Based on the movie, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Alice” starred Linda Lavin as Alice Hyatt, a widowed mother starting over in Phoenix, Arizona with her young son, Tommy (played by Philip McKeon, brother of “The Facts of Life” star Nancy McKeon).
Alice lands a job as a waitress at Mel’s Diner, run by Mel Sharples (played by Vic Tayback), who served up the food, yelling out a gruff, “Pickup!” when the food was ready for the waitresses to serve.
When the show started in 1976, Alice’s co-workers were the big-haired, Southern Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry (played by Polly Holliday), and “dingey” (as Mel referred to her) Vera Louise Gorman. Locking horns with Mel, Flo would shoot back, “Kiss my grits!” or when she thought something was impossible, she’d say, “When pigs fly!”
Holliday would eventually leave the show for her own spin-off, “Flo,” and was replaced by Diane Ladd as waitress Belle Dupree. Ladd, who appeared on the show from 1980 to 1981, would be replaced by Celia Weston, who played Jolene Hunnicutt. The show ended its run in 1985.
I always loved Vera’s loft bed. But, I wouldn’t want to fall out of it. (You can see it in the opening sequence of season four below. The bed, that is. Not me falling out of it.)
One of my favorite guest characters was Martha Raye, perfectly cast as Mel’s mother. Although I was quite surprised to see how tiny she was. Last time I had seen her was when she starred as Benita Bizarre on “The Bugaloos.” I guess a person seems taller when they’re cast against “bugs.”
For more info on “Alice,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073955/
Check out the opening sequence of “Alice” here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=423L76rzui8
Here’s the opening to season four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPSKK0zsMw
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
“Charlie’s Angels”
Once upon a time, there were three little girls who went to the police academy. And they were all assigned very hazardous duties.
But, Charlie took them away from all that, and they went to work for him as private detectives.
Each week, three female detectives, known collectively as the “Angels,” would be given a mystery to solve by their unseen boss, Charles “Charlie” Townsend (voiced by future “Dynasty” star John Forsythe.).
Running from 1976 to 1981, the cast of Angels would change more than Clark Kent in a telephone booth. When the show began, the Angels were: Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Farrah Fawcett-Majors.
Farrah, who played Jill Munroe, would leave after the first season (although she did make recurring guest appearances). Taking her place was Cheryl Ladd, who came aboard as Jill’s sister, Kris.
Then, the revolving door really got spinning. Kate Jackson, who played Sabrina Duncan, was fired, and replaced with Shelley Hack (Tiffany Welles). Hack would be replaced by Tanya Roberts as Angel Julie Rogers.
And, of course, we can’t forget the Angels’ trusty sidekick, John Bosley, better known simply as “Bosley” (played by David Doyle).
One of the episodes I remember most vividly is “Angels in Springtime.” Kris Monroe almost met her fate being smothered in a body wrap. Ouch. Nancy Parsons played the villainous Zora.
Here’s the show’s opening sequence from season 2, from YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KipeyVWA7Fo
Here’s a clip from the high-rated episode, “Angels in Chains,” set to Thin Lizzy’s song, “Jailbreak”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3X5GPm1gHU
And, you know you’ve hit the big time when you’re turned into a doll. Here’s a commercial for the “Charlie’s Angels” dolls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrqqxzU3DGY
For more information on “Charlie’s Angels,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073972/
For more details on the “Angels in Springtime” episode, go to imdb.com here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539176/
But, Charlie took them away from all that, and they went to work for him as private detectives.
Each week, three female detectives, known collectively as the “Angels,” would be given a mystery to solve by their unseen boss, Charles “Charlie” Townsend (voiced by future “Dynasty” star John Forsythe.).
Running from 1976 to 1981, the cast of Angels would change more than Clark Kent in a telephone booth. When the show began, the Angels were: Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Farrah Fawcett-Majors.
Farrah, who played Jill Munroe, would leave after the first season (although she did make recurring guest appearances). Taking her place was Cheryl Ladd, who came aboard as Jill’s sister, Kris.
Then, the revolving door really got spinning. Kate Jackson, who played Sabrina Duncan, was fired, and replaced with Shelley Hack (Tiffany Welles). Hack would be replaced by Tanya Roberts as Angel Julie Rogers.
