The fact anyone else was paying attention came as a surprise to me. I was quietly hoping and expecting he would make it, and sure enough, he did! Still, most people don’t seem to follow obscure presidential trivia the way I do, so I assumed. Apparently this was an incorrect assumption on my part, as on March 22 such trivia proved to be quite a news story!
Aware the date was coming in later March, I was holding out until today, April 1, to truly mark the record. After all, this is the day the newly designated longest-living U.S. president in history marks his HALF birthday. That’s right– Jimmy Carter is now 94 AND A HALF years old, no longer sharing precisely the same age at which the runner-up to the title passed on. George H.W. Bush, of course, died last November at “just” 94. And in six months, we’ll have another presidential record yet!
Meanwhile, the first lady age record won’t soon be broken.
Not quite a year after marking his 90th birthday, we must now say goodbye to the truly legendary, one-of-a-kind pillar of “warmth” himself, Mr. Don Rickles. I can only dream of turning insults into a lucrative career, as others will certainly try. Still, no one will ever do it quite like he did.
After three tedious debates, in addition to their countless daily soundbites, our two currently most watched Americans finally showed their supposedly humorous sides– or at least we should say: they tried (one of them succeeding more than the other, as some of us will agree). Now in hindsight, this notable evening sounds all the better when summarized in two and a half minutes!
Dean Martin and Phyllis Diller they’re not, but I commend their efforts nonetheless. If only we heard this sort of banter from them more often, perhaps the process through which we’re all now living would be a bit more palatable. All the more reason to enjoy such a rare occasion, I say.
While watching the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, I’m taken back to my very favorite Olympic montage of all time– or should I say, of my time. Having worn out my original VHS recording from hundreds of viewings back in the day, thankfully in our present era of technology this classic piece is readily available online! From then to now, here’s to classic Olympic moments revisited.
True to the reality it portrays, the series begins and ends in Brentwood. Over the course of a very long 16 months, we’re taken– or rather, retaken– on one sadly unforgettable ride.
The brilliant portrayals of prosecutors Marcia Clark and Chris Darden, by actors Sarah Paulson and Sterling K. Brown respectively, culminate in the glaring illumination of an American legal tragedy and its immediate gut-wrenching aftermath. Thus concludes the insightful yet disturbing 10-episode run of American Crime Story, Season 1: The People vs. O.J. Simpson.
As dramatic imagination and creative effect work in unison to stitch together large swaths of stark actuality, never throughout the entire series comes a dull viewing moment– or I should say almost never, if you count most any scene with Judge Lance Ito, spineless and celebrity stricken as Kenneth Choi accurately plays him to be. Thankfully, comic relief regularly intercedes in the form of a salaciously smug Nathan Lane as legal mastermind F. Lee Bailey, not to mention my unmatched personal favorite: the almost cartoon version of defense attorney Robert Shapiro, perfectly re-created by a fittingly comical John Travolta.
But I digress. Ten weeks of a reproduced “trial of the century” ends with more than 30 minutes to go in the final episode. Anticipating some sort of post-verdict wrap up, we definitely get it, painfully yet completely, leaving us to wonder– all the way from Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran sipping office champagne, to Cuba Gooding Jr.’s O.J. slowly realizing his “party of the century” is proving smaller than he expected– when all this is finally going to end.
Altogether, we’ve been treated to a solid 10 weeks of 21-year-old history revisited, briskly yet as thoroughly as limited television time will allow. In the oh-so long-in-coming end, our minds– those old enough to recall the real deal– are left to once again ponder the unfortunate colossus of trial-based events, discoveries, developments and maneuverings that delivered O.J Simpson home to Brentwood a free man on October 3, 1995.
What began and ended in Brentwood leaves me contemplating that same sense of injustice now as I did that very day. All the while, shifting to terms of present-day production and talent, more than one Emmy nomination is most certainly in order.
—————
Clark Photo Credit: POO/AFP/Getty Images; FX
Shapiro Photo Credit: Lee Celano/WireImage; Ray Mickshaw/FX
So comes a spellbinding walk down memory lane for any American over– let’s say– 50? Seeing as this number sits far in my future, who am I to talk? Naturally, yours truly being old for his age, I remember, appreciate and truly adore nearly all the moments featured in episode one of CNN’s The Seventies, aptly titled “Television Gets Real” — of which the above clip is a part.
