CBS Fall preview 1975-6

 Back in the day, the networks would start rolling out commercials promoting new series for the following fall around the middle of July. As it's the end of June, we're turning back the clock to 1975 for CBS' fall preview that year. We've previously reviewed the following:

Phyllis. 2nd spinoff from The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Bronk. Jack Palance stars in his first series since 1963's Greatest Show on Earth. Carroll O'Connor (All in The Family) and Terry Becker (ex-Voyage to The Bottom of The Sea) produced the series for MGM.

Three For The Road. Family drama with Alex Rocco & Leif Garrett.

Big Eddie: Sheldon Leonard's return to acting.

Bicentennial Minutes. Short features leading up to the bicentennial.

Switch. Glen Larson's pairing of Robert Wagner (ex-It Takes a Thief) and Eddie Albert (ex-Green Acres) lasted three seasons. Co-starring Sharon Gless and Charlie Callas.

Doc. Broadway favorite Barnard Hughes as a doctor (of course).

We will be on the lookout for Beacon Hill. William Conrad (Cannon) is our tour guide.

Of this group of frosh, only Phyllis & Switch returned the next season.

Notes from around town

 Another school has bitten the dust in the 518.

Doane Stuart School just completed its 51st season earlier this month, but, due to a shrinking enrollment that saw just 40 students on campus this season, the Rensselaer based school is closing its doors.

Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

Things had gotten so bad that the school's athletic program had merged with Rensselaer the last couple of years. Enrollment has gone downhill since Doane Stuart moved from Albany to Rensselaer a few years ago. The students still enrolled, absent any graduating seniors, will be transferred elsewhere.

If you're walking around Watervliet, you've probably noticed by now some stenciled signage on the sidewalks marking the city's 200th birthday. Commissioned by Meneely Bell, the signs promote the fact that the city, originally West Troy, was founded in 1826, 50 years after American independence.

This will make this year's 4th of July parade that much more of a landmark occasion.

Unfortunately, the pending rain this week might wash away the signage......

Very quietly, there was a carnival at Powers Park in Lansingburgh over the weekend. Outside of maybe a mention in the pages of El Cheapo Media, or on social media, few probably knew about it.

Powers Park will also host a rummage sale for residents on July 25, a far cry from the days of monthly flea markets sponsored by a local church. There hasn't been a rummage sale or flea market at Powers Park in years, but that will soon change. If this works out, there will be more.

Today's technology allows for radio stations to very sneakily let their on-air talent pre-record their bumpers & cues.

One such case was last night, during Ben Patten's evening show on WROW. What listeners didn't know, and didn't find out until this morning, was that Patten had recorded promos, bumpers, & cues in advance so he & his wife could attend the Barry Manilow concert at MVP Arena. While the pre-recording was not acknowledged on the air, listeners could figure it out on their own. I've often suspected this has been done in the past, especially on holidays. Now, it's almost certain.

The Supreme Court tells Donald Trump to pay what he owes to E. Jean Carroll. He still denies doing anything or even knowing her

 The Supreme Court, in one of several cases regarding president Trump heard today, ruled that President Cheapo needs to pay E. Jean Carroll what he owes her, per a civil liability ruling 2 years ago.

From the Associated Press YouTube channel:

Now, you know that there are no more appeals on this case. However, the biggest skinflint this side of Jack Benny will still be doing this.

"WAAAH!! I don't really owe her anything! WAAAAHHH!"

Now, you could chalk up Trump's denials as a product of advanced age, just as much, if not more so, as his reluctance to pony up. He's also been told he can't fire Federal Reserve commissioner Lisa Cook without proper cause.

Speaking of the Fed, it's current chairman, Guilderland native Kevin Warsh, has gotten on Trump's bad side by following his instincts, and not the dictums of President Cheapo. It sure sounds as though the honeymoon's already over for Warsh as it relates to Trump. Stay tuned.

When icons meet: Adam West & Mary Tyler Moore on 77 Sunset Strip (1959)

 You know the story of how Mary Tyler Moore lost her first series gig on Richard Diamond when it got out she was the mysterious switchboard operator, Sam.

Welp, Mary, billed as Mary Moore here, began making appearances on 77 Sunset Strip a few months after getting sacked from Diamond. In "Thanks For Tomorrow", she's the love interest of one Lonnie Drew (Adam West), who is being set up as a fall guy by some gamblers.....

Edit, 7/6/26: WB put in a copyright claim on the full episode, so we'll sub in an excerpt.

Seven years later, West would work with producer Howie Horwitz again, this time on Batman.

Cinema Saturday: Dragnet (1966-9)

 We're launching a new feature today with Cinema Saturday. First up, we're bringing back the 1966 pilot for the 2nd Dragnet series, which didn't air until 3 years later. Unfortunately, the last copy we had was removed from YouTube.

This time, we'll start with the opening sequence, which has, for unknown reasons, been edited off subsequent prints.

Today, the bondage sequence at the start probably would've been moved to later in the movie.

Now, in the words of the late Paul Harvey, the rest of the story.

I honestly wish the movie was left intact as we had it before, but things are different today.

In 2 weeks, the return of Peter Gunn.

Carlos Mendoza fired by the Mets. Which direction does the team take, post-firing?

