Godspeed Olive Sturgess

Former actress Olive Sturgess died on February 19 2025 in Ocean Falls, British Columbia at the age of 91. She had lost the home she had owned for 60 years in the Pacific Palisades fire, but died of natural causes. She played Bob's nephew Chuck MacDonald's girlfriend Carol on The Bob Cummings Show and guest starred on many television Westerns. Among her movies roles was .  the daughter of Vincent Price's character in The Raven (1963).

Olive Sturgess was born on October 8 1933 in Ocean Falls, British Columbia. Her father, Leonard Sturgess, hosted his own radio show. As a youngster she took both piano and ballet lessons  She also It was seeing Mary Martin played Peter Pan on stage that convinced her to take up acting. Her family moved to California in 1954.

Olive Sturgess attended Whittier College, and also acted at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. It was at this time that she was discovered by Hank Garson, who wrote radio shows at CBS. She was signed to a contract with Universal-International. At Universal-International not only was she given vice and dancing lessons, but she was also taught fencing, firing guns, and horseback riding Miss Sturgess grew to love horseback riding, and became proficient enough in it to participate in rodeos.

Olive Sturgess made her film debut in the theatrical short "Leave It to Harry" in 1954. She made her television debut in 1955 in an episode of Studio 57. In the Fifties she played the recurring role of  Carol, Chuck's girlfriend, on The Bob Cummings Show. Later in the decade and in the early Sixties, she played twins May and June McBean on the Western TV show The Tall Man. She guest starred on the shows Shower of Stars, The Millionaire, The People's Choice, Front Row Center, The Red Skelton Show, Four Star Jubilee, Telephone Time, Casablanca, Producer's Showcase, Lux Video Theatre, Crusader, Matinee Theatre, West Point. Wire Service, Strange Stories, The Alcoa Hour, Goodyear Television Playhouse, Tales of Wells Fargo, Perry Mason, Cheyenne, Panic!, Sugarfoot, Studio One, The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen, U..S. Marshal, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, The Texan, General Electric Theatre, Rawhide, Have Gun--Will Travel, Lawman, Buckskin, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Laramie, The Donna Reed Show, Philip Marlowe, Johnny Midnight, The Man and the Challenge, Wagon Train, Mr. Garland, Hawaiian Eye, and The Rebel. She appeared in the films Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) and The Kettles in the Ozarks (1956).

In the Sixties Olive Sturgess continued to appear on the TV show The Tall Man. She appeared in two episodes of the horror/suspense anthology Thriller. This led her being cast as Estelle Craven in The Raven (1963). She guest starred on the TV shows The Rebel, The Jack Benny Program, Bronco, Bringing Up Buddy, Westinghouse Preview Theatre, Whispering Smith, Maverick, Outlaws, Checkmate, The Wide Country, Make Room for Daddy, Destry, Petticoat Junction, The Virginian, Dr. Kildare, Bonanza, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., and Ironside. She appeared in the movies Requiem for a Gunfighter.

Olive Sturgess's last on-screen appearance was in two episodes of The Rookies, playing a different character in each one.

If Olive Sturgess was prolific in American television in the Fifties and Sixties, it wasn't simply because she was pretty and fresh-faced. It wasn't even because she knew how to ride a horse and shoot a gun. It was because she could play a wide variety of parts convincingly. Carol on The Bob Cumming Show was very much a Mid-Century ingenue, sweet and wholesome, but she also played hillbillies May and June on The Tall Man. In the Thriller episode "The Closed Cabinet" she played a young American woman investigating a mysterious cabinet that may responsible for a curse on a British family. In the Maverick episode "The Golden Fleecing' she played a young Quaker woman. Of course, Miss Sturgess may be best known as Estelle in The Raven, the headstrong daughter of wizard Dr. Erasmus Craven. Olive Sturgess could play a number of roles and she played all of them well.

"Fame" by David Bowie

It was fifty year ago today that David Bowie's alum Young Americans was released. In honour of the anniversary, I thought I would then leave you with the biggest single from the album and one of David Bowie's most popular songs, "Fame."

Character Actor Peter Jason R.I.P.

Character actor Peter Jason, who had regular roles on Mike Hammer, Private Eye and Deadwood and frequently collaborated with director John Carpenter, died on February 20 2025 at the age of 80. The cause was cancer. 

Peter Jason was born Peter Edward Ostling on July 22 1944 in Hollywood. He grew up on he Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach. He became interested in acting when he played Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner at Newport Harbor High School. He studied acting at Orange Coast College, and then Carnegie Mellon. He played at  the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. He was a founding member of the South Coast Repertory Company in Costa Mesa, California.

Peter Jason made his television debut in an episode of Teh F.B.I. in 1968. In the late Sixties he guest starred on Cimarron Strip;Judd, for the Defense; Here Come the Brides; Daniel Boone; Land of the Giants; The Young Lawyers; and Gunsmoke. He made his film debut in Rio Lobo in 1970.

In the Seventies Peter Jason guest starred on the TV shows Hawaii Five-O; Gunsmoke; One Day at a Time; Starsky & Hutch; B.J. and the Bear; The Incredible Hulk; and Hart to Hart. He appeared in the movies The Driver (1978), La ilegal (1979), The Baltimore Bullet (1980), and The Long Riders (1980)

In the Eighties Peter Jason appeared in the movies Beyond the Universe (1981), Nice Dreams (1981), Texas Lightning (1981), Butterfly (1981), Mommie Dearest (1981),  Some Kind of Hero (1982),  Trick or Treats (1982),  48 Hrs. (1982), Angel  (1984),  Streets of Fire (1984), The Karate Kid (1984),   Dreamscape (1984),  Oxford Blues (1984), Impulse (1984), Eat or Be Eaten (1986), Hyper Sapien: People from Another Star (1986), Heartbreak Ridge (1986), Party Camp  (1987),  Prince of Darkness (1987), Sunset (1988), Red Heat (1988), Alien Nation (1988), They Live (1988), Johnny Handsome (1990),  The Hunt for Red October (1990), Arachnophobia (1990), and Marked for Death (1990). He guest starred on the shows Hart to Hart; Filthy Rich; Silver Spoons; Cagney & Lacey; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; Remington Steele; Webster; Cover Up, Amazing Stories; The Golden Girls; Scarecrow and Mr.s King; Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer; Hard Knocks; Annie McGuire; and Knot's Landing. He appeared in the mini-series The Blue and the Gray.

In the Nineties Peter Jason was a regular on the TV series Mike Hammer, Private Eye. He guest starred on the shows Quantum Leap; Perfect Strangers; Dear John; A Different World; Herman's Head; The Jackie Thomas Show; Rosanne; Married...with Children; Body Bags; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; Coach; Murder, She Wrote; Kung Fu:The Legend Contnues; The Naked Truth; Perversions of Science; Women: Stories of Passion; Air America; Nash Bridges; and Titus. He was a guest voice on Batman: the Animated Series, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child, Pinky and the Brain; and Batman Beyond. He appeared in the movies In the Mouth of Madness (1994), The Demolitionist (1995), The Village of the Damned (1995), Congo (1995), Mortal Kombat (1995), Rage (1995), Wild Bill (1995), Escape from L.A. (1996), The Glimmer Man (1996), Valley Girls (1996), Dante's Peak (1997), Java Heads: The Movie        
(2000), and Finding Kelly (2000).

In the Naughts he was a regular on the TV show Deadwood. He guest starred on the shows Titus, JAG, Providence, Carnivale, Significant Others, Arrested Development, Desperate Housewives, John from Cincinnati, Dirty Sexy Money, Mad Men, Castle, NCIS, Raising the Bar, Cold Case, Justified, and Chuck. He appeared in the movies Ghosts of Mars (2001), Hard Cash (2002), The Rose Technique (2002), Undisputed (2002), 13th Child (2002), Adaptation (2002), Detonator (2003), Seabiscuit (2003), Employee of the Month (2004), Hair High (2004), Surviving Christmas (2004), Confessions of an Action Star (2005), Frostbite (2005), Kicking & Screaming (2005), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2006), The Enigma with a Stigma (2006), Moving McAllister (2007), Richard III (2007), The Man Who Came Back (2008), The Warden  (2008),  Intervention (2008),  Milk (2008), Falling Up (2009), How to Make Love to a Woman (2010), and Locked In (2010). He was a voice in the English version of The Secret World of Arietty (2010).

