Essentials Jr. Debuts Sunday June 1st On TCM

In its continuing effort to help adults introduce kids to classic cinema, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is running Essentials Jr. this spring and summer on Sundays at 8 pm. Hosted by Abigail Breslin and Chris O'Donnell (co-stars of the July 2008 film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl), Essentials Jr will do just what the grown-up version Essentials (which airs Saturdays at 8 pm) does: provide background information on the films and explain why the selected films are enjoyable for viewers no matter how old they are.

Essentials Jr. debuts on June 1st with National Velvet (1944) starring Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney. I saw this film for the first time on a weeknight last summer. I was in a bad mood because the Detroit Tigers had just suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago White Sox. After the game, I started channel surfing and found that National Velvet would be airing on TCM shortly. I gotta tell you, that movie made me forget about the Tigers' loss rather quickly. Because of her well-publicized personal life, it's easy to forget that Elizabeth Taylor is a magnificent actress (even when she was 12, her age at the time she made National Velvet). Because we live in such a cynical world, I enjoyed getting caught up in the wide-eyed innocence of Velvet (played by Taylor) and her faith in Pie (the horse she won in a town lottery). Even if you are like me and aren't into horses, National Velvet is a film worth checking out.

Some of the other movies that Chris and Abigail will be presenting on Essentials Jr. include: The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963), Mutiny On the Bounty (1935), Meet Me In St. Louis (1944), On the Town (1949), and Yours, Mine, and Ours (1968). For a complete schedule of all the films airing on Essentials Jr., click here.

Sydney Pollack Dies At 73

Just yesterday, I wrote about the death of comic Dick Martin over the weekend. Now today I am sad to say that Oscar-winning director/producer Sydney Pollack has succumbed to cancer at the age of 73. He died Monday afternoon at his home according to his publicist. Pollack had been diagnosed with cancer nine months ago.

Pollack was one of the most prolific and respected directors of the last 40 years. He received his 1st of 3 Academy Award nominations for directing 1969's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" He was also nominated for helming "Tootsie" in 1982 and finally took home the statuette for the 1985 drama "Out of Africa". A frequent collaborator was Robert Redford, whom Pollack directed in "Jeremiah Johnson", "The Way We Were", "Three Days of the Condor", "The Electric Horseman", the aforementioned "Out of Africa", and "Havana".

Although mainly known for his work behind the scenes, Pollack turned in some solid work in front of the camera. After a 20 year break from acting, Pollack was convinced by Dustin Hoffman to pull double duty and play the role of Hoffman's agent in "Tootsie". Over the last quarter century, some of Pollack's other acting roles were in "Husbands and Wives", "The Player", "Death Becomes Her," and "Eyes Wide Shut." His last screen appearance was as the oft-married father of star Patrick Dempsey's character in the current film "Made of Honor".

To honor the work of Sydney Pollack, Turner Classic Movies will revise its primetime schedule on Monday, June 2nd:

8:00 PM The Slender Thread (’65) (his directorial debut)
10:00 PM Three Days of the Condor (’75)
12:00 AM Tootsie (’82)
2:00 AM Jeremiah Johnson (’72)

Below is a clip of his turn as the agent of Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels (Dustin Hoffman) in "Tootsie".

Top 5 On Friday - Week 177

Top 5 On Friday - Week 177

This week's topic is brought to you by... me.

Top 5 songs about work or are work related.

1. Working In A Coalmine by Lee Dorsey
















2. Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford
















3. Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March by The Box Tops (the song is about the world's oldest profession)















4. Car Wash by Rose Royce











5. Working At the Car Wash Blues by Jim Croce

Comic Harvey Korman Dies At 81

Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamar in "Blazing Saddles"

Award-winning comic Harvey Korman, whose versatility was showcased on "The Carol Burnett Show" and in numerous other TV and film appearances, has died at the age of 81. According to his family, Korman died after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm he suffered four months ago.