 You could see it coming a mile away. Six errors in the nightcap of a Wednesday doubleheader seemed to be the last straw, but the Mets allowed 3rd year manager Carlos Mendoza one more game, the front office equivalent of having a reliever in the bullpen after the starter gets a mound visit, and it's assumed he has one more batter to face.

The Mets were swept by the Chicago Cubs, extending their current losing streak to six games, or half the size of their longest dry spell of the season. Today, the cut the cord on Mendoza, a move many fans saw as long overdue.

Green, a former manager with San Diego, has been in the player development department with the Mets, so he knows some of the current players, and GM David Stearns, himself on the hot seat in the eyes of fans, and owner Steve Cohen, felt a change was needed. In all honesty, maybe that change should've been made after the Mets dropped two of three to the hated Phillies, who roll into Citi Field tonight off a rough series vs. Washington.

After falling out of playoff contention at the end of last season, the Mets were expected to turn things around, but slugger Pete Alonso (Baltimore), closer Edwin Diaz (Dodgers, currently on the IL), and utility ace Jeff McNeil (Sacramento) all chased the money, and Brandon Nimmo was shipped off to Texas for an underachieving Marcus Semien, who's started to turn it around on offense before going to the IL earlier this week with a hip injury. Fans on reddit rebelled, believing the team had reverted to the pre-Cohen era method of rebuilding on the cheap, choosing to stupidly convert Jorge Polanco to a first baseman (currently on the IL). Mark Vientos has been hot & cold, as has Jared Young. The experiment of making Brett Baty into another McNeil (that is, a utilityman who can play anywhere) has been met with indifference.

It's almost as if someone was really, really unhappy after the popular Alonso was allowed to walk, and hexed the team, but there's no proof that ever happened, of course. It isn't helping that the Mets' current malaise has dampened the momentum generated by the Knicks' NBA title victory earlier this month.

Fans on reddit already have given up on 2026, but is it premature? Philadelphia offers a case that it might be. They were the last team to change managers, swapping out Rob Thomson for Don Mattingly several weeks back, and they're back in the thick of the pennant race. Boston dumped Alex Cora, but Chad Tracy has not been the answer so far, leaving the Red Sox in the same position as the Mets, and it's not pretty. At the same time, the fans are not paying much attention to the usual spate of injuries, preventing the 2026 team from actually coming together as a unit, and looking for someone to blame. If you want to do that, whine on talk radio, kids.

Time will tell if Green, a veteran manager like Mattingly, can turn the ship around before it does hit a season ending iceberg. And the clock starts ticking tonight.

Family Fridays: The series premiere of The Smith Family (1971)

 The Smith Family was Don Fedderson's final sale to ABC, and by year's end, he would not have anything on the network, as the series was cancelled, while, The Lawrence Welk Show moved to syndication that fall.

Smith was a mid-season replacement, and the first series for film star Henry Fonda in about a decade (The Deputy). It also brought Ron(ny) Howard (ex-The Andy Griffith Show) back to television after he'd made a movie or two for Disney.

In the opener, Cindy (Darleen Carr, later of The Streets of San Francisco) is ostracized when a classmate (guest star Heather Menzies) is busted for marijuana possession.

The title song is performed by Mike Minor (ex-Petticoat Junction).

Fonda would not land another TV series, but spent the rest of the 70's shilling for View-Master in between movies.

Musical Interlude: Spinning Wheel (1969)

 I remember watching some figure skating as a youth, and the background music was "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears. It was so, so perfect.

So, let's go back to 1969, and a live performance of "Spinning Wheel":

In memory of singer David Clayton Thomas, who has passed away at 84. Rest in peace.

Judge to Trump: Leave our elections alone!

 I think you can stick a fork in Dumb Donald's "SAVE America Act", which is meant to be a voter suppression law. A judge just shut down Trump's efforts to interfere in future elections. Glenn Kirschner explains.

Just think, Dumb Donald blocked a bi-partisan housing bill because he wanted his precious project passed. You can just imagine the reaction in the White House....

Meanwhile, a fence has been erected around the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, and Trump still won't allow the tarp to be removed from the Kennedy Center. Everyone can see right through your act, now, bub. Grow up, and deal with it.

Notes from around town

 For months, it has sat dormant, even though the logo was already in place. Then, last week, Elev8 Entertainment finally had its grand opening.

Elev8 is located in the same building as La Victoria on Congress Street, in the former Troy Kitchen location. Elev8 handles bookings for parties and weddings.

Moving to the corner of Congress & 3rd, we find that someone apparently is interested in putting a new business in the retail space last occupied by Midtown Grocery a few years back. Unfortunately, that's all we know.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy wanted to put a bus terminal in the former McDonald's on South Pearl Street, a building that last housed an inner city grocery not too long ago. Residents said no way.

So McCoy, undaunted, has decided to try to put a bus terminal in the Empire State Plaza.

Now, if you live in the 518,  you know the Plaza is a common stop for CDTA buses arriving in Albany from Troy or Cohoes. What McCoy wants to do is set up space for Greyhound, which closed its terminal years ago, and Yankee Trails.

Stay tuned.

While the town of Brunswick isn't exactly in a hurry to fill the vacancy created by Family Footwear's closing, they are filling space across the road.