What we have before us is one outstanding look back at what once was in the world of broadcasting, and what– sadly and ever the more painfully– now is not. Simply put, they don’t make TV like this anymore. Nevertheless, while loving every minute thus far, I can’t wait for episode two, no matter how unflattering Mr. Nixon will inevitably emerge.
Not in recent memory, if ever, have I seen such a famous and glamorous 74-year-old woman so “un-74” in every way. As the ever-lovely Donna Mills stepped into the spotlight this past weekend at the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, she proved her actual age is so unlike her. (Photo: celebmafia.com)
Always a pleasure it is to see the incomparable Betty White, this newest time on stage at the 2015 TV Land Awards taped April 12 in Beverly Hills and aired April 18. Impressively enough, the 93-year-old comedienne clearly surpasses colleagues more than half her age in style, wit and overall energy! Suffice to say, she continues to lead by example. (AP Images)
The sight of Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris almost au naturel on stage may have triggered for you an infamous memory of Academy Awards show history, as it quickly did for me. While no comparing these two very different moments (except in above-waist result), the audience (i.e. the world) had not seen this much bare skin in more than 40 years, even on Cher, until last night!
Is it just me, or was this year’s lot of Super Bowl commercials rather bland and underwhelming? Wait, I can quickly answer my own question: It’s not just me. Never mind I seem to be saying the same thing every year; 2015 out-dulled itself. Oh sure, we were treated to everything from a JFK voiceover to Kardashian egocentrism, media history vis-a-vis a Couric-Gumbel reunion, celebrity appearances by the likes of Matt Damon and Chelsea Handler, and my personal favorite of the evening– the latest nostalgic nod to television sitcom history with the clever and winning union of “The Brady Bunch” and Snickers. Still, not enough I’m afraid.
(Courtesy: Shamburger/thebiglead.com)
Altogether, my favorite moment of the evening came not from an ad, but during the game itself. Imagine that! The final interception that sealed New England’s win– and Tom Brady’s immediate reaction to it– are far more memorable than any 30 or 60 second “break” from the action. Unlike last year, Super Bowl XLIX produced a close, unpredictable and truly exciting game to the very end, brawl included! The commercials will just have to keep trying.
In advance of this Sunday’s annual round of pricey TV spots, I like many have seen the so-called “controversial” GoDaddy Super Bowl commercial that– thanks to the typical set of complainers– will not be aired in its original, expensively scheduled time slot. First, join me if you will in a big eye roll. Then, let me say I echo the well-reasoned sentiments of Brett Baker:It’s fine.
But it’s gone, unfortunately. So let’s take this entire illogical mess a step further, as you too might appreciate the clever reasoning of Alexandra Petri. She certainly raises a few great points to make her point, begging the question: How much more ridiculous does the whole matter have to get? Or better yet, why was this ever an issue in the first place? At least GoDaddy is getting an excellent publicity return on its $4 million investment! (Click image to watch the :30 ad.)
The first time I watched this “behind-the-scenes” montage, late in 1987 I believe, it was a private piece for which you needed a connection to know it existed– which fortunately at the time I happened to have. Now all these years later, available online to the public, it’s just as funny. If you too are a “Knots Landing” fan and have never seen this, you’ll certainly appreciate it!
Seemingly a touch less energetic than last year, the Tina-Amy duo nevertheless worked well yet again. A certain someone however came between them, proving even funnier! (Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC)
Needless to say, the passing of Thanksgiving leads us right into Christmastime. This means as trees go up and lights get strung, while parties kick into swing and egg nog flows, so comes the annual playing of my favorite classic Christmas duet performance. Here’s to old-school shtick, Dean-and-Frank style! Enjoy some other versions too, if you’re so inclined. 😉
With last week’s official unveiling of the 2015 Tour de France route comes a virtual summary of sorts, a video tease if you will– altogether, the entire journey in four minutes!
“As you will have observed, an increasing number of your neighbors have been keeping company with their pets in human-only establishments, cohabiting with them in animal-unfriendly apartment buildings and dormitories, and taking them (free!) onto airplanes—simply by claiming that the creatures are their licensed companion animals and are necessary to their mental well-being. No government agency keeps track of such figures… Contrary to what many business managers think, having an emotional-support card merely means that one’s pet is registered in a database of animals whose owners have paid anywhere from seventy to two hundred dollars to one of several organizations, none of which are recognized by the government.” (Marx, 10/20/14)
“Pets Allowed” by Patricia Marx appears in the October 20 issue of The New Yorker. It’s one insightful, disturbing and funny read which I highly recommend. You can draw your own conclusion on the need, within this matter, for some form of government regulation. Either way, Marx clearly makes her point. And naturally, I agree with her.
