On The Shelf: A collection of Halloween horrors and odd surprises

 Archie Comics' latest horror 1-shot, Fear The Funhouse: Toybox of Terror, is a mixed bag.

Evelyn Evernever, who some of you might know as an adult from Riverdale, makes a rare comics appearance in the framing sequence of this 1-off. Artist Ryan Caskey drew inspiration from Gray Morrow, who worked for Archie, DC, and other companies in his career. Unfortunately, the need for text space at the end of the book cuts Timmy Heague's script a wee bit short, though the twist ending is right out of the ol' DC mystery playbook (1968-83). On the opposite end of the artistic spectrum is Ryan Jampole, whose SoCal Arts influence is evident. His short is too short as well.

On the whole, Toybox sends up Chucky and the recent movie, "M3GAN". Maybe they should've tried mocking Goosebumps.

Rating: B-.

Gold Key Comics is back. That's the good news. The bad? No clue as to scheduling. Their website says that issue 2 of Boris Karloff: Gold Key Mysteries is "in production", which means who knows when it'll be out. Not only that, but the unlisted cover price ($6) would defray the cost of licensing to Karloff's estate, and likely whatever crowdfunding GK is using, if any.

On to the 1st issue. You know it's a 21st century comic book when coarse language is freely used. Maybe it reflects how it'd translate in movie form, I suppose. If it was a 1-shot, I'd be okay with it. Michael W. Conrad & Steve Orlando are among the writers. The artwork tries to pay homage not only to GK's past glories, but there are influences of some of this generation's creators, including Mike Mignola, so there's that.

Rating: B-.

Marvel revived Crypt of Shadows, but, like last month's Werewolf by Night issue, this appears to be a 1-shot meant to direct readers to other titles, such as the current Scarlet Witch & Incredible Hulk books, and a new Spider-Man 2099, due in January. Victor Strange, the vampiric brother of Doctor Stephen Strange, makes a rare appearance, and will play into whatever is coming up for the good Doctor. Victor is our host, after a sort. Man-Thing, Daredevil, Deadpool, and the Werewolf (Jack Russell) are all here. It's just too bad Marvel can't commit to a regular anthology like this again.

Rating: B.

Dynamite weighs in with a Halloween Special issue of Gargoyles, not connected to current continuity (the current series ends in December, or is supposed to, as it's fallen behind of late). What happens when a young Gargoyle goes trick or treating? As a certain fellow from Melmac once put it, "utter chaos". Artist Diego Bonesso would be a good choice as artist if/when the next series begins.

Rating: A.

Finally, a trio of Trick or Read specials from Marvel.

The best of the lot is a Spidey & His Amazing Friends 1-shot that has both stories and activities for the little ones. Too bad they can't see the show anymore, unless it's on Disney+, since Disney Junior was booted from Spectrum Cable last month.

Rating: A.

The others are samplers from Amazing Spider-Man & Star Wars: The High Republic for the sake of luring new readers to those books. We won't rate.

Next time: The Justice League meet two legendary movie monsters, and Wesley Dodds gets his due. We'll see ya later.

Baby be unhinged: Judge Chutkan reinstates a partial gag order on Donald Trump, and you know what happens next

 Donald John Narcissus Munchausen Trump is 77 years of age physically. Mentally, he's somewhere between 2 and 3 1/2. Understandably, there will be those "senior moments" when he can't remember where he is, as was the case at a recent rally, or who he actually beat 7 years ago (Hillary Clinton, not Barack Obama, who was term-limited out).

However, there are more of those tantrums on Truthless Social where he rages on things going against him.

For example, late last week, Judge Arthur Engoron in NYC ruled that Ivanka Trump would have to testify in the civil trial. Then, the predictable reaction.

"NO! She shouldn't have to testify! WAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Ivanka was originally scheduled to testify Friday, but that's been pushed back to November 8. Brothers Dumb & Dumber (Donald, Jr. & Eric, of course), will testify Wednesday & Thursday, respectively. No word on whether or not Jared Kushner will be called in, but I'd imagine he would.

After former Vice President Mike Pence withdrew from the 2024 race, Trump suggested that Pence could endorse him, if but to mend fences, nearly 3 years after Trump cheered on a rebellion calling for Pence's head.

Today, Judge Tanya Chutkan, in Washington, reinstated a partial gag order on the Archduke of Affluenza, who responded the only way he knows how:

"WAAAAHHHH! She hates me! WAAAAHHHH!"

The only way anyone is going to be able to shut him up is to lock him up pro tempore, and keep him away from Truthless Social. Judges Engoron & Chutkan have cause to put the Tangerine Traitor in jail for contempt, so what's stopping them? Fear of reprisal, I suspect. Trump wants to control the narrative to keep his brainwashed base ignorant of facts & details. He's conned them for 8 years or better, making them think he's giving them what they want while fleecing them dry.

And, there is the 14th amendment case in Colorado. If Trump is disqualified from the ballot there next year, he will send his legal beagles from the law firm of Three Blind Mice & Associates to appeal. They're better off trying to save Lauren Gropert's bacon first.

And if those appeals fail, including in the Supreme Court, you'll get this:

"WAAAAHHHHH!"

Weasel of The Week: Kandiss Taylor and other right wing vaccine deniers

 Hollywood has been in mourning all weekend.

First, respected actor Richard Moll, 80, passed away earlier in the week. Best known for playing bailiff Bull Shannon on the original Night Court, Moll shifted gears to become a voice actor in the 90's, essaying the role of tragic DA-turned-villain Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face, on Batman: The Animated Series.

Then, on Saturday, Friends co-star Matthew Perry, 54, passed away after apparently drowning in his bathtub.

This is where our story begins.

Rolling Stone is reporting that anti-vaccine nutjobs on the right, including failed Georgia candidate for governor Kandiss Taylor, are trying to claim Perry died due to taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

As usual, Taylor has no evidence to back up her pathetic claims, and now, she's gotten into the habit of clout chasing, piggy-backing on the fame of celebrities. First, she went after singer Taylor Swift (bad idea). Now, she takes a cheap shot at Perry. Unless you've got hard evidence to back up your claims, Kandiss, do us all a favor and shut up!! People like you have been whining about COVID vaccines for three years now, and that's three years too many!