QuickChek, which is both a sub shop and a gas station, just opened next door to Mattress Firm, which has Chipotle on the other side.

In all honesty, I don't think they're done just yet developing properties on Hoosick Road, but they'd be well served to work out a deal with CDTA for bus service into and out of Hannaford, just up the street from QuickChek. Just sayin'.

Is "Patrick Star" this year's Grimace for the Mets?

Last month, prior to a home game vs. Cincinnati, the Mets thought they could replicate the magic of 2024, when McDonald's mascot Grimace threw out the first pitch. This time, actor Bill Fagerbakke (ex-Coach), now better known as the voice of Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick's self-titled spinoff series, joined Farmers Insurance pitchman JK Simmons, whom most of you know as J. Jonah Jameson from some of the Spider-Man movies, at Citi Field. The Mets gave the two actors microphones.

Yes, Simmons is also the voice of M & M's mascot Peanut, in case your kids don't know. Unfortunately, it hasn't been enough to turn the Mets' fortunes around. 

Paging Danhausen?

Algae turns the water in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool green. Dumb Donald claims vandalism, proving again he doesn't know what he's talking about.......

 "Dumb Donald is really dumb!"---Gene Rayburn, Match Game, 1973-84.

When you rush a project through, disaster usually follows.

Unfortunately, that logic is lost on an 80 year old man-child with the impulse control of a 5 year old.

Donald John Elmer Fudd Trump, man & boy, had the Department of the Interior award a no-bid contract to a friend of his, John Cafaro, and his company, Greenwater Services, to restore the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. However, in his haste to have the pool ready for last week's debacle of a birthday party, headlined by the UFC White House MMA card, Trump didn't give Cafaro enough time to allow his water purification system to be fully installed in the pool. As a result, the water turned green because of algae rising from the floor of the pool.

Cafaro, a neighbor of Trump's in Florida, isn't exactly a saint, either, because of a pair of felonies for which he was sentenced to probation. When the water turned green, Trump threw another temper tantrum, looking for a scapegoat to blame.

"WAAAAAHHHHH!!! Someone wrecked my pool! WAAAAAHHHHH!"

No, dummy, you did it because you couldn't be bothered to properly schedule it. A retired Olympic cyclist visiting the pool was arrested, and falsely accused of vandalism, though it's a safe bet the charges will be dropped. As usual, Dumb Donald didn't have any evidence to support his lie du jour.

If left alone to handle the project, Cafaro could've gotten more time to make sure his system was in place.

"You knew the job was dangerous when you took it."--Super Chicken, 1967.

But, when your client is a neighbor with the mental capacity of a kindergartener.....!

And, oh, that ain't all.....!

On Sunday, it was reported that the oldest baby in America undermined vice president Just Dumb Vance's negotiations with the Iranian government in Switzerland, prompting the Iranian delegation to leave the bargaining table after Trump threatened, yet again, to blow up Iran, days after he'd signed a "memorandum of understanding" with Iran. Seems as though Trump is only going to be happy with a deal that benefits him (of course), moreso than the country. And that ain't happening any time soon.

Bellevue is waiting.

50 years ago, Coca-Cola celebrated the bicentennial (1976)

 To inspire the US of today, maybe Coca-Cola should bring this commercial back.

Just sayin'.

Donald Trump offends another woman. Film at 11

 In this case, it is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ms. Meloni was at the G7 Summit earlier this week, and since coming home, the Ugly American president is repeatedly claiming that she wanted a photo op with him, to the point of begging. You know the drill. Trump is lying, as per usual, because he doesn't like being embarrassed by a strong-willed, assertive woman in a position of authority, just because she won't bend to his will.

"She was begging for a picture with me! I swear! It's true!"

No, it isn't. Your tiny brain can't deal with it, so, as usual, you lash out like a child, bringing further shame and humiliation to this country. You probably tried to force the issue the only way you know how, like a bully.

No, you did this, Dumb Donald, because the national conversation over here was still about the World Cup AND the Knicks having had their victory parade on Thursday without you. You wanted the spotlight on you. Add to that the fact that the memorial reflecting pool you decided needed repairing without proper consultation is in trouble, because the water has turned green from algae at the floor of the pool. Didn't take that into account, did ya? Hmmmmmmmmm, welllllllll, of course not! I've read that experts have said you should've waited a few days before refilling the pool, but you, due to your impatience and ego, needed it refilled the next day.

Now that you've been home for a couple of days, someone should take your phone away, and keep you isolated for a few days while undergoing psychiatric evaluation, just so you can stop lying. We're sick of you.

Sports this 'n' that

 Five days after defeating San Antonio for their first NBA title since 1973, the Knicks had the attention of all of NYC this morning.

The victory parade down the legendary Canyon of Heroes culminated at City Hall, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke at great length, praising the team. Owner James Dolan has already decided that the Knicks will be the first NBA champions to visit president Trump at the White House, since Dolan & Trump are long time friends and have similar social attitudes, as witnessed by Dolan's long standing feud with former Knick star Charles Oakley, dating back nearly a decade, and, well, we know about Trump's childish, daily tantrums.

Trump is in France for the G7 Summit, and missed the parade.

