By Sylvia Gurinsky
While viewing clips of Larry Hagman in preparation for last week's tribute, I went back and looked at the introduction to the original "Dallas." Here's the opening from the third season, which would end with the shooting of J.R. Ewing:
Dallas Intro
Jerrold Immel's theme song is perfectly mixed with an action-filled look at the main cast - a good way to introduce a prime-time soap opera.
A television theme song is the first introduction most viewers get to a television show. There are shows that succeed in spite of the introductions. (I was never a fan, for instance, of "The Cosby Show" introductions from Season 2 onward, though I love the show; I enjoyed the first season intros, with Huxtable family pictures.)
The Cosby Show
Then there are shows whose introductions seem to handicap them. Here are 18 shows that never got beyond Season 1. Many of the intros didn't help:
18 Intros
How does a show do it right? Like casting and scripts, it may be the luck of the draw.
Sometimes, animation helps; "Bewitched" is one example:
Bewitched
And "The Nanny," whose animation also told the story:
The Nanny
The MTM shows were a nice study in realism in introductions, starting with Mary Tyler Moore herself and Bob Newhart. Alas, those introductions are not available. But there is "Lou Grant." I think this intro made me want to work at a newspaper:
Lou Grant
Realism was a hallmark of the intros of many of the TV shows of the 1970s and 1980s. So was retro - used most effectively in the introduction to "Cheers":
Cheers
The 1990s were the last gasp (or note?) for most of the truly good introductions. "The West Wing" intro is majestic, fitting with its theme of the American presidency:
The West Wing
Sadly, full-scale introductions on television have become a mostly lost art form, with the exceptions of shows such as the "NCIS" family. But even "NCIS" gets its inspiration from an earlier show: The original "Hawaii Five-0." Nothing said Hawaii like Morton Stevens' music, Jack Lord at the top of the Ilikai hotel, Zulu as Kono and Kam Fong as Chin Ho:
Five-0
We end with a great way to introduce an episode in less than a minute: The theme from "Mission: Impossible" (Season 1, with Steven Hill heading the cast):
Mission: Impossible
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Week of November 30: Lesser-known Larry Hagman
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Before a mention of that other soap opera, here's Larry Hagman's first turn as a soap opera actor - on "The Edge of Night" in 1961:
The Edge of Night
Of course, Hagman, who died this week, is much better known for two other shows, though he guest-starred in others and starred in still more.
One of those shows Hagman tried was NBC's "The Good Life," which was on the air for just one season, 1971-72. Hagman and Donna Mills - later Abby Ewing on the "Dallas" spinoff "Knots Landing," played an upwardly mobile married couple who pretended to be servants to a millionaire played by David Wayne ("House Calls"). Alas, only the introduction to that show is online; no clips yet.
But there are plenty of clips of Hagman in his greatest, Emmy-nominated role - as evil oil tycoon J.R. Ewing on "Dallas." Enjoy this clip, and Hagman's timing with his lines. Thanks for the memories, Larry (and J.R.):
J.R.
*********************************************************************
Starting next week, the YesterTube blog will move to Tuesdays.
Happy Viewing!
Before a mention of that other soap opera, here's Larry Hagman's first turn as a soap opera actor - on "The Edge of Night" in 1961:
The Edge of Night
Of course, Hagman, who died this week, is much better known for two other shows, though he guest-starred in others and starred in still more.
One of those shows Hagman tried was NBC's "The Good Life," which was on the air for just one season, 1971-72. Hagman and Donna Mills - later Abby Ewing on the "Dallas" spinoff "Knots Landing," played an upwardly mobile married couple who pretended to be servants to a millionaire played by David Wayne ("House Calls"). Alas, only the introduction to that show is online; no clips yet.
But there are plenty of clips of Hagman in his greatest, Emmy-nominated role - as evil oil tycoon J.R. Ewing on "Dallas." Enjoy this clip, and Hagman's timing with his lines. Thanks for the memories, Larry (and J.R.):
J.R.
*********************************************************************
Starting next week, the YesterTube blog will move to Tuesdays.
Happy Viewing!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Week of 11/9: Bob Brunner Was More Than "Jumping the Shark"
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The words "Jump the Shark" have unfortunately been at the top of many notifications about the death of television writer and producer Bob Brunner. That's because he wrote the "Happy Days" episode in which Fonzie (Henry Winkler) jumped over a shark cage with his motorcycle when the whole gang was in California.
But Brunner did plenty more for the show, giving Arthur Fonzarelli's character his famous nickname, coining the catchphrase "Sit On It" and writing plenty of episodes. (And to be fair, "Happy Days" continued to have plenty of mileage on it after that episode; the show didn't start to lose steam until star Ron Howard left in 1980.)
Brunner also wrote for "The Odd Couple," "Laverne & Shirley" and many other television shows through the 1980s. He also produced many of those shows.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
The words "Jump the Shark" have unfortunately been at the top of many notifications about the death of television writer and producer Bob Brunner. That's because he wrote the "Happy Days" episode in which Fonzie (Henry Winkler) jumped over a shark cage with his motorcycle when the whole gang was in California.
But Brunner did plenty more for the show, giving Arthur Fonzarelli's character his famous nickname, coining the catchphrase "Sit On It" and writing plenty of episodes. (And to be fair, "Happy Days" continued to have plenty of mileage on it after that episode; the show didn't start to lose steam until star Ron Howard left in 1980.)
Brunner also wrote for "The Odd Couple," "Laverne & Shirley" and many other television shows through the 1980s. He also produced many of those shows.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Week of November 2: Television News In Its Purest Form
By Sylvia Gurinsky
It often takes a disaster to remind us what television news is supposed to do.
Viewers discovered that again this week with coverage of Hurricane Sandy. The reports by New York television stations are just what they were by the Miami television stations after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 or the New Orleans stations after Katrina in 2005: A lifeline.
It is only during the last 35 years or so, during the era of live television news coverage, that television news departments have been able to develop this response during crises. For natural disasters, besides the mourning of the dead and treatment of the injured, there are the basics of searching for food, water, batteries, places with electricity and so forth.
When television news often consists of bubbleheaded sweeps stories and election coverage resembling an episode of "American Idol," it's refreshing to know that when it counts the most, reporters remember what they learned in journalism school.
See you next week.
It often takes a disaster to remind us what television news is supposed to do.
Viewers discovered that again this week with coverage of Hurricane Sandy. The reports by New York television stations are just what they were by the Miami television stations after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 or the New Orleans stations after Katrina in 2005: A lifeline.
It is only during the last 35 years or so, during the era of live television news coverage, that television news departments have been able to develop this response during crises. For natural disasters, besides the mourning of the dead and treatment of the injured, there are the basics of searching for food, water, batteries, places with electricity and so forth.
When television news often consists of bubbleheaded sweeps stories and election coverage resembling an episode of "American Idol," it's refreshing to know that when it counts the most, reporters remember what they learned in journalism school.
See you next week.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Greatest Television Programs: #90-81
By Sylvia Gurinsky
YesterTube continues a look at the Top 100 television programs of all time with numbers 90 to 81:
90. Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii (NBC, 1973): The first television program ever shown live around the world via satellite showed The King still at his best, performing a lot of his hits and raising money for charity besides.
89. Rich Man, Poor Man (ABC, 1976): Based on Irwin Shaw's novel, this mini-series about the Jordache family made many stars (including leads Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss) and kicked off America's love affair with the mini-series.
88. Moonlighting (ABC, 1985-89): The detective show starring Cybill Shepard and an up-and-coming Bruce Willis harked back to old-fashioned detective movies at its peak - including a black-and-white salute, and even a tribute to William Shakespeare. Allyce Beasley added to the fun as the rhyming secretary Agnes DiPesto.
87. The Lawrence Welk Show (Various, 1955-81): America's longest running music show (still shown on PBS today). Critics called it corn, but bandleader Welk latched on to a fundamental rule: Let talented singers perform songs people like to hear, the way they like to hear them.
86. The French Chef (PBS, 1962-73): A star - and a new form of television- was born when chef and author Julia Child took her recipes to PBS. Never has watching someone cooking been more fun - and tasty.
85. Wild Kingdom (Syndicated, 1963-85): Also known as "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," the show - with hosts Marlon Perkins and Jim Fowler - launched viewers' up-close-and-personal relationship with animals.
84. American Masters (PBS, Since 1985): PBS' excellent continuing salutes to everyone who has been anyone in American culture. Always a program to look forward to, no matter who the subject.
83. The American Experience (PBS, Since 1987): This program, whose subjects have included wars, storms, illnesses, crises, presidents and so forth, provides more insight about our past in a two-hour episode than watching a whole year of The History Channel.
82. Get Smart (NBC, 1965-69; CBS, 1969-70): Would you believe that this spoof of spy shows and films might have led to the creation of cellphones (fortunately not from shoes)? Don Adams was terrific as the bumbling (but successful) Agent 86, Maxwell Smart. Sometimes it seems the scenes are not too far from reality.
81. 1960 Presidential Debates: For better or worse, the 1960 debates between presidential nominees John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon opened up new debates about substance versus style and political image making. Today's debates are nothing but theater, but the nominees had something to say back then.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
YesterTube continues a look at the Top 100 television programs of all time with numbers 90 to 81:
90. Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii (NBC, 1973): The first television program ever shown live around the world via satellite showed The King still at his best, performing a lot of his hits and raising money for charity besides.
89. Rich Man, Poor Man (ABC, 1976): Based on Irwin Shaw's novel, this mini-series about the Jordache family made many stars (including leads Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss) and kicked off America's love affair with the mini-series.
88. Moonlighting (ABC, 1985-89): The detective show starring Cybill Shepard and an up-and-coming Bruce Willis harked back to old-fashioned detective movies at its peak - including a black-and-white salute, and even a tribute to William Shakespeare. Allyce Beasley added to the fun as the rhyming secretary Agnes DiPesto.
87. The Lawrence Welk Show (Various, 1955-81): America's longest running music show (still shown on PBS today). Critics called it corn, but bandleader Welk latched on to a fundamental rule: Let talented singers perform songs people like to hear, the way they like to hear them.
86. The French Chef (PBS, 1962-73): A star - and a new form of television- was born when chef and author Julia Child took her recipes to PBS. Never has watching someone cooking been more fun - and tasty.
85. Wild Kingdom (Syndicated, 1963-85): Also known as "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," the show - with hosts Marlon Perkins and Jim Fowler - launched viewers' up-close-and-personal relationship with animals.
84. American Masters (PBS, Since 1985): PBS' excellent continuing salutes to everyone who has been anyone in American culture. Always a program to look forward to, no matter who the subject.
83. The American Experience (PBS, Since 1987): This program, whose subjects have included wars, storms, illnesses, crises, presidents and so forth, provides more insight about our past in a two-hour episode than watching a whole year of The History Channel.
82. Get Smart (NBC, 1965-69; CBS, 1969-70): Would you believe that this spoof of spy shows and films might have led to the creation of cellphones (fortunately not from shoes)? Don Adams was terrific as the bumbling (but successful) Agent 86, Maxwell Smart. Sometimes it seems the scenes are not too far from reality.
81. 1960 Presidential Debates: For better or worse, the 1960 debates between presidential nominees John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon opened up new debates about substance versus style and political image making. Today's debates are nothing but theater, but the nominees had something to say back then.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Week of October 19: So, What's a Presidential Debate?
By Sylvia Gurinsky
This year's presidential debates have been the topics for plenty of discussion and questions. One question at the top of the list is: Is what we've seen the past few weeks - complete with personal attacks - actually a "debate?"
Certainly the tone of such debates has evolved since John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon engaged in the first televised presidential debates in 1960. Here's a look, for instance, at the third debate between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in 1976:
Carter-Ford #3
It's kind of refreshing hearing them say what they'd do, rather than attacking their opponents beyond disagreeing with policy. (It's also refreshing to hear Ford, a Republican, talk about helping people, and Carter be honest about his discomfort with the fallout from his interview with Playboy magazine.) It was a close election, but Ford and Carter later became friends after their presidencies, and served in many public-service organizations.
The debate also has a far more serious tone - one that lends itself to a serious journalist such as Jim Lehrer, who wound up being criticized for his moderating of the first Obama-Romney debate this year. The real problem was that the debate style (Romney's, in any case, given Obama's passiveness) more closely resembled "American Idol" judges than a serious discussion of the issues.
For many years, televised formats did not let candidates address each other, leading television anchor and reporter Dan Rather to refer to the debates as "joint press conferences."
Now? It seems debates have gone from one extreme to the other.
Somewhere between the two lies a perfect presidential debate.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
This year's presidential debates have been the topics for plenty of discussion and questions. One question at the top of the list is: Is what we've seen the past few weeks - complete with personal attacks - actually a "debate?"
Certainly the tone of such debates has evolved since John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon engaged in the first televised presidential debates in 1960. Here's a look, for instance, at the third debate between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in 1976:
Carter-Ford #3
It's kind of refreshing hearing them say what they'd do, rather than attacking their opponents beyond disagreeing with policy. (It's also refreshing to hear Ford, a Republican, talk about helping people, and Carter be honest about his discomfort with the fallout from his interview with Playboy magazine.) It was a close election, but Ford and Carter later became friends after their presidencies, and served in many public-service organizations.
The debate also has a far more serious tone - one that lends itself to a serious journalist such as Jim Lehrer, who wound up being criticized for his moderating of the first Obama-Romney debate this year. The real problem was that the debate style (Romney's, in any case, given Obama's passiveness) more closely resembled "American Idol" judges than a serious discussion of the issues.
For many years, televised formats did not let candidates address each other, leading television anchor and reporter Dan Rather to refer to the debates as "joint press conferences."
Now? It seems debates have gone from one extreme to the other.
Somewhere between the two lies a perfect presidential debate.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Week of October 5: Top 100 Television Shows, 100-91
By Sylvia Gurinsky
With this blog post begins a non-consecutive series (meaning when it's possible) of YesterTube's all-time 100 best television shows.
Listings can include series, news programs, sports programs or special events.
This week includes rankings 100 to 91:
100. Entertainment Tonight, syndicated (1981-current): The show was a lot more fun in the pre-O.J. world of tabloidism. But there's no question that the early years of the show improved and expanded coverage of Hollywood. A special gem was Leonard Maltin's movie reviews, which are missed.
99. Candid Camera, CBS and syndicated (various years): "Smile.....You're on Candid Camera" is one of the all-time television catchphrases. Original host Allen Funt figured out how to do reality television and make it good-natured and fun. Best gag: The talking mailbox.
98. Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, ABC (1999-2002): ABC killed this show with oversaturation, but it captured the country's imagination with the "Phone-a-Friend" and another catchphrase: "Is that your final answer?" The show also made a mega-star out of morning host Regis Philbin.
97. Siskel & Ebert (At the Movies), Syndicated (1986-1999): Other television critics had already appeared on television. But rival Chicago movie critics Gene Siskel (Tribune) and Roger Ebert (Sun-Times) had fun with their friendly battles (and sometimes agreement) over movies. Ebert would continue with Richard Roeper after Siskel's death in 1999, but it was never the same.
96. Kojak, CBS (1973-78): It's the show's early years, under the pen of "Judgment at Nuremberg" scribe Abby Mann and before Telly Savalas' star outshined everything else, that earn "Kojak" this placement. This police series did a fantastic job at capturing the grittiness of 1970s New York.
95. Columbo (NBC and ABC, 1971-2003): From the "NBC Mystery Movie" to occasional films for ABC, never did anyone fit better into an ill-fitting raincoat than Peter Falk did as the extremely polite and deceptive Lt. Columbo. He had his suspect - and viewers - from the very beginning.
94. Night Court (NBC, 1984-92): Probably the most offbeat show on NBC during its glory period of the 1980s, "Night Court" never made for water-cooler conversation with its cast of characters, but was successful nonetheless. Harry Anderson, as Judge Harry Stone, anchored a terrific cast that included Emmy winner John Larroquette as skirt-chasing Assistant District Attorney Dan Fielding.
93. The Golden Girls (NBC, 1984-92): A terrific look at the lives of four women of a certain age with four of the best: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan. All four won Emmys, deservedly so.
92. DeGrassi Junior High (PBS, 1987-91): One of PBS' imports from Canada, this show took a better, more honest look at the teen years than just about any U.S. series.
91. The Muppet Show (Syndicated, 1976-81): Rejected by all three major U.S. networks, Jim Henson turned to British ITN with his hilarious series. The result was the most successful syndicated show in broadcast history. Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog and the Jimmy Dean Show's Rowlf the Dog were joined by a collection of great new Muppets that entered the hearts of children and adults alike. It was the show just about every major star of note during the era wanted to be on.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
With this blog post begins a non-consecutive series (meaning when it's possible) of YesterTube's all-time 100 best television shows.