All you're getting from this desk, Kandiss, is a set of Weasel ears. Other right wingers will get the ears as well, but we'll close with this. Kandiss, your 15 minutes should be up. Go away!

Donald Trump needs to grow up, man up, and shut up

 Baron Trumphausen is getting desperate. 

To the point where he is asking for help from an unlikely source, namely, NY Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat. As if she'll actually cross party lines to throw America's Oldest Baby a lifeline in his fraud case in NYC.

Farron Cousins explains.

The fact that Trumphausen did what he does best on Truthless Social---lie, lie, lie-----amplifies his guilt. The attorneys assigned to the case in New York---Alina Habba-Dabba-Doo and Christopher Kise (rhymes with peace)----have only wrecked their careers in service to a toddler who never grew up mentally.

"WAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"

As soon as this case concludes, likely before Christmas, there will be the inevitable appeals that are actually useless, given how Trumphausen has had his lawyers throw out frivolous motions in an effort to get his case in Washington tossed, and that didn't work, the appeals will be a waste of time.

Once this is over, the rest of the dominoes, in Washington and Atlanta, in particular, will fall, too, to the point that whatever Aileen (Shot From a) Cannon does in Florida will be irrelevant at the end.

Of course, you know what Trumphausen gets here:

Bellevue is waiting.

It comes down to this: World Series preview

 Now, we're down to 2.

The 2023 World Series begins tonight in Arlington, Texas, as the Rangers play the Arizona Diamondbacks. Two Wild Card teams which led their divisions during the regular season, only to fade late.

Arizona won the regular season series between the teams, 3-1. Job one for Torey Luvullo and the D-Backs is to maintain the momentum from taking the last two games of the NLCS in Philadelphia and bouncing the Phillies from the tournament. The Phillies have their own baggage, but that's another story.

One catalyst for Arizona is outfielder Tommy Pham, acquired from the Mets around the trade deadline. Another ex-Met, Paul Sewald, is Arizona's closer after coming over from Seattle. During last off-season, Arizona traded for Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. (Toronto). Rookie Corbin Carroll is considered a front-runner for Rookie of The Year honors. The rotation, however, bent, but didn't break against Philadelphia. The D-Backs are hoping Zac Gallen will find his range vs. the Rangers.

When the season began, the Rangers were banking on an all-star starting rotation featuring ex-Met Jacob deGrom, along with Jon Gray and Nathan Eovaldi. Unfortunately, deGrom didn't last, and had to undergo Tommy John surgery just a few weeks into the season. So, Texas acquired injury-prone Max Scherzer from the Mets at the deadline, and he's had injury issues as well, getting lit up by Houston in the ALCS. Eovaldi has stepped up to become the Rangers' de facto ace. That veteran rotation is surrounded mostly by youth on defense. Catcher Jonah Heim, for example, is in his 3rd season.

So it becomes a case of who's hungrier. The last time Arizona got this far, they upset the Yankees in 2001 behind veteran starters Randy Johnson & Curt Schilling. Texas made its only World Series appearance 10 years ago under Ron Washington. Bruce Bochy, he of the 3 rings with San Francisco, was brought in, seemingly as the final piece of the puzzle.

Former president and Rangers owner George W. Bush will throw out the first pitch tonight. You know what would be really cool? A certain "Texas Rattlesnake" showing up to do the same during the Series at the request of Fox. Yeah. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Since Smackdown is being bumped to FS1 tonight, and, presumably, next Friday if the series goes at least six games, it'd make some sense. Just sayin'.

The pick: Arizona in 6. Of course, I could be wrong.

Post-season record: 5-5.

On DVD: Harvey (1958)

 Mary Chase's whimsical tale of a man and his invisible best friend was adapted for television for the first time on CBS' DuPont Show of The Month in 1958.

"Harvey" made its way to the small screen 8 years after the original feature film based on Chase's 1944 play, starring James Stewart, had been released. Art Carney (ex-The Honeymooners) steps into Stewart's role as Elwood P. Dowd, an eccentric man about town whose best friend is an invisible, 6', 3 1/2 " rabbit named Harvey. Our ensemble also includes Marion Lorne (ex-Mister Peepers), Jack Weston, Larry Blyden, Charlotte Rae, Fred Gwynne, & Elizabeth Montgomery.

Producer David Susskind and his Talent Associates group retained the television rights, and 14 years later, mounted a shorter version for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, then on NBC. Stewart and Jesse White returned to reprise their roles from the movie, and Gwynne, six years removed from The Munsters, would reprise his role from this production as the cab driver. The 1972 version also included the husband & wife team of Martin Gabel and Arlene Francis.

Marion Lorne & Elizabeth Montgomery, as you know, would reunite on Bewitched during the first half of the series' run, with Lorne as Aunt Clara. Gwynne, as you also know, would co-star on Car 54, Where Are You?, with Charlotte Rae in a supporting role, just 3 years after the above production. Larry Blyden fronted his own sitcom, Harry's Girls, before transitioning into a game show host up until his tragic passing in 1975.

Rating: B.

GOP stupidity in the 518

 12 years ago, campaign operatives for Republican mayoral candidate Carmella Mantello mounted a last ditch attack campaign against her Democratic challenger, Rensselaer County legislator Lou Rosamilia of Hudson Valley Community College. Four days before the election, the attack ad aired on television, but the plan backfired, and Rosamilia was elected to his only term as mayor.

It seems that the local GOP hasn't learned its lesson.

Mantello, the current City Council president, is running again, this time against another 1st term county legislator and former pastor, Nina Nichols. This time, with 2 weeks before the election, Mantello's camp has decided on another smear campaign. Check this ad:

Unless they can prove their claims, Team Mantello will lose again. The accusation of Nichols, an ordained minister, remember, supporting Hamas, is a red flag right out of the national GOP playbook. I don't know who's in charge of Mantello's campaign, but, like, come on! Do better! Taking remarks out of context is typical political theatre, but in this era, it has no place in regional politics. Given the clouds of controversy surrounding the local GOP in recent months, this is the wrong path to take.

The recommendation from this desk is to find a few copies of the writings of George Santayana, and send them to Mantello and her staff.

What Might've Been: ABC Carnival '74 (1974)

 A midway on daytime television?!?! 

