Author Archives: dcaligari

May 8, 2010 –On a Mother’s Day-themed episode, the 88-year old Betty White, more than 70 years in show business, six Emmy Award winning actress, hosted Saturday Night Live, thanks to a push by fans on Facebook. Unusual for a host, Betty White appeared in every sketch, including the cold open, Weekend Update and prerecordedContinue reading “Betty White on SNL”

May 8, 1984 –Joanie (Erin Moran) and Chachi (Scott Baio) tied the knot (finally) on Happy Days, on this date. The comedy series, starring Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley and Marion Ross (Ron Howard and Anson Williams had already left the show), was winding down in its final season on ABC-TV.

May 8, 1970 –Just shortly after the break up of the Beatles was announced, Apple Records released The Beatles final original album Let It Be, on this date. Although Let It Be topped album charts in both the US and the UK, and sales were very good, the album did not receive good reviews andContinue reading “When I find myself in times of trouble …”

May 8, 1976 –John Sebastian’s theme song to the TV series Welcome Back, Kotter, Welcome Back, hits No. 1 on the Billboard Charts on this date. Since it was written for the TV show, the song was less than a minute long. Viewers loved the song and related to the message about returning to theContinue reading “Welcome Back topped the charts”

May 8, 1943 – Another Tex Avery masterpiece, Red Hot Riding Hood, was released on this date. Director Tex Avery was famous for his off the wall cartoons, which were aimed more toward adult audiences than children. Here, however, he pushed the limits of what was considered acceptable, and in several places the film wasContinue reading “Wolfie, wolfie”

Today is National Roast Leg of Lamb Day! Truly, there is no more a noble cause than eating a meal consisting of properly prepared lamb. Sadly, in a recent survey, roughly 50% of Americans surveyed reported that they had never eaten lamb, and most American each less than a pound of lamb per year. InContinue reading “Don’t forget the tzatziki!”

May 7, 1987 –Shelly Long made her last appearance as a regular on the NBC series Cheers, on this date. To keep Shelley Long’s departure from the series under wraps, three endings were shot. The aired ending, which had Diane leaving and promising to return in six months, and two additional endings. One had SamContinue reading “Goodbye Diane (some say good riddance)”

May 7, 1937 –Leo McCarey’s forgotten tearjerker, Make Way for Tomorrow, starring Victor Moore, Beulah Bondi, Fay Bainter, and Thomas Mitchell opened in Hollywood on this date. Orson Welles was quoted as saying that the film “would make a stone cry“. John Ford, Frank Capra and Jean Renoir were big admirers of the film.

May 7, 1966 –The Mamas and the Papas song Monday, Monday reached no. #1 on the Billboard charts (their only no. #1 hit) on this date. This was the first Hot 100 chart-topper with a day in the week in the title, and the only one with “Monday.” (Manic Monday by the Bangles and RainyContinue reading “Monday, Monday topped the charts”

May 7, 1973 –George Harrison released the single Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth), off his album, Living in the Material World, on this date. The song became George Harrison’s second US #1 following My Sweet Lord. It pushed Paul McCartney and Wings‘ My Love from the top position, marking the only occasionContinue reading “Give me love, give me love …”