Godspeed Gina Lollobrigida

Gina Lollobrigida, the Italian superstar who appeared in such movies as Beat the Devil (1953) and Trapeze (1956), as well as the TV series Falcon Crest, died on January 16 2023 at the age of 95.

Gina Lollobrigidawas born  Luigia Lollobrigida in Subiaco, Lazio, Italy on July 4 1927. She did modelling in her youth and also participated in a number of beauty pageants. She was third runner-up in the Miss Italia contest in 1947.

Gina Lollobrigidamade her film debut in a bit part in The Black Eagle in 1946. In the late Forties she appeared in such films as Pagliacci (1947), Flesh Will Surrender (1947), Vendetta nel sole (1947), Mad About Opera (1948), Alarm Bells (1949), The Bride Can't Wait (1949), The White Line (1949), A Dog's Life (1950), Miss Itlaia (1950), and Alina (1950).

It was in the Fifties that Gina Lollobrigida became an international star when she appeared in her first American film, Beat the Devil (1953). During the decade she appeared in such films as A Tale of Five Cities (1951), The Young Caruso (1951), Four Ways Out (1951), Love I Haven't...But...But (1951), Attention! Bandits! (1951), Wife for a Night (1952), Times Gone By (1952), Fanfan la Tulipe (1952), Beauties of the Night (1952), The Wayward Wife (1953), Bread, Love and Dreams (1953), Le infedeli (1953), Beat the Devil (1953), Woman of Rome (1954), Bread, Love and Jealousy (1954), Crossed Swords (1954), Le Grand Jeu (1954), The World's Most Beautiful Woman (1955), Trapeze (1956), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), Anna of Brooklyn  (1958), The Law (1959), Never So Few (1959), and Solomon and Sheba (1959).

In the Sixties Gina Lollobrigida appeared in the films Go Naked in the World (1961), Come September (1961), La bellezza di Ippolita (1962), Venere Imperiale (1963), Mad Sea (1963), Woman of Straw (1964), Me, Me, Me...and the Others (1965), Le Bambole (1965), Strange Bedfellows (1965), Pleasant Nights (1966), The Sultans (1966), Hotel Paradiso (1966), Cervantes (1967), Stuntman (1968), Death Laid an Egg (1968), The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968), Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968), and That Splendid November (1969).

In the Seventies Miss Lollobrigida appeared in the films Bad Man's River (1971), King, Queen, Knave (1972), and No encontré rosas para mi madre (1973). In 1972 she appeared in the Italian mini-series The Adventures of Pinocchio as the Fairy with Turquoise Hair (more commonly referred to In English as "The Blue Fairy"). It was during the Seventies that Gina Lollobrigida began her career as a photojournalist. She photographed such celebrities as Salvador Dali, Ella Fitzgerald, Audrey Hepburn, and Paul Newman. She even managed to get an interview with Fidel Castro, then Communist leader of Cuba.

In the Eighties Gina Lollobrigda had a recurring role on the American TV show Falcon Crest. She appeared in the mini-series Deceptions and Woman of Rome. She guest starred on the TV show Love Boat. In 1996 she appeared in the TV movie Una donna in fuga and the movie XXL (1997). She retired from acting in 1997.

Gina Lollobrigida published four books: Italia Mia (1973), The Philippines (1976), Wonder of Innocence (1994), and Sculptures (2004). For much of her life she also pursued sculpting.

Gina Lollobrigida told Parade in 2000, "I studied painting and sculpting at school and became an actress by mistake." Nonetheless, she was a great actress. She was superb as the wife of Billy Dannreuther (Humphrey Bogart), Maria, in Beat the Devil. She also gave a good performance as Esmeralda in the 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She was also very good as personal nurse and a millionaire's widow falsely accused of murder in Woman of Straw. Her best performance may have been as the Mrs. Campbell of the title of the film Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell. She was excellent as a woman who is uncertain of her daughter. She gave a fine performance on the TV show Falcon Crest, playing lead character Angela Channing's (Jane Wyman) Italian half-sister who visit with a clam to the Falcon Crest vineyards. Gina Lollobrigida always gave good performances, whether it was on film or in television.

