Thursday, February 29, 2024

Musical Interlude: Baby, I Need Your Lovin' (1967)

 Johnny Rivers peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 with a solo cover of the Four Tops' 1964 hit, "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'", which got him booked on The Ed Sullivan Show. Rivers would follow this up with another Motown cover, this time Smokey Robinson's "Tracks Of My Tears":


Johnny Rivers retired from touring in 2022, and his interpretation of "Baby" gets as much airplay on oldies channels as the Four Tops' version.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

What Might've Been: Half Nelson (1985)

 A NY detective moves to California not only to become a PI, but also an actor. Unfortunately, viewers voted with their remotes, and Half Nelson, a spring replacement series from Glen A. Larson & 20th Century Fox for NBC, was gone in 2 months in 1985.

Before "Home Alone" & "Goodfellas" made him a box office attraction in the 90's, Joe Pesci top-lined in the title role as "Rocky" Nelson. The title refers to Nelson's relatively short size, not a wrestling hold that the show actually gets its title from. Nelson joins up with the Beverly Hills Patrol, and, well, I might as well say it, he looks like a football running back opposite three of the game's greatest defensive stars, Fred Williamson (his first TV gig since, I think, Julia), and Miller Lite pitchmen Dick Butkus & Bubba Smith, who'd co-starred in Blue Thunder a year earlier. Victoria Jackson moved over to Saturday Night Live a year after this series ended.

Half Nelson is also notable in that its other star attraction is Dean Martin, in his final series for NBC. The Celebrity Roasts were, or, had come to an end by this point. Martin also sings the show's closing theme. Robert Jason co-wrote & sings "LA, You Belong To Me", the opening theme.

This sample episode features a rare appearance by the Bobby Troup Trio, marking the return of Troup (ex-Emergency!) to NBC. John Beck, who also guests, had appeared with Butkus on Matt Houston three years earlier.


What did this show aspire to be? A little mix of Vega$, albeit set in LA (only because another movie icon, Tony Curtis, appeared in the first season of that series), The Rockford Files, which occupied the same time slot Nelson had years earlier, and Larson's 1st entry for Fox, ABC's The Fall Guy, only with PI's instead of stuntmen.

My folks passed on this. Movies on the cable, and, in April & May, baseball, had their attention. From what I've seen, this merits a B.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

What Might've Been: Foul Play (1981)

The actors & writers' strikes of 2023 has had an effect on this season's primetime schedule, but it's nothing new.

Similarly, the 1980-1 season was also delayed, forcing the networks to scramble to fill programming. 

In fairness, that might've been why a TV version of the 1978 comedy adventure movie, "Foul Play", was left ignored by viewers.

Co-executive producer Thomas Miller (Happy Days, Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley, etc.) had that same gig with this 1 hour drama, which had only 5 episodes air before the plug was pulled in March 1981, only for those same 5 to be replayed in August.

Barry Bostwick stepped into Chevy Chase's gumshoes, with Deborah Raffin filling Goldie Hawn's role as the dutiful girlfriend. That Foul Play aired at 10 pm (ET) meant ye scribe wasn't watching, as I was usually in bed by that point, with school the next morning.

Following is a sample episode, "Play it Again, Tuck", as seen on TV Land, with William Windom, the Rice twins (Greg & John), and Mary Jo Catlett.


No rating.

Monday, February 26, 2024

A Classic Reborn (NOT!!): Charlie's Angels (2011)

 30 years after the original Charlie's Angels had solved their final case, ABC decided to dust off the concept, but there were too many problems, leading to a quick hook.

The new Charlie's Angels had a lot to live up to, and not just the original series (1976-81). There had been the movies featuring Drew Barrymore. ABC entrusted writer-producers Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, fresh from Smallville, to breathe fresh life into the franchise.

The problems?

*Location: The series was relocated from Southern California to Miami. This was the biggest mistake.

*Casting: Millar & Gough went with mostly unknowns for the three leads, the most famous name in the group being Minka Kelly, who at the time had been the armpiece of Yankees star Derek Jeter (they subsequently split). Former football player turned actor and Old Spice pitchman Isaiah Mustafa appeared in one episode at least as a detective. Millar & Gough wanted Robert Wagner as the voice of the never seen Charlie Townshend (voiced by John Forsythe in the original series), but when Wagner had a scheduling conflict, Victor Garber (ex-Alias) was brought in instead. Ramon Rodriguez was cast as John Bosley, repackaged here as an ex-hacker.

*-Scheduling: ABC, perhaps wary of past reboots, slotted the new Angels on Thursdays, just as they had done with the reboot of Night Stalker a few years earlier, when the original series had always been on Wednesdays, either at 9 or 10 pm (ET). I think this version was on too early (8 pm).

*-Missing the Spelling touch: Sony, which owns the rights to the franchise, produced this themselves, leaving Spelling Entertainment out of the loop. This, then, would explain the shift in setting from California to Miami, since a majority of Spelling's crime dramas were based in SoCal.

*Plotting: In order to fit Minka Kelly in the mix, one of the three other Angels was killed off in the opener, as you'll soon see. As a result, this played more like another Gough-Millar bomb, the adaptation of DC's Birds of Prey, with so much angst.

Let's check out the opener:


As we've previously discussed, Universal and NBC, having learned nothing from this debacle, tried the same relocation trick with their remake of Ironside two years later. That lasted a bit longer, though it was gone before the holidays.

When Dynamite Entertainment obtained a license to adapt Charlie's Angels a few years ago, they went with the original trio. Smart. Unlike this dud.

Rating: C-.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Ramona Fradon (1926-2024)

For long time comics fans, this is a gut punch.

Ramona Fradon, who spent two lengthy runs at DC in the 60's & 70's, and also succeeded Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr, Reporter, strip, passed away Saturday at 97.

At DC, Fradon co-created Metamorpho, and penciled most, but not all, of the comics adaptation of Super Friends, beginning with issue 3, and ending with issue 41, at which point inker Romeo Tanghal was promoted to penciller while Fradon left to work on Brenda Starr. Fradon also pencilled Plastic Man when DC revived the series in 1976 for a short run, and drew Plas, seemingly for the last time, in Super Friends 36.