In the Teens Peter Jason guest starred on the shows Funny or Die Presents, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 1600 Penn, Baskets, and Longmire. He appeared in the TV movie Deadwood: The Movie. He appeared in the movies Little Murder (2011), Ghost of New Orleans (2011), From the Head  (2011), Son of Morning (2011), Valley of the Sun (2011), Hopelessly in June (2011), Heal Thyself (2012), Students Like Us (2012), Queen City (2013), Willow Creek (2013), Robosapien: Rebooted (2013), Cesar Chavez (2014), Return to Zero (2014), The Condo (2015),  River Guard (2016), Hail, Caesar! (2016), The Terror of Hallow's Eve (2017), The Nth Ward (2017), High & Outside: A Baseball Noir (2017), Get Married or Die (2018)     Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)., The Other Side of the Wind (2018), Saint Judy     (2018) , Daddy Issues (2018), Heavenly Deposit (2019), The Assent (2019), and The Downside of Bliss (2020).

In the 2020s Peter Jason appeared in the movies Deep in the Forest (2021), We Are Gathered Here Today (2022), and Combat Radio: A Christmas Carol (2022).

Peter Jason was a marvellous character actor who could play a wide variety of roles. This can be seen in his collaborations with John Carpenter. In They Live he played Gilbert, one of the leaders of the human resistance. In In the Mouth of Madness he played a character quite unlike the earnest Gilbert, the somewhat dishonest  and unscrupulous Mr. Paul. In Prince of Darkness he played yet another sort of character, Dr. Paul Leahy, a scientist who also serves as comic relief.

Beyond his films with John Carpenter, Peter Jason may be best known as dim-witted card dealer and later sheriff  Con Stapleton on Deadwood. He played a wide array of  roles in his guest appearances. He was the gregarious Playtex executive Len McKenzie in the Mad Men episode "Maidenform." He was the electrician Frank in more than one episode of Nash Bridges. While he often played law enforcement officers, military officers, and coaches, Peter Jason was capable of playing any role in his cast. He consistently gave great performances.

Joey Molland of Badfinger Passes On

Joey Molland, lead guitarist for the band Badfinger and the last surviving member of the band's classic lineup, died on March 1 2025 at the age of 77. His health had failed him this year.

Joey Molland was born June 21 1947 in Edge Hill, Lancashire. He began his career as a professional musician in 1965 as a member of the band The Masterminds. The group released one single, "She Belongs to Me." Members of The Masterminds would become part of the backing band for the vocal group The Merseys, The Fruit Eating Bears. The Fruit Eating Bears played on The Merseys' single "Nothing Can Change This Love."

After The Mersey's breakup, Joey Molland played briefly with The Cryin' Shames before joining Gary Walker & The Rain, a project of Gary Walker of The Walker Brothers. Gary Walker & The Rain released the album Album No. 1, the EP Gary Walker & The Rain Best 4, and several singles. It was in 1969 that the original bassist of a band called The Iveys, Ron Griffins left the group. Joey Molland auditioned for The Iveys in November 1969. By the time he was hired, the band had been renamed Badfinger. Tom Evans took over playing bass, while Joey Holland became the band's lead guitarist. 

Joey Molland's first recordings with Badfinger was their second album, No Dice. He played lead guitar on their second major hit, "No Matter What." He also co-wrote some of the songs on No Dice with Tom Evans and wrote the song  "Love Me Do." Joey Molland also wrote songs for Badfinger's next few albums, Straight Up, Ass, Badfinger, and Wish You Were Here.

Unfortunately, Badfinger would have problems with their label, Warner, which even rejected the album Wish You Were Here at one point. On top of this, there were conflicts between band members themselves. It was then that Joey Molland left Badfinger in late 1974. It was in April 1975 that he formed Natural Gas with  Jerry Shirley (formerly of Humble Pie). They released the album Private Stock in 1976, but disbanded in 1977. As to Badfinger, lead vocalist Pete Ham committed suicide on April 24 1975. The following moth Warner terminated their contract with Badfinger, after which the band broke up.

It was in 1977 that drummer Kenny Harck and guitarist Joe Tansin expressed the desire to form a new band with Joey Molland. The group needed a bassist, so Joey Molland brought Tom Evans onto the project. It was their label Elektra Records, who encouraged them to use the name Badfinger. It was then in 1979 that this new incarnation of Badfinger released the album Airwaves. With a different lineup, but retaining Tom Evans and Joey Molland, they released the album Say No More in 1981. Tom Evans and Joey Molland split up following Say No More. Until Tom Evans's 1983 suicide they both led touring bands called "Badfinger."

In 1983 Joey Molland released his first solo album, After the Pearl. It would be followed by five more solo albums, the last of which was Be True to Yourself in 2020. Joey Molland appeared as a guest artist a few times, including on George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh, George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass, John Lennon's album Imagine, and folk-duo John & Mary's album Victory Gardens. He produced Tim Schools's albums Wear a New Face and Love Her. In 2015 he collaborated with 10,000 Maniacs on a a cover of the Badfinger song "Sweet Tuesday Morning."  In 2019 he toured with  Todd Rundgren, Jason Scheff, Micky Dolenz, and Christopher Cross in tribute to The Beatles' "White Album." The tour was called, "It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to the Beatles' White Album."

While the career of Badfinger was one of the most tragic in the history of rock music, they were also one of the most pivotal bands in the evolution of power pop. As both a musician and a composer, Joey Molland was responsible for much of the band's success and much of the reason they would have a lasting influence on power pop groups from The Raspberries to Big Star to Cheap Trick. His guitar playing was precise and energetic, and would have a lasting impact on guitarists even beyond power pop. He either wrote or co-wrote some of Badfinger's more notable songs, including their singles "Love is Easy," "Love is Gonna Come at Last," "I Got You," and "Because of You." He also toured with Joey Mollland's Badfinger, for years, introducing the band's music to new generations.  Joey Molland was a talented musician and a true pioneer.

Godspeed David Johansen

David Johansen, the lead singer of The New York Dolls who also recorded jump blues, swing, and novelty songs as Buster Poindexter, died on February 28 2025 at the age of 75 from cancer.

David Johansen was born on Staten Island on January 9 1950. In the late Sixties he sang with the local Staten Island band The Vagabond Missionaries. He appeared in plays for Charles Ludlum's Ridiculous Theatrical Company. It was bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane and drummer Billy Murcia who approached David Johansen about joining their band The New York Dolls. The band's name was taken from the New York Doll Hospital, a doll repair shop in New York City.

The New York Dolls took glam rock to the extreme, not only wearing makeup, but satin and high heels as well. As to their music, it was proto-punk or outright punk. The band developed a cult following in New York City. They even opened for Rod Stewart when he played in London. It was in London, at only 21 years of age, that drummer Billy Murcia died of an overdose. They signed with Mercury Records in March 1973.

Ultimately, The New York Dolls would not last long. They recorded two albums for Mercury: their self-titled debut album in 1973 and Too Much Too Soon in 1974. By 1975 problems had developed in the band. There were artistic differences between the members. Drugs and alcohol were also taking their toll on some members. Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan left the band. David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain continued The New York Dolls with new members (among them Steve Duren, later Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P.). In August 1975 their contract with Mercury ended. They played their last show at Max's Kansas City in New York City on December 30 1976, sharing a bill with Blondie.

After the dissolution of The New York Dolls, David Johansen formed The David Johansen Group and released a self-titled solo album in 1978. It was followed by the album In Style in 1979, Here Comes the Night in 1981, and Sweet Revenge in 1984. There were also two live albums.

It was in the late Eighties that David Johansen created the alter ego of Buster Poindexter. Buster Poindexter would have a minor hit with "Hot Hot Hot," which went to no. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. There would be four Buster Poindexter albums,  Buster Poindexter (1987),  Buster Goes Berserk (1989), Buster's Happy Hour (1994), and Buster's Spanish Rocketship (1997).

David Johansen formed the band The Harry Smiths, named for Harry Everett Smith, who compiled the Anthology of American Folk Music. They released two albums, David Johansen and The Harry Smiths in 2000 and Shaker in 2002. It was in 2004 that David Johansen reunited with Killer Kane and Sylvain Sylvain for a tour of The New York Dolls. Unfortunately, Killer Kane died not long after their reunion concert. The New York Dolls recorded a new album,  One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This, released in 2006. It would be followed by two more albums, Cause I Sez So in 2009 and in Dancing Backward in High Heels in 2011. The band eventually broke up one last time. Sylvain Sylvain died in 2021.