The Late Great Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck, the guitar god known for his work with The Yardbirds and his solo work, died on January 10 2023 at the age of 78. The cause was bacterial meningitis.

Jeff Beck was born on June 24 1944 in Wallington, Surrey, England. He was drawn to music from an early age and sang in a church choir when he was 10. He was 15 years old when he built his first guitar and then taught himself to play the instrument. He was influenced by such guitarists as Les Paul, Gene Vincent's guitarist Cliff Gallup, B.B. King, and Steve Cropper.

Jeff Beck attended the Wimbledon College of Art. Afterwards he was employed in a variety of jobs. In 1963 he formed The Nightshift. The band recorded one single, a cover of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday, on the Piccadilly label. For a short time he was the lead guitarist for the Croydon band The Rumbles and later the Chiswick band The Tridents. He played as a session player on The Fitz and Startz's 1964 single "I'm Not Running Away."

It was in March 1965 that The Yardbirds recruited Jeff Beck as their lead guitarist to replace Eric Clapton. It was while Jeff Beck that The Yardbirds produced many of their hits, including "Heart Full of Soul," Evil Hearted You," "I'm a Man," and "Shape of Things." It was in June 1966 that Jimmy Page temporarily took over as The Yardbirds' bassist following Paul Samwell-Smith's departure. He was bassist only until Chris Dreja could master the instrument. Once that happened, Jimmy Page became lead guitarist in tandem with Jeff Beck. Eventually Mr. Beck would be fired due to his often explosive temper and his perfectionism, as well as his tendency not to show up for concerts at times.

Following his departure from The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck recorded singles for Mike Most in 1967. It was also in 1967 that he formed The Jeff Beck Group with vocalist Rod Stewart and rhythm guitarist Ronnie Wood. While the line-up would change from time to time, The Jeff Beck Group ultimately recorded four albums: Truth in 1968, Beck-Ola in 1969, Rough and Ready in 1971, and Jeff Beck Group in 1972. While it had been recorded in 1966 before The Jeff Beck Group formed, Jeff Beck's instrumental "Beck's Bolero" was included on the album Truth and became one of his most lasting successes.

After the dissolution of The Jeff Beck Group, Jeff Beck formed Beck, Bogert & Appice with  bassist Tim Bogert, and drummer Carmine Appice. They released one album in 1973 before breaking up. Afterwards Jeff Beck would release twelve solo albums. He would also collaborate with other musicians, including Jeff Lieber on the 1992 album Frankie's House, the 1993 album Crazy Legs with The Big Town Playboys, and the 2022 album 18 with Johnny Depp. He also played on numerous songs with various artists, including "Trudi" on Donovan's album Barabajagal, Stevie Wonder's song  "Lookin' for Another Pure Love" on his album Talking Book,. Stanley Clarke's song "Rock 'n Roll Jelly" on the album Modern Man, and so on.

I don't think anyone can argue that Jeff Beck wasn't one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His level of technical skill was greater than most of the guitarists of his time. Furthermore, he was versatile, able to play the blues, rock, jazz, classical, and yet other genres. It was not unusual for him to blend various types of music together. What is more, Jeff Beck was an innovator. It was while he was with The Yardbirds that he introduced audio feedback and distortion on the guitar to rock music. Much of his work, particularly the Jeff Beck Group album Truth, would have a lasting impact on heavy metal. Rock music would certainly sound different without Jeff Beck.

Godspeed Carole Cook

Carole Cook, who appeared in the movies The Incredible Mr. Limpet and Grandview U.S.A. and made many guest appearances on television, died yesterday, January 11 2023, at the age of 98.

Carole Cook was born Mildred Frances Cook in Abilene, Texas on January 14 1914. She took an interest in acting after seeing her first stage production at age four. She graduated from Baylor University in 1945, where she studied Greek drama. She worked in regional theatre, and then went to New York. She made her Broadway debut in a revival of Threepenny Opera in 1954.

