Author Archives: dcaligari

The United Nations General Assembly (back in 1996) proclaimed November 21st as World Television Day. The UN want to recognize that television represented a symbol for communication and globalization in the contemporary world. I’ve reminded my children ad nauseum, everything they own is due to TV.

November 21, 1931 – James Whale classic retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, premiered on this date. During production, there was some concern that seven-year-old Marilyn Harris, who played Maria, the little girl thrown into the lake by The Monster, would be overly frightened by the sight of Boris Karloff in costume and make-up when itContinue reading “It’s alive! It’s alive!”

November 21, 1992 –Adam Sandler sang The Thanksgiving Song on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, on this date. Sandler, still two years away from introducing his huge holiday hit The Chanukah Song, celebrated Thanksgiving with a comical ode to the holiday.

November 20, 1976 –Former-Beatle George Harrison appeared with Paul Simon on a Thanksgiving episode of Saturday Night Live on this date. George Harrison seemed to have misunderstood Lorne Michaels offer of the $3,000 payment for his appearance; Michaels explained to George that the $3,000 was for all four of the Beatles – making the paymentContinue reading “Silly Beatle – Always carefully read the contract”

November 20, 2007 –The debut album from Amy Winehouse, Frank, (the title refers partly to Frank Sinatra, an early influence on Winehouse,) was finally released in the US eight months after her second album (Back to Black,) and three years after its British release. (This will be on the test.) It received generally positive reviewsContinue reading “Don’t you know you supposed to be the man?”

November 20, 1973 – The third Peanuts holiday special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, premiered on CBS-TV on this date. Lucy has limited role in this special: she has her scene where she torments Charlie Brown by yanking away a football as the beleaguered hero attempts to kick it. But that opening scene is the onlyContinue reading “Over the river and through the woods”

November 20, 1998 –The wonderful Irish comedy, Waking Ned Devine, starring Ian Bannen, David Kelly, and Fionnula Flanagan, opened in the U.S. on this date. Writer/director Kirk Jones did not have time to cast the role of Father Mulligan before shooting began. On location, he asked gaffer Larry Randall if he would play the part.Continue reading “Find the time to watch it today”

November 20, 1999 – John Carpenter became the first world-wide winner of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, on this date. The $1 million question was, “Which of these U.S. Presidents appeared on the television series ‘Laugh-In’?”, with the choices being A) Lyndon Johnson, B) Richard Nixon, C) Jimmy Carter, and D) Gerald Ford. HeContinue reading “Geez, everyone knew that one”

Today is World Toilet Day. The day is all about celebrating toilets for everything they do for us – from taking away our waste to protecting our health, safety and dignity. Billions of people still don’t have a safe toilet. If you’re lucky enough have one, say thanks and give it some love!

November 19, 1980 –File this under: the past is a different country –In 1980, Brooke Shields was just 15 when she filmed a series of controversial Calvin Klein television commercials. ABC and CBS banned several of her Calvin Klein jean advertisement because of the highly suggestive question, “Do you know what comes between me andContinue reading “Apparently a lot came between Brooke and her Calvins”