David Johansen also had an acting career. He appeared as a singer at a party in an episode of Miami Vice in 1985. In the late Eighties he appeared on the TV show The Equalizer and in the movies Candy Mountain (1987), Married to the Mob (1988), Scrooged (1988), Let It Ride (1989), Tales From the Darkside, The Movie (1990).

In the Nineties he appeared on the TV shows The Adventures of Pete and Pete, CBS Schoolbreak Special, Cupid, and Oz. He appeared in the movies Desire and Hell at Sunset Motel (1991), Freejack (1992), Mr. Nanny (1993), Naked in New York (1993), Car 54, Where Are You? (1994), Buntzy's Last Call (1995), Nick and Jane (1997), The Deli (1997), The Tic Code (1998), and 200 Cigarettes (1999). He was a voice in the animated movie Cats Don't Dance (1997).

In the Naughts David Johansen guest starred on the TV show Deadline and was a guest voice on Arena and Centaurworld. He appeared in the special A Very Murray Christmas. He appeared in the movies Campfire Stories (2001), God is on Their Side (2002), and Crooked Lines (2003). In the Teens he appeared in the movies Glass Chin (2014) and Above the Shadows (2019).

The New York Dolls appeared only briefly on the scene in the Seventies, yet they had an enormous influence. Their style was a blend of the blues influenced rock of The Rolling Stones, the raw garage rock of The Stooges, the pop sensibility of T. Rex, and the girl groups of the Sixties. What they performed has been termed proto-punk, although an argument can be made that The New York Dolls were already playing punk before the term became common. Regardless, they would have a lasting impact on punk and heavy metal, influencing such diverse groups as  Richard Hell and The Voidoids,  The Damned, The Stilettos, The Brats,  Hanoi Rocks,  and even Guns 'n' Roses.

Much of The New York Dolls' impact was due to David Johansen, who wrote nearly all of their songs. What is more remarkable is that David Johansen was very versatile when it came to music styles. Not only did he pioneer punk rock with The New York Dolls, but as Buster Poindexter he performed everything from jump blues to swing to jazz. It could even be argued that as Buster Poindexter, David Johansen helped spur the Swing Revival of the Nineties.  Few music artists have the influence that David Johansen did. It was because he was a major talent.

The 40th Anniversary of Moonlighting

Forty years ago, on March 3 1985, the TV series Moonlighting debuted on ABC. Moonlighting was a dramatic shift from many of the other shows airing at the time. In fact, it would be the first series to ever be nominated for both the Directors Guild of America awards for Best Drama and Best Comedy in the same year. Moonlighting not only blended comedy and drama, but romance, mystery, suspense, and even fantasy as well. Moonlighting was also one of th earliest shows to be "meta," not only referencing itself, but a good deal of pop culture as well. It was perhaps the only show on at the time that regularly broke the fourth wall.

Moonlighting centred on former high fashion model Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shpeherd), who found herself bankrupt after her accountant embezzled and fled with her fortune. In order to even pay her mortgage she had to liquidate her assets, which is when she learned that she owned the City of Angels Detective Agency,. To save his job, detective David Addison (Bruce Willis) talks Maddie into keeping the agency, at which point the two become business partners. The City of Angels Detective Agency is then renamed the Blue Moon Detective Agency., taking its name from the the Blue Moon Shampoo Company for whom Maddie had done advertisements as a model. Much of the show's appeal was owed to the sexual tension between Maddie and David, and the series owed a good deal to such classic screwball comedies as Twentieth Century (1934), Bringing Up Baby (1938), and His Girl Friday (1940).

Maddie and David were not the only employees at the Blue Moon Detective Agency.  Agnes DiPesto, (Alyce Beasley) was the agency's quirky receptionist who answered the phone in rhyme. Herbert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) began working at the agency as a temporary employee and then became a junior detective. A romance would develop between Agnes and Herbert.

Glenn Gordon Caron was a writer and supervisor on the show Remington Steele, which also focused on the sexual tension between its leads, when he was approached by ABC  Lewis H. Erlicht, who admired Mr. Caron's work on both Taxi and Remington Steele. Mr. Erlicht wanted Mr. Caron to create a detective show with a well-known star as the lead that would appeal to mostly upper class viewers. In response to Lewis H. Erlicht's request, Glenn Gordon Caron asked, "What if it's a romance?" Mr. Erlicht replied, "I don't care what it is, as long as it is a detective show." Glenn Gordon Caron has said that he was inspired by a production of The Taming of the Shrew he had seen in Central Park  in New York City starring Meryl Streep and Raul Julia.

The role of Maddie Hayes was written specifically for Cybill Shepherd, whose career already included the films The Last Picture Show (1971), The Heartbreak Kid (1972), and Taxi Driver (1976). Cybil Shephard decided she wanted to do the show as soon as she read the script for the pilot. In fact, she was largely responsible for the influence screwball comedy had on the show. It was in her first meeting with Glenn Gordon Caron and produce Jeff Daniel that she remarked that it reminded her of a Howard Hawkes comedy. When they didn't understand what she meant, she suggested they watch Twentieth Century, Bringing Up Baby, and His Girl Friday.

While Cybill Shepherd was the only actress considered for Maddie, the role of David could have gone to someone else. It was claimed that 3000 actors were seen for the role of David Addison. Among the actors considered for the role were Robert Blake, best known for the title role in the show Baretta, Rick Dees, a comedian and deejay, Harley Vention, who had played lawyer Derek Colby on the soap opera Guiding Light, and comedian Maurice LaMache, who voiced Inspector Gadget and later voiced The Brain on Pinky and the Brain. Supposedly the very last actor to audition for the role of David was Bruce Willis, Glenn Gordon Caron decided he wanted Bruce Willis in the role of David, but he had to fight with ABC executives to cast him.

In the Eighties most shows did anywhere from 22 to 23 episodes per season. Moonlighting did far fewer. as a late season replacement, it only had seven episodes in its first season. The season with the most episodes would be its second season, with 18. The number of episodes would decline in its last few seasons, until it only had 13 in its final season. Part of the reason the show had fewer episodes on average than most shows in the Eighties was its rapid-fire dialogue. Because of the rapid-fire dialogue, Moonlighting scripts could be twice as long as those for other hour-long television shows. Similarly, while most hour-long shows of the time took seven days to shoot one episode, a Moonlighting episode could take 12 to 14 days. Because of all of this, Moonlighting was one of the most expensive shows of its time. It cost $1.5 million per episode. Such high costs might have doomed many shows, but Moonlighting was saved because ABC owned it outright, so they could recoup the costs, and the show was a ratings success at a time when ABC only had a few hits.

Although it might seem that way, Moonlighting was not a hit right away. In its initial season it did not even rank in the top thirty in the Nielsen ratings for the year. Fortunately, the show became a hit through word of mouth. In today's terms, one could say it went "viral." For its second season, Moonlighting ranked at no 9 for the year in the Nielsen ratings. It ranked no. 12 for its third season.

Of course, much of the reason Moonlighting proved to be so popular is that it was unlike any other show on the air at the time. Indeed, many of its episodes remain remembered to this day. Indeed, the episode The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice" may be one of the most famous individual TV show episodes of all time. In the episode Maddie and David argue over a murder committed in the 1940s, complete with two dream sequences shot in black-and-white and set in the 1940s. "Atomic Shakespeare" featuring the characters of Moonlighting reimagined in a takeoff on The Taming of the Shrew. by William Shakespeare. The episode following "Atomic Shakespeare" was "It's a Wonderful Job," which was an homage to "It's a Wonderful Life." Other remarkable episodes included "Next Stop Murder," in which Agnes, Maddie, and David are on a train in which a murder mystery game turns real; "Somewhere Under the Rainbow," in which a client claims that she is a leprechaun being pursued by men after her pot of gold; and "Big Man on Mulberry Street," which featured a dance sequence set to Billy Joel.

Sadly, Moonlighting would not last. Following the third season, ratings for Moonlighting dropped so that it was no longer in the top thirty. The show had been rated no 12 in its third season. By the end of its fourth season it had dropped to no. 49. Many blame the show's decline in ratings on the third season episode "I Am Curious...Maddie," in which Maddie and David finally consummated their relationship. The show's creator, Glenn Gordon Caron had disputed this. Indeed, in the fourth season Cybill Shepherd was having her twins, with the end result being that Maddie and David actually have very little screen time together. A conflict also arose between Cybill Shepheard and Glenn Gordon Caron, with the Moonlighting's creator leaving the show.