Before the days of "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island", "The Carol Burnett Show" was must-see TV for many of us on Saturday night. One of the main attractions was the work of Harvey Korman. Along with the comedic skills he showed in such skits as "Ed and Eunice" and "Old Folks At Home", it was fun to watch Harvey try to prevent himself from laughing during the skits he appeared in with Tim Conway. For his work on "The Carol Burnett Show", Korman received 7 Emmy nominations (winning 4 times) and 4 Golden Globe nods (taking home the award once). Korman appeared on "The Carol Burnett Show" for the first 10 seasons (1967-1977). He left to star in his own series, ABC's "The Harvey Korman Show" (1978). Appearing as his daughter in the short-lived sitcom was a young Christine Lahti. "The Carol Burnett Show" didn't fare any better without Korman than he did without it; it also left the air in 1978.

Among his other famous roles were providing the voice of the Great Gazoo on "The Flintstones" and the villainous State Atty. General Hedley Lamar in the 1974 film "Blazing Saddles". In recent years, Korman made guest appearances on such programs as "ER", "Suddenly Susan", "Ellen", and "Diagnosis Murder". He also toured the country with his former co-star in "Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: Together Again". Korman is survived by his wife and four children.

Below is a skit from "The Carol Burnett Show". Starring Korman and Burnett, it's titled Funt and Mundane (a spoof of the acclaimed acting team Lunt and Fontanne).

Thursday Thirteen #45: Celebrity Bios On My Bookshelves

Thirteen Celebrity Bios On My Bookshelves

I have always been fascinated by true stories, esp. those involving celebrities. Below are 13 celebrity bios on my bookshelves. While I have completed most of them, there are still some on my "to read" list. For the ones that I have read or at least partially finished, I have included an interesting anecdote following the title and author.


1. Be My Baby by Ronnie Spector- Ronnie recalls the lengths that Phil Spector would go to in order to conceal his baldness. According to Ronnie, Phil would make sure all the lights were off so that she wouldn't see him take off his wig. He'd then go to the bathroom in the dark and rub an acetone solvent on his head in order to remove the toupee glue from his scalp. Ronnie said that the awful smell of the acetone could've killed a horse.















2. Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis by Ed Sikov- Natalie Wood (who co-starred with Bette in the 1952 film "The Star") claimed that she developed her fear of deep water while working on the movie. The director insisted that Natalie (not a stunt double) dive off of a yacht during a scene. After Bette heard Natalie's hysterical screams, she came out of her dressing room trailer and told the director that she would walk off the picture if he made Natalie do it again.















3. Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz- Marvin recalls with regret his cavalier attitude towards Diana Ross during the recording of the duets album they did in 1973.















4. Dorothy Dandridge by Donald Bogle














5. Dream Lovers by Dodd Darin- During his twenties, Bobby Darin learns that the woman he thought was his sister is actually his mother!















6. Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme by Mary Wilson- Mary recalls how Diana Ross pushed her during the Supremes reunion for the Motown 25 special. The footage of Diana pushing her was edited out of the actual broadcast.















7. Fever: The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee by Peter Richmond















8. Impresario: The Life and Times of Ed Sullivan by James Maguire- A story revolving around Ed Sullivan and his hatred of fellow columnist Walter Winchell. It was reported that Ed followed Walter into the bathroom of a restaurant and shoved Walter's head into the toilet while flushing it. The story goes on to say that Ed was laughing maniacally while Walter was in tears.















9. The Life and Times of Little Richard by Charles White- Little Richard tells the story of a threesome he had in his dressing room at the Paramount Theater with his girlfriend and fellow rocker Buddy Holly. While Buddy was having sex with Richard's girlfriend, they introduced Buddy's name on stage. According to Richard, Buddy was still fastening himself up as he went on stage.















10. Light My Fire: My Life With the Doors by Ray Manzarek















11. Out of Bounds by Jim Brown- Jim tells the story of how one of his "Dirty Dozen" co-stars (singer Trini Lopez) felt that he (Trini) should have a bigger part in the film. After taking the advice of Frank Sinatra, Trini went to director Robert Aldrich and threatened to walk out if he didn't get a bigger part. When Jim and the other actors showed up for work the next day, they were handed some pages of dialogue. It was then that they learned that Trini had been written out of the rest of the script.

















