I think we know how Dumb Donald picks his press secretaries.........

 After Karoline Leavitt resigned as White House press secretary, and subsequently went on maternity leave, Dumb Donald needed a new shill. Unfortunately, he should've had her rehearse before her first live briefing.

Katie Zacharia made her debut with a 14 minute press briefing Tuesday, and, unfortunately, not only was she caught unprepared, but she was so much more of a deer in the headlights than even Leavitt or Kayleigh McEnany (now with Fox No News). Zacharia is another former Fox No News talent, just like Pete Hegseth & Jeanine Pirro. Trump wants a female press secretary who is telegenic and attractive. It's that simple.

The panel on The View weigh in:

Already, as Whoopi Goldberg suggested, there are rumors that Zacharia may not be long for her new role. The common sense thing to do would've been to have someone coach Zacharia on how to present herself before Tuesday, but did Dumb Donald think of that? Hmmmmmmmm, wellllllllll, of course not. Trump is allergic to common sense.

Hope you survive the experience, Katie, that's all we can say.

Musical Interlude: One Less Bell to Answer (1970)

 From season 3 of It Takes a Thief:

The 5th Dimension are the musical guests, and the episode closes with a rendition of "One Less Bell to Answer". Marilyn McCoo not only sings, but, as you can see, she is also on guitar.

So a candidate is sick with the flu. You'd think the GOP would remember 2020, but.............

 "Those who fail to remember history are condemned to repeat it."-George Santayana.

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico is back out on the campaign trail, with fresh ads airing nationwide, but his recent bout with the flu became a cudgel for his Republican challenger, scandal scarred AG Ken'L Ration Paxton, who is questioning the legitimacy of Talarico's illness.

He'd have better luck questioning the legitimacy of his party boss, president Pampers.

It's gotten to the point where Donald Trump and one of his chief advisors, Stephen Miller, are also calling into question why Talarico was "hiding".

A shameless geek.

Miller, for his part, per MSN, was demanding Talarico's medical records, which prompted people on social media to clap back, since Trump has refused to disclose his true medical records and condition. Conservative shitstains Rhein Amacher and Nick Sortor falsely claimed Talarico had gone to an Ohio mental health clinic, the Lindner Center of Hope, which denied the claim, as did Talarico.

If any of this sounds remotely familiar, think back to 2020 and COVID.

Joe Biden was not taking any chances going out on the trail, and remained at home in Delaware, but Trump accused him of "hiding".  As everyone knows now, Trump lost the election, but has refused to publicly admit it since then, falsely claiming fraud when his own bumbling response to the pandemic was what cost him the White House.

What this says is that the GOP is that scared that Paxton will lose with just over 3 weeks to Election Day. Paxton is so desperate, he asked his daughter to appear in an attack ad against Talarico that is also airing nationwide. The smears won't end, but they will be playing a part in costing Paxton the election.

Paxton, Trump, Miller, and others pretend to be Christians. Talarico is a legitimate Christian, and making them look real bad. They can't have that. Unfortunately, reality's about to lay the smack down on them again.

Down to the final four: 2026 LCS preview

 There won't be any further, ah, divine intervention in these playoffs. Maybe.

Cleveland eliminated the Chicago White Sox with a 2-0 win Saturday night to earn a shot at reaching the World Series for the first time in 10 years by facing Tampa Bay. Tonight, however, the NLCS begins (8 pm, Fox) with Milwaukee facing defending champion Los Angeles.

National League:

Milwaukee vs. Los Angeles.

If the Dodgers want to be the first NL team to 3-peat, they have to go through the Brewers. Shohei Ohtani hasn't been as big a factor as he was last year, but the depth the Dodgers have is more than enough, with the likes of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, et al, backing up Ohtani. Los Angeles and their all-star pitching rotation will be just fine. For the Brew Crew. It's wait 'til next year. Again.

Pick: Los Angeles in 5.

American League:

Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay.

The Rays have had nearly a week's rest after sweeping the Yankees. The Guardians get just one day between last night's win and game 1 tomorrow (TBS). Momentum is on their side, but it's a case of who is hungrier. Sometimes, you just have to play the hot hand.

Pick: Cleveland in 6.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Post-season record: 5-3.

On The Shelf: A cable legend makes his comics debut, and a franchise returns

 News first, then reviews.

Dynamite has a trifecta of new books out in December, in time for the holidays, and that's not including the predictable holiday specials for Red Sonja, Vampirella, & Gargoyles. More on the latter in a bit.

Vampirella also stars in a new crossover miniseries with Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, the latest collaboration between Dynamite & Archie. The two share a beach house while Sabrina's on vacation, and there's trouble afoot. Can a part-witch and an alien vampire co-exist without driving each other crazy?

Cable legend Joe Bob Briggs, who's also done time on radio with his drive-in movie reviews back in the day, stars in his own miniseries, written by David Avallone. Joe's sidekick, Darcy, must've joined him when he debuted on Shudder 8 years ago. If you haven't seen Joe on TV, well, now you'll have some idea about what he looks like.

Finally, it's the comics return of The X-Files. We're bummed that Charles Adlard, who drew the original series for Topps 30 years ago, didn't come back this time. Don't expect this to be an ongoing, but, rather, another miniseries.

Dynamite is launching another crossover with Archie, arriving this week, by having The Terminator visit Riverdale. The publisher is also doing a facsimile reprint of the first-ever issue of Evil Ernie from the 90's, also in December.

Now, on to the reviews.

Speaking of Gargoyles, the series relaunches with writer-creator Greg Weisman having Goliath deputized by the NYPD while pursuing a gargoyle egg stolen by Demona. So, of course, the rest of the clan joins in. We'll see if Weisman gets a year out of this.

Rating: Incomplete.

Cheetara gets her own book again, this time meant to be an ongoing. The writers are veering too close to the supernatural elements for my tastes. With Greg Pak taking over a relaunched ThunderCats, this may be a jumping off point for some readers. I'm just not feeling this.

Rating: C.

Over the summer, IDW acquired Zorro from American Mythology, and gave Howard Chaykin a 3 part miniseries to write. A decent tale of Zorro fighting a battle against a duplicitous Irishman both as Don Diego and Zorro. Chaykin did everything but put Diego in bed with the pirate princess fighting alongside him.....!

Rating: B-.

Also from IDW is Zorro's Legacy, written by Dan Abnett, with the first two issues drawn by Aaron Lopresti. A fill-in covered issue 3. Yep, another attempt at modernizing the hero for today's audience. No indication this will be an ongoing, which is being cautious.

Rating: B.

So why is Space Ghost fighting The Herculoids? Chalk it up to the manipulations of an old enemy of his. The conflict will resolve around the 4th issue, and the villain gets a royal whupping.

Rating: B+.

Jason Aaron wrapped his Thundarr The Barbarian time travel miniseries with the predictable tropes, but also giving fans something they've waited 45 years for in the final panel, and if you don't know what I mean, you haven't paid attention to the series at all.

Final rating: B+.

Greg Pak is also responsible for Marvel's latest Planet of The Apes miniseries, which has a lone Predator on the planet. I didn't think they'd do worse than the miniseries with the Fantastic Four earlier this year, but they have. Decent art saves this from being a total bore.

