Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My Favorite Martian with guest star Alan Hale Jr. (1964)
It always feels weird watching The Skipper appear in a 1960s sitcom other than Gilligan's Island. It just seems so adulterous!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Margie (1961)
This rare sitcom aired for one season on ABC and is not related in any way to the superior My Little Margie. This was set in the 1920s, but other than references to Paul Whiteman and Rudy Vallee, you wouldn't know it.
Dragnet 68 with special guest star Ann Morgan Guilbert (1968)
This has to go down in history as the episode of Dragnet with the least amount of action. Nothing happens. A minor crime occurs right at the very end just so the whole show isn't a total write-off. It's actually quite amusing thanks to the deadpan comedic talents of Harry Morgan. It also features a surprise turn from Millie, the neighbor on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Turns out she was also Detective Gannon's neighbor!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Gidget with special guest star Marvin Kaplan (1966) - Footage Offline - 8/17/08
Marvin Kaplan is one of my favorite character actors of the fifties and sixties. His wonderful voice will forever be identified with the character of Choo Choo on Hanna-Barbera's Top Cat. Recently I've been seeing a lot of him on Make Room For Daddy where he plays a waiter at Lindy's. Here he appears in an episode of a seriously mediocre sitcom with a high sense of style. Gidget only lasted one season. It was no skin off the nose of Sally Field who followed it up with The Flying Nun.
Network Nights (1964)
What was prime time TV like on ABC in 1964?
Starting at 7:30 pm, it was the greatest of the Hanna-Barbera adventure cartoons, Johnny Quest. It was followed by the not-so-greatest of sitcoms, The Farmer's Daughter. This is actually my first exposure to The Farmer's Daughter, and probably my last. It survived a solid three seasons and three years after its cancellation, the program's star, Inger Stevens, committed suicide. Just prior to eight-thirty we see a soup commercial narrated by Sterling Holloway and featuring Mickey Mouse and then it is time for The Addams Family. This episode features the hilarious Frank "Yuhhhhhh-essssss?" Nelson as guest star. Next up it's a serious obscurity that's got absolutely everything going for it. Starring future Barney Miller favorite Jack Soo, it's Valentine's Day. The sitcom didn't last much longer than the annual event of the same name, and that's a damn shame. This hilarious episode features Mamie Van Doren as herself and an appearance by the voice of Judy Jetson (and several other teenage cartoon and radio characters), Janet Waldo. It is not only the funniest show on ABC's Friday night line-up, but also the most adult.
We move over to CBS for the end of the night. We're treated to a typical episode of Gomer Pyle, USMC and the George C. Scott drama East Side, West Side.
Check out all the fun here!
The Jack Benny Program with Nancy Kulp and Howard McNear (1961)
Friday, March 7, 2008
The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. (1966)
Here's one you don't see everyday. I haven't even been able to watch all three of these yet (I sat through one) so I don't expect you to either, but I figure I should post them now before they disappear from the internet forever, as happens with all too many videos I bookmark and save for later.
What's My Line - Mystery Guest Martathon - Part Two
Steve Allen:
Van Johnson:
Kirk Douglas:
Jimmy Durante:
Greer Garson:
George Raft:
Van Johnson:
Kirk Douglas:
Jimmy Durante:
Greer Garson:
George Raft:
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Thursday, March 6, 2008
Batman with guest cameo by Joe E. Ross (1967)
Not to mention Eartha Kitt, of course, and a cameo from Dick "Hank" Kallman. Joe E. Ross you surely know from Sgt. Bilko, Car 54 Where Are You and It's About Time. I'll finally be uploading that dreadful Joe E. Ross comedy LP next week.
What's My Line - Mystery Guest Marathon - Part One
Most of these are from the early fifties.