Listings can include series, news programs, sports programs or special events.
This week includes rankings 100 to 91:
100. Entertainment Tonight, syndicated (1981-current): The show was a lot more fun in the pre-O.J. world of tabloidism. But there's no question that the early years of the show improved and expanded coverage of Hollywood. A special gem was Leonard Maltin's movie reviews, which are missed.
99. Candid Camera, CBS and syndicated (various years): "Smile.....You're on Candid Camera" is one of the all-time television catchphrases. Original host Allen Funt figured out how to do reality television and make it good-natured and fun. Best gag: The talking mailbox.
98. Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, ABC (1999-2002): ABC killed this show with oversaturation, but it captured the country's imagination with the "Phone-a-Friend" and another catchphrase: "Is that your final answer?" The show also made a mega-star out of morning host Regis Philbin.
97. Siskel & Ebert (At the Movies), Syndicated (1986-1999): Other television critics had already appeared on television. But rival Chicago movie critics Gene Siskel (Tribune) and Roger Ebert (Sun-Times) had fun with their friendly battles (and sometimes agreement) over movies. Ebert would continue with Richard Roeper after Siskel's death in 1999, but it was never the same.
96. Kojak, CBS (1973-78): It's the show's early years, under the pen of "Judgment at Nuremberg" scribe Abby Mann and before Telly Savalas' star outshined everything else, that earn "Kojak" this placement. This police series did a fantastic job at capturing the grittiness of 1970s New York.
95. Columbo (NBC and ABC, 1971-2003): From the "NBC Mystery Movie" to occasional films for ABC, never did anyone fit better into an ill-fitting raincoat than Peter Falk did as the extremely polite and deceptive Lt. Columbo. He had his suspect - and viewers - from the very beginning.
94. Night Court (NBC, 1984-92): Probably the most offbeat show on NBC during its glory period of the 1980s, "Night Court" never made for water-cooler conversation with its cast of characters, but was successful nonetheless. Harry Anderson, as Judge Harry Stone, anchored a terrific cast that included Emmy winner John Larroquette as skirt-chasing Assistant District Attorney Dan Fielding.
93. The Golden Girls (NBC, 1984-92): A terrific look at the lives of four women of a certain age with four of the best: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan. All four won Emmys, deservedly so.
92. DeGrassi Junior High (PBS, 1987-91): One of PBS' imports from Canada, this show took a better, more honest look at the teen years than just about any U.S. series.
91. The Muppet Show (Syndicated, 1976-81): Rejected by all three major U.S. networks, Jim Henson turned to British ITN with his hilarious series. The result was the most successful syndicated show in broadcast history. Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog and the Jimmy Dean Show's Rowlf the Dog were joined by a collection of great new Muppets that entered the hearts of children and adults alike. It was the show just about every major star of note during the era wanted to be on.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Week of September 28: Best of Andy Williams On TV
By Sylvia Gurinsky
It was ultimately about the songs for Andy Williams.
His successful variety shows - from 1962-71 on NBC and later in syndication - did feature comedy and shtick (Who could forget Wayland Flowers and Madame?). But the best parts included Williams singing.
Here's a very athletic duet with Williams and Johnny Mathis:
For You
And a gorgeous duet of Williams with Julie Andrews (who helped Williams avoid what she went through with her own singing voice 30 years later):
Where Is Love?
Who said Williams wasn't cool? Take a look at one of his hits from 1967 - 14 years before MTV:
Music To Watch Girls Go By
Williams got credit for introducing a singing family from Utah on his show:
The Osmonds
Marie Osmond, Williams' young dancing partner, was about 6 at the time.
Williams had an unusual dance partner in 1967 - Henry Mancini, who composed many of the best Williams hits:
In the Arms of Love
Here's a terrific performance from 1968 with Simon & Garfunkel - & Williams:
Scarborough Fair
And here's Williams in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1978 with a virtuoso performance of a song introduced by Richard Harris. This concert was shown on PBS stations years later:
MacArthur Park
Finally:
Moon River
Many of Williams' performances can be found on DVD - thank goodness.
See you next week.
It was ultimately about the songs for Andy Williams.
His successful variety shows - from 1962-71 on NBC and later in syndication - did feature comedy and shtick (Who could forget Wayland Flowers and Madame?). But the best parts included Williams singing.
Here's a very athletic duet with Williams and Johnny Mathis:
For You
And a gorgeous duet of Williams with Julie Andrews (who helped Williams avoid what she went through with her own singing voice 30 years later):
Where Is Love?
Who said Williams wasn't cool? Take a look at one of his hits from 1967 - 14 years before MTV:
Music To Watch Girls Go By
Williams got credit for introducing a singing family from Utah on his show:
The Osmonds
Marie Osmond, Williams' young dancing partner, was about 6 at the time.
Williams had an unusual dance partner in 1967 - Henry Mancini, who composed many of the best Williams hits:
In the Arms of Love
Here's a terrific performance from 1968 with Simon & Garfunkel - & Williams:
Scarborough Fair
And here's Williams in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1978 with a virtuoso performance of a song introduced by Richard Harris. This concert was shown on PBS stations years later:
MacArthur Park
Finally:
Moon River
Many of Williams' performances can be found on DVD - thank goodness.
See you next week.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Week of September 14: Back To School
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The new school year is already a few weeks old, but it's a good time to take a look back at television's classic shows set in schools:
*"Our Miss Brooks," CBS, 1952-56: One of the television series that evolved from a radio show, "Our Miss Brooks" starred Eve Arden as Connie Brooks, an English teacher at Madison High. The show also featured Gale Gordon, who would later work on Lucille Ball's last three shows, and a young Richard Crenna. Here's a look:
Space, Who Needs It?
*"Mr. Novak," NBC, 1963-65: Made by some of the people (including producer Leonard Freeman) who would later be behind the scenes on "Hawaii Five-0," the drama "Mr. Novak" starred James Franciscus as idealistic teacher John Novak and Dean Jagger as Principal Albert Vane (Burgess Meredith starred in 16 episodes as Principal Martin Woodridge.). The show tackled serious issues that still resonate:
The Tender Twigs
*"Room 222," ABC, 1969-74: Lloyd Hanes, Denise Nicholas and Emmy winners Karen Valentine and Michael Constantine starred in this ABC dramedy about the goings-on at Walt Whitman High. With a lighter tone (and a winning theme song by Jerry Goldsmith), this show continued what "Mr. Novak" started with diversity and relevant themes:
Walt Whitman Goes Bananas
*"The White Shadow," CBS, 1978-81: Created by Bruce Paltrow (Gwyneth's dad), the drama "The White Shadow" starred Ken Howard as Kenny Reeves, NBA player-turned-high school coach, with one of the most diverse casts in television history. The show coincided with the rise of both professional and college basketball in the national consciousness. This episode featured Michael Warren, soon to be on "Hill Street Blues":
Wanna Bet?
*"Head of the Class," ABC, 1986-90: Through most of the series, Howard Hesseman ("WKRP in Cincinnati") played Charlie Moore, teacher of gifted students at Monroe High School. The show also featured Robin Givens as one of the students. Here's a clip with a very smart actor playing a very dumb guy:
Brad Pitt
"Our Miss Brooks" and the first two seasons of both "Room 222" and "The White Shadow" are available on DVD.
Class is in session.
Until next week, Happy Viewing!
The new school year is already a few weeks old, but it's a good time to take a look back at television's classic shows set in schools:
*"Our Miss Brooks," CBS, 1952-56: One of the television series that evolved from a radio show, "Our Miss Brooks" starred Eve Arden as Connie Brooks, an English teacher at Madison High. The show also featured Gale Gordon, who would later work on Lucille Ball's last three shows, and a young Richard Crenna. Here's a look:
Space, Who Needs It?
*"Mr. Novak," NBC, 1963-65: Made by some of the people (including producer Leonard Freeman) who would later be behind the scenes on "Hawaii Five-0," the drama "Mr. Novak" starred James Franciscus as idealistic teacher John Novak and Dean Jagger as Principal Albert Vane (Burgess Meredith starred in 16 episodes as Principal Martin Woodridge.). The show tackled serious issues that still resonate:
The Tender Twigs
*"Room 222," ABC, 1969-74: Lloyd Hanes, Denise Nicholas and Emmy winners Karen Valentine and Michael Constantine starred in this ABC dramedy about the goings-on at Walt Whitman High. With a lighter tone (and a winning theme song by Jerry Goldsmith), this show continued what "Mr. Novak" started with diversity and relevant themes:
Walt Whitman Goes Bananas
*"The White Shadow," CBS, 1978-81: Created by Bruce Paltrow (Gwyneth's dad), the drama "The White Shadow" starred Ken Howard as Kenny Reeves, NBA player-turned-high school coach, with one of the most diverse casts in television history. The show coincided with the rise of both professional and college basketball in the national consciousness. This episode featured Michael Warren, soon to be on "Hill Street Blues":
Wanna Bet?
*"Head of the Class," ABC, 1986-90: Through most of the series, Howard Hesseman ("WKRP in Cincinnati") played Charlie Moore, teacher of gifted students at Monroe High School. The show also featured Robin Givens as one of the students. Here's a clip with a very smart actor playing a very dumb guy:
Brad Pitt
"Our Miss Brooks" and the first two seasons of both "Room 222" and "The White Shadow" are available on DVD.
Class is in session.
Until next week, Happy Viewing!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Week of August 17: Bon Appetit on Julia Child's Centennial
By Sylvia Gurinsky
What's the best way to celebrate the 100th birthday of the first lady of television chefs? With a birthday dinner, of course. Made by her.
I suspect she wouldn't mind, given the joy she took in it and displayed for almost four decades across the dial, particularly on PBS.
Let's start with a salad:
Julia & Jacques Pepin making salad
And how about a yummy soup?
French Onion Soup
For the main course - a hamburger! (With the assistance, heaven help us, of David Letterman from a 1987 edition of his NBC show, "Late Night With David Letterman"):
Julia & Dave with hamburger
With a side of potatoes:
Potatoes
And here's a birthday cake:
Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Finally:
Bon Appetit!
Happy Birthday, Julia! And Happy Viewing, Everyone! See you next week!
What's the best way to celebrate the 100th birthday of the first lady of television chefs? With a birthday dinner, of course. Made by her.
I suspect she wouldn't mind, given the joy she took in it and displayed for almost four decades across the dial, particularly on PBS.
Let's start with a salad:
Julia & Jacques Pepin making salad
And how about a yummy soup?
French Onion Soup
For the main course - a hamburger! (With the assistance, heaven help us, of David Letterman from a 1987 edition of his NBC show, "Late Night With David Letterman"):
Julia & Dave with hamburger
With a side of potatoes:
Potatoes
And here's a birthday cake:
Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Finally:
Bon Appetit!
Happy Birthday, Julia! And Happy Viewing, Everyone! See you next week!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Week of August 10: In Memory of Marvin Hamlisch
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Composer Marvin Hamlisch had countless appearances on television variety shows for almost 40 years. Here's one, "Bell Telephone Jubilee," which aired on NBC in 1976 and featured Hamlisch playing a song he'd written for one giant - Streisand - as two more - Minelli and Crosby - sang it:
The Way We Were
"So it's the laughter we will remember, whenever we remember the way we were."
See you next week.
Composer Marvin Hamlisch had countless appearances on television variety shows for almost 40 years. Here's one, "Bell Telephone Jubilee," which aired on NBC in 1976 and featured Hamlisch playing a song he'd written for one giant - Streisand - as two more - Minelli and Crosby - sang it:
The Way We Were
"So it's the laughter we will remember, whenever we remember the way we were."
See you next week.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Week of August 3: Vidal Before Politics
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Gore Vidal, who died this week, is best known for his political writings and television commentaries. But as a young writer, he worked on the live television dramas of the 1950s. Here's one from 1955 about class divisions (and according to Vidal, based on his own experiences), "Summer Pavilion," featuring a young Elizabeth Montgomery:
Summer Pavilion
"Summer Pavilion" is part of a DVD anthology of "Studio One," CBS' excellent live drama series.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Gore Vidal, who died this week, is best known for his political writings and television commentaries. But as a young writer, he worked on the live television dramas of the 1950s. Here's one from 1955 about class divisions (and according to Vidal, based on his own experiences), "Summer Pavilion," featuring a young Elizabeth Montgomery:
Summer Pavilion
"Summer Pavilion" is part of a DVD anthology of "Studio One," CBS' excellent live drama series.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Monday, July 30, 2012
July 30: Most Memorable TV Moments: 21st Century and All-Time
By Sylvia Gurinsky
As with the 1990s, the old rules of evaluating the most memorable television moments of the 21st century go out the window.
During these dozen years, the Internet has become a major factor. Traditional television viewing, even with record ratings for sports events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl, has evolved considerably, with viewers watching their favorite shows on DVD or online.
One awful day, of course, is unquestionably the most memorable television moment so far in this century: September 11, 2001.
In some manner, television was the way most people found out about the attack on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the brave passengers of United Flight 93 who sacrificed their lives to prevent another attack.
Here's a fitting remark from that day, in the first portion of the clip, by ABC News anchor Peter Jennings:
Peter Jennings 9/11
With that, here are the YesterTube Top 5 Television moments. All are breaking news stories:
1. Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, November 22, 1963
2. Terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
3. Apollo 11 Moon Landing and Neil Armstrong's first steps, July 20, 1969
4. Explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986
5. Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, June 5, 1968
As with the 1990s, the old rules of evaluating the most memorable television moments of the 21st century go out the window.
During these dozen years, the Internet has become a major factor. Traditional television viewing, even with record ratings for sports events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl, has evolved considerably, with viewers watching their favorite shows on DVD or online.
One awful day, of course, is unquestionably the most memorable television moment so far in this century: September 11, 2001.
In some manner, television was the way most people found out about the attack on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the brave passengers of United Flight 93 who sacrificed their lives to prevent another attack.
Here's a fitting remark from that day, in the first portion of the clip, by ABC News anchor Peter Jennings:
Peter Jennings 9/11
With that, here are the YesterTube Top 5 Television moments. All are breaking news stories:
1. Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, November 22, 1963
2. Terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
3. Apollo 11 Moon Landing and Neil Armstrong's first steps, July 20, 1969
4. Explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986
5. Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, June 5, 1968
Friday, July 27, 2012
July 27: Movin' On Up: The Best of Sherman Hemsley and Chad Everett
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Note: I will conclude the series on the YesterTube Most Memorable TV Moments next week.
Norman Lear created George Jefferson. Sherman Hemsley, who died this week, perfected him.
Even while Mel Stewart was playing Henry Jefferson (George's brother) on "All In the Family," Lear still had in mind that Hemsley would be playing the role of George. Once he did, the sparks flew between George Jefferson and Archie Bunker:
George & Archie
Like so many memorable Lear characters, George and Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford) were destined for their own spinoff, to that "deluxe apartment in the sky"
The Announcement
"The Jeffersons" ran for a decade on CBS and established an African-American upwardly mobile family from humble beginnings. Interestingly, the last season of "The Jeffersons" coincided with the first season of NBC's "The Cosby Show," another trailblazer.
Hemsley didn't have to wait too long for another television job. During the fall of 1986, "Amen," produced by Johnny Carson's production company, made its debut on NBC. Hemsley played the often scheming but generally soft-hearted Deacon Ernest Frye:
Amen
During the late 80s, "Amen" was also a very successful part of NBC's lineup.
Hemsley would be featured in various series - even reprising his role as George Jefferson a couple of times - for the rest of his life.
The first six seasons of "The Jeffersons" have been released on DVD. Inexplicably, "Amen" has not yet been released.
Here's another look at George and "Weezy" - through "The Jefferson's" fantastic theme song, "Movin' On Up":
The Jeffersons
*********************************************************************
Chad Everett, who also died this week, set plenty of hearts aflutter on the CBS series "Medical Center" as Dr. Joe Gannon:
Medical Center
Like Hemsley, Everett also continued to work until recently. Only the first season of "Medical Center" is available on DVD so far, but Everett fans can catch his work on "Murder She Wrote," the mini-series "Centennial" and many more shows.
See you next week, with a wrap-up of the Most Memorable TV Moments.
Note: I will conclude the series on the YesterTube Most Memorable TV Moments next week.
Norman Lear created George Jefferson. Sherman Hemsley, who died this week, perfected him.
Even while Mel Stewart was playing Henry Jefferson (George's brother) on "All In the Family," Lear still had in mind that Hemsley would be playing the role of George. Once he did, the sparks flew between George Jefferson and Archie Bunker:
George & Archie
Like so many memorable Lear characters, George and Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford) were destined for their own spinoff, to that "deluxe apartment in the sky"
The Announcement
"The Jeffersons" ran for a decade on CBS and established an African-American upwardly mobile family from humble beginnings. Interestingly, the last season of "The Jeffersons" coincided with the first season of NBC's "The Cosby Show," another trailblazer.
