You learn something new every day

Today is For Pete’s Sake Day. “For Pete’s sake” originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake,” and other similar expressions—as using a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter’s name instead was considered less offensive. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “for Pete’s sake” came into use more than a century agoContinue reading “You learn something new every day”

A series you may not have heard of

February 26, 1979 –NBC hoped to capitalize on their previous series Columbo, by casting Kate Mulgrew, as his never seen wife, now a crime solving reporter in Mrs. Columbo, co-starring Henry Jones, premiered on this date. The series was originally about the exploits of the crime reporter wife of Lt. Columbo, but when the seriesContinue reading “A series you may not have heard of”

What else would they be for?

February 26, 1966 –While Nancy Sinatra was on the same record label (Reprise) as her famous father, her record label was going to drop her because her first few singles flopped. Things changed when they teamed her with producer Lee Hazlewood. These Boots Are Made for Walkin‘ topped the charts on this date. It wasContinue reading “What else would they be for?”

And some people worry about buying a BMW

February 26, 1974 –A U.S. Senate report reveals Ford Motor’s involvement in Nazi Germany’s war efforts, for which CEO Henry Ford was awarded the Grand Cross of the German Eagle at the behest Adolf Hitler himself. After the war, the car company was paid nearly $1M reparation by the U.S. government to compensate for oneContinue reading “And some people worry about buying a BMW”

Your Show of Shows premiered

February 25, 1950 –The comedy-variety program Your Show of Shows, starring Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca and Carl Reiner, debuted on NBC-TV on this date. (This is not from the first episode) Writers for the show included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Larry Gelbart. A common misconception is that Woody Allen wrote for Your Show ofContinue reading “Your Show of Shows premiered”

Dylan on The Steve Allen Show

February 25, 1964 –Bob Dylan appears on the Steve Allen Show, on this date, and performed The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll. This song gives the account of the killing of 51-year-old barmaid Hattie Carroll by the wealthy young William Devereux “Billy” Zantzinger and his subsequent sentence of six months in jail. The actual incidentContinue reading “Dylan on The Steve Allen Show”