It may be the most famous answering machine in television history:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz_NkXeAnJo
That, of course, was the beginning of "The Rockford Files," which ran on NBC from 1974-80 and was the definitive television role (even more than Maverick) for James Garner. Each week, the answering machine had a new - and funny - message.
Garner played private eye Jim Rockford, and if it can be said that a role looked comfortable on an actor, this one did. The supporting cast was excellent, including Noah Beery, Jr. as "Rocky," his father; Joe Santos as Police Sgt. Dennis Becker; Gretchen Corbett as Beth Davenport, Rockford's lawyer and sometime girlfriend; Stuart Margolin as con artist Angel and Isaac Hayes as former prisonmate Gandolph Fitch, who referred to Rockford as "Rockfish."
The trailer where Rockford lived and the Pontiac he drove could also be considered supporting characters.
All six seasons have been released on DVD. The first three are available at Hulu.com.
After all that success, NBC wants to remake "Rockford," just as CBS will try with "Hawaii Five-O," (which sounds worse and worse the more information comes out).
The question is the same for both remakes:
Why?
Just enjoy the originals. And until next week, Happy Viewing!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Week of Feb. 19: Hail Betty White
It's nice to see Betty White received deserved accolades for almost a lifetime of television work.
White is one of the rare people who has performed in a television program of some sort each decade since the medium became a national touchstone.
Her first series was a brief one, called "Life With Elizabeth:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPyaWgrn2w
She appeared in a number of guest-starring roles from the 1950s through the early 1970s.
Her first truly successful chapter came during the 1960s and 70s, as a game show panelist. She could be seen on "To Tell the Truth," "Match Game" and, in particular, "Password." That's where she met the love of her life, host Alan Ludden, whom she married:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDjeaChO7YE&feature=PlayList&p=6F1A15CEE23D19B9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20
Sadly, he died in 1981.
Then came 1973 - and White's turn in "The Lars Affair," an episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." The snarky "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens, played so well by White, has an affair with Lars Lindstrom, the unseen husband of Phyllis (Cloris Leachman):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_YrLfvraEw
White would become a series regular and play Sue Ann through the rest of its run.
She would continue the guest-starring roles, including a significant part on NBC's "Mama's Family," and game shows until 1984. Then came a second transformational role.
Originally, the producers of "The Golden Girls" sought to have White play Blanche, the widow with a very active (to say the least) social life. They had planned for Rue McClanahan to play the sweet, naive Rose. White asked for a reversal, playing Rose while McClanahan played Blanche. The result was magic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHz8mn3mm_o&feature=related
Long may you work, Ms. White.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
White is one of the rare people who has performed in a television program of some sort each decade since the medium became a national touchstone.
Her first series was a brief one, called "Life With Elizabeth:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPyaWgrn2w
She appeared in a number of guest-starring roles from the 1950s through the early 1970s.
Her first truly successful chapter came during the 1960s and 70s, as a game show panelist. She could be seen on "To Tell the Truth," "Match Game" and, in particular, "Password." That's where she met the love of her life, host Alan Ludden, whom she married:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDjeaChO7YE&feature=PlayList&p=6F1A15CEE23D19B9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20
Sadly, he died in 1981.
Then came 1973 - and White's turn in "The Lars Affair," an episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." The snarky "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens, played so well by White, has an affair with Lars Lindstrom, the unseen husband of Phyllis (Cloris Leachman):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_YrLfvraEw
White would become a series regular and play Sue Ann through the rest of its run.
She would continue the guest-starring roles, including a significant part on NBC's "Mama's Family," and game shows until 1984. Then came a second transformational role.
Originally, the producers of "The Golden Girls" sought to have White play Blanche, the widow with a very active (to say the least) social life. They had planned for Rue McClanahan to play the sweet, naive Rose. White asked for a reversal, playing Rose while McClanahan played Blanche. The result was magic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHz8mn3mm_o&feature=related
Long may you work, Ms. White.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Week Of Feb. 12: Greatest TV Winter Olympic Moments and Inspiration For Garry Marshall
The Winter Olympics in Vancouver begin tonight, and it's a good time to review those heart-stopping great televised moments in Winter Olympics history:
-Grenoble, France, 1968: The first Winter Olympics to be televised in color had two made-for-television heroes. The first was French skier Jean-Claude Killy, who won three golds. The second was figure skater Peggy Fleming, who won the United States' only gold and many hearts.
-Nagano, 1998: The Czechs made me a hockey fan with their amazing win over powerhouse Russia for the gold.