Fradon retired from Brenda Starr in 1995, and continued contributing to comics until her final retirement last month.

Fradon briefly worked at Marvel, but a planned issue of The Cat never saw the light of day, and a 1-shot of Fantastic Four was not very popular with fans.

To give you some idea of her art style, well, you might like her take on Wonder Woman and a certain polarizing political figure.


Rest in peace, Ramona.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Musical Interlude: Sixteen Tons (1956)

 Just three weeks into his NBC series, Tennessee Ernie Ford performed his signature hit, "Sixteen Tons", with a prerecorded background behind his live vocals.


Enough said.

Forgotten TV: Yesteryear in Nashville (1983)

 In the early days of the Nashville Network, the one that later was bought out by Viacom, and has morphed into today's Paramount Network, the channel built a solid lineup of programming, but because of it being a niche channel, it doesn't get the flowers it deserves.

One such series was Yesteryear in Nashville, which was an interview series with country legends and then-current talents. Archie Campbell (Hee Haw) served as the series host, which meant he often got to interview friends and colleagues, such as, in this case, Hee Haw castmate Roni Stoneman.


To paraphrase wrestler-actor Cody Rhodes, country music has more than one royal family. The Stonemans were Nashville's other royal family, after the Carters. Roni often got to play the banjo alongside Roy Clark, Grandpa Jones, and others on Hee Haw in addition to doing comedy sketches.

Roni passed away on Thursday at the age of 85. Didn't know about it until I saw some folks commenting about it and offering condolences on YouTube yesterday. In honor of Roni's memory, no rating out of respect.

Friday, February 23, 2024

A little of this and a little of that

 Prior to the New Hampshire primary, a robocall that used an AI impersonation of President Biden tried to discourage voters. It didn't work, and Biden won the state anyway.

Now, it comes out that a New Orleans magician, Paul Carpenter, says he was behind the AI robocall, claiming he did so at the request of a Democratic rival, Dean Phillips. The Phillips campaign is denying any involvement, saying that Carpenter acted on his own volition.

This only goes to prove that, yes, there are dirty tricks on both sides.
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It shouldn't surprise anyone that Donald Trump was looking to delay paying the $355 million he owes from the fraud trial in NYC.


"WAAAAAHHHHHH!!! I need time to get the money together!"

Trump and his ambulance chasers petitioned Judge Arthur Engoron for a 30 day extension, if you will, but the request was denied on Thursday. Trump wants to appeal, but he has to post a sizeable bond in order to file the appeal.

Meanwhile, Georgia Misrepresentative Empty-G (Marjorie Taylor Greene) went after Engoron on Thursday.

Greene, who has had a history of making malaprops that would make the late Norm Crosby turn over in his grave, demanded Engoron be "disrobed", when she meant for him to be disbarred. She really needs a speechwriter, even when she's in the House chamber.
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America's Disgrace, Rudy Goofiani, filed for bankruptcy in the faint hope to avoid paying two Georgia election workers after defaming them following the 2020 election.

However, the latest is that Goofiani's been told he has to pay, but he needs to find someone to pony up the money on his behalf. Maybe he can have son Andrew help with the fundraising......!
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As a vote of no confidence, if you will, the Albany County Democratic Committee is not endorsing anyone for District Attorney after the recent imbroglio involving current DA David Soares, who gave himself a raise using funds he wasn't supposed to access, but then returned the money.
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With talk about possibly hanging up his microphone, with his talk show now in its 21st year, Jimmy Kimmel is getting some flak from one of his favorite targets. That, of course, is Donald Trump. The Brat Who Never Grew Up went on Truthless Social and branded Kimmel a loser.

Oh, really? Between the talk show, which started in 2003, Win Ben Stein's Money, The Man Show, and a 4 year gig as a celebrity handicapper on Fox NFL Sunday (1999-2002), Kimmel's been a steady television presence for nearly 30 years, and has earned the right to call his own number when it comes to possible retirement. Kimmel has said he has at least a year or two left on his current contract with ABC/Disney, and is also facing the threat of a lawsuit from former NY Misrepresentative Pinocchio Santos over a recent on-air prank.

It's clear Republicans can't stand Kimmel, but they keep picking fights with him that they can't win......
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For the readers in the 518:

You might've noticed in recent weeks that WROW (Magic 100.5 FM/AM 590) has discontinued the CBS Radio news feeds during and prior to Magic in The Morning. Since January 22, morning host Ben Patten now goes on at 5 am to read not only the local news, but also some national headlines that otherwise would be on CBS. WROW had gradually been phasing out CBS programming over the last year, which makes one wonder about the status of their contract with the network. The morning show officially still starts at 5:30 am, and the only link left with CBS is the daily phone chat with WRGB morning meteorologist Alyssa Caroprese.

Let's just see how long this lasts.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

What Might've Been: The Young Marrieds (1964)

 General Hospital had been on the air a year when it spun off The Young Marrieds. That it took some 30 years before there would be another spin-off from General Hospital should tell you about the series' viewer base and their preferences.

The Young Marrieds lasted 17 months (October 1964-March 1966), replaced by Dark Shadows, giving ABC a 1-2 punch on the back end of their daytime lineup. The cast for Marrieds included Ted Knight, Charles Grodin, Brenda Benet, Paul Picerni (ex-The Untouchables), and as seen in this sampler, Frank Maxwell, who would do a lot of primetime work after Marrieds ended, including another ABC series, The Second Hundred Years.


No rating.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Moron TV: Ben Affleck embarrasses himself, J-Lo, and a few friends (2024)

 If you go to Dunkin' to get your coffee, or donuts, or bagels, or whatever, you're bound to see the edited version of this Super Bowl stinker in continuous loop.

