Edgar Bergen and the Epiphany

Ok the title above may be missleading. Mr. Bergen has nothing to do with the Epiphany. This is actually two stories. This first takes place in the late 70's. Mr. Bergen was on his farewell tour before he retired. My friend Jeff, my cousin Randy and I were all fans of his. You have to be very funny to have 3 teenage boys as your fans when you are a ventriloquist from the golden days of radio. Randy had another attraction to Mr. Bergen besides the comedy. He was an amateur ventriloquist and later, for a brief time, he became a professional. Anyway on the tour Mr. Bergen was coming to our area. He was to be the opening act for a comedian who was quite popular at the time but I don't remember him now. Randy and Jeff got tickets to see Edger Bergen. I however didn't have the money and was kicking myself for not being able to go. Turns out I was the lucky one. You see sadly Mr. Bergen passed away before he could finish his farewell tour and never got here. Randy and Jeff found out it is pretty hard to get your money back when you were only going to see the opening act. Randy said the woman at the counter kept telling them that they couldn't give them the money back because the headliner was still going to be there. They kept telling her that they were going to leave after Mr. Bergen was done as they didn't like the headliner. She kept saying that they might have decided to stay. Finally they convinced her that they were only there to see Edger Bergen and they got their money back.
The 2nd story has to do with Randy's daugther Amy. Recently she was at school before the Christmas break. Her teacher asked the class who gets presents on January 6th? Amy looked around then slowly raised here hand. The teacher said to Amy then you must be Catholic. Amy said no I'm Baptist. She ask Amy why do you get presents on January 6th if your Baptist. She said because it's my birthday. The teacher looked at the class again and said does anybody besides Amy get presents on January 6th? After this the teacher explained the epiphany. It is the day that the three kings arrived to give their gifts to Jesus and is therefore the 12th day of Christmas. This site explains it quite well http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/3kings.htm 

Roy Lichtenstein

Let's talk about pop art for awhile. Well actually I do talk about pop culture but it usually revolves around comic books or the Monkees. This one does have to do with comic books. Roy Lichtenstein was an artist who was very talented. He worked as a draftsman by day and painted at night. Let's face it if you want to do anything artistic you see very little money to begin with. Some unfortunate souls don't even see it as their work isn't woth anything till they are dead. So you have to love painting or writing or whatever it is that you do. Roy Lichtenstein, from what I have heard, was one who saw some of that money when he was alive. As the title of the book about him above says, he was an image duplicator. In the editoral review of the above book it says that Lichtenstein is "a shrewd if occasionally ironic manipulator of lowbrow cultural ephemera who struggled with the paradox of being a painter in the age of mechanical reproduction and who, consequently, transformed elements of mass culture into sly, sometimes self-effacing intellectual puns." This may be a compliment to Mr. Lichtenstein and his fans but I think it is an insult to people like me. You see Mr. Lichtenstein was most famous for bringing comic book art into the museums. The art on the cover of the book is a pretty good example. It looks like an extreme close up of Magneto to me. To call one of my favorite forms of art low brow is a slap in the face. Some might say that he was doing an homage to the comic book art. That does sound better. However, there is a fine line between homage and rip off. While his work may have been ment as an homage, he did come dangerously close to being a rip off. It was on an Archie comic book cover that put my thoughts into pictures quite well. I don't have a copy of it on hand to show you. Dilton is caught reading a comic book in art class. Miss Grundy tells him to pay attention to the lecture on modern art. The painting they are studying has a generic superhero punching out a generic supervillian. Dilton probably could have taught the class.
If you would like a copy of the book then you can click here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300087624/ref=ase_texasnetmuseumof/104-6281411-6542349?s=books&v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=texasnetmuseumof
to purchase it from Amazon or click on the title above. 

Cactus Flower music soundtrack

I just watched the movie Cactus Flower on AMC and couldn't believe what I heard. It was an instrumental version of "I Wonder What She's Doin' Tonight" by Boyce and Hart. Later, I heard and instrumental version of "I'm A Believer". Both were played in a restaurant scene. I guess Don Kirshner was in charge of the music on the movie.

Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg

One of the smartest and enjoyable talk shows on tv this season is Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg. It is on TV Land and alot of fun to hear what his guest have to say. So far the guest have been Mike Myers, Larry David and Bob Newhart. Next week it is Martin Short. Others are Jon Lovitz and George Lopez. The best one so far was with Mike Myers. I have not laughed so hard since Steve Allen did a similar show on the Disney Channel and his guest were Harvey Korman, Tim Conway and Pat Harrington. All the on the same show at the same time. But enough about that show, as Mike Myers would say, lets talk about David's show. On Sit Down Myers told a funny story about how he met his wife. Larry David told a funny story how he was a chauffeur for living before he became a comedian. Newhart told how on his first nightclub date he did all his bits. When they wanted an encore he went out and asked which one they wanted to hear again. Funny stuff. Tune in next Wednesday at 10pm to hear Martin Short. Or you can click here http://www.tvland.com/originals/sitdown/ to read more and you can also download the episodes you have missed. The above photo of Mr. Steinberg when he was younger I got from an auction on e-bay. You can go there to bid on it at http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Autographed-Photo-DAVID-STEINBERG_W0QQitemZ7576151506QQcategoryZ32988QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem or click on the title above. 

Happy Birthday Mike Nesmith and Davy Jones

Well I am getting ready to go to bed but I can't pass up this chance to wish two of my favorite singers Birthday well wishes. Happy Birthday to Mike Nesmith and Davy Jones. They were both born on December 30th but 3 years apart. Mike is 63 and Davy is 60. They look pretty good for their age don't they?

Is this fair?

There has been a trend in the past few years that I like. That trend is to take less popular superheros and give them action figures as well as the more popular ones. Before you would see Superman, Batman, Spider-Man or the Hulk. That for about 30 years summed up the heros you would see on the toy shelves. But now anyone who has ever worn spandex has a figure. I think that is great because when I was a kid I would want Green Lantern, Iron Man or Captain Atom. Yet none were to be found but now you can get them. Yet something strikes me as unfair in the above photo. I am a big fan of the Hawk and the Dove. I was happy to see them on Cartoon Networks Justice League but I don't recall them ever being members in the comic book. The best they ever did was the Teen Titans. Anyway this now makes them popular enough to give them their own action figures. However, in the comic books Hank Hall and Don Hall aren't the Hawk and Dove anymore. Instead of brothers it is now two sisters. Don Hall was even killed of in the Crises On Infinate Earths mini series. Something just doesn't seem right about this. But I hope it starts something that will bring back Hank and Don as Hawk and Dove. Maybe their own cartoon series and comic book again. Don may be dead but in comic books that doesn't mean he has to stay dead. It is just what was on my mind. The above photo was from collectors paradise. You can go to them by clicking here http://www.collectorsparadise.com/juleunwowoha.html to purchase the above set. 

Happy Birthday Stan Lee

I saw on Mark Evanier's News from ME site http://www.newsfromme.com/that today is Stan's Birthday. So since I am a fan of his I thought I would add my well wishes. Stan Lee is the co-creator of Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, The X-Men and others. Some people doubt that he really created anything. I have heard peopls say that Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko did all the work. I think he did but even if he didn't Stan was in a position to help get them published. So the world of comic books is richer for him being in it. Thanks all the good times and Happy Birthday Mr. Lee.

Ron Dante Monkees audition

Ron Dante http://www.rondante.com/of The Archies, The Cuff Links and co-producer of many early Barry Manilow albums audtioned for the Monkees. This was a surprise to me but not too big of a surprise. He was the right age and talent they would have been looking for at that time. I just found out on an e-mail from Brad Waddell of The Monkees Home Page http://www.monkees.net/ sent it out in his mass e-mailing. It was from a place called the 60s shop @ aol.com Here is what it had to say.
From: The60sshop@aol.com
In our recently published online poll of our readers' ALL-TIME TOP
20 PSYCHEDELIC SONGS, THE MONKEES were nominated FIVE times!!! Although
none of their tracks made the final countdown, votes were cast for ZILCH,
FOR PETE'S SAKE, WORDS, PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY and DAILY NIGHTLY. DAILY
NIGHTLY WAS featured as a bonus track during the month-long series. (I'm
sure you all recall the ultra-cool black and white MONKEES' video for DAILY
NIGHTLY that ended a couple of episodes of the series ... MICKY DOLENZ,
seated at one of the very first Moog Synthesizers ever made, looks at the
camera as the very last note resonates and says, "Psychedelic!")
In related MONKEES news, FORGOTTEN HITS will be running an
exclusive interview with RON DANTE next month in which he discusses
auditioning for THE MONKEES and working with DON KIRSHNER on THE ARCHIES
project. Many of your readers contacted us a year ago when we ran our
lengthy TOMMY BOYCE AND BOBBY HART series ... and have remained loyal
FORGOTTEN HITS readers. Here's another chance for some of you faithful
'60's music fans to see what we're all about. If you're interested in
receiving a copy of the RON DANTE series, please
contact: The60sShop@aol.com no later than January 23, 2006!!!
I have already e-mailed them and you can too. Also don't forget to wish Mike Nesmith and Davy Jones a happy birthday this week as on Dec. 30 Nez turns 63 and Jones 60. 

