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August 19, 1977 –I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it. One of the world’s leading commentator on the human condition, Groucho gave up the ghost on this date.

August 19, 1964 –The Beatles first US tour began in San Francisco, California with their concert at the Cow Palace. They played ten songs to a crowd of over 17,000. The Beatles returned there for another concert in 1965.

August 19, 1969 –David Crosby, Steven Stills, Joni Mitchell, and the Jefferson Airplane appeared on the Dick Cavett Show, giving a first-hand account of the Woodstock festival that took place over the weekend. Jefferson Airplane’s performance of We Can Be Together marked the first time the word “fuck” was uttered on live US television.

August 19, 1932 – The Marx Brothers‘ fourth movie, Horse Feathers, went into general release on this date. Thelma Todd’s character “Connie” is referred to in the film as being a “college widow“. This was a somewhat derogatory term at the time that referred to a young woman who remains near a college year afterContinue reading “…swordfish, swordfish… I think I got it. Is it “swordfish”?”

August 19, 1972 –NBC-TV presented The Midnight Special for the first time on this date. John Denver hosted the first episode of the show with guests including: Mama Cass, The Everly Brothers, The Isley Brothers, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt and Argent. Helen Reddy was also a musical guest on the show, but did not hostContinue reading “This is a power packed line up”

Today is National Soft Serve Ice Cream Day. Soft Serve Ice Cream has been around since the 1930s. There are conflicting reports of the origins of the dessert. In 1934, Tom Carvel, the founder of eponymous ice cream brand and franchise, had to sell melting ice cream on a parking lot because his ice creamContinue reading “You have to lick it one day at a time”

Umayyad partisans defeat the supporters of Ibn al-Zubayr and cement Umayyad control of Syria, in the Battle of Marj Rahit, on this date in 684 – but what the hell do you care. Today is National Bad Poetry Day in the United States. There’s a very fun website will generate on command a great dealContinue reading “All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.”

August 18 1989 –Columbia Pictures released Brian DePalma’s memorable war drama, Casualties of War, starring Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, John C. Reilly, and John Leguizamo, in the US on this date. Brian De Palma said that he had been trying to make this film since 1969 when he first read the Casualties Of WarContinue reading “Casualties of War premiered”

August 18, 1993 –Woody Allen reunited with one of his favorite actress, Diane Keaton when Sony Pictures released Manhattan Murder Mystery in the US on this date. Manhattan Murder Mystery was actually the generic working title during production–Woody Allen films usually have generic titles during production like “Woody Allen Fall Project“–but since no new titleContinue reading “Manhattan Murder Mystery premiered”

August 18, 1979 –Chic’s single Good Times was their second single to go to No.1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. The song has become one of the most sampled tunes in music history, most notably in hip hop music. This song, built around Bernard Edwards’ distinctive bassline, is one of the most copiedContinue reading “Good Times topped the charts”