The Knicks have already worked out a deal with the WWE in relation to Danhausen, who was a good luck charm for the team during their post-season run. Comparisons to the Mets' magical run 2 summers ago after a promotional appearance by Grimace can be dismissed, since Danhausen got the Knicks "to the finish line".

Speaking of WWE, there are no plans to hold a PLE at the White House, unlike the UFC spectacular four nights ago. UFC frontman & Ram pitchman Dana White has already shot down plans for a second card at the White House, and has to deal with the backlash of one of his fighters taking a cheap shot at former First Lady Michelle Obama. Right wing morons are overestimating the crowd size for Sunday's card. Par for the course for chronic liar Trump and his supporters.

Belated congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes on winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday, besting Vegas in 6 games. We referenced this over at Tri-City SportsBeat on Monday.

It must've been guys night out for WWE's Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Roman Reigns, & Nick Khan at the UFC card on Sunday. Levesque's brother-in-law, Shane McMahon, was also in the house, as he's probably the biggest MMA fan in the family.

YouTube Theatre: The Outlaws is Coming (1965)

 The Three Stooges' final feature film for Columbia sends them back to the old west.

"The Outlaws is Coming", released in January 1965, enables the team to reward the children's show hosts screening their shorts across the country, such as WPIX's "Officer" Joe Bolton, by casting them as outlaws. Emil Sitka plays three different roles (keep an eye out for him in this picture), and, otherwise, the supporting cast includes Adam West, a year before Batman, Nancy Kovack, & Henry Gibson.

Paul Frees (of course) delivers some Lone Ranger-esque narration early on.

I remember seeing this on WSBK once upon a time, introduced by Dana Hersey, back in the 70's or 80's, I forget which.

A Stooges fan channel misleads viewers by inserting a head shot of Curly Howard in the thumbnail, when Joe DeRita is in this film. Of course, we know better, don't we, kids?

Wild West Wednesdays returns in 2 weeks with Zorro.

Musical Interlude: Just Another Girl (2013)

 Nearly 10 years after their debut, "Hot Fuss", The Killers released a compilation CD, which included the single, "Just Another Girl". Save for a cameo at the end, where he's dressed like he was in "All These Things I've Done", Brandon Flowers doesn't appear. Instead, Dianna Agron acts as a stand-in, miming Flowers' vocals.

Surreal.

There are such things as variant covers (All in The Family, 1971)

 From season 1 of All in The Family:

We had this one up before, and ended up losing it after it'd been taken down from YouTube. Now, it's back, via the Norman Lear Effect channel.

Archie (Carroll O'Connor) learns about judging people when he makes a wrong impression about a friend of Mike & Gloria's, only to discover when he goes to the bar that a friend of his has a secret. Anthony Geary and Philip Carey guest star, along with Billy Sands (billed as Billie), whose former McHale's Navy castmate, Bob Hastings, makes his debut as the bartender.

Edit, 6/24/26: Had to change the video as the episode, for whatever, has been privatized. Following is a short excerpt with Philip Carey.

Wartime Mondays: The Leathernecks (The Gallant Men, 1963)

 Sure, Flag Day was yesterday, but let's travel back to World War II with The Gallant Men, a one season drama from Warner Bros. & ABC.

Van Williams (ex-Surfside Six), George Murdock (later turning up on The Bold Ones & Barney Miller), and Philip Carey (ex-Philip Marlowe) guest star in "The Leathernecks". Hank Simms is our announcer.

Writer Ken Pettus would later write scripts for Williams and The Green Hornet three years later.

Wartime Mondays is going on hiatus. 

Musical Interlude: The theme from Peter Gunn (1969)

 Hey, bub, check it. Henry Mancini. Peter Gunn. Ed Sullivan. Whut more y'need to know?

Destiny favors the Knicks, despite the NBA star system

 1973.

That was the last time the Knicks were NBA champions. The last title run for Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Phil Jackson, Earl Monroe, and Bill Bradley. The Mets tried to ride that momentum to another World Series that fall, but fell to the then-Oakland A's in 7 games as the A's won their 2nd straight title. The Yankees, Jets, Giants, & Rangers weren't even close.

2026.

An improbable post-season run culminated in the first NBA title since then on Saturday night, as the Knicks avenged a 1999 NBA finals loss to San Antonio by dusting the Spurs in 5 games. Jalen Brunson took on the role of Willis Reed, willing his team to victory, leading the Knicks with 45 points as his father, Rick, a member of the 1999 team, and now, an assistant coach, looked on from the Knicks bench.

Predictably, fans in NYC were delirious, and also prone to violence, just out of sheer stupidity, not knowing how to properly celebrate. For the Knicks' man-child owner, James Dolan, he adds the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Stanley Cup the Rangers won 32 years ago.

But, it almost didn't happen, because of the NBA's star system, and how they want to protect their most marketable players, like the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama. In the 3rd quarter, as the Knicks were making their comeback, the refs missed what would've been a flagrant foul, committed by Wembanyama, on Brunson. Knicks coach Mike Brown, Brunson, and Knicks fans who made the pilgrimage to San Antonio, complained. So did ESPN's team of Mike Breen, Tim Legler, & Richard Jefferson. The refs held their whistles because the league, conspiracy theorists say, wanted the series to continue.