Hemsley didn't have to wait too long for another television job. During the fall of 1986, "Amen," produced by Johnny Carson's production company, made its debut on NBC. Hemsley played the often scheming but generally soft-hearted Deacon Ernest Frye:
Amen
During the late 80s, "Amen" was also a very successful part of NBC's lineup.
Hemsley would be featured in various series - even reprising his role as George Jefferson a couple of times - for the rest of his life.
The first six seasons of "The Jeffersons" have been released on DVD. Inexplicably, "Amen" has not yet been released.
Here's another look at George and "Weezy" - through "The Jefferson's" fantastic theme song, "Movin' On Up":
The Jeffersons
*********************************************************************
Chad Everett, who also died this week, set plenty of hearts aflutter on the CBS series "Medical Center" as Dr. Joe Gannon:
Medical Center
Like Hemsley, Everett also continued to work until recently. Only the first season of "Medical Center" is available on DVD so far, but Everett fans can catch his work on "Murder She Wrote," the mini-series "Centennial" and many more shows.
See you next week, with a wrap-up of the Most Memorable TV Moments.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
July 24: Most Memorable TV Moments: 1990s
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Because of the nature of these selections, the format will be different for the YesterTube look at the most memorable television moments of the 1990s and 21st Century - because of television's evolution.
Television began making major transitions during the 1990s, away from the largely three-network model that had taken the medium through its first 40 years. Cutbacks of news divisions starting during the mid-1980s would crimp network news abilities to cover international stories; the collapse of communism and the crackdowns on protestors in China in 1989 were the last gasps of success for ABC, NBC and CBS in the traditional mode.
No longer could the networks be entirely counted on to cover the most serious and truly important news stories of the day, except when they transcended other news as breaking stories (Examples include the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City.).
Cable news looked promising during the early 1990s, when CNN distinguished itself in covering the first Gulf War. But in 1994, Rupert Murdoch put Fox News on the air and started the downslide towards partisan cable operations that continues today. ESPN would also rise in its coverage of sports, with memorable personalities and tongue-in-cheek programs such as "SportsCenter." But personality would begin to trump performance.
The 1990s would see a blurring of lines among sports, culture and news. Two stories would certainly get attention above all: The saga of O.J. Simpson and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The 1994 involvement of football Hall of Famer and sometime actor and broadcaster Simpson in the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole, and Ronald Brown would start a year-and-a-half saga that much of America and the world could not turn away from, though the two relevant subjects - domestic violence and race/celebrity and an imbalanced justice system - didn't get nearly enough attention. Meanwhile, much of network news was ruined, the daytime soap opera was mortally wounded while the trial aired and the voyeurism of the saga extended itself into the "reality" prime-time programming that has contaminated much of network television ever since.
The death of Princess Diana in 1997 was reported after midnight in the United States on a Saturday. By the time the country was awake the next morning, the impact was being felt. With her divorce from Prince Charles, she had turned into a divided figure - both tabloid subject, with her jet-set life, and a woman with influence, given her campaign against land mines and her status as the mother of a prospective future monarch. Those halves would steer the public reaction to her death and motivate the British monarchy in a way it had not been - a way that, in the long run, helped to restore the credibility it had lost during the 1990s.
Coming Friday: The 21st Century
*********************************************************************
He was the lesser-known name in Franken and Davis. But Tom Davis, who died last week at the too-young age of 59, was just as prolific a writer. The pair was part of the early days of "Saturday Night Live," both on and off the screen. They created the Coneheads and other famous sketches and characters.
They also went on other shows, such as "Solid Gold":
Rolling Stones Spoof
*********************************************************************
Word came late this afternoon of the death of Sherman Hemsley, star of "The Jeffersons" and "Amen." Full tribute will be paid in Friday's column.
Because of the nature of these selections, the format will be different for the YesterTube look at the most memorable television moments of the 1990s and 21st Century - because of television's evolution.
Television began making major transitions during the 1990s, away from the largely three-network model that had taken the medium through its first 40 years. Cutbacks of news divisions starting during the mid-1980s would crimp network news abilities to cover international stories; the collapse of communism and the crackdowns on protestors in China in 1989 were the last gasps of success for ABC, NBC and CBS in the traditional mode.
No longer could the networks be entirely counted on to cover the most serious and truly important news stories of the day, except when they transcended other news as breaking stories (Examples include the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City.).
Cable news looked promising during the early 1990s, when CNN distinguished itself in covering the first Gulf War. But in 1994, Rupert Murdoch put Fox News on the air and started the downslide towards partisan cable operations that continues today. ESPN would also rise in its coverage of sports, with memorable personalities and tongue-in-cheek programs such as "SportsCenter." But personality would begin to trump performance.
The 1990s would see a blurring of lines among sports, culture and news. Two stories would certainly get attention above all: The saga of O.J. Simpson and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The 1994 involvement of football Hall of Famer and sometime actor and broadcaster Simpson in the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole, and Ronald Brown would start a year-and-a-half saga that much of America and the world could not turn away from, though the two relevant subjects - domestic violence and race/celebrity and an imbalanced justice system - didn't get nearly enough attention. Meanwhile, much of network news was ruined, the daytime soap opera was mortally wounded while the trial aired and the voyeurism of the saga extended itself into the "reality" prime-time programming that has contaminated much of network television ever since.
The death of Princess Diana in 1997 was reported after midnight in the United States on a Saturday. By the time the country was awake the next morning, the impact was being felt. With her divorce from Prince Charles, she had turned into a divided figure - both tabloid subject, with her jet-set life, and a woman with influence, given her campaign against land mines and her status as the mother of a prospective future monarch. Those halves would steer the public reaction to her death and motivate the British monarchy in a way it had not been - a way that, in the long run, helped to restore the credibility it had lost during the 1990s.
Coming Friday: The 21st Century
*********************************************************************
He was the lesser-known name in Franken and Davis. But Tom Davis, who died last week at the too-young age of 59, was just as prolific a writer. The pair was part of the early days of "Saturday Night Live," both on and off the screen. They created the Coneheads and other famous sketches and characters.
They also went on other shows, such as "Solid Gold":
Rolling Stones Spoof
*********************************************************************
Word came late this afternoon of the death of Sherman Hemsley, star of "The Jeffersons" and "Amen." Full tribute will be paid in Friday's column.
Friday, July 20, 2012
July 20: Most Memorable TV Moments: The 1980s
By Sylvia Gurinsky
YesterTube continues a look at the most memorable television moments, divided by decade, with the 1980s:
Sports: Game 6 of 1986 World Series, New York Mets v. Boston Red Sox, October 25, 1986
Nothing crystalized the so-called "curse" of the Boston Red Sox like what happened to them in the 10th inning of game six. Just one strike away from their first World Series championship since 1918, the Red Sox blew it - first with relief pitcher Bob Stanley's wild pitch that let the tying New York Met run in, then with Bill Buckner's major error:
Buckner's Boot
It would be 18 more years before the Red Sox finally won another World Series. The Mets have yet to win another.
Culture: The wedding of HRH Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981
Never mind, for the moment, the heartbreak and tragedy that came later. For the United Kingdom, then emerging from economic troubles, and for the world, this wedding was a genuine celebration and a fairy tale come to life:
Charles & Diana
News: Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986
After 24 missions, Space Shuttle travel had become almost routine to the public. What made this one different was the presence of Concord, N.H. teacher Christa McAuliffe, who had planned experiments for American students during the mission. Sadly, tragedy happened about a minute in:
Space Shuttle Challenger
McAuliffe and her six colleagues were killed.
That night, President Ronald Reagan, whose State of the Union address had been originally scheduled for that night, addressed the nation from the Oval Office:
"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God,'" Reagan said.
*******************************************************************
Note: The next post, about the 1990s, will appear next Tuesday, as will a tribute to Tom Davis, the comedy partner of Al Franken. Davis died yesterday.
YesterTube continues a look at the most memorable television moments, divided by decade, with the 1980s:
Sports: Game 6 of 1986 World Series, New York Mets v. Boston Red Sox, October 25, 1986
Nothing crystalized the so-called "curse" of the Boston Red Sox like what happened to them in the 10th inning of game six. Just one strike away from their first World Series championship since 1918, the Red Sox blew it - first with relief pitcher Bob Stanley's wild pitch that let the tying New York Met run in, then with Bill Buckner's major error:
Buckner's Boot
It would be 18 more years before the Red Sox finally won another World Series. The Mets have yet to win another.
Culture: The wedding of HRH Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981
Never mind, for the moment, the heartbreak and tragedy that came later. For the United Kingdom, then emerging from economic troubles, and for the world, this wedding was a genuine celebration and a fairy tale come to life:
Charles & Diana
News: Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986
After 24 missions, Space Shuttle travel had become almost routine to the public. What made this one different was the presence of Concord, N.H. teacher Christa McAuliffe, who had planned experiments for American students during the mission. Sadly, tragedy happened about a minute in:
Space Shuttle Challenger
McAuliffe and her six colleagues were killed.
That night, President Ronald Reagan, whose State of the Union address had been originally scheduled for that night, addressed the nation from the Oval Office:
"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God,'" Reagan said.
*******************************************************************
Note: The next post, about the 1990s, will appear next Tuesday, as will a tribute to Tom Davis, the comedy partner of Al Franken. Davis died yesterday.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Most Memorable TV Moments: The 1970s
By Sylvia Gurinsky
YesterTube continues its look at the most memorable television moments, divided by decade. Today, the 1970s:
Sports: Terrorism During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, September 5-6, 1972
Sports stopped being the world's "toy department" when 11 Israeli athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Arab terrorists. Jim McKay, who was leading ABC's Olympic coverage, transformed from his accustomed position into the newsman who told Americans what was going on, until the tragic end:
"They're All Gone"
Culture (1 of 2): Premiere of "All In the Family," January 12, 1971
Since 1968, Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton had been cast to play Archie and Edith Bunker. Two failed pilots passed through ABC before creator Norman Lear took the show to CBS and cast Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers as Michael and Gloria Stivic (and Mike Evans as Lionel Jefferson). The opening episode gave viewers dialogue they had never heard before:
All in the Family
It would take the show a bit of time to find its ratings legs, and some changes would be made (The character of Edith would be significantly softened, for instance.), but its cultural impact was already unmistakeable.
Culture (2 of 2): "Roots," January 23-30, 1977
In the course of a week, a television miniseries based on Alex Haley's story transformed perceptions about blacks, about American history and about storytelling - as well as making stars out of LeVar Burton, Ben Vereen and others:
Roots
"Roots" ran on ABC, which had already had success with "Rich Man, Poor Man" the season before and would be the best at creating miniseries in their heyday.
News: President Richard Nixon announces his resignation, August 8, 1974
Watergate was the top news story of the 1970s, as the noose tightened around President Richard Nixon. The Congressional hearings that were televised in 1973 made clear Nixon's involvement in covering up his administration's role in the June, 1972 break-in at Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington. He made his announcement from the Oval Office:
Nixon Resigns
Tomorrow: The 1980s.
********************************************************************
Of all the television shows that William Asher directed in his career, his name is tied to two above all: "I Love Lucy" and "Bewitched."
Asher directed more than 100 episodes of "I Love Lucy." As for "Bewitched," that was a pet project for him and his then-wife, Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha Stephens. It's tough to underestimate the difficulty of directing cast members the quality of Montgomery, Dick York (the first Darrin Stephens), Agnes Moorehead (Endora), Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara), Paul Lynde (Uncle Arthur), Maurice Evans (Maurice) and company and having the special effects added in later. Asher's touch was almost as skillfull as Samantha's twitch. Here's one of the best, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara":
The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara
Asher's first directed episode of "I Love Lucy" was also one of the best: "Job Switching," in which Lucy and Ethel go to battle with a conveyor belt of chocolates:
Chocolates
He was behind the camera and on the end credits, but William Asher made sure those in front sparkled.
YesterTube continues its look at the most memorable television moments, divided by decade. Today, the 1970s:
Sports: Terrorism During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, September 5-6, 1972
Sports stopped being the world's "toy department" when 11 Israeli athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Arab terrorists. Jim McKay, who was leading ABC's Olympic coverage, transformed from his accustomed position into the newsman who told Americans what was going on, until the tragic end:
"They're All Gone"
Culture (1 of 2): Premiere of "All In the Family," January 12, 1971
Since 1968, Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton had been cast to play Archie and Edith Bunker. Two failed pilots passed through ABC before creator Norman Lear took the show to CBS and cast Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers as Michael and Gloria Stivic (and Mike Evans as Lionel Jefferson). The opening episode gave viewers dialogue they had never heard before:
All in the Family
It would take the show a bit of time to find its ratings legs, and some changes would be made (The character of Edith would be significantly softened, for instance.), but its cultural impact was already unmistakeable.
Culture (2 of 2): "Roots," January 23-30, 1977
In the course of a week, a television miniseries based on Alex Haley's story transformed perceptions about blacks, about American history and about storytelling - as well as making stars out of LeVar Burton, Ben Vereen and others:
Roots
"Roots" ran on ABC, which had already had success with "Rich Man, Poor Man" the season before and would be the best at creating miniseries in their heyday.
News: President Richard Nixon announces his resignation, August 8, 1974
Watergate was the top news story of the 1970s, as the noose tightened around President Richard Nixon. The Congressional hearings that were televised in 1973 made clear Nixon's involvement in covering up his administration's role in the June, 1972 break-in at Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington. He made his announcement from the Oval Office:
Nixon Resigns
Tomorrow: The 1980s.
********************************************************************
Of all the television shows that William Asher directed in his career, his name is tied to two above all: "I Love Lucy" and "Bewitched."
Asher directed more than 100 episodes of "I Love Lucy." As for "Bewitched," that was a pet project for him and his then-wife, Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha Stephens. It's tough to underestimate the difficulty of directing cast members the quality of Montgomery, Dick York (the first Darrin Stephens), Agnes Moorehead (Endora), Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara), Paul Lynde (Uncle Arthur), Maurice Evans (Maurice) and company and having the special effects added in later. Asher's touch was almost as skillfull as Samantha's twitch. Here's one of the best, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara":
The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara
Asher's first directed episode of "I Love Lucy" was also one of the best: "Job Switching," in which Lucy and Ethel go to battle with a conveyor belt of chocolates:
Chocolates
He was behind the camera and on the end credits, but William Asher made sure those in front sparkled.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
July 17: Most Memorable TV Moments: The 1960s
By Sylvia Gurinsky
YesterTube continues this decade-by-decade look at the most memorable television moments with the 1960s. This decade probably had more earth-shaking items than any other - both in the type of news that was made and the way television was covering it.
Sports: Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeats Sonny Liston, February 25, 1964
It was more than just a heavyweight championship fight that took place in Miami Beach that night. Clay had been gaining attention for being quite unlike any athlete who ever came before, with his poetry and his taunts. But there was another side to him: He had become a Black Muslim and after this fight, announced his name change to Muhammad Ali. Other athletes since have tried to show plenty of flash and dash. But none have ever quite had the substance of Ali, who was willing to sacrifice his boxing career and his freedom over the Vietnam War and later came back to reclaim his self-described label as "The Greatest." This is how it started:
Clay (Ali) - Liston
Culture: The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964
Just two weeks before the legend of Ali came to fruition, the legend of The Beatles did on the long-running CBS show. American audiences had been hearing about the four lads from Liverpool - and their teenage children were already hearing their records.
It was inevitable that television - and Ed Sullivan, whose show usually scored high ratings - would come calling. This legend started with the screaming:
The Beatles
John, Paul, George and Ringo only sang together for a few short years. But the music will go on forever.
News (1 of 2): JFK Assassination, November 22, 1963
One of the two most transformative news stories in a decade that was filled with them, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy would shake the nation in ways that are still felt today. From a television news standpoint, it was when live news coverage came of age - and when Walter Cronkite of CBS established himself as the go-to newsman:
JFK Assassination
News (2 of 2): Man On the Moon, July 20, 1969
Kennedy's dream was for the U.S. to go to the moon. A dozen astronauts would make that dream come true on live television between 1969 and 1972.
Walter Cronkite and retired astronaut Wally Schirra were among those without words the moment Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touched down the lunar module "Eagle" on the moon for the first landing. It was the high point of the decade, the 20th century and maybe television history:
Apollo 11
Note: The 1970s will be presented Thursday, as will a tribute to director William Asher, who died today.
YesterTube continues this decade-by-decade look at the most memorable television moments with the 1960s. This decade probably had more earth-shaking items than any other - both in the type of news that was made and the way television was covering it.