Rating: B--.

Family/Fantasy Fridays: Herman The Rookie (The Munsters, 1965)

 From season 1 of The Munsters:

Leo Durocher appears as himself in this entry. Trying to teach Eddie how to hit, Herman (Fred Gwynne) hits a ball that goes 8 blocks from the community park to downtown, where it hits Durocher in the head. Durocher needs a power hitter, and he may have just found one in "Herman The Rookie". Directed by Jerry Paris (The Dick Van Dyke Show).

More examples of GOP stupidity

 Today, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to human rights lawyer Navi Pillay of South Africa. A certain sore loser in Washington was making last minute appeals to be given the prize, but, of course, came up short. If only because he was lying about his accomplishments......

"WAAAAHHH! I ended 8 wars! I am a hero! WAAAAAHHH!"

No, you're not, and never have been, Orange Pinocchio. You haven't stopped anything in terms of wars. The only stop you've made of late, aside from your lame-ass rallies, is at the nearest McDonald's for 6 double cheeseburgers.

The man doesn't get it, and doesn't want to get it. His ego & megalomania get in the way of reality, creating an ongoing delusional quasi-reality where he's beloved, if only by the voices in his head.

We're also learning that the Department of Injustice, under Todd "Bleached" Blanche, wants to indict former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson on (false) charges of perjury before Congress after she testified four years ago. Another vindictive, petty, improper prosecution that won't go anywhere. Should the Democrats sweep Congress next month, color Blanche gone via impeachment.

The Democrats are already talking impeachment as it relates to Defenseless Secretary Pete Hegseth. Better Petey Eggs gets taken down before they even think about going after Orange Pinocchio again.

Petey Eggs, though, announced that the Pentagon will livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, who shot up Fort Hood a while back. He is set to be executed via firing squad on December 3.

Why a livestream? Not so much for people's morbid curiosity, but as a show of the administration's so-called "strength". I wouldn't be surprised if Hasan's lawyers make an appeal before December 3. Hegseth and the rest of the idiot squad want to scare anyone out of trying anything like Hasan, but this is the wrong way to go about it.

I'd sooner trust the next generation of Marx Brothers to lead the country instead of these clowns.

Musical Interlude: The Ghost in You (1984)

 England's Psychadelic Furs missed the Top 40 with 1984's "The Ghost in You". No supernatural elements in the lyrics, so it's not classified as "Spook Rock".

Weasel of The Week: John Doe

 This morning, the Yankees are packing up their gear and heading home after losing their ALDS to Tampa Bay, 3 games to 0, following a 4-3 loss Wednesday night. 

But, who's to blame? The Yankee offense finally showed up, and kept pace with the Rays.

As we're about to see, however, some dimbulb ruined the game for the Bombers. Brian Anderson & Jeff Francoeur on the call.

I get it. This clown wanted the ball in the worst way, but he should've kept his hands behind the boundary, and let it come to him. He exacerbated the situation by taunting Tampa left fielder Victor Mesa, Jr., who had homered earlier to put the Rays up for good, before celebrating with a friend.

30 years ago, Jeffrey Maier got away with one, in effect screwing over Baltimore. There've been others since, most infamously Steve Bartman in Chicago in 2003. Let the ball come to you. Don't reach out.  Unfortunately, too many of these folks disregard common sense, and our anonymous Weasel may find himself locked out of Yankee Stadium next year and beyond.

Tampa Bay, a 4-3 winner, awaits the winner of the Cleveland-Chicago White Sox series, which the Pale Hose lead, 2-1, heading into tonight's game (8 pm, TBS, HBO Max).

There's no more trying to hide it. Donald Trump has lost his mind

 You've heard about the Cornell rape case by now, how 7 students, two of whom have since been expelled, had gang raped a young woman. The victim went to university administration, which did exactly nothing.

Earlier this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul named AG Letitia James as a special prosecutor for the case. That set off alarm bells in the tiny mind of president Trump, who is whining that the perps won't get a fair shake with James.

Oh, really? Just because she nailed your sorry butt, doesn't mean she would win this case. You're already tainting the jury pool with your useless meddling & whining.

Farron Cousins sounds off on Orange Beavis' latest tantrum.......

This, on top of remarks made in Nebraska on Monday, where Trump insinuated he would let Iran bomb Los Angeles & San Diego, remarks the administration is trying to spin as a morbid joke. Trump wouldn't know a punchline from a serving line at Denny's.

The man is 80 years of age. Men at that age sometimes say things they would regret because they're not in total control of their cognitive functions. For Trump, it's just another day. And that's a mistake, too.

Now the president wants the media.......arrested? This, and other stupid ideas.....

 Donald John Pinocchio Trump is 80 years old, and it is showing. His marks don't care, because they're too far gone into the delusion of his being a tough "leader".

No rational man of his age would say this, though......

Trump is referring to a rally at a high school gym in Ohio where there were legitimately plenty of empty seats, but he claimed people were moving from the balcony to the floor or something along those lines. He just can't accept the fact that people are tired of his rhetoric and his act. He's the one lying, not the New York Times and other media outlets. Trump thinks he's popular, but his "popularity" is fading. And it's his own fault.

Oh, but that ain't all.

Monday brought reports that the Dept. of Injustice, under Todd "Bleached" Blanche, wants to reopen the Watergate case, because a former prosecutor now claims the then-DOJ committed misconduct.

Now, that's going waaaaaaaaaaay too far. And this snipe hunt ain't going anywhere.

For Trump to demand the "arrest" of media outlets prompts those same outlets and others to make comparisons to Hitler-era Germany. The reality is you have an 80 year old egomaniac who has lost his mind, and no one is willing to try to steer him back to reality. This is why people are demanding that the entire administration needs to be replaced.

Worse, Trump plans to be in Syracuse to campaign for one of his dittoheads, Bruce Blakeman.

Bellevue will be waiting.

The philosophy of politicians explained......by the Addams Family (1964)

 From season 1 of The Addams Family:

Gomez (John Astin) throws his support behind a city council candidate. He also shows Morticia (Carolyn Jones) how the family has had a history of supporting losing candidates. Pay attention to what he says about politicians, who say one thing, and do another. Kind of like today's GOP.....

Sports this 'n' that

 After being eliminated by Atlanta on Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that Don Mattingly will not return as manager in 2027. Instead, "Donnie Baseball", as he was known when he played with the Yankees, will take on an advisory role, and join son Preston in the administrative wing, if you will, with the Phils.

Let the hunt for a new manager begin.

Earlier today, the Milwaukee Brewers were looking at possibly seeing their NLDS series tied at 1 heading to San Diego on Tuesday.

Jackson Chourio had other ideas against Padres closer Mason Miller......

With the 4-3 win, the Brewers could close out San Diego at Petco on Tuesday night, and Miller, 40+ pitches deep, might not be available for that game.

When NFL play began today, 5 teams were undefeated.

The number is now down to 3.