But, to borrow from 80's singer Taylor Dayne, you "can't fight fate". The Knicks persevered, and ended 53 years of title frustration. Dolan would also have a WNBA title trophy if he hadn't sold the Liberty a few years ago.

For all the negativity that came with president Trump showing up at MSG on Monday, with granddaughter Kai in tow, the Knicks, you can say, gave Washington's resident man-child an early birthday present.

But, now comes the hard part. Repeating. Good luck.

Gene Shalit (1926-2026)

 He was America's most famous film critic, until Chicago's Roger Ebert & Gene Siskel got their own show. A bushy mustache, with an afro to match, made Gene Shalit a television icon for nearly 40 years on The Today Show, starting around 1972.

Shalit didn't just do movie reviews. He also conducted interviews with actors whose films he'd review, such as, in this case, a 1981 interview with Liza Minelli, who was promoting "Arthur":

Shalit parlayed his fame on Today into appearances on game shows such as What's My Line? & To Tell The Truth, and was parodied by the likes of Eugene Levy (SCTV), and Horatio Sanz (Saturday Night Live). His likeness also turned up in animated form via The Critic and Family Guy.

Rest in peace.

Family Fridays: The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, aka The Adventures of The Nelson Family (1952)

 Bandleader Ozzie Nelson, previously on Red Skelton's radio show, had spun off into his own radio series, which transitioned to television in 1952, beginning a 14 year run on ABC.

It was Ozzie, wife Harriet, and sons Rick & David, with the usual recurring cast of supporting characters, representing the prototypical American family in the 50's.

In syndication, the series used the alternate title, The Adventures of The Nelson Family, as you'll see in this sample episode, with guests Lyle Talbot, Frank Cady (later of Green Acres & Petticoat Junction), and Parley Baer (later of The Andy Griffith Show):

In 2 weeks, we'll visit with Henry Fonda, Ron Howard, and The Smith Family.

This week in presidential stupidity

 You've heard or read by now that president Trump claims he's nearing a deal with Iran.

And if you believe that one, then he's got a bridge to sell you. Somewhere in a swamp.

On the other side, the Iranian government, which closed the Strait of Hormuz----again----on Thursday, isn't budging from its current negotiating stance, contrary to what Trump wants everyone here to believe.

What Trump, who will be 80 on Sunday, doesn't comprehend is that not only are the people here in the US not buying his hyperbolic BS, but the Iranians can see right through him. The game of diplomatic chicken will continue.

Some fly-by-night jobroni company, 15 Seconds to Fame, copped to digitally altering audio of Trump getting booed at Madison Square Garden on Monday, subbing the boos & jeers with cheers to make him happy. Golfer Kai Trump, the president's granddaughter (Don, Jr.'s daughter) took notice of it, and that forced the company out in the open.

Nice to know Kai has more on the ball than her father & grandfather combined.

We're learning that President Buzzkill won't be at tonight's Team USA first round match in the World Cup (9 pm, Fox) at SoFi stadium, just outside Los Angeles. Just as well. Someone should give him some Sominex so he can sleep at a decent hour.

President Buzzkill, as you know, will now headline what was supposed to be a month long state fair at the National Mall in Washington, scheduled to start later this month. He'll be joined by 80's country star Lee Greenwood, and opera star Christopher Macchio, whom Trump has compared to another 80's icon, Luciano Pavarotti. Trump threw shade on the artists that dropped out, like Martina McBride, Young MC, and the Commodores, and the ones that seemingly were still in, including Flo Rida and 90's star Vanilla Ice, who acted like he was oblivious to it all.

And, then, there's the matter of the Kennedy Center.

The Center board, all appointed by President Buzzkill himself, wants a stay on removing Trump's name from the center, which is due to be removed this weekend. I think the idea is that they want it there through Sunday. Good luck with that. Trump's name is already off the center's website. Taking it off the building should've been done already, but for the delay tactic by this group of bootlicking goofs.

Personally, I'd strap Trump to a chair and make him watch "Billy Madison" in a 24 hour loop........

Could another title drought come to an end? The Knicks are on the verge

 53 years.

That's how long it's been since the Knicks were last NBA champions. Back then, you had Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, Walt Frazier, and Phil Jackson, who'd later win a bunch of titles as a coach. 

Today, the Knicks have the likes of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and they're a game away from their 3rd NBA title.

Wednesday night, the Knicks erased a 29 point 2nd half deficit to beat San Antonio, and take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, with Game 5 set for Saturday night in San Antonio.

Remember when they'd hype the Muscular Dystrophy telethons back in the day? "Stay up with Jerry (Lewis), and watch the stars come out!", Ed McMahon would intone in the voiceover.

The Knicks had the stars at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night....

Missing from the picture: Michael J. Fox and rapper Fat Joe.

Knicks radio co-host Monica McNutt, however, threw cold water on Taylor Swift's appearance, not realizing that the singer is, in fact, a Knicks fan. And you thought they were done with the buzzkill......!

Two years ago, the Mets rode a wave of momentum after a promotional appearance by McDonald's mascot Grimace became a meme. The Knicks are riding a similar wave, thanks in large part to WWE star Danhausen, who "uncursed" the team, leading to their current status, having won 12 of 13.