Sports: Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeats Sonny Liston, February 25, 1964
It was more than just a heavyweight championship fight that took place in Miami Beach that night. Clay had been gaining attention for being quite unlike any athlete who ever came before, with his poetry and his taunts. But there was another side to him: He had become a Black Muslim and after this fight, announced his name change to Muhammad Ali. Other athletes since have tried to show plenty of flash and dash. But none have ever quite had the substance of Ali, who was willing to sacrifice his boxing career and his freedom over the Vietnam War and later came back to reclaim his self-described label as "The Greatest." This is how it started:
Clay (Ali) - Liston
Culture: The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964
Just two weeks before the legend of Ali came to fruition, the legend of The Beatles did on the long-running CBS show. American audiences had been hearing about the four lads from Liverpool - and their teenage children were already hearing their records.
It was inevitable that television - and Ed Sullivan, whose show usually scored high ratings - would come calling. This legend started with the screaming:
The Beatles
John, Paul, George and Ringo only sang together for a few short years. But the music will go on forever.
News (1 of 2): JFK Assassination, November 22, 1963
One of the two most transformative news stories in a decade that was filled with them, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy would shake the nation in ways that are still felt today. From a television news standpoint, it was when live news coverage came of age - and when Walter Cronkite of CBS established himself as the go-to newsman:
JFK Assassination
News (2 of 2): Man On the Moon, July 20, 1969
Kennedy's dream was for the U.S. to go to the moon. A dozen astronauts would make that dream come true on live television between 1969 and 1972.
Walter Cronkite and retired astronaut Wally Schirra were among those without words the moment Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touched down the lunar module "Eagle" on the moon for the first landing. It was the high point of the decade, the 20th century and maybe television history:
Apollo 11
Note: The 1970s will be presented Thursday, as will a tribute to director William Asher, who died today.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday July 16: Most Memorable Television Moments: The 1950s
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Here is Part 1 of YesterTube's series of Most Memorable Television Moments, focusing on the 1950s.
*Top Sports: World Series Game 5, October 8, 1956
Live sports telecasts would begin to come of age during the 1950s, and especially so with the classic Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, in which otherwise undistinguished New York Yankee pitcher Don Larsen would pitch a perfect game - to date, the only perfect game in World Series history.
Here's the last out with the icing on the cake: Vin Scully, among the greatest broadcasters in baseball history, calling it:
Don Larsen Perfect Game
*Top Culture: "Lucy Goes To the Hospital" on "I Love Lucy," January 19, 1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower would be sworn in as president of the United States the following morning, but never mind that: There was a baby to be born to Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. The chaos - and hilarity - was shared equally among the four stars of "I Love Lucy" in this scene:
Lucy Goes To the Hospital
Add Ricky's Babalu makeup (for the "woodoo" number) in the hospital scene, and there is no doubt that this is a classic. Of course, Lucy and Ricky had a boy. In real life, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV (known as Desi Arnaz, Jr.) was born the same night.
*Top News: Murrow Battles McCarthyism, "See It Now," March 9, 1954
Few journalists were more gutsy than Edward R. Murrow - whether broadcasting on radio from London during the Blitz in World War II, or indicting Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy with McCarthy's own words and Murrow's excellent closing statement:
Murrow
Tomorrow: The 1960s
Here is Part 1 of YesterTube's series of Most Memorable Television Moments, focusing on the 1950s.
*Top Sports: World Series Game 5, October 8, 1956
Live sports telecasts would begin to come of age during the 1950s, and especially so with the classic Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, in which otherwise undistinguished New York Yankee pitcher Don Larsen would pitch a perfect game - to date, the only perfect game in World Series history.
Here's the last out with the icing on the cake: Vin Scully, among the greatest broadcasters in baseball history, calling it:
Don Larsen Perfect Game
*Top Culture: "Lucy Goes To the Hospital" on "I Love Lucy," January 19, 1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower would be sworn in as president of the United States the following morning, but never mind that: There was a baby to be born to Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. The chaos - and hilarity - was shared equally among the four stars of "I Love Lucy" in this scene:
Lucy Goes To the Hospital
Add Ricky's Babalu makeup (for the "woodoo" number) in the hospital scene, and there is no doubt that this is a classic. Of course, Lucy and Ricky had a boy. In real life, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV (known as Desi Arnaz, Jr.) was born the same night.
*Top News: Murrow Battles McCarthyism, "See It Now," March 9, 1954
Few journalists were more gutsy than Edward R. Murrow - whether broadcasting on radio from London during the Blitz in World War II, or indicting Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy with McCarthy's own words and Murrow's excellent closing statement:
Murrow
Tomorrow: The 1960s
Friday, July 13, 2012
Week of July 13: Griffth and Borgnine: Beyond Mayberry, Matlock, McHale and Airwolf
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Television viewers embraced Andy Griffith on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock", and Ernest Borgnine on "McHale's Navy" and "Airwolf." But they also won fans when they pushed the boundaries they would have found on their own shows.
Borgnine had numerous guest-starring roles in television movies and series other than his own. One came in one of the most memorable episodes of "Little House On the Prairie" - "The Lord Is My Shepherd," from 1974:
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Griffith worked in a number of mini-series and specials, including 1976's unusual "Six Characters In Search of An Author" with John Houseman, done for PBS:
Six Characters
Those and many other works of Borgnine and Griffth - including, of course, their beloved series - are available on DVD.
********************************************************************
This week, Sony Electronics and Nielsen released a survey of top memorable news moments on television. The problem with that survey is that it's not accurate, simply because there are now more people alive who remember events of the 1990s and 21st century than such events as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy or the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Next week, day by day, YesterTube will feature a look at the most memorable moments, divided by decade and summed up with the Top 5 all-time memorable moments. Also, the decade moments will be divided into three categories: News, Culture and Sports.
So see you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Television viewers embraced Andy Griffith on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock", and Ernest Borgnine on "McHale's Navy" and "Airwolf." But they also won fans when they pushed the boundaries they would have found on their own shows.
Borgnine had numerous guest-starring roles in television movies and series other than his own. One came in one of the most memorable episodes of "Little House On the Prairie" - "The Lord Is My Shepherd," from 1974:
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Griffith worked in a number of mini-series and specials, including 1976's unusual "Six Characters In Search of An Author" with John Houseman, done for PBS:
Six Characters
Those and many other works of Borgnine and Griffth - including, of course, their beloved series - are available on DVD.
********************************************************************
This week, Sony Electronics and Nielsen released a survey of top memorable news moments on television. The problem with that survey is that it's not accurate, simply because there are now more people alive who remember events of the 1990s and 21st century than such events as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy or the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Next week, day by day, YesterTube will feature a look at the most memorable moments, divided by decade and summed up with the Top 5 all-time memorable moments. Also, the decade moments will be divided into three categories: News, Culture and Sports.
So see you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Week of June 29: So Long, Don Grady and Doris Singleton; A Splash of Summer From "Gidget"
By Sylvia Gurinsky
A fond farewell to Don Grady, who played Robbie Douglas, really the second of four sons (often depicted as the oldest after Tim Considine left the show) on the long-running "My Three Sons." As Robbie, Grady went from teenager to married and a father. Here's a look at the pre-fatherhood phase:
Life Begins In Katie
***********************************************************************
Sad to say, there is late word of the death of Doris Singleton, one of the longest lasting character actresses in television history. She was probably best known as Carolyn Appleby, the friend/rival of Lucy Ricardo on "I Love Lucy."
***********************************************************************
Before YesterTube goes off for a July 4 hiatus, let's go to the beach with Gidget (courtesy of Sally Field and Martin Milner):
Gidget and the Great Kahuna
Happy Independence Day and Happy Viewing! See you in two weeks!
A fond farewell to Don Grady, who played Robbie Douglas, really the second of four sons (often depicted as the oldest after Tim Considine left the show) on the long-running "My Three Sons." As Robbie, Grady went from teenager to married and a father. Here's a look at the pre-fatherhood phase:
Life Begins In Katie
***********************************************************************
Sad to say, there is late word of the death of Doris Singleton, one of the longest lasting character actresses in television history. She was probably best known as Carolyn Appleby, the friend/rival of Lucy Ricardo on "I Love Lucy."
***********************************************************************
Before YesterTube goes off for a July 4 hiatus, let's go to the beach with Gidget (courtesy of Sally Field and Martin Milner):
Gidget and the Great Kahuna
Happy Independence Day and Happy Viewing! See you in two weeks!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Week of June 22: Abraham Lincoln, Television Star
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Well, we trust a generation of schoolchildren WON'T be thinking of the 16th president of the United States as a vampire hunter.
President Abraham Lincoln's true legacy, of course, is much different. Television has presented it numerous times, in documentary and dramatic form.
For documentaries, PBS' excellent "Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided" is top of the line. This multi-part series, from the network's "American Experience," spans Lincoln's entire life. It is available on DVD.
NBC made two docudramas about Lincoln. The first one, "Sandburg's Lincoln," based on Carl Sandburg's writing, was created in 1974, with Hal Holbrook in the role.
Holbrook, of course, is best known for his portrayal of another American legend, writer Mark Twain. He won an Emmy for his portrayal of Lincoln. Here's a clip:
Sandburg's Lincoln
Fourteen years later, the Peacock network came up with "Gore Vidal's Lincoln." Unlike the 1974 version, "Lincoln," based on Vidal's book, made somewhat less of a mark.
The reason may have been, surprisingly, the lead actor. Sam Waterston, known for great work in dramas ranging from the brief "I'll Fly Away" to the long-lasting "Law & Order," played Lincoln. He's played the president on the stage as well. But critics and the public were divided over a portrayal that deviated from long-time perceptions of Lincoln. There were also questions about accuracy.
The biggest problem may actually have been Ernest Kinoy's script. Kinoy won an Emmy for his writing on "Roots" and wrote such excellent dramas as 1981's "Skokie," about the battle over attempts by neo-Nazis to march in Skokie, Illinois. But Kinoy's adaptation of Vidal's work lacks zing.
Still, director Lamont Johnson won an Emmy for directing "Lincoln." Mary Tyler Moore was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Here's a look at Waterston's portrayal:
Gore Vidal's Lincoln
Both are also available on DVD.
********************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Well, we trust a generation of schoolchildren WON'T be thinking of the 16th president of the United States as a vampire hunter.
President Abraham Lincoln's true legacy, of course, is much different. Television has presented it numerous times, in documentary and dramatic form.
For documentaries, PBS' excellent "Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided" is top of the line. This multi-part series, from the network's "American Experience," spans Lincoln's entire life. It is available on DVD.
NBC made two docudramas about Lincoln. The first one, "Sandburg's Lincoln," based on Carl Sandburg's writing, was created in 1974, with Hal Holbrook in the role.
Holbrook, of course, is best known for his portrayal of another American legend, writer Mark Twain. He won an Emmy for his portrayal of Lincoln. Here's a clip:
Sandburg's Lincoln
Fourteen years later, the Peacock network came up with "Gore Vidal's Lincoln." Unlike the 1974 version, "Lincoln," based on Vidal's book, made somewhat less of a mark.
The reason may have been, surprisingly, the lead actor. Sam Waterston, known for great work in dramas ranging from the brief "I'll Fly Away" to the long-lasting "Law & Order," played Lincoln. He's played the president on the stage as well. But critics and the public were divided over a portrayal that deviated from long-time perceptions of Lincoln. There were also questions about accuracy.
The biggest problem may actually have been Ernest Kinoy's script. Kinoy won an Emmy for his writing on "Roots" and wrote such excellent dramas as 1981's "Skokie," about the battle over attempts by neo-Nazis to march in Skokie, Illinois. But Kinoy's adaptation of Vidal's work lacks zing.
Still, director Lamont Johnson won an Emmy for directing "Lincoln." Mary Tyler Moore was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Here's a look at Waterston's portrayal:
Gore Vidal's Lincoln
Both are also available on DVD.
********************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Week of June 15: How "Dallas" Became An International Sensation
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The saga of the Ewing family resumed this week on cable's TNT.
But no one knew what to expect when "Dallas" made its debut on CBS on April 2, 1978. (History has it as a miniseries, though this writer remembers it as a mid-season replacement. Of course, I was only 9. :)
Ratings for the story that started with Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) marrying Pamela Barnes (Victoria Principal) were nothing to dance about - the first episodes finished in 44th place. But CBS was satisfied enough to allow the show to continue as a weekly series during the 1978-79 season.
Head writer David Jacobs and executive producer Leonard Katzman kept it as mostly a family drama, with stand-alone episodes, until about a third of the way through that season, when he turned the show into a soap opera, with the storylines that would send its ratings on a steady climb. It did well enough to be renewed for a third season.
The third season would turn "Dallas" into a hit, with the central focus shifting to J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman. Hagman, the son of Broadway legend Mary Martin, became famous playing astronaut Anthony Nelson during the long-running NBC comedy "I Dream of Jeannie."
Prime-time television had never seen a character like J.R. - lying, scheming, cheating, manipulative. And he was the star. Larry Hagman obviously has had a ball playing the character.
Then came the end of the March 21, 1980 episode "A House Divided":
Cliffhanger
There was a presidential campaign that year, but the most asked question became, "Who Shot J.R.?"
The actors' strike of 1980 put off the answer to that question until the Nov. 7 Season 4 premiere, when Kristin Shepard, Sue Ellen's (Linda Gray) sister (played by Mary Crosby, Bing's daughter) was revealed as the shooter. Kristin herself would die in the cliffhanger at the end of Season 4, in the Southfork Ranch pool.
Incidentally, the Nov. 7, 1980 episode became the most watched television program in history until the last episode of "M*A*S*H" passed it in February, 1983. To date, it is still the second most-watched episode of a scripted (non-sports) television program.
Season 3 kicked off the golden era of "Dallas." It would dominate ratings during the first half of the 1980s and provide reliable programming for CBS on Friday nights.
"Dallas" also had an ongoing intramural competition with ABC's "Dynasty," which went on the air in 1981 with a look at various types of lying, scheming and backstabbing among a Denver oil family.
"Dallas" would also become among the most successful American television series sold overseas - and symbolic of both U.S. abundance and greed. It showed up in references in series such as Britain's "Are You Being Served?"
Another cliffhanger would bring the golden era of "Dallas" to an end - the finale of Season 8 and the start of Season 9, which revealed that Pam had dreamed about Bobby's death, her marriage to Mark Grayson (John Beck) and other plot points. The reason for the twists was that Patrick Duffy had left the show for a year and come back. But fans were so angry at the twists that many stopped watching. The twist would be spoofed - splendidly so by the finale of the same network's "Newhart," which had that series as a dream by Dr. Bob Hartley of "The Bob Newhart Show."
After the Bobby-in-the-shower twist, "Dallas" would go through a slow decline in ratings, coupled with the success of a new Friday rival - the NBC hit "Miami Vice." But "Dallas" would actually outlast "Miami Vice," as well as "Dynasty," going off the air after 14 seasons with the May 3, 1991 finale.
Arguably, "Dallas" revolutionized prime-time drama - right down to the now very-annoying habit of practically every show, be it comedy, drama or procedural, ending its season with a cliffhanger. (The CBS police show "Blue Bloods," starring Tom Selleck, is a refreshing exception.)
Barbara Bel Geddes, who played family matriarch Miss Ellie, won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama in 1979, and Hagman was nominated twice.
Alas, Jacobs isn't part of the TNT continuation. But it's still good to see Hagman, Duffy and Gray back in these roles.
The entire series is available on DVD.
Here's a little more classic J.R.:
J.R.
***************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
The saga of the Ewing family resumed this week on cable's TNT.
But no one knew what to expect when "Dallas" made its debut on CBS on April 2, 1978. (History has it as a miniseries, though this writer remembers it as a mid-season replacement. Of course, I was only 9. :)
Ratings for the story that started with Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) marrying Pamela Barnes (Victoria Principal) were nothing to dance about - the first episodes finished in 44th place. But CBS was satisfied enough to allow the show to continue as a weekly series during the 1978-79 season.
Head writer David Jacobs and executive producer Leonard Katzman kept it as mostly a family drama, with stand-alone episodes, until about a third of the way through that season, when he turned the show into a soap opera, with the storylines that would send its ratings on a steady climb. It did well enough to be renewed for a third season.
The third season would turn "Dallas" into a hit, with the central focus shifting to J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman. Hagman, the son of Broadway legend Mary Martin, became famous playing astronaut Anthony Nelson during the long-running NBC comedy "I Dream of Jeannie."
Prime-time television had never seen a character like J.R. - lying, scheming, cheating, manipulative. And he was the star. Larry Hagman obviously has had a ball playing the character.
Then came the end of the March 21, 1980 episode "A House Divided":
Cliffhanger
There was a presidential campaign that year, but the most asked question became, "Who Shot J.R.?"