Well, you can't fault Monty Hall & Stefan Hatos for trying.

With Let's Make a Deal & Split Second already on the air, the two producers were looking to add a 3rd series to ABC's daytime lineup. ABC Carnival '74 didn't get past the pilot stage, but if it did, announcer-barker Johnny Gilbert (no relation to ye scribe), still going strong nearly 50 years later, would've had a steady on-camera gig for the first time since fronting his own show in the 50's.

SoCal sportscaster Tom Kelly is the host, aided by Gilbert and special guest star Ruth Buzzi (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In). Uploaded by Wink Martindale, who has been unearthing unsold pilots like this for his YouTube channel.

You pays yer money, you takes yer chances!

Rating: B-.

When will the GOP grow a collective spine?

 The drama over finding someone to take over as Speaker of The House of Representatives continues, now in its 3rd week.

On Tuesday, the GOP thought they had their man when they nominated Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer. Four hours later, Emmer dropped out after being pressured by the oldest toddler in the country, Donald Trump.

"WAAAAAHHHHH!!! He's a RINO! He certified the election! You can't have him as Speaker! WAAAHHHHHH!!!"

What that means, of course, is that Emmer, after initially being an election denier, voted to certify Joe Biden's election as President, denying Fraud Fauntleroy a 2nd term. Trump started calling allies in the party to block Emmer from becoming Speaker. Those allies bowed to the deranged Trump, rather than do what is best for the country.

Late Tuesday, Mike Johnson of Louisiana became the new nominee, with a vote due sometime today. He's said all the right things about doing what's best for the country, not for a 77 year old man-child with self-esteem issues.

But, watch. Trump will spoil the party again with his incessant whining and pointless demands, despite the fact he has no power. What this says is that he does have dirt on a number of GOPers to force them to bend to his will. We just don't know how much there is.

Personally, I'd not be surprised if someone like 518 traitor Elise Stefanik or Georgia bubblehead Empty-G being named Speaker would be the only thing that satisfies Trump.

Sports this 'n' that

 The Houston Astros won't be in the World Series this year.

In-state rival Texas saw to that Monday, pummeling the Astros, 11-4, taking the ALCS, 4 games to 3, in a series where the road team won every game.

In the aftermath, Houston manager Dusty Baker dropped hints he might step down as Astros manager. One would've thought he'd have done that after Houston won the Series last year.

But, Astros fans have another reason why their beloved team lost.

Senator Raphael "Ted" Cruz, otherwise known here as Timex Cruz.

Photo courtesy Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Yahoo!.

Cruz, a long time Astros fan, tried to defend himself on social media, noting that he was in attendance at last year's World Series when Houston defeated Philadelphia. Chalk it up, then, not so much to the Rangers being a hungrier team, which is in fact true, but to the antipathy toward Cruz. Yeah, right.

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Meanwhile, as the Phillies and Arizona gear up for a game 7 of their own tonight, New York blabbermouth Chris "Mad Dog" Russo is claiming he'll retire if the Diamondbacks upset the Phillies. Russo made the claim on his Sirius-XM satellite radio show on Monday. We'll believe it if he doesn't turn up on either High Heat on MLB Network or First Take on ESPN tomorrow.

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The far right website National Insider is trying to claim that ABC yakker Jimmy Kimmel will no longer host the LA Bowl in December, replaced by USAA shill and Fox's newest studio analyst, Rob Gronkowski. I wouldn't trust National Insider, so even though Gronk has posted on social media, I'd rather get confirmation from a legit news source, like ESPN.

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For the 2nd time this season, there was a post-game incident in Tuscaloosa after an Alabama football game.

This time, after the Crimson Tide blew out Tennessee in the 2nd half, and after everyone had left, some inebriated idiot got on the field, and got pancaked by a security guard, five days after a similar incident in Philadelphia after a Phillies game. One more reason to call for cutting off beer sales at halftime.

Musical Interlude: A Taste of Honey (1965)

 From The Ed Sullivan Show:

You should know this song by heart. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. "A Taste of Honey". Enough said.

Sports this 'n' that

 The Houston Astros may be without a valuable piece of their bullpen as they return home to try to clinch the ALCS tonight against the Texas Rangers.

Pitcher Bryan Abreu was suspended for 2 games, pending appeal, for intentionally hitting Texas' Adolis Garcia in game 5 on Friday, touching off a bench-clearing incident that also saw Garcia and Astros manager Dusty Baker ejected from the game, along with Abreu.

I say, screw the appeal, serve the suspension, because if the Astros have to go 7 games to advance to the World Series, they will be at full strength when they get there.

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WWE's Grayson Waller firmly believes in the late Andy Warhol's prophesy that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. The problem is, the Australian-born wrestler may have picked the wrong target.

Waller, a former school teacher in Australia before turning to wrestling, decided to use social media to take a few cheap shots at the fan base of singer Taylor Swift. Now, you & I know that the Swifties won't like getting dissed by a man getting himself over at their expense.

I think you know where this is going. Come January, depending on how far the Kansas City Chiefs go in the playoffs, a certain paramour of Swift's might show up at the Royal Rumble, gunning for Waller.

It isn't like Travis Kelce's been everywhere lately, though, what with endorsement deals with Pfizer, Experian, State Farm, DirecTV......!

And, there are fans on reddit who think Swift will don a leotard & tights and get in the ring herself. Nah.

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Meanwhile, at the end of last night's Bound For Glory PPV, Impact Wrestling made an interesting announcement, featuring a number of current talents, including Eric Young, Jordynne Grace, Frankie Kazarian, and Eddie Edwards. The f-bombs have been muted.

Apparently, TNA-Impact's Canadian owners are tired of seeing the company as the #3 promotion in the country, behind WWE & AEW. Well, here's a thought. How about finding a broadcast network that will take a chance on you? CW's out, unless they're willing to add TNA to the NWA deal they just signed earlier this week. The change takes effect in January.

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You've heard by now that the USFL & XFL are merging together for 2024 and beyond. It may be the only thing that keeps both brands alive. They're still negotiating to find a new name for the combined league. Stay tuned.

