Tuesday, April 30, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies Steal Road Win To Take 3-2 Series Lead Over Clippers; Nuggets Avoid Elimination, Send Series Back To Oakland

The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued with two games---both in the Western Conference---played on Tuesday.

At Denver:

Andre Iguodala scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets, with six players scoring in double figures, avoided elimination with a 107-100 game-five home win over the Golden State Warriors, despite 23 points from Harrison Barnes and 20 from Jarrett Jack.  The Warriors, who still lead their conference quarterfinal series three games to two, can still wrap up the series on Thursday with a game-six home win back in Oakland.

At Los Angeles:

Zach Randolph scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter (he also grabbed 11 rebounds) while Mike Conley added 20 as the Memphis Grizzlies took a three-games-to-two lead in their opening-round series with a 103-93 game-five road win over the Los Angeles Clippers, despite 35 points from the Clippers' Chris Paul.  The Clips' Blake Griffith suffered a high-ankle sprain in the third quarter.  The Grizzlies will try to lock up the series with a home win in game six on Friday night back in Memphis.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blackhawks, Blues, Ducks Open Things Up With Series-Opening Home Wins

The National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Playoffs got under way with three games on Tuesday, all played in the Western Conference.

At Chicago:

Bryan Bickell scored the winning goal at 16:35 of the first overtime period as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the visiting Minnesota Wild 2-1 in game one of their conference quarterfinal series.

At St. Louis:

Alex Steen scored twice, once on the power play in the first period, then again, shorthanded, at 13:26 of the first overtime period as the St. Louis Blues defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in the opening contest of their opening-round series.

At Anaheim, California:

Power-play goals from Nick Bonino (first period) and Teemu Selanne (third period) as well as a solid goaltending performance from Jonas Hiller (stopping 21 of 22 shots) carried the Anaheim Ducks to a first-round series-opening 3-1 home win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Monday, April 29, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Nets, Thunder Stave Off Elimination; Hawks Top Pacers To Square Series At Two Games Apiece

The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued on Monday with three games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Brooklyn:

Double doubles for Brook Lopez (28 points, 10 rebounds) and Deron Williams (23 points, 10 assists) carried the Brooklyn Nets to a 110-91 home win over the Chicago Bulls in game five of their conference quarterfinal series.  The Bulls, who still lead the series three games to two, can finish off the Nets with a game-six home win on Thursday.

At Atlanta:

A 29-point, 11-rebound performance from Josh Smith powered the Atlanta Hawks to a opening-round series-tying 102-91 game-four home win over the Indiana Pacers.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Houston:

Chandler Parsons scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while dishing out eight assists as the Houston Rockets avoided a sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 105-103 home win in game four.  Kevin Durant scored 38 points for the Thunder, who still lead their conference quarterfinal series three games to one and can still close out the Rockets with a game-five win at home on Wednesday.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Heat, Spurs Complete Sweeps And Advance; Celtics Stay Alive With OT Win; Warriors One Win Away From Eliminating Nuggets

The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued on Sunday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Boston:

Paul Pierce scored 29 points while Jeff Green added 26 and Jason Terry 18 as the Boston Celtics avoided elimination with a 97-90 overtime home win over the New York Knicks in game four of their conference quarterfinal series.  The Knicks, whose Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points and Raymond Felton added 27, still can wrap up the series with a home win in game five back in New York on Wednesday night.

At Milwaukee:

LeBron James scored 30 points as the Miami Heat completed a four-game sweep of their opening-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks with a 88-77 road win in game four.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

Tony Parker scored 23 points as the San Antonio Spurs completed a four-game sweep of their conference quarterfinal series with the  Los Angeles Lakers as they took game four 103-82 on the road.  It was the first opening-round playoff exit for the Lakers since 2007.