New England defeated Buffalo to knock the Bills out of the unbeaten ranks. Then. a short time ago, Kansas City rallied to defeat Las Vegas, 30-27, staving off a late Raider rally. Las Vegas was gifted a first down on a catch that really wasn't, but the Raiders rushed to the line of scrimmage, and spiked the ball to avoid a replay review, which certainly would've gone against them. Kansas City coach Andy Reid is fortunate not to risk a coronary, he was so upset. An interception on the next play sealed the game for the Chiefs.

Don't look now, but the Giants are all alone in first place in the NFC East after beating Arizona while the LA Rams took down Philadelphia. Big Blue next plays Washington, a 30-13 loser to Indianapolis in England earlier today.

Word has come across the wires that the world's worst sports fan, president Trump, will travel to Tuscaloosa to see Alabama play next Saturday. ESPN's College GameDay will bring their circus to Tuscaloosa as well, and folks might be a little salty about that.

Stay tuned.

Insight Sundays: Incident on Danker Street (1970)

 This installment of Insight takes a look at the relationships between police and the African American community in 1970. The cast includes Gail Fisher (Mannix), Beau Bridges, Andrew Duggan (Lancer), Malachi Throne (Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp), and Hilly Hicks.

Cinema Saturdays: Bonanza: The Next Generation (1988)

Bonanza had long ended production for more than 15 years before series creator David Dortort was contacted by NBC about a TV-movie to revive the franchise.

Small problem. Lorne Greene had passed on before production began on the movie. Michael Landon, David Canary, & Pernell Roberts either had passed on the project (Landon was working on Highway to Heaven at the time, and Canary, I think, had moved on to daytime soaps such as All My Children), or were not approached. Dortort & his staff stupidly passed on Dan Blocker's son, Dirk (ex-Black Sheep Squadron), who could've filled his father's 10 gallon hat with ease.

John Ireland was cast as Ben Cartwright's previously unseen brother, Aaron, a seaman by trade. Landon's son, Michael, Jr., plays Little Joe's son. Our cast also includes Barbara Anderson (ex-Ironside), Robert Fuller (ex-Laramie, Wagon Train, Emergency!), Peter Mark Richman (ex-Cain's Hundred), and John Amos (ex-Good Times, The Mary Tyler Moore Show).

Now, saddle up for "Bonanza: The Next Generation" (italics mine):

The younger Landon was the only one to return for "Bonanza: The Return" 5 years later.

MLB Division Series preview 2026

 Now, the fun really starts.

On Saturday, the Division Series begin in earnest, pulling viewers away from college football, to be sure. Momentum is on the side of the Wild Card winners, but it can also be a fickle mistress...........

American League:

Yankees @ Tampa Bay: The Rays won 7 of 13 from the Bombers in the regular season. While Tampa Bay has had 5 days rest, opposite the Yankees' 2, the Yanks are hot right now. Whether or not they'll get Aaron Judge back remains to be seen as of press time.

Still, it's a 5 game series instead of best of 3, and that will favor the Yankees.

Pick: Yankees in 5.

Chicago @ Cleveland: The Guardians & White Sox jockeyed for first place all summer before Cleveland claimed the division. And, then, there is that small matter of the White Sox getting some blessings from the Vatican, and......!

Pick: Chicago in 5.

National League:

San Diego @ Milwaukee: Can the Padres sustain their current hot streak? Milwaukee, like Tampa Bay & Cleveland, has had 5 days rest, and while I doubt very seriously manager Pat Murphy will win Manager of the Year again, he will have the Brewers ready. Besides, we do need some fresh blood come the LCS.

Pick: Milwaukee in 5.

Atlanta @ Los Angeles: The Braves dismissed Philadelphia on Thursday night, as the Phillies' attempt to have Zack Wheeler piggyback behind Aaron Nola failed spectacularly. Try to watch the highlight video on YouTube, and you'll have trouble hearing the commentary. Atlanta used their ace, Chris Sale, as a closer Thursday, which sealed the Phillies' fate.

But against the defending champs? It may not matter.

Pick: Los Angeles in 4.

Of course, I could be wrong. 

Wild Card record: 3-1.

Remember the Nestea Plunge? (1970's)

 Nestle found a novel way to promote Nestea back in the 70's.

The idea was for someone to take a sip, and then fall into the water. The gimmick was known as the Nestea plunge.

In this 1977 spot, Brodie Greer (CHiPs) and Barry Van Dyke take the plunge.

Thanks for coming: three wild card series end in sweeps

 Man, that was quick.

Boston, Houston, & the Chicago Cubs were all swept out of the playoffs Wednesday, leaving Atlanta & Philadelphia to decide who gets to play the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the division round.

The Phillies forced a deciding game with a late rally against the Braves' bullpen. Kyle Schwarber & Bryce Harper homered in the 8th, and Alec Bohm added an opposite field shot in the 10th, to give the "Fightin' Phils" a 4-3 win. Game 3 is tonight at 8 pm (NBC/Peacock).

The Chicago White Sox, blessed via a letter from Pope Leo, eliminated Houston,7-3. There are rumors the Astros could move on from manager Joe Espada after 3 seasons, including 2 division titles.

The Yankees dismissed Boston, 9-2, proving they can win without star slugger Aaron Judge.

San Diego downed the Cubs, 4-1, so if TBS & Fox were hoping to get big numbers if the Cubs and their MVP candidate, Pete Crow-Armstrong, advanced, it's not happening.

At least the Padres know where they're going. They'll play Milwaukee in the division round. In the AL, it'll be another East clash between the Yanks and Tampa Bay, while Chicago will play Central rival Cleveland.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf joked that he might actually convert to Catholicism, amused by the letter from the Pope. Well, at least we know who they're rooting for at the Vatican.......

Wild West Wednesdays: The Vote (Trackdown, 1959)

 From season 2 of Trackdown:

We all know that women weren't granted the right to vote until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920. In this episode, the rise of the women's rights movements are dividing couples. Ellen Corby guest stars.

More examples of GOP stupidity

 Meet Congress' new Duke of Dumb.

Eric Schmitt interrogated former special prosecutor Jack Smith, and tried to claim that Smith had attended an Atlanta Hawks game when in fact Smith was not in Atlanta at all, but attending a college women's basketball game between Iowa (w/Caitlin Clark) and Maryland. Schmitt tried to accuse Smith of perjury, but that didn't work. Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar called Schmitt out for his lies.

Schmitt conceded he was wrong, but won't apologize.

Utah's Mike Lee blocked a motion to block the demolition of the Kennedy Center. Now, why would he do that?

Because he's carrying water for president Trump, who has entertained the idea of demolishing the Center just because he can't have his name on it.

How about this? Stop catering to the whims of an 80 year old man with the impulse control of an undisciplined child!

Speaking of Dumb Donald, he launched an AI generated website, America.gov, thinking it'll work nicely for him.

However, if you ask who won the 2020 election, it'll tell you it was Joe Biden, not Trump, who, six years later, still cannot bring himself to admit publicly he lost the election fair & square. Still gotta work the marks, you know. Online commenters suggested the site may need to be retooled to do what Trump wants. I doubt that very seriously, and it'll be another "failure" in the eyes of Trump, whose history of bankrupting businesses will only grow.

