Musical Interlude: Personal Jesus (2018)

 Depeche Mode's 1990 classic, "Personal Jesus", gets a 21st century metal makeover, courtesy of Def Leppard.

Tasty.

Forgotten TV: Lampoon (1974)

 After Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In ended its run, George Schlatter, who'd flopped with Turn On so badly, you'd think ABC would never talk to him again, came back to the alphabet network with a pilot that looked like an off-Broadway show.

Lampoon had not a single connection with either the Harvard Lampoon or the long running humor mag, the National Lampoon, which had a syndicated radio show around this time, and soon would spawn a series of movies that were hits at the box office (i.e. "Animal House").

Among the familiar faces, we find Desi Arnaz, Jr., fresh off Here's Lucy, Brenda Vaccaro, Marshall Efron, who'd later front a Sunday school show a few years later, then get into voice acting (i.e. Smurfs), Wayland Flowers w/Madame, Bo Kaprall, and Lonnie Schorr.

A few quick notes: Flowers suffered from the same problem Edgar Bergen had when Bergen first appeared on camera with his puppets. Flowers' mouth moves when Madame speaks. Flowers improved over time, of course. Bo Kaprall later turned up on a short-lived Saturday morning variety show, Wacko, with Charles Fleischer (Welcome Back, Kotter) and Julie McWhirter (The Rich Little Show), which ran for one season on CBS. Kaprall's largely been off camera ever since.

Schlatter tried to recapture the magic of Laugh-In, but ABC suits weren't impressed. Flowers, for all we know, may have been a reason why.

Rating: B-.

After a tragedy, there are copycats, and there are clowns

 It's been nearly 2 weeks since a 14 year old killed two fellow students & two teachers in Georgia. His father has since been arrested as well, as law enforcement is finally holding parents accountable for their juvenile children's rampages.

However, there have been more than the usual copycats looking to get their 15 minutes of infamy, but gun violence is not and never has been the real answer. We'll get back to that shortly.

Since the Georgia incident, there have been threats and foiled attempts, and a lot of the threats have turned out to be swatting hoaxes, including one close to home.

On Monday, Bethlehem School superintendent Jody Munroe held a presser to reveal that, well, the phoned threats her district and the police had been getting since last Wednesday were an extended swatting hoax.

Jody Munroe, Bethlehem School District.

The FBI and local police have also determined that the swatter is from outside the target area, which begs to ask, why randomly choose a school district miles away from your home?

Because it's all for the perp's twisted amusement. When the threats at Bethlehem were first reported, aimed at the high school football team, my first thought was, maybe this clown is an unhappy student who didn't make the team, or had a grudge with a coach or teacher. Swatters don't care about the target, just the reaction of law enforcement. If it works, you do it again until you get caught. With today's technology, sooner or later, the swatter does get caught, then make up some flimsy excuse.

Nationally, an 11 year old in Florida was arrested late last week for making threats he later claimed were in jest.

Sorry, kid, but this ain't no joke anymore.

We hear the usual stories that the shooters, such as the 14 year old in Georgia, were bullied, and they were lashing out. We hear about video games being blamed. The video games are used as a form of release if the child isn't sharing with his parents about how he's being hassled and bullied.

Video games aren't at fault. The lack of communication between parents and their troubled children, especially when it comes to physical or online and/or psychological bullying, is. All it really takes is a meeting between parents, their child or children, and a psychologist, as well as school administrators, to address the bullying, and how to stop it. The sooner it's addressed, and handled, the less of a chance the child lashes out. It's really that simple.

Making matters worse is the fact that on Monday, a first grader, 6, was found to have a gun in his backpack, presumably for show & tell in class. Presumably, the parents put it there because the child needed something for class. Somewhere in the southeast, there are parents who have insulated themselves from reality, with no clue on how to explain to their first grader that it's not safe to bring a gun to school, just for show & tell, not in these sensitive times.

Maybe, in that case, the parents need to be checked for psych issues, too.........

Rudy Goofiani loses another lawsuit, and this is one we didn't know about

 America's Disgrace, Rudy Giuliani, is in trouble again.