The 1988 Writers Guild of America strike would make things even worse for Moonlighting. Its first episode of the fifth season would not air until December 6 1988. It should come as no surprise that its ratings dropped precipitously in its fifth season. ABC then cancelled the series.

There are only 67 episodes of Moonlighting, which were not considered to be enough for syndication in the late Eighties and early Nineties. While it would not be seen on local stations, it did run form time to time on Lifetime and Bravo. With regards to home video, the pilot episode would be released on VHS in 1991. Anchor Bay Entertainment released the entire series on DVD from 2005 to 2007. The show would not be available on streaming for years due to music licensing, but 2023 the show finally became available on Hulu. It is currently available on Disney+ and Tubi as well.

Although only 67 episodes were produced and for many years very little would be seen of Moonlighting following its initial network run, it would prove to be an influential show. After all, it turned Bruce Willis into a star. Before Die Hard (1988), before Pulp Fiction (1994), Bruce Willis was the star of Moonlighting. Although dramedies had before Moonlighting, it was the show that defined the genre. It also pioneered the use of musical numbers in a drama, leading the way for entire musical episodes of such shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Doom Patrol. Moonlighting's peculiar blend of comedy and drama, often tinged with fantasy, would influence shows to come, including Northern Exposure, Boston Legal, Veronica Mars, and even shows today, such as the aforementioned Doom Patrol. Moonlighting has been absent from television screens for much of the time since its original run ended on ABC, but it should really should be seen more. It was not only one of the most influential shows of the Eighties. It was also one of the best.

The Late Great Gene Hackman

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead on February 26 2025. Readings on his pacemaker indicate he likely died on February 17 2025. He was 95 years old. As of yet a cause of death has not been determined. Among the films in which he appeared were Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The French Connection (19710, and  The Poseidon Adventure (1972),. He played Lex Luthor in the "Superman" movies starring Christopher Reeves.

Gene Hackman was born on January 30 1930 in San Bernardino, California. His family moved frequently before eventually settling in Danville, Illinois. His father abandoned the family and Gene Hackman was raised by his maternal grandmother. Gene Hackman enlisted in the United States Marines when he was only 16, lying about his age to do so. He served as a field radio operator and also as a disc jockey. Following his discharge, Gene Hackman studied journalism and television production briefly at the University of Illinois. Afterwards he studied at the School of Radio Technique in New York. He worked at various radio stations in the Midwest. He was 30 years old when he decided to become an actor.

Gene Hackman moved to Southern California, where studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. There he met Dustin Hoffman. In 1956 the two of them went to New York City to pursue work there. Mr. Hackman supported himself through various jobs, including driving a moving van and working at a Howard Johnson's restaurant.

In 1961 Gene Hackman made his television debut in an episode of The U.S. Steel Hour in 1959. He made his film debut in an uncredited part as a policeman in Mad Dog Coll in 1961. He made his Broadway debut in a production of Children From their Games in 1963. Gene Hackman's big break came when he played Buck Barrow, the brother of Clyde Barrow, in  Bonnie and Clyde (19670. In the Sixties he also appeared in the movies Lilith (1964), Hawaii (1966), Banning (1967), A Covenant with Death (1967), The Split (1968),. Riot (1969), The Gypsy Moths (1969), Donwhill Racer (1969), Marooned (1969), and I Never Sang for My Father (1970). He guest starred on the TV shows Brenner, Tallahassee 7000, The Defenders, Look Up and Live, Naked City, Route 66, The Dupont Show of the Week, East Side West Side, The Trials of O'Brien, Directions, Hawk, The F.B.I., The Invaders, Iron Horse, CBS Playhouse, I Spy, and  Insight. He appeared on Broadway in A Rainy Day in Newark, Any Wednesday, Poor Richard, and The Natural Look.

In the Seventies Gene Hackman won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role for The French Connection (1972). He first played Superman's archenemy Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and would reprise the role in Superman II (1980) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. He also appeared in the movies Doctor's Wives (1971), The Hunting Party (1971), Prime Cut (1972), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Cisco Pike (1972), Scarecrow (1973), The Conversation (1974), Young Frankenstein (1975), Zandy's Bride     (1975), The French Connection II (1975), Lucky Lady(1975),  Night Moves (1975), Bite the Bullet /(1975), The Domino Principle (1977),  A Bridge Too Far (1977), and  March or Die (1977).

In the Eighties appeared in the movies All Night Long (1981), Reds (1981), Under Fire (1983), Uncommon Valor (1983), Eureka (1983), Misunderstood (1984), Twice in a Lifetime (1985), Target (1985), Power (1986), Hoosiers (1986), No Way Out (1987), Bat*21 (1988), Split Decisions (1988), Another Woman( 1988), Full Moon in Blue Water (1988), Mississippi Burning (1988), The Package (1989), Loose Cannons (1990), Postcards from the Edge (1990), and Narrow Margin (1990).

In the Nineties Gene Hackman appeared on Broadway in Death and the Maiden. He appeared in the films Class Action  (1991), Company Business (1991), Unforgiven (1992), The Firm (1993), Geronimo; An American Legend (1993), Wyatt Earp (1994), The Quick and Dead (1995)., Crimson Tide (1995), Get Short (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Extreme Measures (1996), The Chamber (1996)., Absolute Power (1997), Twilight (1998), Enemy of the State (1998), Under Suspicion (2000), and The Replacements (2000). He was the voice of Mandible in the animated movie Antz (1998). In the Naughts he appeared in the movies The Mexican (2001), Heartbreakers  (2001),  Heist  (2001),  Behind Enemy Lines  (2001),  The Royal Tenenbaums (2001),  Runaway Jury (2003), and  Welcome to Mooseport (2004). He retired from acting in the Naughts.

Gene Hackman was also an author. He co-wrote the Wake of the Perdido Star, Justice for None, and Escape from Andersonville: A Novel of the Civil War. with undersea archaeologist Daniel Lenihan. He wrote two additional novels on his own, Payback at Morning Peak: A Novel of the American West. and Pursuit.

I do not think it is an understatement to say that Gene Hackman was one of the greatest actors of all time. From his appearance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde his talent was obvious. He earned his Oscar win as the tough as nails Popeye Doyle in The French Connection. He was impressive as college professor Gene Garrison, whose relationship with his father (Melvyn Douglas) is strained, in I Never Sang for My Father. He earned an Academy Award nomination for Supporting Actor for the role. Gene Hackman played so many roles throughout his career and played the remarkably well. In The Poseidon Adventure he played the willful and gruff, but unconventional Reverend Frank Scott, arguably the hero of the film. In The Conversation he played  the intensely private surveillance expert Harry Caul, who finds himself conflicted when he hears what could be a murder threat in his recordings. 

While Gene Hackman excelled in dramatic roles, he was excellent in comedy as well. He isn't on screen for very long as the blind man in Young Frankenstein, but he is one of the funniest parts of what is already a very funny film. In The Birdcage he played the right-wing, homophobic, Republican Senator Kevin Keeley. In The Royal Tenenbaums he played the patriarch of the Tenenbaum family, an alcoholic former lawyer whose relationships with his children are complicated, to say the least. In Get Shorty he was B-movie directory Harry Zimm, who owes a huge, outstanding gambling debt. Gene Hackman had a knack for comedy and could be very funny.

In the end Gene Hackman gave a number of impressive performances throughout his career and he also played a wide variety of roles. Indeed, to adequately address every great performance of Gene Hackman would take a book. The characters he played were often one of a kind. As an actor, Gene Hackman was certainly one of a kind himself.

Glory (1989)

For most of Hollywood's history, the Black experience during the American Civil War was ignored. When Glory premiered in 1989, it was then a unique film. Indeed, it remains a unique film. Glory is a somewhat fictionalized account of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which one of the earliest Black regiments to serve in the American Civil War.

Glory (1989) originated with Lincoln Kirstein. Lincoln Kirstein was a true Renaissance man. He was a writer, co-founder of the New York City Ballet, philanthropist, and impresario. Among his books was Lay This Laurel: An Album on the Saint-Gaudens Memorial on Boston Common, which centred on the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and Robert Gould Shaw. Lincoln Kirstein thought the story of the 5rth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment would make for a compelling film, and so he sought a screenwriter to write a script based on the military unit.