12. Pryor Convictions by Richard Pryor- As 6 year old kid, Richard was forced by a 17 year old boy to perform oral sex on him in a back alley.
















13. The Temptations by Otis Williams- Otis recalls the songwriting advice he received from Eddie Holland. Eddie said, "Otis, the greatest thing you can do is sit and listen to women talk. Every once in awhile, one of them will say something, and I say to myself, 'I'll use that,' and I go home and write it down."















What are some of the celebrity bios that you've read?

Leave your link in comments so that others can visit you



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Final Results of the Recent Grease Poll

When asked which Sandy you preferred in the film version of "Grease", 70% of you chose the good one. Had I voted, that would have been my choice as well.

I wonder how many viewers were disappointed that Sandy changed her image in order to get Danny. Allegedly, the reason that Marie Osmond turned down the role of Sandy in the film is because she didn't like the fact that Sandy had to turn bad to get the boy. Ironically, Sandy probably didn't have to go through the transformation. After all, Danny also felt the need to change his image too in order to fit into Sandy's world. The bottom line is that they both could have remained true to themselves and they would have been accepted by the other.

Here are the final results:
Good Sandy- 70%
Bad Sandy- 30%

Below is a clip of "good" Sandy duetting with "bad" Danny on "Summer Nights"

Laugh-In Comic Dick Martin Dies At 86

Dick Martin (right) co-hosted Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In with Dan Rowan (left) from 1968-1973

Battle Creek, Michigan-born Dick Martin, the wacky half of the comedy team whose "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" dominated TV in the late 60s and early 70s, died Saturday of respiratory failure at the age of 86. Martin, who suffered from respiratory problems for years, had pretty much stopped breathing the last week of his life, according to a family spokesman.

Shortly after meeting in 1952, Rowan and Martin teamed up professionally. After years of TV guest appearances and steady work on the nightclub circuit, the duo hit paydirt with "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In". Premiering in January of 1968, the series helped to solidify the comic personas of the duo: the urbane straight man (Rowan) and the zany lech (Martin). An immediate hit, "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" was the #1 show on TV its 2nd and 3rd seasons (1968-1970) and helped launch the careers of Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Joanne Worley, Teresa Graves, and Lily Tomlin just to name a few.

Four years after the series ended in 1973, Rowan and Martin ended their partnership on good terms. However, they did team up one last time as the hosts for NBC's "All American Ultra Quiz" (1981). Rowan, a heavy smoker who also suffered from diabetes, died of lymphatic cancer in 1987 at the age of 65.

Martin became a staple on the game show circuit, serving as a panelist on such series as "Match Game" and "Password Plus". He also did scores of guest appearances on such programs as "The Love Boat" (who didn't), "Coach", "Blossom", "Baywatch", and "Diagnosis Murder" and directed episodes of "Family Ties", "Newhart", and "In the Heat of the Night". Martin's survivors include his wife and two sons.

Below is a 1968 clip from "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In". Along with comedy banter from Rowan and Martin, the clip features some very familiar faces.

The Retro Mix Playlist For 5/23/08

7 pm hour

Addicted To Love- Robert Palmer
Boxerbeat- JoBoxers
Boogie Oogie Oogie- A Taste of Honey
Hot Love- T. Rex
Small Town- John Cougar Mellencamp
Stop Your Sobbing- The Pretenders
I Got My Mind Made Up- Instant Funk
Tired of Being Alone- Al Green

Now & Then segment's feat. artist: Ringo Starr
If It's Love That You Want (from his 2008 CD "Liverpool 8")
Oh My My (rec. in 1974)

Sanctified Lady- Marvin Gaye
Head To Toe- Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
A Night To Remember- Shalamar

8 pm hour

Paranoid- Black Sabbath
Baby Blue- Badfinger
You & I- Rick James
Unconditional Love- Donna Summer
West End Girls- Pet Shop Boys
The Sound of the Crowd- The Human League
Knock On Wood- Amii Stewart
Knocks Me Off My Feet- Stevie Wonder