Jennifer Lopez is in the studio, presumably prepping a new CD. Husband Ben Affleck shows up, with Matt Damon & Tom Brady in tow. My advice to those two is that while this was fun for them, it was stomach churning swill for the rest of us, and you'd think they'd know better than to play along with Affleck and his latest bout of stupidity.

The "Dun-Kings" look like they belong at the nearest NASCAR event....


Thankfully, this is a short-term promotion.


Monday, February 19, 2024

Remember the Survivor Benefit Plan? (1972)

 Today, the Survivor Benefit Plan has been folded into Social Security. In 1972, it was introduced by the Department of Defense under then-President Richard Nixon, perhaps intended (though I don't know for sure) for Vietnam veterans and/or their families.

This ad features Phil Silvers, who was making a bit of a comeback in the 70's after appearing in Disney's "The Boatniks" with Robert Morse, and Michael Bell (ex-The Bold Ones).


 This is the first time I've seen this commercial, more than 50 years after its initial airing.

Musical Interlude: 16 Carriages & Texas Hold 'Em (2024)

 I'm reading that conservatives are having a collective cow over another pop star, this time because she dared to cross over to the country charts.

That would be Beyonce, who dropped a pair of country-themed singles a week ago, in line with a Super Bowl commercial she made for Verizon. Thing is, she's not the first African-American to climb the country charts, and won't be the last. I grew up listening to the late Charlie Pride, for example. In more recent times, Darius Rucker spun off from Hootie & The Blowfish to begin a solo career that for now has been short-circuited by his recent arrest on DUI charges.

Rapper Cowboy Troy ran with Big & Rich a few years back.

Big Al Downing, not to be confused with the baseball pitcher of the same name, was a contemporary of Charlie Pride.

So, Beyonce experimenting with country shouldn't be a big deal, should it?

10-20 years ago, no, it wouldn't, but conservatives today are easily triggered. They ignore the examples noted above, and they whine & cry because another big name pop star is going country.

20 years ago, Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock scored a crossover hit with the ballad, "Picture". Today, because of Kid Rock's political leanings, you probably wouldn't see that in the same light. Subsequently, Bruce Springsteen & John Mellencamp experimented with country music.

Last year, Luke Combs covered Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car", making it a hit all over again (Chapman's original version came out 35 years earlier), and two weeks ago, at the Grammys, the two performed a duet of "Car", which, to my knowledge, didn't set off conservatives the way Beyonce did.

Let's check out "16 Carriages". The lyrics appear on the screen as the song plays.


A radio station in Oklahoma initially wasn't going to play "Texas Hold 'Em", but only because they didn't know it was a country record. They've since put it in rotation.

The videos are what Beyonce's YouTube channel refers to as "official visualizers", which explains the repetitive images. In this one for "Texas Hold 'Em", again, the lyrics appear on the screen as the song plays.


You know what a conservative's worst nightmare is now? Beyonce co-headlining with Taylor Swift......

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Another shameless grift that won't work, or, Donald Trump should've paid attention to LaVar Ball..........

 Donald Trump is on the hook for nearly $450 million in New York, can't really conduct business there for three years, per a judge's decision on Friday. So what does he do?

The Annoying Orange showed up at a sneaker convention in Philadelphia on Saturday to shill his own brand of shoes.

SAY WHAT??

Unlike, say for example, Patrick Mahomes, I'm not a sneakerhead, so I wouldn't have known about Sneaker Con until the headlines started appearing yesterday. However, that's where the Archduke of Affluenza was on Saturday, in addition to a campaign stop in Michigan where he did his usual whining & crying about his legal & political ills.

To his credit, Trump is only charging $400 a pair, as opposed to the infamous Big Baller shoes hawked by LaVar Ball a few years ago for $500 a pair. Still overpriced, and, as I've read, they only look special, but they look like another brand's shoes being repainted, branded, & priced. Seems Trump is resorting to another grift to pay his legal bills because he refuses to pay out of his own pocket.

It was the topic of discussion on MSNBC:


I've this feeling that, like Big Baller, Trump Sneakers will tank. Every other Trump brand died, so why not?

Saturday, February 17, 2024

When Icons Meet: Carol Burnett & Emmett Kelly (1976)

 From season 9 of The Carol Burnett Show:

It starts as a pantomime sketch, with Carol as The Charwoman, who has made her way under the big top, and fangirls through the empty arena, drawing the attention of Weary Willie (Emmett Kelly). The rest is pure magic. 


I may be wrong, but this might've been Kelly's lone appearance on the show during its 11 season run.

Friday, February 16, 2024

Donald Trump loses again in NY

 Reality and Donald Trump are not friends. The Archduke of Affluenza is finding out, one case at a time, that the rules do apply to him after all, and they always have, despite what he was taught as an entitled youth.

Earlier today, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump must pay $355 million for years of fraudulently making financial estimates on his properties and such. He is banned from conducting business in his former home state for 3 years. His sons, Don, Jr. & Eric, are banned for 2 years.

Life has been one big grift after another for the Trump men. However, NY Attorney General Leticia James earned a major victory in court, and addressed the press afterward.


If Trump wants to appeal, and he does intend to, he has to put up a bond, so there's no guarantee he'll go through with the appeal. Couple this with the nearly $90 million he owes E. Jean Carroll, and the Annoying Orange is now on the hook for nearly $450 million.


"WAAAAHHHHH!! I'm innocent! I don't owe anything! WAAAAAAHHHHH!!"

Oh, yes, you do. Screw the appeals. Man up, and pony up the money. The dominoes are starting to fall, and the hush money case, also in NY, is next up for Trump next month. He's already 0-3 in NYC court. He's about to go 0-4.

If Trump also loses in Washington & in Georgia---we won't talk about Florida and Aileen "Shot From a" Cannon yet---no amount of grifting his supporters will save him, and he might as well give up the chase for the White House. The GOP is better off finding a fresh face as the nominee anyway.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Notes from around town

 Walking along Congress Street this morning en route to the bus stop, I caught sight of a flier circulating and condemning Governor Hochul for what appears to be her position on the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East. 

