Musings on New Year's Eve

As we go into the year 2008, I’m wondering: Will we achieve world peace? Will we stop world hunger? Can I make it to midnight and watch the ball drop on TV without falling asleep?

I have serious doubts about that last question.

So, I’m going to put on a pot of coffee, maybe play a round or two of Scrabble, and see what happens.

In the meantime, my best wishes to all of you for a happy, healthy, safe, serene, fun-filled, adjective-laden, totally tubular New Year.

And, as always, thanks for reading. See you in 2008.

“Plastic Man”

Plastic Man, Plastic Man, does whatever a plastic can ….

Wait, I’m mixing up “Plastic Man” with “Spider-Man.”

The cartoon “The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show” ran from 1979 to 1981. It featured the adventures of the rubbery superhero Plastic Man, along with his cohorts Penny and Hula Hula. Plastic Man acquired the ability to stretch his body after being doused by acid. (And, he didn’t need four cups of coffee to be bouncing off the walls …)

The show also featured the adventures of Mighty Max, assisted by Yuk, the world’s ugliest dog. I remember Yuk’s head was covered by a dog house. And there was the“Rickety Rocket,” about four teenagers who run a detective agency along with their makeshift talking robot.

Here’s a clip from “The Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIoHDB1FUOM

For more information on “The Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show,” go to:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242224/plotsummary

For more details on “Rickety Rocket,” go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickety_Rocket

“Divorce Court”

Last a four-part series.

Truth be told, I’m not a “Divorce Court” watcher.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen some episodes when Mablean Ephriam presided over the show.

But, I haven’t seen it in quite a while, so it took me somewhat by surprise that Judge Ephriam had been replaced by Judge Lynn Toler. Toler rules over couples getting—sorry to keep shocking you all like this—divorced.

Her predecessor, Judge Ephriam, always reminded me of Rosetta LeNoire, Grandma Winslow on “Family Matters.”

Personally, I’m always amazed how many people would want to go through something like this on national television.

Check out “Divorce Court” at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282291/

You can go to the “Divorce Court” Web site here:
http://www.divorcecourt.com/

"The Newlywed Game"

Third of a four-part series.

Today, we continue following the course of love on television. Previously, we looked at “The Dating Game,” and then, “The Honeymooners.”

Now for a look at “The Newlywed Game.”

The game show was hosted by Bob Eubanks, and ran from 1966 to 1974.

It featured four couples, competing to see which couple knew their spouses the best. While their spouses were offstage, the other partner would answer Eubanks’ short series of questions. The couples would then be reunited and try to match answers. The process would be repeated with the other spouse going offstage, coming back and answering questions.

God help the poor spouses who endured being whacked with the answer cards when they didn’t match answers.

For more on “The Newlywed Game,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129702/

Check out this clip from YouTube.com. It’s a riot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0FholWREZA

“The Honeymooners”

Note: This post is the second in a four-part series following the course of love through television shows. Yesterday, I took a look at “The Dating Game.” Let’s stroll down memory lane and talk about “The Honeymooners.”

Definitely one of the classics. This comedy premiered in 1956 and starred Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows as Ralph and Alice Kramden. They lived in the same apartment building as their friends, Ralph and Trixie Norton, played by Art Carney and Joyce Randolph.

Ralph works as a bus driver, while Ed toils away working in the sewers. Ralph and Ed usually find themselves in some predicament, and, in the end, their wives are always there for them. Ralph would kiss Alice and exclaim, “Baby, you’re the greatest!”

One of my favorite episodes was when Ralph and Ed decide to chip in and buy a television set. They wind up putting it in the Kramden’s apartment, which of course causes friction when there’s TV schedule conflicts. OK, everybody say, “Captain Videoooooooooo.”

Here’s “The Honeymooners” intro from YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFy4kB1Yccw

Here’s a clip from “The Honeymooners” from YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePx2dJEv46Q&feature=related

For more on “The Honeymooners,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042114/

Next: “The Newlywed Game.”