Mr. Peepers and Marlon Brando's best friend, Wally Cox:
Fred Allen:
Roy Campanella:
Nat King Cole:
Billy Rose:
Ann Southern:
Ronald Reagan:
Johnny Olsen:
Mr. Peepers and Marlon Brando's best friend, Wally Cox:
Fred Allen:
Roy Campanella:
Nat King Cole:
Billy Rose:
Ann Southern:
Ronald Reagan:
Johnny Olsen:
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
I've Got a Secret with guests John Cale and Karl Schenzer (1963)
From the YouTuber who uploaded this gem:
"John Cale was the guest on this September 16, 1963 episode of I've Got a Secret. His secret centered around his participation in an 18 hour piano playing marathon that was the first full length performance of Erik Satie's "Vexations". (Not mentioned, John Cage was also one of the pianists.) Also on stage was Off- Broadway actor, Karl Schenzer, who's secret was that he was the only person to stay for the entire concert performance."
"John Cale was the guest on this September 16, 1963 episode of I've Got a Secret. His secret centered around his participation in an 18 hour piano playing marathon that was the first full length performance of Erik Satie's "Vexations". (Not mentioned, John Cage was also one of the pianists.) Also on stage was Off- Broadway actor, Karl Schenzer, who's secret was that he was the only person to stay for the entire concert performance."
Monday, March 3, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
I've Got a Secret with guest host Henry Morgan (1961)
I always wondered if Bill Cullen felt burned that they chose the trouble making Henry Morgan to fill in for Garry Moore when he was away. Personally, I couldn't be more pleased. I adore Henry Morgan - as I'm sure you'll figure out if you read this.
Friday, February 29, 2008
William F. Buckley 1925-2008: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour with guest David Frye (1969)
It's a very short clip, but it's of a very popular impressionist who you rarely find footage of on the internet. However, you often find his many LPs in thrift stores.Thursday, February 28, 2008
Dick Gregory: State of the Black Union (2008)
In the stand-up comedy world, a comedian works hard to make their carefully scripted material seem spontaneous. Make no mistake about it, Dick Gregory sat down and wrote all of this material - and then rewrote it - until it was perfectly crafted. It may seem off-the-cuff, but the legendary Dick Gregory is doing much of his stand-up act in this appearance at The State of the Black Union that happened the other day. And he destroyed.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Oscar Streaker
I, like everyone else, watch the Oscars every year. I, like everyone else, watch it because I hope to see some spontaneous streaking. I'm sure everyone here is familiar with the Oscar streaking incident pictured here. But do you know much about him? Did you know he was a Gay activist? An enemy of Anita Bryant? Did you know he was brutally murdered in a San Francisco sex shop just a few years later? Read everything you need to know about the Oscar streaker here.
The Mike Douglas Show with guest Maynard Ferguson (1977)
I always thought the pitch master's version of Star Trek was both ridiculous and hilarious. Disco Trek. But, like his Rocky theme, it was a hit.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Three Stooges get the Death Penalty (1941)
This 1941 short, titled In the Sweet Pie and Pie, has The Three Stooges on death row. Wrongly accused The Stooges are almost murdered by the state! Sadly, it's something all too common in the world of this barbaric practice. Now with that in mind - enjoy the laughs!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Rango (1967)
Well, after posting the oddball Tim Conway - Ernie Anderson comedy records a couple weeks ago, I thought it might be fun to take a look at this obscurity. Between his success on McHale's Navy and The Carol Burnett Show, Tim Conway starred in this western sitcom that lasted only half of the 66-67 season on ABC. Guy Marks who had just finished a stint on The Joey Bishop Show (the sitcom, not the talk show) was co-star. Complete with commercials. A lot of familiar names in the production credits of this one.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Jackie Gleason related Mystery Guests on What's My Line?
Some swell person on YouTube has been posting several different "Mystery Guest" segments from What's My Line? that have to do with either The Honeymooners or The Jackie Gleason Show. Check these out (a couple of 'em were posted here earlier this week).
