Week of 2/27: Collectibles And Happy 50th To Barbie

Worried about the economy and those shrinking 401Ks? If you're a fan of classic television, you might want to try a new investment: Collectibles.



If you still have those Donnie and Marie dolls, that Partridge Family album, that Brady Bunch lunchbox - keep them! Then head to local collectibles shows or online to places like eBay and find out what they're worth.



Sometimes it will be things you picked up in the stores. Sometimes, people who were on the sets of series or who go now to the shows or online can find genuine set pieces.



Sometimes they can find much more, as happened two years ago, when much of the estate of the late Hawaii Five-O star Jack Lord went up for auction on eBay. The goods included personal mementos as well as scripts and other items from the show.

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Speaking of collectibles, Happy 50th Birthday to Barbie! The doll has been in tons of commercials, of course. Here's a classic from 1973:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z--ntETyNYo&feature=related

See you next week! Until then, Happy Viewing!

Week of Feb. 20: It's a Wonderful Night For Oscar

The Academy Awards are this Sunday. Actor Hugh Jackman will host; predictions for the result of that are up in the air.

The Oscars seem to do best when a comedian with mass appeal to a wide range of audiences is the host. Three have excelled above the rest.

The first was Bob Hope, who hosted a record-setting 18 Academy Awards nights. Hope was effortless whether complaining about his lack of an Oscar, or working with stars who were presenters. And they were real stars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLWOUrKpBic

The next great Oscar host was Johnny Carson, who used titles of nominated movies to joke about his marriages and divorces, and seemed equally comfortable joking with Miss Piggy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpMzpFqZAFg

And a little bonus: On the "Tonight Show," Carson would later spoof the Oscars with the infamous "Sniveling Weasel Awards":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANKazBdsd_0


The third wonderful host has been Billy Crystal, especially with the show openings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFyX5yyPe5M


See you next week. Until then, Happy Oscar Viewing!

Week of Feb. 13: So Long To Two Mr. Buchanans

Fans of the soap opera "One Life To Live" are mourning the deaths of two actors who were linchpins of the program: Clint Ritchie, who played Clint Buchanan, and Philip Carey, who played Asa Buchanan, father to Clint and Bo (still played by Robert S. Woods).

Ritchie played the character of Clint for more than 20 years. Another actor now plays the role, but Ritchie had marvelous chemistry with Erika Slezak, who has played Viki Lord since 1971. He also worked in a number of television shows and movies.

Carey chewed the scenery as the Buchanan family patriarch, and was a lot of fun to watch. He also had a long television career as a character actor, including a lot of Western programs.

If Clint's ideal match was Viki, Asa's was Renee. Here are links to YouTube pieces featuring both couples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGWCYFHqMh4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5r4BSZa_k8

Here's to the two Mr. Buchanans. See you next week.

Week of Feb. 6: Night Court Back In Session

Good news! Season 2 of the wonderful NBC comedy "Night Court" has finally been released on DVD. There were plenty of cast changes still going on, with Ellen Foley as the defense attorney and Charlie Robinson coming on board as court clerk Mac, a role he would play for the rest of the series. Sadly, this season would be the last for the very funny Selma Diamond, who died in 1985.

Here's a clip from Season 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA5MawmX-8E


See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!