-Salt Lake City, 2002: The somber moment during the opening ceremony when the American flag that flew at the devestated World Trade Center in New York was carried into the stadium was a fitting tribute to 9/11. A much happier moment occurred almost two weeks later, when a joyous Sarah Hughes learned she had won gold in women's figure skating.
What will make the list at these Olympics? Stay tuned.......
*******************************************************************************
The release of the Garry Marshall-directed movie "Valentine's Day" generates recollections of "Love, American Style." The ABC show, which ran from 1969-74, seems to have had a similar, vignette-style form of storytelling - as well as a cool theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNHuI0Pw0m8
Marshall wrote two of the vignettes for "Love, American Style." One of them, of course, was "Love and the Happy Days," which featured Ron (still known as Ronny) Howard and Anson Williams. Of course, it went on to become the long-running series "Happy Days."
Only Season 1 has been released on DVD so far (in that annoying multi-volume method).
Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Viewing!
-Grenoble, France, 1968: The first Winter Olympics to be televised in color had two made-for-television heroes. The first was French skier Jean-Claude Killy, who won three golds. The second was figure skater Peggy Fleming, who won the United States' only gold and many hearts.
-Innsbruck, 1976: Another American figure skater captured the imagination: This time it was Dorothy Hamill, with her camel spin and her wedge haircut that sent a lot of young women and girls (including me) to the beauty salon.
-Lake Placid, 1980: No contest for the greatest Winter Olympics moment ever, called on ABC by the great Al Michaels: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" as hockey Team USA defeated the Soviets.
-Sarajevo, 1984: Queen Elizabeth may have been the only Brit to receive more respect than ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who received perfect scores for their exquisite routine to Ravel's "Bolero." Perfection, indeed.
-Calgary, 1988: The last Winter Olympics that took place in Canada was a feast for figure skating fans, highlighted by the "Battle of the Brians," in which the USA's Brian Boitano took gold and Canada's Brian Orser took silver in a marvelous duel of athleticism and artistry. British ski jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards won hearts, if not medals. So did the Jamaican bobsled team, mon.
-Nagano, 1998: The Czechs made me a hockey fan with their amazing win over powerhouse Russia for the gold.
-Salt Lake City, 2002: The somber moment during the opening ceremony when the American flag that flew at the devestated World Trade Center in New York was carried into the stadium was a fitting tribute to 9/11. A much happier moment occurred almost two weeks later, when a joyous Sarah Hughes learned she had won gold in women's figure skating.
What will make the list at these Olympics? Stay tuned.......
*******************************************************************************
The release of the Garry Marshall-directed movie "Valentine's Day" generates recollections of "Love, American Style." The ABC show, which ran from 1969-74, seems to have had a similar, vignette-style form of storytelling - as well as a cool theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNHuI0Pw0m8
Marshall wrote two of the vignettes for "Love, American Style." One of them, of course, was "Love and the Happy Days," which featured Ron (still known as Ronny) Howard and Anson Williams. Of course, it went on to become the long-running series "Happy Days."
Only Season 1 has been released on DVD so far (in that annoying multi-volume method).
Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Viewing!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Week of Feb. 5: The Most Super Ad Of Them All
There was nothing high-tech about it. It was an injured football player, a little boy and a bottle of Coca-Cola.
It didn't even make its debut during the Super Bowl.
But the commercial featuring Pittsburgh Steeler star "Mean" Joe Greene being offered the soda by little Tommy Okon and then throwing the boy his jersey is normally cited among the top Super Bowl commercials of all time. (It was shown during the Super Bowl in 1980, after having made its debut the previous fall.)
The commercial was honored with a Clio award in 1980. Greene, who is now a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Okon, who is married and the father of four, were honored before last year's Super Bowl.
Here's a link to the classic ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffOCZYX6F8
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
It didn't even make its debut during the Super Bowl.
But the commercial featuring Pittsburgh Steeler star "Mean" Joe Greene being offered the soda by little Tommy Okon and then throwing the boy his jersey is normally cited among the top Super Bowl commercials of all time. (It was shown during the Super Bowl in 1980, after having made its debut the previous fall.)
The commercial was honored with a Clio award in 1980. Greene, who is now a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Okon, who is married and the father of four, were honored before last year's Super Bowl.
Here's a link to the classic ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffOCZYX6F8
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Week of Jan. 29: Tributes and Questions
Sadly, three more wonderful performers have left us:
*James Mitchell: He had two careers. The first one was in dance, including the beautiful dream ballet in the 1954 film version of "Oklahoma." The second one was on television - particularly in the 30 years he spent on "All My Children" as the schemer-with-a-heart-of-well, some gold Palmer. Here he is with his original family - Gillian Spencer as first wife Daisy and Taylor Miller as daughter Nina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN4xBDz5sCY
*Jean Simmons: The main part of her career was in films, but she appeared on television from time to time, including a very entertaining episode from Season 10 of "Hawaii Five-O," "The Cop On the Cover."