Problem is, the fliers have been glued onto vacant storefronts so they can't be removed. It's clear these people, whomever they are, want to get their message across, but unless they have hard, solid evidence that the Governor has done anything wrong, this is just a cry in the wilderness. So far, no one is taking responsibility for the fliers.
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With the proliferation of Mexican restaurants in downtown Troy, Muddaddy Flats has closed its doors on 3rd Street as of February 10. The owner said a month ago he had taken tacos off the menu because so many other eateries that have opened, including La Capital, La Victoria, and Sabroso, also feature tacos and other Mexican delicacies. Muddaddy Flats spent 11 years overall, and the downtown corridor is poorer for the loss.

On the other hand, two new businesses have opened along 4th Street, near Fulton Street.

Paper Moon, which opened February 5, is a bookstore that is slowly developing its inventory. For comics fans, the store is carrying some Japanese manga novels, something that Aquilonia Comics, around the corner on Fulton, between 4th Street & 5th Avenue, doesn't showcase as much, and Aquilonia's been around since 1985 (current ownership began in 1996).

Paper Moon is occupying a former dentist's office.

Collar City Deli took over a former nail spa at the corner of Fulton & 4th, across from Nite Owl News, last month. It's your basic Mom & Pop market in the 21st century, and the inventory there is evolving, too, though some prices are a little higher than Nite Owl or other local shops.

File it under "work in progress".
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Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin took a page from Donald Trump's playbook in disparaging former County Legislator Cindy Doran, who resigned from the Legislature Monday in order to relocate to Wilton in Saratoga County.


Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

McLaughlin slammed Doran on X (formerly Twitter), claiming she was "nasty" and a "lazy legislator". Of course, Doran has her defenders, who have refuted McLaughlin's pathetic attempt at Trumpian bullying. We don't need that here. Ever.

Because McLaughlin decided to lie and disparage Doran on her way out of town, he gets the Weasel ears. It's a coincidence that the above photo has McLaughlin further channeling Trump by wearing a familiar blue suit & red tie. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Video Valentine: What The World Needs Now (is Love) (1965)

 Our final Video Valentine of the year is one that carries a global message.

Jackie DeShannon's "What The World Needs Now" has a message that still resonates today, amidst all the hate and rhetoric in this country and elsewhere.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Video Valentine: In The Still Of The Night (1977)

 From season 1 of Sha Na Na:

Johnny Contardo sings lead on a boss cover of The Five Satins' "In The Still Of The Night":


Can we get the reruns on someplace like Me-TV?

Once a dunce, always a dunce

Two repeat offenders have picked up fresh Dunce Caps this week.

We have to start, of course, with the oldest narcissist in America, Donald John Trump, Sr., who was subtly trying to persuade----or is that pressure?----Taylor Swift to not endorse President Biden, claiming credit for some of her success because of a law he signed six years ago.

Problem is, and Dumb Donald is too engrossed in his own fantasy world to realize this, Swift was already a millionaire before the Orange Toddler set foot in the White House. She's doing just fine, thanks, but all this means that Trump, who has a problem with assertive, strong willed women, tried playing the bully card with T-Swizzle, and failed spectacularly. Of course, he got roasted on X (formerly Twitter), even though his self indulgent rant was on Truthless Social, which doesn't allow dissenting opinions. He had to leech some attention away from Swift, and, well, that won't end well if he gets barbecued by the Swifties.


Meanwhile, Georgia Misrepresentative Marjorie Taylor Greene whined and complained Monday about HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, which called attention to the methods of voter suppression used in the Peach State.

Empty-G complained that the people in her district, if not also the state as a whole, were labeled as racists & rednecks. The truth hurts, doesn't it, Empty-G? You've pandered to these folks to be elected to two terms in Congress, and likely a 3rd, unless a comparable challenger comes along, but it bothers you more because, warts & all, you've been exposed as being one of them. You spend more time clout chasing than any work you're supposed to do for your constituents. Larry David and the Curb crew made you look bad, so you're having a big cry. Well, boo hoo to you.


Seems to me that Republicans had their funny bones surgically removed somewhere along the way........

Monday, February 12, 2024

On The Shelf: An 80's icon returns

 The ThunderCats are on the loose again.

The popular action franchise from the 80's has returned to comics with a new series from Dynamite, the first salvo in a licensing deal with Warner Bros Discovery, which will also see Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears & The Powerpuff Girls coming later this year, along with an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, and, in May, Space Ghost & Jonny Quest are set to return.

Writer-artist Declan Shalvey only handles the scripting chores here, and has rebooted the classic origin from 1985, such that Lion-O ages into an adult when his suspended animation pod cracks while en route from Thundera to Third Earth. Aside from a few other minor tweaks, it's pretty much the same story you remember.


Turns out I've spelled the ThunderKittens' names wrong all these years. It's actually WileyKit & WileyKat. Drew Moss (Gargoyles: Dark Ages) is doing the art, and that might explain why Dark Ages has fallen behind schedule, aside from Greg Weisman's growing workload as a writer. I am begging Dynamite or another publisher to give David Nakayama some interior work to do. He also captures the spirit of the original series, which turns 40 next year.

Rating: A.

I have just two words for DC's Titans event, Beast World, which just wrapped. Epic fail!!!

Writer Tom Taylor is revisiting an old plot line developed by Marv Wolfman in the 80's, but what this miniseries didn't need or want is another effort to make Amanda Waller public enemy #1 in the eyes of fans. I get the idea of making Waller more ruthless, erasing the imagery from the 80's when she was introduced, and modeled after actress-singer Nell Carter. Modeling her after her portrayer in the "Suicide Squad" movies, Viola Davis, would be just fine, complete with the nasty attitude. The miniseries was built around Beast Boy and, oh, did they ever screw up.

Rating: C--.

J. Torres is sharing the writing chores on the now-ongoing Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries, but, oh, did he ever lay an egg in issue 2, out now. Solomon Grundy is meant to be the featured villain, but Torres gives away the game waaaaaaaay too early, earlier than normal, when you think about it. Artist Scott Jeralds worked at WB for a few years as a writer-director on shows like Krypto The Superdog, but he gets everything on point.