The actors' strike of 1980 put off the answer to that question until the Nov. 7 Season 4 premiere, when Kristin Shepard, Sue Ellen's (Linda Gray) sister (played by Mary Crosby, Bing's daughter) was revealed as the shooter. Kristin herself would die in the cliffhanger at the end of Season 4, in the Southfork Ranch pool.
Incidentally, the Nov. 7, 1980 episode became the most watched television program in history until the last episode of "M*A*S*H" passed it in February, 1983. To date, it is still the second most-watched episode of a scripted (non-sports) television program.
Season 3 kicked off the golden era of "Dallas." It would dominate ratings during the first half of the 1980s and provide reliable programming for CBS on Friday nights.
"Dallas" also had an ongoing intramural competition with ABC's "Dynasty," which went on the air in 1981 with a look at various types of lying, scheming and backstabbing among a Denver oil family.
"Dallas" would also become among the most successful American television series sold overseas - and symbolic of both U.S. abundance and greed. It showed up in references in series such as Britain's "Are You Being Served?"
Another cliffhanger would bring the golden era of "Dallas" to an end - the finale of Season 8 and the start of Season 9, which revealed that Pam had dreamed about Bobby's death, her marriage to Mark Grayson (John Beck) and other plot points. The reason for the twists was that Patrick Duffy had left the show for a year and come back. But fans were so angry at the twists that many stopped watching. The twist would be spoofed - splendidly so by the finale of the same network's "Newhart," which had that series as a dream by Dr. Bob Hartley of "The Bob Newhart Show."
After the Bobby-in-the-shower twist, "Dallas" would go through a slow decline in ratings, coupled with the success of a new Friday rival - the NBC hit "Miami Vice." But "Dallas" would actually outlast "Miami Vice," as well as "Dynasty," going off the air after 14 seasons with the May 3, 1991 finale.
Arguably, "Dallas" revolutionized prime-time drama - right down to the now very-annoying habit of practically every show, be it comedy, drama or procedural, ending its season with a cliffhanger. (The CBS police show "Blue Bloods," starring Tom Selleck, is a refreshing exception.)
Barbara Bel Geddes, who played family matriarch Miss Ellie, won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama in 1979, and Hagman was nominated twice.
Alas, Jacobs isn't part of the TNT continuation. But it's still good to see Hagman, Duffy and Gray back in these roles.
The entire series is available on DVD.
Here's a little more classic J.R.:
J.R.
***************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Week of June 8: Ray Bradbury and Richard Dawson
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Ray Bradbury and Richard Dawson. One influenced the public view, while the other simply had fun with the public.
Ray Bradbury, who died this week at 91, was one of this country's most prolific science fiction writers. He took that talent to television during the medium's infancy. He wrote for everything from "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" to his own anthology series (which aired on cable).
Here's a clip from a "Twilight Zone" episode, "I Sing the Body Electric," Bradbury wrote in 1962:
Twilight Zone
*********************************************************************
Richard Dawson came to prominence as Corporal Peter Newkirk on the CBS comedy series "Hogan's Heroes." During the early 1970s, he alternated guest starring spots on television series and game shows.
Then, in 1976, Goodson/Todman Productions tapped him as the host of a new game show in which families competed to come up with the most popular answers to questions asked in general polls. "Family Feud" was successful during the next decade, both on ABC Daytime and in syndication.
Subsequent editions have been produced. But Dawson's version was immortalized by two items: His "Survey Says" and his kissing of the female guests.
Here's a 1981 show, and watch Gretchen Johnson, in the blue print dress. Dawson did "ask her first": She later became his wife:
Family Feud
**********************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Ray Bradbury and Richard Dawson. One influenced the public view, while the other simply had fun with the public.
Ray Bradbury, who died this week at 91, was one of this country's most prolific science fiction writers. He took that talent to television during the medium's infancy. He wrote for everything from "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" to his own anthology series (which aired on cable).
Here's a clip from a "Twilight Zone" episode, "I Sing the Body Electric," Bradbury wrote in 1962:
Twilight Zone
*********************************************************************
Richard Dawson came to prominence as Corporal Peter Newkirk on the CBS comedy series "Hogan's Heroes." During the early 1970s, he alternated guest starring spots on television series and game shows.
Then, in 1976, Goodson/Todman Productions tapped him as the host of a new game show in which families competed to come up with the most popular answers to questions asked in general polls. "Family Feud" was successful during the next decade, both on ABC Daytime and in syndication.
Subsequent editions have been produced. But Dawson's version was immortalized by two items: His "Survey Says" and his kissing of the female guests.
Here's a 1981 show, and watch Gretchen Johnson, in the blue print dress. Dawson did "ask her first": She later became his wife:
Family Feud
**********************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Week of June 1: I Want My MeTV
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Not since the classic Nick at Nite of the 1990s has retro television been so good.
A few years ago, Tribune-owned Antenna TV went on the air with classic television shows. Now, MeTV - owned by Weigel Broadcasting and distributed by MGM - is spreading throughout the country as well.
Antenna TV has a nice combination of shows, including "The Burns and Allen Show," "Adam-12," "All in the Family," "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "NewsRadio," to name a few.
MeTV, which stands for "Memorable Entertainment Television," is even better. Its selections include "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," "Bonanza," "Hawaii Five-O" (the real, original one), "Perry Mason," "The Rockford Files," "I Love Lucy" and more.
It's addictive. Since it appeared in my community a few weeks ago, many people have started watching.
Here's the website:
MeTV
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Not since the classic Nick at Nite of the 1990s has retro television been so good.
A few years ago, Tribune-owned Antenna TV went on the air with classic television shows. Now, MeTV - owned by Weigel Broadcasting and distributed by MGM - is spreading throughout the country as well.
Antenna TV has a nice combination of shows, including "The Burns and Allen Show," "Adam-12," "All in the Family," "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "NewsRadio," to name a few.
MeTV, which stands for "Memorable Entertainment Television," is even better. Its selections include "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," "Bonanza," "Hawaii Five-O" (the real, original one), "Perry Mason," "The Rockford Files," "I Love Lucy" and more.
It's addictive. Since it appeared in my community a few weeks ago, many people have started watching.
Here's the website:
MeTV
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Week of May 18: Memorable Carson Moments
By Sylvia Gurinsky
It doesn't seem possible that 20 years ago next Tuesday (May 22, 1992), Johnny Carson bid America "a very heartfelt good night" and walked off our television screens.
The number of appearances he made after that - a Bob Hope birthday celebration and Kennedy Center honor in 1993, a couple of appearances on "Late Show With David Letterman" - before his death in 2005 can be counted on one hand. We still miss him.
This week, PBS featured Carson in its "American Masters" series. Viewers were reminded yet again what made him so enjoyable to watch night after night for 30 years, and why he remains an untouchable in entertainment today.
It's a good time to revisit some of Johnny's most memorable moments. We'll leave out his emotional two final shows - the May 21, 1992 show that featured Bette Midler and Robin Williams, and the May 22 finale.
Here are some more:
-Ed Ames' tomahawk chop, April 29, 1965: Known for his lovely baritone singing voice, Ames also starred on the western series "Daniel Boone" as Mingo, a Native American. (In real life, Ames is a member of a different tribe; he's Jewish.) Ames was attempting to teach Carson how to throw a tomahawk properly, and well......Let's just say the whole scene was a gem - particularly Johnny's response:
Tomahawk
-Copper Clapper Caper, February 19, 1968: Jack Webb was as serious as a heart attack on the long-running "Dragnet." Here, he had a chance to make fun of it. Both Webb's and Carson's timing were impeccable:
Copper Clappers
-Tiny Tim's Wedding, December 17, 1969: Tiny Tim was an entertainment curio of the late 1960s, playing his ukelele and singing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" on a number of talk and variety shows, including "The Tonight Show." After he mentioned to Carson on one visit that he was engaged, the offer was made to host his wedding to Miss Vicki, as she was known:
Ceremony
--The King of Late Night and the Chairman of the Board, November 12, 1976: Johnny Carson had played emcee for the Rat Pack for concerts during the 1960s (One of those concerts has recently been shown as part of PBS' pledge drives.). But he was genuinely nervous having Frank Sinatra on "The Tonight Show," in what turned out to be Sinatra's only visit. Mutual friend Don Rickles came on and smoothed things over:
Johnny, Frank and Don
-Cigarette Case Confrontation with Don Rickles, December 13, 1976: Don Rickles was a genuine friend to Johnny Carson, and what Bob Hope once called his "black belt in comedy" made for a lot of very funny moments on the show. During the 1970s, Rickles was a frequent guest host on "The Tonight Show." He broke Carson's cigarette case, which had made the "Tonight Show" move from New York to Los Angeles, and Johnny decided to confront Rickles on the set of his show, "CPO Sharkey":
Johnny & Don
-Johnny and the Marmoset, 1979: Starting in 1972, Joan Embery of the San Diego Zoo frequently brought animals onto "The Tonight Show." Even more impressive than the animals was Carson's reaction. Here's a classic with a marmoset (It's the second video on the bottom line.):
Marmoset
-Jimmy Stewart, July 28, 1981: The legendary actor was one of Carson's favorite guests. Here, he reads his classic tribute to his dog, Beau:
Beau
-Ronald Reagan Skit, 1982: Abbott & Costello came to the White House - sort of - as the Mighty Carson Art Players featured the star as Ronald Reagan, figuring out his schedule:
Reagan & Baker
-Bill Clinton, July 28, 1988: Clinton was best known as the governor of Arkansas who had just bungled the introduction of fellow governor - and Democratic presidential nominee - Michael Dukakis at the party's convention with an extremely long speech. In having Clinton on the show, Carson poked fun by giving a long introduction, and then put out an hourglass after asking, "How are you?" In return, Clinton played "Summertime" on the saxophone.
The appearance is generally credited with giving Clinton a positive re-launch on the national stage. Alas, the clip is not available online, but can be seen in the highlights of The Tonight Show released on DVD.
-Michael Landon, May 9, 1991: Michael Landon, longtime star of three television series, announced in April, 1991 that he had liver and pancreatic cancer. Landon looked good when he appeared on "The Tonight Show" the following month, but it turned out to be his last appearance on the show; he died in July, 1991.
-Bonus: Betty White: Carson used to joke that television's first lady would appear in any skit in which he was half-dressed. The best Johnny Carson/Betty White sketch was probably the 1981 "Tarzan" skit, but this 1979 Adam & Eve palimony skit is pretty good, too:
Adam & Eve
And finally, Southland viewers:
Art Fern
YesterTube will go on a hiatus for the Memorial Day weekend. See you June 1st. Until then, Happy Viewing!
It doesn't seem possible that 20 years ago next Tuesday (May 22, 1992), Johnny Carson bid America "a very heartfelt good night" and walked off our television screens.
The number of appearances he made after that - a Bob Hope birthday celebration and Kennedy Center honor in 1993, a couple of appearances on "Late Show With David Letterman" - before his death in 2005 can be counted on one hand. We still miss him.
This week, PBS featured Carson in its "American Masters" series. Viewers were reminded yet again what made him so enjoyable to watch night after night for 30 years, and why he remains an untouchable in entertainment today.
It's a good time to revisit some of Johnny's most memorable moments. We'll leave out his emotional two final shows - the May 21, 1992 show that featured Bette Midler and Robin Williams, and the May 22 finale.
Here are some more:
-Ed Ames' tomahawk chop, April 29, 1965: Known for his lovely baritone singing voice, Ames also starred on the western series "Daniel Boone" as Mingo, a Native American. (In real life, Ames is a member of a different tribe; he's Jewish.) Ames was attempting to teach Carson how to throw a tomahawk properly, and well......Let's just say the whole scene was a gem - particularly Johnny's response:
Tomahawk
-Copper Clapper Caper, February 19, 1968: Jack Webb was as serious as a heart attack on the long-running "Dragnet." Here, he had a chance to make fun of it. Both Webb's and Carson's timing were impeccable:
Copper Clappers
-Tiny Tim's Wedding, December 17, 1969: Tiny Tim was an entertainment curio of the late 1960s, playing his ukelele and singing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" on a number of talk and variety shows, including "The Tonight Show." After he mentioned to Carson on one visit that he was engaged, the offer was made to host his wedding to Miss Vicki, as she was known:
Ceremony
--The King of Late Night and the Chairman of the Board, November 12, 1976: Johnny Carson had played emcee for the Rat Pack for concerts during the 1960s (One of those concerts has recently been shown as part of PBS' pledge drives.). But he was genuinely nervous having Frank Sinatra on "The Tonight Show," in what turned out to be Sinatra's only visit. Mutual friend Don Rickles came on and smoothed things over:
Johnny, Frank and Don
-Cigarette Case Confrontation with Don Rickles, December 13, 1976: Don Rickles was a genuine friend to Johnny Carson, and what Bob Hope once called his "black belt in comedy" made for a lot of very funny moments on the show. During the 1970s, Rickles was a frequent guest host on "The Tonight Show." He broke Carson's cigarette case, which had made the "Tonight Show" move from New York to Los Angeles, and Johnny decided to confront Rickles on the set of his show, "CPO Sharkey":
Johnny & Don
-Johnny and the Marmoset, 1979: Starting in 1972, Joan Embery of the San Diego Zoo frequently brought animals onto "The Tonight Show." Even more impressive than the animals was Carson's reaction. Here's a classic with a marmoset (It's the second video on the bottom line.):
Marmoset
-Jimmy Stewart, July 28, 1981: The legendary actor was one of Carson's favorite guests. Here, he reads his classic tribute to his dog, Beau:
Beau
-Ronald Reagan Skit, 1982: Abbott & Costello came to the White House - sort of - as the Mighty Carson Art Players featured the star as Ronald Reagan, figuring out his schedule:
Reagan & Baker
-Bill Clinton, July 28, 1988: Clinton was best known as the governor of Arkansas who had just bungled the introduction of fellow governor - and Democratic presidential nominee - Michael Dukakis at the party's convention with an extremely long speech. In having Clinton on the show, Carson poked fun by giving a long introduction, and then put out an hourglass after asking, "How are you?" In return, Clinton played "Summertime" on the saxophone.
The appearance is generally credited with giving Clinton a positive re-launch on the national stage. Alas, the clip is not available online, but can be seen in the highlights of The Tonight Show released on DVD.
-Michael Landon, May 9, 1991: Michael Landon, longtime star of three television series, announced in April, 1991 that he had liver and pancreatic cancer. Landon looked good when he appeared on "The Tonight Show" the following month, but it turned out to be his last appearance on the show; he died in July, 1991.
-Bonus: Betty White: Carson used to joke that television's first lady would appear in any skit in which he was half-dressed. The best Johnny Carson/Betty White sketch was probably the 1981 "Tarzan" skit, but this 1979 Adam & Eve palimony skit is pretty good, too:
Adam & Eve
And finally, Southland viewers:
Art Fern
YesterTube will go on a hiatus for the Memorial Day weekend. See you June 1st. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Week Of 5/11: Spooky "Dark Shadows"; Goodbye Goober
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The story of the television version of "Dark Shadows," which debuts this weekend as a feature film starring show fan (and "21 Jump Street" vet) Johnny Depp started with a basic script. All the ghoulish stuff came later.
When it did come, it made the daytime soap opera, which ran on ABC from 1966-71, extremely popular with teenagers - continuing the teen romance with vampires and warewolves that had started in the movies and serving as a bridge to current popular films, such as the "Twilight" series.
Jonathan Frid, who would become extremely popular as the vampire Barnabas, wasn't even in the first episode. The career of Frid, who died last month, never really extended far beyond "Dark Shadows." But plenty of other talent passed through Collinsport: Conrad Bain, who would later co-star in "Maude" and "Diff'rent Strokes," had a bit part in the first episode as a bellhop. David Selby, later part of the cast of "Falcon Crest," also became a heartthrob on "Dark Shadows."
Others who starred on the show included Louis Edmonds, later Langley Wallingford on "All My Children," and Kate Jackson, soon to star in "The Rookies," "Charlie's Angels" and "Scarecrow & Mrs. King."
Here's Barnabas being freed:
Barnabas is freed
MPI, which has rights to the series, released a limited edition DVD, which quickly sold out. The company will again release the series July 10.
**********************************************************************
As a so-long to George Lindsey, here's Goober Pyle's take-off on Cary Grant, which probably didn't give Grant any sleepless nights:
Judy Judy Judy
But Lindsey sure had plenty of fun on "The Andy Griffith Show" and later on "Hee Haw":
Mountain Dew
So long, Goober.
**********************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
The story of the television version of "Dark Shadows," which debuts this weekend as a feature film starring show fan (and "21 Jump Street" vet) Johnny Depp started with a basic script. All the ghoulish stuff came later.
