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November 17, 1978 –The two-hour Star Wars Holiday Special aired for the first and only time on CBS on this date. (I must strongly warn readers not to attempt to watch the entire special in one seating – stronger men have been driven to drink and drugs for less.) George Lucas famously tried (and failed)Continue reading “Star Wars Holiday Special: A One-Time Wonder”

November 17, 1942 –Academy Award-winning American film director, writer, producer, actor, film historian, former drug addict and asthmatic, Martin Scorsese, was born on this date. Go watch a movie (any movie) in his honor. He won’t mind (his latest documentary, Beatles ‘64, premieres November 29 and his latest series, The Saints premiered tonight.)

Will you put up your tree before Thanksgiving? We put yours up this weekend. It seemed like a good time T K Maxx, (apparently our British cousins can save even more money by not using the J) has continued their bizarre holiday promotion. I’m left with so many questions, but here’s the main one: WhyContinue reading “I’m not sure if you’ve given a thought to this:”

What’s the deal with children and butchery? The English department store chain, John Lewis and Partners released their annual holiday advert, which is one of the more highly anticipated commercials. This year’s ad was a tear jerker, as usual. We should have warned you to grab your tissue box.

November 16 is known as Have a Party with Your Bear Day but many sites do not explain the reason: (No it’s not this reason.) In 1902 while on a hunting trip with Mississippi Gov. Andrew H. Longino, President Teddy Roosevelt was offered the opportunity to shoot a bear tied to a tree. Seeing thisContinue reading “Perhaps I grabbed the wrong photo”

November 16, 1986 –The theme of the show is Raisins – the first comedic television miniseries ever to air in the U.S., Fresno, starring Carol Burnett, Teri Garr, Charles Grodin, Dabney Coleman, Jerry Van Dyke, and Tom Poston, premiered on CBS, on this date. Charles Grodin recalls that during filming, Jerry Van Dyke asked himContinue reading “Fresno: The First Comedic Miniseries on CBS”

November 16, 1969 –David Bowie appeared in his first TV special, 1980 Floor Show, broadcast on NBC’s Midnight Special, on this date. The show was a spectacular stage production that was filmed over three days, mostly at The Marquee Club, in Soho, London. It would be Bowie’s last performance as the Ziggy Stardust persona withContinue reading “1980 Floor Show premiered”

November 16, 1974 –John Lennon’s song Whatever Gets You Thru the Night hits #1 on the Billboard charts on this date. With this song, John Lennon became the last of the Beatles to hit #1 US in their respective post-Beatles careers. By this time Paul McCartney had hit #1 three times, and George Harrison andContinue reading “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night topped the charts”

November 16, 1979 –Paul McCartney released what many consider the worst Christmas tune ever, Wonderful Christmastime, on this date. Paul has the last laugh concerning the song, music industry sources estimate that McCartney makes between $400,000 to $600,000 annually from royalties on Wonderful Christmastime alone.

November 15, 1986The Beastie Boys‘ debut studio album Licensed to Ill, released by Def Jam and Columbia Records, went on to become the first rap LP to top the Billboard album chart, was released on this date. With their debut album, Licensed To Ill, released in November, and over the next few months, the BeastieContinue reading “Beastie Boys Debut Album: Licensed to Ill”