Author Archives: dcaligari

May 22, 1974 –There is no real explanation – perhaps gambling debts – can explain the pairing of Julie Andrews and Jackie Gleason in the TV special, Julie Andrews & Jackie Gleason: How Sweet It Is, which air on ABC TV on this date. This special was produced specifically for the American market (with JackieContinue reading “Julie Andrews & Jackie Gleason: How Sweet It Is, premiered”

May 22, 1992 –For 30 years, the man most of America went to bed with every night, finally got tired of having to try to satisfy so many people and decided to retire. Johnny Carson , known for his sharp wit, impeccable timing, and understated charm, made his final appearance on The Tonight Show onContinue reading “America bid Bon Voyage to Carson”

May 21, 1971 –Regarded as one of the landmark recordings in pop music history, and one of the greatest albums of the 20th century, Marvin Gaye’s eleventh studio album What’s Going On, was released on this date. The What’s Going On album takes on many issues, including the environment (Mercy Mercy Me) and poverty (InnerContinue reading “Mother, mother, there’s too many of you crying …”

The 37h annual Fleet Week New York will start today and continue through May 27th, and the U.S. Navy says about 2,600 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen will be on hand to join in the “celebration of sea services.” The event featured a Parade of Ships, public ship tours, and various other military demonstrations andContinue reading “Please refrain for singing, “In The Navy””

May 21, 1990 –The final episode of Newhart aired on CBS, bringing the show to a close after eight successful seasons. Bob Newhart played Dick Loudon, a Vermont innkeeper, in this quirky sitcom. But what truly made TV history was the final scene of the series. Following his decision to end the show after SeasonContinue reading “Wow, Bob must be one heavy sleeper”

May 21, 1992 –Bette Midler appeared as the last scheduled guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, on this date. Carson had already announced his retirement, and this was the penultimate episode before his final farewell the next day. (This was the apex of TV. It hasn’t gotten any better than this.) What madeContinue reading “Johnny got all verklempt”

May 21, 1982 – The ingeniously crafted comedy Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, a unique blend of parody, homage, and technical wizardry that paid loving tribute to the film noir genre of the 1940s opened on this date. Directed and co-written by Carl Reiner, and starring Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, and Carl Reiner, the filmContinue reading “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid premiered”

May 20, 1967 –BBC disc jockey Kenny Everett gave the official preview of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on the radio show Where It’s At, broadcast on the BBC Light Program on this date. He was unable to play the final track A Day in the Life, which the BBC had banned a dayContinue reading “A preview of things to come”

May 20, 1967 –The Young Rascals’ (later to be known just as the Rascals,) had their second No. 1 hit Groovin’ in America, on this date. This was the second of three #1 hits for The Rascals, after Good Lovin‘ and before People Got to Be Free.

May 20, 2000 –Director Wong Kar-Wai’s lush, visually hypnotic masterpiece, In the Mood for Love (Faa Yeung Nin Wa), starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung premiered at Cannes Film festival, on this date. The film’s creation was as evocative and painstaking as its final form – filming stretched over fifteen months, a result of Wong’sContinue reading “Possibly the most beautiful film ever created premiered”