By Sylvia Gurinsky
A beautiful day in Pebble Beach, with the celebrated golf tournament, originally "Crosby's Clambake," (for Bing Crosby, who organized it) and now featuring the likes of Kevin Costner, Drew Brees and Bill Murray, complete with Elmer Fudd hat.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Week of Feb. 11: Top Five Committed TV Couples
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Looking for some classic TV for your Valentine's Day celebration? Take a look at some of television's classic committed - either married or seriously involved - couples. Here are my top five:
5. Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt), "Mad About You" (NBC, 1992-99): Forget the last three seasons when the show jumped the shark, first with their flirtations with other people and then with baby Mabel. The first four seasons showed the Buchmans going through what many couples go through. The best: The two-parter at the end of Season 3 when Paul and Jamie recalled falling in love and getting married.
4. Ann Marie and Donald Hollinger (Marlo Thomas and Ted Bessell), "That Girl (ABC, 1966-71): A fun relationship to watch evolve, from Ann and Donald's first meeting in the pilot as they battled over a piece of furniture in a store. They had many adventures - Donald getting his car and himself stuck in the mud on a picnic date and Ann getting her toe stuck in a bowling ball come to mind. Ann's always suspicious father, Lou Marie (Lew Parker) never thought Donald was good enough for his daughter, but viewers knew better. At the beginning of Season 5, Donald proposed and Ann said yes; regrettably, and reportedly at Thomas' request, the series did not end with a wedding.
3. Bob and Emily Hartley (Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette), "The Bob Newhart Show" (CBS, 1972-78): The first successful situation comedy to truly feature a married couple as two intelligent and independent beings. Bob, a psychologist, and Emily, a schoolteacher, had intelligent discussions, the occasional disagreement (over Emily's IQ being higher than Bob's) and were so identified as a unit that their payoff actually came in the series finale of "Newhart" 11 years after "The Bob Newhart Show" left the air.
2. Jonathan and Jennifer Hart (Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers), "Hart To Hart" (ABC, 1979-84): What couple has ever had more fun on television than the wealthy Harts, who were to the small screen what William Powell and Myrna Loy's Nick and Nora Charles were to the big screen. With their faithful butler, Max (Lionel Stander) their adorable dog, Freeway, and a lot of romance, Jonathan and Jennifer solved all the crimes. They were so convincing that many people thought Wagner, who tragically lost real-life wife Natalie Wood halfway through the run of the series, and Powers should become a real-life couple!
1. Cliff and Claire Huxtable (Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad), "The Cosby Show" (NBC, 1984-92): Five children and anybody else who happened to live in the Huxtable residence didn't stop Cliff and Clair from enjoying those romantic moments with each other. Famous Cliff comment about the children: "I just hope we get them out of the house before we die."
Here's a look at their priceless discussion about what would happen if Claire died:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEorB-OHjAU
Happy Valentine's Day! And until next week, Happy Viewing!
Looking for some classic TV for your Valentine's Day celebration? Take a look at some of television's classic committed - either married or seriously involved - couples. Here are my top five:
5. Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt), "Mad About You" (NBC, 1992-99): Forget the last three seasons when the show jumped the shark, first with their flirtations with other people and then with baby Mabel. The first four seasons showed the Buchmans going through what many couples go through. The best: The two-parter at the end of Season 3 when Paul and Jamie recalled falling in love and getting married.
4. Ann Marie and Donald Hollinger (Marlo Thomas and Ted Bessell), "That Girl (ABC, 1966-71): A fun relationship to watch evolve, from Ann and Donald's first meeting in the pilot as they battled over a piece of furniture in a store. They had many adventures - Donald getting his car and himself stuck in the mud on a picnic date and Ann getting her toe stuck in a bowling ball come to mind. Ann's always suspicious father, Lou Marie (Lew Parker) never thought Donald was good enough for his daughter, but viewers knew better. At the beginning of Season 5, Donald proposed and Ann said yes; regrettably, and reportedly at Thomas' request, the series did not end with a wedding.
3. Bob and Emily Hartley (Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette), "The Bob Newhart Show" (CBS, 1972-78): The first successful situation comedy to truly feature a married couple as two intelligent and independent beings. Bob, a psychologist, and Emily, a schoolteacher, had intelligent discussions, the occasional disagreement (over Emily's IQ being higher than Bob's) and were so identified as a unit that their payoff actually came in the series finale of "Newhart" 11 years after "The Bob Newhart Show" left the air.
2. Jonathan and Jennifer Hart (Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers), "Hart To Hart" (ABC, 1979-84): What couple has ever had more fun on television than the wealthy Harts, who were to the small screen what William Powell and Myrna Loy's Nick and Nora Charles were to the big screen. With their faithful butler, Max (Lionel Stander) their adorable dog, Freeway, and a lot of romance, Jonathan and Jennifer solved all the crimes. They were so convincing that many people thought Wagner, who tragically lost real-life wife Natalie Wood halfway through the run of the series, and Powers should become a real-life couple!
