Dick Van Dyke In The Most Depressing Film Ever Made
TCM ran a Carl Reiner film festival the other night. He wrote and directed some pretty amazing movies, but the one in their lineup that fascinates me most is “The Comic.” There’s something just substantially unnerving about this film. For starters, when you pair Carl Reiner (who directed and co-wrote) with Dick Van Dyke, you’re … Continue reading Dick Van Dyke In The Most Depressing Film Ever Made
Alex Trebek, Arthur Godfrey and Regis Philbin
I imagine everyone has their own less-than-healthy way of dealing with The Quarantine. They say alcoholic beverage consumption is way up. But I don’t drink. What I do is buy way too many books. Like, seriously, I have a pile here of six unread books. And they’re not even culturally significant books. They’re giant coffee … Continue reading Alex Trebek, Arthur Godfrey and Regis Philbin
Tales Of Twitch Part 4,219 (The Part That Actually Deals With The Twitch!)
So sixteen months ago I began writing blog entries called “Tales Of Twitch”. I called them that because I was noticing a little twitch in my eye that started when I arrived back in Alliance after spending holidays with the family. At that time the twitch was really nothing more than a minor irritance. Especially … Continue reading Tales Of Twitch Part 4,219 (The Part That Actually Deals With The Twitch!)
Ignorance Is Bliss
About a day ago, give or take a few hours, I posted a rather dramatic appeal for moral support. It went like this: Someone please reassure me that the words people say on Facebook are just words, and are not ever translated into deeds or actions. I need external reassurance, because I have been trying … Continue reading Ignorance Is Bliss
“Hey Rocky, Watch Me Pull A Running Gag Out Of My Hat!”
I make a lot of commercials. I write a lot of them, I voice a lot of them, and sometimes old ones are brought back. And sometimes I forget that I did them, and they make me laugh. That’s not a sign of their quality, it’s just an indicator that the same silly things make … Continue reading “Hey Rocky, Watch Me Pull A Running Gag Out Of My Hat!”
Alan Brady, We Hardly Knew Ye
Carl Reiner has died at age 98. 98 years old seems like a nice, long life…but no amount of years would have been enough for the man who gave us “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Now, Carl Reiner has done a million funny things–early sketch comedy with Sid Caesar; movie writing, performing and directing; being … Continue reading Alan Brady, We Hardly Knew Ye
“And the countdown continues…”
On the July 4th weekend of 1970, a radio institution was born. Casey Kasem, a Southern California disc jockey joined with two other notable figures to create “American Top 40.” The concept, brilliant in its simplicity, was this: Every week you’ll hear the 40 most popular songs in the USA, played from 40 all the … Continue reading “And the countdown continues…”
Is It October Yet?
We plan early in the radio business. But not this early. This is just me having an idea itch around my head for a few months and deciding it was time to put it to paper (or screen I guess). Every Halloween on KCOW we do a two-hour special featuring classic radio thrillers “War Of … Continue reading Is It October Yet?
Frankly, Scarlet, I Think Our Story Needs Some Historical Context
June 11, 2045 Hello, and welcome to Turner Classic Blogposts. I’m the regenerated DNA of Robert Osborne, because that’s a thing now. Tonight we present an essay from Wentyworld.com, a blog that at its peak received over 5 views a month. As with every blogpost we present, and every movie we air on TCM, and … Continue reading Frankly, Scarlet, I Think Our Story Needs Some Historical Context