Author Archives: dcaligari

May 21, 1980 –George Lucas didn’t have enough money (the first time). He produces a sequel to his highly successful Star Wars, which somehow is Part V (don’t ask or someone will go to great lengths to explain it all to you.) The Empire Strikes Back premiered on this date. The film contains, arguably theContinue reading “The Empire Strikes Back premiered”

May 21, 1990 – Everyone had to check out of the Stratford Inn when the last episode of Newhart aired on CBS-TV on this date. After the 7th season, Bob Newhart decided the 8th season would be the final season for the show. When he told his wife Ginny Newhart of his decision, she suggestedContinue reading “The finale of Newhart”

May 21, 1966 –Mamas and the Papas debut album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, was No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. Collectors take note: If you can find the original album with the cover showing the toilet in the bathroom photo, it’s worth big bucks. The initial cover wasContinue reading “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears topped the charts”

May 21, 1992 –Bette Midler, the last scheduled guest, sang a touching impromptu duet with Johnny Carson, on the Tonight Show, on this date. Robin Williams also appeared on the show that night. (This was the apex of TV. It hasn’t gotten any better than this.) This penultimate show was immediately recognized as a televisionContinue reading “The last guests on The Johnny Carson Show”

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, 1993 – The last episode of the series Cheers aired on this date. One of the last scenes shows Sam straightening a photograph on the side of the bar. The picture is of Geronimo. This is an homage to the late Nicholas Colasanto, who played “Coach” Ernie Pantusso from 1982-1985. The picture heldContinue reading “The finale of Cheers”

May 20, 1982 – The last episode of the series Barney Miller aired on this date. The producers were approached during the run of the series about doing a feature film based on the show using the regular cast members. The film was never made.

May 19, 1951 – The first in the series of the transvestite Bugs Bunny, the ever clueless Daffy Duck and bestiality minded Elmer Fudd’s “Hunting Trilogy“, Rabbit Fire was released on this date. Hank Azaria has cited the scene where Bugs and Daffy imitate each other as Mel Blanc’s greatest achievement in voice acting.

May 19, 1994 – After eight seasons, the final episode of LA Law aired on NBC-TV on this date. Series co-creator Terry Louise Fisher, former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, former entertainment lawyer for Twentieth Century Fox, and producer and writer for Cagney & Lacey, composed a form letter she was thinking ofContinue reading “LA Law finale”

May 19, 1962 –Democrats staged a fund-raiser in New York’s Madison Square Garden that was billed as a birthday salute to President John F. Kennedy on this date. JFK thanked Marilyn, saying, “I can now retire from politics after having had ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way.” It takes aContinue reading “There a lesson here, somewhere”