Author Archives: dcaligari

October 16, 1979 –The comedy sketch show Not the Nine O’Clock News, starring Rowan Atkinson, Chris Langham, Pamela Stephenson and Mel Smith debuts on BBC 2, on this date. The original pilot episode had a different cast: Rowan Atkinson and Chris Langham were joined by Chris Emmett, Christopher Godwin, John Gorman, Willoughby Goddard and JonathanContinue reading “Not the 9 O’Clock News debuted”

Halloween is in 15 days. Get your costume together. Remember, you can always go as a sociopath – they look just like you and me The General Election is in 20 days. Thanksgiving is in 43 days The start of Hanukkah and Christmas are 70 days away. Check to see where you are located onContinue reading “Hey, BTW –”

October 15, 1994 –R.E.M.’s ninth studio album, released by Warner Bros., Monster, was No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. After releasing two consecutive slow-paced albums, Out Of Time and Automatic For The People, R.E.M really wanted to rock out on their album Monster. They were also trying to find their place inContinue reading “Monster topped the charts”

October 15, 1954 –The eponymously named series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin first aired on ABC-TV on this date. A popular children’s record titled Rinny and Rusty and Rip was released in the 1950’s about the three lead characters. It was a 78 rpm Golden Records release, sung by Anne Lloyd and The Sandpipers,Continue reading “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin premiered”

October 15, 1951 –A former starlet convinced the alcoholic, womanizing head of a television network to run the TV version of her somewhat successful radio program. I Love Lucy, the television situation comedy, starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, also featuring Vivian Vance and William Frawley, went on to run on CBS for 181 episodesContinue reading “It’s still running now”

Tell the old ladies in the back of the church that it’s the feast day of your favorite saint, they’ll be duly impressed – Saint Teresa of Avila (I mention her at least twice a year.) She is also known as the Roving Nun (but should not be confused with the Wandering Nun, the MeanderingContinue reading “Pain is never permanent.”

We here at ACME love to remind people that today is Evacuation Day. They’re celebrating it in Tunisia. It turns out that Evacuation Day recognizes the important contributions made to the world of science by Tunisian proctologists, (it actually commemorates the 1963 withdrawal of the last French troops from the naval port of Bizerte.) TheContinue reading “An important ACME Message”

October 14, 1983 –Cyndi Lauper, formerly a member of the group Blue Angel, issues her first solo album, She’s So Unusual. With the MTV hits Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Time After Time, the album becomes an ‘80s touchstone. On the strength of her breakout solo album She’s So Unusual, Lauper won theContinue reading “She said, I’m sorry, baby, I’m leaving you tonight …”

October 14, 1977 –Linda Ronstadt sang The National Anthem prior to World Series Game Three at Dodger Stadium, on this date. She was heavily criticized at the time, for casual attire – (the ever solid Dodger fan, Linda only requested a Dodger jacket as her fee for singing the anthem.) Many consider her rendition ofContinue reading “She got it right”

October 14, 1979 –NBC aired a TV adaptation of Helen Keller’s life story The Miracle Worker, starring Melissa Gilbert, Patty Duke, Charles Siebert, Stanley Wells, and Diana Muldaur, on this date. Melissa Gilbert originally wanted to offer the part of Annie Sullivan to Meredith Baxter, but the adults working on the project suggested offering theContinue reading “A new version of The Miracle Worker premiered”