*Pernell Roberts: He bookended a long and lucrative television career between two plum roles - Adam Cartwright on NBC's "Bonanza" (from 1958-65) and Trapper John McIntyre on "Trapper John, M.D." (CBS, 1979-86). Here's a look at the first moments of the pilot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ0zZP77aUU
Assorted curiosities (including current Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell as young Dr. Jackson).....And the biggest curiosity is the difference between the portrayal of the lead character by Roberts, as compared to Wayne Rogers on "M*A*S*H." Rogers played him as a tough-talking New Yorker, while Roberts played him as a far more urbane character.
They all leave behind wonderful performances for viewers to continue to enjoy.
*********************************************************************************
Besides Jean Simmons, Pernell Roberts also guest-starred on "Hawaii Five-O," in an excellent Season 3 two-parter called "The Grandstand Play."
"Five-O" is worth mentioning because CBS may put a new version on.
Movie writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who wrote last year's "Star Trek" movie, have been working on a pilot episode. If what's described here is the actual premise, let's hope this never sees air:
http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/01/hawaii-five-o-cbs-pilot-plotline-and.html
The worst season of the original Five-O was the last, Season 12, when James MacArthur (the original "Danno") left and William Smith played the much-reviled "Kimo" Carew. This plot premise (Kono as a WOMAN?) is worse than that.
Ah, well, we do have some good Five-O to look forward to.....Season 8, which includes the delightful "Retire In Sunny Hawaii....Forever" with the legendary Helen Hayes (MacArthur's mom), will be released in March. Later this year, Season 9, which includes one of the finest series episodes, "Nine Dragons," will also be released.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
*James Mitchell: He had two careers. The first one was in dance, including the beautiful dream ballet in the 1954 film version of "Oklahoma." The second one was on television - particularly in the 30 years he spent on "All My Children" as the schemer-with-a-heart-of-well, some gold Palmer. Here he is with his original family - Gillian Spencer as first wife Daisy and Taylor Miller as daughter Nina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN4xBDz5sCY
*Jean Simmons: The main part of her career was in films, but she appeared on television from time to time, including a very entertaining episode from Season 10 of "Hawaii Five-O," "The Cop On the Cover."
*Pernell Roberts: He bookended a long and lucrative television career between two plum roles - Adam Cartwright on NBC's "Bonanza" (from 1958-65) and Trapper John McIntyre on "Trapper John, M.D." (CBS, 1979-86). Here's a look at the first moments of the pilot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ0zZP77aUU
Assorted curiosities (including current Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell as young Dr. Jackson).....And the biggest curiosity is the difference between the portrayal of the lead character by Roberts, as compared to Wayne Rogers on "M*A*S*H." Rogers played him as a tough-talking New Yorker, while Roberts played him as a far more urbane character.
They all leave behind wonderful performances for viewers to continue to enjoy.
*********************************************************************************
Besides Jean Simmons, Pernell Roberts also guest-starred on "Hawaii Five-O," in an excellent Season 3 two-parter called "The Grandstand Play."
"Five-O" is worth mentioning because CBS may put a new version on.
Movie writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who wrote last year's "Star Trek" movie, have been working on a pilot episode. If what's described here is the actual premise, let's hope this never sees air:
http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/01/hawaii-five-o-cbs-pilot-plotline-and.html
The worst season of the original Five-O was the last, Season 12, when James MacArthur (the original "Danno") left and William Smith played the much-reviled "Kimo" Carew. This plot premise (Kono as a WOMAN?) is worse than that.
Ah, well, we do have some good Five-O to look forward to.....Season 8, which includes the delightful "Retire In Sunny Hawaii....Forever" with the legendary Helen Hayes (MacArthur's mom), will be released in March. Later this year, Season 9, which includes one of the finest series episodes, "Nine Dragons," will also be released.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Week of Jan. 22: David Gerber's Legacy
Producer David Gerber died a couple of weeks ago. His legacy includes two very successful series, a number of well-done mini-series and some entertaining television.
Here is some of what he produced:
*"Nanny and the Professor," (ABC, 1970-71): This series, done in a "Mary Poppins"-vein, starred Juliet Mills (oldest daughter of Sir John and Hayley's big sister) as the always cheerful and somewhat mysterious Nanny, serving the household of Professor Everett, played by "The Big Valley's" Richard Long, who died much too young of a heart attack. That house included children Hal, Butch and Prudence (who was played by Kim Richards, Paris Hilton's aunt). The show is enjoyable; I love the name of Nanny's antique car - Arabella. Early episodes are available at Hulu.com.
