Author Archives: dcaligari

October 25, 1975 –Quite arguably the funniest episode ever broadcast on network TV, The Mary Tyler Moore Show – Chuckles Bites the Dust first aired on this date. This episode culminates in a funeral for a clown that becomes a celebration of his life and career. There is an annual festival of clowns known asContinue reading “Chuckles Bites the Dust premiered”

October 24, 1836 –Mankind was not fully mankind until it learned how to set things on fire. That happened a long time ago and enabled such hallmarks of early civilization as cooked meat, heated homes, and flaming heretics. Only in the past few hundred years has mankind learned how to start fires quickly and easily.Continue reading “(Please follow along on your flow charts – this will be on the test)”

Today is Diwali, one of the biggest and brightest of all the Hindu celebrations. An ancient festival celebrating the triumph of light over dark and good over evil; the day is also significant in other religions including Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word, “deepawali”, meaning “row of lights”. The dayContinue reading “It’s also the Festival of Lights”

October 24, 2016 –The singer Bobby Vee died age 73 on this date. Vee was best know for his No. 1 hit Take Good Care of My Baby in the summer of 1961. He had 38 chart hits, ten of which reached the Top 20. Unfortunately Vee’s career began in the midst of tragedy. OnContinue reading “Bobby Vee”

October 24, 1971 –Don McLean’s second album, American Pie, is released by United Artists Records, on this date. The album reached No. 1 within two weeks of release and was certified gold within six months, spending almost a year on the Billboard album charts.

October 24, 1973 –The series about bald, dapper, New York City policeman, Kojak, starring Telly Savalas, premiered on CBS-TV on this date. (Here’s a gimme piece of trivial – Telly was Jennifer Aniston’s godfather.) Telly Savalas is seen throughout the series both sucking on his lollipop and smoking. In real life, Telly Savalas was tryingContinue reading “Kojak premiered”

October 24, 1946 –The V-2 rocket (which was a spoil of war, but that’s another story…) was launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, on this date. It carried a 35-millimeter motion picture camera that captured a new frame every second and a half. The rocket soared to an altitude of aboutContinue reading “Up in the air, junior airmen”

October 24, 1970 – One of the greatest character actresses, Nancy Walker, made her first appearance in one of her most famous roles, Ida Morgenstern, in the The Mary Tyler Moore Show episode Support Your Local Mother on this date. James L. Brooks and Allan Burns won an Emmy for “outstanding writing achievement in comedy”Continue reading “Support Your Local Mother first aired”

October 23, 1972 –Al Green’s fifth studio album, I’m Still in Love with You (on the Hi Record Label) was released on this date. Al Green mentioned the I’m Still in Love with You album cover in his 2000 autobiography, Take Me to the River: “In my white turtleneck, white patent leather shoes with theContinue reading “I’m Still in Love with You was released”

Today is TV Talk Show Host Day. We celebrate and honor all TV Talk Show hosts (strange how so many of them are coming to an end this year.) This very special day is celebrated on the birth date of legendary night time talk show host Johnny Carson. Carson is considered the “King of LateContinue reading “Here’s Johnny!”