I am begging them to actually bring in the Wonder Twins before this series meets its inevitable end.

DC is experiencing delays with Batman '89: Echoes, with issue 2 now set to drop the first week in March. Apparently, artist Joe Quinones is having some issues that are being kept under wraps. Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham's revival of Fables is crawling to the finish line, as it, too, has fallen behind to the point where it's being released every 6-10 weeks. I can chalk it up to Buckingham's detailed artwork, but who knows?

Fellow blogger Sam Wilson noted the other day that Dynamite may be having problems getting their Jonny Quest book ready, as solicitations for a Free Comic Book Day 1-off in May don't list a creative team. I'm thinking Dynamite may be trying for a secret surprise. We'll see come May 4.

And, now, the sideshow: Super Bowl commercials, plus some whining from Republicans

 Over the last few decades, the Super Bowl hype has been just as much about the commercials, and how much advertisers are willing to spend, as the game itself, adding more water cooler talk for the morning after.

Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., son of the slain US Attorney General, dug up an old campaign ad made for his uncle, John F. Kennedy, 64 years ago, and revamped it for today. Unfortunately, the RFK Jr. version is not available on YouTube at the moment, but if you wonder where he got his inspiration, here's the original:


There were some gems, too,

Local attorney William Mattar indulged in a little vanity, insinuating that Beethoven's 5th Symphony was written with Mattar in mind, when, of course, it really wasn't. Mattar is trying to challenge rivals Harding Mazzotti, who've produced more imaginative ads over the years. It might as well be Avis challenging Hertz again after all these years.

On the national level:

Doritos (Frito Lay) brought in Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) to co-star with two older actresses on a shopping trip that goes off the rails.

State Farm gave "Jake From State Farm" (Kevin Miles) a break, and signed on Arnold Schwarzenegger in a funny bit which parodies Ahhhh-nold's successes in action films. "Agent State Farm"? And the issue is still over the actor's Austrian accent after more than 50 years? The parodies would suggest "Last Actin Hero" (1993) and, thanks to a quick cameo from Jersey Mike's pitchman Danny DeVito, "Twins" (1989). Silly.

Zach Braff & Donald Faison (ex-Scrubs) are at it again for T-Mobile, this time haranguing "Aquaman" star Jason Momoa. I walked out of the room rather than suffer.

Pepsi, late in promoting its recently released soft drink, Starry, had its mascots flirting with Ice Spice.

BMW signed Christopher Walken for a spot, with a cameo by halftime headliner Usher.

As you can tell, I'm not really that into the hype.
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Prior to the game, former president Donald Trump, because he just had to have a headline, went after Taylor Swift, insinuating she shouldn't endorse President Biden, and tried to take credit for Swift's success, just because he thinks he can. Problem is, T-Swizzle was already a millionaire well before Diaper Don entered the White House in 2017.

Trump also got personal with GOP challenger Nikki Haley, going after her husband, Major Michael Haley, who is currently deployed in Africa. Trump, a coward when it comes to the military, got some pushback when Major Haley burned him with a message on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting that wolves wouldn't let the dumbest lead the pack. Ouch!!

The message sent? The schoolyard bully act doesn't work anymore, but as long as his marks will appreciate it, Dumb Donald will keep it up.

We mentioned last time that Florida moron Matt Gaetz whined about "Lift Every Voice & Sing", sung at the Super Bowl by Grammy winner Andra Day. Well, here it is. 

Update, 1:16 pm (ET): The NFL has blocked the video from being shown outside YouTube. One more reason to call them the No Fun League. Here, instead, is an earlier rendition by Kirk Franklin:

 

Deal with it, Gaetz. "Lift Every Voice" will be part of the Super Bowl, along with "America The Beautiful" & "The Star Spangled Banner". Maybe we'll see you on The Masked Singer if you think you can carry a tune. NOT!

Sunday, February 11, 2024

In the end, it was a great game

 Ever since the Kansas City Chiefs eliminated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional playoffs three years ago, the NFL changed its overtime rules for the post-season. Those rules were tested tonight, in Las Vegas, as the Chiefs sought to become the first team since the New England Patriots won back-to-back Lombardi Trophies 20 years ago.


It was a rematch from 2020. Kansas City vs. San Francisco. The team of the now vs. the franchise that was the team of the 80's. The stars came to Las Vegas. Hall of Famer Joe Montana, the quarterback who led the 49ers to 4 Super Bowls in the 80's, was in a skybox. Lakers star LeBron James was in the house. Of course, Taylor Swift made it in from Tokyo after a stopover in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The game started the same way it did four years ago. San Francisco took a 10-3 lead into halftime. The lone touchdown was on a gadget play, with receiver Jauan Jennings throwing a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey, whose father, Ed, won titles with the Niners and the Giants.

Jennings would also catch a TD pass from Brock Purdy, duplicating the feat of Nick Foles, who caught and threw TDs for Philadelphia 6 years ago vs. New England.

But, predictably, Patrick Mahomes brought his team back. All the frustration on both sides of the ball subsided in the 2nd half. Niners fans had to be cringing, knowing history could repeat itself. Harrison Butker's 4th field goal of the game sent it into overtime.

San Francisco won the toss for the extra session, and elected to receive. They marched down the field, only to be stalled at the Chiefs' 5 yard line, leading to a chip shot field goal for rookie Jake Moody.

Back came the Chiefs again. If Mahomes wasn't throwing to Rashee Rice or Travis Kelce, he was running it himself. With time running down in the first overtime quarter, Mahomes hit Mecole Hardman, who came back to Kansas City earlier in the season after the Jets traded him back, with the game winner. Pandemonium in the Chiefs' skybox and everywhere else.

Mahomes and the Chiefs have been in four Super Bowls in the last five years, the lone exception being when Cincinnati upset them in the AFC title game two years ago, only to lose to Los Angeles.

