Author Archives: dcaligari

September 17, 1965 – CBS-TV premiered Hogan’s Heroes, the first and perhaps only sitcom based in a German prisoner-of-war camp on this date. Werner Klemperer, Howard Caine, Leon Askin and John Banner, who portrayed the chief Germans Klink, Hochstetter, Burkhalter and Schultz, were all Jewish. All of them also served in the U.S. Armed ForcesContinue reading “It’s crazy this was ever a series”

September 17, 1964 – Dick York started out as Durwood, I mean, Darrin as Bewitched premiered on ABC-TV on this date. When it became clear that Dick York could not continue with the series, William Asher considered canceling it, not only because of York’s departure, but because he and Elizabeth Montgomery wanted to move on.Continue reading “So glad I finally found the original B & W version”

On July 4, 1776, the American colonies told Britain to kiss their hairy American asses. This occurred during the Revolutionary War, during which the Redcoats were coming, a shot was heard ‘round the world‘ and Paul Revere could see the whites of their eyes and knew that their taxes were too high. The complexities ofContinue reading “Please celebrate while we still have one”

There are 99 days until Christmas – 72 days until Thanksgiving – And 48 days unti the Presidential Election. Make sure that you have registered: Voting is one of your only obligations as a citizen – There’s is still time to change your rankings on the Naughty/ Nice list. Make your plans accordingly.

September 16, 1810 –No tequila for you if you thought Mexican Independence Day was Cinco de Mayo. Today is Independence Day in Mexico. Mexico began its revolt against Spanish rule on this date. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued “El Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Freedom), which claimed the end of Spanish rule.

September 16, 1977 –The eponymously named debut LP, Talking Heads: 77, was released on this date. It has long been considered one of the best debut albums of the CBGB habitués

September 16, 1972 – Everybody’s favorite therapist, before Frasier (see below) walked through his front door as The Bob Newhart Show premiered on CBS-TV on this date. Actor Peter Bonerz who played Jerry the dentist learned how to direct on the set of this show and went on to become an award-winning director of otherContinue reading “First time we played Hi Bob!”

September 16, 1963 – The science-fiction anthology series The Outer Limits premiered on ABC-TV on this date. The original title for this series was Please Stand By, but because the Cuban Missile Crisis had happened less than a year earlier, executives thought it might make people fearful of an air raid. As a reference toContinue reading “Please Stand By”

September 15, 1983 –Chrysalis Records released Huey Lewis and the News‘ third album, Sports, on this date. Huey Lewis & the News had lots of goofy fun in their videos, which was exactly what MTV was looking for. They would often star Lewis as a normal guy surrounded by lunatics played by his bandmates.

September 15, 1969 –The gentle comedy based on the humor of James Thurber, My World … and Welcome to It, starring William Windom, Lisa Gerritsen, Joan Hotchkis, Harold J. Stone, and Henry Morgan, first aired on CBS TV on this date. Prior to working on this series, William Windom and Lisa Gerritsen appeared as fatherContinue reading “My World … and Welcome to It premiered”