Friday, May 23, 2014

Get Larry Storch a Star!


Actor, comedian, impressionist and cartoon voiceover artist Larry Storch has been approved for a sidewalk star but, as you may know, that's only half the battle. These things have to be paid for and it's not cheap. I suggested to Larry's appearance agent, Matt Beckoff, that he might have some success with GoFundMe which you may recall we used successfully last year in our computer campaign. In less than a day and a half, Larry's campaign had more than 1600.00 donated. But more is needed. There are a lot of things that want our attention and money these days and in the grand scheme of things, this one may not be one for you. But Larry Storch has been entertaining me my entire life and he's still out there making people laugh today! So often these people who were so important to us growing up live their whole lives without us ever being able to give back. Here's a small chance. Please consider it. Oh, and Matt's added some nifty incentives, too! Go here to see what you can get!



Here's Matt's pitch:

Comedy Legend Larry Storch has recently been APPROVED for a Star plaque on the coveted Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Unlike many "Star" campaigns, Larry's has already been approved. That means, we need to raise the money NOW to have the ceremony. We are not soliciting funds in the hopes of getting it, we got it, we just need to pay for it. The cost of the Star is $10,000.00 (tax deductible if there is one person interested in sponsoring it) and the remainder will pay for the cost of Larry and a companions trip from NY to Palm Springs/LA for the ceremony. While we are hoping to raise 15k, we would only get around 13.7k after GoFundMe fees. We expect to go slightly over our own budget. If for some reason we go under budget, any and all monies left over will be donated to UNICEF. We are not keeping a dime for ourselves. If for whatever reason the ceremony doesn't take place, any and all monies donated to this page, will be refunded immediately. We are doing this for Larry. Anyone that has met Larry through the years knows what a gentleman he is. This is our way of saying to Larry, "Thank you, for all the years of joy and laughter you have brought into our lives." We hope all Storch fans can help support us. This page is being operated by Larry's friend and personal appearance agent, Matt Beckoff. Please visit Larry's FB page for more info. PLEASE NOTE: WE WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT LARRY STORCH/MATT BECKOFF ARE NOT PROFITING OFF OF THIS AT ALL. WE KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH AND DONATING ONLINE IS A BIT SCARY. ANYONE WHO DONATES, WHEN THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER, YOU MAY EMAIL US AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF HOW EVERY PENNY WAS SPENT. THIS IS 100% TO GET LARRY HIS STAR AND PAY FOR THE TRIP ONLY!








http://www.gofundme.com/9ft6ag

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Broadchurch


Currently the only show I'm following on television is FARGO but today I finished 2 days of binge-watching the BAFTA winning British crime drama, BROADCHURCH. Former DOCTOR WHO star David Tennant toplines and gives a serious, almost deadpan performance--good, but nearly devoid of his seemingly limitless charisma and natural charm.


Olivia Coleman is the real star, though. An award-winning actress nearly unknown here in the US, she steals almost every scene she's in without a hint of trying.


A dead boy is found on the beach in a small town and a newly arrived detective inspector teams with the local woman who DIDN'T get the job to unveil the clues.


Turns out that everyone in town has secrets, however...including most especially the investigators themselves.





In an almost mini-WHO reunion, David Bradley (also a BAFTA winner for this series) appears. Bradley won accolades and plaudits as William Hartnell in the recent TV movie dramatizing the creation of that long-running BBC series.


And Arthur Darvill, Rory "Pond" for 3 recent seasons with Matt Smith is also on-hand.







And then when all was said and done...Tennant came to the US where he redid the entire series with different co-stars and an American accent as GRACEPOINT!

Go here to compare.


 

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

50-50 Club Trade Ads-1963


Unquestionably the biggest series in local Cincinnati broadcasting history, Ruth Lyons began her 50 Club (named for the number of audience seats) on radio in the 1940s and continued it into the mid-1960s on TV, doubling the in-studio audience and changing the show's name. Ruth pioneered so many TV talk/variety show tropes and, along the way, introduced dozens of other local celebrities including Nick Clooney and Bob Braun, the latter of which continued her show for another 20 years after she retired.


Saturday, May 3, 2014

Paul Lynde in TV Guide-1969


Interesting to note what are most likely completely factual points here in this 1969 TV GUIDE article and attempt to put them in the context of the unmentioned or even hinted at elephant in the room--the fact that Paul was gay. Most fans could tell it I'm told, although it honestly never even occurred to me. It wasn't even that it wouldn't have mattered. The thought literally never crossed my mind. As my wife puts it, I have no "gaydar."


Friday, May 2, 2014

Darkroom


In the wake of TWILIGHT ZONE, and ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS there have been a number of enjoyable, fantasy-related anthologies on TV over the years. These include GHOST STORY (hosted by Sebastian Cabot), TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED, AMAZING STORIES and even updates of TWILIGHT ZONE and ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS! One that is often forgotten is 1981's DARKROOM hosted by James Coburn. Quite frankly, I can't recall much about it either except that it had some creepy episodes!