When it did come, it made the daytime soap opera, which ran on ABC from 1966-71, extremely popular with teenagers - continuing the teen romance with vampires and warewolves that had started in the movies and serving as a bridge to current popular films, such as the "Twilight" series.
Jonathan Frid, who would become extremely popular as the vampire Barnabas, wasn't even in the first episode. The career of Frid, who died last month, never really extended far beyond "Dark Shadows." But plenty of other talent passed through Collinsport: Conrad Bain, who would later co-star in "Maude" and "Diff'rent Strokes," had a bit part in the first episode as a bellhop. David Selby, later part of the cast of "Falcon Crest," also became a heartthrob on "Dark Shadows."
Others who starred on the show included Louis Edmonds, later Langley Wallingford on "All My Children," and Kate Jackson, soon to star in "The Rookies," "Charlie's Angels" and "Scarecrow & Mrs. King."
Here's Barnabas being freed:
Barnabas is freed
MPI, which has rights to the series, released a limited edition DVD, which quickly sold out. The company will again release the series July 10.
**********************************************************************
As a so-long to George Lindsey, here's Goober Pyle's take-off on Cary Grant, which probably didn't give Grant any sleepless nights:
Judy Judy Judy
But Lindsey sure had plenty of fun on "The Andy Griffith Show" and later on "Hee Haw":
Mountain Dew
So long, Goober.
**********************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Week of 5/4: You're Needed, Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel - Television's "Avengers"
By Sylvia Gurinsky
When people of a certain fan base think of "The Avengers," it's not the Marvel Comics movie out today that comes to mind. It's the classic 1960s television series.
Patrick Macnee played John Steed througout the series, which lasted from 1961-69 and was produced by a contractor of British television network ITV (the same network responsible for "Downton Abbey" and "Foyle's War"). Steed evolved from assistant to trenchcoat-wearing spy to the old-fashioned suit and bowler hat that came to symbolize his character.
Steed was teamed with a number of co-stars - Ian Henry as Dr. David Keel in the first season and a number of actresses. But the show was at its most popular from 1965-68, when Diana Rigg played Emma Peel. Aside from the team's chemistry, "The Avengers" also benefitted from the evolution of color television and a pickup by ABC. It was one of the first British imports to find success on American television.
Here's a look at the style and substance of Steed and Peel:
Avengers
"NCIS'" Ziva David would be proud of how Emma Peel puts away that thug!
Macnee just turned 90. Rigg has continued to be a constant television presence, which has included her time as the host of PBS' "Mystery."
It was campy, but fun, and it's available on DVD. (Ignore the 1998 Uma Thurman/Ralph Fiennes movie - please!)
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
When people of a certain fan base think of "The Avengers," it's not the Marvel Comics movie out today that comes to mind. It's the classic 1960s television series.
Patrick Macnee played John Steed througout the series, which lasted from 1961-69 and was produced by a contractor of British television network ITV (the same network responsible for "Downton Abbey" and "Foyle's War"). Steed evolved from assistant to trenchcoat-wearing spy to the old-fashioned suit and bowler hat that came to symbolize his character.
Steed was teamed with a number of co-stars - Ian Henry as Dr. David Keel in the first season and a number of actresses. But the show was at its most popular from 1965-68, when Diana Rigg played Emma Peel. Aside from the team's chemistry, "The Avengers" also benefitted from the evolution of color television and a pickup by ABC. It was one of the first British imports to find success on American television.
Here's a look at the style and substance of Steed and Peel:
Avengers
"NCIS'" Ziva David would be proud of how Emma Peel puts away that thug!
Macnee just turned 90. Rigg has continued to be a constant television presence, which has included her time as the host of PBS' "Mystery."
It was campy, but fun, and it's available on DVD. (Ignore the 1998 Uma Thurman/Ralph Fiennes movie - please!)
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Week of 4/27: Du Mont: The Original Fourth Network
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Television critics, viewers, etc. have marked the 25th anniversary of the Fox network. (Frankly, except for about a half-dozen shows and baseball, the less said about Fox, the better.)
It gives a good opportunity to go back and look at another network that once battled CBS, NBC and ABC: Du Mont, which bowed in 1946.
Du Mont was actually the second network that went on the air, behind NBC. The company was already well known for the electronic products - including television sets - it produced. The idea, according to a website about the network, was probably to sell more television sets.
The network managed to have some prominent shows, such as "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour," - Think "American Idol" without the nastiness - and "Calvacade of Stars," which gave birth to "The Honeymooners." Jackie Gleason originated Ralph Kramden, while Pert Kelton played Alice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2JUV7zA1NQ
It also featured Bishop (later Archbishop) Fulton Sheen in "Life Is Worth Living," as well as the children's show "Captain Video and His Video Rangers." It featured the first live television, including the first live prime-time football, and the first prime-time soap opera.
Most importantly, Du Mont made early efforts to feature black and Asian actors and actresses in prominent roles at a time when the Big Three did not. Check out this anti-racism public service announcement from 1949, at a time when McCarthyite sentiments had already started bubbling up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bj5Rfs-6I0
But Du Mont was hindered by a number of issues. CBS, NBC and ABC all had strong radio show connections. The company had a battle with Paramount Pictures, which owned a piece of Du Mont. And various FCC rules limited Du Mont to lower-power UHF stations. Add to that the lack of money to create quality programming, and Du Mont went off the air in 1956.
The memories live on, as do about 300 kinescopes of Du Mont shows and the website:
http://www.dumonthistory.tv/index.html
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Television critics, viewers, etc. have marked the 25th anniversary of the Fox network. (Frankly, except for about a half-dozen shows and baseball, the less said about Fox, the better.)
It gives a good opportunity to go back and look at another network that once battled CBS, NBC and ABC: Du Mont, which bowed in 1946.
Du Mont was actually the second network that went on the air, behind NBC. The company was already well known for the electronic products - including television sets - it produced. The idea, according to a website about the network, was probably to sell more television sets.
The network managed to have some prominent shows, such as "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour," - Think "American Idol" without the nastiness - and "Calvacade of Stars," which gave birth to "The Honeymooners." Jackie Gleason originated Ralph Kramden, while Pert Kelton played Alice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2JUV7zA1NQ
It also featured Bishop (later Archbishop) Fulton Sheen in "Life Is Worth Living," as well as the children's show "Captain Video and His Video Rangers." It featured the first live television, including the first live prime-time football, and the first prime-time soap opera.
Most importantly, Du Mont made early efforts to feature black and Asian actors and actresses in prominent roles at a time when the Big Three did not. Check out this anti-racism public service announcement from 1949, at a time when McCarthyite sentiments had already started bubbling up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bj5Rfs-6I0
But Du Mont was hindered by a number of issues. CBS, NBC and ABC all had strong radio show connections. The company had a battle with Paramount Pictures, which owned a piece of Du Mont. And various FCC rules limited Du Mont to lower-power UHF stations. Add to that the lack of money to create quality programming, and Du Mont went off the air in 1956.
The memories live on, as do about 300 kinescopes of Du Mont shows and the website:
http://www.dumonthistory.tv/index.html
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Week of April 20: The Versatile Dick Clark; Mike Wallace's Best
By Sylvia Gurinsky
While YesterTube has been on spring hiatus, the television world lost two giants in Mike Wallace and Dick Clark.
Clark came to national prominence as the host of ABC's "American Bandstand." But he didn't stop there. He was successful as the host of various forms of the "Pyramid" game, and with Ed McMahon of "TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes." By the way, Clark wasn't afraid to poke fun at himself: Here are a couple of his "Pyramid" bloopers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzsOYtGNHtk
He may have been the most prolific producer in television history, with credits including "Bandstand," the American Music Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and television movies such as 1979's "Elvis," with Kurt Russell as The King, and 1985's "Copacabana," which starred Barry Manilow and was based on Manilow's 1978 hit song.
From time to time, he even acted. One of his appearances, in 1966, was in the final CBS episode of "Perry Mason," called "The Case of the Final Fade-Out" (SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE!!!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zJP7I0sp6U
And there was New Year's Eve.
Here, again, is Clark from his last countdown, just more than four months ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIsvm-hI_P4&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL0DC19402CB22BBF7
Clark had been a part of all but one of his "New Year's Rockin' Eve" programs - that, of course, was in 2004, after he suffered a stroke. But his last seven, done after the stroke, were his most inspiring to fellow stroke survivors and their families.
Without him, now, to quote his friend Barry Manilow, "It's just another New Year's Eve."
But there won't be another Dick Clark.
**********************************************************************
Mike Wallace, probably the greatest interviewer in television history, could have fun, too. Here he is with Franz Liszt - actually comic pianist Victor Borge, who would later appear on "60 Minutes":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlPguBcwLIQ
The "60 Minutes" web site features the best of Wallace during his 40 years as a correspondent:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-504803_162-57413924-10391709/our-favorite-mike-wallace-stories/?tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea.1
The best of the best:
*Johnny Carson, 1979: Wallace's interview did more than any other to draw out the private side of the longtime "Tonight Show" host.
*"Secret Service Agent #9," 1975: The Secret Service agents currently in trouble should study this Wallace interview with Clint Hill, who blamed himself (wrongly) for not saving President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
*Ayatollah Khomeni, 1979: Wallace asking Iran's leader about Anwar Sadat's labelling of Khomeni as a "lunatic" was one of the great- and gutsy - moments in television interviewing.
*Barbra Streisand, 1991: The musical legend and Oscar and Tony winner has been called a control freak, and she proves it in this revealing interview.
*Nancy Reagan, 1989 and 2002: Wallace and the former First Lady were almost lifelong friends. The tense 1989 interview tested that friendship, as Wallace grilled Mrs. Reagan about the problems she and President Ronald Reagan had during his presidency. But the 2002 interview, done eight years after Reagan revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis publicly, was emotional; it was in that interview that Nancy Reagan referred to "the long goodbye."
*Vladimir Putin, 2005: A good one to rewatch now that Putin is once again becoming president of Russia. Once again, Wallace pulled back the curtain, and what he showed through his questions was quite revealing.
*Vladimir Horowitz, 1977: It's not on the "60 Minutes" website compilation, but Wallace's favorite interview was with the legendary pianist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZm7OW3ufbc&feature=related
When Steve Kroft, Morley Safer and Scott Pelley led the tribute on "60 Minutes" last Sunday, they made the point that Wallace, along with producer Don Hewitt, had shaped everything the news program was.
And one gets the feeling that, as Wallace joins Hewitt, Harry Reasoner and Ed Bradley in the Great Beyond, "60 Minutes" will, indeed, go on forever.
See you next week.
While YesterTube has been on spring hiatus, the television world lost two giants in Mike Wallace and Dick Clark.
Clark came to national prominence as the host of ABC's "American Bandstand." But he didn't stop there. He was successful as the host of various forms of the "Pyramid" game, and with Ed McMahon of "TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes." By the way, Clark wasn't afraid to poke fun at himself: Here are a couple of his "Pyramid" bloopers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzsOYtGNHtk
He may have been the most prolific producer in television history, with credits including "Bandstand," the American Music Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and television movies such as 1979's "Elvis," with Kurt Russell as The King, and 1985's "Copacabana," which starred Barry Manilow and was based on Manilow's 1978 hit song.
From time to time, he even acted. One of his appearances, in 1966, was in the final CBS episode of "Perry Mason," called "The Case of the Final Fade-Out" (SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE!!!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zJP7I0sp6U
And there was New Year's Eve.
Here, again, is Clark from his last countdown, just more than four months ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIsvm-hI_P4&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL0DC19402CB22BBF7
Clark had been a part of all but one of his "New Year's Rockin' Eve" programs - that, of course, was in 2004, after he suffered a stroke. But his last seven, done after the stroke, were his most inspiring to fellow stroke survivors and their families.
Without him, now, to quote his friend Barry Manilow, "It's just another New Year's Eve."
But there won't be another Dick Clark.
**********************************************************************
Mike Wallace, probably the greatest interviewer in television history, could have fun, too. Here he is with Franz Liszt - actually comic pianist Victor Borge, who would later appear on "60 Minutes":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlPguBcwLIQ
The "60 Minutes" web site features the best of Wallace during his 40 years as a correspondent:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-504803_162-57413924-10391709/our-favorite-mike-wallace-stories/?tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea.1
The best of the best:
*Johnny Carson, 1979: Wallace's interview did more than any other to draw out the private side of the longtime "Tonight Show" host.
*"Secret Service Agent #9," 1975: The Secret Service agents currently in trouble should study this Wallace interview with Clint Hill, who blamed himself (wrongly) for not saving President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
*Ayatollah Khomeni, 1979: Wallace asking Iran's leader about Anwar Sadat's labelling of Khomeni as a "lunatic" was one of the great- and gutsy - moments in television interviewing.
*Barbra Streisand, 1991: The musical legend and Oscar and Tony winner has been called a control freak, and she proves it in this revealing interview.
*Nancy Reagan, 1989 and 2002: Wallace and the former First Lady were almost lifelong friends. The tense 1989 interview tested that friendship, as Wallace grilled Mrs. Reagan about the problems she and President Ronald Reagan had during his presidency. But the 2002 interview, done eight years after Reagan revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis publicly, was emotional; it was in that interview that Nancy Reagan referred to "the long goodbye."
*Vladimir Putin, 2005: A good one to rewatch now that Putin is once again becoming president of Russia. Once again, Wallace pulled back the curtain, and what he showed through his questions was quite revealing.
*Vladimir Horowitz, 1977: It's not on the "60 Minutes" website compilation, but Wallace's favorite interview was with the legendary pianist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZm7OW3ufbc&feature=related
When Steve Kroft, Morley Safer and Scott Pelley led the tribute on "60 Minutes" last Sunday, they made the point that Wallace, along with producer Don Hewitt, had shaped everything the news program was.
And one gets the feeling that, as Wallace joins Hewitt, Harry Reasoner and Ed Bradley in the Great Beyond, "60 Minutes" will, indeed, go on forever.
See you next week.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Week of March 30: Upstairs and Downstairs with "Backstairs at the White House"
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Preparations for the film "The Butler," based on the life of White House butler Eugene Allen, made news this week for potentially unusual casting choices (Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan and Oprah Winfrey as Allen's wife among them).
One has to wonder how director Lee Daniels, best known for gritty dramas such as "Monster's Ball" and "Precious," will frame this movie. That's because more than 30 years ago, NBC and Ed Friendly Productions gave a four-part look at how it's supposed to be done - "Backstairs at the White House."
"Backstairs," based on the book "My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House" by Lillian Rogers Parks, covered the experiences of Parks and her mother, Maggie Rogers, as members of the White House staff from the administrations of Presidents William Howard Taft through Dwight David Eisenhower.
The miniseries featured an all-star cast, including Leslie Uggams as Lillian and Olivia Cole as Maggie, Louis Gossett, Jr. as Houseman Levi Mercer, Leslie Nielsen as butler Ike Hoover, Cloris Leachman as the head of the White House staff - and that's just the "downstairs" part. Presidents included Victor Buono as Taft, Robert Vaughn (Woodrow Wilson), George Kennedy (Warren Harding), Ed Flanders (Calvin Coolidge) and "M*A*S*H"'s Harry Morgan as Harry Truman. First Ladies included Julie Harris as Nellie Taft; Kim Hunter and Claire Bloom as the two Mrs. Wilsons; Celeste Holm as Florence Harding; Lee Grant as Grace Coolidge; Eileen Heckart as Eleanor Roosevelt; Estelle Parsons as Bess Truman and Barbara Barrie as Mamie Eisenhower.
Friendly, of course, was the creator and producer of "Little House on the Prairie." Some behind the scenes are familiar to fans of "Hawaii Five-O" - Michael O'Herlihy, who directed, and Morton Stevens, who composed the music.
"Backstairs" received numerous Emmy nominations, but won only for makeup. This was the height of the miniseries era on network television, and there was intense competition in 1979 - especially from "Roots: The Next Generations."
"Backstairs at the White House" is available on DVD.
****************************************************************************
In memory of the great Earl Scruggs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjVzmIV8gwk
***************************************************************************
YesterTube is taking a three-week hiatus and will return the week of April 20. Happy Spring Holidays, and Happy Viewing!
Preparations for the film "The Butler," based on the life of White House butler Eugene Allen, made news this week for potentially unusual casting choices (Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan and Oprah Winfrey as Allen's wife among them).
One has to wonder how director Lee Daniels, best known for gritty dramas such as "Monster's Ball" and "Precious," will frame this movie. That's because more than 30 years ago, NBC and Ed Friendly Productions gave a four-part look at how it's supposed to be done - "Backstairs at the White House."
