I used to dream about entering one of these "Appear on the show" contests that would pop up from tome to time in teen mags and comic books but I don't think I ever did. I certainly never won but i enjoyed elaborate fantasies about winning!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Happy Jack Day
On Valentines Day, Jack Benny turned 39. It doesn't matter WHICH Valentines Day. Jack Benny ALWAYS turned 39. So Happy 39th, Jack!
When I was a kid, THE JACK BENNY SHOW was one of those TV programs that was simply a constant. I certainly didn't dislike it but it wasn't a favorite like ROY ROGERS or SUPERMAN or even YOU BET YOUR LIFE. We watched it pretty regularly, though.
And Jack was on many other shows as well, famously guesting with Lucille Ball multiple times on her various TV series.
After his regular run ended (after considerably more than a decade), it became a pleasure to see Jack in at least one TV Special every year, still playing the same stingy, exasperated character as always.
This year marks 40 years since Jack Benny's death...only he didn't die. He had long since ascended to legendary status and, of anything, his legacy has grown more and more popular over the years through reruns and home video. Most of the earliest pre-recorded Beta videos I bought were of THE JACK BENNY SHOW.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Star Trek Continues-Lolani
This is the second of the new STAR TREK CONTINUES episodes and it, like the first, is a wonderful, nostalgic and yet wholly original follow-up to the original series.
Not only do we get the return of an Orion slave girl but in a nice touch the episode brings us yet another person used to being painted green, Lou Ferrigno!
As with the best of the original sixties series, the plot holds up a sci-fi mirror to a real world issue--in this case, women's rights!
The cast is excellent. In certain lights and angles, Kirk really DOES seem to be Shatner! Although they pale in connection to the actual actors, the rest of the performers are more than acceptable with Michelle Specht a standout in her second outing as the confrontational Dr. McKenna.
You can catch LOLANI here:
Saturday, February 1, 2014
R.I.P. Christopher Jones
In the 1965-66 season, critics hailed Chris Jones, star of THE LEGEND OF JESSE JAMES as the acting find of the year! One great topic of discussion that dogged him, though, was his resemblance to the late James Dean, then already a cult figure. It got him noticed and talked about but he was more than just that look.
In 1968's feature film, WILD IN THE STREETS, Jones became the hottest thing in Hollywood but he didn't keep the momentum going with his next few films and, after a 1970 nervous breakdown, retired from show business to become a trivia question.
Ironically, like James Dean, his legacy consists of just a handful of screen appearances and some earlier TV roles.
Christopher Jones died on January 31st, 2014.
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