There's always something interesting popping up on the old timey tv network like a 1961 episode of Boris Karloff's Thriller this weekend that starred a raven-haired Elizabeth Montgomery and Tom Poston in a supernatural gloss on a couple who might have been Tennessee Williams characters.
On tonight's Rhoda, 1975's "Cal Me Grandma," Brenda had a bad date with the guy who played Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, and then with Stephen Nathan, the original cast Jesus in "Godspell." I recognized him immediately because I was obsessed with that cast when I was a kid. He didn't have his full Afro, but I did keep picturing him strapped to a fence.
Brings back many memories. Another station is Cosi TV & yet another is Antenna TV. Amazing watching Batman after all these years how vibrant the colors were & still are & how over the top & fun it was.
The station where I work broadcasts MeTV. I've become addicted to The Big Valley. Those Barkley boys! And starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck with a range of guest stars from Milton Berle to Dennis Hopper and Ann Baxter and Colleen Dewherst.
I love that they're showing Rhoda again. I have an even stronger appreciation of Nancy Walker's brilliance as I rewatch these programs. I love seeing Joan Blondell on the Twilight Zone and then Eartha Kitt on Batman possibly followed by Crawford in I Saw What You Did! Not a shabby lineup.
"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!"
-Evie Harris
I'm addicted to The Big Valley as well. I've followed that show everywhere it airs. It's currently on MeTV and INSP (Inspiration). I remember when Encores Western showed them commercial free and un-cut. I also get my fix via YouTube, there are so many episodes on there. Too bad 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment stopped releasing the DVD's after Season 1, Volume 2.
Since Rhoda was brought back this summer, I too have deepened my already deep appreciation for what Nancy Walker did on that show. The Color TV look is vivid on Rhoda as well.
You guys! It's Monday August 20somethingth and tonight on Rhoda 9:30 eastern time, Vivian Vance will guest star on Rhoda and will make Nancy Walker jealous. Lets meet back here Tuesday morning and talk about it. Toucan!!!
Completely kidding, Carlos. I adore you, in case you didn't know.
But it occurs to me that in these days of the new ability to ignore, it might be difficult to judge tone, not least because we're not even sure who is talking to whom.
Anyway, I was just being silly; no offense intended.
The show was canceled in '61 I believe. Or was it '60? My mom used to watch it. I was a wee lad of 4-5 and would watch it with her. I have fond memories of some of the episodes. She would always come out in very stylish (for the day) dresses and then perfom a short teleplay that usually had a moral to it that she would harp on at the end. There was one I remember around the holidays when she played an Asian woman who was obsessed with seting up her Christmas Tree. Something transpired and the tree was destroyed as were most of the decorations. As she was lamenting her loss she discovered that the baby Jesus from the nativity scene was the sole survivor of the tragedy. AND SCENE! Then we get a lecture on the true meaning of Christmas!
Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!
SNAFU, MeTV ran a Letter to Loretta marathon on a Sunday around Christmas, complete with glamorous evening wear intro and that week's letter. I understand those episodes were previously rerun with the intro cut due to a clause in Young's contract. She apparently was worried about appearing in dated fashions.
Regardless, the few episodes I as able to watch were compelling. I remember one where an earthquake struck Los Angeles and Loretta's polio-stricken husband's iron lung malfunctioned and she had to manually operate the sucker. At one point the lever broke and she dramatically dragged him out of the lung and commenced to massage his ribcage. I couldn't finish the episode because I was running a live event and had to roll a commercial break. Damn, work getting in the way of my TV viewing.
"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!"
-Evie Harris