It was while she was in Warren, Ohio, appearing in a production of Kismet, when she got a call from Lucille Ball, who had read a review of her in Annie Get Your Gun. Miss Ball asked her to come to California to audition for the Desilu Workshop, Desilu's training program for young actors. She signed with Desilu and made her television debut in 1959 in the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse episode "The Desilu Revue," which highlighted many of Desilu's young performers (among them future TCM host Robert Osborne). In 1960 she appeared in two episodes of U.S. Marshal, a syndicated Western television series produced by Desilu. It was Lucille Ball who convinced her to use "Carole" as a stage name, after Carole Lombard whom Miss Ball admired.

In the Sixties Carole Cook made several appearances on The Lucy Show, playing the recurring role of Lucy's friend Thelma Green, as well as other roles. She also guest starred on Lucille Ball's show Here' Lucy. In the Sixties Carole Cook guest starred on such shows as Dobie Gillis, The New Phil Silvers Show, Kentucky Jones, Vacation Playhouse, Daniel Boone, My World and Welcome to It, and That Girl. She appeared in the movies Palm Springs Weekend (1963) and The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964). She appeared on such variety shows and game shows as The Bob Newhart Show (not to be confused with the later sitcom of the same name), The Hollywood Palace, Password, The Joey Bishop Show, and Dean Martin Presents the Golddiggers. She played Dolly Levi in a stage production of Hello, Dolly that toured Australia in 1965. She was only the second actress to play Dolly, after Carol Channing.

In the Seventies Carole Cook made more guest appearances on Here's Lucy. She had the recurring roles of Carole Crenshaw on McMillan & Wife, Flora on Chico and the Man, and Marie Stella on Kojak. She guest starred on the shows Sarge, Griff, Maude, Baretta, Ellery Queen, Emergency!, Bronk, Starsky and Hutch, and Charlie's Angels. She appeared in the movie American Gigolo (1980). She appeared on Broadway in Romantic Comedy.

In the Eighties Carole Cook appeared in the movies Summer Lovers (1982), Sixteen Candles (1984), and Grandview, U.S.A. (1984). She had recurring roles on the TV shows Dynasty and Cagney & Lacey. She guest starred on the TV shows Darkroom; Laverne & Shirley; Strike Force; Capitol; Trapper John, M.D.; Knight Rider; Hart to Hart; CBS Children's Mystery Theatre; The Love Boat; Quincy, M.E.; The A-Team; Magnum, P.I.; Murder, She Wrote; and A Family for Joe. She appeared on Broadway in 42nd Street.

In the Nineties Miss Cook appeared in the movies Fast Money (1996) and Lost & Found (1999). She guest starred on the show Strip Mall. In the Naughts she guest starred on the show Grey's Anatomy. She was the voice of Pearl Gesner in the animated film Home on the Range (2004). In the Teens Carole Cook had the recurring role of Pearl on the TV show Break a Hip. She guest starred on the show Major Crimes. She appeared in the movies A Very Sordid Wedding (2017) and Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting (2018).

Carole Cook was an amazing actress. She had a particular gift for musical comedy, possessing a good voice and impeccable comic timing. She always enriched anything she was in, from playing flirty hotelier Naomi Yates in Palm Springs Weekend to the title character's nagging wife in The Incredible Mr. Limpet. She was a delight on television as well, whether it was in a recurring role like Thelma on The Lucy Show or a guest appearance like Laverne & Shirley. Carole Cook was truly a great talent.

Earl Boen Passes On

Earl Boen, who appeared in three of the Terminator movies as well as such TV shows as It's a Living and Who's the Boss?, died on January 5 2023 at the age of 81. He had Stage 4 lung cancer.

Earl Boen was born on August 8 1941. He made his television debut in a production of Cyrano de Bergerac on Great Performances in 1974. In the Seventies he guest starred on the shows The Streets of San Francisco, What's Happening!!, Kojak; Rafferty; Hawaii Five-O; Wonder Woman; Police Woman; Richie Brockelman, Private Eye; Eight is Enough; Lou Grant; The Paper Chase; The Wonderful World of Disney; Barnaby Jones; The Jeffersons; Buck Rogers in the 25th Century; A Man Called Sloane; and Angie. He made his film debut in 1977 in the movie Mr. Billion. He appeared in the films The Fifth Floor (1978), The Main Event (1979), Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), and Nine to Five (1980).

