Seinfeld’s The Contest: Emmy-Winning Controversy

November 18, 1992 –The Seinfeld episode, The Contest premiered on this date. It was a controversial episode which later won an Emmy and was named the number one episode of all time by TV Guide magazine. The word “masturbation” (the subject of the episode) is never mentioned. The script originally did use the word, butContinue reading “Seinfeld’s The Contest: Emmy-Winning Controversy”

A holiday favorite: A Christmas Story premiered

November 18, 1983 – The small film that has become a holiday classic, A Christmas Story, directed by Bob Clark, (based on the writings of Jean Sheppard,) and starring Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, and Peter Billingsley, opened on this date Darren McGavin ad-libbed the profane rants while fighting with the furnace. He said he speaksContinue reading “A holiday favorite: A Christmas Story premiered”

Celebrating Mickey Mouse: The Birth of Sound Cartoons

November 18, 1928 – Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse (even though this is his third appearance in a cartoon.) There is an ancient buddhist saying, ‘ never argue with a corporation that has Darth Vader as a board member.’ Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronized sound cartoon, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, was releasedContinue reading “Celebrating Mickey Mouse: The Birth of Sound Cartoons”

In the mornin’ you go gunnin’ for the man who stole your water …

November 18, 1972 –Steely Dan’s first single Do It Again was released on this date. This was the breakout hit from Steely Dan’s first album. Like many of their songs, it’s hard to make sense of the lyrics, which seem to be about some combination of addiction, second chances and the inevitability of fate. It’sContinue reading “In the mornin’ you go gunnin’ for the man who stole your water …”

Let It Be… Naked: A Reimagined Classic

November 17, 2003 –A stripped-down version of The Beatles‘ Let It Be album, Let It Be… Naked, was released on this date. Phil Spector produced the original, and the new release removed his lavish strings and other accoutrements. Rather than being a straightforward remixing project, Let It Be… Naked contained a number of significant differencesContinue reading “Let It Be… Naked: A Reimagined Classic”

Double Fantasy: Lennon’s Final Studio Album

November 17, 1980 –John Lennon’s seventh studio album, Double Fantasy,(the final album released during his lifetime) was issued on this date. Double Fantasy was released on David Geffen’s record label, DGC. Many labels were competing for the album, but Geffen impressed Lennon when he wrote directly to Yoko and agreed to release it without hearingContinue reading “Double Fantasy: Lennon’s Final Studio Album”

When The Clock On The Wall Strikes Ten

November 17, 1933 –…All right, I tell you. Monday we watch-a Firefly’s house, but he no come out. He wasn’t home. Tuesday we go to the ball game, but he fool us: he no show up. Wednesday he go to the ball game, but we fool him, we no show up. Thursday it was aContinue reading “When The Clock On The Wall Strikes Ten”