For all the right wing conspiracy theories being bandied about the last two weeks regarding Swift and a possible endorsement of President Biden, that never happened. Still, Florida Misrepresentative Matt Gaetz raised a fuss over "Lift Every Voice & Sing", which is considered a National Anthem for the African American community, but it was just noise in the wilderness.

Moody & Butker rewrote the history books with record setting field goals in the 1st half, but a missed extra point by Moody almost was the difference in the game, if it wasn't for overtime.

Musical Interlude: Ebo Walker (1964)

 From season 5 of The Andy Griffith Show:

The Darling brothers (real life folkies the Dillards) are back at the Taylor house, and Andy sits in for a round of "Ebo Walker":


I don't know if local country station WGNA still carves out some time on Sundays for bluegrass music, but this would fit right in.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Rockin' with Listerine (1969)

 Long before Listerine began expanding its brand to include additional flavors like "cool mint" (peppermint), it was just a basic antiseptic mouthwash. In 1969, Warner-Lambert, then the makers of the product, served up this bit about an aspiring rock group's rehearsal marred by some bad breath. Actor-singer-songwriter Clifton Davis makes one of his first TV appearances as the guitar player.

Video Valentine: Lady (You Bring Me Up) (1981)

 The Commodores burned up radio airwaves in the summer of 1981 with the peppy "Lady (You Bring Me Up). The video features Lionel Richie and the guys playing soccer with a group of women......


The band would follow up with the romantic ballad, "Oh, No", which was Richie's coda to his time with the Commodores before releasing his solo debut, "Can't Slow Down", two years later.

Friday, February 9, 2024

It all comes down to one game: Super Bowl preview

 Four years ago, Kansas City defeated San Francisco, coming from behind at halftime to do so. Sunday night, in Las Vegas, the two teams meet again in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers, the team of the 80's with coach Bill Walsh and quarterback Joe Montana, have lost in their last two trips to the big dance, as, in addition to losing to KC in 2020, the 49ers lost the Harbaugh Bowl to Baltimore, and some folks thought that, even though Jim Harbaugh isn't in San Francisco anymore, there would've been a rematch with the Ravens.


2nd year QB Brock Purdy isn't exactly the 2nd coming of Montana, but he's been in 2 NFC title games in as many years (1-1), and some think he might be the NFC's answer to Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, who has played in the AFC title game in each of his 6 seasons in the league. Madison Avenue loves Mahomes, given his commercial endorsements for State Farm, Subway, Head & Shoulders shampoo, and, briefly, Heinz ketchup. Purdy? A big game on Sunday might net him some attention from advertisers.

After Kansas City beat Baltimore 12 days ago to punch their ticket, there were accusations coming from obvious non-fans that the game was rigged. It wasn't. Baltimore's defense disappeared in the 2nd half. The whining from conservatives, of course, was due to the Chiefs' current #1 fan, singer Taylor Swift, whom right wing screwballs think will make an announcement at halftime to endorse President Biden's re-election campaign. I wish they'd just get over themselves, but they're just too paranoid to think straight.

In beating upstart Detroit, Purdy earned himself a chance to break the 49ers' Super Bowl hex, after his injuries last season left them a game short of the big dance with a loss to Philadelphia. He has weapons like Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. Mahomes, of course, has Travis Kelce, and a supporting cast on both offense & defense that isn't settling for "been there, done that". Hardly.

So what happens? This will be a shootout, unlike last time. Kyle Shanahan will play back the tape of Super Bowl 54 to remind his team of where they went wrong. There are even prop bets available on Swift, for cryin' out loud. If the 49ers obsess over avenging their previous defeat vs. Kansas City, it's the wrong road to take. They need to focus on the here & now to win their first title in nearly 30 years. Otherwise, it's going to be business as usual for Kansas City.

The pick: Kansas City by 3. Of course, I could be wrong.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Video Valentine: Tonight, I Celebrate My Love (1983)

"Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" put Peabo Bryson on the Top 40 map in 1983. The duet with Roberta Flack soared up the charts, peaking at #16 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart. You can bet there'll be calls to oldies channels for this one over the next few days.....

Have the Guardian Angels gone rogue?

 The Guardian Angels were founded in the late 70's or early 80's by Curtis Sliwa, who later became a radio talk show host and made a failed run for Mayor of New York City a couple of years back. The Angels' reach extended upstate, and I remember they did a recruiting drive around 1982-3 in downtown.

40+ years later, the Angels' reputation has been soiled. On live television.

Sliwa, in particular, drank the Trump-Ade. Years earlier, he'd been forced to admit that the Angels had fabricated some exploits for publicity purposes. In 2024, they're back to lying, and they had the right audience for that on Tuesday night, when Sliwa was interviewed by Spam Hannity of Fox No News. Farron Cousins has the video footage.


It turns out it wasn't a "migrant" after all, but a Bronx native. Figure Sliwa either didn't know he had made a mistake, or this was for show for the Fox No News audience. Whichever way it was, it was still an error in judgment on the part of the Angels.

I don't think we've heard the last of this story.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

A dramatization of the Buffalo Soldiers (Zane Grey Theater, 1959)

 While Dick Powell & Four Star had the rights to adapt any and all of Zane Grey's novels for Zane Grey Theater, I don't think Grey ever wrote about the Buffalo Soldiers, African-American Army regiments in the old West.

Season 4's "Mission" paints a portrait of one such regiment. Sammy Davis, Jr. stars, along with Hari Rhodes.

Pay close attention to the preamble before the opening credits. It sounds like Olan Soule (ex-Captain Midnight) is the narrator.


Forgive the video "hiccups", if you will.

Rating: A-.

This week in GOP stupidity

 Embattled attorney Alina Habba whined on Newsnacks that the recent defamation trial against former president Donald Trump, in which E. Jean Carroll was awarded more than $80 million in damages, was like living in the Twilight Zone (italics mine, of course).

Considering that your client is so afraid of the real world, Alina, I'd think you have it backwards. As usual. Trump, remember, was taught at an early age that the rules don't apply to him, which turns out to be no longer the case. We are in the era where captains of industry, such as Trump, are now being held accountable for sins of the past, such as in the Carroll cases. 