It turns out that Giuliani had filed a defamation lawsuit against President Biden over remarks Biden made in a 2020 debate with then-president Donald Trump, claiming that Giuliani was being used as a pawn by the Russians.

Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner, now the host of the YouTube series, Justice Matters, breaks it down.

I think Giuliani didn't object because, quite frankly, given his myriad of legal troubles, some of which Kirschner referenced, he forgot about the Biden case. In all honesty, most of us didn't know about the case in the first place, because all the attention was focused on----who else?----Trump.

Rudy, there is dumb, and, then, there is you. Case closed.

Musical Interlude: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine (1987)

 Austin City Limits welcomed Johnny & June Carter Cash, along with the Carter Family, and Johnny's brother, Tommy, in 1987.

In this segment, Tommy joins his big brother for a cover of Gene Autry's "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine", which had also been covered by the Everly Brothers.

In memory of Tommy Cash, who passed away this weekend. Rest in peace.

On The Shelf: A thesis on Batman, and M & M's solve a mystery?

 Last time, I had stated I had acquired a copy of Rabbi Cary Friedman's 2006 tome, reissued last year, Wisdom From The Batcave, from the author himself, after he'd found my name in some old lettercols dating back to the late 80's and early 90's. I'd guess I wasn't the only one.

Using selected panels from various Bat-books and an editorial cartoon from the NY Post, circa 2001 (the panels go back to the 70's & 80's), Friedman offers 18 chapters of life lessons, based on an exploration of the Dark Knight himself.

With testimonials from a host of comics luminaries, including Gerry Conway, now a television producer, Ed Brubaker, and the late Dennis O'Neil, Friedman hit the best-seller list in 2006. This could also pass as a college course for serious Bat-fanatics.

Rating: A.

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Titan Comics has rolled out its anticipated miniseries, Battle of The Black Stone, which was previewed in Savage Sword of Conan #4 last month. The idea here is to bring a number of Robert E. Howard's creations, not just Conan, but Solomon Kane, Black Agnes, and others, sans Red Sonja, whose rights are held by Dynamite.

That said, this is a time travel adventure as it'll unfold over the next three chapters, enveloping all of the protagonists. Unfortunately, the artwork doesn't do anyone any favors. Titan could've gotten Conan artists Doug Braithwaite and/or Roberto de la Torre, the latter of whom contributes a cover to issue 2, out next month, to do the interiors, but, nope. We're not sticking around.

Rating: B--.

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Mars Wrigley licensed the M & M's mascots to Marvel for a 1-shot special, Small Town, Big Trouble, aimed at the kiddo's as school begins for the season. The gang run across a robot that's draining happiness is a suburban village. Adding to the Scooby-Doo vibe this book generates are a cover and pin-ups by The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries artist Dario Brizuela. Delightful fun, but released a wee bit too early. Marvel should've waited until Halloween. No, really. The book's pretty fun, though.

Rating: A.

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Now that Tom King's The Penguin has wrapped, two months later than originally scheduled, the villain will return in new book tied to the HBO series starring Colin Farrell, itself spun off last year's "The Batman" feature film.

This week in GOP stupidity

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

If someone could x-ray the brain of former president Donald John Narcissus Trump, they'd probably find orange peels and prunes where his brain cells should be.

In the wake of a disastrous debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday, Trump was back on the road, continuing to push false claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio taking neighbors' pets, and eating them like cannibals. The 78 year old Trump is himself so gullible as to fall for a Facebook hoax like that, believing it's real when it clearly is not. That hoax has led to bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio, forcing school officials there to close schools the last two days.

Brian Tyler Cohen recaps what has happened on MSNBC's YouTube channel:

That ain't all.

We mentioned before that Trump had Loopy Laura Loomer with him at the debate, and at a Ground Zero memorial in New York on Wednesday, instead of wife Melania. While the former first lady hasn't been heard from, Empty-G (Marjorie Taylor Greene) lashed out at Loomer for pushing the hoax and other nuttier conspiracies, ideas so out there, they're too extreme for the peach brained misrepresentative from Georgia. Jealous much, Empty-G?