At Oakland:

Stephen Curry scored 22 of his 31 points in the third quarter as the Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets 115-101 in game four of their opening round series.  The Warriors, who now lead three games to one, can finish off the Nuggets with a game-five victory at Denver on Tuesday night.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

SaberCats Too Much For Slumping VooDoo

At New Orleans:

In the first Arena Football League game to be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome since July 25, 1992, quarterback Russ Michna completed 23 of 35 passes for 312 yards, six touchdowns, and only one interception as the San Jose SaberCats (3-2) handed the home-standing New Orleans VooDoo (1-4) their fourth straight defeat, 57-38.  The game was played in front of 4, 357 fans.

Timbers Battle Back, Grab Rare Road Win

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Ryan Johnson (24'), Darlington Nagbe (33'), and Rodney Wallace (58') each delivered a goal on Saturday night as the Portland Timbers stretched their Major League Soccer unbeaten streak to six games as they defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-2 for only their fourth road victory in 38 such contests.  The Timbers' win spoiled the two-goal performance from SKC's Chance Myers (1', 29').

NBA Playoffs: Bulls Top Nets In 3-OT Thriller To Take 3-1 Series Lead; Grizzlies Maul Clippers To Level Series At 2-2; Hawks Down Pacers For First Series Win; Russell Westbrookless Thunder One Win Away From Advancing After Hanging On Against Rockets

The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued on Saturday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chicago:

Nate Robinson, from off the bench, scored 34 points as the Chicago Bulls battled back from a late 14-point deficit at home to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 142-134 in triple overtime.  Despite 32 points (and ten assists) from Deron Williams and 26 (and eleven rebounds) from Brook Lopez, the Nets face elimination as the Bulls, who lead their conference quarterfinal series three games to one, can close it out with a victory in Brooklyn on Monday night.

At Atlanta:

Al Horford scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks cut the Indiana Pacers' advantage in their opening round series to two games to one after their 90-69 home win in game three.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis:

Marc Gasol (with 13 rebounds) and Zach Randolph (with nine rebounds) each scored 24 points as the Memphis Grizzlies squared their opening-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers at two games apiece following their convincing 104-83 home win in game four.

At Houston:

In his first game without injured All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant scored 41 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder blew a 26-point lead but managed to hold off the Houston Rockets 104-101 on the road in game three of their conference quarterfinal series.  The Thunder, who lead this series three games to one, can finish off the Rockets with a win in Houston on Monday night.

Friday, April 26, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Knicks Have Celtics On Cusp Of Elimination; Spurs Doing Same To Lakers; Warriors Top Nuggets In Wild One In Oakland To Take 2-1 Series Lead

Three games were played in the National Basketball Association Playoffs on Friday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Boston:

Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points while Raymond Felton (to go with his ten assists) and J.R. Smith (before he was ejected) each added 15 as the New York Knicks downed the Boston Celtics 90-76 on the road in game three of their conference quarterfinal series.  The Knicks, who now lead the series three games to none, can finish off the Celtics with a win in Boston on Sunday.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

Tim Duncan scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Tony Parker added 20 (to go with his seven assists) as the San Antonio Spurs opened up a commanding three-games to none lead in their first-round series, handing the Los Angeles Lakers their worst home playoff defeat, 120-89.  The Spurs can finish off the Lakers on Sunday night in Los Angeles with a game-four victory.

At Oakland, California:

Stephen Curry scored 26 points and dished out 11 assists despite playing with a sprained ankle while Jarrett Jack added 23 (to go with his seven assists) and Harrison Barnes and Carl Landry each scored 19 points as the Golden State Warriors battled back from a 13-point third-quarter and edged the visiting Denver Nuggets 110-108 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series, which the Warriors now lead two games to one.


George Jones, Country Music Legend, R.I.P.

George Jones, one of the all-time great singers in Country-and-Western music, much admired and imitated, with numerous hits such as "Why Baby Why," "White Lightning," "She Thinks I Still Care,"  "The Race Is On," and many others, passed away on Friday at a Nashville hospital at the age of 81.