And so it happened. Minus one more it is for the Ewing family, given the sudden demise of a character whom original-show fans have known since birth. A big surprise to us viewers and a great loss to the cast it is no doubt, but at this point we’re left to ask, will it matter? This is to say, another season remains to be confirmed. Meanwhile, at least storyline plans appear well underway, while everything I’ve had to say before now stands. Nevertheless, should “Dallas” return, and despite the level of unbelievable insanity sure to ensue, I’ll certainly be watching– with even more interest if Patrick Duffy again directs. We know anything could happen after all. Christopher could always show up taking a shower one day, like father like son of course.
The two remaining originals, amid the spirit of the one-and-only.
Well, that was a first. I forgot to watch “Dallas” this week. (What?! Me?! Allow the Ewings to slip my mind? My oh my, how the decades do change us.)
Seeing as the latest episode was on my DVR, I did see it the following day. In so doing, I reminded myself just how my initial forgetfulness came about. Let’s simply say it’s about time for “Dallas” to be forgotten altogether. Oh but wait, I think I’ve already said this before,more than once even.I’ll therefore rephrase: It’s well past time for the Ewings and company to go. I know, I hate saying this more than you might dislike reading it. Nevertheless, the writing is on the wall, as they say– more and more with each passing episode, I myself regret to say.
We’ve had all the nostalgic cameos we’re likely going to get, Larry Hagman is still dead, and the plot convolutions continue to get more confusing, ludicrous and exhausting. Still, curiosity, coupled with low expectations, will continue to get the best of me for the duration, whether at airtime or via DVR. At least Ken Kercheval, who remains very much alive, will be back next week. Amid my overall forgetfulness, I’m happy to realize one living classic character is not forgotten.
As if the Northridge earthquake, all things Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, and the deaths of Richard Nixon and Jacqueline Onassis weren’t enough to seal the first half of 1994, more was to come. Just days after two infamous murders in Brentwood came the ludicrous yet indelible event that reshaped broadcast media culture and altered the sensibilities of television programming forever. Two decades on, the granddaddy of all “breaking” freeway police chases remains as unfathomable now as when it occurred, 20 years ago today.
What was I just recently saying? Well, in the past few weeks since this further update, the visual confirmation has been steadily reconfirming itself. One example: The ELR commercial that played countless times during the Olympics– a well-cast and even better-scripted spot which I very much appreciate, by the way.
Wider, flatter, wreathless. (Photo: AP)
So be it. Cadillac has made its decision. The insignia’s wreath is dead and will soon be gone– via a slow fade into history like so much else of the original emblem. And who knows, this newest look might just grow on me yet– and that’s really a maybe. Meanwhile, I still miss those long-lost ducks.
J.R. is still dead, and– unlike his brother– unfortunately always will be. The latest story arcs are just now beginning to bloom. We the audience are thus braced for what you might call more of the same, within an epic franchise that never will be quite the same, after all. Season three of the new “Dallas” is off and running.
By “more” I’m referring to yet another dose of convoluted yet shallow plots involving attractive though dim villains, complete with a brand-new one this time around to add to the long list. By “never” I raise the question most loyal fans are surely asking: Just how long will the revived series carry on without Larry Hagman?
The “Dallas” cast in 2014, sans the most famous of them all.
I said it already at the end of season two. It’s time– or least it was then following the death of Hagman, the burial of J.R., and the ultimate explanation of his demise– to say goodbye for good. However, TNT did indeed bring the show back for a third season. So of course I’m watching, thinking: “Alright. Once more, try me.”
It’s always a pleasure to see Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray in their 36-year-old characters. And with rumors of the latest in a string of classic comebacks, I’ll be ready! Still, without J.R. “Dallas” is not the same and never will be, despite the continued references to him and any unused footage we’ve yet to see.
Meanwhile, at least the new opening credits deserve honorable mention, nostalgic element they do of course convey. Otherwise I’m continuing to feel a degree of exhaustion, sort of like a party that’s gone on too long. But then, I may be surprised yet! As the Ewing’s biggest yet most realistic fan, I’d sure like to be.