1. Cliff and Claire Huxtable (Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad), "The Cosby Show" (NBC, 1984-92): Five children and anybody else who happened to live in the Huxtable residence didn't stop Cliff and Clair from enjoying those romantic moments with each other. Famous Cliff comment about the children: "I just hope we get them out of the house before we die."
Here's a look at their priceless discussion about what would happen if Claire died:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEorB-OHjAU
Happy Valentine's Day! And until next week, Happy Viewing!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Week of 2/4: All-Star Football TV Stars
By Sylvia Gurinsky
With the Super Bowl this Sunday, it's a good time to look at the all-stars of the gridiron who also became all-stars of the small screen:
*Merlin Olson: The Los Angeles Rams' tackle went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he was a gentle giant who co-starred in "Little House On the Prairie" and his own series, "Father Murphy," for NBC, as well as being a commentator on the network's football telecasts for many years.
*Rosey Grier: Also a star with the Los Angeles Rams, Grier, recently seen on the "Pioneers of Television" segment on Western series, made repeated appearances as Gabe Cooper late in the run of NBC's "Daniel Boone." He was also on Danny Thomas' "Make Room For Granddaddy" on ABC, and guest-starred on many other series during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
*Alex Karras: The tackle for the Detroit Lions went on to a solid television career, including six seasons with wife Susan Clark and young Emmanuel Lewis on the ABC comedy "Webster."
*Ed Marinaro: Ed Marinaro played six seasons in the National Football League, including four for the Minnesota Vikings. He's had quite a bit of staying power in NBC series, including "Sisters" and five seasons as Officer Joe Coffey on "Hill Street Blues."
*Fred Dryer: Another former Los Angeles Ram, Dryer took naturally to television. His career has included seven seasons on another NBC hit show, "Hunter," as Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter. Interestingly, his biography on the Internet Movie Database states that he was a finalist for the role of Sam Malone on "Cheers" before Ted Danson won the part.
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The best way to watch the big game? Here's a classic clip from ABC's "Home Improvement" to show you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-V04Q-Ymhk
Enjoy the Super Bowl! See you next week! And until then, Happy Viewing!
With the Super Bowl this Sunday, it's a good time to look at the all-stars of the gridiron who also became all-stars of the small screen:
*Merlin Olson: The Los Angeles Rams' tackle went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he was a gentle giant who co-starred in "Little House On the Prairie" and his own series, "Father Murphy," for NBC, as well as being a commentator on the network's football telecasts for many years.
*Rosey Grier: Also a star with the Los Angeles Rams, Grier, recently seen on the "Pioneers of Television" segment on Western series, made repeated appearances as Gabe Cooper late in the run of NBC's "Daniel Boone." He was also on Danny Thomas' "Make Room For Granddaddy" on ABC, and guest-starred on many other series during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
*Alex Karras: The tackle for the Detroit Lions went on to a solid television career, including six seasons with wife Susan Clark and young Emmanuel Lewis on the ABC comedy "Webster."
*Ed Marinaro: Ed Marinaro played six seasons in the National Football League, including four for the Minnesota Vikings. He's had quite a bit of staying power in NBC series, including "Sisters" and five seasons as Officer Joe Coffey on "Hill Street Blues."
*Fred Dryer: Another former Los Angeles Ram, Dryer took naturally to television. His career has included seven seasons on another NBC hit show, "Hunter," as Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter. Interestingly, his biography on the Internet Movie Database states that he was a finalist for the role of Sam Malone on "Cheers" before Ted Danson won the part.
**************************************************************************
The best way to watch the big game? Here's a classic clip from ABC's "Home Improvement" to show you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-V04Q-Ymhk
Enjoy the Super Bowl! See you next week! And until then, Happy Viewing!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Week of 1/28: Getting Fit With Jack LaLanne
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Thanks to his healthy exercise and activities, Jack LaLanne lived to 96, though even he couldn't outrun Father Time.
What he did was revolutionize the exercise industry using a new mass medium - television. "The Jack LaLanne Show" began running in 1951 and didn't stop until the mid-1980s. Long after that, he continued to appear on talk shows and infomercials, promoting a health-conscious lifestyle.
What he discussed in this clip is just as relevant today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVk071N88M
One of his "LaLanneisms" was "Anything in life is possible if you make it happen." He certainly did.
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See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Thanks to his healthy exercise and activities, Jack LaLanne lived to 96, though even he couldn't outrun Father Time.
What he did was revolutionize the exercise industry using a new mass medium - television. "The Jack LaLanne Show" began running in 1951 and didn't stop until the mid-1980s. Long after that, he continued to appear on talk shows and infomercials, promoting a health-conscious lifestyle.
What he discussed in this clip is just as relevant today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVk071N88M
One of his "LaLanneisms" was "Anything in life is possible if you make it happen." He certainly did.
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See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Week of Jan. 21: Hi Bob......and Hu?
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Personal comment: I was among those disappointed with Bob Newhart's appearance on "NCIS" this week as medical examiner Dr. Walter Magnus. I thought the plotline resembled too closely a previous appearance Newhart had on "ER." And on a drama show that distinguishes itself from all others with its comedy, this would have been a great chance to showcase the classic Newhart sardonic wit.