"Backstairs," based on the book "My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House" by Lillian Rogers Parks, covered the experiences of Parks and her mother, Maggie Rogers, as members of the White House staff from the administrations of Presidents William Howard Taft through Dwight David Eisenhower.
The miniseries featured an all-star cast, including Leslie Uggams as Lillian and Olivia Cole as Maggie, Louis Gossett, Jr. as Houseman Levi Mercer, Leslie Nielsen as butler Ike Hoover, Cloris Leachman as the head of the White House staff - and that's just the "downstairs" part. Presidents included Victor Buono as Taft, Robert Vaughn (Woodrow Wilson), George Kennedy (Warren Harding), Ed Flanders (Calvin Coolidge) and "M*A*S*H"'s Harry Morgan as Harry Truman. First Ladies included Julie Harris as Nellie Taft; Kim Hunter and Claire Bloom as the two Mrs. Wilsons; Celeste Holm as Florence Harding; Lee Grant as Grace Coolidge; Eileen Heckart as Eleanor Roosevelt; Estelle Parsons as Bess Truman and Barbara Barrie as Mamie Eisenhower.
Friendly, of course, was the creator and producer of "Little House on the Prairie." Some behind the scenes are familiar to fans of "Hawaii Five-O" - Michael O'Herlihy, who directed, and Morton Stevens, who composed the music.
"Backstairs" received numerous Emmy nominations, but won only for makeup. This was the height of the miniseries era on network television, and there was intense competition in 1979 - especially from "Roots: The Next Generations."
"Backstairs at the White House" is available on DVD.
****************************************************************************
In memory of the great Earl Scruggs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjVzmIV8gwk
***************************************************************************
YesterTube is taking a three-week hiatus and will return the week of April 20. Happy Spring Holidays, and Happy Viewing!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Week of March 23: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad March
By Sylvia Gurinsky
March Madness has taken over television screens, so it's worth going back in time to look at some of the greatest NCAA basketball finishes, all on CBS:
*1985: Villanova beats Georgetown, 66-64 - Many still consider this the greatest upset in NCAA tournament history, as unranked Villanova overcame defending champion Georgetown:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxjYss_dQF8
*1982: North Carolina beats Georgetown - Future NBA legend Michael Jordan is among the rising stars in this game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBMwNqGIFs
*1983: Hail the Wolfpack- A bigger Cinderella story than Villanova was North Carolina State University, coached by Jim Valvano. Going up against the University of Houston Cougars, the Wolfpack was seen as overmatched. But with Dereck Whittenburg and Lorenzo Charles in the lead, North Carolina State made it happen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQ6JZpjdTY
*1992: Duke vs. Kentucky - Considered the greatest college basketball game ever played, this one ended in overtime at the very last milisecond with Christian Laettner's shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-iq58_oz4
Enjoy the Madness! And until next week, Happy Viewing!
March Madness has taken over television screens, so it's worth going back in time to look at some of the greatest NCAA basketball finishes, all on CBS:
*1985: Villanova beats Georgetown, 66-64 - Many still consider this the greatest upset in NCAA tournament history, as unranked Villanova overcame defending champion Georgetown:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxjYss_dQF8
*1982: North Carolina beats Georgetown - Future NBA legend Michael Jordan is among the rising stars in this game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBMwNqGIFs
*1983: Hail the Wolfpack- A bigger Cinderella story than Villanova was North Carolina State University, coached by Jim Valvano. Going up against the University of Houston Cougars, the Wolfpack was seen as overmatched. But with Dereck Whittenburg and Lorenzo Charles in the lead, North Carolina State made it happen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQ6JZpjdTY
*1992: Duke vs. Kentucky - Considered the greatest college basketball game ever played, this one ended in overtime at the very last milisecond with Christian Laettner's shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY-iq58_oz4
Enjoy the Madness! And until next week, Happy Viewing!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Week of March 16: Most Influential Television Shows
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Last week, CNN came up with its own picks for the most influential programs in television history:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/08/showbiz/tv/influential-tv-shows/index.html
Naturally, YesterTube presents picks as well, broken down by decade:
1930s (Yes, 1930s): The 1939 Columbia-Princton football game was the first televised sporting events - a flickering hint to the importance of sports for the prestige and bottom line of television in the future.
1940s:
-"Meet the Press": On the air since 1947, with political newsmakers of all stripes.
-"Truth or Consequences": The first truly successful televised game show, and one that would survive the quiz-show scandals a decade later.
1950s:
-"The Today Show" - This one agrees with the CNN list.
-"Guiding Light": Went from radio to television, ensuring that soap operas would continue to thrive until O.J. Simpson and the Internet began to kill them.
-"See It Now" - Emphasizing the importance of investigative reporting in television; Edward R. Murrow and company shined for showing Joseph McCarthy as the demagogue he was.
-"The Tonight Show" - Also on the CNN list
1960s:
-"CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite" - Walter Cronkite would become the most trusted anchorman with his coverage of such stories as the moon landings and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It would take him a while to pass the NBC duo of Chet Huntley and David Brinkley in the ratings, but once he did, his popularity as a television newsman was - and remains - unsurpassed. His 1968 commentary calling the Vietnam War a "stalemate" changed that year's presidential race and the debate about the conflict.
-"Laugh-In" - Would change the tone of humor programs and let later comedy-variety shows such as "Saturday Night Live" take more chances.
-"Peyton Place" - Heralded the successful future of prime-time soap operas, including "Dallas," "Dynasty" and "Desperate Housewives."
"I Spy" - Innovative for two reasons: Bill Cosby as the first African-American in a successful starring role and location shooting, which encouraged television production to be moved out of Hollywood - and sometimes away from the American mainland.
"60 Minutes" - On CNN list, but has managed to be profitable AND high-quality.
1970s:
-"All In the Family" - On CNN list
-"An American Family" - Inexplicably not on the CNN list, this 1973 PBS documentary was the trigger for so-called "reality" programs that have chronicled - and often helped to destroy - lives.
-"Roots" - Besides triggering the popularity of the miniseries, "Roots" opened television viewers' eyes to the possibilities of diverse storytelling. Sadly, the commercial networks have since abdicated that promise.
1980s:
-"Hill Street Blues" - On CNN list
-"Cagney and Lacey" - "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" opened the door, but this police show walked right in with its honest portrayal of women's lives.
Looks at all of the programs are available in various forms, including DVD and online.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Last week, CNN came up with its own picks for the most influential programs in television history:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/08/showbiz/tv/influential-tv-shows/index.html
Naturally, YesterTube presents picks as well, broken down by decade:
1930s (Yes, 1930s): The 1939 Columbia-Princton football game was the first televised sporting events - a flickering hint to the importance of sports for the prestige and bottom line of television in the future.
1940s:
-"Meet the Press": On the air since 1947, with political newsmakers of all stripes.
-"Truth or Consequences": The first truly successful televised game show, and one that would survive the quiz-show scandals a decade later.
1950s:
-"The Today Show" - This one agrees with the CNN list.
-"Guiding Light": Went from radio to television, ensuring that soap operas would continue to thrive until O.J. Simpson and the Internet began to kill them.
-"See It Now" - Emphasizing the importance of investigative reporting in television; Edward R. Murrow and company shined for showing Joseph McCarthy as the demagogue he was.
-"The Tonight Show" - Also on the CNN list
1960s:
-"CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite" - Walter Cronkite would become the most trusted anchorman with his coverage of such stories as the moon landings and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It would take him a while to pass the NBC duo of Chet Huntley and David Brinkley in the ratings, but once he did, his popularity as a television newsman was - and remains - unsurpassed. His 1968 commentary calling the Vietnam War a "stalemate" changed that year's presidential race and the debate about the conflict.
-"Laugh-In" - Would change the tone of humor programs and let later comedy-variety shows such as "Saturday Night Live" take more chances.
-"Peyton Place" - Heralded the successful future of prime-time soap operas, including "Dallas," "Dynasty" and "Desperate Housewives."
"I Spy" - Innovative for two reasons: Bill Cosby as the first African-American in a successful starring role and location shooting, which encouraged television production to be moved out of Hollywood - and sometimes away from the American mainland.
"60 Minutes" - On CNN list, but has managed to be profitable AND high-quality.
1970s:
-"All In the Family" - On CNN list
-"An American Family" - Inexplicably not on the CNN list, this 1973 PBS documentary was the trigger for so-called "reality" programs that have chronicled - and often helped to destroy - lives.
-"Roots" - Besides triggering the popularity of the miniseries, "Roots" opened television viewers' eyes to the possibilities of diverse storytelling. Sadly, the commercial networks have since abdicated that promise.
1980s:
-"Hill Street Blues" - On CNN list
-"Cagney and Lacey" - "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" opened the door, but this police show walked right in with its honest portrayal of women's lives.
Looks at all of the programs are available in various forms, including DVD and online.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Week of March 2: So Long, Davy Jones
By Sylvia Gurinsky
"The Monkees" series had no heads or tails, as a Spanish saying goes. But it was revolutionary. Davy Jones, who died this week, was one of the reasons why.
The British Jones was the lead singer for the mostly American group, created as one of the 1960s answers to The Beatles. The plots were silly, but it was the music that counted.
Video sequences such as the one for "The Last Train To Clarksville" set a precedent that would be followed up during the 1980s by MTV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUZeZ1e441A&feature=related
Both seasons are available on DVD.
See you next week.
"The Monkees" series had no heads or tails, as a Spanish saying goes. But it was revolutionary. Davy Jones, who died this week, was one of the reasons why.
The British Jones was the lead singer for the mostly American group, created as one of the 1960s answers to The Beatles. The plots were silly, but it was the music that counted.
Video sequences such as the one for "The Last Train To Clarksville" set a precedent that would be followed up during the 1980s by MTV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUZeZ1e441A&feature=related
Both seasons are available on DVD.
See you next week.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Week of February 23: Catch "Downton" Cast Members In Other Projects
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Now that American viewers are in full "Downton Abbey" withdrawal, they are searching for alternative viewing.
You can catch some of your favorite "Downton Abbey" stars in various programs out on DVD - including some that, like "DA," have aired in PBS' "Masterpiece" series:
*Dame Maggie Smith (Violet, the Dowager Countess): Smith can be seen in the 1999 production of "David Copperfield" as Betsey Trotwood and as Queen Alexandra in "All the King's Men," aired on Masterpiece that same year.
*Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham): Bonneville played a very different character from the benevolent Lord Grantham in 2002's "Daniel Deronda." As the evil Grandcourt, he menaced his wife, Gwendolyn (Romola Garai). He has also appeared in various "Mystery" productions, including the recent Poirot entry, "Murder on the Orient Express."
*Jim Carter: (Carson): Carter played Captain Brown, leading the construction of the railroad, in "Cranford" and "Return To Cranford."
*Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes): Logan also appeared in "All the King's Men" as Mary Beck. She's made some "Mystery" appearances, but also played Linda Brentwood in the dark comedy "Alibi," which starred Michael Kitchen ("Foyle's War").
*Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley): At the same time as "Downton," Wilton was also appearing in "South Riding" as Mrs. Beddows. She has appeared in "Wives and Daughters," "Victoria & Albert" and another Michael Kitchen dark comedy, "Falling."
*Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley): Dockery also appeared in "Return To Cranford" as Erminia Whyte.
*Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley): Stevens played Edward Ferrars in the 2008 "Sense and Sensibility."
*Brendan Coyle (Bates): Coyle played DCS Mitchell in "Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act" in 2006.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Now that American viewers are in full "Downton Abbey" withdrawal, they are searching for alternative viewing.
You can catch some of your favorite "Downton Abbey" stars in various programs out on DVD - including some that, like "DA," have aired in PBS' "Masterpiece" series:
*Dame Maggie Smith (Violet, the Dowager Countess): Smith can be seen in the 1999 production of "David Copperfield" as Betsey Trotwood and as Queen Alexandra in "All the King's Men," aired on Masterpiece that same year.
*Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham): Bonneville played a very different character from the benevolent Lord Grantham in 2002's "Daniel Deronda." As the evil Grandcourt, he menaced his wife, Gwendolyn (Romola Garai). He has also appeared in various "Mystery" productions, including the recent Poirot entry, "Murder on the Orient Express."
*Jim Carter: (Carson): Carter played Captain Brown, leading the construction of the railroad, in "Cranford" and "Return To Cranford."
*Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes): Logan also appeared in "All the King's Men" as Mary Beck. She's made some "Mystery" appearances, but also played Linda Brentwood in the dark comedy "Alibi," which starred Michael Kitchen ("Foyle's War").
*Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley): At the same time as "Downton," Wilton was also appearing in "South Riding" as Mrs. Beddows. She has appeared in "Wives and Daughters," "Victoria & Albert" and another Michael Kitchen dark comedy, "Falling."
*Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley): Dockery also appeared in "Return To Cranford" as Erminia Whyte.
*Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley): Stevens played Edward Ferrars in the 2008 "Sense and Sensibility."
*Brendan Coyle (Bates): Coyle played DCS Mitchell in "Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act" in 2006.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Week of February 17: One Moment In Time: Whitney Houston at the 1991 Super Bowl
By Sylvia Gurinsky
January 27, 1991: Super Bowl 25 (XXV for the traditional minded), New York Giants versus Buffalo Bills in Tampa. Just 10 days after the start of Operation Desert Storm. The nation needed reassurance.
Whitney Houston provided it, with the most memorable National Anthem ever sung at a Super Bowl. Thanks to video and audio, that glorious voice can never be silenced:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmrQINYTSd4
See you next week.
January 27, 1991: Super Bowl 25 (XXV for the traditional minded), New York Giants versus Buffalo Bills in Tampa. Just 10 days after the start of Operation Desert Storm. The nation needed reassurance.
Whitney Houston provided it, with the most memorable National Anthem ever sung at a Super Bowl. Thanks to video and audio, that glorious voice can never be silenced:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmrQINYTSd4
See you next week.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Week of February 10: 70s Shirley MacLaine
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The news that Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of the British hit program "Downton Abbey" triggers reminicenses of MacLaine's television programs during the 1970s.
MacLaine had already made a series of successful movies, including "The Trouble With Harry" (her first), "Some Came Running," "The Apartment," "Irma La Douce" and "Sweet Charity" when she followed other film stars into television with "Shirley's World" in 1971:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anowGvAGMpU
Made by ABC, the show followed on the heels of ground-breaking single women shows such as "That Girl" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." It was also one of a number of network shows being produced overseas at the time - in this case by Sheldon Leonard, creator of "I Spy." MacLaine co-starred with British actor John Gregson, and the show was based in London:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2szelL3mc&feature=related
But the show didn't work. MacLaine had problems with the mostly British crew, and "Shirley's World" often finished last in the ratings, way behind its competition, CBS' "Medical Center" and "The NBC Mystery Movie." The show was cancelled after 17 episodes.
MacLaine would have much better luck in a series of specials for CBS that showcased her singing and dancing talents. The shows - including "If They Could See Me Now," "Shirley MacLaine at the Lido" and "Every Little Movement" - featured guest stars and song standards. Here's Shirley with "Sweet Georgia Brown" from "Every Little Movement":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KG1Ex_xotk
"Shirley's World" is available on DVD in Great Britain, but not here. Alas, none of the musical specials - all either Emmy winners or nominated - have been released on DVD yet.
Here's hoping that will happen when MacLaine appears on "Downton Abbey." Series 3 will be shown as part of the PBS "Masterpiece" series in early 2013.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
The news that Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of the British hit program "Downton Abbey" triggers reminicenses of MacLaine's television programs during the 1970s.
MacLaine had already made a series of successful movies, including "The Trouble With Harry" (her first), "Some Came Running," "The Apartment," "Irma La Douce" and "Sweet Charity" when she followed other film stars into television with "Shirley's World" in 1971:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anowGvAGMpU
Made by ABC, the show followed on the heels of ground-breaking single women shows such as "That Girl" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." It was also one of a number of network shows being produced overseas at the time - in this case by Sheldon Leonard, creator of "I Spy." MacLaine co-starred with British actor John Gregson, and the show was based in London:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2szelL3mc&feature=related
But the show didn't work. MacLaine had problems with the mostly British crew, and "Shirley's World" often finished last in the ratings, way behind its competition, CBS' "Medical Center" and "The NBC Mystery Movie." The show was cancelled after 17 episodes.
MacLaine would have much better luck in a series of specials for CBS that showcased her singing and dancing talents. The shows - including "If They Could See Me Now," "Shirley MacLaine at the Lido" and "Every Little Movement" - featured guest stars and song standards. Here's Shirley with "Sweet Georgia Brown" from "Every Little Movement":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KG1Ex_xotk
"Shirley's World" is available on DVD in Great Britain, but not here. Alas, none of the musical specials - all either Emmy winners or nominated - have been released on DVD yet.