Blondie postcard

Hey I thought that some of you might want to see this. It is a post card that I got a few months ago when I went to the Official Blondie website and entered a caption contest. Saddly I did not win but the consolation prize was pretty good. This strip has had a marvelous run. When it started out it was about how the golddigging flapper girl Blondie was chasing the then rich Dagwood Bumstead. Once married Dagwood was out of the family will and they had to try to make it as middle class Americans. Who knew it would last into the 21st Century? The strip started in 1930 and this year celebrated it's 75th anniversary. The son of the creator now does the stip so along the way it became a family business. My blog started after the celebration so here is a belated Happy Anniversary to Blondie and Dagwood. Dag I think she kind of likes ya. You can get to the Official Blondie site by click by clicking here http://blondie.com/dailies/index.asp or, altogether now, click on the title above.

Peter Tork A Beachwood Christmas

Hey I know it is too late for Christmas this year but you can still get the CD "A Beachwood Christmas" It is the record label that Peter Tork is on and he has 3 songs on it. They are "I Remember Christmas", "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "PT's Noel". You can order it from his site by clicking on the title above or you can click here http://www.petertork.com/
Again sorry for the late notice but it is very early for next year. Merry Christmas!

Praying Santa Merry Christmas to all

I use to see a statue of this in alot of people's homes not too long ago. I have not seen them since. This site, Miles Kimball is selling pins of them. You can go there by clicking here http://www.mileskimball.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6842&itemType=PRODUCT or on the title above. Merry Christmas and Happy New year. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

 

Time Life Why Don't you release a 70's Music DVD?

Have you seen the infomercials for the Time Life 70's Music Explosion? Where you can hear Billy Don't Be A Hero, I Just Want To Be Your Everything, Afternoon Delight etc. And in the commercial you get to see the groups who preformed them like Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, Andy Gibb, Bay City Rollers, Starland Vocal Band etc. I am sure the cd's are great but if they have these film clips why don't they release a DVD as well. Some of them I am familier with the song but never saw the preformer. When I saw Alber Hammond sing "It Never Rains In Southern California" I thought "So that's what he looked like." Anyway if anyone from time life reads this try to release a Dvd if it is legally possible.
Speaking earlier of Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. A friend of my use to hate, and most likely still does, that song. Why? Because when it was a hit he couldn't get away from it. You see he lived only a few miles from Cincinnati, Ohio and that is where the group was from. So tv and radio stations played it to death in that area. But there was something that made matters worse for him. His cousin was in the group. So since there was a family member assoicated with a hit they were very proud. Whenever that song came on instead of turning to another station, they turned it up.
He had not heard the song in years and one day I had it on cd. Half joking I told him here is a song I think you will like. When he heard it he just rolled his eyes. I said aren't you over that yet. He said no I still hate that song. Now that it is on those infomercials at least he can change the channel.
If you want to order the cd's you can go to Time Life by clicking here http://www.timelife.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=2045 or on the title above.

Reason for the season Birth of Jesus Luke 2:40-52 KJV

Chapter 2
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried beind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 Ans it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, they father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye shought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was sbject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

A Christmas memory

A brief interlude in the Christmas story for a Christmas memory. As a young boy I always heard of how people would go out in the woods and cut down their Christmas tree. They would have a live tree in their living room for Christmas. Well for most of my life we had an artificial tree. I always wanted to go into the woods with my Dad to cut down our own tree. I told this to my Mom and Dad one year. Now we lived with my Grandma in her house. It was in the country on top of a hill and there were alot of trees around. My Grandma told Mom and Dad it was ok to cut down one of her trees. Dad and I made plans to cut a tree down on Saturday. IT was Saturday afternoon and I was at my Aunt and Uncle's church for a Christmas party. My Mom and Dad came to pick me up. My Uncle Jim told them I might want to stay as Santa was suppose to come soon. I told them I would rather go home. I couldn't wait for Dad and I to go cut down the tree. When we got home Dad got his saw, he didn't have an ax, and off we treked to the woods. It didn't take long or at least it seemed that way. Time passes quickly when you are having fun and I was having alot of fun. I was on an adventure with my Dad. Finally we found a tree. Dad and I, mostly Dad, cut down the tree. My main job was to help him carry it back. We got it back and put the tree up. Mom asked Dad about where it was cut. When Dad told her my Mom said we went too far and cut down the neighbors tree. No one ever came to talk to us about it. It would have been easy to find us. There was snow on the ground they could have followed the footprints. I guess they didn't mind. That memory is very vivid to me. That night was a wonderful Christmas gift that my Mom, Dad, Grandma and our unknowing neighbor gave me.