With or Without You segment's feat. artist: Donald Fagen
Josie- Steely Dan
I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)- solo

The Glamorous Life- Sheila E.
Boogie Child- The Bee Gees
I Gotcha- Joe Tex
Young Turks- Rod Stewart

The Retro Mix Video of the Week: Boxerbeat by JoBoxers- Some of you may know this predominately British group (feat. American lead singer Dig Wayne) through their only U.S. hit, 1983's "Just Got Lucky" (which has been feat. in such movies as "The 40 Year Old Virgin" starring Steve Carell and "Just My Luck" starring Lindsay Lohan). Sadly, JoBoxers didn't stay together long; breaking up before the release of their second album. The clip below is the video for their 1st U.K. hit and is the lead track on the compilation CD "Essential Boxerbeat".

Retro Commercial: Gap Commercial- Khakis Swing

In one of my recent polls, I asked how people felt about the use of pop/rock songs in commercials. The Rock Chick (writer of the blog Life Is RANTastic!) mentioned in the comments section that she likes the Old Navy commercials. Her remarks made me think of the ad campaign that The Gap did back in the 1990s. The 1998 spot below features dancers swinging to the tune "Jump, Jive, and Wail" (recorded in 1956 by Louis Prima & Keely Smith along w/ Sam Butera and the Witnesses). This commercial was pretty influential because it was the first time that many of us saw the "bullet time" effect (a computer enhanced simulation of variable speed). This visual effect became even more popular through its use in such films as the 1999 box-office smash "The Matrix".

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Current "Grease" Poll... Thank You.

Are you Hopelessly Devoted to "Good Sandy"?

Or

Is "Bad Sandy" the One That You Want?

Thursday Thirteen #44: Original Versions of Songs That Later Were U.S. Pop Crossover Hits For Others

Thirteen Original Versions of Songs That Later Were U.S. Pop Crossover Hits For Others

One thing I love about music is the opportunity for discovery. A prime example is learning that what I thought was an original song isn't one. Below are the original versions of songs that later became U.S. hits for other artists.


1. Bette Davis Eyes by Jackie DeShannon- Co-written in 1974 by Ms. DeShannon and recorded by her in a somewhat honky tonk style the same year, this tune was a massive hit for Kim Carnes in 1981 (spending 9 weeks at #1).














2. Brother Louie by Hot Chocolate: This song about interracial love was a UK hit in 1973 for Hot Chocolate. However, the cover by the one-hit wonder band Stories later that year went all the way to #1 in America. The main difference between the two versions is that the original has a spoken word interlude by British blues musician Alexis Korner.













3. Everytime You Go Away by Hall & Oates: Written by Daryl Hall, this song first appeared on the duo's 1980 LP "Voices". Five years later British soul singer Paul Young took the song all the way to #1 in the U.S.












4. Good Lovin' by The Olympics- First recorded in 1965 by The Olympics (best known for their 1958 hit "Western Movies"), the Young Rascals had their first of three #1 pop hits when they remade the tune the following year.















5. I Didn't Mean To Turn You On by Cherrelle- My first exposure to this tune was when Cherrelle had a top 10 R&B hit with it in 1984. The following year, Robert Palmer had a #2 pop hit with his remake (complete with an accompanying video featuring more of the eye candy that we saw in the clip for "Addicted To Love").

















6. I Feel For You by Prince- When Chaka Khan... Chaka Khan recorded her version (which hit #3 on the pop chart in 1984), I learned (courtesy of Casey Kasem) that Prince penned the tune. However, it wasn't until I purchased Prince's collection "The Hits/The B-sides" that I heard his version (which he recorded in 1979).

















7. I Love Rock and Roll by The Arrows- This British trio recorded the original version of the tune in 1975. Six years later, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' faithful remake became their biggest hit (spending 7 weeks at the top).