That infamous Access Hollywood tape looks more and more like damning evidence that could sink Trump's chances of going back to the White House.

Of course, the Archduke of Affluenza is now trying to walk back remarks about being a dictator "for a day" if he is re-elected in November, claiming he was joking. Nobody's laughing, Diaper Don.
======================================================
Georgia airhead Marjorie Taylor Greene clearly has no understanding of words like "impeachment" or "insurrection", and she uses them without context way too much.

Now, Empty-G is trying to claim that the extra security at President Biden's inauguration 3 years ago amounted to an insurrection, two weeks after the Capital riot. As usual, Greene was roasted on social media for this latest flub. You might know, too, she is getting roasted on a regular basis in the House of Representatives by Jamie Raskin and other Democrats for her misuse of the English language.

If there was ever a case of rewriting the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz and its sequels as being female, Empty-G would be a perfect fit for an adaptation.....!
====================================================
Republicans don't have any real reason to impeach anyone, but, they're trying, anyway, in order to even the score for Trump's two impeachments.

Still, on Tuesday, a resolution to impeach Homeland Security head Alejandro Mayorkas was defeated, as rational Republicans noted the fact that nothing Mayorkas has done has risen to the standard needed for impeachment, i.e., high crimes & misdemeanors. I wouldn't be at all surprised if these peabrains try again, just because.
=======================================================
Florida dimbulb Rusty Gaetz and 518 traitor Elise Stefanik co-sponsored a resolution that would declare that Trump had nothing to do with the Capitol riot two years ago. 62 other GOP idiots, likely including Empty-G and some of the usual suspects, have signed on.


Photo courtesy MSN.com.

The facts are these. The event was recorded on video on several networks. It is a matter of public record that Trump had a chance to, ah, call off the hounds, if you will, but he refused, and waited three hours to send everyone home because he was in such a snit over losing re-election in 2020. Trying to claim he had nothing to do with it is utter BS, and you geeks know that.

There are polls out there that have said that if Trump is convicted in his criminal cases, most voters won't support his re-election bid. That said, stick a fork in him. He's done.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

What Might've Been: Hot City (1978)

 Hot City was a syndicated series that lasted two months in 1978, airing mostly on stations owned by Metromedia (i.e. WNEW in NYC). Producer-director Kip Walton had worked on American Bandstand, Happening, & Where The Action Is for Dick Clark & ABC, but what did him in was the fact that his show wasn't cleared in a lot of markets. For example, aside from WNEW, which was available on cable in the 518 at the time, no local channel picked up the show, simply because there was no room on the schedule. In those days, Hee Haw was the preferred choice on a Saturday night at 7 (ET) at my house. The fact that Hot City debuted in August of '78 didn't help.

Disco was in its waning days. Around the same time that Hot City hit the air, Clark was mounting a 1-shot special for NBC, Le Disco, that aired in place of a Saturday Night Live rerun. His Live Wednesday bowed a few weeks later, and tanked.

Let's take a look at the opener of Hot City, headlined by hostess du jour Linda Clifford and the Sylvers. Animation by Canada's Nelvana Studios. If the announcer's voice sounds remotely familiar, it should to 80's viewers. Shadoe Stevens was in the booth, 8 years before The New Hollywood Squares made him a national household name.


No rating. Just a public service.

Monday, February 5, 2024

Video Valentine: Nice to be With You (1972)

 Gallery peaked at #4 on the Hot 100, #5 on the Adult Contemporary, and topped Cashbox's pop chart with 1972's one-hit wonder, "Nice to be With You".

The clip is taken from VH1's My Generation (1st series).


I actually bought a 2nd-hand (maybe 10th hand?) copy of the LP years later, before eventually sending it on its way. This will still get played on oldies channels.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Does doing laundry make you want to sing? (1966)

 Today, Bold detergent is no longer part of the Procter & Gamble family of laundry products, having been sold to a smaller concern years ago.

In 1966, P & G decided to try a series of musical ads to promote the product, but in this case, they had voice doubles for the two actresses lip-synching the tune. Maggie Peterson (The Andy Griffith Show) & Jackie Joseph are the neighbors. Y'think maybe the ad agency should've asked about Maggie singing on The Andy Griffith Show as Charlene Darling?



What Might've Been: Paris (1979)

 In 1979, James Earl Jones was a hot commodity in Hollywood. He was the voice of Darth Vader in "Star Wars". He played Alex Haley in Roots. Steven Bochco had moved his tack from Universal to MTM Productions, and cast Jones in Paris, which spent nearly 4 months on CBS (September 1979-January 1980) before it was cancelled.

Jones had the title role as police detective Woody Paris, who had a side gig as a criminology professor. Nice life to have. Lee Chamberlin (ex-The Electric Company) played his wife, and he would eventually marry co-star Cecilia Hart after the series ended. Michael Warren, two years before Hill Street Blues, another Bochco creation, co-stars.

The Rap Sheet provides the intro:


So, what went wrong? Viewers were more interested in another freshman crime drama, Aaron Spelling's Hart to Hart, with Robert Wagner & Stefanie Powers. Ballgame over.

No rating. Never saw the show.

Musical Interlude: Make a Little Magic (1980)

 Toward the end of the 70's, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band shortened their name on a temporary basis to The Dirt Band, and managed a pair of modest hits under that label.

"Make a Little Magic" was the title song from their 1980 album, with vocalist Jeff Hanna joined by Nicolette Larson, two years removed from her cover of Neil Young's "Lotta Love" topping the Adult Contemporary chart. A year earlier, Linda Ronstadt joined the band for the title song to "An American Dream". The funny part is that up until recently, I didn't know, since the ladies were never identified by the DJ's on local radio back then......

The clip is taken from Solid Gold, circa May 1981

Saturday, February 3, 2024

How many stars can you name singing Let The Sunshine In? (1970)

 The National Urban League commissioned this star-studded spot from the Ad Council. I'll help you out by identifying the easy ones:

Henry Fonda.