*"Police Story," (NBC, 1973-78): Created by Joseph Wambaugh, this show took "ripped from the headlines" stories long before "Law & Order." It's one of the police series that were bridges between "just the facts" programs like "Dragnet" and more introspective shows like "Hill Street Blues." Inexplicably, this series has never been released on DVD.
*"Police Woman," (NBC, 1974-78): Spun off from "Police Story," this program was the first successful show to focus on a female police officer, Sgt. Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson, played by Angie Dickinson, with Earl Holliman as her boss. It was also a cool show, starting with the theme, which was written by the legendary Henry Mancini. Only the first season is available on DVD.
*"George Washington," (miniseries, CBS, 1984) and "George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation," (miniseries, CBS, 1986): A great high-school aid for me, and two excellent miniseries, anchored by Barry Bostwick's portrayal of the nation's first president. In an all-star cast, Patty Duke also shined as Martha Washington. Both miniseries are available on DVD.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Here is some of what he produced:
*"Nanny and the Professor," (ABC, 1970-71): This series, done in a "Mary Poppins"-vein, starred Juliet Mills (oldest daughter of Sir John and Hayley's big sister) as the always cheerful and somewhat mysterious Nanny, serving the household of Professor Everett, played by "The Big Valley's" Richard Long, who died much too young of a heart attack. That house included children Hal, Butch and Prudence (who was played by Kim Richards, Paris Hilton's aunt). The show is enjoyable; I love the name of Nanny's antique car - Arabella. Early episodes are available at Hulu.com.
*"Police Story," (NBC, 1973-78): Created by Joseph Wambaugh, this show took "ripped from the headlines" stories long before "Law & Order." It's one of the police series that were bridges between "just the facts" programs like "Dragnet" and more introspective shows like "Hill Street Blues." Inexplicably, this series has never been released on DVD.
*"Police Woman," (NBC, 1974-78): Spun off from "Police Story," this program was the first successful show to focus on a female police officer, Sgt. Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson, played by Angie Dickinson, with Earl Holliman as her boss. It was also a cool show, starting with the theme, which was written by the legendary Henry Mancini. Only the first season is available on DVD.
*"George Washington," (miniseries, CBS, 1984) and "George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation," (miniseries, CBS, 1986): A great high-school aid for me, and two excellent miniseries, anchored by Barry Bostwick's portrayal of the nation's first president. In an all-star cast, Patty Duke also shined as Martha Washington. Both miniseries are available on DVD.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Week of Jan. 15: Leno and Letterman: A Look Back
With all the furor over NBC's late night, here's a chance to look back at a far different time: Jay Leno on "Late Night With David Letterman" (and a picture of Letterman's bandleader, Paul Shaffer, with hair):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coacWEhWT50&feature=related
Leno and Letterman took slightly different routes to success; though Letterman did standup, his role on television through his early career was primarily as a host or announcer. He did become a supporting player on Mary Tyler Moore's ill-advised variety show for CBS during the late 1970s.
NBC gave Letterman his own talk show in 1980 - at 10 in the morning. Letterman began to develop the comedy routines, such as "Small Town News," that are still part of his "Late Show" on CBS.
Letterman's daytime show was cancelled three months after its debut. Fortunately, Brandon Tartikoff, who soon came in as NBC's programming chief, figured out that late nighttime was the right time for Dave.
Meanwhile, Leno was becoming prominent in comedy clubs and for his standup routines on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. After Joan Rivers, the original permanent guest host for Carson, went to host her own talk show on the then-new Fox network, Leno was named the permanent guest host.
The rest, for both comedians, is history - not always pleasant, but definitely successful.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coacWEhWT50&feature=related
Leno and Letterman took slightly different routes to success; though Letterman did standup, his role on television through his early career was primarily as a host or announcer. He did become a supporting player on Mary Tyler Moore's ill-advised variety show for CBS during the late 1970s.
NBC gave Letterman his own talk show in 1980 - at 10 in the morning. Letterman began to develop the comedy routines, such as "Small Town News," that are still part of his "Late Show" on CBS.
Letterman's daytime show was cancelled three months after its debut. Fortunately, Brandon Tartikoff, who soon came in as NBC's programming chief, figured out that late nighttime was the right time for Dave.
Meanwhile, Leno was becoming prominent in comedy clubs and for his standup routines on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. After Joan Rivers, the original permanent guest host for Carson, went to host her own talk show on the then-new Fox network, Leno was named the permanent guest host.
The rest, for both comedians, is history - not always pleasant, but definitely successful.
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
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