay last season. The Orioles shored up their starting rotation with the acquisition of Charlie Morton (Atlanta). Outfielder Ramo Laureano also came over from Atlanta.

In Toronto, all the talk centers on whether or not Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. will follow through on his promise to test free agency after this season. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays got busy in free agency picking up pitchers Jeff Hoffman (Philadelphia) & Max Scherzer (Texas), infielder Andres Giminez (Cleveland), and outfielder Anthony Santander (Baltimore). But, as often happens, the Jays make splashy moves like this, but it doesn't bring them a postseason berth.

Back in Tampa Bay, damage to Tropicana Field caused by some hurricanes last fall has the Rays renting the Yankees' spring home, Steinbrenner Field, this season, as "The Trop" is due to reopen in 2026. The Rays' biggest move in the offseason was signing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (San Diego), and signing catchers Danny Jansen (Toronto) and Ben Rortvedt (Yankees). Not much to say otherwise.

Projected order of finish:

1. Toronto.

2. Yankees.

3. Baltimore.

3 (tie) Boston.

5. Tampa Bay.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Morris the Cat on Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous (1995)

 Not sure if this is from season 1 or 2 of Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous.

Anyway, 9 Lives' spokescat Morris (voice of John Erwin) gets profiled, along with trainer John Marwick. Narrator David Greenspan is quick to note that this is Morris II (the original passed away some years earlier).

It's worth noting that other famous feline, Garfield, parodied Lifestyles on his Saturday morning show, with Lifestyles host Robin Leach as a guest. I'll try to find that for Saturday Morning Archives.

MLB 2025 preview, part 2: The Yankees

 Defending the AL title is not going to be so easy for the Yankees in 2025, not when they're missing two of their starting pitchers and their designated hitter, and the parts they unloaded in the offseason could come back to haunt them, too.

It was announced Monday that Gerrit Cole, last seen impersonating a traffic cop in the final game of the World Series, would undergo Tommy John surgery, and miss the season. This came days after Rookie of The Year Luis Gil was sidelined with a lat strain that could keep him out for the first half of the season, maybe longer. Now, the decision to trade Nester Cortes to Milwaukee for closer Devin Williams doesn't look so smart, after all.

Add to that the fact that Marcus Stroman has made noises about possibly being traded, and, well, the dysfunction of the 70's Bronx Zoo has returned with a vengeance.

In addition to Williams, the Yankees brought in Max Fried & Tyler Matzek (Atlanta), the latter as a non-roster invite, and lured Carlos Carrasco (Cleveland) back to NY after his stint with the Mets ended. Also in camp as a non-roster invite is Brandon Leibrandt, son of Charlie Leibrandt, who pitched for Atlanta & Kansas City, among others, during his career.

But, you ask, how do the Yankees replace Juan Soto (Mets)? You sign Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis) and Cody Bellinger (Cubs). Goldschmidt replaces Anthony Rizzo at first base, and as of press time, Rizzo had not been signed elsewhere. 

It is the pitching, however, that is of greater concern. The Yankees gave up reliever Cody Poteet (Cubs), and have watched Clay Holmes become a rising star as a starter (Mets). JT Brubaker came over from Pittsburgh to help fill the void.

Hal Steinbrenner may not be as bombastic as his late father, George (the bombast was passed down to Hank, who passed away a while back), but he is stubbornly loyal to manager Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman, both of whom have worn out their welcome in the Bronx. However, if the Bombers run into a rough start, things might change. You can't run the risk of losing the back pages in NYC to the Mets again.

In part 3, we'll check the Red Sox and the rest of the AL East.

What Might've Been: Wizards & Warriors (1983)

 In the early 80's, role playing games, or, RPG's, were becoming a thing. I know this for a fact because my brother was in a group that got together every weekend, just about, for marathon sessions that spilled well into the wee ones.

So, it's fair to assume that Wizards & Warriors, a winter-spring replacement series for CBS that aired in 1983, might've been aimed at the RPG audience, as well as devotees of classic sword & sorcery.

Jeff Conaway ("Grease", ex-Taxi) and Duncan Regehr are warring princes. Julia Duffy and Randi Brooks co-star.

Following is the intro.

Regehr would cross over to the side of the good guys as Zorro 7 years later. Julia Duffy followed up Wizards with a more successful run on Newhart.

No rating. Saturdays back then meant bowling with my folks.