He first turned to Lloyd Fonvielle, who had written the films The Lords of Discipline (1983) and The Bride (1985), but, in Mr. Fonvielle's own words, he was too in awe of Lincoln Kirstein to collaborate with him. He then directed Lincoln Kirstein to his friend Kevin Jarre. Kevin Jarre had written the story for Rambo: First Blood Part III (1985) and had been an American Civil War buff since his childhood. Kevin Jarre read Lincoln Kirstein's book Lay This Laurel, as well as the book One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard, as well as the lettres of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. and Brave Black Regiment - History of the fifty-forth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry by the Captain Luis F. Emilio, who was one of the officers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment also provided inspiration for the film.

As a script centred around a Black infantry regiment during the Civil War, the script for Glory (1989) was not particularly easy to sell. Eventually director Bruce Berersford committed to making the film, and he brought in producer Freddie Fields, who worked out a deal with Columbia Pictures,. Unfortunately, when David Puttnam  left Columbia Pictures as its CEO and chairman, pre-production on the film stalled. Bruce Bereford left the project afterwards. Freddie Fields then took Glory (1989) to Tri-Star Pictures. Tri-Star Pictures brought Edward Zwick onboard as the film's director.

According to an article from Entertainment Weekly, Edward Zwick fought to avoid making Glory (1989) "a white saviour narrative." He said, "I ended up cutting a lot of what the studio had tried to insist that we put in the script or even shoot, because it was just fine, but it wasn't essential." Ultimately much of what the studio had insisted upon adding to the film would be cut. Morgan Freeman, who played Sergeant Major John Rawlins in the film, said of it, "This is a picture about the 54th Regiment, not Colonel Shaw, but at the same time the two are inseparable." To insure the movie's historical accuracy, Edward Zwick turned to historian and author Shelby Foote.

Glory (1989) ws filmed on location in both Massachusetts and Georgia. Among the locations in Massachusetts were Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Appleton Farm in Ipswich, and the African American National Historic Site on Beacon Street in Boston. The locations in Georgia inlcuded Savannah, Jekyll Island, and McDonough. The opening of the film, portraying Battle of Antietam was filmed at the Battle of Gettysburg site.

Glory (1989) entered limited release on December 14 1989. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Roger Ebert gave the film four and a half stars and wrote of the film "Glory is a strong and valuable film no matter whose eyes it is seen through." In The New York Times Vincent Canby wrote, "Gloary is celebratory, but it celebrates in a manner that insists on acknowledging the sorrow. This is a good, moving, complicated film." Richard Schickel in Time wrote of the movie, "It's the movie's often awesome imagery and a bravely soaring choral score by James Horner that transfigure the reality, granting it the status of necessary myth." Glory was nominated for five Academy Awards. It won the Oscars for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Denzel Washington, Best Cinematography for Freddie Francis, and Best Sound for      Donald O. Mitchell, Gregg Rudloff, Elliot Tyson, and Russell Williams II.

Like many historical films, Glory (1989) does depart from history at times. Except for Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the members of the 54th film are all fictional creations. The movie gives the viewer the impression that the 54th was largely comprised of escaped slaves. In fact, the majority of the regiment was made up of freemen who already lived in the North, many of them educated and literate. Indeed, Lewis Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, served as a Sergeant Major in the 54th. The 54th also did not have any problems with being properly equipped.  While Black soldiers were only paid $10 as compared to the $13 paid to white, Colonel Shaw never tore up his voucher in protest. He did protest to father and the Governor of Massachusetts. There are yet other inaccuracies in the film beyond these.

While Glory (1989) does have many historical inaccuracies, there is still some truth to the film. Even in the North, African Americans were subject to racism and discrimination in the 1860s. Black solders serving during the Civil War did indeed have many hurdles to overcome. The white Union troops did not always make them feel welcome. Many of the scenes in the film, if they did not happen to the 54th themselves, happened to other Black units.

It is largely because of this truth that Glory (1989) is an inspiring film. It demonstrates the difficulties faced by one of the earliest Black units in the United States Army, and show show the 54th overcame them. Aside from being an inspiring story, Glory (1989) has probably led many to seek out the actual story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. It was critically acclaimed upon its release and is today a classic.

Michelle Trachtenberg Passes On

Michelle Trachtenberg died yesterday,February 26 2025, at the age of 39. The cause of death is undetermined. She was best known for playing the title character in the movie Harriet the Spy (1996), Dawn Summers on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Georgina Sparks on the TV series Gossip Girl.

Michelle Trachtenberg was born on October 11 1985 in New York City. She began acting when she was only three years old, appearing in commercials for everything from Whisk detergent ti Burger King and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. She made her television debut in 1991 in an uncredited part on the TV show Law & Order. She made her film debut in 1995 in an uncredited part in Melissa.

In the Nineties Michelle Trachtenberg had a recurring roles on the soap opera All My Children and the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She had  a regular role on the short-lived sitcom Meego. She was a panellist on the children's panel show Figure It Out. It was in 2000 that she began playing the regular role of Dawn Summer, the younger sister of Buffy Summers, on the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She guest starred on the shows Clarissa Explains It All,. Dave's World, Space Cases, Blue's Clues, Reading Rainbow, and Guys Like Us. She appeared in the movies Harriet the Spy (1996), Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), and Can't be Heaven (1999).

In the Naughts she continued to appear on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was the host of the Discovery Kids show Truth or Scare. She began playing the recurring role of Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl in 2008. She provided various voices for the animated series Robot Chicken.  She was one of the leads on the short-lived medical drama Mercy. She guest starred on the shows Six Feet Under, House, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and The Superhero Squad Show. She appeared in the movies EuroTrip (2004), Mysterious Skin (2004), Ice Princess (2005), Beautiful Ohio (2006), Black Christmas (2006), Against the Current (2009), 17 Again (2009), and Cop Out (2010). She was a voice in animated short "DC Showcase: Jonah Hex."

In the Teens Michelle Trachtenberg continued to appear on Gossip Girl. She guest starred on Love Bites, Weeds, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Sleepy Hollow, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. She was a guest voice on the animated series SuperMansion. She appeared in the movies Take Me Home Tonight (2011), Sexy Evil Genius (2013), and The Scribbler (2014). In the 2020s she guest starred on the 2022 revival of Gossip Girl. She provided a voice for the documentary Spyral (2024).

I think it is safe to say that Michelle Trachtenberg  will always be best remembered for Harriet the Spy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl. For myself, it has always been Dawn Summers that comes to my mind when I think of her, a role in which she excelled.. Of course, she played many other roles beyond Harriet, Dawn, and Georgina. In the House episode "Safe," she played a teenager who has had a heart transplant and is immuno-compromised as a result. In the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Weeping Willow" she played a teen vlogger who is kidnapped during one of her videos. In the Criminal Minds episode "Zugzwang" she played a character far removed from most she had played, the murderous Diane Turner. Michelle Trachtenberg had a talent for playing a wide variety of roles, and she played everything from ingenues to Abigail Adams in an episode of Sleepy Hollow. She was an enormous talent who died much, much too young.

Godspeed Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack, best known for her hits "The First Tine Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song," died on February 24 2025 at the age of 88. She in November she revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Roberta Flack had been born on February 10 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She grew up in Arlington, Virginia. She came from a musical family, and she learned to play piano while she was still young. She was only 13 years old when she played the complete Handel's "Messiah" for her church choir. She attended Stevens Elementary School in Washington, DC and Hoffman-Boston High School in Arlington. She was only 15 when she won a full musical scholarship to Howard University.

When her father died when she was 19, Roberta Flack left graduate school at Howard University to take a job as a teacher in Farmville, North Carolina. She taught music as a side hustle, and sang at various nightclubs. It was at Mr. Henry's in Washington, DC that she was discovered by y jazz great Les McCann in 1968. She was signed to Atlantic Records.

Her first single "Compared to What" was released in 1969. The same year her debut album, First Take, was released. Her debut album proved to be a hit, going to the top of the Billboard chart. Her early albums did very well, Chapter Two going  to no. 33 on the charts and Quiet Fire peaking at no. 18. Her first hit single was a cover of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," which went to no. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was after her cover of Ewan MacColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was used in the movie Play Misty for Me (1971) that the song proved to be her first major hit. It went all the way to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was not new when it became a hit single. It had appeared on Roberta Flack's first album, First Take, in 1969. It would be followed by "Where is the Love," a song with Donny Hathaway that went to no. 5 on the chart. This was followed by her second no. 1 hit, "Killing Me Softly with His Song." Originally recorded by Lori Lieberman, Roberta Flack's version proved to be a major hit. Later in the decade Roberta Flack would have another hit with Donny Hathaway, "The Closer I Get to You."