Nicknamed "Possum" for his close-set eyes and pointed nose, then later as "No-Show Jones" for the concerts he missed due to drinking and drug binges, Mr. Jones, with a baritone voice that was as elastic as a steel-guitar string, found vulnerability and doubt behind that cheerful drive of honky-tonk and brough suspense to each syllable.

Some might say George's style could be described as a merger of the blues with the tight, quivering ornaments of Appalachian singing.

George, who was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992, was a major force in Country music from the 1950s up to the 21st century.

He was married four times, most notably to fellow Country music singer Tammy Wynette (from 1969 until they divorced in 1975). George and Tammy recorded a number of hit records during that time.  They reunited a couple of times, in 1980 and during the mid-1990s.


Thursday, April 25, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Heat Put Bucks On Brink Of Elimination; Bulls Hold Off Nets To Take 2-1 Series Lead; Grizzlies Cut Deficit In Half After Topping Clippers At Home


The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued on Thursday with three games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Milwaukee:

LeBron James scored 22 points while Ray Allen came off the bench and added 23 as the Miami Heat took a commanding three-games-to-none lead in their conference quarterfinal series with the Milwaukee Bucks with a 104-91 road win in game three.  The Heat can complete a four-game sweep of this series with a win on the road on Sunday.

At Chicago:

Carlos Boozer scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while Luol Deng had a 21-10 performance as the Chicago Bulls held off the visiting Brooklyn Nets 79-76 in game three of their first-round series, which the Bulls lead two games to one.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis:

Zach Randolph scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies downed the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 94-82 in game three of their opening-round series and cut the Clippers' series advantage to two games to one.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Pacers, Thunder, Spurs Take 2-0 Series Leads


Three games were played on Wednesday as the National Basketball Association Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Indianapolis:

Paul George followed up his triple double with a playoff-career-high 27 points as the Indiana Pacers downed the visiting Atlanta Hawks 113-98 in game two and have taken a two-games-to-none lead in their conference quarterfinal series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Oklahoma City:

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each scored 29 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the visiting Houston Rockets 105-102 to claim game two of their first-round series, which they now lead two games to none.  James Harden scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Rockets.

At San Antonio:

Tony Parker scored 28 points (to go with seven assists) to lead five players in double figures as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 102-91 in the second game of their best-of-seven conference quarterfinal series to take a two-games-to-none lead in the series.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Knicks, Heat Take 2-0 Series Leads; Hot Shooting Warriors Head Back To Oakland With Series Squared With Nuggets At One Game Apiece

The National Basketball Association Playoffs continued with three games played on Tuesday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At New York:

Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points, while newly-named NBA Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith added 19 as the New York Knicks defeated the visiting Boston Celtics 87-71 to stretch their conference quarterfinal series lead to two games to none.

At Miami:

Dwyane Wade scored 21 points while LeBron James added 19 as the Miami Heat held off the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 98-86 to stretch their opening-round series advantage to two games to none.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Denver:

The Golden State Warriors shot 64.6% from the field as they seized home-court advantage with their 131-117 road win in game two of their first round series with the Denver Nuggets, now squared at one game apiece.  Stephen Curry scored 30 points and dished out 13 assists while Jarrett Jack added 26 points for the Warriors.

NBA Playoffs: Bulls Grab Win On Road Over Nets; CP3 Hits Game Winner As Clips Grab 2-0 Series Lead

The National Basketball Association Playoff continued with two games played on Monday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Brooklyn:

Loul Deng scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls picked up the first win by a road team in this year's playoffs, squaring their opening-round series with the Brooklyn Nets at one game apiece following their 90-82 victory in game two.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

Chris Paul, who scored 24 points, connected on a jump shot with 0.1 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Clippers opened up a two-games-to-none advantage in their conference quarterfinal series with the Memphis Grizzlies with their 93-91 home win in game two.  Mike Conley scored 28 to pace the Grizzlies.



Monday, April 22, 2013

Time For Another Bosko Cartoon

From 1930,  here's Bosko starring in "Congo Jazz," his second cartoon in Warner Brothers' Looney Tunes series, produced and directed by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising with Leon Schlesinger as associate producer.  With musical score by Frank Marsales, this cartoon was animated by Carmen (Max) Maxwell and Paul Smith.

