Author Archives: dcaligari

September 10, 1898 –Empress Elisabeth of Austria was not a particularly happy royal. Known as the Princess Diana of her day, she was estranged from her husband, Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria (because of the stifling nature of court life) she lost her daughter, Sophie, in 1857, and her favorite cousin, King Ludwig II ofContinue reading “Ultimately, you can be too rich and thin”

September 10, 1955 – Gunsmoke premiered on CBS-TV on this date. The television series ran from September 10, 1955 until September 1, 1975 on CBS for 635 episodes. It had the longest run of any scripted series with continuing characters in American primetime television. William Conrad was the first choice to play Marshall Matt DillonContinue reading “Gunsmoke”

The British Queen’s handbag is a body language communication device. It is used by her to relay secret and silent messages to her staff. For example, if she is finished speaking to a guest she will move it from one arm to another and her aides will politely end the conversation, or if she wantsContinue reading “You don’t want to know what her brooches signify”

September 9, 1890 –131 years ago today a little boy named Harland was born in Kentucky. When Harland was six, his father died and his mother was forced to go to work. Little Harland did most of the cooking for his younger siblings. By the age of seven he was a master of the localContinue reading “Stop licking your fingers. It’s disgusting.”

September 9, 1992 –During a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, Nirvana played Lithium, ending in a grand finale where bassist Krist Novoselic tosses his instrument high into the air. When he tries to catch it, he misses, and the bass whacks him in the head. Nirvana wanted to play Rape Me at theContinue reading “I’m not gonna crack”

September 9, 1975 –The sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, starring Gabe Kaplan, debuted on ABC-TV on this date. The original title of the series was to be simply Kotter, but that was before composer John Sebastian had difficulty writing the theme song lyrics. He couldn’t find enough rhyming words for the title. Giving up on thatContinue reading “Welcome Back Kotter”

The time in China follows a single standard time, even though China spans almost five geographical time zones. Because of a legacy of Mao Tse-tung and the Communist Party’s desire for unified control, China, almost as wide as the continental United States, has officially only one time zone — Beijing time. But wait, there’s moreContinue reading “Does anybody really know what time it is (part 2)”

September 8, 1504 –Michelangelo’s David, was unveiled in Florence on this date. If you were staring too hard, you’ll notice that Dave has got a turtleneck. The apparently uncircumcised form would be at odds with Judaic practice, but would be consistent with the conventions of Renaissance art. Now put your eyes back in your head.Continue reading “Nice turtleneck you got on your statue there”

September 8, 1966 – That Girl starring Marlo Thomas premiered on ABC-TV on this date. The train in the opening sequence of the series was shot at Secaucus Junction, in Secaucus, NJ. It was filmed out of the back of the train as it headed northwest, then the film was reversed, making it appear toContinue reading “That Girl”

September 8, 1994 –At the MTV Video Music Awards, Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (MCA), in character as “Nathanial Hornblower,” rushes the stage when R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts beats Sabotage for Best Direction. It’s the first such intrusion at the VMAs. Frequent Beastie Boys collaborator Nathaniel Hörnblowér has an impressive resume. He directed classic Beasties videos (includingContinue reading “Oh you rapscallions”