In the Eighties Earl Boen had recurring roles on the television shows It's a Living and The Law and Harry McGraw. He had recurring roles on the shows Who's the Boss?, Mama's Family, and L.A. Law. He guest starred on the shows The Dukes of Hazzard; M*A*S*H; Barney Miller; The Powers of Matthew Star; Galivan; Too Close for Comfort; Voyagers!; Madam's Place; Three's Company; Fantasy Island; It Takes Two; Just Our Luck; Benson; Amanda's; St. Elsewhere; Night Court; Family Ties; Street Hawk; Otherworld; Me and Mom; Newhart; Remington Steele; Growing Pains; Silver Spoons; 1st & Ten; Punky Brewster; What's Happening Now!; Hill Street Blues; Knot's Landing; Dynasty; Gung Ho; Isabel's Honeymoon Hotel; ALF; Scarecrow and Mrs. King; Thirtysomething; Mr. President; Crime Story; The Oldest Rookie; The New Gidget; Hotel; Dallas; The Bold and the Beautiful; Webster; Star Trek: The Next Generation; Murder, She Wrote; Baywatch; Life Goes On; 227; Tales from the Crypt; Sydney; Matlock,; and WIOU. He provided voices for the television cartoons A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, The Further Adventures of Superted, Fantastic Max, and Paddington Bear. He appeared in the movies Soggy Bottom U.S.A. (1981), Airplane: The Sequel (1983), To Be or Not To Be (1983), The Terminator (1984), Movers & Shakers (1985), Touch and Go (1986), Stewardess School (1986), Walk Like a Man (1987), 18 Again! (1988), Alien Nation (1988), My Stepmother is an Alien (1988), Chrome Hearts (1989), and Marked for Death (1990).

In the Nineties Earl Boen had recurring roles on the shows Get a Life; Santa Barbara; L.A. Law, and California Dreams. He guest starred on the shows Seinfeld, The Wonder Years, Amen, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Family Matters, Herman's Head, The Golden Girls, Rhythm & Blues, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Golden Palace, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. On Our Own, Blue Skies, Empty Nest, The 5 Mrs. Buchanans, Living Single, Deadly Games, Ellen., Silk Stalkings, Sparks, Working, The Good News, and Boy Meets World. He provided voices for the animated television series The Pirates of Dark Water, The Addams Family, Bonkers, Skeleton Warriors, Batman: The Animated Series; Animaniacs; What-a-Mess, The Mask, The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, Bruno the Kid, Pinky and the Brain, Spider-Man, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, Zorro;  The Fantastic Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor; and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. He appeared in the movies Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), Sioux City (1994), The Dentist (1996), The Prince (1996), The Odd Couple II (1998), and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000). He provided one of the voices for the movie Gordy (1994).

In the Naughts Earl Boen was a voice on the animated TV shows The Zeta Project, Dexter's Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Justice League, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Grim & Evil. He guest starred on the shows The West Wing, Family Law, State of Grace, and The Practice. He appeared in the movies Now You Know (2002) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003).

He voiced several video games for much of his career.

Earl Boen was an extremely prolific, quite simply because he was so very good. On The Law & Harry McGraw he played Sgt. Howard Sternhagen, a police detective who sometimes helped Harry on his cases. On Mama's Family he played Reverend Meechum, the henpecked pastor of Mama's church. In the Terminator  he played Dr. Silberman, a criminal psychologist whose mediocrity is only made by his fanaticism. Throughout his career Earl Boen delivered a number of great performances.

Jack Carson: What a Character

(This post is part of the 11th Annual What a Character! Blogathon hosted by Once Upon a Screen, Outspoken and Freckled, and Paula's Cinema Club)

Like most character actors, Jack Carson was best known for playing a specific type of character, in his case affable fools who were often supporting characters in films. What set him apart from other character actors is that he played lead roles in several films. What is more, while he is best known for his comedic roles in films ranging from Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) to The Good Humor Man (1949), he also played supporting roles in such dramas as Mildred Pierce (1945) and A Star is Born (1954).

