hiway29

Thanks for posting the lyrics, George. As far as the playing the instruments thing. The Monkees themselves never claimed to be more than what they were. They were a group of kids put together for a TV show about a band-not a band themselves. But- they could and did play their own instruments in live concerts, and their 3rd album 'Headquarters' was all them. Michael Nesmith was (is) a talented songwriter and musician. Peter Tork was also a musician who was very frustrated in the Monkees early days when studio musicians were used for the first 2 albums. Davy Jones had a history on Broadway, esp in 'Oliver', and made no claims besides singing. Micky Dolenz had a unique voice that made the Monkees hits go, and learned to play drums servicably. I remember the rage against the Monkees from those who discounted them for being manufactured. They WERE manufactured as a TV show, and knew it. They had no business producing ANYTHING that had any real value, yet in my opinion made some really nice music that is still fun to listen to today. That's my 2 cents anyway.

well, this one I KNOW-so how do I say it without giving it away? well the song is Riu Chiu the singers include a former circus boy, artful dodger, hippie, and woolhat

how high is the bridge?

Thanks Kathy-I try not to get too long winded as I figure not everyone is as interested in this stuff as me. This is a significant passing, and felt it warranted some reflection-plus Sudo ASKED me too !

Joe Barbera, was of course half of the Hanna-Barbera team that re defined animation in the 50's, when they brought limited animation into widespread use for tv. They didn't 'invent' it, but they were the first to utilize it in a practical manner. It wasn't always so. They were the creators of Tom and Jerry in the 40's, in a series of cartoons that rivaled Disney for lush animation, and won several academy awards. In my opinion, their first few years of 'limited' animation were creatively their best. The Huckleberry Hound Show, introducing characters like Yogi Bear, followed by Quik Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss and others, were wonderful examples of how clever writing, inventive design, and great voices could more than compensate for the more elabrate Disney style animation. They also gave us the Flintstones, Jetsons, and Top Cat in 'prime time', beating the Simpsons by about 30 years. By the mid 60's much of the creative juices were fading, and the cartoons became more of a factory like formula. I never got Scooby Doo, but I work with people 10 years younger than me who loved it, so what do I know. The studio cranked out cartoons until the late 90's, when they merged with Warner Bros. I was working at Turner Feature Animation at the time, on a little publicized, but loved feature called 'Cats Don't Dance'. Turner was affiliated with Hanna Barbera and we worked in a building right next to the grand old studio. My one brush with HB was roaming the halls there, and talking with some of the 'old guard' that was still around. When the merge with Warners came, it signaled the end of HB as we knew it. The great studio was shut down, and kinda but not really resurrected as Cartoon Network in another building. The old HB studio is fighting for it's life as a historical 'landmark', instead of facing the wrecking ball. I only saw Joe Barbera a few times at events, and in the halls, and never knew outside of the great stories from those who did. Like I said above-newsfromme.com is a great place to learn about the man and his interesting life.

Boy, the corps was a barrel of laughs. Too bad it didn't translate down to the 'rank and file'.

I have quite a bit to say about Joe Barbera's passing-but it may take me a day or so to get around to it. In the meantime, an interesting obit is on newsfromme.com if anyone is interested at an insiders viewpoint

Beats me what it is then. I know one thing, based on those clips I'd have been switching to 'Get Smart'. Now I'm thinking it's Andy Williams, or something like that.

I think George is right. It's gotta be the Carol Burnett Show. Who else is in that sleigh ? I hear Vicki Lawrence, who owes her career to looking like Carol Burnett's sister. I guess harvey Korman is there too, though I can't pick out his voice. I would have guessed Mel Torme, but Steve Lawrence seems more likely. And if it is Steve, then Edie Gorme must be in the sleigh too. It's hard to distinguish voices when they're singing without more of a frame of reference. And I do miss variety shows-American Idol does not count Variety Shows I always dug were Dean Martin, Smothers Brothers, and Jackie Gleason. I wanted to like Red Skelton but never got it-though I remember a Freddie the freeloader Christmas special Red did that moved me. Im older than sudo thinks, having turned 54 in August . YIKES

well Sudo just gave it away. Kookie- Ed Byrne I think his real name was- from 77 Sunset Strip he even had a song about him -"Kookie ,Kookie, lend me your comb" so why isn't that show available on dvd?

let's see-which Howard are we talking about here ? Howard Cunningham on Happy Days ? The joke seems a bit 'risque' for that show. Howard Borden on the Bob Newhart Show ? Could be-that sounds like a Newhart stutter Howard Stern on the E Show? Nah I'm guessing Howard Borden-and I'm guessing it's from the episode where Bob and Emily get locked in the basement

I've been curious as to Mstar's thoughts on the hot stove season-especially concerning JD Drew, but he seems to have gone fishing, or missing.

that's it, George

it is the Twilight Zone- but not that episode think of the Penguin

"Time, time, time. There's time enough at last".

Dobie Gillis quote one-Dobie's father about 3 times an episode quote two-Dobie reacting to Zelda 'scrinching' her face at him-which he reflexively does in return

That Charlie Brown Christmas music is the best. Isn't the title "O Tannebaum" (or something like that)?

That was of course from the show about the fellow who got rich on black gold, Texas Tea. I'm not sure I know who the old coot is hitting on Daisy though. Sudo may be right in having the only singing recording of Elinor Donahue. It seems like every teen from the sitcoms, from Paul Peterson to Don Grady, had music albums out back then. Elinor MAY have some obscure pop record lost in time. And yes-it was a very nice moment. I can't think of any current programs that develop characters in such a way to even make moments like that feasible anymore, and I think we've lost something-I know I watch ALOT less tv.

In answer to Bluzeman's post, and I hope it's ok by sudo for me to tell-but I figure it's all out now anyway- That was Andy and Elinor Donahue, not Helen Crump. Elinor Donahue played Andy's on/off girlfriend in the first season of the Andy Griffith Show, long before Helen Crump moved to Mayberry. Elinor was just coming off Father Knows Best whereshe was 'princess' Betty. On the Andy Griffith show, she ran the pharmacy, and seemed more of an adversary than a girlfriend to Andy. The clip is from the Christmas episode from the first season, Ellinor singing with Andy backing her, and it is a nice moment.

since it's out, yes I am talking about Elinor Donahue, who was in this show for the first season after FKB.

My clues didn't help?

The lady left the show after the first year-but she was a 'princess' before this role. The man strumming and singing back up wore a badge-but didn't carry a gun. The year would be 1960 ( or '61 at the latest.)

sounds like one of the many renegade starfleet captains they came across. Seems like Kirk was the only good captain in the fleet. I'm guessing ' Bread and Circuses' here.

sorry, sudo, I didn't love it-tho I agree it had moments. Vitameatavegamin being about the best. I also don't have real player, and am too busy to install it right now, but I'll get to it soon, as I'm curious what cartoon you posted. I'm thinking it's a Charlie Brown Christmas-which is a thing of joy forever.

I haven't seen the JL Christmas Show-but now I'm curious. I don't think the date in question was as late as '62 because the leads were divorced by then and, she was already onto her next show-"waahhh Mr Mooney''