Musical Interlude: Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)(2018)

 Styx guitarist-vocalist Tommy Shaw became the band's leader after Dennis DeYoung departed several years back. In 2018, Tommy, aided by guitarist Will Evanovich, and backed by the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland, played some Styx classics, including "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)"....

I'd love to see Tommy bring this kind of magic to the 518, with the Empire State Youth Orchestra or any high school band......

This week in GOP stupidity

 Ohio Misrepresentative Fibber Jordan is feeling the heat.

After two votes denied him the added gig of House Speaker to replace Kevin "The Body Snatcher" McCarthy, Jordan suspended his campaign for Speaker on Thursday, then had to call for civility after other members of the House, including Don Bacon, reported that their families are getting death threats from deranged GOPers who want Jordan as the next Speaker, regardless of the baggage he carries. Kind of hard to recall the hounds when their true master, Pecos Pampers (Donald Trump), is the only one they'll listen to.

However, with today's technology, the cowards contacting the families of lawmakers should wind up in jail in due course, then get their heads examined.

Newsnacks primetime host Eric Bolling cut away from President Biden's speech Thursday night to whine and lie about Biden's efforts to try to liberate hostages being held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Like, take the blinders off and embrace reality. Biden is doing what he can for our citizens being held captive. It's never easy.

Newsnacks is a premium channel on Spectrum Cable in the 518. Good thing.

As for the Archduke of Affluenza, he's now trying, via Truthless Social, to pit NY Attorney General Letitia James against Judge Arthur Engoron, claiming the latter is scared of James.

No, he isn't, you pathetic, whiny little dweeb. You're the one who's scared of both of them, so you project like the 2 year old you're portraying.

"WAAAAHHHHHHHHH! They hate me, so I gotta make it look like they hate each other! WWAAAHHHHH!"

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I have to get this in.

I get that there are supporters on both sides of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. That's been an off-and-on thing for years. Nearly 2 weeks after Hamas took captives out of Israel, including some Americans, there are fliers throughout downtown taking note of the hostages, calling attention to their plight.

Sometime between Thursday night and this morning, someone began using a magic marker to write, "Free Palestine!" on those same fliers, obscuring some of the text on the fliers. Whomever it is can't take the time or the initiative to print up their own fliers to post either adjacent to the hostage fliers, or opposite them on another lamp post. It wouldn't hurt to "hear" both sides of the issue in a civil manner. Just sayin'.

Toyota introduces a Frankentruck? (1973)

 Somehow, 10 year old me missed this next ad when it came out.

Toyota got into the spirit of Halloween with this "Frankenstein" parody, starring Leonard Stone (ex-Camp Runamuck, Dragnet) and Vito Scotti (ex-The Flying Nun, Gilligan's Island, Andy's Gang).

Apparently, this didn't work so well, else Toyota would bring it back every year.

Is chocolate milk still enough for breakfast by itself? (1970)

 Ever since Nestle acquired Carnation, they've jacked up the price of a box of Carnation Instant Breakfast. It isn't just chocolate, but vanilla, strawberry, et al, for variety.

This 1970 spot features a young husband slamming down a glass of chocolate instant breakfast before heading off to work. Dave Madden (ex-Camp Runamuck, four months away from The Partridge Family when this ad premiered) is the narrator.

A drunken idiot with a bad sense of timing

 The defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies are halfway toward returning to the World Series after blowing out Arizona, 10-0, on Tuesday.

After the final out was recorded, some moron mistimed his dare to get on the field. A Citizens Bank Park security guard may have auditioned for the Eagles with a crushing tackle.

The aftermath. Photo courtesy New York Post.

The hit went viral, as you could imagine, as one fan let go with a hearty, "Boom!", that would have made Chris Berman or even the late John Madden proud. A Fox affiliate in Philadelphia, in playing the video, added a sound byte of Homer Simpson's pet catchphrase, "D'oh!!".

The fan won't be back at Citizens Bank Park anytime soon. If he wanders over to Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles might use him as a living tackling dummy. Just sayin'.

Another gag order is issued for Donald Trump. Of course, he'll ignore it, and, at the same time, whine about censorship

 Earlier today, Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a limited gag order against former president Donald Trump, similar to what was issued in New York by Judge Arthur Engoron. Predictably, the 77 year old adult toddler was whining about it on Truthless Social during the hearing, which he didn't attend.

"WAAAAHHHHHH! I'm being censored!! WAAAHHHHHH!"

No, you're not, Diaper Don. You have no comprehension of what the gag order entails.

Specifically, you cannot make disparaging statements about the case, the judge, and the prosecution. You can, however, go on the campaign trail, and rag on your competition, including President Biden, who, oh, by the way, has nothing to do with your legal problems, regardless of what you're telling your brainwashed base.

Trump has repeatedly accused Special Prosecutor Jack Smith of being "deranged". Projection 101, friends, since it's the defendant, Trump, who is perceived to be deranged. He has made racist remarks toward Chutkan, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, NY Attorney General Letitia James, and Fulton County DA Fani Willis, all of whom are African-American, going so far as to accuse James of being racist (she isn't). Therein lies one of Trump's biggest weaknesses. He can't deal with assertive, African-American women, such as the three named above, as it's a blow to his ego.

How much longer will the facade continue to stand before it completely crumbles? That's one answer that's a long ways away. Trump is directing his staff of legal beagles to make frivolous motions, knowing that most, if not all, won't get advanced at all. They know it's wrong, but they can't tell the man-child "no", out of fear that he'd fire them, and find someone that would bow to him. Trump has no understanding of how the law works, or how the Constitution works. He became drunk with power while in Washington from 2017-20, and wants it back in the worst way. Unfortunately for him, the courts in New York, Atlanta, and Washington are all wise to him. In Florida, he has a peabrain doing his bidding (Aileen "Shot From a" Cannon), but she won't be able to save him if she gets overruled and/or removed from the case there.

I can just picture it now, after it's all over, and Trump has been soundly defeated, unable to run for president.

Bellevue will be waiting.

Classic TV: Step by Step (1991)

 In concept, it was The Brady Bunch for a new generation.

Step by Step wasn't based on the New Kids on The Block hit of the same name. Instead, it had the same premise as Brady, right down to the fusion of two families, each with three kids. The series lasted six seasons between ABC & CBS.

