Author Archives: dcaligari

January 3, 1969 –In New Jersey, 30,000 copies of John and Yoko’s album Two Virgins are confiscated because the cover is deemed obscene. There is nothing more shocking than two naked multimillionaires on the cover of your Rock and Roll Album. Kids, go ask your parents what albums were.

Today is Memento Mori Day, a tradition started in ancient Rome that serves as a reminder that we will all die, one day soon. It is said that in ancient Rome, when a victorious general would return to the city for his triumph (victory parade), a slave would walk behind him, whispering in his ear:Continue reading “Ashes To Ashes”

For those still with us – today’s gift count (220): you currently have 10 Leaping Lords, 18 Rockettes, 24 young milkmaid, 28 Swans making a racket, 30 geese a’ laying, 30 golden rings, 28 calling birds, 24 French hens, 18 turtledoves and 10 partridges in their respective pear trees. The ten lords represent the TenContinue reading “Really, what the hell kind of gift is this anyway?”

January 3, 1987 –Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, on this date. She was inducted by the very high Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards at the ceremony. Other inductees that evening were The Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley, Clyde McPhatter, Rick Nelson, RoyContinue reading “The Queen gets her due”

January 3, 1970 – Jon Pertwee made his first appearance as the Third Doctor in the Doctor Who episode Spearhead from Space, on this date. It also marks the first time that the series was broadcast in color. Because of a BBC strike, this story was shot entirely on location with no studio scenes. ThisContinue reading “The Third Dr. Who’s first appearance”

January 3, 2005 –Craig Ferguson took over the reins of The Late Late Show for the first time on CBS TV on this date. He would go on to host the program through 2014. CBS held auditions for the host job by letting their nominees host for one week, which Craig Ferguson obviously won. TheContinue reading “Craig Ferguson first day on the job”

January 2, 1978 –The influential science fiction TV series Blake’s 7 debuted on BBC1 in the UK on this date. Paul Darrow (Kerr Avon), Michael Keating (Vila Restal) and Jacqueline Pearce (Supreme Commander Servalan) are the only actors to have stayed with the series throughout its entire run.

January 2, 1953 –NBC-TV transitioned the popular radio program The Life of Riley, starring William Bendix to TV on this date. The character Chester Riley was ranked #30 in TV Guide’s list of the “50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time” in 2004.

January 2, 2010 –Kesha’s song Tik Tok hit #1 on the Billboard charts on this date. When Kesha’s producer Dr. Luke telephoned her after hearing a demo to say he’d like to hook up with the then-unknown singer-songwriter, Nicole Richie took the call and hung up on him. At the time, Kesha and her momContinue reading “The song Tik Tok topped the charts”

Today’s gift count (156): you currently have Nine ladies dancing, 16 young woman engaged in the dairy industry (and possibly their union rep. I’ve also never considered whether or not the cows come with them), 21 Swans making a racket, 24 geese a’ laying (check to see if you can make omelets for all thoseContinue reading “How large an apartment do you have anyway?”