The Mets should be paying attention. They might need Danhausen's services next.

Journalism under attack: Donald Trump's "enemies" list was created because the truth hurts the administration

 When the late Richard Nixon was President, he had an "enemies" list, which consisted of political foes like Senators Birch Baye, Sam Ervin, Howard Baker, & Ted Kennedy. The existence of this list ultimately contributed to Nixon's resignation in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal. Journalist Daniel Schorr, famous for The Pentagon Papers, was also on the list.

52 years later, the current president, the onion-skinned Donald Trump, has his own list, which includes online commentators like Brian Tyler Cohen & David Pakman. The rationale behind this?

The truth hurts. As much as the Trump administration insists on forwarding false narratives contrary to truth & reality, the fact that they are now targeting the likes of Cohen & Pakman speaks to the frustration in the White House over the fact that Trump and his staff are constantly fact-checked for every falsehood that they speak.

Farron Cousins, who is not on the list, explains:

The list goes right along with Trump's campaign of retribution & revenge, largely because Cohen & Pakman, and Cousins, too, represent a section of the country that will not indulge Trump's delusional power fantasies, especially now as he approaches his 80th birthday on Sunday. It's almost as if Trump, once upon a time, took a wrong turn at the Twilight Zone, and never looked back.

I've said this before, and it bears repeating. Criticism comes with the territory when you are in a position of power, such as Trump. The problem is, he won't accept any criticism, even the constructive variety that is meant to help encourage him to do & be better. He doesn't want anyone near him that will tell him the truth. You're meant to indulge his delusions. At this point, no. At this point, the delusions have to stop. They have to, before it's too late.

Wild West Wednesdays: The Quiet Stranger (Ford Theatre, 1957)

 This one is for Hal Horn at The Horn Section.

From the final season of Ford Theatre comes "The Quiet Stranger". George Montgomery has the title role, a wayfarer who inspires a young boy (Bobby Clark) to race for the building of a schoolhouse. Forrest Tucker & Ted DeCorsia co-star.

Troy goes el-scrimpo for summer concerts

 Looking at the free concert schedules in and around the home district, it feels like Troy has decided to go el-scrimpo this year. That is to say, not as much entertainment as usual, as the budget is being redistributed elsewhere.

The annual Rockin' on The River series at Riverfront Park has been "paused" for this year. Seems to me the money is being diverted for one of Mayor Carmella Mantello's fever dream projects. Not good. They're still doing the Wake Up Wednesday series at Ryan's Wake on River Street, though.

But, the biggest hit is the Powers Park series, reduced to just 2 shows this year, both with a 1 pm start, and running until 8:30 pm.

July 11:

1 pm: Psycho Mutton Chops.

3 pm: Brian Kane & The Beginning.

6 pm: Skeeter Creek.

August 15:

1 pm: Ishikawa (Allman Brothers tribute).

3 pm: Stones Alive (Rolling Stones tribute, of course).

6 pm: Legacy (Styx tribute).

Wake Up Wednesdays began its 2026 season on May 20, and continues through July 1. Next Step Federal Credit Union is the event sponsor. The remaining lineup:

Tomorrow: The Revival, featuring Alyssa Crosby (ex-The Voice).

June 17: Yacht Club.

June 24: Highway Boys (Zach Bryan tribute).

July 1: Legend (Journey tribute).

The city will still have its annual Pig Out and Chowderfest events at Riverfront Park, but this just doesn't hit the same.

Looking at the schedules for places like Cohoes, Watervliet, & Amsterdam makes Troy look like chump change. Do better next year, y'all.

The kiss of death strikes both coasts

 "Dumb Donald is really dumb!"---Gene Rayburn, Match Game, 1973-84.

Not every candidate that is endorsed by Dozin' Donald Trump actually succeeds.

A week ago, former reality star Spencer Pratt (ex-The Hills) was in line for a runoff election in November against incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. But, in the words of college football icon Lee Corso, not so fast, my friend, not so fast.

On Monday, LA councilperson Nithya Raman surged into 2nd place, setting up the runoff with Bass in November.

He saw nothing but Raman's tail lights.

The elimination of Spencer from the race came less than 48 hours after Trump threw a temper tantrum on Meet The Press, falsely claiming, as usual, that the election was rigged.

"WAAAAHHHHH! They're screwing Spencer! WAAAHHHH!"

No, they're not, Dumb Donald. You screwed him by endorsing him. If you didn't insist sticking your nose into every GOP race, things might be different.

In New York, the Knicks saw their 13 game postseason winning streak snapped in a 115-111 loss to San Antonio. As had been widely reported, and panned, Trump showed up. If the 2025 Super Bowl was any indication, he probably didn't stay for the whole game. WWE's Danhausen was also in attendance, but his kayfabe "powers" were negated by the presence of Dozin' Donald. Rumors circulated that Trump would be seated at Celebrity Row at courtside, but, common sense prevailed in that regard, as Trump was given a luxury suite by his friend and fellow man-child, James Dolan. The View moderator Whoopi Goldberg, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, and others had suggested that Trump not show up, but, of course, and of course, he was booed by the city he betrayed to move to Florida during his first term. The Knicks were forced to cancel a watch party outside Madison Square Garden (it was moved to Bryant Park). Filmmaker & Knicks superfan Spike Lee wore a jersey autographed by Pope Leo to troll Trump.

