Author Archives: dcaligari

May 9, 1955 –Harpo had suffered a recent heart attack and was warned by doctors not to continue performing. But, luckily for us, Harpo refused, and went on to appear in an episode of I Love Lucy, Lucy and Harpo Marx, which aired on this date. The Lucy-Harpo “mirror routine” became a rare scene ofContinue reading “Harpo appeared on I Love Lucy”

May 9, 1958 –Richard Burton made his network television debut on this date, on The DuPont Show of the Month – Wuthering Heights, on CBS-TV. In 1999 actress Rosemary Harris met TV historian Jane Klain and asked if she could find a copy of the film. Harris was a last minute replacement and had onlyContinue reading “Wuthering Heights, with Richard Burton, premiered”

May 8, 1970 –In front of Federal Hall and under the statue of George Washington, on this date, construction workers stormed a student protest against the Vietnam War and the killing of the students at Kent State. The construction workers chased both students and bystanders through the streets, beating and kicking them; police reportedly lookedContinue reading “The Hard Hat Riots”

Coconuts are good for you. The water from the coconut has traditionally been used when commercial IV solutions of plasma have not been available. Coconut oils accelerate the metabolism. Of course, if you put them in a pie you may not notice the effect. In case you are asked: The coconut is not a nut.Continue reading “Today is National Coconut Cream Pie Day”

May 8, 1886 –John Stith Pemberton was druggist and drug addict in North Carolina, plagued by his morphine addiction. Pemberton began work on a coca and cola (kola) nut beverage. It was intended to stop headaches and calm nervousness, but others insist he was attempting to create beverage to help control his addiction, also afflictingContinue reading “Oh, for the original formula”

May 8, 1943 – Another Tex Avery masterpiece, Red Hot Riding Hood, was released on this date. Director Tex Avery was famous for his off the wall cartoons, which were aimed more toward adult audiences than children. Here, however, he pushed the limits of what was considered acceptable, and in several places the film wasContinue reading “Red Hot Riding Hood premiered”

May 8, 1970 –Just shortly after the break up of the Beatles is announced, Apple Records released The Beatles final original album Let It Be, on this date. Although Let It Be topped album charts in both the US and the UK, and sales were very good, the album did not receive good reviews andContinue reading “Let It Be went on sale”

May 8, 1984 –Joanie (Erin Moran) and Chachi (Scott Baio) tied the knot (finally) on Happy Days, on this date. The comedy series, starring Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley and Marion Ross (Ron Howard and Anson Williams had already left the show), was winding down in its final season on ABC-TV.

May 8, 2010 – On a Mother’s Day-themed episode, the 88-year old Betty White, more than 70 years in show business, six Emmy Award winning actress, hosted Saturday Night Live, thanks to a push by fans on Facebook. Unusual for a host, Betty White appears in every sketch, including the cold open, Weekend Update andContinue reading “Betty White on SNL”

May 7, 399 BC (according to Plato) –… Socrates, what is truth?’ ‘Socrates, what is beauty?’ Never once did any of you guys say ‘Socrates, hemlock is poison.’ Thanks a lot, you guys … Greek authorities forced philosopher Socrates to end his life by drinking a potion containing hemlock for his teaching methods which arousedContinue reading “Socrates was having a bad day”