Patrick Duffy had left Dallas to try his luck with a sitcom. Step marked the return of Suzanne Somers (ex-Three's Company, She's The Sheriff) to ABC after she had done ads for Thighmaster earlier in the year. Brandon Call ("The Adventures of Ford Fairlane", ex-Santa Barbara) and Staci Keanan (ex-My Two Dads) were the only other familiar names in the ensemble. ABC set it up on Fridays, where The Bradys had flopped for CBS a year and a half earlier, as part of their TGIF block. Sasha Mitchell would also have Dallas on his resume.

Following is the intro:

In memory of Suzanne Somers, who passed away this weekend. No rating out of respect.

Does a sub being made in front of you make you want to dance? (2023)

 Jersey Mike's, in their continuing effort to be a top competitor to Subway, has come up with a very imaginative ad campaign, mixing some comedy, fantasy, and narration by actor Danny DeVito (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, ex-Taxi).

Here, Danny shows how Jersey Mike's will slice their meats & cheeses right in front of you when they make your order. This leads to a fantasy sequence where a stuntman covers for Danny to do some breakdancing. Danny, though, lip-syncs to "Rhythm of The Slice":

While Subway is relying on athletes like Patrick Mahomes and Jayson Tatum, plus retired stars Peyton Manning & Charles Barkley, Jersey Mike's may be creeping closer.......

Baseball's final 4

 Baseball's league championship series begin with the ALCS tomorrow night in Houston. The National League series begins Monday. We went 2-2 again during the Division Series, 4-4 for the postseason. Let's get this right.

ALCS: Texas @ Houston (Fox/FS1).

As if 13 games during the regular season wasn't enough, the Lone Star rivals meet in the ALCS for the first time. Houston, the defending champions, ended Minnesota's Cinderella run, while Texas has wiped out two of the 3 AL East reps, including top seeded Baltimore, and are 5-0 in the postseason. That's the important number. These two teams are very familiar with each other. However, both are peaking at just the right time, which means Texas will finally lose a game in the playoffs. The Rangers are hungrier, and this time, they could get Max Scherzer back, which could tip the scales in their favor. Scherzer vs. Justin Verlander? That would be must-see TV all by itself, as the two, former teammates in Detroit and with the Mets, would look to out-do each other. In this seven game series, it's the hunger within that counts.

Pick: Houston in 6. The Astros in the ALCS is just inevitable.

NLCS: Arizona vs. Philadelphia (TBS).

Speaking of hungry, that brings us to the Diamondbacks, who last won the title in 2001 with an upset of the Yankees. Back then, they had Randy Johnson & Curt Schilling as co-aces. Now, you have Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Philadelphia answers with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and a cast of thousands, including the rowdiest fans in baseball. Nick Castellanos & Bryce Harper's bats have heated up, while the Phillies are waiting for Kyle Schwarber to get his going. You would think MLB & its media partners want a rematch of last year's World Series, but it's way past time the D-backs got their due.

Pick: Arizona in 6.

Of course, I could be wrong.

When death comes in threes.......

 A trio of passings to report.

Comics writer-artist Keith Giffen, 70, made his first inroads at Marvel in the 70's, with a short stint on the original The Defenders, utilizing an art style resembling that of industry legend Jack Kirby. Giffen could also adapt to whatever the story called for, as demonstrated with other works at Marvel and, later, at DC, where he won acclaim with writer Paul Levitz on "The Great Darkness Saga" in Legion of Super-Heroes. While at DC, Giffen also developed fan favorites Lobo (who debuted in the 1st Omega Men series) and Ambush Bug, the latter of which morphed from a villain in his initial appearances to a comedy character poking fun at pop culture and comics norms.

Phyllis Coates, 96, was cast as Lois Lane in the 1st season of The Adventures of Superman, but left after 1 season for a project that never saw fruitition. Coates' other credits included the serial, "Panther Girl of The Kongos", and the Joe McDoakes series of shorts opposite future toon icon George O'Hanlon (later of The Jetsons). When Coates left Superman, Noel Neill, who had played Lois in a pair of serials, stepped back into the role. Coates also made guest appearances on shows such as The Lone Ranger (we have that over at Saturday Morning Archives), which reunited her with star Clayton Moore, as they had made a movie a few years prior, and Death Valley Days, during the Ronald Reagan era of the series.

Finally, Rudolph Isley, 84, of the Isley Brothers, passed away Tuesday in suburban Illinois. Isley co-founded the singing group in the 50's, leading to a string of hits, including "Who's That Lady?", "Fight The Power" (which may or may not have been the inspiration for Public Enemy's 1989 hit of the same name), "Twist & Shout" (covered by the Beatles and Rodney Dangerfield, among others), and, of course, 1959's "Shout", which became a sports anthem here in the 518 during Albany Patroons games in the 80's.

Here's the Isleys and "Shout", from Dick Clark's Saturday Beech-Nut Show:

Rest in peace.

Coming to a bookshelf near you: Space Ghost, Jonny Quest, the Flintstones, & ThunderCats have a new home

 Proving once again a disconnect between divisions, Warner Bros. Discovery has issued comic book licenses to the above named properties and others to Dynamite Entertainment, starting in February.

Also headed to Dynamite are Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears, and everyone's favorite preschool heroines, The Powerpuff Girls, plus a adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

Cover courtesy Dynamite Entertainment.

Artist Drew Moss, winning raves for his work on Gargoyles: Dark Ages, will work on ThunderCats with writer Declan Shalvey.

What kind of excuses does WBD CEO David Zaslav have this time? We'll have to find out.

On The Air: The John Tesh Radio Show (1999)

 It's been a year since John Tesh's weeknight radio program debuted in the 518. WROW briefly tried a Sunday night recap version, but dropped it after a few weeks.

Tesh (ex-Entertainment Tonight) began his chat-fest as a weekend series in 1999. Four years later, it expanded into its current weeknight format, billed as Intelligence For Your Life. A few quick hits per hour, wrapped around an affiliate's playlist. There are no studio guests, just Tesh and his stepson, Gib Gerard.

Locally, the final segment airs around 11:40-11:45 (ET), and, after a commercial break, the affiliates take over for the rest of the night. Tesh is doing his part to help, with localized bumpers and ads.

Here's a short sample.

Rating: A.

