Author Archives: dcaligari

November 21, 1980 –In what was one of the most-watched TV cliffhangers in television history, 350 million viewers worldwide tuned into the television series Dallas to find out who had shot J.R. Ewing at the end of the show’s previous season. As it turned out, he was shot by his wife’s sister, who also wasContinue reading “Dallas’ J.R. Ewing Cliffhanger”

The kid is riding the turkey to the slaughterhouse There’s another ad from Marks & Spenser, this time from their clothing division. watch the advert, then we’ll discuss later. The ad is cute and inoffensive enough but I am never failed to be amazed by the nastiness and outright bigotry that people feel free toContinue reading “This is just cruel”

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. It received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earnedContinue reading “Follow along (This will be on the test.)”

November 20, 1986 –The one billionth Little Golden Book was printed on this date. The title was The Poky Little Puppy. Perhaps, unwisely, this was the next book printed.

It’s the 49th anniversary of Generallismo Francisco Franco heroic fight to remain dead. While he may still working at it today, he is not doing it in peace. A few years ago, he was disinterred from his elaborate mausoleum and reburied in a family plot.

November 20, 1983 –An estimated 100 million people watched on this date, the controversial ABC-TV movie The Day After, which depicted the outbreak of nuclear holocaust in the United States. Twentieth Century Fox invited a group of scientists to preview this movie, to test their reactions to the “science” used in it. None of theContinue reading “The Day After: A Nation’s Nuclear Fears”

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 “The Premiere of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”

It could just about feed the Caligari clan. I thought we were done with British supermarket chains – I forgot Tesco, one of the really big ones in England but relatively unknown here in the US unless you’re a fan of British sitcoms, then they’re ubiquitous. What would Christmas be without gingerbread? Well, Tesco imaginesContinue reading “That’s one large pie”

November 19, 1995 – The Beatles Anthology documentary series first aired in US on ABC-TV on this date. The entire series was shown over three nights that week The series was released simultaneously with an accompanying album and book. The three surviving Beatles had heard that original drummer Pete Best had fallen on hard timesContinue reading “Celebrating The Beatles Anthology Release Date”

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!