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Posts from the ‘TV’ Category

Apr 10

Siskel & Ebert Outtakes From The 1980s

The passing of Roger Ebert last week has reminded me again how wonderful both he and Gene Siskel were to movies. They were very often the opinions that mattered most to me when considering whether to see a movie or not. And their TV show “Siskel & Ebert” was a great give-and-take on movie opinion.

Here is a wonderful collection of outtakes for a commercial plug for their TV show. In it you see not only their flubs trying to speak their lines but also the biting jokes that accompany it. While the two were frenemies, they clearly had a dynamic that brought out the best of both of them.

via Siskel & Ebert 80s Outtakes – YouTube.

Aug 4

John Kricfalusi, creator of Ren and Stimpy, Has A New Cartoon

The creator of Ren and Stimpy, John Kricfalusi, is creating a new cartoon with the help of Kick Starter. The video below is a hilarious description by Kricfalusi of what the cartoon is about and what it’s influences are.

John Kricfalusi, creator of Ren and Stimpy, Kickstarts a cartoon – Boing Boing.

Jul 18

Reactive Super-Speed Electromagnet Dot Display

This is an amazing wall display used to promote the TNT show “Perception”. I think this would add a whole new dimension to airline arrival/flight display boards at airports.

Made up of over 40,000 physical dots spinning from black to white at 15 times faster than originally designed to, the screen not only reflects back a unique image of anyone walking by, but allows you to actually hear those movements thanks to its mechanical nature.

Reactive super-speed electromagnet dot display for Perception on TNT.

Jul 6

Mel Blanc On David Letterman

Here’s an interview David Letterman, in his NBC years, conducted with Mel Blanc. A classic.

Mel Blanc’s cartoon voices.

Jun 23

116 Hollywood Stars in One Group Picture

Here are 116 Hollywood stars in one large group shot. I love that Meryl Streep is at the very center. I bet those who weren’t invited are calling their agents about now.

116 Hollywood Stars in One Group Picture.

Apr 16

Joan Baez In Concert In 1965

It makes sense to me to follow up a classic Bob Dylan concert with another classic from Joan Baez. This concert is given in 1965, one year after the “Quest” concert of Bob Dylan.

One thing that strikes me about this concert is Baez urging the audience to sing along with her, something that is a staple of folk musicians. Pete Seeger also had audiences singing along with him, and in a concert I recently saw with Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary), he asked the audience to sing along with him several times throughout the evening. And in a memorial concert on Martin Luther King day last year, I saw Baez again asking the audience to sing along with her. I’m assuming this is not common practice in today’s music scene, with perhaps U2 being an exception.

This concert is Baez at her best. Baez performed the following program:

  • I’m A Rambler, I’m A Gambler
  • There But For Fortune
  • Copper Kettle
  • Mary Hamilton
  • Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
  • I’m Troubled And I Don’t Know Why
  • We Shall Overcome
  • With God On Our Side
  • Plaisir D’Amour

Apr 16

Bob Dylan Performs “The Times They Are a-Changin’” in 1964 Canadian TV Broadcast

In early 1964 Bob Dylan released his third studio album “The Times They Are a-Changin’”. A month before embarking on tour, the Canadian Broadcasting system offered Dylan a 30 minute concert on its TV program “Quest”. On February 1, 1964, Dylan performed the following program:

  • The Times They Are a-Changin’
  • Talkin’ World War III Blues
  • The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
  • Girl from the North Country
  • A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall
  • Restless Farewell

I think it’s Dylan at his best.

Apr 15

Titanic Footage, Survivor Interviews

More Titanic information in light of this week’s centenary of the ship’s sinking.

More interesting video:

Titanic and Survivors – Genuine 1912 Footage – YouTube

Apr 7

Jim Henson’s Original Pitch For The Muppet Show

Here is the pitch Jim Henson made for CBS to sell the idea of the Muppet Show. It’s a steady crescendo from beginning to end.

Muppet Show Pitch – YouTube.

Apr 2

Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) on the Gong Show

Before there was Pee Wee Herman, there was ‘Suave and Debonair’, a group with Paul Reubens that appeared on the Gong Show in 1979. They managed to pull off a Nadia Comăneci with three perfect 10s.

Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) on Gong Show – YouTube.

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