That blog about the sitcoms some people call “Commercials” generated some interest, and a couple of complaints. Some people expect quizzes about TV commercials to involve slogans or jingles, while other people complained I said next to nothing about the products involved. Well, we CAN do something about that. Of course, every productContinue reading “Bygone Bywords”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Touched-up Territory
I was old enough when I found out about it that I was more surprised than shocked. The distance between what we are shown and what really is was known to me from an early age, at least to that time in second grade when I picked up the little cup of cherry Kool-AidContinue reading “Touched-up Territory”
Neglected Sitcoms
Last week, we touched on some of the problems for me in assessing comedy of the middle of the twentieth century, as I have occasionally threatened to do in a series called “Is That Even Still Funny?” One problem was that there was so MUCH of it. Except when the news was on, andContinue reading “Neglected Sitcoms”
Oh, a Cowboy Needs a….
The Western’s popularity rises and falls, but has not gone away for at least a century and a half. The last big era for postcards coincided with an era that valued Westerns highly: they were still popular in cheap, kid-friendly movies (“oaters”), proliferated across radio (“Return with us now to the thrilling days ofContinue reading “Oh, a Cowboy Needs a….”
Comedy Archaeology Quiz
Every now and then, when I feel like living dangerously, I consider writing a series called “Is That Still Funny?”, in which I would examine the comedy that made me laugh when I was growing up. I have it all figured out: how I will guard myself against laughing simply from nostalgia, how weContinue reading “Comedy Archaeology Quiz”
NOTE IN PASSING: Nathalie
It is with shock that I note the death, at 102 oerthereabouts, of another Book Fair buddy, perhaps one of the most significant, Nathalie F. Alberts. I am sorry the obituary did not mention (or I didn’t catch it) who put the H in “Nathalie”, but she probably spent a great deal of timeContinue reading “NOTE IN PASSING: Nathalie”
MIDWEEK FICTION: All Write and No Play
“Now, Mr. Edison, about this latest contraption of yours….” “Yes. I call it the ‘autopen’. You sign your name on this template and load it into the machine, and the stylus follows that signature to sign it as many times as needed. It should be a godsend to the busy executive who mustContinue reading “MIDWEEK FICTION: All Write and No Play”
FICTION FRIDAY: Castoffs
“Good afternoon, Madame. What can I do for you today?” “I’m not sure. I found these things in a ditch but when I took them home, I noticed that this, particularly, seemed to attract small birds.” “Ah yes. I recognize the decoration style. What you very likely have there, Madame, are someContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Castoffs”
Name That Tune
I was leafing through the postcards in my Music and Songs category, reminiscing about the hoops some of these songs made me jump through, sometimes just to find out the line reference WAS from a song. I still have my suspicions about some others, but the research is seldom simple, as this type ofContinue reading “Name That Tune”
Coulda Oughta
It seems like just the other day that I was going through my inventory of postcards showing old cars so that I could illustrate a column filled with fine old jokes. Come to think of it, that WAS just the other day. You can go back and read the last blog any old timeContinue reading “Coulda Oughta”
Blogsy Babbles 