Of survivors, babies, & liars, or, just another day in the GOP

 Later this afternoon, the House of Representatives will vote for the next Speaker of the House, a week after Rusty Gaetz and his idiot squad decided Kevin McCarthy was no longer fit for the job after averting a government shutdown.

A secret vote earlier revealed that Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, who was nearly assassinated while prepping for a charity baseball game 7 years ago, and has been battling cancer, was the GOP's choice. Hey, when the other option is Fibber Jordan, well......! Scalise, who once likened himself to KKK leader David Duke, is still a nice comeback story after what he's been through.

However, Gaetz's rebels, including Ohio's Max Miller and Colorado airhead Lauren Gropert (yep, that's her new name after the "Beetlejuice: The Musical" debacle) are vowing to support Jordan. I don't think it's going to work this time.

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Forbes amended its list of the 400 richest people the other day, and Donald Trump's name is not on it.

Of course, Diaper Don's having a tantrum about it.

"WWAAHHHHH!!! They owe me an apology! I belong on the list! WAAAAHHHHH!"

What Trump did reveal is that Forbes is currently owned by a Hong Kong-based entity, but the latest word is that an American group is looking to obtain majority ownership. A lifetime of lies is coming back to haunt the Archduke of Affluenza, and he ain't digging.

More Trump: Fraud Fauntleroy and his faithful Gal Friday, Empty-G, are spreading conspiracy theories about Hamas allegedly sneaking across the Southern border, when there's no evidence to support their claims. Hamas has enough issues with their current war with Israel without the Ugly Americans adding fuel to the fire. Worse, Dumb Donald is claiming none of this would be happening if he were still president (yeah, right), and he's also falsely claiming that former President Barack Obama is running the show behind the scenes for Joe Biden (he's not).

All the lies are meant to distract supporters from the myriad of legal issues facing the Annoying Orange. Bellevue is still waiting for him.

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NY Misrepresentative Pinocchio Santos is facing more charges, 23 in all this time, of crimes such as identity theft. Other NY GOPers want him gone (can you blame them?), but he refuses to concede. Well, Dumb Donald is a role model to him, and, well.........!

Like, if they really wanted a liar in Congress, actor David Leisure, who became a pop culture icon as Joe Isuzu in the 80's before doing ads for the Yellow Pages and starring in Empty Nest, could've filled the bill.

Musical Interlude: Minnie The Moocher (1931-80)

 Cab Calloway's signature song, "Minnie The Moocher", was originally recorded in 1931, and even used in a Betty Boop cartoon. 49 years later, Calloway brought it back in "The Blues Brothers".

Now, check out Calloway at the peak of his powers.

"Moocher" was so iconic that ESPN's Chris Berman & Tom Jackson, in doing Giants football highlights in the 90's, referenced Big Blue's Chris Calloway (no relation) with a little "Hi de hi de hi" every time he made a big play. If you didn't get the reference, you weren't paying attention to Berman's schtick back in the day.

Sports this 'n' that

 Well, that didn't take long.

Six days after his final season in St. Louis ended, newly retired pitcher Adam Wainwright made his broadcasting debut for Fox, calling the Astros-Twins series alongside Adam Amin and AJ Pierzynski. Not too bad, to be honest with you.

Meanwhile, ex-Yankee Derek Jeter has also signed with Fox, joining their studio crew for the postseason, replacing ex-teammate Alex Rodriguez, who is staying over at ESPN.

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If the NFL ever wants to place a team in London, the Jacksonville Jaguars might want to consider moving there.

The Jags went 2-0 in London after beating Buffalo, 25-20, on Sunday, becoming contenders in the AFC South as a result. The quirk in the scheduling went in their favor, as no other team had played two consecutive games in London before this season.

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It was supposed to be a clash of two of the great dynasties of years past, the Dallas Cowboys (70's & 90's) and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. For that reason, Terrell Owens, who played for both teams, was asked to do the promo for NBC/Peacock leading up to the game.

Instead, it ended up a one-sided rout, as San Francisco blew away Dallas, 42-10.

In other words, Dallas and their defense had the tables turned on them for a change, having lost for the 2nd time to a NFC West team, and falling 2 games behind NFC East leader Philadelphia.

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As head coach of the Denver Broncos last year, Nathaniel Hackett only won four games. After signing on as Robert Saleh's offensive coordinator with the Jets, Hackett got dissed by his replacement in Denver, Sean Payton, in the preseason.

So what happened? The Jets stifled Denver's final drive when Russell Wilson fumbled, and Bryce Hall scooped the loose ball, racing 37 yards to paydirt to ice a 31-21 Jets win. Denver falls to 1-4, while the Jets, at 2-3, are 2 games behind Miami in the AFC East. Denver has already lost 3 games at home, as have the New England Patriots, who were embarrassed, 34-0, by New Orleans. New England is also 1-4, in the AFC East basement for the moment.

Miami, meanwhile, returned to form in beating the Giants, and, perhaps, ending Daniel Jones' season, 31-16. Jones sustained a neck injury in the 2nd half, and did not return, leaving journeyman Tyrod Taylor to finish the game. Taylor will see one of his former teams, Buffalo, next week.

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All Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal needed to do was have the offense take a knee and go home with a win over Georgia Tech Saturday night. Instead, he decided to run a play with under a minute to go, Miami fumbled, and Georgia Tech escaped with an upset of the Hurricanes.

I shan't be surprised if this comes back to cost Cristobal his job if Miami doesn't get into the national title hunt.

The teacher didn't do the homework: Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey plays in an elementary school

 Many thanks to correspondent Steven Dolce for the tip.

A Miami charter school teacher, perhaps not knowing the content of the film, screened "Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey" for a group of 4th graders the other day. Predictably, the kids, accustomed to the cuddly Winnie from many books and animated adaptations from Disney back in the day, were traumatized by the R-rated film. 

Parents were rightfully upset, as this report from a CBS affiliate in Miami shows:

Disney, coincidentally, lost their license to Winnie, leading to "Blood & Honey", which, unfortunately, had spawned a sequel. For all the hand-wringing and false outrage over LGBTQ+ content & community from conservatives, this is a legitimate mistake by a teacher who didn't do his/her homework (teacher was not ID'd). Epic fail!