And he only has himself to blame.

What Mght've Been: The Court of Last Resort (1957)

 Just weeks after Perry Mason premiered on CBS, Erle Stanley Gardner brought another of his creations to television, but with a twist.

Gardner launched The Court of Last Resort first as a magazine column in 1948, then published a book by that same name in 1952. Five years later, NBC bought Court as a weekly series in which Gardner, a member of the court, would be a character, played by Paul Birch. It was a different kind of crime drama, to be sure, but the cases were all real, dramatized for television.

Unfortunately, viewers rejected this Court, and it'd resurface on ABC in repeats in the 1959-60 season.

Following is "The John Smith Case":

A concept ahead of its time on TV.

And, so, baseball's silly season begins

 By that, of course, I mean the playoffs, which begin with the Wild Card round tomorrow. The Divisional round is set to start Saturday.

Let's take a look at the Wild Cards:

American League:

Chicago @ Houston (5 pm, NBC/Peacock): The Astros held off Texas to claim the AL West, while the resurgent White Sox led the Central for a good chunk of the year before losing the division to Cleveland. You would think the Astros' experience in the playoffs would be a factor in their favor, but  their time has passed. Chicago wants to prove they're not a flash in the pan.

Pick: Chicago in 3.

Boston @ Yankees (8 pm, NBC/Peacock): A rematch from last year's 1st round, won by the Yankees, who have proven they can win without Aaron Judge. Pitching will carry the Yankees, opposite a Red Sox team that got off the mat to make it this far after dumping Alex Cora early in the season. As was the case last year, all three games are at Yankee Stadium. Boston will be lucky to move on.

Pick: Yankees in 3.

National League:

Philadelphia @ Atlanta (2 pm, NBC/Peacock): The Phillies needed to beat Tampa Bay Sunday to just get in. Atlanta reclaimed its perch atop the NL East. Philadelphia will not have any home field advantage, as their rowdy fans will have to stay home or buy bus tickets. Aside from Zack Wheeler & Christopher Sanchez, the Phils' pitching has been spotty. And they have the albatross of having Bryce Harper, who's never won a World Series.

Pick: Atlanta in 3.

Chicago @ San Diego (10 pm, Peacock; NBC picks up the game after Yankees-Red Sox): The Cubs have become media darlings thanks to MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has had a breakout season. The 2nd City would love it if both of their teams get past the 1st round. Aside from their 1-2 punch of Fernando Tatis, Jr. & Manny Machado, the Padres have an underrated offense that can surprise.

Pick: Chicago in 3.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Celebrity Rock: Don't Go Breakin' My Heart (1976)

 From season 2 of One Day At a Time):

Barbara & Julie (Valerie Bertinelli & Mackenzie Phillips) masquerade as Elton John & Kiki Dee to cover "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart". Intro by Schneider (Pat Harrington):

Hard to believe Valerie was just 16 when she taped this.

Maybe he should do some reading before opening his mouth

 I'm referring to Alabama carpetbagger Tommy Tuberville, who went off on a misguided, misinformed rant regarding "furries" in the airline industry. 

Tommy Tubes is running for governor in Alabama, which he currently represents as a US Senator, and we've documented previously that there are reports he maintains a home in Florida, which would make him ineligible to run in Alabama. Today's GOP, however, doesn't care about rules.

Anyway, check this:

Apparently, Tuberville couldn't be bothered to actually, you know, do some reading about "furries" before opening his mouth.

If it's true about his being a carpetbagger, well, if he loses in November, stick a fork in him. He's done.

Awww, this is too cute

 Justin Verlander pitched his final game today with Detroit. After a career that saw him go from the Tigers to Houston, the Mets, and San Francisco before returning to Motown, Verlander not only was lifted from the game by manager AJ Hinch, but also by his daughter, Genevieve.....! Jason Benetti on the call.

Now, that is a Kodak moment. Apparently, having Verlander's wife, model Kate Upton, don a Tiger jersey would've been too obvious.

Family Fridays: Meanwhile, Back at The Cabin (Beverly Hillbillies, 1962)

 From season 1 of The Beverly Hillbillies:

While the Clampetts have settled in Beverly Hills, Cousin Pearl (Bea Benaderet, The Flintstones) is minding the store back in their old cabin. However, the Clampetts have run out of water, except for what is in their cement pond.

Includes an in-show ad for Kellogg's Corn Flakes with Jethro (Max Baer) & Jane (Nancy Kulp).

Weasel of the Week: Care to take a guess?

 China's Xi Jinping is in Washington this week, and the official pandering twit of the USA, Donald Trump, hosted a state dinner for him on Thursday night at the White House.

CNN, Politico, & MS Now had their press credentials reinstated earlier in the day via judge's order, but, as we'd find out, CNN & MS Now had their reporters banned from the dinner. Why? Because Trump thumbed his nose at the judge's order, then had the audacity to claim the outlets pulled a no-show. You can't have it both ways, fella.

Trump also had the lack of brains to call Democrats "communists", when he had the leader of one of the few communist countries left visiting with him. No one filters what Trump says because of his volatile, impulsive nature. For this, he gets another set of Weasel ears, plus a tail.

Grow up, Mr. President.

Who do New Yorkers really want in November?

 You've seen the ads all summer.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman would rather use AI generated images to smear NY Governor Kathy Hochul than deal in facts. Hochul's camp, meanwhile, is playing up Blakeman's shameless loyalty to president Trump, ignorant of the damage Trump has caused since returning to Washington in 2025.

A Trump cheerleader.

Blakeman has blinded himself to reality, thinking that the unstable genius is doing a great job. Trailing by 9 points according to a recent Siena poll, Blakeman is finding out the hard way, as Lee Zeldin did four years ago, that just being associated with Trump, and they happen to be good friends, is asking for trouble.

Governor Hochul, however, isn't as popular, leaving the door open for an upset.

Still, it's rare that an incumbent loses a bid for a 2nd term. Blakeman has to lose the AI and smears, and agree to a debate.

Then, there's a vacancy in the 21st Congressional District, where Elise Stefanik had been before resigning. Farmer Blake Gendebein and Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino are dueling for the empty seat. Both are political newcomers. Constantino doesn't mention his company by name in his ads, largely because the Amsterdam-based company sounds too rural on a larger stage. The statue he erected in honor of Trump marks him as another shameless Trump drone. Gendebein's approach could work a little better with emphasis on the issues. Again, a debate would be necessary.

The mission for Hochul & Gendebein is to confront their GOPer counterparts on the issues, and raise the fact that Trump is making it more difficult for New Yorkers to survive because of his misguided policies.

November 3 can't come soon enough.

Sports this 'n' that

 The Mets took the interim tag off manager Andy Green prior to Tuesday's win over Texas, giving him a 3 year extension. Similarly, in Boston, the Red Sox did the same with Chad Tracy. Philadelphia, on the other hand, hasn't exactly made a commitment to Don Mattingly, whose son, Preston, is in the Phillies' front office.

Andy Green. Photo courtesy Yahoo!.

The Phils & Red Sox are set for the playoffs, which begin next week. The Mets are not. Still, having stability in the dugout is a wonderful thing.

