ILLUSTRATING THE ARTICLE: Screenshots from “Behind The Iron Curtain”, which aired live on CBS February 16,1957. In the early 1950’s Jackie Gleason hosted a variety show on the DuMont network, which ain’t here no more. It was called “Cavalcade Of Stars” and Gleason introduced several popular characters during its run including Ralph and Alice Kramden … Continue reading And Away They Go…To Europe!
Hey, did you know that “Scooby-Doo” was inspired by “Dobie Gillis”? Putting aside the semi-coherent dog for a moment, you’ve got Fred (Dobie), Velma (Zelda Gilroy), Daphne (Thalia Menninger) and Shaggy (Maynard G. Krebs of course). Now that inspiration was only a starting point–of the four main characters, only Shaggy bears any resemblance to his … Continue reading We’re Goin’ To A Jubilee
I first saw the 1941 film “Look Who’s Laughing” in the early 90’s on AMC, back when it was called American Movie Classics. It was part of a double feature with the Damon Runyon drama “The Big Street”. Both films starred Lucille Ball but neither featured her doing anything particularly funny. “Look Who’s Laughing” casts … Continue reading Look Who’s Laughing! Look Who’s Apparently Sentient!
I hate about 95% of the memes I see. There are a multitude of reasons just as there are a multitude of individual senses of humor. The most common gripes I have are repetition and laziness. Laziness rears its ugly head in the way somebody takes an already-created meme and sloppily edits it to change … Continue reading You’re A Crappy Meme, Charlie Brown
All performance photos in this article were taken by the late, great Lyle Fodnes. He really was everywhere. Say, did I ever tell you that I played fussy-photographer-with-sinus-condition Felix Ungar on the off-off-off-off-Broadway stage? Well, you probably need to add about 306 more “off”s in there. But I co-starred with my pal Dangerous Dave Kuskie … Continue reading The Odd Couple
I’ve been watching a lot of “The Muppet Show” lately. I just finished season 2, which means 48 episodes down and 60-some to go. I have watched the series completely in order thus far with two exceptions: I watched the Spike Milligan episode to see why Disney gave it one of its disclaimers, and I … Continue reading The Sophie’s Choice of TV Theme Song Battles
(INT: The Bailey home. Friends and loved ones are coming to George’s aid. The bank examiner and Sheriff have even joined in the festive atmosphere. Just when things seem to have reached their peak of excitement, war hero Harry Bailey rushes in to cheers and ballyhoo.) MARTINI: I bring some wine!HARRY: Good idea Mr. Martini! … Continue reading It’s A Wonderful Something Or Other
I was listening to Cousin Brucie last night. The Cuz is now back on terrestrial radio (you know, the not-satellite kind) and he plays the oldies on an otherwise virtually all-talk station, 77 WABC. He was having some technical snafus but rolling with the punches…then he welcomed via phone line his special guest, Connie Francis … Continue reading W Ennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn B C
Editor’s Note: I have been threatened with physical abuse by several close friends if I write another Western radio saga. At the same time, I have resuscitated an old Facebook page of mine to promote this website, and I wanna see if the “auto post” thingy is working. So, you know,…content.______________ I had a blast … Continue reading The Good, The Bad and The Ballin’: My Week Of Commercials
Listen to this first! ANNCR: And now, tonight’s story, “The Great Dutch Oven Swindle”, starring Earl and Patricia Jones. Co-starring Herb Vigran and Daws Butler as Harris and Ringo. LORNE: Good evening. This is Lorne Greene. On one of our recent broadcasts we told the story of a group of four men and a small … Continue reading Sears Radio Theatre presents “The Great Dutch Oven Swindle”