Jack Carson was born on October 27 1910 in Carman, Manitoba, Canada. His family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin when he was only about four years old. His older brother was character actor Bob Carson, who appeared in a number of movies and television shows. Jack Carson became interested in acting when he attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. In fact, it would be a production at a college that would lead directly to his career. He was playing Hercules and stumbled, nearly taking most of the set. It occurred to one of his friends at the college, Dave Willock, that Jack Carson's sheer size (he stood 6' 2") and his physicality would make for a good vaudeville act. The two then formed the comedy team of Willock and Carson, and proved to be a huge success on the vaudeville circuit. The team would eventually part ways, although Dave Willock and Jack Carson would work together again. Dave Willock was one of the writers on Jack Carson's radio program The Jack Carson Show, and also played the recurring role of Jack Carson's nephew Tugwell on the show. Dave Willock went onto his own career as a character actor, appearing in several films, working with Cliff Arquette (playing his character Charley Weaver) on the radio show Dave and Charley, and playing the title character's father on the sitcom Margie.

Jack Carson would move from vaudeville to radio, first appearing as one half of Willock and Carson on  Kraft Music Hall when Bing Crosby was hosting in 1938. He hosted The Camel Comedy Caravan from 1942 to 1943 before starring on The Jack Carson Show from 1943 to 1949. The Jack Carson Show was much like The Jack Benny Program, insofar as it blended the variety show and sitcom formats. Jack Carson played himself, with the show focused on his home life as a star. From 1947 to 1948 he starred on the radio show The Sealcrest Village Store.

Jack Carson actually appeared on film before he began his radio career, playing a bit part in You Only Live Once in 1937. Even so, his appearances on radio certainly helped his movie career. Initially signed to RKO, he found himself cast largely in bit parts in such films as Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Destry Rides Again (1939). It was after he signed with Warner Bros. that his career really began to take off. Indeed, in The Strawberry Blonde (1941) he played a role somewhat different from the affable buffoons for which he would become most familiar. He played Hugo Barnstead, a somewhat dishonest braggart who serves as the rival of the lead character Biff Grimes (played by James Cagney). He played a somewhat similar role in Love Crazy (1941), champion archer Ward Willoughby. He may well have been even less likeable as Leo Powell, the loud mouthed, egoistical trumpeter who is also singer Ginger Powell's (Priscilla Lane) husband in Blues in the Night (1941).

Fortunately, Jack Carson would switch from somewhat unlikeable blowhards to amiable sidekicks and other supporting characters. In the 1942 movie Gentleman Jim he played the friend of the title character (historical figure Jim Corbett, played by Errol Flynn). He played somewhat similar roles in such films as Princess O'Rourke (1943).  It was during this period that he appeared in one of his best known roles, that of police officer and would-be playwright Patrick O'Hara in Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).

It was also during this period that Warner Bros. developed what seemed like an unbeatable formula, teaming heart throb Dennis Morgan with Jack Carson.  Jack Carson played Dennis Morgan's amiable friend  in Wings for the Eagle (1942). In The Hard Way (1943) he played Dennis Morgan's business partner, while in One More Tomorrow (1946) he played Dennis Morgan's butler. It was Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson's rapport in One More Tomorrow that led to the movie Two Guys from Milwaukee (1946). Two Guys from Milwaukee was Warner Bros.' attempt to capture the same sort of success that Paramount had seen with the "Road to..." movies starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour. With Two Guys from Milwaukee, Jack Carson no longer played Dennis Morgan's sidekick, but was instead his co-lead, much as Bob Hope was Bing Crosby's co-lead in the "Road to..." films. Two Guys from Milwaukee would be followed by two more films with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson firmly in "Hope and Crosby"mode: The Time, the Place and the Girl (1946) and Two Guys from Texas (1948). Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson appeared one last time together in a movie in It's a Great Feeling (1949), in which they played themselves in a movie that today could be considered "meta." All in all, Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson made eleven films together. The two men were very close. Upon Jack Carson's death from stomach cancer at age 52, Dennis Morgan described him as his "best friend."