Here's hoping that will happen when MacLaine appears on "Downton Abbey." Series 3 will be shown as part of the PBS "Masterpiece" series in early 2013.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Week of February 3: Remembering Don Cornelius; A Look Through Letterman's 3 Decades - And Then Some
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Some have called "Soul Train" the "American Bandstand" of the black community. Actually, it was much more than that, and Don Cornelius was the primary reason why.
Certainly, Dick Clark had already featured plenty of African-American performers on "Bandstand" by the time "Soul Train" went on the air in 1971. But Cornelius and company had different priorities: Highlighting not just black singers and musicians, but also black history and culture.
The show's debut coincided with a new national awareness, in light of segregation barriers coming down, of what African-Americans had to contribute. Relatively quickly, Cornelius moved the show from its local television beginnings in Chicago to national syndication in Hollywood - other than Flip Wilson's NBC show, the first African-American-produced show to meet with that kind of success.
There is scarcely a performer famous since the early 1960s who hasn't been on that show. "Soul Train" has also hosted white performers such as Elton John.
Cornelius' regular hosting duties ended during the 1990s. But the show has never officially left the air, and the annual "Soul Train Awards" are a lasting example of Cornelius' legacy.
Here's a clip of Stevie Wonder on the show from 1971:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SUEyf_2fbo
"Where all the brothers and sisters get together." Indeed.
***************************************************************************
David Letterman celebrated his 30th year in late-night television last week. A video collection on The Huffington Post's website had a good compilation of many of Dave's greatest hits, though it was not complete (No Cher from the NBC show. Also missing: His 2008 tirade against Republican presidential candidate John McCain for bailing on "Late Show" and then not going straight back to Washington, as he'd told Letterman.):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/letterman-30th-anniversary_n_1248048.html
Four years before he began to hit it big with NBC's "Late Night With David Letterman," he was part of the repertory players on a CBS weekly variety show starring Mary Tyler Moore and also featuring Michael Keaton and Swoosie Kurtz. What idiot at CBS in 1978 thought this would be a good idea?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf5bawTerkE
He's come a long way from "Mary." Happy 30th in late night, Dave. And Happy Viewing to all.
Some have called "Soul Train" the "American Bandstand" of the black community. Actually, it was much more than that, and Don Cornelius was the primary reason why.
Certainly, Dick Clark had already featured plenty of African-American performers on "Bandstand" by the time "Soul Train" went on the air in 1971. But Cornelius and company had different priorities: Highlighting not just black singers and musicians, but also black history and culture.
The show's debut coincided with a new national awareness, in light of segregation barriers coming down, of what African-Americans had to contribute. Relatively quickly, Cornelius moved the show from its local television beginnings in Chicago to national syndication in Hollywood - other than Flip Wilson's NBC show, the first African-American-produced show to meet with that kind of success.
There is scarcely a performer famous since the early 1960s who hasn't been on that show. "Soul Train" has also hosted white performers such as Elton John.
Cornelius' regular hosting duties ended during the 1990s. But the show has never officially left the air, and the annual "Soul Train Awards" are a lasting example of Cornelius' legacy.
Here's a clip of Stevie Wonder on the show from 1971:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SUEyf_2fbo
"Where all the brothers and sisters get together." Indeed.
***************************************************************************
David Letterman celebrated his 30th year in late-night television last week. A video collection on The Huffington Post's website had a good compilation of many of Dave's greatest hits, though it was not complete (No Cher from the NBC show. Also missing: His 2008 tirade against Republican presidential candidate John McCain for bailing on "Late Show" and then not going straight back to Washington, as he'd told Letterman.):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/letterman-30th-anniversary_n_1248048.html
Four years before he began to hit it big with NBC's "Late Night With David Letterman," he was part of the repertory players on a CBS weekly variety show starring Mary Tyler Moore and also featuring Michael Keaton and Swoosie Kurtz. What idiot at CBS in 1978 thought this would be a good idea?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf5bawTerkE
Letterman headed in the right direction when he went to NBC in 1980. "The David Letterman Show," which ran through part of that year, lacked bandleader Paul Shaffer, but had the rest of the format that Letterman has had success with pretty much in place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRoaG_AmqrI
He's come a long way from "Mary." Happy 30th in late night, Dave. And Happy Viewing to all.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Week of January 27: Adios, Epstein
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Farewell to actor, director and acting teacher Robert Hegyes, best known for playing a character with one of the greatest names in television history - Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein on ABC's "Welcome Back, Kotter." He has died at the too-young age of 60.
Here he is with the other Sweathogs, tormenting substitute teachers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quSvXylCv60&feature=related
Hegyes also portrayed Detective Manny Esposito during the last two seasons of "Cagney & Lacey" on CBS.
So far, just the first season of "Welcome Back, Kotter" is available on DVD. Hegyes' "Cagney & Lacey" seasons have not yet been released.
***************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Farewell to actor, director and acting teacher Robert Hegyes, best known for playing a character with one of the greatest names in television history - Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein on ABC's "Welcome Back, Kotter." He has died at the too-young age of 60.
Here he is with the other Sweathogs, tormenting substitute teachers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quSvXylCv60&feature=related
Hegyes also portrayed Detective Manny Esposito during the last two seasons of "Cagney & Lacey" on CBS.
So far, just the first season of "Welcome Back, Kotter" is available on DVD. Hegyes' "Cagney & Lacey" seasons have not yet been released.
***************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Week of January 20: Happy 90th Birthday, Betty White!
By Sylvia Gurinsky
In honor of Betty White's 90th Birthday, here's a link to my old classic television blog, Rabbit Ears, and a commentary written about her almost two years ago:
http://classtv.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-of-feb-19-hail-betty-white.html
The link to the hilarious "Mary Tyler Moore Show" episode "The Lars Affair" is obsolete, so here's a new link to the second half of that episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ewZcsQvj1g
Here's to another 90, Betty!
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
In honor of Betty White's 90th Birthday, here's a link to my old classic television blog, Rabbit Ears, and a commentary written about her almost two years ago:
http://classtv.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-of-feb-19-hail-betty-white.html
The link to the hilarious "Mary Tyler Moore Show" episode "The Lars Affair" is obsolete, so here's a new link to the second half of that episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ewZcsQvj1g
Here's to another 90, Betty!
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Weekend of January 13: So Long, "One Life To Live"
By Sylvia Gurinsky
And so, "One Life To Live" has lived its life.
Now that a Prospect Park rescue seems unlikely, the only thing that is likely is that ABC will replace it with a similar piece of garbage to what they replaced "All My Children" with in September. Total viewership for the two replacement programs won't reach the population of a child's ant farm, but the replacements are cheaper for ABC to air, alas.
Much better, then, to reminisce about Llanview, the town that was the focus of "OLTL." Agnes Nixon, who also created "All My Children," was responsible for this show as well. "One Life To Live" was a bit in the shadow of the more glamourous "AMC" and the more adventurous "General Hospital."
But the show lasted 43 years by breaking ground from the very beginning. It was the first soap opera to feature major African-American and Hispanic characters. It focused on the middle class, and its supercouples tended to be middle-aged. During its golden period - the early 1990s - its storylines educated viewers about rape, incest and homophobia. It won a truckload of Daytime Emmy awards.
It's fitting, then, that four of the top five storylines were set during that golden period. Here they are:
5. The Murder of Marco Dane (1979): The kind of plotline that put the "soap" in "soap opera." Pimp Marco Dane (Gerald Anthony) was supposedly murdered, and Viki Lord (played all except the first three years of the show by Erika Slezak) was indicted. Viki wasn't guilty, but the plotline took a dramatic twist with the revelation of Karen Wolek (Judith Light) as a prostitute - scenes that won Light an Emmy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez79MbbIeFA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5BE32849752CC4D0
4. Megan Dies (1992): The couple of Megan and Jake (Jessica Tuck and Joe Lando) charmed viewers with adventure and humor. By 1992, Lando had left "OLTL" to star on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" for CBS, and Tuck also intended to leave the show to try her luck in primetime. A moving storyline had Megan dying of lupus, a connective tissue disease, and Jake being rescued by Rev. Andrew Carpenter (Wortham Krimmer) and coming back in time to be with Megan in her last minutes. The music is a gem in these scenes as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhKMFDp-4oQ
3. Rape of Marty Saybrooke (1993): In 1993, troubled Marty Saybrooke (Susan Haskell) was gang-raped by several college students led by Todd Manning (Roger Howarth). The aftermath led to major changes in the character of Marty, and certainly raised the awareness of the crime of rape. The storyline also was part of the introduction of the character of Nora Gannon (Hillary B. Smith), who was the defense attorney. Nora would later go on to be part of the most enjoyable romantic duo ever on the show, with Bo Buchanan (Robert S. Woods).
2. Billy Douglas Comes Out (1992): Young Ryan Philippe movingly played Billy Douglas, a teenaged friend of Joey Buchanan who was gay. All sides of what people still go through are shown in these scenes in which Billy tells Andrew, while Marty eavesdrops:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u901Pj69J3c&feature=related
1. Viki/Niki (entire series): Erika Slezak has had fun contrasting the prim and proper (and nice) Viki with her alters - especially Niki Smith:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcGYT_dzq_E&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL6828D1989EA984CA
But there's a serious side to the story: Viki being a victim of abuse by her own father, Victor Lord - triggering multiple personality disorder, which was explored in another excellent 1990s storyline:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YqL9vciXdg&feature=related
And yes, that is young Nathan Fillion ("Castle"), one of the actors to play Joey Buchanan.
If ABC and Prospect Park aren't going to bring back the show in over-the-air form, and ABC plans to end "General Hospital" as well (ABC execs were tight-lipped about that show's future this week, but it's easy to assume they'll pull the plug as soon as Katie Couric's show goes on the air next fall), here's a proposal:
Create an online archive for all three shows, and let those fans who have loved and supported "All My Children," "One Life To Live" and "General Hospital" all these years enjoy the memories of Erica Kane, Viki Buchanan, Luke and Laura Spencer and company in perpetuity.
*************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
And so, "One Life To Live" has lived its life.
Now that a Prospect Park rescue seems unlikely, the only thing that is likely is that ABC will replace it with a similar piece of garbage to what they replaced "All My Children" with in September. Total viewership for the two replacement programs won't reach the population of a child's ant farm, but the replacements are cheaper for ABC to air, alas.
Much better, then, to reminisce about Llanview, the town that was the focus of "OLTL." Agnes Nixon, who also created "All My Children," was responsible for this show as well. "One Life To Live" was a bit in the shadow of the more glamourous "AMC" and the more adventurous "General Hospital."
But the show lasted 43 years by breaking ground from the very beginning. It was the first soap opera to feature major African-American and Hispanic characters. It focused on the middle class, and its supercouples tended to be middle-aged. During its golden period - the early 1990s - its storylines educated viewers about rape, incest and homophobia. It won a truckload of Daytime Emmy awards.
It's fitting, then, that four of the top five storylines were set during that golden period. Here they are:
5. The Murder of Marco Dane (1979): The kind of plotline that put the "soap" in "soap opera." Pimp Marco Dane (Gerald Anthony) was supposedly murdered, and Viki Lord (played all except the first three years of the show by Erika Slezak) was indicted. Viki wasn't guilty, but the plotline took a dramatic twist with the revelation of Karen Wolek (Judith Light) as a prostitute - scenes that won Light an Emmy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez79MbbIeFA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5BE32849752CC4D0
4. Megan Dies (1992): The couple of Megan and Jake (Jessica Tuck and Joe Lando) charmed viewers with adventure and humor. By 1992, Lando had left "OLTL" to star on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" for CBS, and Tuck also intended to leave the show to try her luck in primetime. A moving storyline had Megan dying of lupus, a connective tissue disease, and Jake being rescued by Rev. Andrew Carpenter (Wortham Krimmer) and coming back in time to be with Megan in her last minutes. The music is a gem in these scenes as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhKMFDp-4oQ
3. Rape of Marty Saybrooke (1993): In 1993, troubled Marty Saybrooke (Susan Haskell) was gang-raped by several college students led by Todd Manning (Roger Howarth). The aftermath led to major changes in the character of Marty, and certainly raised the awareness of the crime of rape. The storyline also was part of the introduction of the character of Nora Gannon (Hillary B. Smith), who was the defense attorney. Nora would later go on to be part of the most enjoyable romantic duo ever on the show, with Bo Buchanan (Robert S. Woods).
2. Billy Douglas Comes Out (1992): Young Ryan Philippe movingly played Billy Douglas, a teenaged friend of Joey Buchanan who was gay. All sides of what people still go through are shown in these scenes in which Billy tells Andrew, while Marty eavesdrops:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u901Pj69J3c&feature=related
1. Viki/Niki (entire series): Erika Slezak has had fun contrasting the prim and proper (and nice) Viki with her alters - especially Niki Smith:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcGYT_dzq_E&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL6828D1989EA984CA
But there's a serious side to the story: Viki being a victim of abuse by her own father, Victor Lord - triggering multiple personality disorder, which was explored in another excellent 1990s storyline:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YqL9vciXdg&feature=related
And yes, that is young Nathan Fillion ("Castle"), one of the actors to play Joey Buchanan.
If ABC and Prospect Park aren't going to bring back the show in over-the-air form, and ABC plans to end "General Hospital" as well (ABC execs were tight-lipped about that show's future this week, but it's easy to assume they'll pull the plug as soon as Katie Couric's show goes on the air next fall), here's a proposal:
Create an online archive for all three shows, and let those fans who have loved and supported "All My Children," "One Life To Live" and "General Hospital" all these years enjoy the memories of Erica Kane, Viki Buchanan, Luke and Laura Spencer and company in perpetuity.
*************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Week of January 6: Cold War Spies and "Bosom Buddies"
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The new film release of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is drawing awards notice and comparisons to the 1979 British series that was shown on PBS.
The 1979 series starred Sir Alec Guinness as George Smiley, a semi-retired spy who goes back to work for MI6 during the Cold War. Guinness won a BAFTA, the top British award for film and television, and the show was nominated for an Emmy. Here's a clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILYP9YnCZUs
Cast members included Sir Ian Richardson, later to star in the "House of Cards" trilogy shown on PBS' "Masterpiece Theater," and Michael Jayston, who has been seen in "Foyle's War" and other programs.
Guinness himself returned to the part three years later in "Smiley's People," which also featured Eileen Atkins ("Upstairs/ Downstairs").
In the United States, the broadcast was part of PBS' "Great Performances" series and was hosted by journalist Robert MacNeil.
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is available on DVD.
************************************************************************************
To some, the most insulting aspect about the new ABC show "Work It" relates to the fact that it's a retread of "Bosom Buddies."
"Bosom Buddies," which ran on ABC from 1980-82, was an unlikely launching pad for the career of Tom Hanks. Created by Miller-Boyett, the team that would later be responsible for the successful "Full House," the show starred Hanks and Peter Scolari as two men who disguise themselves as women to be able to find an affordable place to live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un1gmFXFDOg&feature=related
It never found a home among ABC's hit comedies. But Scolari would go on to success with three Emmy nominations for "Newhart." And then there's Hanks, who would do much better on the big screen.
For the curious, "Bosom Buddies" is available on DVD.
***********************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
The new film release of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is drawing awards notice and comparisons to the 1979 British series that was shown on PBS.
The 1979 series starred Sir Alec Guinness as George Smiley, a semi-retired spy who goes back to work for MI6 during the Cold War. Guinness won a BAFTA, the top British award for film and television, and the show was nominated for an Emmy. Here's a clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILYP9YnCZUs
Cast members included Sir Ian Richardson, later to star in the "House of Cards" trilogy shown on PBS' "Masterpiece Theater," and Michael Jayston, who has been seen in "Foyle's War" and other programs.
Guinness himself returned to the part three years later in "Smiley's People," which also featured Eileen Atkins ("Upstairs/ Downstairs").
In the United States, the broadcast was part of PBS' "Great Performances" series and was hosted by journalist Robert MacNeil.
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is available on DVD.
************************************************************************************
To some, the most insulting aspect about the new ABC show "Work It" relates to the fact that it's a retread of "Bosom Buddies."
"Bosom Buddies," which ran on ABC from 1980-82, was an unlikely launching pad for the career of Tom Hanks. Created by Miller-Boyett, the team that would later be responsible for the successful "Full House," the show starred Hanks and Peter Scolari as two men who disguise themselves as women to be able to find an affordable place to live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un1gmFXFDOg&feature=related
It never found a home among ABC's hit comedies. But Scolari would go on to success with three Emmy nominations for "Newhart." And then there's Hanks, who would do much better on the big screen.
For the curious, "Bosom Buddies" is available on DVD.
***********************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
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