8. Kitty by Racey- If you are asking yourself, "what the hell is Kitty?", that's understandable. First recorded by the British group Racey in 1979, it was covered by Toni Basil (under the title "Mickey") later that year. Until I learned that the original version was by a male group, I always wondered about the line in the song "Any way you wanna do it/I'll take it like a man." Although Toni recorded "Mickey" in 1979, it didn't become a #1 hit and an anthem for cheerleaders everywhere until 1982.













9. Louie, Louie by Richard Berry- First recorded in 1957 as a Jamaican-style mid tempo number by Berry (who wrote the tune two years earlier), the song tells the story of a sailor returning to the island to see his lady. Although the song has been recorded countless times, the best known rendition is the frat rock remake by The Kingsmen (who took it to #2 on the pop chart in 1963).
















10. Nobody But Me by The Isley Brothers- I didn't discover the original version of this tune (written and recorded by The Isleys in 1963) until a few years ago. It quickly became one of my all-time favorite songs. In late 1967, the Human Beinz totally remade it (complete with then current dances to reflect the 4 year span between their version and the original). Their version reached #8 on the pop chart in 1968.















11. Tainted Love by Gloria Jones- In 1981, synth pop duo Soft Cell hit #8 with one of the songs that helped define the decade of Reaganomics and Rubik's Cube. However, the original version was recorded in an uptempo style by soul singer Gloria Jones 17 years earlier. She later became both a backup vocalist and girlfriend of glam rock star Marc Bolan.

















12. That's What Friends Are For by Rod Stewart- In 1985, Dionne Warwick and Friends (Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder) took this song to #1 on the pop chart. I didn't realize that theirs was a remake until I heard Rod's original version over the closing credits of the 1982 comedy "Night Shift" (starring Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, and Shelley Long).















13. You're the One by Petula Clark- In 1965, Clark (who also co-wrote it) had a minor U.K. hit with her version. That same year, the vocal quartet The Vogues recorded the song and hit #4 on the U.S. charts.















Feel free to comment on these or any other original versions/remakes of songs that you know.


Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Leave your link in comments so that others can visit you


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Tuesday Tunes - Week 33

From Music Memoirs, Tuesday Tunes - Week 33

This week is word association week and it's all in colors! I'll give you a color and you tell me the first song/artist/album that comes to mind when you see it.

Pink: Henry Mancini (composer of The Pink Panther theme)
Purple: Sheb Wooley (of "Purple People Eater" fame)
Blue: Leann Rimes
White: Danny Williams (one hit wonder whose hit was "White On White")
Gold: "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young
Silver: "Silver Moon" by Michael Nesmith
Green: Al Green
Yellow: "Yellow Ballon" by The Yellow Balloon
Red: "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron"
Brown: Shirley Brown (whose big hit was "Woman To Woman". I hated that song as a kid. I'm going to listen to it this week to see if I feel the same way)

Square Pegs Coming To DVD On May 20th!

Clockwise (from top left): John Femia, Merritt Butrick, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Amy Linker

Timed to coincide with the release of "Sex and the City: The Movie" starring Sarah Jessica Parker, the series that gave her one of her earliest onscreen breaks (the 1982-1983 cult sitcom "Square Pegs") is finally coming to DVD on Tuesday May 20th. The series detailed the misadventures of bespectacled Patty Greene (Parker) and her braces wearing best bud Lauren Hutchinson (Amy Linker) as they tried to get in with the popular crowd at Weemawee High. Joining them in their quest were aspiring comic Marshall Blechtman (John Femia) and shy new waver Johnny "Slash" Ulasewicz (the late Merrit Butrick). Among the popular kids that Patty and Lauren were trying to impress were preppy Muffy Tepperman (Jami Gertz, a former schoolmate of The Rock Chick), Valley Girl Jennifer DiNuccio (Tracy Nelson), her dim bulb boyfriend Vinnie Pasetta (Jon Caliri), and her sassy cornrow wearing best friend LaDonna Fredericks (Claudette Wells).