Following the Seventies Roberta Flack's hit songs would be more sporadic. "Making Love"peaked at no. 13 in 1982. In 1983 "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" went to no. 16. In 1991 "Set the Night to Music" made it to no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her last single was a previously unreleased 1971 cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," released in 2021. She continued to release albums into the 21st Century, the last being Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings the Beatles.

Roberta Flack received several accolades throughout her career. Because of the awards for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" she became the first artist to win the Grammy for Record of the Year in consecutive years .

It can be said that Roberta Flack's songs defied classification. They were not easily pigeonholed into any one category. They blended elements of jazz, rhythm and blues, and pop into something that was wholly unique. All of this was made possible by one of the warmest, most soulful voices in popular music at the time. With that voice she delivered her songs as if she was singing to the individual listener. Of course, here it must be pointed out that Miss Flack was not merely a singer of romantic songs, as she also dealt with Black empowerment and humanity in general. In the end Roberta Flack was one of the most powerful, most moving singers of the later half of the 20th Century.

The 75th Anniversary of Your Show of Shows

Clockwise from the left, Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, and Imogene Coca

It was 75 years ago today, on February 25 1950, that Your Show of Shows debuted on NBC. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Your Show of Shows.  It was one of the earliest comedy variety shows and would have a lasting influence on future sketch comedy shows. It introduced the world to performers who would become legends: Sid Casesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris. To this day it is ranked among the greatest shows ever made.

Given the place Your Show of Shows occupies in television history, it should come as no surprise that it was created by two legends. Sylvester "Pat" Weaver was truly pioneering NBC executive. He not only created Your Show of Shows, but also Today and The Tonight Show with Steve Allen, among other programs. Producer Max Liebman could be considered the co-creator of Your Show of Shows. For many years Max Liebman had been the theatre director at Tamiment, a resort in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. He also produced several shows on Broadway.

Max Liebman had earlier created the television variety show Admiral Broadway Revue, which aired simultaneously on NBC and DuMont, making it one of the few shows to air on two different television networks at once. Admiral Broadway Revue could be considered a forerunner of Your Show of Shows in more way than one. Not only was it directed by Max Leibman, but it starred Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Mr. Leibman had earlier worked with Miss Coca on The Straw Hat Revue at Tamiment and later Broadway. Sid Caesar had also worked with Max Liebman prior to Admiral Broadway Revue. He had worked with Mr. Leibman while still in the Coast Guard in the production Tars and Spars and then on Broadway Make Mine Manhattan. Some of the writers from Admiral Broadway Revue would later work on Your Show of Shows, including Mel Brooks, Lucille Kallen and, Mel Tolkin. Admiral Broadway Revue proved to be popular, but ultimately only lasted form January 28 1949 to June 3 1949. The show was so popular that it increased demand for Admiral television sets so much that Admiral could not keep up with the demand. Admiral then cancelled Admiral Broadway Revues so they could shift the money used for the show into manufacturing TV sets.

The ninety-minute long Your Show of Shows was the second half of a two and half hour programming block called Saturday Night Revue. The first half was hosted by comedian Jack Carter.  The Saturday Night Revue would only last until 1951, but Your Show of Shows proved popular enough to last until 1954. Although best remembered for its comedy sketches, Your Show of Shows not only featured sketches, but also musical numbers, stand-up comedians, and yet other acts. Your Show of Shows featured a wide array of guest performers, including Eddie Albert, Robert Cummings, Tom Ewell,  Nanette Fabray, Nina Foch, Paulette Goddard, Marilyn Maxweell, and yet others. Even Kukla, Fran, and Ollie guest starred on Your Show of Shows.

Of course, the writers who worked on Your Show of Shows are now legendary. Although he was also a member of the cast, Carl Reiner also numbered among the writers on the show. Among the other writers were the aforementioned Mel Brooks, Lucille Kallen, and Mel Tolkin. Among the other writers were Selma Diamond, Danny Simon, and  Neil Simon. Contrary to popular belief, Woody Allen did not work on Your Show of Shows, although he would write for Sid Caesar's specials following the end of Caesar's Hour.

The cast of Your Show of Shows would change very little throughout its run. Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca were with the show from the beginning. Originally they were supported by Tom Avera, who was replaced by Carl Reiner after the first season. Howard Morris joined the show just a little later. Choreographer James Starbuck (another veteran of Admiral Broadway Revue) also occasionally appeared on the show. In addition to Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris the show also included singer Bill Hayes, singer Judy Johnson, The Hamilton Trio, and opera singer Marguerite Piazza.

Of course, Your Show of Shows remains best remembered for its sketches. Among these were sketches featuring recurring characters, such as the Hickenloopers, a mismatched couple; storyteller Somerset Winterset; The Professor, who was seemingly an expert on every subject under the sun, The vocal trio The Haircuts;and yet others. Of course, among the best known sketches of Your Show of Shows were its parodies of movies, TV shows, and plays. Among its most famous parodies is "This is Your Story," a parody of the show This is Your Life. Among the films spoofed on the show was the foreign film and now the classic The Bicycle Thief (1948).

Your Show of Shows remained popular in its fourth season, even though it had declined slightly from its height in the ratings. NBC then decided to spin Sid Casear and Imogene Coca off into their own shows. Caesar's Hour debuted on September 27 1954 and, in addition to Sid Caesar, featured Howard Morris and Carl Reiner. It lasted three seasons. The Imogene Coca Show debutd on October 2 1954 and did not prove as successful as Caesar's Hour. It only lasted one season, despire including Mel Brooks and Bill Dana among its writers.

Your Show of Shows was broadcast live, and all that survives of Your Show of Shows are kinescopes. Sadly, this means that many of the series's sketches are either missing or only partially complete. It was in 1973 that a compilation of ten sketches form the show, Ten From Your Show of Shows, was released theatrically. In 1976 a series of half-hour compilations of sketches from Your Show of Shows were syndicated on American television. It was later run on Comedy Central. Compilations of sketches have been released on DVD.

Your Show of Shows was a truly revolutionary show. It is to sketch comedy shows what I Love Lucy is to sitcoms and Tonight Starring Steve Allen is to late night talk shows. It pioneered everything from recurring sketches to movie parodies and established many of the tropes of sketch comedy shows. TV series from The Carol Burnett Show to The Muppet Show to Saturday Night Live have all been influenced by Your Show of Shows. Its cast would go onto further successes. Carl Reiner would create The Dick Van Dyke Show. Howard Morris would become a successful television director and is remembered as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show. Its writers, from Mel Brooks to Neil Simon, would go onto further success as well. Seventy-five years after it debuted, Your Show of Shows remains one of the most influential shows of all time.

Samsung Should Keep Samsung Messages

Last September on my phone some times when I opened Samsung Messages there would be a prompt at the top of the app urging me to "upgrade" to Google Messages. After this happened a couple of times I went to the Samsung Members Community. There I found many who were complaining about the prompt to "upgrade" to Google Messages and I complained myself. Fortunately, the prompt stopped not long after that. Unfortunately, the prompts started again last week. This time I have complained on both the Samsung Members community and sent feedback to Samsung. Quite simply, I have no desire to switch to Google Messages or ever use Google Messages.

As to the reason for the prompt, last year it seems Samsung made the decision to prioritize Google Messages over their own Samsung Messages. As early as last July,, Samsung Messages no longer came pre-installed on the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6. It was in September that Samsung users (including myself) started getting the prompts to "upgrade" to Google Messages. Last month Samsung Messages was removed from the Google Play Sore, but it remains available on the Samsung Store. What is more, Samsung even updated Samsung Messages last month. It was also last month that Samsung caused some alarm when they said they were sunsetting Samsung Messages. Fortunately, it turns out Samsung had misspoken, as they clarified that Samsung Messages would remain available in the Galaxy Store. At least for now, it seems that Samsung Messages will remain available, even if it does not come pre-installed on newer phones.

Regardless given the anger Samsung users have expressed over the idea of Samsung Messages being discontinued or being forced to use Google Messages, I think it would be unwise for Samsung to discontinue Samsung Messages. Both last September and in the past week there have been a number of posts to the Samsung Members Community complaining about the prompts to "upgrade"to Google Messages. It seems a large number of people not only love Samsung Messages, but they absolutely hate Google Messages and refuse to switch to it. And, quite frankly, I can understand the reason why.

There is a reason I have put the word "upgrade"in quotation marks when discussing prompts to switch from Samsung Messages to Google Messages.From my standpoint changing from Samsung Messages to Google Messages would more properly be termed a "downgrade" It would be switching from a superior app to an inferior one. In my opinion Google Messages has one of the ugliest, most unwieldy interfaces ever made. It is certainly less user friendly than the Samsung Messages' interface. 