YouTube Theatre: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! (1975)

 In 1966, a Broadway musical adaptation of Superman was supposed to be a sensation. I can't say for sure how well it did, but nearly a decade later, it was adapted for television.

"It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman!" was adapted by veteran cartoon writer Romeo Muller for ABC's Wide World of Entertainment, and shown in February 1975 with a decidedly different cast than in the original Broadway production. Newcomer David Wilson was cast as Superman & Clark Kent, with Lesley Ann Warren swooning as Lois Lane. Our ensemble also includes David Wayne (a few months away from Ellery Queen), Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H), Kenneth Mars, who would also appear in "The New, Original Wonder Woman" later that same year, Allen Ludden (Password) as Perry White, Al Molinaro (ex-The Odd Couple), Phil Leeds, and the father & son team of Harvey & Michael Lembeck. Michael was recurring on Barney Miller around this time, more than a year and a half before The Krofft Supershow. Gary Owens (ex-Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Green Hornet) is our narrator-announcer.

Until today, I didn't know this had been on TV. When the production was on Broadway, Bob Holliday appeared on I've Got a Secret to promote it. This must've been so bad, it was nowhere close to being ready for primetime.

No rating. Just a public service.

2023 MLB Divisional playoff preview

 With the preliminaries, aka the Wild Card round, completed in record time, Major League Baseball moves on to the Division Series, beginning on Saturday.

American League:

Texas @ Baltimore:

No one expected either of these teams to be here at this juncture. The Orioles have been knocking on the door the last couple of years, and finally broke through thanks in large part to a Yankees collapse in the 2nd half. Texas took down AL East runner-up Tampa Bay in 2 straight, after finishing in a tie for first in the West (Houston claimed the title on a tie-breaker). Nathan Eovaldi, the veteran who was one of the big offseason pickups prior to this year, will be back on the mound when the series shifts to Arlington on Tuesday. The Rangers may or may not get Max Scherzer back for this series, and Jon Gray is questionable, too, but do they have enough pitching, such that the big stars won't be needed?

It's been a long time since Baltimore won a championship. 40 years in fact, well before most of today's Orioles were even born. They're young & hungry, and that may be the biggest intangible of them all.

Pick: Texas in 5.

Minnesota @ Houston:

The Astros' detractors would love to liken Dusty Baker's defending champions to the mythical Hydra in that if you cut off one head, or in this case, when the Astros replace someone, another head emerges. Hydra has nothing to do with it, actually. You would be forgiven if you assumed, as this writer did, that Baker would've retired after winning it all last year.

Minnesota made its case in sweeping Toronto, but they have to open the series in Houston. The series moves to Target Field on Tuesday, and the best the Twins can hope for is to come home with the series even at a game apiece. The main attraction, of course, is Twins shortstop Carlos Correa facing his former team in the postseason for the first time.

Pick: Houston in 4.

National League:

Philadelphia @ Atlanta:

A rematch of last year's NLDS, in which the Phillies upset their division rivals, but would fall short of a title, losing to Houston in the World Series. The biggest question mark for the Braves is their pitching. Max Fried's been banged up. Mike Soroka can't seem to avoid the IL. Dare we think this will be a repeat? Remember, the Braves foolishly gave up closer Kenley Jansen (Boston) after last season. Ex-Brave Craig Kimbrel is now in the Philadelphia pen, but as more of a set-up guy instead of a closer. If Atlanta can keep Trea Turner off the basepaths and in the ballpark, along with Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, & Nick Castellanos, they stand a good chance of advancing.

Pick: Philadelphia in 5.

Arizona @ Los Angeles:

If it wasn't for another late season collapse by the Diamondbacks, this would be in reverse, with Arizona perhaps having home field. Dave Roberts' Dodgers waited patiently before making a move toward the top. We've seen that before, of course, and it doesn't get old. The D-Backs upset Milwaukee to get here, but don't count on them surviving this time.

Pick: Los Angeles in 4.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Wild Card record: 2-2.

Spook Rock: Be Chrool to Your Scuel (1985)

 If you haven't seen this Twisted Sister video before, I don't blame you, because it was banned by MTV back in 1986 for being "offensive". How? Who knows?

Dee Snider gets to duet with childhood hero Alice Cooper on "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" (the spelling is intentional). Not appearing in the video are guest musicians Brian Setzer (Stray Cats), Billy Joel, and Clarence Clemons. Makeup expert Tom Savini was responsible for the zombies. Bobcat Goldthwait guests as a hyperactive teacher.

Like, play this at your Halloween party. You'll be glad you did.

Dunce Cap Award: Alina Habba

 We are now two days into a civil trial against Donald Trump in New York, and the only reason it isn't a jury trial, but, rather, a bench trial, is because the defense attorney assigned to the case, Alina Habba-Dabba-Doo, screwed up big time.

Farron Cousins explains:

Not asking for a jury trial is only going to make matters worse for Trump, who had requested a jury trial. That the final verdict is in the hands of Judge Arthur Engoron spells trouble, and the beginning of the end for Trump professionally in his hometown. There is no more facade to hide behind, no more illusions. We know the real Trump now, and, oh, is he in the soup.

The best Christmas gift Engoron can give is the award the $250 million----or less---that Attorney General Letitia James is asking for. Yes, this trial is set to end in December, so we've got two months of tantrums from an undisciplined 77 year old toddler to look forward to. The trial will be more interesting than the sideshow, though.

What we do know, of course, is that Habba and the Trump team get Dunce Caps for this strategic foul-up so bad, not even Alina's hero, Fred Flintstone, could get her out of this.

Spook Rock: Doing it All For my Baby (1986-7)

 The final single from Huey Lewis & The News' 1986 CD, "Fore", has the boys parodying monster movies. Huey plays Dr. Frankenstein AND his monster, while the band adopt horrific guises of their own. Model-actress Tara Shannon plays the Bride of Frankenstein.

Here's "Doing it All For my Baby":

Crazy.

Sports this 'n' that

 Hours before a season-ending 9-1 loss to Philadelphia, the Mets decided to part ways with manager Buck Showalter. Showalter himself made the announcement before the game started at 3:10 pm (ET). Injuries & underachievement undermined a Mets club that reached the Wild Card round last year, losing to San Diego in 3 games. Trading away co-aces Max Scherzer & Justin Verlander and outfielder Tommy Pham at the trade deadline signaled that the Mets were waving the white flag.