The Giants, on the other hand, will lose 2nd year QB Jaxson Dart for the season after an MCL sprain led to reports of knee surgery following Monday's loss to the Rams. Jameis Winston will be the starter going forward, but Big Blue will be looking for help prior to Sunday's game vs. Tennessee.

Texas, the #1 team in college football, will visit Tennessee on Saturday. They should hope not to get any sort of endorsement from the worst sports fan in America.

Yeah, president Trump is heading to Knoxville for the game. Anything to leech attention away from the players. If only they could seat him next to that Liberty Biberty puppet. It's his speed.

Fox must love Ohio State. The network will feature the Buckeyes for the 3rd time this month on Saturday, with Big Noon Saturday, their pre-game show, originating from Columbus.

Notes from around town

 Dollar Tree is down one store in the 518.

The Albany Times-Union is reporting that the chain's Colonie location on Albany-Shaker Road was closed by the town of Colonie due to being "unfit for human occupancy". In other words, it had to have been in a severe state of disrepair for the town officials to step in.

No word on whether or not the store will reopen.

Real estate mogul Anthony Gucciardo has been a fixture on local television between commercials and infomercials, the latter with retired WRGB reporter Jack Aernecke as the moderator.

Last month, Gucciardo decided to try radio, landing a deal with WROW AM/FM for a Saturday morning show moderated by Ben Patten. Gucciardo, in effect, replaces John Bevilacqua, whose show was cancelled a year ago. Meanwhile, the Anderson Autism Center has taken over the Saturday 8 am berth, which the Herzog Law Firm gave up when they ended their run on August 1. Hey, I'd be happy if they replayed both on Sundays, too.

In case you haven't noticed, Unagi Sushi has moved from its long standing 4th Street home across the road to the former Tony of Italy salon. The eatery will reopen after renovations are completed. In the meantime, a new restaurant will soon open in the former Star Bartending School. Expect Craveon to be ready in a few weeks, if not sooner.

The White House launches Trump TV. It immediately tanks

 After deciding to ban CNN, MS Now, & Politico from the White House because of their reporting facts, president Trump found himself in a most unusual situation on Monday. One that, well, is his own fault.

ABC, NBC, CBS, & Fox News banded together with CNN to suspend press pool coverage, leaving only One America & Newsmax, and any other right wing garbage dispensing service, to cover President Onions.

The response from the White House? How about we take our YouTube channel, and make it Trump TV?

Oh, boy, did that go over like a wet fart. Archived speeches of Orange Narcissus aired on the channel starting Monday night, and viewership actually went down as the evening went on, per media reports.

Today, Trump was at the UN, where CNN's Kaitlin Collins was invited by the UN. Trump, of course, pitched a fit.

Given the threat of litigation from CNN, MS Now, & Politico, I'd think Trump will cave in first. He found out the hard way that he crossed too many lines with the media, and as of yesterday, he's paying for it. Seeing him try to give a speech with no microphones around was lovely to see.

You made your bed, Mr. President. Now, lie in it.

The weekend in GOP stupidity

 On Sunday, Republicans found themselves having to defend the indefensible on national television.

First, Wyoming's John Barrasso falsely claimed that president Trump had not violated the 1st Amendment when he banned MS Now, CNN, & Politico from the White House. Barrasso was interviewed on NBC's Meet The Press. Truth is, Trump did.

Someone should spend a day reading the Constitution to this man.

Not long after, Steve Scalise was left fumbling when he tried to defend Trump on ABC's This Week when interviewed by Jonathan Karl.

At the end of the day, Trump's impulsive action has left his party scrambling. Of course. He's 80 years of age physically. Mentally is another story altogether.

Then comes word this morning that MS Now, CNN, & Politico have, predictably, filed suit against Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, & communications flack Steven Cheung, seeking to lift the ban. That'll force Trump to reverse course. We think.

Sports this 'n' that

 Best wishes to the Mets' Jared Young, who is in the concussion protocol, and out for the season after a nasty collision with teammate Nolan McLean Thursday in a loss to Philadelphia. The Mets have won two straight since.

Today was supposed to be a celebration of long time announcer Howie Rose, but the retirement ceremony has been pushed back to next spring due to rain. So far, the game, set for a 1:10 (ET) first pitch, is still on despite the rain. If anything, the Mets have put a crimp in the Phillies' post-season aspirations.

If you thought LSU would roll through the regular season under Lane Kiffin, think again.

Kiffin and the Tigers were served some humble pie Saturday in a 32-24 loss to Mississippi. ESPN's cameras were in Oxford all day, starting with College GameDay, with Mississippi alumnus Morgan Freeman as their guest picker for the week.

With the loss, maybe now the next game for LSU will be just another game. Just sayin'.

The Yankees are hoping to get Aaron Judge back in time for the postseason after Judge went on the IL again for a calf strain. The Bombers have shown they can win without Judge, but the hype machine has to have something.......

Texas QB Arch Manning has landed his first endorsement deals, following in the footsteps of uncles Peyton & Eli. The ad for Warby Parker glasses is in heavy rotation on ESPN.

What next? High schoolers landing regional endorsement deals?

Insight Sundays: A Thief Named Dismas (1965)

 Insight Sundays returns with 1965's "A Thief Named Dismas", starring Beverly Garland, John Dehner, & Marge Redmond.

Beyond pathetic, part 2: MS Now, CNN, & Politico banned from the White House due to "fake news"

 President Onions (Donald Trump) announced earlier today that he was banning CNN, MS Now, & Politico from the White House due to what he claims is constant reporting of "fake news".

Roughly translated, they're reporting the facts, as they should, not his delusional world view.

Grumpy, isn't he?

Being a public figure for virtually half of his life, you'd think he'd learn to accept criticism, but, nope. He has also threatened other unnamed news outlets with bans. The man just doesn't get it. He wants to be revered and respected, but his behavior nullifies that.

It should be pointed out that Trump didn't specify which recent reports angered him to the point of making this fool's decision. It comes with the territory, but you can't make him understand that. I'd chalk it up to a sign of old age, but what else could it be?

Beyond pathetic: Donald Trump wants his name back on the Kennedy Center, and will withhold funding if he doesn't get it

 Earlier this year, Donald Trump was told by a judge he is not allowed to have his name added to the Kennedy Center. Of course, the crybaby president didn't take that too well, and with reports this week that the Center would be closed for 2 years, supposedly for renovations, everyone can see right through this scam. The Big Orange Baby wants his name added back on, and doesn't care, obviously, what anyone thinks.

"My name belongs on the building!!!"

No, it doesn't. You keep whining about recognition you don't deserve, and the entire world now can see you for what you've always been. A pampered punk who never grew up. You haven't earned the right to share the Center. This is the most blatant show of disrespect yet. You don't own the building!

That's the part he doesn't comprehend. Being president doesn't give him carte blanche to do what he wants. He refuses to run anything past Congress, which is how things are supposed to be done.

Bellevue is waiting.

The introduction of Aunt Jemima syrup (1967)

 Quaker Oats was a primary sponsor of Bewitched in its early years, leading to plenty of in-show commercials, like this one, which introduced Aunt Jemima syrup. Not sure if this is from season 3 or 4.