Even the phone conversation with a Chinese restaurant fell short, but triggered memories of the classic "Moo Goo Gai Pan" scene in the 1975 episode "Over the River and Through the Woods" on "The Bob Newhart Show."
Here's Newhart in an interview with EmmyTVLegends.org talking about that scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2PSs6XnS8
The first four seasons of "The Bob Newhart Show" and the first season of "Newhart" are available on DVD; the first three seasons of "The Bob Newhart Show" can be found at Hulu.com. YouTube has classic clips of Newhart variety show skits, including this air traffic controller skit from "The Smothers Brothers":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD1MW-nyhxg
************************************************************************************
The visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the White House this week triggered memories of another classic skit, from "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson," featuring Carson as President Ronald Reagan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuLsXHzE1t8
Hu's on the phone......
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This week, PBS kicked off a second collection of "Pioneers of Television" programs; they focus on science fiction, crime dramas, Westerns and children's programming. Check your local PBS station for time and date.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Personal comment: I was among those disappointed with Bob Newhart's appearance on "NCIS" this week as medical examiner Dr. Walter Magnus. I thought the plotline resembled too closely a previous appearance Newhart had on "ER." And on a drama show that distinguishes itself from all others with its comedy, this would have been a great chance to showcase the classic Newhart sardonic wit.
Even the phone conversation with a Chinese restaurant fell short, but triggered memories of the classic "Moo Goo Gai Pan" scene in the 1975 episode "Over the River and Through the Woods" on "The Bob Newhart Show."
Here's Newhart in an interview with EmmyTVLegends.org talking about that scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2PSs6XnS8
The first four seasons of "The Bob Newhart Show" and the first season of "Newhart" are available on DVD; the first three seasons of "The Bob Newhart Show" can be found at Hulu.com. YouTube has classic clips of Newhart variety show skits, including this air traffic controller skit from "The Smothers Brothers":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD1MW-nyhxg
************************************************************************************
The visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the White House this week triggered memories of another classic skit, from "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson," featuring Carson as President Ronald Reagan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuLsXHzE1t8
Hu's on the phone......
******************************************************************************
This week, PBS kicked off a second collection of "Pioneers of Television" programs; they focus on science fiction, crime dramas, Westerns and children's programming. Check your local PBS station for time and date.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Week of Jan. 14: Remembering the Nelsons
By Sylvia Gurinsky
This week's news of the death of David Nelson triggered memories of the first real-life family comedy, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." ("I Love Lucy" doesn't quite qualify, since Desi Arnaz went by another first (and last) name on the show.)
It ran from 1952-66 on ABC, featuring the real-life Nelsons - former bandleader Ozzie (though no job was specified on the show), former singer Harriet and budding singers David and Rick (who became lawyers on the show). While the show featured the real family, including the sons' real wives (first wives, as it turned out), it did not feature the reality of the turmoil-filled world.
But here's a look back at simpler family television:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3BbrSVegLg
And some more detail about the show from The Museum of Broadcast Communications:
http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=adventuresof
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See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
This week's news of the death of David Nelson triggered memories of the first real-life family comedy, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." ("I Love Lucy" doesn't quite qualify, since Desi Arnaz went by another first (and last) name on the show.)
It ran from 1952-66 on ABC, featuring the real-life Nelsons - former bandleader Ozzie (though no job was specified on the show), former singer Harriet and budding singers David and Rick (who became lawyers on the show). While the show featured the real family, including the sons' real wives (first wives, as it turned out), it did not feature the reality of the turmoil-filled world.
But here's a look back at simpler family television:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3BbrSVegLg
And some more detail about the show from The Museum of Broadcast Communications:
http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=adventuresof
***************************************************************************
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Week of Jan. 7: Time For More Female Private Eyes
By Sylvia Gurinsky
This week, classic television lovers mourned the death of Anne Francis, who broke the PI gender barrier with "Honey West" during the 1960s.
This week, classic television lovers mourned the death of Anne Francis, who broke the PI gender barrier with "Honey West" during the 1960s.
Still, there haven't been many females on commercial television playing private eyes, and certainly not without a partner. For instance, Laura Holt, played by Stephanie Zimbalist, had to hire Remington Steele, played by Pierce Brosnan in the enjoyable series that ran on NBC from 1982-87. Generally, female detectives have always had a man either as a partner or a boss. Where's the female version of Jim Rockford?
Jessica Fletcher, played by Angela Lansbury in the wonderful CBS series "Murder, She Wrote," doesn't count; she's an author who happens to solve crimes. Charlie's Angels were, well, working for Charlie. And while "Honey West" broke ground, Anne Francis was frequently shown dressed in sexy attire, meaning that men's style wishes usually overcame women's substance.
The British do slightly better, with the successful "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," which is only available on cable here.
Don't expect any more groundbreaking from ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX in this respect, alas. And that's the saddest eulogy that can be delivered for Anne Francis. She may have broken a barrier, but practically no one's run past it.
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