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November 17, 1970 –To promote his most recent album Tumbleweed Connection, Elton John performed live at A&R Studios in New York City and was broadcast live on WABC-FM in New York, on this date. There was never any thought of releasing a live album of the broadcast, but recordings of the broadcast were so popularContinue reading “Elton John’s live radio concert (11/17/70)”

November 17, 1933 –…Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot, but don’t let that fool you: he really is an idiot. I implore you, send him back to his father and brothers, who are waiting for him with open arms in the penitentiary. I suggest that we give himContinue reading “Duck Soup premiered”

It’s the third Thursday in November, it’s that time of the year – Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé ! It’s Beaujolais Nouveaux Day (Beaujolais is a perfectly fine wine to serve with your Thanksgiving feast – I’m just saying.) Demand Euphoria!

A recipe for a dip you can take with you to a Thanksgiving dinner Before you go – T K Maxx, (apparently our British cousins can save even more money by not using the J) has another topical advert about saving money during this troubled economy. So the take away is, by shopping at TContinue reading “Start planning”

November 17, 1992 –Dateline NBC aired a report titled Waiting to Explode? questioning the safety of some General Motors trucks, on this date. To try to ensure dramatic footage, the show’s producers allowed incendiary devices to be strapped to trucks for a crash-test demonstration. When GM discovered the setup, the carmaker sued NBC for defamationContinue reading “The infamous Waiting to Explode? segment premiered”

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 viewers 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 premiered”

A brief announcement You can well appreciate that with the tense issues in Europe, the UN is busy with other things. But after exhaustive negotiations, I am permitted to state that there with be no holiday photograph of the people, for legal reasons, will be referred to as ‘the Cozza-Cordero siblings‘. Their legal representives wouldContinue reading “From the ACME legal Dept.”

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 premiered”

November 16, 1981 –One of the most-watched weddings in American television history, with over 30 million viewers, Luke Spencer and Laura Webber’s wedding on General Hospital premiered on ABC-TV on this date. (Try not to remember that this romance started with a rape.) Elizabeth Taylor, an avowed General Hospital fan, guest-starred in the wedding episodeContinue reading “Luke and Laura’s wedding”

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 “The 1980 Floor Show premiered”