Prefaced with a sponsor tag with an animated Darrin holding a box of Life cereal (voiceover by Gary Owens):

Today, of course, Aunt Jemima was rebranded as the Pearl Milling Company, and Quaker sold off much of the products to Pinnacle Brands.

NFL this 'n' that

 For all the whining over the Jests & Giants playing in New Jersey, yet representing New York, the whining stopped for at least a week after the two teams, and Buffalo, all won their openers. The Bills had a thriller with Houston before winning, 36-31. The Jets spoiled former coach Robert Saleh's debut with Tennessee, 23-10, and the Giants stunned Dallas, 28-20.

Now, we'll see if all three make the playoffs........

In Cleveland, 1st year coach Todd Monken is sticking with DeShaun Watson, despite the Browns getting spanked on Sunday. Seems to me that Monken needs to swap out the blinders in exchange for one of these......

Just sayin'.

Chicago dropped 59 on Carolina, which may be a portent of things to come for the reigning NFC North champs.

Pundits are having fun with the fact that president Trump threw his support behind fellow geriatric dimbulb Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, so of course the Cowboys lost. Nah. Trump doesn't know football any more than Stephen A. Smith does, and we'll leave it at that.

Subway Series 2026: Who really owns New York?

 The Yankees, barring a collapse in the next couple of weeks, will be in the playoffs. The Mets? Not so much, but you couldn't tell from the way these two teams have gotten after it in the Subway Series.

The Mets won 2 of 3 at Citi Field in May, and have split the first two games this weekend at Yankee Stadium after blowing out Gerrit Cole and the Bombers, 12-2, earlier today. Dating back to 2024, Cole has been abused by the Mets in three consecutive starts. Ouch, babe!

Check the video.

Tomorrow, the Yanks will have Cam Schlittler on the mound to try to salvage a split of the series against the Mets' Christian Scott. This should be fun.

25 years ago today.......

 I can remember where I was in 2001.

I was at work. I had gone to the break room, and someone had left the TV on. Like everyone else, I was stunned to see the World Trade Center destroyed.

We all know what's happened since, even though Pecos Donald (Donald Trump) is changing the story of his experience, largely because of his advanced age.

Following is a video from National Geographic's YouTube channel:

We will never forget.....

Republicans are scared of James Talarico. Deal with it!

 Earlier this year, Stephen Colbert had Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on his Late Show, but the interview was booted to YouTube due to bullying from FCC head scumbag Brendan Carr, misusing his authority in service to president Trump. Something about the equal time regulations, but misinterpreted by the GOP.

Now, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel will have Talarico on his show, but Kimmel announced on Wednesday that the interview would air on YouTube. Carr and the FCC have been bullying ABC for months, mostly because they don't like the anti-Trump commentary.

Deal with it, turds! It's called free speech!

This is more about protecting Talarico's opponent, Texas DA Ken-L Ration Paxton, and keeping Talarico off national airwaves as much as possible. This is wrong. With the baggage Paxton has, the GOPers are afraid he'll lose, and would rather misuse the FCC to block Talarico.

If there was a way to boot Carr from the FCC, and block Trump from hiring another toady to take his place, things change. As it is, Carr gets the Weasel ears for abusing his authority. Kimmel's pre-emptive action will draw more eyeballs to his YouTube channel, and, there's not thing one Carr can do about it.

And, here's the interview:

Musical Interlude: The Old Landmark (1980)

 You know this next item. 

"The Old Landmark", a la James Brown, with a side order of the Blues Brothers.

Brown would return in "Blues Brothers 2000" 18 years later.

Wild West Wednesdays: Shoot Out at Dark (Tombstone Territory, 1957)

 From season 1 of Tombstone Territory:

John Beradino guests as a parolee looking to get married and live a peaceful life. Some old friends have other ideas......

Advertising for Dummies: Do we really need a camel on a Wednesday? (2013)

 One of the lamest GEICO commercials of all time......

13 years later, the camel is back to help promote tomorrow's Patriots-Seahawks rematch on NBC. I'm already sick of it.

What Might've Been: The Toni Tennille Show (1980)

 Three years after The Captain & Tennille Show ended, Toni Tennille went solo with a daytime variety show, produced by game show icon Bob Eubanks.

Unfortunately, The Toni Tennille Show was a flop, cancelled after less than 6 months on the air.

This sampler features Jane Fonda and Peaches & Herb.

No rating. I was in high school at the time.

Coming Attractions: ESPN gets in on the Jeopardy! party

 It wasn't so long ago that Sony had expanded the Jeopardy! franchise, creating a Pop Culture version with Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost as host.

Tomorrow, that expansion will include ESPN.

ESPN Jeopardy! drops on Disney+ & Hulu, with Monday Night Football play-by-play man Joe Buck at the controls, coming off his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Buck dropped by Good Morning, America to talk about it.

Seems Disney suits see Buck as the 2nd coming of original Jeopardy! moderator Art Fleming. A mixture of celebrities (i.e. Jon Hamm, Keegan-Michael Key), ex-athletes, and current ESPN talents will play for charities. Having already seen the list of contestants, resident court jesters Stephen A. Smith & Pat McAfee are sitting out for now.

This will be a trip.

Musical Interlude: Close to You (1990)

 As the 90's began, there was a need for fresh voices on the radio. Maxi Priest broke out of the gate with "Close to You":

Dunce Cap Award: Rand Paul

 Dr. Anthony Fauci, now long retired, was called before Congress this morning.

Waste of time.

Fauci invoked the 5th Amendment more than 100 times, knowing that the committee fronted by Kentucky quack Rand Paul, was looking for something with which they could prosecute him.

Paul is claiming without evidence that Fauci lied to Congress about COVID. On the advice of his lawyers, Fauci invoked the 5th, showing the cowardly GOPers that two can play this game. Paul should've known that, but all he's doing is trying to win brownie points with the White House.

In the end, it was just a stack of nothing burgers, typical of the GOP.

As a result, Paul gets a Dunce Cap for insulting our intelligence yet again.

Another WWE wrestler dealing with stalker issues. Will this madness never end?

 The wrestler in question is one of the youngest women on the roster, Roxanne Perez, whose life, and that of her off-screen boyfriend, are being threatened by a delusional "fan". You know the type. The kind that thinks the object of their affection is "meant to be" with them.

On television, Roxanne is a heel, or, villain, as a member of the Judgment Day faction. The current women's world champ, stablemate Liv Morgan, can relate to Perez's problems, since she's also been stalked. Her stalker was arrested. Perez's stalker is, as of this morning, still at large.

The stalker in this case, whom we won't name, wanted to encourage Perez's beau to beat her up so she could see his point. Like, that's really going to happen. NOT! As WWE went to bat for Morgan, they'll do the same for Perez.

As for the stalker, well, dare I say it? His future is likely in a rubber room.

