Category Archives: Uncategorized

it’s the anniversary of the passing of the the singer Kirsty MacColl. I can think of no better remembrance of her than playing this holiday classic. After their second album Rum, Sodomy & The Lash, The Pogues wanted to release a Christmas single. Instead of a cover song, lead singer Shane MacGowan and banjo playerContinue reading “Fairytale Of New York”

December 18, 1982 –Daryl Hall and John Oates‘ single Maneater was #1 on the Billboard charts, on this date. This is one of several Hall & Oates songs that Daryl Hall’s longtime girlfriend Sara Allen had a hand in writing – she’s credited on the track along with the duo. According to Hall, his originalContinue reading “Maneater topped the charts”

December 18, 1989 –An I Love Lucy Christmas episode, nicknamed “The Lost Episode” because it was not included in the syndication package, was shown for first time in over 30 years on this date. The Christmas episode was not included in the usual syndication package because of its holiday theme and because it mostly consistsContinue reading “The Lost I Love Lucy Christmas episode”

December 18, 1966 –The Pink Panther cartoon series premiered with the episode titled The Pink Blueprint on this date The Pink Panther character, created for the animated opening credits of The Pink Panther movie, was so popular that this short was produced as a starring vehicle for the character. The short marks the only timeContinue reading “The first Pink Panther cartoon premiered”

Tonight is the start of Hanukkah. This year, my first Hanukkah gift to you is to remind you that there is no Kathy Lee Gifford Hanukkah Special. Ok bunkies, today is the fourth and last Sunday of the Advent season. The day is called the Fourth Sunday of Advent, sorry no fancy french or LatinContinue reading “Remember that ACME has a a fine selection of candles”

December 17, 1991 –Gilbert O’Sullivan’s  Alone Again (Naturally) was ‘sampled’ in Biz Markie’s Alone Again, and the United States Federal Court for the Southern District of New York agreed with the 70’s artist that Biz needed to get permission to use his music in a very landmark case. That permission typically involves direct payment orContinue reading “Biz Markie and landmark copyright ruling”

December 17, 1971 –David Bowie releases his fourth album, Hunky Dory, which opens with the iconic Changes, on this date. The album was the first to feature all the members of the band that would become known the following year as Ziggy Stardust’s Spiders From Mars. Two singles were released from the album: Changes/ AndyContinue reading “Hunky Dory was dropped”

December 17, 1977 – Elvis Costello and The Attractions made a rare United States television debut on Saturday Night Live when Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols failed to show up for the gig. Producer Lorne Michaels refused to allow Costello to perform Radio, Radio because of the song’s criticism of the broadcasting industry, butContinue reading “Elvis Costello on SNL for the first time”

December 17, 1989 – Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, also known as The Simpsons Christmas Special, the first full-length episode of The Simpsons, premiered on this date. This special was not originally intended to be The Simpsons pilot. Production problems, particularly with the first produced episode, The Simpsons: Some Enchanted Evening, saw the showContinue reading “The Simpson series premiered”

December 16, 1965 –NASA was in a piss-proud mood. Days before, Gemini 6 (Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra, space cowboys aboard) and Gemini 7 (Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, rocket men aboard) had successfully rendezvoused in space. Just before Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra were about to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, on this date, they radioedContinue reading “The song heard around the world (and beyond)”