Four-part series on the stages of love begins today

Today, I kick off a four-part series, going through the various stages of love. I’ll start off with “The Dating Game,” then I’ll look at “The Honeymooners,” “The Newlywed Game,” and, finally, “Divorce Court.” Hope you enjoy it!

“The Dating Game”

If you were looking for love—and tried the bars, social clubs, and blind dates—and still weren’t successful, there was always “The Dating Game.”

According to imdb.com, the show began in 1965 and ran for 15 seasons.

Hosted by Jim Lange, the show featured either a bachelor or bachelorette asking questions of contestants of the opposite sex, trying to determine which of the three were the right match. After a time, the interviewer would have to make a decision between (saying in my best Jim Lange voice) Bachelor Number 1 … Bachelor Number 2 … or Bachelor Number 3. (or bachelorette, depending on the episode).

And some people who would later become celebrities—such as Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman and Bill Bixby—turned up as contestants.

The show would close with Lange and the couples who had paired off gesturing a big kiss to the audience.

Here’s a clip featuring Andy Kaufman, better known as Latka Gravas from “Taxi”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALZz3vlIZiU

And one with Arnold Schwarzenegger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCH3w_LnmHE

And now another word from our sponsor …

Where has the Hawaiian Punch guy been? Did he leave Hawaii? Is that why we haven’t seen him? Maybe he’s in Jamaica, now asking, “How about a nice Jamaican punch, mon?”

Here’s a clip of the Hawaiian Punch guy—I just discovered his name was “Punchy” (how fitting!) from YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0TwnZDzFrk

More on Hawaiian Punch at wikipedia.org:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Punch

And we doubled our pleasure (and our fun) with the Wrigley’s Doublemint gum Doublemint twins. Sure, Wrigley’s may be able to double my pleasure, and my fun … but can they double my salary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANBuqQA7Zk4

Or how about the kids hanging out in the “Honeycomb Hideout,” hawking Post Honeycomb cereal. Did they all just love the cereal, or was it really just peer pressure? We may never know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmqsHtusefM

She could bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never, never, never (I think she meant never) let you forget you’re a man. Yes, it’s Enjoli perfume:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X4MwbVf5OA

And finally, how about the Reese’s peanut butter cup commercials, where one person’s eating chocolate, another’s eating peanut butter, and they collide and find that chocolate and peanut butter are “two great tastes that taste great together”? The clip features actor Robby Benson and Donny Most (“Ralph Malph” from “Happy Days.”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IfbqYwMYAA

Happy holidays!

--Brad Wadlow, Staff Writer

*

You can check out Staff Writer Brad Wadlow's "Totally TV" blog at: http://cnbrother.blogspot.com.

The bad luck tiki on “The Brady Bunch”

Why do the Bradys go on vacation? In the two-multi-episode vacations they took (I’m not counting the one episode camping trip where they all went camping for the first time), they run into problems.

When they traveled to the Grand Canyon, for instance, viewers wondered during the cliffhanger episode if Bobby and Cindy would ever be found after wandering away in the Grand Canyon. (Relax, they were).

And the Bradys really get into trouble when they all (including Alice) travel to Hawaii. Bobby finds a tiki idol on a construction site, and WHAMMO! Bad things start to happen, such as a wall hanging falling down and narrowly missing Bobby; a spider crawls into Jan’s bag and makes its way onto Peter’s chest while he’s sleeping with the idol on; Alice hurts her back while hula dancing wearing the idol, and Greg wipes out while surfing while the idol’s around his neck.

They talk to an island native, who tells them the idol has to be returned to its proper burial spot, or they will continue to have bad luck. While returning the idol, they are temporarily captured by a Professor Whitehead (played by guest star Vincent Price) who’s afraid the boys are going to steal his great archeological find. But, the boys are rescued when Mike and Carol Brady show up. The boys DO return the idol to it’s proper place, and good luck resumes. As least until the series is cancelled.