Classic TV: Dinah! (1974)

 Dinah Shore had her NBC daytime show, Dinah's Place, cancelled after 4 years because incoming programming boss Lin Bolen wanted to skew younger. Yeah, sure, and Dinah gets replaced with a revival of Name That Tune. That landed like a wet fart, because the following fall, Shore hooked up with 20th Century Fox to distribute a 60-or-90 minute talk show to compete with the likes of Mike Douglas & Merv Griffin.

Dinah! ran for 6 seasons (1974-80), with the title change to Dinah! & Friends in the final season.

From season 4, Dinah goes on location in Utah for a show with the Osmonds.

Rating: A.

Doubling down on dumb: Liberty Mutual introduces a puppet named.......Liberty Biberty

 To think it all started with a struggling actor (Tanner Novlan, The Bold & The Beautiful) who couldn't remember a simple line.

Seven years later, "Liberty Biberty" has been given life in the form of a fuzzy yellow puppet with a crown on its head.

The puppet debuted earlier this month, and even shared an ad with the struggling actor.

In my day job, I work for a local insurance agency that represents Liberty Mutual, in addition to several other companies. Someone on reddit mentioned that the struggling actor spots, plus the comedy team of Limu Emu & Doug, are meant to annoy viewers. That's not how you generate business, folks.

I can recall when Liberty Mutual sponsored outdoors shows back in the day. I'd just as soon find some of those vintage spots, since the current mascots grate on my nerves. Liberty Mutual figures that their newest mascot might appeal to, well, you know, kids.

Yeah, that'll make a great Christmas gift. NOT!

Cinema Saturdays: Li'l Abner (1959)

 Al Capp's seminal comic strip, Li'l Abner, had previously been adapted for the big screen in 1940, with Jeff York in the title role, and Buster Keaton in a supporting role.

19 years and a Broadway run later, Abner and the denizens of Dogpatch USA are back, this time in a musical spun of the Broadway show. Peter Palmer has the title role this time, with a supporting cast that includes Leslie Parrish, Julie Newmar, Stubby Kaye, and Billie Hayes as Mammy Yokum.

Within the next decade, some, like Palmer (Custer, 1967), Kaye (the game show Shenanigans, 1964), Hayes (HR Pufnstuf, 1969), and Newmar (My Living Doll, 1964, and as Catwoman on Batman, 1966-7) gravitated to television, with varying results. As previously documented, there was a TV adaptation that didn't sell around 1967.

Family Fridays: The Brady 500 (1990)

 Following the success of "A Very Brady Christmas" in 1988, CBS brought back The Bradys as a winter replacement series in February 1990. As we documented when reviewing the series, the network mistakenly assumed viewers would gravitate to the franchise, 9 years after The Brady Brides tanked on NBC. Yes, it was on a Friday night, but viewer tastes had changed in the 16 years since the original series had ended.

I remember sitting in the kitchen, watching the show on a battery powered TV, since the parents weren't interested.

As you already know, Maureen McCormick decided not to return, though she's changed her tune in recent years, so Leah Ayres was cast as Marcia. Greg (Barry Williams) had gotten married in the last film to Nora (Caryn Richman, ex-The New Gidget), and, as we'll see by the end, Bobby (Mike Lookinland) becomes the 4th Brady sibling to walk down the aisle.........

Sherwood Schwartz & CBS executives thought bringing in MTV doll Martha Quinn would pull in the youth demo, since she had her own show on MTV, airing 4 nights a week at that point. However, she was savaged by critics, undeservedly.

Rating: A-.

Yes, there are emergency panelists (Match Game, 1975)

 While Charles Nelson Reilly was away taping Uncle Croc's Block, Gary Burghoff (M*A*S*H) usually filled in. However, at the start of Daylight Saving Time, Burghoff missed an episode of Match Game, forcing the producers to scramble. Announcer Johnny Olson filled in, and, as you'll see, fit in quite well......

Wild West Wednesdays returns next month.

Here we go again: Dumb Donald wants back the money the courts gave to E. Jean Carroll

 Just days ago, a Federal court ordered president Trump to pony up $5.6 million to E. Jean Carroll. Should we be surprised at all that the biggest skinflint this side of Ebenezer Scrooge wants it back?

Hmmmmmmm, welllllllllllll, of course not!

Orange Cheapo wants the money back because he thinks the Supreme Court will finally see things his way. This particular case is over, fella. Deal with it.

But Trump can't deal with it. His ego, of course, won't allow him to. Just because he holds the highest office in the country doesn't mean he's untouchable, but he thinks the opposite.

As Charles Dickens saw it, Scrooge eventually saw the light. Trump's happiest with the lights of cameras in front of him. I'm begging someone to do a cover of the Little River Band's "Lonesome Loser", and make it about Trump. It'd be fun.

Recent bouts of GOP stupidity

 You knew it would happen.

The phoniest sports fan on the planet, Donald John Oscar Madison Trump, picked Argentina to make it 2 World Cups in a row. On Sunday, Spain won the Cup for the first time since 2010, their only other Cup title, 1-0 in double overtime.

After the game, Dumb Donald tried to bigfoot the moment, like he did last year. The Spaniards wanted none of that, and quietly escorted him off to the side. Argentina, on the other hand, became the latest victim of Trump's kiss of death.

Conspiracy theorists worried about Lionel Messi and Argentina, though, could rest easy.

You know by now that former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, a Senator misrepresenting Alabama when he lives in Florida (so they say), wanted to run for a higher office in Alabama. Last we heard, however, he might've been talked out of it.

Five years earlier, Herschel Walker moved back from Texas to Georgia to run for Senate, and got spanked at the polls. Dumb Donald rewarded him with an ambassadorship to the Bahamas.

Now, Dumb Donald has endorsed embattled MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to run for governor of Minnesota, where MyPillow is based, to unseat Tim Walz.

Small problem, as Jesse Dollemore explains.

So Lindell is registered to vote in Texas, but not Minnesota? His campaign is DOA. Trump's endorsement feels more like another kiss of death. The GOP just loves carpetbaggers, don't they?

Maybe the NBA champs should be renamed the Knickhausens....nah

 Saturday Night's Main Event was the centerpiece to the annual Fanatics Fest, wrapping today in New York. WWE made sure to give the fans some real thrills with help from the NBA champion Knicks.

The program's final segment had Jalen Brunson, sporting a brace on his wrist, joining WWE champion Roman Reigns in the ring, only to be interrupted by Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, accompanying Seth Rollins. The two hoopsters were injured, and not cleared for physical activity.

Earlier in the night, Danhausen, credited with helping the Knicks end a 53 year title drought, was facing JD McDonagh of the Judgment Day stable. Some "Minihausens" tried to help in a No-disqualificaion match, but McDonagh and his cornerman, AAA Mega Champion Dominick Mysterio, fended them off. That's when Danhausen pulled out his wild card..........

You can tell Karl-Anthony Towns had been preparing for something like this. Needless to say, Danhausen won the match with an inverted DDT.

Makes ya wish NBC-Universal simulcast this on NBC, the home of the NBA, and original home of Saturday Night's Main Event......

CBS 1970-1 fall preview

 CBS' slogan for 1970 was, "We've put it all together". As we all know, that wasn't true. Of the freshman class, only 2 shows were renewed.