And, of course, we can’t forget the Angels’ trusty sidekick, John Bosley, better known simply as “Bosley” (played by David Doyle).
One of the episodes I remember most vividly is “Angels in Springtime.” Kris Monroe almost met her fate being smothered in a body wrap. Ouch. Nancy Parsons played the villainous Zora.
Here’s the show’s opening sequence from season 2, from YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KipeyVWA7Fo
Here’s a clip from the high-rated episode, “Angels in Chains,” set to Thin Lizzy’s song, “Jailbreak”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3X5GPm1gHU
And, you know you’ve hit the big time when you’re turned into a doll. Here’s a commercial for the “Charlie’s Angels” dolls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrqqxzU3DGY
For more information on “Charlie’s Angels,” go to imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073972/
For more details on the “Angels in Springtime” episode, go to imdb.com here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539176/
Monday, January 7, 2008
“I Love Lucy”—Lucy meets Harpo Marx
One of my favorite “I Love Lucy” episodes. The Ricardos and the Mertzes are in Hollywood, and their friend Carolyn Applebee comes from New York for a visit.
Carolyn, of course, wants to meet all the movie stars Lucy has talked about. After hiding Carolyn’s glasses, since she’s blind as a bat without them, Lucy ducks out and dresses up as various actors, such as Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.
But, unbeknownst to Lucy and Ethel, Ricky and Fred have asked the real Harpo Marx to go up to the Ricardo’s apartment to surprise the girls. But, the surprise is not only on the girls—but on Harpo Marx, who discovers Lucy dressed exactly like him.
Check out part of the episode on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQVg1ghTijw
For more details, go to tv.com:
http://www.tv.com/i-love-lucy/lucy-and-harpo-marx/episode/17162/summary.html
Carolyn, of course, wants to meet all the movie stars Lucy has talked about. After hiding Carolyn’s glasses, since she’s blind as a bat without them, Lucy ducks out and dresses up as various actors, such as Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.
But, unbeknownst to Lucy and Ethel, Ricky and Fred have asked the real Harpo Marx to go up to the Ricardo’s apartment to surprise the girls. But, the surprise is not only on the girls—but on Harpo Marx, who discovers Lucy dressed exactly like him.
Check out part of the episode on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQVg1ghTijw
For more details, go to tv.com:
http://www.tv.com/i-love-lucy/lucy-and-harpo-marx/episode/17162/summary.html
Saturday, January 5, 2008
“Electra Woman & Dyna Girl”
Part of the Krofft Supershow in 1976, “Electra Woman & Dyna Girl” were a female version of Batman and Robin.
The show starred Deidre Hall as Electra Woman, and Judy Strangis as Dyna Girl. It also starred Norman Alden as Frank Heflin, who designed and constructed the superheroes’ equipment.
What I remember most about this show was the opening song, the duo battling the Spider Lady, and, of course, the spandex costumes. (OK, the spandex sticks out most in my mind). According to imdb.com, other villains included: Ali Baba and his cohort, the Genie; the Sorcerer; and the Empress of Evil.
You can watch the opening of “Electra Woman & Dyna Girl” on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXUSOLB3-NA
For more info, go to imdb.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXUSOLB3-NA
The show starred Deidre Hall as Electra Woman, and Judy Strangis as Dyna Girl. It also starred Norman Alden as Frank Heflin, who designed and constructed the superheroes’ equipment.
What I remember most about this show was the opening song, the duo battling the Spider Lady, and, of course, the spandex costumes. (OK, the spandex sticks out most in my mind). According to imdb.com, other villains included: Ali Baba and his cohort, the Genie; the Sorcerer; and the Empress of Evil.