This morning, the Mets introduced David Stearns as the new Director of Baseball Operations (DBO), and fans are under the assumption that he'll bring in Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell, in his walk year, after the Brewers' season ends. I wouldn't be so sure about that.

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Baseball fans in Boston are mourning today over the passing of Tim Wakefield, 59, who succumbed to cancer on Sunday, casting a pall over the Red Sox's season-ending win over AL East champion Baltimore. Days earlier, former teammate Curt Schilling, without clearing it with Wakefield's family, disclosed on his radio show that Wakefield and his wife both had cancer.

Fellow blogger Chuck Miller had something to say about that this morning, but going to Cooperstown and bleaching Schilling's legendary bloody sock from 2004? Uh, no. Schilling owes the Wakefield family and all of baseball an apology for his crass stupidity.

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We are also mourning the passing of former NFL tight end Russ Francis, who starred for New England & San Francisco in the 80's, and even dabbled in pro wrestling, making appearances for the American Wrestling Association while with the 49ers. Francis was killed Sunday in a plane crash in Lake Placid that, surprisingly, has gotten little media attention here in the 518.

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Rodney Harrison has been a fixture on NBC's Football Night in America, but on Sunday, after Kansas City defeated the Jets, 23-20, Harrison, a former Chargers & Patriots defensive back, threw shade on Jet QB Zach Wilson, who had played his best game of the season to this point in a losing effort, perhaps inspired by the presence of Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines.

On an online postgame show airing on Peacock, Harrison, doing his best Stephen A. Smith impression, tried to convince KC defensive lineman Chris Jones to throw shade on Wilson. Nothing doing. Jones was being respectful toward the 3rd year QB, showing something Harrison lacked when he was with the Pats. Class & humility.

The last thing NBC needs is a Screamin' A. Cosell wanna-be. Harrison stepped over the line, and picks off a set of Weasel ears for his trouble.

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One of those clickbait sites plastered a picture of Pats coach Bill Belichick as if he's on the hot seat after New England fell to 1-3, remaining in a 3rd place tie with the Jets after getting spanked, 38-3, by Dallas. Belichick may be showing signs of age catching up to him, but Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn't cutting him loose, if at all, until January.

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NBC went overboard with last night's Chiefs-Jets game. Of course, you know why.

Taylor and a few of her closest friends.

NBC cameras spent more time fixated on Taylor Swift in her skybox, but not quite enough to overshadow the game. As long as Chiefs star Travis Kelce remains linked with Swift in the gossip pages, this will continue through the season. 

On top of that, T-Swizzle will have to get used to right wing morons like Charlie Kirk whining and crying because she's gotten her fans to register to vote in mass numbers, and going after Kelce because he's pro-vaccine. Like, guys, get a life. You were never Taylor's type.

Oh, by the way, I'd believe Screamin' A. Cosell is a Swiftie, except that his pedigree includes a heapin' helpin' of tall tales.

2023 MLB postseason preview

 And, so, the silly season begins in baseball.

The 2023 playoffs begin tomorrow with the wild card round. The top 2 seeds in each league get a 1st round bye, and will begin division round play next week.

AL:

#5 Texas @ #4 Tampa Bay:

To think these two teams were actually division leaders earlier this season, only to tumble in the season's final days. Tampa Bay was lapped for the AL East title by Baltimore, and, should they dispose of Texas, the Rays can gain a measure of revenge on the top seeded Orioles.

The Rangers had spent tons of money to build a championship caliber starting rotation, but, as of now, most of that investment is on the injured list, including Max Scherzer, who came over from the Mets at the trade deadline. For Texas, that's not good at all.

Pick: Tampa Bay.

#6 Toronto @ #3 Minnesota:

Everyone assumed there would be three teams coming out of the East. It's just that Baltimore is subbing for the underachieving Yankees. Toronto has had to look up at both Tampa & Baltimore for much of the second half, and now has a chance to do something about it. Problem is, Minnesota, thankful they were able to keep Carlos Correa, despite his issues, have a lot more to prove.

Pick: Minnesota.

NL:

#6 Arizona @ #3 Milwaukee:

Brewers manager Craig Counsell is in his walk year, and there are fans who think he'll follow former team executive David Stearns to New York (Mets). After the Brewers are eliminated. I don't think so. Why would he walk away after turning the Brew Crew into a perennial contender the last few years?

Arizona is another team that was a division leader earlier this season, but got lapped by perennial champion Los Angeles. The D-Backs heisted outfielder Tommy Pham from the Mets at the deadline, and he has helped the offense, but it seems the Brewers want to win a title for Counsell, to perhaps convince him to stay.

Pick: Milwaukee.

#5 Miami @ #4 Philadelphia:

Miami won 7 of 13 from the Phils, but it was the other teams in the NL East that kept them further from the title, like the Braves & Mets, for example. Philadelphia shocked everyone by reaching the World Series last year, only to fall to Houston, and they'd like to make it a sequel.

Pick: Philadelphia.

Next week: Philadelphia vs. Atlanta, Milwaukee vs. Los Angeles, Minnesota vs. Houston, Tampa Bay vs. Baltimore.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Old Time Radio: A Halloween Story (1981)

 Between 1981-5, NBC Radio presented a live Halloween special from the Magic Castle in Hollywood. A troupe of actors was assembled with some names familiar to radio, others not so. 

The first annual show presented "A Halloween Story", with film star Yaphet Kotto as narrator, Marvin Miller (ex-The Millionaire), who had been doing voice-over work for the Kroffts during the 70's, and game show announcer Rod Roddy are the announcers. Roddy is heard at the end of the program. Our cast: Film legend John Carradine, Gary Owens (ex-The Green Hornet, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In), June Lockhart (ex-Lost in Space, Lassie, Petticoat Junction), John Houseman (The Paper Chase), Lynn Redgrave, and the husband & wife team of Casey & Jean Kasem.

Here's "A Halloween Story", produced to benefit UNICEF.

Locally, these specials aired on WGY-AM. I remember hearing one of the later shows that isn't presently available online with the same cast.

Rating: B.