For that one season, Monday nights at 8 pm on CBS was appointment TV for me and my sister. One thing that I remember about "Square Pegs" is that it often featured appearances by performers who normally didn't do guest shots. This is likely due to the presence of series creator/writer Anne Beatts (who previously worked on SNL). Bill Murray, Doors drummer John Densmore, Devo, and Father Guido Sarducci are some of the performers who guest-starred on "Square Pegs".

Had "Square Pegs" debuted later in the decade, it might have fared better because some of the popular big screen teen comedies that followed it (those directed by John Hughes for example) were similar in tone. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered and "Square Pegs" would still have wound up in the category of "brilliant, but cancelled". One of my favorite quotes about the series came from cast member, John Femia. According to someone who commented about "Square Pegs" on the website Jump the Shark, they ran into Femia (who is now a stand-up comic) at a comedy club in New York. When they asked Femia why the network cancelled "Square Pegs", he replied, "Because it was funny".

"Square Pegs - The Like, Totally Complete Series...Totally" includes all 20 episodes on 3 discs. The set also includes "Weemawee Yearbook Memories" which features interviews with most of the cast members (including Parker, Linker, Gertz, Nelson, Femia, and Fredericks) and creator/writer Beatts.

Below is a clip from the series, featuring Devo:

Final Results of the Recent Pop Songs In Commercials Poll

In the recent poll in which I asked how you felt about about pop/rock songs being used in commercials, over half of you said that it depends on the compatibility of the song and the ad. Had I voted, this is the choice I would have made. There are many instances where the song used makes very little sense. A prime example is when Lunchables used the Marvin Gaye classic "Let's Get It On" in a commercial set in a grade school cafeteria. My guess is that good sense/taste prevailed because the commercial disappeared shortly thereafter. On the other hand, there are cases where it makes perfect sense to use pop music in a commercial. A recent example that sticks out is the ad for the iPod Touch that featured the song "Music Is My Hot Hot Sex"by the Brazilian group Cansei De Ser Sexy.

Just a little over 25% of you said that you like it when pop/rock songs are used in commercials. Unfortunately (or some would say fortunately), the over-reliance on pre-existing pop/rock tunes has caused the use of jingles to decline. I know that many find jingles to be cheesy, but I think there were/are some pretty good ones. Plus, when I hear a jingle, I am more likely to associate it with that product more than if the company used some pop/rock tune. When you hear "Twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesonions-
onasesameeseedbun", how can you not think of the Big Mac? However, does the song "Rubberband Man" automatically make you think of Office Max?

Eighteen percent of you said that you dislike it when commercials feature pop/rock songs. I believe this sentiment started when songs by "classic rock" artists began to creep into commercials (one of the more notorious examples being the use of The Beatles' "Revolution" in a 1988 ad for Nike). Having said that, it's hard to blame artists/songwriters/copyright owners for allowing songs to be used in commercials when you consider the amount of money they're offered. I know that some consider them to be sellouts. But hey, they're sellouts with a bank account.

Here are the final results:

Poll question: How do you feel about pop/rock songs being used in commercials?

It depends on whether or not the song/commercial are compatible- 54%
Like it- 27%
Dislike it- 18%

The Retro Mix Playlist For 5/16/08

7 pm hour

Back In Black- AC/DC
Mama Feelgood- Lyn Collins
Got To Get You Into My Life- Earth, Wind and Fire
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid- Hall & Oates
What I Like About You- The Romantics
Beat On the Brat- The Ramones
Cruel To Be Kind- Nick Lowe

Common Thread segment: a set of Janet Jackson tunes in honor of her 42nd birthday
Nasty
Don't Stand Another Chance
The Pleasure Principle
Come Give Your Love To Me

Go Your Own Way- Fleetwood Mac
Let Me Roll It- Paul McCartney & Wings

8 pm hour
Living In America- James Brown
How Ya Like Me Now- Kool Moe Dee
Turn the Beat Around- Vicki Sue Robinson
Holding On (When Love Is Gone)- L.T.D.
On the Dark Side- John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band
I Do' Wanna Know- REO Speedwagon
Lady Marmalade- Labelle
Born To Wander- Rare Earth