You can watch the opening of “Electra Woman & Dyna Girl” on YouTube.com here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXUSOLB3-NA
For more info, go to imdb.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXUSOLB3-NA
Friday, January 4, 2008
“Taxi”
“Taxi,” which ran from 1978 to 1983, starred Judd Hirsch as taxi driver Alex Reiger, and mostly focused on the goings-on in the taxi garage. There was Marilu Henner as single mother Elaine O’Connor-Nardo, Tony Danza as boxer Tony Banta (ever notice that in both “Taxi” and “Who’s the Boss?” Danza plays a character named Tony? What’s up with that?), Jeff Conaway as Robert L. “Bobby” Wheeler, an aspiring actor; and Andy Kaufman as the foreign mechanic Latka Gravas. And, then there was Danny DeVito as the rabid dispatcher Louie De Palma. When the show first started, it also featured Randall Carver as Jeff Bennett.
I think my favorite regular character on the show was Kaufman’s Latka Gravas. Latka would eventually meet and marry Simka Dahblitz, played by the wonderfully funny Carol Kane. Among the guest stars was Rhea Perlman (who, according to hollywood.com, married DeVito in 1982, and would become a future "Cheers" star) as Zena Sherman, a love interest for Louie De Palma.
I remember the show being on during a 9:30 p.m. time slot. The show would end with someone walking out of a door and a woman saying, “Goodnight, Mr. Walters,” and he’d reply, “Uh-huh.” That was also my bedtime cue.
You can read more about “Taxi” at imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077089/
Here’s the opening scene of Taxi, found on YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzhwx8aOO0A
Here’s a clip from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmKHwkwBXNA
I think my favorite regular character on the show was Kaufman’s Latka Gravas. Latka would eventually meet and marry Simka Dahblitz, played by the wonderfully funny Carol Kane. Among the guest stars was Rhea Perlman (who, according to hollywood.com, married DeVito in 1982, and would become a future "Cheers" star) as Zena Sherman, a love interest for Louie De Palma.
I remember the show being on during a 9:30 p.m. time slot. The show would end with someone walking out of a door and a woman saying, “Goodnight, Mr. Walters,” and he’d reply, “Uh-huh.” That was also my bedtime cue.
You can read more about “Taxi” at imdb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077089/
Here’s the opening scene of Taxi, found on YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzhwx8aOO0A
Here’s a clip from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmKHwkwBXNA
Thursday, January 3, 2008
“Welcome Back, Kotter”
As I’m typing this, I have the “Welcome Back, Kotter” theme song in my head.
Running from 1975 to 1979, “Welcome Back, Kotter” starred Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, who returns to his alma mater high school, James Buchanan High in Brooklyn, N.Y., to teach a bunch of students collectively known as the “Sweathogs.” John Travolta—who would become a film star during the show’s run--starred as sweathog Vinnie Barbarino. (Everybody sing, “Ba…ba…ba…ba ba barino…”) The other three featured Sweathogs were Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack (“Ooh…ooh…ooh, Mr. Kotter!”), Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs as Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington, and Robert Hegyes as Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein (who consistently had a note from his mother excusing him from homework).
Constantly butting heads with Mr. Kotter and the Sweathogs was the assistant vice-principal Mr. Michael Woodman, played by John Sylvester White. And, there was Mr. Kotter’s wife, Julie, played by Marcia Strassman, who would patiently sit through Gabe’s joke about his family and endure unexpected visits from the Sweathogs.
Later in the series, Stephen Shortridge would join the cast as sweathog Beau De Labarre. John Travolta would make only guest starring appearances as he concentrated on his movie career. The Kotters became parents of twin girls, and Gabe Kotter was promoted to vice principal, while still doing some teaching.
One of the show’s most oft-used catch-phrases: “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”
If you’re looking for more info on “Welcome Back, Kotter,” check out these sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Back_Kotter
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072582/
Here’s the series’ opening scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU
Take a look at John Travolta singing the “Barbarino” song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy3IkXrgv3I
Running from 1975 to 1979, “Welcome Back, Kotter” starred Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, who returns to his alma mater high school, James Buchanan High in Brooklyn, N.Y., to teach a bunch of students collectively known as the “Sweathogs.” John Travolta—who would become a film star during the show’s run--starred as sweathog Vinnie Barbarino. (Everybody sing, “Ba…ba…ba…ba ba barino…”) The other three featured Sweathogs were Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack (“Ooh…ooh…ooh, Mr. Kotter!”), Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs as Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington, and Robert Hegyes as Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein (who consistently had a note from his mother excusing him from homework).
Constantly butting heads with Mr. Kotter and the Sweathogs was the assistant vice-principal Mr. Michael Woodman, played by John Sylvester White. And, there was Mr. Kotter’s wife, Julie, played by Marcia Strassman, who would patiently sit through Gabe’s joke about his family and endure unexpected visits from the Sweathogs.
Later in the series, Stephen Shortridge would join the cast as sweathog Beau De Labarre. John Travolta would make only guest starring appearances as he concentrated on his movie career. The Kotters became parents of twin girls, and Gabe Kotter was promoted to vice principal, while still doing some teaching.
One of the show’s most oft-used catch-phrases: “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”
If you’re looking for more info on “Welcome Back, Kotter,” check out these sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Back_Kotter
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072582/
Here’s the series’ opening scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU
Take a look at John Travolta singing the “Barbarino” song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy3IkXrgv3I
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
“Roseanne”
Comedienne Roseanne, then known as Roseanne Barr, got her own show, aptly titled, “Roseanne,” in 1988. She portrayed Roseanne Conner, matriarch of the Conner family, a working-class family who lived in Illinois.
The character of Roseanne was married to Dan Conner, played by John Goodman. They lived on Delaware Street with their three children—Becky (Alicia ‘Lecy’ Goranson, and later played by Sarah Chalke), Darlene (Sara Gilbert, sister of “Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert), and D.J., which was short for David Jacob, not Dan Jr. (played by Michael Fishman).
I was a regular watcher of the show until the last season, when the Connors became millionaires and lived the high life, until it was found to be a story Roseanne Connor had written, kind of like the “it’s all been a dream” season of “Dallas.”
Early episodes also starred George Clooney as Roseanne’s boss, Booker. Clooney, of course, would launch into stardom with the series “ER” and the “Batman & Robin” movie.
My favorite episodes of this series were the Halloween episodes. Great costumes and lots of gags. My other all-time favorite episode was when her co-worker Bonnie belted out “You Really Got a Hold On Me.” The actress who played Bonnie was credited as Bonnie Sheridan, but is better known as Bonnie Bramlett, a former Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner, and half of the singing duo, Delaney & Bonnie.
I also loved the parody the show did of “The Patty Duke Show,” when Goranson returned and replaced Chalke, who had originally replaced Goranson. (Got that scorecard handy?) Yup, Beckys, identical Beckys all the way…
For more information on “Roseanne” go to:
http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0020961/
Check out Sheridan/Bramlett belting out “You Really Got a Hold On Me” on YouTube.com. I still get chills when I listen to this (maybe the building’s air conditioning is on too high..). Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlocP12JAU
The character of Roseanne was married to Dan Conner, played by John Goodman. They lived on Delaware Street with their three children—Becky (Alicia ‘Lecy’ Goranson, and later played by Sarah Chalke), Darlene (Sara Gilbert, sister of “Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert), and D.J., which was short for David Jacob, not Dan Jr. (played by Michael Fishman).
I was a regular watcher of the show until the last season, when the Connors became millionaires and lived the high life, until it was found to be a story Roseanne Connor had written, kind of like the “it’s all been a dream” season of “Dallas.”
Early episodes also starred George Clooney as Roseanne’s boss, Booker. Clooney, of course, would launch into stardom with the series “ER” and the “Batman & Robin” movie.
My favorite episodes of this series were the Halloween episodes. Great costumes and lots of gags. My other all-time favorite episode was when her co-worker Bonnie belted out “You Really Got a Hold On Me.” The actress who played Bonnie was credited as Bonnie Sheridan, but is better known as Bonnie Bramlett, a former Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner, and half of the singing duo, Delaney & Bonnie.
I also loved the parody the show did of “The Patty Duke Show,” when Goranson returned and replaced Chalke, who had originally replaced Goranson. (Got that scorecard handy?) Yup, Beckys, identical Beckys all the way…
For more information on “Roseanne” go to:
http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0020961/
Check out Sheridan/Bramlett belting out “You Really Got a Hold On Me” on YouTube.com. I still get chills when I listen to this (maybe the building’s air conditioning is on too high..). Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlocP12JAU
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