Richie Havens, Folk Singer Who Opened Woodstock, R.I.P.

Richie Havens, the folk singer and guitarist who was the opening act for the 1969 Woodstock music festival, passed away on Monday at his Jersey City, New Jersey home of a heart attack at age 72.

Uncensored Blooper (WARNING: Contains Expletives)

Here is new KFYR (Bismarck, North Dakota; NBC affiliate) anchorman A.J. Clemente at the beginning of his first broadcast this past Sunday: 






Update:  A.J. got the boot on Monday.

Heluva Note

You reach the Stanley Cup Final one year, then miss the playoffs altogether the next.

Injuries to Ilya Kovalchuk and Marty the Magnificent didn't help matters any, either.

Happy Birthday, Rome!

#2,766, that is.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Timbers Road Victory Bid Foiled By Quakes

At Santa Clara, California:

Adam Jahn delivered a second-half stoppage-time equalizer (90'+2) on Sunday as the San Jose Earthquakes came from behind to salvage a 1-1 Major League Soccer home draw with the Portland Timbers, whose Diego Valeri scored in the 58th minute.

NBA Playoffs: Pacers, Spurs, Heat, Thunder Open With Wins

The four remaining opening-round series in the National Basketball Association playoffs got under way on Sunday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Indianapolis:

Paul George scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 12 assists (his first career triple double) as the Indiana Pacers got the better of the visiting Atlanta Hawks 107-90 in game one of their conference quarterfinal series.

At Miami:

A 27-point, 10-rebound, 8-assist performance from LeBron James along with 20 points off the bench from Ray Allen carried the Miami Heat to an easy 110-87 series-opening home win over the Milwaukee Bucks.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At San Antonio:

Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker each scored 18 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 91-79 in the opening contest of their first-round series.

At Oklahoma City:

Kevin Durant scored 24 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their conference quarterfinal series with a 120-91 blowout win over the visiting Houston Rockets.


Saturday, April 20, 2013

NBA Playoffs: Knicks, Nets, Nuggets, Clippers Grab Series Openers As Playoffs Commence

The National Basketball Association Playoffs got under way on Saturday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At New York:

Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points as the New York Knicks took the opening game of their conference quarterfinal series with the Boston Celtics 85-78 at home.

At Brooklyn:

In the first major-league sports playoff contest to be played in Brooklyn since Game 7 of the 1956 World Series (when the Yankees defeated the Dodgers on October 10 of that year), Deron Williams scored 22 points and Brook Lopez added 21 as the Brooklyn Nets dominated the visiting Chicago Bulls (led by Carlos Boozer's 25 points)106-89 in game one of their best-of-seven first-round series.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Denver:

Andre Miller scored 28 points, two of them on the game-winning layup with just over one second remaining as the Denver Nuggets upended the visiting Golden State Warriors (playing their first playoff game since 2007) 97-95 in the opening match of their conference quarterfinal series.

At Los Angeles:

Chris Paul led seven players in double figures with 23 points as the Los Angeles Clippers outscored the Memphis Grizzlies 37-22 in the fourth quarter to salt away a 112-91 game-one home victory.


Ex-LSU QB Jordan Jefferson Helps Pittsburgh Knock Off VooDoo On Road

At New Orleans:

Quarterback Jordan Jefferson (formerly of Louisiana State) completed 19 of 30 passes for five touchdowns and no interceptions as the Pittsburgh Power (1-3) picked up their first Arena Football League victory of the season Friday night, 46-43 on the road over the New Orleans VooDoo (1-3).

