50 years ago this weekend, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” premiered on CBS. My Facebook feed is clogged with tribute articles that all repeat the same factoids, like how Mary Richards was originally going to be a divorcee but CBS thought viewers would believe she left Rob Petrie. Classic episodes are recalled, like “Chuckles Bites … Continue reading Love Is All Around
I’ve decided to write a blog about Earle Hagen. There is probably zero interest in this, but my quarantine weekends are so empty and mundane that writing something–anything–at least feels like hitting my binge-watching brain with jumper cables. I finally finished the massive “Best Of Mayberry” Time-Life DVD set which includes episodes of “The Andy … Continue reading Earle Hagen
I’ve been watching a DVD box set called “The Mayberry Collection.” It features a selection of well-remembered episodes from “The Andy Griffith Show.” There are also discs with episodes of “Gomer Pyle USMC” and “Mayberry RFD”, but I haven’t gotten to those yet. Fans of “Andy” are fortunate in being able to determine within 2 … Continue reading Andy In Color
Carl Reiner has died at age 98. 98 years old seems like a nice, long life…but no amount of years would have been enough for the man who gave us “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Now, Carl Reiner has done a million funny things–early sketch comedy with Sid Caesar; movie writing, performing and directing; being … Continue reading Alan Brady, We Hardly Knew Ye
I did a rotten morning show today. I was in a rotten mood, I couldn’t quite snap out of it and the show was just mediocre as all get out. Usually there’s something to point to with pride in a show that’s otherwise flat. Not today. This show just laid there and died. I don’t … Continue reading Behind Door #3: A Book Review(ish)
I’ve been watching a lot of Buzzr lately. Buzzr is a channel that shows old game shows. It’s what I watch now that MeTV has been brutally yanked from my channel lineup yet again by the heartless overlords at Spectrum. Anyway, I’m watching “Password Plus” (“It’s more than just Password! It’s Password PLUS!”) and like … Continue reading “Hi, doll!”
Earlier today, my former radio colleague and forever friend Kevin Horn posted on Facebook his list of The Top 10 TV Characters Of All Time. Here is Kevin’s list: 10. Sheldon Cooper9. Jonny Quest8. Lou Grant7. Archie Bunker6. Andy Taylor & Lucy Ricardo (tie)5. Columbo4. Barney Fife3. Bugs Bunny2. Fred Flintstone1. Ralph Kramden Some true … Continue reading TV Character Witnesses
I have an absurd collection of Christmas special DVDs. “Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas”? Absolutely. “A Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop Christmas”? Hell yes! But I do have my favorites. This list will not include “Charlie Brown”, “Rudolph”, “Grinch” or any of the other beloved perennials that any God-fearing American watches without fail every year. … Continue reading Wenty’s Top 10 Christmas Specials (Not The Ones Everybody Watches…the Rare Ones!)
Disney Plus! A streaming service which has scores of animated classics, every episode of the Simpsons, most Muppet movies and a bunch of other stuff. I signed up for this weeks ago, knowing it would be appealing. My greatest hopes for Disney+ were that they would throw a bone to old-school fans like me, and … Continue reading (Walt) Disney+: First Day Thoughts
TPIR stands for “The Price is Right.” (In case that isn’t clear.) I think Drew Carey is a fine host. He’s certainly better today than he was his first couple of years. I’d have chosen Marc Summers for the job-he was a great host on “Double Dare” and actually interned with Barker on “Truth Or … Continue reading 10 Things I Miss About The Bob Barker Era of “TPIR”