Here’s a YouTube.com clip of surfer dude Greg surfing and wiping out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSoUmsc2D4U

Here’s another YouTube.com clips with the Brady boys and Vincent Price:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y0Yf2MpCuA

For more details, on the “Tiki Caves” episode, go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0531151/

“The Mothers-In-Law”

This comedy, which premiered in 1967 (a very good year, since it was the year I was born!) starred Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard, as, respectively, Eve Hubbard and Kaye Buell.

Eve and Kaye are next-door neighbors, and their children (played by Jerry Fogel and Deborah Walley) marry each other. Try as they might, Eve and Kaye (the characters, not the actresses) can’t help but meddle in the lives of their newlywed kids. Herbert Rudley and Roger C. Carmel played Eve and Kaye’s frustrated husbands.

Executive producer of the show was “I Love Lucy’s” Desi Arnaz. Arnaz not only produced the show, but also made appearances on it as Raphael del Gado. His son, Desi Arnaz Jr. also made some appearances on “The Mothers-in-Law.”

What I remember most about this show were Kaye’s gestures when she was upset or angry.

For more on “The Mothers-In-Law” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061280/\

Check out some scenes from an episode of “The Mothers-In-Law” on YouTube.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P4Auf9zEI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEr76yYRFQ

“Wonderama”

As I’m typing this, I have the song “Kids Are People, Too” (wackadoo, wackadoo, wackadoo) stuck in the void that I call my head.

The part I remember most about Wonderama (hey, it’s been a while since I’ve seen an episode), is when the kids from the audience would come down and select a can out of a row of ten cans. Nine of them were filled with those fake, springy snakes that would pop out when the can was opened. And, in one can, there was a small bouquet of flowers.

According to imdb.com, hosts of the show were: Sandy Becker (1955-1956 and 1957-1959), Herb Sheldon (1956-1957), Sonny Fox (1959-1967), and Bob McAllister, (1967-1977). Bob McAllister is the host I remember. Well, him and Michael Young, who hosted the spin-off, “Kids Are People Too.” (McAllister hosted this show from 1978-1982).

Take a look at the clip I found on YouTube.com below. And check out the prizes of toys. Talk about memories! Do you know where your Chip Away statues are?

Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq1PMd15iRo

For more details on “Wonderama”:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290994/

For more details on “Kids Are People, Too”:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0226900/

“The Waltons”

It would be a quiet night on “Wadlow’s Mountain” back in the 1970’s. My family and I would be just turning in, five of us in a pop-up trailer in some RV park.

And, then it would begin ….

“Goodnight, Mom …. Goodnight, Dad!” I’d say from my spot, at one end of the trailer.

“Goodnight, Bradley!” my parents would respond. (I don’t think I’ve actually introduced myself as Bradley since around 1977, unless it was at a doctor’s office or some place where full names were required. But, that’s another blog.)

But, I couldn’t let it end there.

“Goodnight, John-Boy! … Goodnight, Mary Ellen!”

Yes, that’s right, “The Waltons.” To be honest, I wasn’t a big “Waltons” follower. The only episode I remember, for some odd reason (but, hey, that’s me) is the episode where Olivia (that’s Mrs. Walton to you, buster) contracted polio.

The show began in 1972, and revolved around The Waltons, a 1930’s mountain family.(who lived on “Walton’s Mountain”). It starred Ralph Waite as John Walton, Michael Learned as his wife, Olivia, and Richard Thomas as John “John Boy” Walton, Jr. John Sr. and Olivia had eight children—including John-Boy, and another who died at birth. Will Geer and Ellen Corby played the Walton grandparents.

You can watch “The Waltons” intro on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYyIPbPAQ2Y

Check out the imdb.com page on “The Waltons” here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068149/

Here’s some more on “The Waltons”
http://www.tv.com/waltons/show/1279/summary.html

Dr. Cassandra on “Batman”

I know, I know, I’ve already touched upon the villainess Dr. Cassandra appearing on the 1960’s show, “Batman.”

But, don’t think that’s going to stop me from talking about it further.