Trump and some, but not all, of his allies are still clinging to the notion he "won" the debate. Only in your mind, dude. Trump described Loomer as a "free spirit". Oh, please, give me a break. She's like Trump, an election loser whose brain is permanently damaged. You know what they say about birds of a feather.

Trump has also said he doesn't want another debate with Harris, but made the mistake of using a boxing analogy, not realizing he was describing himself in a classic case of deflection and denial. He's also said he'd only do another if a friendly (to him) moderator like Fox No News' Spam Hannity were in charge. That ain't happening.

The GOP had a chance to force Trump off the ticket, but, instead, went all in with him again at the convention in July. This will cost them. "Bigly".

"Lind-sanity"? Francisco Lindor makes his case for MVP

 Most baseball experts will concede that the National League MVP likely will go to Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers.

Mets fans would beg to differ.

Left for dead at the end of May, the Mets have climbed all the way to 2nd place in the NL East behind Philadelphia, whom they play this weekend & next. At the center of the team's return to respectability has been shortstop Francisco Lindor, in his 4th year with the Mets after coming over from Cleveland. After a slow start, Lindor's offense has exploded.

Wednesday, with the Mets facing a possible no-hitter at the hands of Toronto rookie Bowden Francis, Lindor burnished his MVP credentials. The Mets' YouTube channel revisits the 9th inning.

Nearly two weeks earlier, the Angels' Taylor Ward similarly foiled Francis, as Keith Hernandez & Gary Cohen noted. The snake-bitten Francis ended up with a no decision, as the Mets won, 6-2.

Cohen's call of "Lind-sanity!" recalls when Jeremy Lin became a NYC folk hero with the Knicks several years back. I wonder if the tabloids have picked up on it......!

Musical Interlude: Change of Heart (1986)

 Cyndi Lauper's sophomore release on Epic, 1986's "True Colors", saw 3 singles hit the charts, including the title track (later covered by Phil Collins), and "Change of Heart", co-written by Essra Mohawk. The video was shot in London. Missing from the clip? The Bangles, who had recorded backing vocals on the track.

Lauper was aided in the studio by Nile Rodgers and Rick Derringer, among others, plus a guest appearance by Pee-Wee Herman on the track, "9-1-1".

Baby be unhinged (again): Donald Trump exposed on the debate stage

 Former president Donald Trump had a chance to blunt the momentum of Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday night, live, on network television. He had an opportunity to actually, and acutely, address the issues. Instead, he was rumblin', bumblin', & stumblin' to the finish line with nothing but lies and fallacies, while Harris, a former prosecutor, served up a sobering dose of reality.

Brian Tyler Cohen offers some highlights & insight.

The fallacy of Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats came from a Facebook post that itself is unsubstantiated, perhaps satirical in nature, we don't know. What we do know is that Trump fell for it, hook, line, & sinker, but couldn't get the national television audience to buy into it. As Brian said, as soon as Trump brought up this tall tale, he'd lost the game. Sticking to his usual game plan of juvenile insults and lies didn't work this time, and it didn't deserve to.

Some media sources say that Loopy Laura Loomer was seen arriving with Trump prior to the debate. It explains a lot when Loomer is at Trump's side, not his wife Melania, for such an important event.

After the debate, Trump himself went into the GOP spin room, and tried to say he won, when he clearly did not. Even one of his apologists, Lindsey Zing-a-Graham, admitted that Trump had lost.

We shan't be surprised if we get this from Trump today:

A pair of icons say goodbye

 I was mentally preparing a piece for Tri-City SportsBeat as I was coming home from work, then got hit with a double dose of bad news.

First came word that Broadway & Hollywood legend James Earl Jones had passed away at 93. 

Jones was the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" movies, and even essayed the role in animation as recently as 2 years ago. His other film credits included "Field of Dreams", "Coming to America", "The Lion King", "The Great White Hope", and "Bingo Long's Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings". On television, Jones was cast as author Alex Haley in the adaptation of Haley's best seller, Roots, then starred in two short-lived series, Paris in 1979, and Gabriel's Fire a few years later. 

Then, a gut punch to Mets fans everywhere.

Ed Kranepool, who signed with the team as a 17 year old in 1962, passed at 79 over the weekend, two months shy of his 80th birthday, due to cardiac arrest in his home in Florida.

SNY offers this mini-bio:

The Mets will pay tribute to Kranepool when they return to Citi Field after their road trip, which starts tonight in Toronto.

Rest in peace.

What Might've Been: Big Eddie (1975)

 Sheldon Leonard moved back in front of the camera for one last run. Unfortunately, he should've convinced CBS to leave Big Eddie on Saturday nights.

Big Eddie was "sneak previewed" on 3 consecutive Saturdays, and got good reviews & ratings. Unfortunately, CBS slotted it on Fridays. Opposite Sanford & Son. Ballgame over.

Eddie Smith (Leonard, who also sang the theme song) is a retired mobster who's gone straight, running a sports arena. Sheree North plays his wife, and Quinn Cummings, who'd gain rave notices herself a few years later for "The Goodbye Girl", is Eddie's daughter. Billy Sands (ex-McHale's Navy) and Alan Oppenheimer co-star.

This was old home week, as series creators Bill Persky & Sam Denoff doubled as executive producers.

Gilmore Box provides the open.

No rating. I was doing other things on Friday nights then.

Musical Interlude: Mas Que Nada (But What Nothing)(1966)

 Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 scored here in the US with "Mas Que Nada" in 1966. The title translates into "But What Nothing", in case you wonder.

In memory of Mendes, 83, who passed away earlier this week. Rest in peace.

Back to School Week: Boynton vs. Bundy (Alcoa Theatre, 1959)

 From season 2 of Alcoa Theatre:

A well meaning freshman faces the prospect of near instant expulsion from college on his first day. 

"Boynton vs. Bundy" was a pilot that never got past its initial broadcast in May 1959. There are some familiar faces, including Bert Convy, Raymond Bailey (3 years before Beverly Hillbillies), and Madge Blake, who recurred on Leave it to Beaver at the time. Robert Trumbull is the "Bundy" in the title.

The vibe I get from this is trying to take the basic concept of a high school sitcom, and move it into college. The producers were in over their heads with this one, and the viewers realized this.

Rating: C.

Back to School Week: A lesson in karate (Room 222, 1970)

 Chuck Norris made one of his first television appearances in a 2nd season episode of Room 222. Appearing as himself, having already made his fame as a karate champion, Norris is brought in to mentor a student (Eric Laneuville) dealing with an inferiority complex. Glynn Turman appears as a bully.

We'll forego a rating here for historical significance and public service.

Back to School Week: Violent is The Word For Curly (1938)

 The Three Stooges are mistaken for college professors, and end up charming some young ladies with "The Alphabet Song" in "Violent is The Word For Curly":

Rating: A+.

Musical Interlude: Just When I Needed You Most (1996)

 Dolly Parton failed to crack the country top 40 in 1996 with her cover of Randy Van Wormer's 1979 one hit wonder, "Just When I Needed You Most". Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski added harmony vocals on the track, and although Dolly is shown playing the autoharp, she's actually sitting in for former Lovin' Spoonful frontman John Sebastian, who did not appear in the video, as was the case when he sat in with Van Wormer 17 years earlier.

Back to School Week: The series premiere of Mr. Novak (1963)

 It is a tradition in most, but not all, high schools, that freshmen are "initiated", or, "hazed", same as in college. 

Teachers have issues when they start at a new school, too.

Take, for example, the premiere of Mr. Novak in 1963. John Novak (James Franciscus) is almost in the school building when his parked car is blindsided by a hit & run driver, who later has an encounter with Novak.

Yes, Ed Asner was part of the faculty, at least at the start of the season, but was long gone before the season was over. The cast also included former radio star Larry Thor.

No rating. Just a public service.

NFL 2024 preview, part 2

 Today, we'll take a look at the AFC. 

AFC East:

Buffalo let receiver Stefon Diggs walk (Houston), just as they did with Devin Singletary last year. Singletary, of course, moved from Houston to the Giants this year. Hmmmmm. Do the Bills have enough weapons left for another playoff run? We'll soon see.

