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!
Friday, May 18, 2012
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!
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