No, Trump won't be back for game 4, which takes place tomorrow. He's already done enough damage.

What Might've Been: The Mighty O (1962)

 When it got out that ABC had decided to turn an Alcoa Theatre drama into McHale's Navy, the other networks were looking for service comedies set in peacetime.

NBC got just 1 season out of Dean Jones' Ensign O'Toole. CBS, on the other hand, never got out of the starting gate with The Mighty O.

The ensemble starts with a reunion of Peter Gunn co-stars Craig Stevens & Lola Albright. Mix in Alan Hale, Richard Jaeckel, and Jamie Farr (billed under his real name, Jameel Farah), and you'd think they'd have a winner. Nope.

Let's check out why.

No rating. Just a public service. Wartime Mondays returns next week with The Gallant Men.

The worm turns in Arizona: Donald Trump's lawyers to be prosecuted for fraud

 More than 5 1/2 years after he lost his bid for re-election, Donald Trump just won't let go of the fact that he lost, and insists to this day the election was rigged against him, when it clearly was not.

In Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes is turning the tables on Trump's band of ambulance chasing legal weasels, including Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and John Eastman.

Brian Tyler Cohen & Glenn Kirschner break it down.

They say that Trump truly believes he was screwed. No, he wasn't, but you can't make him understand that. What really cost him in 2020 was his bumbling the government's response to COVID. Given Trump's temper tantrum on national television today on Meet The Press, it's likely he'll take his denials with him when he leaves Washington in 2029. If only he wouldn't.

What Might've Been: Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories (1985)

 While CBS was preparing a remake of The Twilight Zone, Steven Spielberg & Amblin Entertainment decided to do their own version.

Amazing Stories ran for 2 seasons total, airing on Sundays, coupled with another reboot, this one of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Spielberg actually obtained a license for the title, since it's also a long running magazine that launched 100 years ago.

Like Twilight, Amazing Stories had a mix of thrillers and lighter fare, the latter of which is represented in an excerpt from season 1. In "Remote Control Man", a henpecked husband (Sidney Lassick, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest") acquires a new TV with a bizarre remote control that brings anything on the screen into the "real world". With guest appearances by Barbara Billingsley (Muppet Babies, ex-Leave it To Beaver), Dirk Benedict (The A-Team), Lou Ferrigno (using archived Incredible Hulk footage), Lyle Alzado, Jim Lange, Professor Toru Tanaka, Richard Simmons, LaWanda Page (ex-Sanford & Son), Sid Haig, and Ed McMahon (Star Search, The Tonight Show):

That Tanaka is given dialogue is rare, but it also sounds like they had Keye Luke dub over the dialogue.

Silly. NBC gave it up too soon.

Rating: B.

Videos of Summer: Suddenly Last Summer (1983)

 "Suddenly Last Summer" was the first single from the Motels' 1983 album, "Little Robbers". Singer Martha Davis, falling asleep after reading a Harlequin romance novel, imagines herself on the beach, and....

YouTube Theatre: Tammy & The Millionaire (1965-7)

 It was a common practice in the 60's & 70's for studios to repackage episodes of series that were either hits or flops into feature films to gain some extra mileage.

Universal did just that with "Tammy & The Millionaire", a compilation of 3 episodes of the 1965 series, Tammy, hoping to save face after the series had ended. Debbie Watson (Tammy) had transitioned into taking over the role of Marilyn Munster in "Munster Go Home", which came out around the same time, within a few months.

On The Air: 60 Minutes (1968)

 When 60 Minutes bowed in 1968, it was at the back end of CBS' Tuesday lineup, before moving into its current spot at the front of the network's Sunday block. Today, it is on the verge of being repackaged into tabloid television if CBS' current owners so desired, the better to placate a frequent guest who has self esteem issues. If you don't know what I mean, you haven't been paying attention.

60 Minutes represented investigative journalism, getting to the heart of stories not getting enough time on the evening news. Revealing to America the names behind the headlines. Mike Wallace (ex-Biography) was lead anchor at the beginning, with a rotating cast of co-anchors & reporters including Morley Safer, Lesley Stahl, Diane Sawyer, Ed Bradley, Harry Reasoner, and pundit Andy Rooney, an Albany native. When it came to major headlines like Watergate and the Iran hostage crisis in the 70's & 80's, 60 Minutes was must-see TV, long before NBC coined the term.

From 1974, a profile on Watergate figure Donald Segretti.

I shan't be surprised if, within a year, the series is reduced to being a network cousin to, say, Inside Edition, dragged down into the dirt because of a thin-skinned loose screw in Washington.

Rating: A.

Yo, Alabama! Do you really want a carpetbagging ex-football coach as your next governor?

 Before becoming Senator, Tommy Tuberville was known in Alabama as the head football coach at Auburn. He eventually ended his coaching career in Cincinnati, at the university there, before turning to politics.

Instead of running for re-election for his Senate seat, Tommy Tubes decided to go for higher stakes, and run for governor of Alabama. Ah, but therein lies the rub. Emphasis on lies, folks.