Friday, April 19, 2013

Now, A Word From Our Alternate Sponsor

1956 commercial for Rise Push-Button Shaving Lather

And Now, A Brief Word From Our Sponsor

A 15-second commercial from 1964 for General Mills' Sugar Jets cereal.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

49ers Regular Season Schedule Released

Here's the 2013 San Francisco 49ers' regular-season schedule as released on Thursday (all times Pacific):

Sunday, September 8:

Vs. Green Bay, 1:25 PM (Fox regional)

Sunday, September 15:

@ Seattle, 5:30 PM (NBC)

Sunday, September 22:

vs. Indianapolis, 1:25 PM (CBS regional)

Thursday, September 26:

@ St. Louis, 5:25 PM (NFL Network)

Sunday, October 6:

vs. Houston, 5:30 PM (NBC)

Sunday, October 13:

vs. Arizona, 1:25 PM (Fox regional)

Sunday, October 20:

@ Tennessee, 1:05 PM (Fox regional)

Sunday, October 27:

@ Jacksonville, 10:00 AM (Fox regional)

Off weekend of October 31-November 4 

Sunday, November 10:

vs. Carolina, 1:05 PM (Fox regional)

Sunday, November 17:

@ New Orleans, 1:25 PM (Fox regional)*

Monday, November 25:

@ Washington, 5:40 PM (ESPN)

Sunday, December 1:

vs. St. Louis, 1:05 PM (Fox regional)*

Sunday, December 8:

vs. Seattle, 1:25 PM (Fox regional)*

Sunday, December 15:

@ Tampa Bay, 10:00 AM (Fox regional)*

Monday, December 23:

vs. Atlanta, 5:40 PM (ESPN)

Sunday, December 31:

@ Arizona, 1:25 PM (Fox regional)*

*Subject to being rescheduled per flex scheduling.


Been A While

Here's a 1961 television commercial from Australia, this one for Nestle's Car Club (and the company's Thripenny Milk Chocolate).  You could obtain a membership by seding in money and your name and address to some address in Crow's Nest, New South Wales.

Time For Some Music!

In this clip from the October 21, 1964 ABC Network telecast of Shindig, here's Jackie Wilson performing "Baby Workout."

Heavens To Murgatroid!

Here's Snagglepuss (voiced by Daws Butler) starring in one of an early 1960s series of commercials for Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies cereal



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wanna Eat Out At Sambo's

1978 television commercial for the Sambo's restaurant chain, with voiceover by Tom Bosley.

Time For Some Pests To Bug Mickey And Pluto

From 1935, here are Mickey Mouse and Pluto starring in the Walt Disney cartoon "Mickey's Garden," in which our heroes try to rid Mickey's garden of some insect and non-insect pests.  With disastrous results.  Originally released theatrically by United Artists.  Reissue print.

Sweeter, Crispier Than Before!

1954 TV commercial for Post Grape Nuts Flakes.

You Mean You Can Use This For Colds?!

1954 TV commercial for Listerine antiseptic, from back in the days when they could make claims that it can be used for colds.

A Hot Time With Mickey, Donald, And The Goof

Here's a 1935 Walt Disney Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Mickey's Fire Brigade," originally released through United Artists.  Donald Duck and Goofy join Mickey in this one.

Time For A Walt Disney Cartoon, Boys and Girls!

From 1935, here's a Walt Disney Silly Symphony cartoon, "Broken Toys," originally released theatrically through United Artists.

George Beverly Shea, Billy Graham's Longtime Singer, R.I.P.

George Beverly Shea, the Canadian-born longtime Grammy-winning gospel singer, for decades associated with evangelist Billy Graham, passed away on Tuesday at Asheville, North Carolina at the age of 104.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Pat Summerall, NFL Broadcasting Legend, Teamed Up With John Madden, R.I.P.

Longtime NFL play-by-play man Pat Summerall, who worked a record 16 Super Bowls and was a long-time broadcast partner with John Madden, passed away on Tuesday at age 82 according to multiple reports.




After playing a variety of positions at the University of Arkansas, Mr. Summerall played 10 years as a place-kicker in the NFL (Detroit Lions, 1952; Chicago Cardinals, 1953-57; New York Giants, 1958-61).



After retiring in 1961, Pat went to work for CBS Sports as a color analyst. By 1973, he moved to the play-by-play spot. He teamed up with ex-Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Tom Brookshier up to the end of the 1970s.