New England promoted from within with former defensive lineman-turned-coach Jerod Mayo taking over for Bill Belichick. That may be the spark they need. The Mac Jones era is over, and they're starting from scratch, although bringing back Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis) is meant to be a transitional phase. The Jets have to hope Aaron Rodgers can play beyond the 1st offensive series of the season. Gang Green gets the Monday night opener for the 2nd straight year as a make-good for Rodgers' season-ending injury last year, even though the Jets beat Buffalo in OT. However, San Francisco isn't Buffalo, and a healthy Rodgers isn't going to be enough.

Miami doesn't look like they needed to do much in the off-season, and, if Buffalo does fold, the division is theirs, not the Jets, for the taking.

Projected order of finish:

1. Miami.

2. Buffalo.

3. Jets. 

3 (tie). New England.

AFC North:

Mike Tomlin has left himself open for 2nd and 3rd guessing in Pittsburgh. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson (Denver) and Justin Fields (Chicago) in the off-season while sending Kenny Pickett to in-state rival Philadelphia. From what I saw, Wilson still has it, but in spurts, as a 13 year veteran. People will say there's a reason Chicago gave up on Fields too soon, but from what I saw, that might've been a premature decision.

Cincinnati gets Joe Burrow back to start the new year, though Jake Browning showed what he could do in a pinch last season. Cleveland tried a stunt last year in bringing YouTube star & boxer Jake Paul to training camp, but it went no further. Another Cleveland area product, WWE's Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, would've been a better bet. He was, at least, a star running back in high school before MTV called some 20-odd years ago. DeShaun Watson should be healthy and ready for a full season. Baltimore stands pat, and why not? Lamar Jackson should be able to have a better year than last year.

Projected order of finish:

1. Baltimore.

2. Pittsburgh.

2 (tie). Cincinnati.

4. Cleveland.

AFC South:

Tennessee made a gamble, and let 2022 #1 draft pick Malik Willis walk, then cut Ryan Tannehill last week, meaning 2nd year QB Will Levis is the starter. A questionable decision at best. Houston should get more mileage out of CJ Stroud in year 2, and maybe make a deep playoff run. I wouldn't discount Indianapolis if Anthony Richardson is healthy for a full season. Jacksonville acquired Mac Jones (New England) to be Trevor Lawrence's caddy, and not much else.

Translated, not much has changed.

Projected order of finish:

1. Houston.

2. Indianapolis.

3. Jacksonville.

4. Tennessee.

AFC West:

Can Kansas City 3-peat? No NFL team, not New England, not Pittsburgh, not Dallas, not Green Bay, no one has done it. And KC added Marquise "Hollywood" Brown (Arizona) to their receiving corps, while Kadarius Toney has his head on a swivel. Network cameras will still obsess over Taylor Swift if she attends a game to cheer on Travis Kelce. Travis might need an extra gig, and I don't mean as a game show host. He already has that. Patrick Mahomes has added a new endorsement deal, this time with Dick's World of Sport, if you've already seen it.

Las Vegas brought in Gardner Minshew, tired of being Jalen Hurts' caddy in Philadelphia, to be their starter. Last chance for Minshew, in this writer's opinion. Zack Wilson (Jets) takes over for Russell Wilson in Denver. I don't extpect much improvement. Los Angeles needs help.

Projected order of finish:

1. Kansas City.

2. Las Vegas.

3. Los Angeles.

4. Denver.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Back to School Week: A primer on cheating (Room 222, 1971)

 From season 2 of Room 222:

A mediocre but ambitious student (Chris Beaumont) aspires to go to college, but getting there by cheating? I don't think so.

Chris Beaumont is the son of writer Charles Beaumont, who scripted a fair number of episodes of the original Twilight Zone, among his accomplishments. Elizabeth Baur (ex-Lancer) would join the cast of Ironside a few months later. Chris Beaumont's only other notable role, as YouTube commenters reminded, was another guest shot as a ne'er do well on The Brady Bunch.

Rating: B.