Remember when former Georgia football icon Herschel Walker decided to return to the Peach State to run for Senate, at the request of Donald Trump? You know how that worked out, right? Walker was sacked, losing the election to Rev. Raphael Warnock. Walker had been living in Texas at the time, ignorant of the rules regarding residency to run for office in either state. Trump subsequently made Walker an ambassador to the Bahamas last year.

Tommy Tubes is making Walker out to look like a deer-in-the-headlights rube, as Farron Cousins explains.

George "Pinocchio" Santos, the 2nd most prolific liar in the GOP, after, of course, Trump, didn't finish his lone term in Congress. Madison "Foghorn" Cawthorn, was defeated in a primary, serving just 1 term, and at last check, left North Carolina for parts unknown. Tommy Tubes is facing an uphill battle, and his own tax returns may have cost him his career.

No wonder Trump is so reluctant to let his returns be made public. He's got more skeletons in his closet, don't ya think?

At CBS, it's not about real news anymore. It's about placating a hypersensitive man-baby

 60 Minutes has been on the air nearly 60 years. Right now, the anchor of CBS' Sunday lineup is looking like it may be headed for the endangered species list.

Reporter Scott Pelley, a former CBS Evening News anchor, was fired earlier this week for standing up to the network's right-wing-aligned head of the news department, Bari Weiss, and her new head man at 60 Minutes, Nick Bilton. Weiss, then, lied about the firing in a statement released to the press.

With CBS' corporate parent, Paramount-Skydance, still looking to close a deal on a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, the network has gutted its news department in an effort to placate president Donald Trump, the most thin-skinned, hypersensitive man in modern history. Even with Trump-friendly management, President Pampers is still rage-watching, looking for excuses to whine & complain about the longest running primetime news program the network has ever had. Former anchor Dan Rather has railed against his former bosses. Founding co-anchors Mike Wallace & Morley Safer are turning over in their graves.

The merger would give Skydance owners Larry & David Ellison control of CNN, as well, another outlet that fuels Trump's rage. Trump doesn't understand that not all criticism is negative. He watches TV so he can have something to complain about and rile up his base of marks.

If the merger isn't finalized by, say, November, and the midterm elections go in favor of the Democrats, as has been forecast for months, it probably won't be final at all.

For Scott Pelley, I'd not be surprised if someone suggests the prospect of a wrongful termination suit. That would have more merit behind it than any frivolous attempt at litigation from Trump and his crew.

When Icons Meet: Betty White visits The Price is Right (1988)

 I just couldn't pass this up.

Betty White (The Golden Girls) paid a visit to good friend Bob Barker's The Price is Right in the fall of 1988 to help a contestant play the Hole in One golf game......

Betty would make two more appearances on Price, including, I think, one during the current Drew Carey era.

Musical Interlude: By The Time This Night is Over (1992)

 Kenny G teamed with Peabo Bryson on 1992's "By The Time This Night is Over", first released on Kenny's CD, "Breathless", then reissued on a Bryson CD 2 years later. Bryson had become known for his Disney duets from "Beauty & The Beast" and "Aladdin", the latter released around the same time as "Night".

In memory of Bryson, 75, who passed away earlier today after a stroke. Rest in peace.

What Might've Been: Show Me! (1990)

 Here's an unsold pilot recently uncovered.

NBC had commissioned Show Me! from an independent producer in 1990. Three pilots were produced before the network decided not to pick up the show.

Ex-MTV VJ Mark Goodman, having seen how his pal, Alan Hunter, had managed to do a fill-in gig on Triple Threat a couple of years earlier, was tapped to host this pilot. Our celebrity panel includes impressionist-actor Fred Travalena, no stranger to being an MC himself.

What were they going for? Sounds like You Don't Say for stand-ups. Goodman looked perfect in his first go as a game show host, but was never given another audition. Mark would later return to the MTV Networks family, this time at VH1, for a time.

Rating: B.

Trump steals awards that he didn't earn. Jimmy Kimmel earned his. Expect a meltdown in Washington.........

 This is going to hit president Donald Trump right where he lives. In his overfed ego.

ABC should start promoting Jimmy Kimmel Live! by highlighting the fact that the comedian has earned a Peabody Award. Check it.

Trump swindled his way to the Nobel Peace Prize medal, and stole some soccer trophies that don't belong to him. Kimmel earned the Peabody. Trump will be wetting his Depends any time now.....!

Jimmy Kimmel has been part of the pop culture fabric for nearly 30 years, dating back to Win Ben Stein's Money. Just watch. Next year, it'll be Stephen Colbert's turn......

Celebrity Rock: Under The Bridge (2024)

From The Masked Singer:

We found out that Dr. Ken Jeong is a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers fan. Contestant Sherlock Hound got a rise out of Jeong with a compact cover of the Chilis' 1991 smash, "Under The Bridge".

Some folks initially thought it was Hootie & The Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker under the mask. Nope. Turned out it was former baseball pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who played for a number of teams, including Cincinnati, Boston, & Arizona, during his career. Jeong got in on the fun calling out, "One time!" prior to the chorus. 

Y'notice how judge Robin Thicke is sounding like his late father, actor-singer-songwriter Alan Thicke? Maybe his next album will cover all the theme songs dad wrote.....