By 1981, he teamed up with former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden and were, by many estimations, for the next two decades, television's best football broadcast team. Pat and John moved over to the Fox Network in 1994, when the upstart network took over National Football Conference games from CBS. Pat retired from broadcasting after the 2001 season, which culminated with Super Bowl XXXVI, won by the New England Patriots.

The Face Is America.............

The taste is Canada Dry.

This commercial is from the 1960-61 television season and probably aireed during an ABC Network telecast of Walt Disney Presents (formerly Disneyland; Walt will move over to NBC the following season).

At Least Mayhem Won't Be Featured In This One

1958 animated television for Allstate Insurance.

Be Sure To Watch "Disneyland" each week on ABC!

1957 ABC Network promo for both the show and the theme park in Anaheim, California.

Hey Guys, Why Not Freshen-Up Your Faces?

Here's a 1957 commercial for Old Spice After Shave Lotion.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Here's A Visit From Fresh-Up Freddie

Here's a 1958 commercial for Seven-Up with Fresh-Up Freddie, this time as a Texas oilman.  Animated by the Walt Disney Studio with voice by Paul Frees.



Wanna Have A Toy Rick-Shaw Race?

Here's a 1965 TV commercial for Post Rice Krinkles cereal, featuring So-Hi, a character seen on the front of the cereal box----and on the General Foods-sponsored Linus the Lion-Hearted CBS Network weekly television show.  This one features a little toy rick-shaw (and a toy minaturized version of Si-Hi himself) that was available inside every marked box of Post Rice Krinkles.

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

1962 commercial for Sanka Instant Coffee.

97% caffeine free, folks!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

You The Man, Will: Perfectly-Placed Free Kick Carries Timbers Past Quakes

At Portland, Oregon:

Will Johnson scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute on Sunday with a perfectly timed and placed free kick that beat goalkeeper Jon Busch as the Portland Timbers jumped four spots to third place in the Western Conference following their 1-0 Major League Soccer home win over the ten-man San Jose Earthquakes.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Farewell, Lumpy

Frank Bank, the actor best remembered for his portrayal of Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the classic late 1950s-early 1960s sitcom Leave It To Beaver, passed away on Saturday, the day after his 71st birthday (and on the day of friend and former co-star Tony Dow's 68th birthday).

Sharks Take Big Bite Out Of VooDoo

At Jacksonville, Florida:

Fullback Rendrick Taylor ran for four touchdowns while Terrance Smith return an interception 51 yards for another score as the Jacksonville Sharks (4-0), in their home opener on Friday, scored the first 35 points en route to a 76-30 demolition of the visiting New Orleans VooDoo (1-2) in Arena Football League action.  Jeff Hughley scored the first three touchdowns for the unbeaten Sharks.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Jonathan Winters, Rubber-Faced Comedian, R.I.P.

Jonathan Winters, the rubber-faced comedian whose unscripted flights of fancy inspired a generation of improvisational comics, and who kept TV audiences laughing their heads off with such characters as the prissy schoolmarm Maude Frickert,  passed away on Thursday at his home in Montecito, California at the age of 87.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Time For Goopy To Do His Stuff

Time for "Goopy Geer," a 1932 Merrie Melodies entry from Hugh Harman-Rudolf Ising Productions.  With animation by Friz Freleng and Rollin Hamilton and musical score by Frank Marsales, this Warner Brothers release was produced by Leon Schlesinger and directed by Rudy Ising.

Time For A Bosko Cartoon, Kids!

Here's a 1932 cartoon, "Bosko the Lumberjack," a Hugh Harman-Rudolf Ising cartoon produced by Leon Schlesinger and directed by Hugh Harman. Animated by Friz Freleng and Max Maxwell with musical score by Frank Marsales. 






Released by Warner Brothers as part of its' Looney Tunes series.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Time For A Banned Cartoon, Folks!