Here’s to the first 50 years of “Beatlemania”– on this the anniversary of the so-called British invasion, the band’s debut U.S. performance– February 9, 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Even long after the two surviving members are gone, The Beatles will no doubt live on strongly and timelessly!
Three in a row, is it? True enough, this marks the third consecutive year of Super Bowl commercials that’s leaving me, on the whole anyway, unimpressed. Not since 2011 have I been altogether razzle-dazzled by a steady stream of spirited spots. Oh sure, it’s great to see Arnold Schwarzenegger having fun in a long wig, as well as brief glimpses of Erik Estrada and Mary Lou Retton when the ’80s come calling, while Hyundai’s steadily improving body styling definitely deserves another check mark, somewhere. Still, I’m fairly certain I’ll remember little if any of this annual coveted-yet-costly ad time in a day or two. As such, my top three favorite 2014 Super Bowl Commercials are as follows, for my own reference as well as yours:
Wouldn’t you know it– my three “winners” are all car-related, again! While there will be scads of recaps, analyses and opinions flowing hither and yon in the coming days, for the final score alone I’d think there’s much more to say about this year’s one-sided game itself. Then of course there’s Joe Namath’s absolutely fabulous fur coat to save the evening– now that’s impressive!
Joe Namath throws Super Bowl XLVIII’s coin toss in style! (Photo Courtesy: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
From a commendable cast to their colorful characters, the stunning storyline to its sinister setting, along with a steady stream of twists, surprises and laughs, I loved every minute of it. Then I walked away thinking foremost of one gorgeous and timeless automobile– a true classic star who elegantly carried her own weight throughout the film. The 1978 Eldorado Biarritz clearly adds to all things fabulous about American Hustle.
If you go in expecting it to be absolutely ridiculous– funny in a few places yet just downright stupid in more– then you won’t be disappointed. The storyline just can’t seem to stay on track, if ever there was an intended track from the outset. Through ups and downs, along with a scattering of chuckles among just as many eye rolls, it’s quite a ride! Because I for one really like the main characters– the “team” if you will– I was excited to see them again. The many celebrity cameos are commendable, a close second to my number one reason for sitting through the entire rudderless production. A big fan of all things ’70s as I am, it’s like looking in the mirror– or wishing I was, that is! With your expectations properly calibrated as mine quickly became, you too should enjoy Anchorman 2. It’s silly, it’s tired, and most of all of course, it’s all about the fabulous wardrobe!
With the 50th anniversary upon us, all sorts of questions remain. New and old, sensible and outlandish, each is propelled by a keen and unyielding fascination surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Now feeding our collective, unsatisfied appetite is a captivating series of National Geographic documentaries once again dissecting the already-dissected moments of November 22, 1963, including JFK: The Lost Bullet,The Lost JFK Tapesand JFK: The Final Hours. Each of these productions turns out at least a few morsels of related and not-so-related facts that we might not have heard before but still find interesting. (I for one never knew eight-year-old actor-to-be Bill Paxton saw and photographed the president in Fort Worth that morning.)
Then we have the newest and much-promoted dramatization of Jack & Jackie Kennedy’s presidential life and final moments together, in NGC’s film adaptation of Bill O’Reilly’s novel Killing Kennedy. While the often-predictable Rob Lowe manages to pull off a decent portrayal of JFK, Ginnifer Goodwin’s re-creation of the first lady comes across– to me at least– as weak and unconvincing. (I’ve seen better “Jackies” over the years, thank you.) Altogether, the apparently common sentiment holds its ground, that this movie tells us nothing new, and definitely nothing outside the boundaries of the official yet increasingly disputed lone gunman theory.
Nevertheless, Killing Kennedy is worth watching for the sake of another welcome trip along that same old path of nostalgia that most Americans have traveled once, twice or 100 times over the past half century. The “newest” element to this so-called bland and unimaginative account comes in the powerful portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald, played by the talented Will Rothhaar. In my initial opinion, he carries this film.
Watch and consider for yourself. Take in the sprinklings of history atop everything you no doubt already know. And watch the documentaries first, for this is where the real quenching of our fascination lies after all, even as all those questions– under whatever descriptor they fall– stack up faster than they might ever have answers.
Ryan R. Sanderson 