Portrayed by Ida Lupino, Dr. Cassandra, flattens the terrific trio of Batman, Robin and Batgirl with her Alvino ray gun into cardboard-like forms--with pulses!

Then, with the three crime fighters out of the way, Dr. Cassandra, accompanied by her sidekick Cabala (played by Howard Duff), makes her way into Warden Crichton’s prison office (thanks to her invention of pills that make a person disappear). Once inside, she gets on the PA system, and announces to the inmates she’s going to free all of the arch criminals, while keeping Warden Crichton at bay with her trusty Alvino ray gun. But, with apologies to all the others criminals in the pokey, just the arch criminals (who are housed, of course, in the arch criminals’ wing. “All others keep out!”) will be released. Freed from the slammer are: Catwoman (once again played by the incredible Julie Newmar), Penguin, Joker, King Tut, Riddler and Egghead.

The terrific trio are slid under Commissioner Gordon’s door like pieces of mail and are rescued by Alfred and restored to their 3-D selves once again. They find where the crooks are hiding and crash the party. But, the criminals take the disappearing pills, and well, disappear. So, our heroes and heroine turn out the lights so everyone’s on an even playing field. And, of course, in the end, good triumphs over evil, and the bad boys (bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when they come for you) and bad girls are hauled back to the pen.

All the arch criminals on the loose in Gotham City? Gotta love it. (Unless you live in Gotham City, that is.)

For more on this episode, go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0519521/fullcredits#cast

Here’s a clip from “The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra” episode from YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7aM-JpjyrI

Sundays with Abbott & Costello

Ah, childhood. Growing up in Hicksville, Long Island, I remember Sundays being a day of building Lincoln Log houses with my Dad (when I was too young to sit still in Church), going to the deli in the Bohack’s shopping plaza, and hot pastrami sandwiches.

And, of course, the Abbott & Costello movie shown every Sunday on Channel 11, which used to be WPIX.

Admittedly, I’m not a die-hard, gotta-stay-up-until-2 a.m.-to-watch Abbott & Costello fan, but I do have a favorites: "Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain.

Margaret Hamilton guest starred as a witch that Abbott & Costello go to see for a potion. While in her lair, the witch and Lou Costello have a duel with voodoo dolls. I loved Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz" (still do), so obviously, I loved Hamilton’s scene in this movie.

Check out this movie trailer for "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" on YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg5N9FJc__Q

Check out the classic "Who’s on First" routine here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPrm6luPmME

Socks and shoes: What's the correct way?

OK, I just walked into work. Arrived in sneakers and sweat socks since it's still a little bit icy out there. As I was changing into my dress socks and Bostonians, I flashed back on an "All of the Family" episode where Archie and Mike (AKA "Meathead") were debating whether the correct way to put on socks and shoes was a sock and a sock and a shoe and a shoe (Archie's way), or a sock and a shoe and a sock and a shoe (Mike's way).

Archie's reasoning: If there's a fire in the house, with two socks on, you could run outside and be even.

Mike's reasoning: What if it's snowing outside? Archie's way, his feet would get wet. Mike's way, he could hop around on one foot and stay dry.

Personally, I'm a sock and a shoe, sock and a shoe guy. (You're all learning WAYYYY too much about me through this blog!)

What about you: Sock and sock, shoe and shoe or sock and shoe, sock and shoe? Let me (and all the blog readers out there) know.

UPDATE: 1:03 p.m.: I've just polished off a Dr. Pepper and started in on my gourmet liverwurst sandwich. And still no responses. Maybe I was a bit too specific with socks and shoes. They can be sneakers , too. Or boots. I'd say sandals, but I don't know anyone who wears socks with sandals. (I'm sure there's someone out there though). The latter could also be said for high heels. Snow shoes present their own dilemma, because you have a boot in between the snow shoe and the sock. C'mon, guys and gals, don't make me soliloquize all day long by myself (that never leads to any good).

“Solid Gold”

“The sound starts to glisten, the more that you listen, and slowly it turns into gold … Solid Gold.”

That’s part of the lyrics from—hang on to your mousepads, bloggeroos, here’s a shocker—“Solid Gold.”

Each week, the “Solid Gold” dancers, clad in sparse, eye-catching garb, danced to the top 10 songs, beginning with Number 10 and working their way through to Number 1.

The show had several hosts during its 1980 to 1988 run—Dionne Warwick, Rex Smith, Marilyn McCoo, Andy Gibb and Rick Dees. In addition to those “Solid Gold” dancers, the show also featured musical performances.

Should my writing career ever fall through, I’m going to lobby the networks to bring back “Solid Gold” and demand I be cast as one of the “Solid Gold” dancers. Trust me, we need more comedy on TV.

Check out the “Solid Gold” dancers performing to the show’s theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENMy-b3gsSU

Watch the “Solid Gold” dancers count down a week’s top 10 songs. (Talk about nostalgia!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9_ZEtWqRyw

For more details on “Sold Gold,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080277/

And take a look at this page at TV.com:
http://www.tv.com/solid-gold/show/2476/summary.html

Todd wins "Survivor: China"

Todd Herzog just won "Survivor: China." While I've watched all the episodes, I can't say it's been one of my favorites. There really wasn't anyone I was rooting for. I'm just hoping that as soon after the last tribal council, Courtney got something to eat. But, congrats to Todd for being the sole survivor of "Survivor: China."

I'm watching the "Survivor: China" reunion show right now. Who ARE these people? Oh, that's right. They're the survivors. They clean up real nice.

"Big Brother" starts again next year. (I think the promo said some time in February). While I won't be bringing you episode-by-episode reports, I'll comment on anything big or funny or shocking or all three.

“Family Ties”

Nestled in the prime time-slot of 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, right after the powerhouse, “The Cosby Show,” “Family Ties” made its debut in 1982 and run until 1989.

When the show started, Michael Gross as Steven Keaton and Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton were the stars of the show. But Michael J. Fox, as young Republican, first-born, Alex P. Keaton, rose to meteoric fame (and would go on to star in the “Back to the Future” movie trilogy).

Rounding out the cast were Justine Bateman, sister of Jason Bateman (of “Silver Spoons” and “It’s Your Move”), as Mallory Keaton; Tina Yothers as youngest daughter Jennifer Keaton, and later, Brian Bonsall, as baby brother Andrew “Andy” Keaton.”

Others who would later join the cast were Tracy Pollan as Ellen Reed, love interest for Alex P. Keaton. On the show, Alex and Ellen broke up, but in real life, Pollan would become Mrs. Michael J. Fox. Courteney Cox, who would go on to star as Monica in “Friends,” would become the next love interest for Alex. Other regulars included Scott Valentine as Nick Moore, as Mallory’s boyfriend, and Marc Price as Alex’s friend, Erwin “Skippy” Handleman. (I was in college in Massachusetts and Handleman performed a comic routine there while he was starring in the show.

For more details on “Family Ties,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083413/combined

Check out the intro song to “Family Ties” on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iliLnQmaEOA

ABC's '4:30 Movie'

Anyone remember the 4:30 p.m. movie that used to run every day on ABC?

Some of the ones that were shown that stick out most in my memory:

• “Batman”: The 1960’s version, starring Adam West and Burt Ward. Batman and Robin battle not one, not two, not even three … but, four, yes, count ‘em, FOUR arch villains: Catwoman, Joker, Penguin and Riddler.

• “Planet of the Apes” week: Among them: Here’s a shocker, “Planet of the Apes;” also, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes,” “Escape from the Planet of the Apes,” and “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” and “Battle for the Planet of the Apes.” (I used to have the “Planet of the Apes” actions figures. Also had the “Star Trek” ship that I bought at a garage sale, but no action figures. So, the apes wound up in space instead. It was one small step for man, one giant step for monkey.