From 1931, we bring you "Hittin' The Trail For Hallelujah Land" a Hugh Harman-Rudolf Ising production directed by Rudy Ising (uncredited) as part of Warner Brothers' Merrie Melodies series.  Produced by Leon Schlesinger and released by Warner Brothers with animation by Friz Freleng and Paul Smith and musical score by Frank Marsales.


In this one, our hero Piggy (Mickey Mouse with pig ears, snout, and curly tail; his second and final cartoon) tries to rescue his girlfriend Fluffy and the dog-like Uncle Tom from perilous predicaments and villains.  The cartoon has been withdrawn from syndication since 1968 due to racial stereotypes, making it one of the infamous "Censored Eleven."

Enjoy!

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor

1964 commercial for Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing.




Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Ed Wynn Matches Wits With The Three Stooges

Here's a 1950 CBS Network telecast of The Ed Wynn Show as Ed is joined by The Three Stooges (Moe and Shemp Howard and Larry Fine) and singer Helen Forrest, as well as a cameo appearance by TV's future Fred Mertz and "Bub" O'Casey himself, William Frawley.  Complete with original Camel Cigarettes commercials.  Aired live in Los Angeles and other coaxal cable-connect West Coast stations and shown on kinescope to the Eastern and Central time zones.

UConn Blasts Louisville To Win NCAA Women's Title; Another Crown For Geno's Girls

At New Orleans:

Breanna Stewart scored 23 points as the Connecticut Huskies (35-4) crushed the Louisville Cardinals 93-60 on Tuesday to win their eighth NCAA Women's Basketball Division I national title, all under head coach Geno Auriemma.  He and the Lady Huskies tied the record held by Tennessee under Pat Summit.

Monday, April 08, 2013

Cardinals Top Wolverines To Capture First NCAA Men's Basketball Crown Since '86

At Atlanta:

Luke Hancock, named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, scored 22 points as the Louisville Cardinals (35-5), who trailed by as many as 12 points late in the first half, won their third NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship (their first since 1986) 82-76 over the Michigan Wolverines (31-8) on Monday.  Cardinals' head coach Rich Pitino became the first coach to win the championship with two different schools (he won at Kentucky in 1996).

Annette Funicello, Iconic Mouseketeer Turned Co-Star Of Slightly Spicy 1960s Beach Movies, R.I.P.

Annette Funicello, best remembered as member of the cast of TV's Mickey Mouse Club in the mid and late 1950s before co-starring with Frankie Avalon in a series semi-spicy 1960s American Independent Pictures beach movies, passed away on Monday at Bakersfield, California at age 70.

Miss Funicello passed away from complications from multiple sclerosis.

Annette was the last of the 24 original Mouseketeers chosen for the Mickey Mouse Club, which premiered on October 3, 1955 as an hour-long late-weekday-afternoon show, produced by Walt Disney (who personally discovered Annette at a ballet performance), for the ABC Network.  The show, which debut on the same date as Captain Kangaroo, became such a big hit in the ratings that NBC's long-running Howdy Doody Show was exiled to Saturday mornings within a year.

After leaving MMC, Annette would go on to make several movies, most notably, a half-dozen beach movies starring opposite Frankie Avalon for American Independent Pictures during the early and middle 1960s, beginning with "Beach Party" (1963).

After her career in movies largely ended by the late 1960s, Annette became better known in the 1970s for her Skippy Peanut Butter television commercials.

It was in 1987 that she learned that she had MS.  She kept that a secret for five years until she spoke out after becoming concerned that the unsteadiness caused by the illness might have been misinterpreted as drunkeness.  She set up the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Disorders and underwent brain surgery in 1999 in an attempt to control tremors caused by her illness.

For many, though, Annette, survived by her second husband, horse breeder Glen Holt, three children, and three grandchildren,  remained forever young.  Some might even remember words from a ditty from long-ago telecasts:

Ask the birds and ask the bees




And ask the stars above



Who’s their favorite sweet brunette;



You know, each one confesses:



Annette! Annette! Annette!

Thanks for the memories and rest in peace, Annette.