The Class of 1970:

Headmaster: Andy Griffith returns after 2 years away, this time running a school. Replaced by The New Andy Griffith Show in mid-season.

The Tim Conway Comedy Hour. After flopping with a self-titled sitcom that reunited him with McHale's Navy co-star Joe Flynn earlier in the year, Conway tries again, hoping to use the same formula as his friend, Carol Burnett.'

Arnie. Herschel Bernardi (ex-Peter Gunn) toplines this domestic comedy with Sue Ane Langdon, Roger Bowen, and, in the preview clip, Dick Van Patten. Lasted 2 seasons, and then, Bernardi kept busy shilling for Star-Kist as the voice behind Charlie the Tuna.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The crown jewel. 7 seasons, and a box of Emmys.

Storefront Lawyers. From Hawaii Five-O producer Leonard Freeman comes a courtroom drama that all but mirrored ABC's Young Lawyers. The title was changed to Men at Law at midseason, but its fate was sealed.

The Interns. What did in this Screen Gems entry was where it was placed, on Fridays, opposite studio stablemate The Partridge Family. With Broderick Crawford, Mike Farrell, Stephen Brooks, & Christopher Stone.

Dick Tufeld is our narrator.

Viewers would rather watch something new than regurgitated garbage. Unfortunately, the president doesn't get it

 So Donnie Diapers (Donald Trump to all the rest of y'all) gave his speech on Thursday night. CBS only carried a part of it before cutting away, and issuing a disclaimer that it was, as reported, full of tall tales. Fox & Fox News aired it. ABC & NBC didn't, but while ABC aired it on their streamer & radio network, NBC opted to air part of it on MS Now before cutting away, and aired the full speech on their streamer. CNN passed, as well, but because they're run now by friends of Dumb Donald, they got a free pass from the predictable criticism that followed.

"WAAAAAHHHH! I want ABC & NBC's licenses!! WAAAAHHHH!!"

No can do, strained spinach breath. The networks are within their rights not to air a speech full of propaganda and recycled lies. 

As expected, Trump whined about 2020, claiming it was stolen when it clearly wasn't, and blamed China for election interference that doesn't exist, and that was debunked rather easily. His tiny brain can't comprehend that he, and he alone, blew his reelection chances six years ago because of his pathetic response to the COVID pandemic, which exposed to the world how ill prepared he was, and still is. His ego refuses to allow him to accept the responsibility for that failure, so he projects, he deflects, and he lies. When he started downplaying the pandemic as less of a threat than it really was, his goose was cooked.

He wants his voter suppression bill, known as the SAVE America act, passed, but even Republicans are expressing doubts that it will take place. They just don't have the votes needed to pass it.

At the end of the day, Trump needs to finally put 2020 behind him, like the rest of us have. If he doesn't, we'll still have this to look forward to........

The rarest of rarities: A presidential address no network wants to carry

 All week, the word has gone around that president Trump was planning to address the nation tonight, and it'd been leaked out that he was using this address to, again, whine about getting screwed in 2020, despite the fact that the case has been litigated so many times, with Trump losing every time.

Listen, fella, if that was true, you wouldn't be in the White House now.

Anyway, we just got this:

What this means, from this writer's perspective, is that Trump will only be able to get his message out if conservative networks like Newsmax agree to air the speech, or, he'll cancel, which will lead to more "TACO" (Trump Always Chickens Out) jokes.

And you know you're getting this:

"WAAAAAHHHHH! I'm being censored again! WAAAAAHHH!

No, Donald, you're not being censored. No one wants to listen to the same, tired garbage being spewed for the zillionth time since 2020. Most of us have better things to do.

Fred Sanford's favorite cop has gone to Heaven: Hal Williams (1934-2026)

 During the 70's, Hal Williams had the role of a lifetime as one of the most relatable cops on television, playing Officer Smith in 22 episodes of Sanford & Son, then returning for 5 more in the later Sanford series (1980-1).

Officer Smith, or, "Smitty", to friends like the Sanfords, often had to translate the misspeaking of his partners, whether it was Officer Swanhauser (Noam Pitlik) or Officer Hopkins (Howard Platt).

However, there was that time when Fred was at loggerheads with his dimwitted neighbor, Grady (Whitman Mayo), over a stolen TV....

Because it was a recurring role, Williams left Sanford & Son for a co-starring role in the ABC prison comedy, On The Rocks, which didn't last too long. After that, he appeared in both the movie and subsequent TV series, Private Benjamin, before scoring again with 227. Ironically, Williams also guest starred on the original S.W.A.T., and his last role was in the reimagining of Matlock.

Williams passed away on Wednesday at 91. Rest in peace.

Sports this 'n' that

 The finals of the FIFA World Cup are now set, after Argentina rallied to beat England, 2-1, earlier today. Lionel Messi & Argentina now will play Spain on Sunday (3 pm ET, Fox) at the Meadowlands. 

However, there are headlines away from the pitch, with reports that singer-talk show host Jennifer Hudson will sing the national anthem prior to the game Sunday, despite the fact that the US was eliminated 9 days ago. Figure FIFA head Gianni Infantino got that idea from his friend, president Trump, who, unfortunately, will hand out the championship trophy.

The National League was held to 2 hits as the American League won the All-Star Game, 4-0. The Yankees' Cody Bellinger drove in the game winners in the first inning, and the AL pitching & defense made it stand up, such that Bellinger was named game MVP.

St. Louis' Jordan Walker, who won the Home Run Derby by outpointing the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, which made the partisans very unhappy, to the point where they booed Walker when he entered last night's game.

Talk about a tough crowd.

By the way, Netflix has taken over the Derby beginning with Monday's broadcast. The landscape of baseball on television continues to change.

While he's being used in a daffy sci-fi story arc on Smackdown with Danhausen, the Miz (Mike Mizanin) is very active away from the ring.

Miz is at the ESPY's tonight, and made an appearance on SportsCenter to promote SummerSlam, coming up August 1-2 in Minneapolis. Three days earlier, he was finishing up at the American Century celebrity golf championship, and may have gotten on ESPN's top 10 plays list with this shot:

We know some wrestlers like to play golf. We've seen Miz play softball during the All-Star break in the past. The dude has some skillz.

With ESPN now in charge of NFL Network programming, they've decided to end the syndicated version of Good Morning Football after 2 seasons.

Good Morning Football-Overtime is being bounced for the usual reason---low ratings, compared to the parent program. Well, it does get redundant over time (pun intended).

When MTV meant something: 120 Minutes (1986)

 After MTV jettisoned The Basement Tapes, the network decided to find another outlet for alternative music.

British producer-DJ Dave Kendall gave them 120 Minutes, and even spent 3 years as series host (1989-92) before moving back behind the camera. At first, the regular VJ's were rotating in the host position until they settled on Kevin Seal around 1988. Kendall took over the next year, and they were off and running. 

120 Minutes had its original run end around the turn of the century, then moved to MTV2 for a couple of years before being cut. One last go-round came a few years later with Matt Pinfield, who'd succeeded Kendall, returning as host.

Following is a sample episode from 1990.

In memory of Kendall, who has passed away according to media reports out this morning. Rest in peace.