While Jack Carson was the co-lead with Dennis Morgan in many films, he also played the lead in his own movies. The first film in which Jack Carson was clearly the lead actor was the comedy Make Your Own Bed (1944), in which he played an inept private eye who must pose as the butler in the estate of a wealthy couple. He was top billed in Love and Learn (1947), although arguably  his role in the film is yet another best friend and sidekick (in that case, to Robert Hutton). He certainly was not the sidekick in April Showers (1948), in which he played one of half of a married song and dance act with Ann Sheridan. He also played the lead in Romance on the High Seas (1948), now best known as Doris Day's film debut. With their next film together, My Dream is Yours (1949), Doris Day had graduated to leading lady status.

Much like Make Your Own Bed, The Good Humor Man (1949) is definitely a Jack Carson vehicle. The film was meant to be a follow up to The Fuller Brush Man (1948) starring Red Skelton, with Jack Carson playing an incompetent Good Humor man who reads Captain Marvel comic books and is framed for a payroll robbery. Written by animator Frank Tashlin and directed by Lloyd Bacon, the film often plays like a live-action Warner Bros. cartoon. Following The Good Humor Man Jack Carson was the co-lead in a few more films.

While Jack Carson was best known for comedy, he played dramatic roles as well. Indeed, among his best known roles is that of Wally Fay, the title character's friend and lovelorn suitor in Mildred Pierce. His previous film Roughly Speaking (1945), was also a drama. He played the faithful, yet careless husband of Rosalind Russell's character. In A Star is Born (1954) he played studio publicist Matt Libby.

Of course, many of Jack Carson's films were musicals and he appeared as a supporting character in yet other musicals, including Dangerous When Wet (1953), Red Garters (1954), and Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). His only appearance on Broadway was in a musical, the 1952 revival of I Thee I Sing.

Like many actors Jack Carson would move into television. From 1950 to 1951 he was one of four alternating hosts of Four Star Revue along with  Jimmy Durante and Ed Wynn, and Danny Thomas. He also had his own show, The Jack Carson Show, from 1954 to 1955. He appeared on several of the anthology series of the Fifties and Sixties, including Lux Video Theatre,General Electric Theatre, Climax!, Studio One, Playhouse 90, The United States Steel Hour, Thriller, The Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He also appeared in episodic television shows, including The Bob Cummings Show, Date with the Angels, Bonanza, and Bus Stop. His final appearance on screen was playing the lead in the two-part episode "Sammy, the Way-Out Seal" on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

Sadly, Jack Carson died from stomach cancer on January 2 1963 at the age of 52. He left behind a legacy of great performances. While best known for playing affable buffoons, he could play other roles. In some of his roles he was not particularly likeable, such as Hugo Barnstead in The Strawberry Blonde and the big-headed Ward Willoughby in Love Crazy. In The Male Animal (1942) he played Joe Ferguson, former football star and rival to lead character Tommy Tucker (Henry Fonda). In The Tattered Dress (1957) he played the outright villainous Sheriff Hoak. And as pointed out, he excelled in drama as well as comedy, as demonstrated by Mildred Pierce, A Star is Born and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958).

Of course, even given the other sorts of roles Jack Carson played, including dramas, it is probably as the loveable buffoons for which he is best remembered. Whether it was a supporting role such as the  hapless Officer O'Rourke in Arsenic and Old Lace or a lead role such as inept Good Humor man Biff Jones in The Good Humor Man,  Jack Carson had a flair for comedy. His gift for physicality and his perfect comic timing, particularly combined with his large size, made him the perfect comedic actor.  Indeed, his comic roles are so well remembered that I suspect the mere thought of Jack Carson brings smiles to most classic film buffs's faces.

Announcing The 9th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon

It is that time of year when I announce the Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon. This will be the 9th Annual TV Show Episode Blogathon. The previous eight blogathons were successful, so it is back for another year.  For those unfamiliar with the Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon, it is a blogathon in which bloggers write entries about their favourite episodes of their favourite classic television shows. This year it will take place March 24, 25, and 26.

Here are the ground rules:

1. Posts in the blogathon must be about an episode from a scripted drama. Episodes of reality shows, talk shows, game shows, and variety shows are ineligible. That having been said, posts can be on episodes from any genre of scripted dramas: animated shows, anthology shows, detective shows, police procedurals, science fiction shows, situation comedies, and so on. I also have to say that episodes can be from scripted dramas that aired at any time of day. They don't have to be from prime time alone. If one wanted to write about his or her favourite episode from his or her favourite Saturday morning cartoon or daytime soap opera, one could.