Samsung Messages also has features that Google Messages lacks. One can change the background colour of conversations or even add a background image. Samsung Messages has  recycle bin, so one can restore deleted messages up to 30 days. One an even sort conversations into categories. One big advantage for those of us who use other Samsung apps is that Samsung Messages is fully integrated with Calendar, Notes, and so on.

As to Google Messages, the one advantage it has that Samsung Messages does not is that one can easily access Google Messages on Windows PCs. Accessing Samsung Messages on a Windows PC is a bit trickier and requites one install the Link to Windows or Phone Link apps. Another thing Google Messages has that is lacking in Samsung Messages is support for RCS (Rich Communications Services). As for myself, I don't see this as a disadvantage. I do not use RCS myself nor do I wan to. I am perfectly happy with SMS and MMS.

Beyond whatever advantages either app might have, I also have to point out that another reason to use Samsung Messages is that Google already has something of a choke hold when it comes to Android apps. When the last time many people used a maps app other than Google Maps? How many Android users use Meet instead of another video communication app on their phones? Rightly or wrongly, Google has faced antitrust suits. In making Samsung Messages, Samsung provides Google with a bit of competition that it might not have otherwise.

I have used Samsung Messages ever since I first got a smart phone. I have tried out Google Messages and I have never found it to my liking. I consider Google Messages to be a far inferior app to Samsung Messages to the point that if Samsung does discontinue Samsung Messages, I will simply download and install another SMS app. I certainly will not downgrade to Google Messages. What is more, there are apparently many people like me. Given that, Samsung should not only continue to make Samsung Messages, but they should start pre-installing it on their phones again, make it the default messaging app on their phones, and make it available on the Play Store again.

Lynne Marie Stewart Passes On

Lynne Marie Stewart, who played Miss Yvonne on  Pee-wee's Playhouse and Charlie's mom Bonnie on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, died on February 21 2025 at the age of 78.

Lynne Marie Stewart was born on December 14 1946 in Los Angeles. She began her career as one of the legendary comedy troupe The Groundlings, which is where she met Paul Reubenes (best known for his character Pee-Wee Herman) and Phil Hartman. She made her film debut in 1971 in the movie Drive, He Said. In the Seventies she appeared in the movies American Graffiti (1973), Your Three Minutes Are Up (1973), I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now (1975), Tunnelvision (1976),l I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), Cracking Up (1977), Loose Shoes (1978), and The Last Married Couple in America (1980). She was a regular on the short-lived sitcom Husbands, Wives & Lovers.  She appeared on the TV shows Temperatures Rising; The F.B.I.;, Karen, Hawaii Five-O; M*A*S*H; Quincy, M.E;, Alice;, America 2-Night;and CHiPs.

It was in 1980 that she originated the role of Miss Yvonne, the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppet Land, in Paul Reubens's stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show. HBO taped The Pee-wee Herman Show and aired it as a special the following year. The Pee-wee Herman Show would lead to the development of the live-action, Saturday morning show Pee-wee's Playhouse on which Lynne Marie Stewart once more played Miss Yvonne. She also played Miss Yvonne in the TV special Christmas at Pee-wee's Playhouse. In the Eighties she was a voice regular on the Saturday morning cartoons The Ri¢hie Ri¢h/Scooby-Doo Show, Laverne & Shirley in the Army, Superman, and A Pup Named Scooby-Doo..  She was one of the cast of the sketch comedy show On the Television. She guest starred on the shows Madame's Place, One Day at a Time, Laugh Trax, Laverne & Shirley, The Jeffersons, American Playhouse, The Duck Factory, Dynasty, Remington Steele, TV 101, A Peaceable Kingdom, Night Court, and The Golden Girls.

During the Eighties Lynne Marie Stewart appeared in the movies Pandemonium (1982),Young Doctors in Love (1982), Weekend Pass (1984), Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1986),\Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Summer School (1987), The Running Man (1987), Moving (1988), and  Big Top Pee-wee (1988).

In the Nineties she was a regular on the show Night Stand. She was a voice on the animated cartoon Life with Louie. She guest starred on the shows WIOU, Empty Nest,  In the Heat of the Night, Batman: The Animated Series, Reasonable Doubts, The Ring of the Musketeers,  Herman's Head,  Hope & Gloria, The Tick, Dream On, Suddenly Susan, Caroline in the City, The Secret World of Alec Mack, Alright Already. Almost Perfect, Working,  and The Brian Benben Show. She appeare din the movies Double Trouble (1992), Clear and Present Danger (1994), Twin Sitters (1994), The Crazy Sitter (1994), Dunston Checks In (1996), Guinevere (1999), and Silicon Towers (1999).

It was in 2005 that Lynne Marie Sewart began playing Bonnie Kelly, Charlie's mom, on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Earlier in the decade of the Naughts she was a regular on Son of the Beach. She guest starred on the shows Spin City, The Brothers Garcia, According to Jim, Arrested Development, Significant Others, Grey's Anatomy, The Bad Girl's Guide, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Very Funny Show, American Body Shop, and State of the Union. She appeared in the films Enough (2002) and 50 Ways to Lose Your Lover (2004). She was a voice in the animated movie Barnyard (2006). She appeared as Miss Yvonne in the 2010 revival of The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway.

In the Teens she continued to appear on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She appeared on the shows Dating After Divorce, Austin & Alley, Good Luck Charlie, Child of the '70s, Benched, 2 Broke Girls, Go-Go Boy Interrupted, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Nobodies, The Cook Kids, and AJ and the Queen. She appeared in the movies Bridesmaids (2011), Sparks (2013), We've Got Balls (2013), and Hickey (2016)/. She was the voice of Aunt Harriet in the animated movies Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016) and Batman vs. Two-Face (2017). In the 2020s she continued to appear on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Lynne Marie Stewart was an incredibly funny woman, one of the funniest comedic actresses to work in television and on film from the Eighties to the 2020s. She was wonderful as Miss Yvonne, consistently cheerful while at the same time engaging innuendo (although they were toned down for Pee-wee's Playhouse. Among her other roles was Barbara, the cheating girlfriend of Squiggy in two episodes of Laverne & Shirley and a nun in an episode of The Golden Girls She had a gift for playing characters who, no matter how briefly they appeared, were always memorable. She was a fantastic talent.

Godspeed Olga James

Olga James, who played Cindy Lou in the movie Carmen Jones (1954), died on January 25 2025 at the age of 95.

Olga James was born in Washington, DC on February 16 1929. Her father was a saxophonist while her mother was a dancer. Her parents separated while she was still young and she was raised by her grandparents. She attended the Julliard School of Music, where she studied opera. Her first professional role came in 1952 when she performed in a production of Four Saints in Three Acts at a festival in France. She toured the Untied States with the all-Black revue Smart Affairs.

Olga James was the third member of the cast of Carmen Jones (1954) to be hired, after Harry Belafonte and Pearl Bailey. She made her television debut in 1955, singing at halftime during a game between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals. She appeared on The Steve Allen Show and Sunday Night at the London Palladium. She appeared on Broadway in Mr. Wonderful in 1956. During the Fifties she was very much in demand as a nightclub performer.

In the late Sixties and early Seventies Olga James had a recurring role on The Bill Cosby Show. In the Seventies she was the voice of Mrs. Thomas on the animated series Sealab 2020. On stage she appeared in a production of A Raisin in the Sun in London and a tour of The King and I in 1963. In the Sixties and Seventies she appeared in Inner City Cultural Center productions in Los Angeles.

Olga James started training as a therapist in 1983. In 1989 she received a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles.

I am convinced that had Olga James been born in a later time she would have been a major start. She was certainly an incredible talent. She had a high octane voice capable of great range, making her performances in Carmen James particularly impressive. Olga James also had considerable charisma. Personally I found Cindy Lou more appealing than Carmen Jones. While Olga James might not have had a career filled with credits, she will certainly be remembered as a great talent.

Julian Holloway Passes On

Julian Holloway, who appeared in  several "Carry On... films" and  appeared in a number of television shows, died on February 16 2025 at the age of 80 following a brief illness.

Julian Holloway was born on June 24 1944 in Watlington, Oxfordshire. His parents were actors Sterling Holloway and Violet Lane. He grew up in Penn, Buckinghamshire. He attended Harrow School in London, after which he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He was still at RADA when he made his film debut in Dentist on the Job (1961) and his television debut in an episode of The Avengers.He also guest starred on the American shows Fair Exchange and Our Man Higgins.

In the Sixties he appeared in the revue All Square, including a run in the West End at the Vaudeville theatre. He played a small role in The Beatles' movie A Hard Day's Night (1964) as Adrian, the assistant to the clueless ad man Simon Marshall (Kenneth Haigh) who tries without success to tell his boss that it is George Harrison to whom he is speaking. He also appeared in a small part in the Dave Clark Five movie Catch Us If You Can (1965). He made his first appearance in a "Carry On..." film in Carry On Doctor in 1967. He also appeared in the films Five to One (1963), Nothing But the Best (1964), The Knack...and How to Get It (1965), The Pleasure Girls (1965), The Jokers  (1967), Follow That Camel (1967), I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967), Carry On...Up the Khyber (1968), Hostile Witness (1969), The Last Shot You Hear  (1969), Carry On Camping (1969), Scream and Scream Again (1970), and Carry On Loving (1970).

During the Sixties Julian Holloway also appeared on stage in When Did Your Last See My Mother? which was performed by the English Stage Company at the Royal Court and then the Comedy Theatre. He played Corky in the TV series Ukrdige. He guest starred on the shows Our Man at St. Marks, The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre, First Night, The Saint, The Valiant Varneys, Gideon's Way, Pardon the Expression, King of the River, Before the Fringe, The Informer, The World of Wooster, ITV Play of the Week, City '68, The Liver Birds, Parkin's Patch, NBC Experiment in Television, W. Somerset Maugham, and Menace.

In the Seventies Julian Holloway was a regular on the TV show The Punch Review and he had a recurring role on Harriet's Back in Town. He appeared in one episode of the mini-series Elizabeth R. He guest starred on the shows Take Three Girls, The Shadow of the Tower, The Man from Haven, Dead of Night, The Edwardians, Conjugal Rights, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Ooh La La!, Bowler, Black and Blue, Helen: A Woman of Today, Marked Personal, BBC Play of the Month, Bedtime Stories,  Wodehouse Playhouse, Warship, Centre Play, Z-Cars, The Sweeney, Public Eye, Wodehouse Playhouse, Ten from the Twenties, Play for Today, The New Avengers, Jubilee, Seven Faces of Woman, Crown Court, BBC2 Play of the Week, Angels, The Professionals, A Horseman Riding By, Tilford's Change, and Keep It in the Family. He appeared in the mini-series Rebecca and the Christmas special Carry On Christmas. Julian Holloway appeared in the movies Carry On Henry (1971), Carry On at Your Convenience (1971), Young Winston (1972), The Stud (1974), The Hostages (1975), Carry On England (1976), Sammy;s Super T-Shirt (1978), Porridge (1979), The Great Rock 'n ' Roll Swindle (1980),  and Rough Cut (1980). Because of star Horst Janson's thick accent, Julian dubbed the voice of the title character in the movie Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974).

In the Eighties Julian Holloway guest starred on the TV shows Plays for Pleasure, Misfits, Minder,      Hallelujah!, BBC Play of the Month, Give Us a Break, Tall Tales & Legends, The Bill, Doctor Who, and The Chief, He appeared in the mini-series Nancy Astor, If Tomorrow Comes, The Endless Game, and A Season of Giants.

In the Nineties Julian Holloway was the voice of the villain Odlaw on the animated series Where's Wally? (Where's Waldo in the United States). He was also a regular voice on the animated series James Bond Jr. and Captain Zed and the Zee Zone. He guest starred on the shows Beverly Hills, 90120; Casualty; The Vet;; and Remember WENN.

In the Naughts he was the voice of Digby on the animated series Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future. He was also a regular on the animated series Father of the Pride. He was a voice in Disney's animated feature film A Christmas Carol (2009). In the Teens he had a recurring voice roles on the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Regular Show. He guest starred on the TV series Summer of Rockets. He appeared in the movie The Rum Diary (2011).

He also provided voices for various video games.

He was the father of model and actress Sophie Dahl with actress Tessa Dahl, the daughter of author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal.

I think it is safe to say that Julian Holloway will remain best known for his various roles in the "Carry On..." films, where he played everything from a licentious bus driver in Carry On Camping to a military medical officer in Carry On England. And while he had a gift for comedy, he could play other roles.While Horst Janson may have provided the face and body of swashbuckling vampire hunter Captain Kronos, it was Julian Holloway who provided his voice. In the New Avengers episode "Gnaws," he played one of two scientists who steal the growth serum they developed from a government lab (while considered one of the worst episodes of the series, Julian Holloway is good in it). Julian Holloway was certainly a talented actor and one who was welcome in any movie or TV show episode, no matter how small his role.

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" by The Temptations

While they worked in another styles, The Temptations remain best known for such love songs as "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and "I Wish It Would Rain." Regardless, one of their most remarkable songs was not a love song, but a protest song instead. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" remains one of the best known protest songs released by Motown, alongside "What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye.

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" was written by Motown legends Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Together Messrs. Whitfield and Strong had already written such hits as ""Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" for Jimmy Ruffin,  "I Heard It on the Grapevine" for Gladys Knight and The Pips (Marvin Gaye's version would be a huge hit for Motown),  "I Wish It Would Rain" (with Rodger Penzabene) for The Temptations, and "Cloud Nine" by The Temptations. Individually or with others, they wrote many more hits for Motown.

It was with their previous songs such as "Cloud Nine" and "Runaway Child" that The Temptations had begun to move away from the love songs they had recorded into a new sound that would be called "psychedelic soul." "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" was the fifth single to be released using this new sound.

Of course, as can be heard in "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today," The Temptations changed not only their overall sound, but their lyrical content. Instead of love and heartbreak, their songs now covered the issues of the day such as civil rights, poverty, drugs, and the Vietnam War. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" embraced many issues, given it addressed the general state of the United States in the late Sixties and early Seventies. The song makes reference to segregation, pills, taxes, unemployment, and many other topics of the day.

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today" was recorded at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit on April 12 and 14 1970. The instrumental track was recorded by The Funk Brothers, the group of session musicians who preformed the music on nearly all of Motown's songs from 1959 to 1972. They recorded nearly eleven minutes worth of music, although ultimately only four minutes was use for the single. The entire instrumental track could later be heard on The Undisputed Truth's cover of the  song on their self-titled debut album.

"Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" was released on May 7 1970. It peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It did well in Britain as well, where it reached no. 7 on the UK singles chart. Although inspired by the events of the late Sixties and early Seventies, "Ball of Confusion ((That's What the World is Today") remains all to relevant today.

Miss Topsy: African American Burlesque Star

When people think of the stars of burlesque, they tend to think of dancers like Gypsy Rose Lee, Lili St. Cyr, Tempest Storm, and Blaze Starr. All of these performers were white, but even in the mid-20th Century there were burlesque stars of other ethnicities. Among the most legendary burlesque dancers was Miss Topsy, one of the earliest Black women to become an international star in the field.

Sadly, while there are quite a few pictures of Miss Topsy to be found online, there is little in the way of information. What little I know abut her I found in social media posts by photographer Neil "Nez "Kendall, a few blog posts, and old newspaper articles found on Newspapers.Com and Newspaper Archive.

Miss Topsy was born Mary Elizabeth Thompson in St., Louis around 1942. She had been a secretary to the assessor in St. Louis prior to moving to Hollywood where she became a pin-up and lingerie model there. She was dancing at a Los Angeles Club when a saxophone player introduced her to talent agent Coralie Jr., who was well-known for launching the careers of offbeat performers. It was not long before Miss Topsy became a star in burlesque.

So popular was Miss Topsy that she was even able to tour the Deep South when many Black performers were not always welcome there. She even performed overseas. She had a long residency at the Raymond Review Bar in London in 1963. In 1964 she performed at the Gay 90s in Minneapolis and even had an article about her published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. In 1968 Miss Topsy performed at the Yum Yum in Kansas City, Missouri. She even danced in such places as France, much of Europe, and Japan. She also continued to be a popular pinup model in many men's magazines of the era. It was in 1973 that she decided to retire. and settle down. She died in 2021

I honestly wish I knew more about Miss Topsy. First, she was born in my home state of Missouri. Second, she was a true pioneer. She was a Black woman who made a name for herself and became a success when  racial segregation was a none too distant memory and discrimination was still a standard practice. She blazed a trail for other African Americans when it came to performing in burlesque. Finally, as one can see from her pictures, she was seriously pretty. I can easily understand why she was so popular.