Author Archives: dcaligari

February 19, 1968 – Everyone’s favorite adult, Fred Rogers began telling everyone that It’s a beautiful year in the neighborhood when the national broadcast of his program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood premiered on this date. Guests on the show were often surprised to find that although Rogers was just as gentle and patient in life asContinue reading “Everyone got to know their new neighbor”

February 19, 2010 –The animated series, The Ricky Gervais Show, starring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington debuted on HBO on this date. This television show was basically the podcast set to new animation. The podcasts were edited down to fit into the half-hour format and additional sound effects and music were added forContinue reading “The Ricky Gervais Show premiered”

(Sorry for this Earworm) –Badfinger was a British pop band signed to the Beatles‘ label, Apple. One of their best songs, Without You, appeared on their second album, No Dice, and was released as a single on November 9, 1970. Paul McCartney once famously described the ballad as “the killer song of all time.” HarryContinue reading “The Bitter and the Sweet: The Story of “Without You””

I don’t need the calendar to remember that today is Ash Wednesday, please don’t try to wipe the the smudge mark off your friend’s forehead. Hominem te esse memento! Memento mori! – (Anyway, did you find the coin in the King Cake? ) So begins forty days (remember that the six Sundays between today andContinue reading “Remember to use ACME Eagle Hand Soap tomorrow”

Today is National Drink Wine Day, (this is opposed to National Wine Day, which is May 25th.) Stop yourself – before you make the joke, I know, it’s National Drink Wine Day every day in my home. I can make wine disappear. What’s your superpower? While, I can’t find the basis for the holiday, IContinue reading “Hardee har har”

Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year. In Chinese mythology, this day is believed to be the birthday of all dogs, so it is a common custom to treat pets and stray dogs with extra kindness and good food. The God of Wealth presides over a vast bureaucracy with many minor deitiesContinue reading “If you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty”

February 18, 1938 –If only he had his intercostal clavicle … … The greatest screwball comedy, directed by Howard Hawks, Bringing Up Baby, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant was released on this date. Katharine Hepburn loved to talk, which caused problems for Howard Hawks when he needed to shoot scenes. When she ignored theContinue reading “Bringing Up Baby premiered”

February 18, 1938 –Bob Hope’s film The Big Broadcast of 1938 debuted in New York on this date. The movie was Bob Hope’s big break in feature films. He accepted the part after Jack Benny turned down this role.

February 18, 1967 –The Buckinghams’ song Kind of a Drag hits #1 on the Billboard Charts on this date. Kind of a Drag was written by Jim Holvay, who was a friend of the band’s from Chicago. It is The Buckingham’s only #1 hit, although they peeked into the Top 10 twice more and chartedContinue reading “Kind of a Drag topped the charts”