Reason for the season Birth of Jesus Luke 2:27-39 KJV

Chapter 2
27 And he came by the Spirit to the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the customs of the law.
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, not lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Isreal.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Isreal; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daugther of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Reason for the season Birth of Jesus Luke 2:19-26 KJV

Chapter 2
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

Reason for the season Birth of Jesus Luke 2:7-18 KJV

Chapter 2
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying.
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

Reason for the season Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-6 KJV

Chapter 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, Unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife; being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 

Wonder Woman Christmas Comic

Here is a good Christmas comic that I saw on This is Pop. It is a wonderful website where I always find something new and interesting. You can click here to go http://blogthisispop.blogspot.com/ or click on the title above. 

Monkees Christmas

I don't remember seeing the Monkees dressed like this on their Christmas show but perhaps they did. Or where they planning on releasing a Christmas album. Anyway here is a fun Monkees site. Many of you may already know about it but for the few who don't you can get to the site and view the part that is dedicated to the Christmas episode by clicking here http://www.monkeesrule43.homestead.com/christmas_show.html 

Holiday Affair

Here is a wonderful DVD movie that was done as part of the Lux Video Theater. It was done on live tv in the 50's. So what you see is sort of like a very good dress rehersal. Connie is a widow raising her son Timmy by herself. Steve is a dept. store salesman that she accidentally gets fired at Christmas time. He is attracted to her and keeps helping her out just to be near her. She is also attracted to him but just thinks he is being nice. Besides she is dating Carl a well to do lawyer. Carl trys to be nice but is not very happy with Steve around. Timmy likes both but prefers Steve over Carl. Connie is proposed to by both. Will Connie choose a financial secure but loveless future with Carl? Will she take a chance on love again with out of work Steve? Buy this video at Amazon and find out. You can click on the Amazon logo and search to find it or click on the title above or click here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BVN0YQ/qid=1134986888/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6281411-6542349?n=507846&s=dvd&v=glance
to purchase it. 

McFly New Version of the Monkees?

Sorry for the poor scans. Is the rock group/boy band the new Monkees? According to wikipedia they are a pop group from England. Influenced by groups like the Beach Boys and the Beatles. They are a four piece band. Doesn't that sound like the Monkees? Now get this. They have gotten flack BECAUSE they play their own instruments. My how times change. If you want to read more you can click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McFly to go to wikipedia or click on the title above.

Beth Donovan

Not long ago I asked anyone reading this site to pray for an old high school friend who has cancer, Beth Donovan. I am asking that you continue with those prayers. Beth is someone who, at least to me, stood for all the good things of high school. You may have had to go to my school to understand. Our class was very cliqueish. If you weren't in their group some kids wouldn't have anything to do with you. I was not that way and, as I told my wife, neither was Beth. She was friendly and outgoing. She always had a smile for everyone. Beth never said anything bad about anyone that I know of. I remember going to her house with others from a school club to work on a club project and having alot of fun. Beth was one of our senior class officers, a straight A student and elected most versatile. Basically Beth was a nice, smart and friendly person. I never heard her use bad language or any rumors about her doing anything bad.Recently I did hear that she was fighting cancer. Now I have heard that she has given up and has come home to die. Pray that she continues to fight and God keeps her with us. With the world in the shape it is in today, we need more people like Beth Donovan. Beth if you are reading this I want you to know that my wife, myself and alot of other people are praying for you.

1980 Christmas Comic

Yes from 1980 Archie's Christmas Love In. Most of the stories are very good. All of them are entertaining.The first story was one of the weaker ones. They see a street Santa get fired and offer him a job to help the Archies raise money for charity by caroling with them. Of course it is a success. Who can say no to Santa? The best is titled "The Guest" Archie and the gang are full of Christmas cheer at school. However, Miss Grundy, Miss Beazley and Mr.Swenson are grumpy. Later at home when Archie is talking to his Dad he tells Archie that some people are alone on Christmas and they get grouchy and out of sorts seeing happy familes at this time of year. Archie then tells his parents of Miss Grundy, Miss Beazly and Mr. Swenson. The story ends with them celebrating Christmas with the Andrews family. Anoter good one is "Fron the Heart" Archie and Betty have saved to have enough money to spend on Christmas gifts for their friends. They see a friend from school named Ernie. He is selling chestnuts on the corner to raise money for Christmas. His Dad is in the hosptial and they have no money. Archie and Betty decided to give Ernie all the money they saved. When they tell Reggie and Veronica they can't exchange gifts they get called cheapskates. However, Ernie shows up and thanks them for what they did. When Ernie leaves Reggie tells them to forget about the gifts. Just being friends of Archie and Betty is gift enough. Then he offers to by them Cokes. If you see this at your local comic shop buy it. The book is pretty good.