Double Retro segment's feat. artist: The Isley Brothers
Nobody But Me (rec. in 1963)
That Lady (rec. in 1973)

I Need Your Loving- Teena Marie
Rock Steady- The Whispers
Liar- Three Dog Night
Rode By the Place (Where We Used To Stay)- David Ruffin
I Can Help- Billy Swan
No More Words- Berlin

The Retro Mix video of the week: I Do' Wanna Know by REO Speedwagon (even after 20 years, this video still cracks me up). I think it's funny how the lady who introduces the video claims that it's one of her favorites, but then mispronounces the title.

Saturday Morning Fever: The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show

In one of the earliest TV cartoon spinoffs, "The Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm Show" debuted on CBS in 1971. The show followed the misadventures of the now teenaged duo (voiced by Sally Struthers and "Dennis the Menace" star Jay North) in prehistoric Bedrock. Sixteen half-hour episodes of the cartoon were produced (these originally ran from 1971-72). There were also four 10-minute episodes as well (these aired as part of The Flintstone Comedy Hour from 1972-73).

Along with Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm, the show also featured their friends (genius inventor Moonrock, blond afro-ed Wiggy, and sassy brunette Penny), Pebbles' rival Cindy and her boyfriend Fabian, bad luck Schleprock (who usu. entered the scene saying, "Wowsie wowsie woo woo. Miserable day isn't it?"), and the motorcycle gang known as The Bronto Bunch. Appearing on occasion were the parents of Pebbles (Fred and Wilma) and Bamm-Bamm (Barney and Betty). I suspect that Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty may have had some nip & tuck work done. Although Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm were now teenagers, their parents didn't age at all from the time period of the original series "The Flintstones". Maybe there were some anti-aging ingredients in brontosaurus meat... who knows?

Just like her dad, Pebbles had a catchphrase too. Whenever she would come up with a "brilliant idea", she would exclaim "Yabba Dabba Doosie!" Bamm-Bamm (who rarely, if ever displayed the superhuman strength he had as a tot) always tried to talk Pebbles out of her schemes, but to no avail.

Like many of the cartoons of the era, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm and their friends had a musical group. Known as the Bedrock Rockers, their style of music was in the same vein as The Partridge Family. Maybe I should say that the Bedrock Rockers influenced the Partridge Family since they were around millions of years before Shirley and the kids hopped on board their psychedelic bus.

The player below contains the opening credits sequence to "The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show", an episode (approx. 8 minutes) titled "Squawkie Talkies", and a clip of the Bedrock Rockers' song "Sunny Sun Day".

Live TV, You Gotta Love It!

This past Monday, veteran WNBC news anchor Sue Simmons yelled the word "fuck" during a tease for its 11 PM newscast. Along with Simmons saying on-air that she was sorry for her mistake, the station also issued a statement apologizing for the live gaffe. Thanks to my sister for forwarding this to me.

Thursday Thirteen #43: Cold Cereal Mascots

Cold Cereal Mascots

As a kid and even as an adult, I have often enjoyed a bowl of sugar-coated cold cereal. I don't know about you, but I loved drinking the sugar-sweetened milk that was left over after all the cereal was gone. Along with what was inside the box, the cereal mascots could be big selling points. Below (in alphabetical order by character name) are some of the cold cereal mascots from over the years. In the comments section, feel free to list your favorite mascot and/or cold cereal.

1. Big Yella

2. Boo Berry

3. Buzz the Honey Bee

4. Cap'n Crunch

5. Cookie Jarvis

6. Dig 'Em Frog

7. Lucky the Leprechaun

8. Snap, Crackle, and Pop- Yes, I know that this trio brings the list of cereal mascots to 15; but can you really list one without listing the other two?

9. Sonny the Cuckoo Bird

10. Sugar Bear

11. Tony the Tiger

12. Toucan Sam

13. Trix the Rabbit

Leave your link in comments so that others can visit you

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants