Category Archives: Uncategorized

May 23, 1980 –Stanley Kubrick’s classic horror thriller The Shining, opened on this date (I remember seeing it at the midnight showing on this date in Time Square.) Because Danny Lloyd was so young, and since it was his first acting job, Stanley Kubrick was highly protective of the child. During the shooting of theContinue reading “The Shining premiered”

The purpose of World Turtle Day, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. It’s celebrated worldwide in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles to saving turtlesContinue reading “Today is World Turtle Day”

May 22, 1965 –The Beatles single, Ticket to Ride hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts on this date. Most Americans at the time, concluded the “ticket” was from British Railways, and “ride” was the town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight. McCartney confessed to his biographer Barry Miles that they were partly right.Continue reading “Ticket to Ride topped the charts”

May 22, 1992 –The man most of America went to bed with every night for 30 years, finally got tired of having to try to satisfy so many people. Johnny Carson’s final appearance on The Tonight Show was broadcast on this date. The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson remained a fixture on NBC through theContinue reading “The last Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson”

May 22, 1967 – Today was the first day a soft spoken man slipped into your home and made himself more comfortable, on WQED Pittsburgh. But don’t let his demeanor fool you, he was the power behind the throne of a kingdom where most of the royalty were mere “puppets“. Guests on the show wereContinue reading “The first national broadcast of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”

May 21, 1971 –Regarded as one of the landmark recordings in pop music history, and one of the greatest albums of the 20th century, Marvin Gaye’s eleventh studio album What’s Going On, was released on this date. The What’s Going On album takes on many issues, including the environment (Mercy Mercy Me) and poverty (InnerContinue reading “What’s Going On went on sale”

May 21, 1980 –George Lucas didn’t have enough money (the first time). He produces a sequel to his highly successful Star Wars, which somehow is Part V (don’t ask or someone will go to great lengths to explain it all to you.) The Empire Strikes Back premiered on this date. The film contains, arguably theContinue reading “The Empire Strikes Back premiered”

May 21, 1990 – Everyone had to check out of the Stratford Inn when the last episode of Newhart aired on CBS-TV on this date. After the 7th season, Bob Newhart decided the 8th season would be the final season for the show. When he told his wife Ginny Newhart of his decision, she suggestedContinue reading “The finale of Newhart”

May 21, 1966 –Mamas and the Papas debut album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, was No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. Collectors take note: If you can find the original album with the cover showing the toilet in the bathroom photo, it’s worth big bucks. The initial cover wasContinue reading “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears topped the charts”

May 21, 1992 –Bette Midler, the last scheduled guest, sang a touching impromptu duet with Johnny Carson, on the Tonight Show, on this date. Robin Williams also appeared on the show that night. (This was the apex of TV. It hasn’t gotten any better than this.) This penultimate show was immediately recognized as a televisionContinue reading “The last guests on The Johnny Carson Show”