Author Archives: dcaligari

December 5, 1952 –The local New York City affiliate of CBS-TV, WCBS begin carrying The Abbott and Costello Show on this date. During filming, one camera was always kept on Lou Costello because he was constantly improvising. The funniest bits of business were then edited into the episode whether they had anything to do withContinue reading “The Abbott and Costello Show premiered”

It is a landing, certainly, but not just any landing. It refers to that small landing at the top of a flight of stairs where you have to turn and take another flight of stairs whether going up or down. Demand Euphoria!

Today is the start of the Second Week of Advent. The theme of this week is that it is the week of Peace. The old ladies, saying rosaries in the back of church (to whom I turn to in all matters of religious instruction) tell me that this week is supposed to remind us thatContinue reading “… and on earth peace, good will toward men”

December 4, 1981 –Falcon Crest premiered on CBS-TV on this date. Jane Wyman and Lorenzo Lamas were the only actors that were part of the main cast through out the entire series. Lorenzo Lamas was the only actor who appeared in all 227 episodes.

December 4, 1971 –The Sly and the Family Stone song, Family Affair, reached no. 1 on the Billboard charts on this date. Sly & the Family Stone was indeed a family affair, with Sly Stone’s younger siblings, brother Freddie and sister Rosie, all part of the band. The rest of the group, including bass playerContinue reading “Family Affair topped the charts”

December 3, 1979 – At Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati on this date, eleven concertgoers were trampled several dozen others injured in the rush for seating at the opening of a sold-out concert by The Who. Only a few doors were in operation that night, and there are reports that management did not open more doorsContinue reading “Festival seating anyone”

December 3, 1976 –During a shoot for the cover of Pink Floyd’s the Animals album, one of the props, an inflatable pig broke free due to a strong gust of wind (gaining a lot of press coverage). The pig, named Algie, floated above Battersea Power Station, then disappeared from sight within five minutes, and wasContinue reading “The Pink Floyd Animals album cover shoot”

December 3, 1968 – NBC premiered the iconic Elvis special (usually referred the ‘68 Comeback Special,) sponsored by the Singer Corporation, on this date. St. Elvis appeared to his devoted acolytes on this date. The leather clad Elvis – not the sweaty holy Elvis. This is the “Elvis has left the building” Elvis. Touch butContinue reading “The Elvis special premiered”

December 2, 1908 –John Baxter Taylor Jr. was an American track and field athlete and member of the Irish American Athletic Club (yes, they were integrated) notable as the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal. According to the Winged Fist Website: Less than five months after returning from the Olympic Games inContinue reading “John Baxter Taylor Jr.”

December 2, 1972 –Carly Simon released her hit, You’re So Vain, with background harmonies supplied by Mick Jagger (who just happened to be in an adjoining studio at the time,) on this date. Carly Simon started recording this with Harry Nilsson singing backup, but Mick Jagger ended up singing on it instead (listen for himContinue reading “You’re So Vain was dropped”