2. Because this blogathon is dedicated to classic television and I think a classic is something that must have stood the test of time, episodes must be from shows that are at least 25 years old. That means one cannot write posts on episodes from shows that debuted after 1998 (nothing from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, let alone Abbott Elementary). Now here I want to point out that the episode itself does not have to be 25 years old, only the show on which it aired. Law & Order (the original, not the revival) debuted in 1990 and ran until 2010, so that its final season aired after 1998. Because Law & Order is over 25 years old, however, one could still write about an episode that aired in the 2009-2010 season.

3. Given my love of British television, it should come as no surprise that posts do not have to be about episodes from American shows alone. Posts can be about episodes from any show from any country as long as the show is a scripted drama and debuted over 25 years ago. If you want to write about your favourite episode of The Saint, The Little Hobo, Jaianto Robo, or Escrava Isaura, you can.

4.  I am asking that there please be no duplicates. That having been said, if someone has already chosen to cover "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" from The Twilight Zone, someone else could still write about another Twilight Zone episode.

5. In keeping with ground rule no. 4, I am asking that if you participated in the past years' blogathons that you write about a different episode from what you did the past years. That having been said, you could write about an episode from the same show.  If you wrote about the Star Trek episode "Amok Time" last year, then you could write about the Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles" this year.

6. I am not going to schedule days for individual posts. All I ask is that the posts be made on or between March 24, March 25, or March 26 2023.

7. On March 24 I will set up the page for the blogathon. I ask that you link your posts to that page. If you want you can use one of the graphics below or make your own!

If you want to participate in the Favourite Television Show Episode Blogathon, you can simply comment below or you can get a hold of me either on Twitter at mercurie80 or at my email:  mercurie80 at gmail.com.

Below is a roster of participants and the topics they are covering. Come March 18 I will make a post that will include all of the posts in the blogathon.

Realweegiemidget Reviews: Falcon Crest, "In His Father's House" (the first episode)

A Shroud of Thoughts: The X-Files, "Home"

Liberal England: Softly, Softly: Task Force, "Copper Wire"

Cinematic Catharsis: Kolchak: The Night Stalker, "Mr. R.I.N.G."

Cinematic Scribblings: The Avengers, "The Hour That Never Was"

Smoke in the Library: I Spy, "Home to Judgment"

Taking Up Room: The Sentinel, "Light My Fire"

Once Upon a Screen: Columbo, "Any Old Port in a Storm"

Doesn't She Ramble: Quantum Leap, "M.I.A."

In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood: Murder, She Wrote

Whimsically Classic: The Golden Girls, "Grab That Dough"

Films From Beyond the Time Barrier: Thriller, "The Grim Reaper"

By Rich Watson: Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, "What a Knight for a Knight"

Make Mine Film Noir: Moonlighting, "The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice"

Moon in Gemini: Laverne & Shirley, "Guinea Pigs"

The Stop Button: The Flash (1990), "Pilot"

Hamlette's Soliloquy: The Magnificent Seven, "Inmate 78"

The Flapper Dame: Full House, "Dr. Dare Rides Again"

Dubism: The Rockford Files, "Heartaches of a Fool"

13 Cinema Lane: Touched by an Angel, "Perfect Little Angel"

Mike's Movie Room: Naked City, "A Case Study of Two Savages"

Box Office Poisons: That Girl, "Don't Just Stand There, Do Something!"

Watching Forever: The Twilight Zone, "Little Girl Lost"

Silver Scenes: The Saint, "The Miracle Tea Party"

Below are some graphics you can use for the blogathon (or you can always make your own)!

Happy New Year 2023

It's a new year and as usual here at A Shroud of Thoughts we'll begin the year with vintage pinups. I hope all of you have a good 2023!

First up is Juli Redding, who is awaiting the stroke of midnight!

Next up is Carol Forman, who is welcoming 1947!

Alice White has her resolutions ready for 1929.

Jane Harker is welcoming 1946!

Myrna Loy is having to serve as the hands on her clock!

And last but not least, it wouldn't be New Year's Day without Ann Miller!

Happy New Year!