• “Bad Ronald”: A mother hides her son in her house after he accidentally commits a murder. Kim Hunter (“Zira” of “Planet of the Apes” fame, played Ronald’s mom).

Check out the intro to the 4:30 Movie. I always thought the guy with the camera looked like a dog when it zoomed out. (You should see me with ink blots …)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2es-lfRSDOI

For a look at “The Planet of the Apes,” go to:
http://www.theforbidden-zone.com/movies/index.shtml

Here’s a clip I found on YouTube.com from “Bad Ronald”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a80O75TfSvU

“The Munsters”

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re altogether ooky …

Wait, that’s “The Addams Family” …

Have no fear, I’ll try get to that show in a future posting. Right now, let’s take a quick look at “The Munsters.”

Herman Munster (played by Fred Gwynne), who remarkably resembles Frankenstein, is married to Lily, who has long black hair with a white streak in it. They live in a big, old house (complete with cobwebs), with their werewolf son, Eddie, and Lily’s niece, Marilyn (who is an all-American girl, and thus dubbed by the Munsters as different). And, there’s also Grandpa (played by Al Lewis), a vampire/mad scientist with a laboratory in the Munster’s basement.

Two of my favorite things about this show:

1. The Munsters’ telephone. They would pull a cord and a coffin would emerge from the wall, with the phone inside. A morbid phone booth, indeed. (Phone booth? What’s a phone booth?)
2. The Munsters’ pet dragon, Spot, who lived under the stairs. The Munsters would push down on part of the banister, and the stairs would lift up and reveal Spot.

Take a look at the opening of “The Munsters” on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa5Bo6cgvoE

Check out this clip of a cast reunion (minus Fred Gwynne, who had passed away)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE25fBpgypc

Remembering Ike Turner

Ike Turner, half of the great rockin’ music duo, Ike and Tina Turner, passed away yesterday. He was 76.

Ike and Tina performed such hits as “Proud Mary,” “A Fool in Love” and “Shake a Tail Feather.”

Tina Turner—with or without Ike—is one of my favorites. I’ve had Ike & Tina songs on the iPod almost all morning long. (Which is pretty much like every other morning.)

Check out this clip of Ike & Tina Turner performing live in 1974 on “The Midnight Special,” which ran on television from 1972 to 1981:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdg4xeK9F9Q

For more information on “The Midnight Special,” go to:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229907/

For more details on Ike Turner, go to:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0877593/

Batgirl makes her debut

It was season three of the 1960’s show “Batman,” when one of my favorite characters on the series was introduced. Yes, that’s right, all you Batfans out there—Batgirl.

Yvonne Craig played Barbara Gordon, a librarian and the daughter of Commissioner Gordon. But, when trouble ensued (and it always did!), Barbara would head to her vanity table in her apartment, flip a switch, and the wall would revolve to reveal Batgirl’s changing area. (I’ve been looking high and low for apartments with a revolving wall, but I haven’t been able to find one.)

Batgirl would then go into the next room, go to a vault-looking thing on the wall, flip another switch, and her Batgirl cycle would appear. She’d come out riding her motorcycle through a secret ramp in her apartment building. She’d wind up assisting the “Dynamic Duo” in their crime fights, turning them into a “Terrific Trio.

And, of course, the only person who knew of Barbara Gordon’s secret identity was Alfred, butler at “stately Wayne Manor” and also keeper of the secret identities of Batman and Robin.

Unfortunately, season three would be the final season for “Batman.” (At least, as far as this series was concerned).

You can check out the “Batgirl” theme song on YouTube.com here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFidlZdAQxg

Take a look at this clip from the show’s next to last episode, where the three crimefighters are turned into cardboard-like shapes by Dr. Cassandra’s Alvino ray gun. They’re rescued by Alfred and brought to the Batcave, where faithful Alfred restores them. (One of my favorite episodes—Dr. Cassandra, played by Ida Lupino, frees all the arch criminals from the prison.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHCfRuowIvE

That was too cool! Thanks, Ruth!