Jackie Gleason
Art Carney
Audrey Meadows
Frank Fontaine
The June Taylor Dancers
Jackie Gleason
Art Carney
Audrey Meadows
Frank Fontaine
The June Taylor Dancers
Viva Cuba: Fidel Castro and Pierre Trudeau (1976)
A CBC News Documentary hosted by Don McNeill with appearances from the crotchety former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.
Monday, February 18, 2008
What's My Line with mystery guests The Smothers Brothers (1967)
The Smothers Brothers appear on What's My Line? to
Sunday, February 17, 2008
He & She with guest star Charles Lane (1967)
Here is an obscure sitcom that aired on CBS in the 1967-68 season. Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss were real life husband and wife when they were cast in their roles as spouses on the program. It had future Mary Tyler Moore Show talents Jay Sandrich directing many episodes and Jack Cassidy playing the egocentric star of the TV Show Jetman - based on the comic strip that Richard Benjamin's character created. Cassidy's character seems to be a predecessor to Ted Baxter on MTM and, in fact, Cassidy once guest starred as Ted Baxter's brother on MTM. He & She also featured folk-singer turned actor and one time Smothers Brothers writer Hamilton Camp. Other unique comedy character actors appeared as well, such as Jack Sheldon and Larry Storch. This episode features the prolific and instantly recognizable character actor Charles Lane as the immigration official.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Cesar et les Romains (1965)
From Montreal television in the mid-sixties, les Romains were a pretty big deal for a while and most of their records are pretty good - some consisting of some fairly gritty garage, believe it or not.
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson with guest Don Rickles (1984)
Yet another Carson appearance for Don Rickles. Watch several more by clicking on Don Rickles' name below.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Buster Keaton Plays a Little Love Song (1965)
If the clip doesn't work go here.
I have no idea what this is from, if it's actually from a movie or if it's home movie footage taken backstage somwhere, I dunno. What we do know is it is Buster Keaton and it is an appropriate clip for Valentine's Day at Classic Television Showbiz. Update: Okay, it is a clip from a good looking National Film Board of Canada documentary called Buster Keaton Rides Again - available in either VHS or DVD formats at every public library in Canada - i'll be checking it out promptly tomorrow. The NFB gave great B&W treatment to notables during this era, everyone from Paul Anka to Don Messer. Director of this film, John Spotton, was editor of the Paul Anka feature. All of these films are great.
I have no idea what this is from, if it's actually from a movie or if it's home movie footage taken backstage somwhere, I dunno. What we do know is it is Buster Keaton and it is an appropriate clip for Valentine's Day at Classic Television Showbiz. Update: Okay, it is a clip from a good looking National Film Board of Canada documentary called Buster Keaton Rides Again - available in either VHS or DVD formats at every public library in Canada - i'll be checking it out promptly tomorrow. The NFB gave great B&W treatment to notables during this era, everyone from Paul Anka to Don Messer. Director of this film, John Spotton, was editor of the Paul Anka feature. All of these films are great.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Best of "What's His Name "- The Jack Paar Comedy LP
I've owned several copies of this obscurity over the course of time and it is the only album I've ever seen on the phallic sounding Ramrod Superrecords. The back cover has an advertisement for Jiffy Sew. The LP is quite funny, consisting of two monologues from The Tonight Show with Jack Paar from 1960 or so. One is from an episode of the program that was broadcast from England, although the album provides zero context, and this is something the listener is pretty much left to themselves to figure out. I've heard a rumor that this was a "premium give-away" promo LP courtesy of NBC, but I don't know if that is true. If it is, it makes the label's name all the more confusing. Here it is in its entirety - The Best of "What's His Name."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
What's My Line Celebrity Guests: Steve Allen, Art Carney and Jerry Lewis - Footage Offline - 6/01/09
Art Carney, again, simply hilarious - Steve Allen's Vix Vapo Rub line in the same episode is also pretty damn good.
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