Greg Morris (Mission: Impossible).

Ed Sullivan.

Peggy Cass (To Tell The Truth).

Arlene Francis (What's My Line?).

Ray Charles.

Jim Backus (ex-Gilligan's Island, Blondie).

Johnny Carson (The Tonight Show). 

Keye Luke.

Merv Griffin.

Orson Bean (To Tell The Truth).

Leonard Nimoy (Mission: Impossible, ex-Star Trek)

You'd think they'd slip in the 5th Dimension, who originally recorded "Let The Sunshine In" for the "Hair" soundtrack a year earlier....

New owner, same problems: WWE turns a deaf ear to their audience again

 One week ago, Cody Rhodes (Cody Runnels) won his 2nd straight Royal Rumble, becoming the 1st man since Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1997-8 to repeat, and the 4th man overall (Hulk Hogan 1990-1, Shawn Michaels 1995-6). The Peacock broadcast ended with Rhodes locking eyes on Universal champion Roman Reigns, who was in a skybox with Paul Heyman.

Six nights later, Rhodes is going in another direction heading in to Wrestlemania, taking place April 7-8 in Philadelphia.

As Smackdown closed out Friday, Rhodes was made to look like a chump, giving up his chance---for now, anyway----to avenge his loss to Reigns last year...


Just 10 days after being appointed to TKO Holdings' Board of Directors, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stepped in, and, online, fans have rebelled against the People's Movie Star for denying Rhodes his "rightful place" and opportunity to "finish the story", which has been the central theme since Rhodes returned two years ago from AEW. The more paranoid among fans would believe Johnson, also a co-owner of the UFL, due to relaunch a week before Wrestlemania, used his newfound power to leverage his way into the match. Endeavor's Ari Emanuel is looking at maximizing his bottom line, as any businessman would do, but in this instance, he has proven to be just as tone deaf as his disgraced predecessor, Vince McMahon.

The consolation prize for Rhodes would be to face Seth Rollins, provided Rollins is cleared to go come April after suffering a torn MCL and a partially torn meniscus nearly three weeks ago.on Raw.

What fans are hoping for, though, is that Rhodes (and WWE Creative, led by Paul Levesque) would accelerate his timetable, and enter the Elimination Chamber in three weeks in Australia. Some argue that's a waste due to the early starting time for that event (5 am ET). Take the title from Reigns there, and Reigns vs. Rock would not be for the Universal title, as Rock doesn't need it, and WWE needs to shut down Reigns' 3 year, now nearly 3 1/2 year, title reign, which has been pockmarked with outside interference in several title defenses, making Reigns look weak, not as dominant as the hype machine would have you believe.

What makes fans even more salty is that this bumped aside a storyline in the women's division as Bayley (Pamela Martinez), who won the women's Rumble, was bounced from Damage CTRL, the group she founded a year and a half ago. It was a classic set-up. She overheard Asuka, Kairi Sane, & IYO SKY conversing in Japanese behind her back, and she learned enough of the language to figure out their plans.

This recalls Levesque, as Triple H, plotting against Evolution teammate Batista after the latter won the 2005 Rumble, only for the future movie star to overhear the "Cerebral Assassin"'s plans, and act accordingly. We know how that story played out.

The wild card is New Zealand's Dakota Kai, who is recovering from a torn ACL herself, but the recovery, while slower than expected, may now be just storyline. We'll have to see in the coming weeks on Smackdown.

WWE had a chance, after the Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal hit the headlines a week ago, to change the story, and have Reigns lose his title, but chose not to, and it led to another match that had outside help, but kept to a minimum. The lazy man's schedule Reigns has, like Brock Lesnar before him, is a hindrance on creative that needed to be expunged, but fans are convinced Reigns remains champion in order to erase another disgraced icon, Hulk Hogan, from the record books.

I say, no. You stop at Elimination Chamber, because WWE has no choice now.

Friday, February 2, 2024

Classic TV: Julia (1968)

The year was 1968. African-Americans were making inroads in primetime television, and not in variety shows. Nat "King" Cole and Sammy Davis, Jr.'s shows had ended. I'm referring instead to sitcoms & dramas.

Ivan Dixon was entering his 4th season as a supporting player on Hogan's Heroes. Greg Morris was in his 3rd on Mission: Impossible, both shows airing on CBS. Don Mitchell was in his 2nd season on Ironside. Those three would soon have some company.

ABC had a trifecta of African-Americans in freshman series. Don Marshall on Land of The Giants. Otis Young in the 1-season Western, The Outcasts. Clarence Williams III began a 5 year run on The Mod Squad, and it can be argued that Williams was actually a co-lead with Michael Cole & Peggy Lipton.

I think it was around that time that Barbara McNair was headlining a syndicated variety show. Anyway, Diahann Carroll became the first African-American female lead since Beah Richards in Beaulah when she landed the lead in Julia, which, like Ironside, aired on NBC.

Carroll was cast as nurse Julia Baker, a single mom raising a young son (Marc Copage) while trying to find Mr. Right. Series creator Hal Kanter had misfired four years earlier with Anthony Franciosa & Jack Soo in Valentine's Day, but he finally had the hit series he was hoping for. Julia lasted three seasons (1968-71), and should've lasted longer than it did, but viewers' tastes tend to change when network executives least expect it.

Let's take a look at the opener. Guest star Lloyd Haynes would front his own series the very next season, beginning a 5 season run in Room 222.


Rating: A.

Musical Interlude: Bad Blood (2015)

 Let this be a warning to right wing dingbats like Spam Hannity, Charlie Kirk, Stephen Miller, and others.

You do not want to see this side of Taylor Swift if you keep buggin'.

"Bad Blood" was the 4th single off 2015's "1989" CD, and the video is loaded with guest stars. Kendrick Lamar does the rapping, while Taylor surrounds herself with friends like Selena Gomez (ex-The Wizards of Waverly Place), Lena Dunham (Girls), Paramore singer Hayley Williams, and Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).