I walked back into the newsroom Monday after a week's vacation of braving the malls searching for Christmas gifts, suffering writer's cramp from writing out Christmas cards (I tend to type much more nowadays than handwrite), and kind of dazed as I tried to get back into my "normal" (those who know me know there's no such thing) routine.

I approached my desk, and there it was. An envelope addressed to me,
"Brad Wadlow, Staff Writer," mailed to the Courier News. No return address.

Feeling like I was at the Academy Awards, I ripped open the envelope and pulled out the contents.

Oh, wow.

Out slid two photos: One was a color photograph of Ruth Buzzi as "Gladys Ormphby" from "Laugh-In." It was signed, "To Brad, Thank you for my great mention in your TV blog!! Love from 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In's' Italian sex goddess, Ruth Buzzi as ..... 'Gladys Ormphby' '07."

The other photo was a black-and-white headshot of Ruth Buzzi, autographed, "Thanks again, Brad! Have wonderful holidays! Sincerely, Ruthie '07."

As I said, there was no return address on the envelope, so I'm sending a great big thank you to Ms. Buzzi via my blog. Thank you, thank you. That was too cool.

“Lidsville”

Created by Sid & Marty Krofft, “Lidsville” is another show I remember vividly from my childhood.

It revolved around a teenager named Mark (played by Butch Patrick, formerly Eddie Munster on “The Munsters”). One day, Mark’s at an amusement park, taking in a magic show. He’s so enthralled by the magician’s act, that he stays behind after the show when everybody leaves. (Let this be a lesson: ALWAYS leave with the crowd). He finds the magician’s hat, and when he sets it down, it begins to magically grow into a huge top hat. Mark climbs up to look inside the hat, and suddenly, the hat shakes and rocks and tosses Mark inside. But, as you’ve probably already surmised, this is not just a run-of-the-mill magic growing hat. When Mark falls inside, he’s transported to … you guessed it … Lidsville.

Mark finds that Lidsville is inhabited by talking hats. But, there’s also the evil Horatio J. Hoodoo (commonly referred to as Hoodoo), played by “Match Game” staple, Charles Nelson Reilly. And, then there’s Weenie the Genie, portrayed by Billie Hayes (better known to “H.R. Pufnstuf” fans as Witchiepoo.)

Several years ago, I did find some of the episodes on video. (Those were the things before DVDs, remember?) Although I was a hands-down Pufnstuf fan growing up, I also enjoyed “Lidsville.” Especially when Hoodoo threw his hat up in the air and it came down as a flying hat-mobile. (Don’t try this with your own hats at home. The only thing you’ll accomplish is getting it stuck in a tree.)

You can check out the opening and closing parts of “Lidsville” on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOyG9WN9udI

For more details on “Lidsville,” you can go to:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066679/

I'm ba-a-a-a-ack (with some more old TV commercials, too!)

Welcome back, welcome back …

You thought I was going to start singing the theme song to “Welcome Back, Kotter,” didn’t you?

Relax, the only one I torture with my singing is my dog. But, it’s good to
be back after a week’s vacation. (They go by so quickly, don’t they?)

I’m going to revive the blog by talking about some more commercials.

Anyone out there remember the Calgon dishwashing detergent commercial? I have the entire commercial in my head now.

“How do you get your shirts so clean, Mr. Lee?”
“Ancient Chinese secret.”
“My husband, some hot shot. Here’s his ancient Chinese secret, Calgon.”

And people wonder why I have no short-term memory …

Or how about the McDonald’s jingle: “You deserve a break today. So get up, and get away, to McDonald’s.” And, I’ve decided I’m going to spend the rest of my life in Burger King so I can always have it my way, have it my way, at Burger King. I also became adept at knowing what went into a Big Mac long before I flipped burgers in my college days. (“Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.”)

You can check out the Calgon commercial on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojm1Xzwlc9Q

Take a look at this McDonald’s commercial (oh, the memories!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyRLP3rHr7A

And Burger King here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkg_XojVRcs