I have never understood the fascination with actor James Dean, who died in a car accident on this date in 1955.
Handsome?
Well, I suppose so-at least that’s what women have told me. In fact, his brand of “bad boy” is still the epitome of “cool”.
Talented?
Depends on who you ask, but the general consensus is that he was a decent actor. Without the looks, however, he probably wouldn’t have gotten a second glance- a trademark of Hollywood that affects untold thousands of people you’ve never heard of simply because their talent couldn’t overshadow that lack of cinematic/photogenic magic.
Dangerous?
I think this notion goes to the heart of his appeal. Maybe some lady out there can explain to me the attraction women have to “bad boys”. The polite and wholesome young man who is deferential to and doting towards a certain girl—is often snubbed in favor of a rude and self-centered roughneck who treats that same girl like you-know-what. Despite his lack of affection, attention or common courtesy, the girls forgive and forget. The lady ends up with a broken heart while the object of their affection is merely “misunderstood”.
Yeah, right….
Anyway, it is only an early and tragic death that will solidify your iconic status—and James Dean forever cemented his by crashing his Porsche 550 Spyder (nicknamed “Little Bastard”-how appropriate) on a California highway.
Ironic that Dean conducted this “interview” about—DRIVING SAFELY—check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7u8bA_L6yU
Dean rose to stardom in 1955 in “East of Eden”-in the role of Cal Trask, reportedly beating out another young actor by the name of Paul Newman. His performance earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination-the first time in Oscar history that an actor was nominated after his death. “Rebel Without A Cause” was also released in 1955-and Dean’s role as a rebellious teen defined him as the ultimate in disaffected youth.
His final film, “Giant” was released after his death in 1956-and he received his second posthumous Oscar nomination.
After all these years, his grave in Fairmount, Illinois is visited by thousands each year. Fans also flock to the site of the fatal accident in Cholame, California.
Like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean’s tragic death-especially because it came too soon—guarantees a form of immortality that a long and storied career cannot.
If you’d like my blog in your weekday inbox, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fangs For The Memories
It was on this date in 1930 that “Dracula” began filming.
It starred Bela Lugosi, a Hungarian born actor who emigrated to the United States in 1927. The film was so successful that Lugosi was identified with the role of a vampire for the rest of his life—you might say it was a “stake in the heart” to his career aspirations to be a well-rounded actor. (ahem)
Watching that film today, it’s hard to imagine how audiences were terrified. Considering the blood and gore of modern day horror flicks, the original “Dracula” is pretty tame in comparison. Even the acting is a bit strained and overplayed. Yet, the black and white film, the poor lighting (perhaps intentionally so) and the movie sets are CREEPY!!
Based on the Bram Stoker novel-and loosely modeled on the life of the “real” Dracula, “Vlad The Impaler”, the original 1931 release remains the most popular of all the Dracula movies. From 1958’s “The Horror of Dracula” to “Dracula 2000”, the Bela Lugosi vampire remains the best.
Here below is the original trailer for “Dracula”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nfmh178L98
I must admit that I am not a horror fan. I get scared enough opening up my cable bill each month. I don’t need to actually PAY MONEY for the privilege of soiling myself or having nightmares. I never understood the attraction for untold millions to expose themselves to the aberrant behavior of homicidal maniacs and their handiwork-- blood and gore. I was first appalled at “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” in 1974---again, that may be tame in comparison to today’s releases—but intrigued at how people attending such a bloodbath, munching popcorn and Milk Duds can term it as “entertainment”
Huh?
Maybe I’m behind the times. Maybe I’m “old fashioned”. I actually agree with those who connect the dots between the increase in violence and the desensitizing effect of our prolonged exposure to violence as “entertainment”
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a good “shoot’em up” cop show or western—it’s just the really warped gore that is graphically displayed—and intended to shock the audience---needs to keep getting more explicit as the “bar” for shock value keeps rising.
“Dracula” is harmless fun—is it “terror”? Probably not, but it remains creepy enough to qualify as a classic horror film. “Frankenstein”, all of the Vincent Price movies and most of the older films have stood the test of time.
If you’d like my blog in your e-mail weekdays (free of charge and excessive gore), just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
It starred Bela Lugosi, a Hungarian born actor who emigrated to the United States in 1927. The film was so successful that Lugosi was identified with the role of a vampire for the rest of his life—you might say it was a “stake in the heart” to his career aspirations to be a well-rounded actor. (ahem)
Watching that film today, it’s hard to imagine how audiences were terrified. Considering the blood and gore of modern day horror flicks, the original “Dracula” is pretty tame in comparison. Even the acting is a bit strained and overplayed. Yet, the black and white film, the poor lighting (perhaps intentionally so) and the movie sets are CREEPY!!
Based on the Bram Stoker novel-and loosely modeled on the life of the “real” Dracula, “Vlad The Impaler”, the original 1931 release remains the most popular of all the Dracula movies. From 1958’s “The Horror of Dracula” to “Dracula 2000”, the Bela Lugosi vampire remains the best.
Here below is the original trailer for “Dracula”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nfmh178L98
I must admit that I am not a horror fan. I get scared enough opening up my cable bill each month. I don’t need to actually PAY MONEY for the privilege of soiling myself or having nightmares. I never understood the attraction for untold millions to expose themselves to the aberrant behavior of homicidal maniacs and their handiwork-- blood and gore. I was first appalled at “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” in 1974---again, that may be tame in comparison to today’s releases—but intrigued at how people attending such a bloodbath, munching popcorn and Milk Duds can term it as “entertainment”
Huh?
Maybe I’m behind the times. Maybe I’m “old fashioned”. I actually agree with those who connect the dots between the increase in violence and the desensitizing effect of our prolonged exposure to violence as “entertainment”
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a good “shoot’em up” cop show or western—it’s just the really warped gore that is graphically displayed—and intended to shock the audience---needs to keep getting more explicit as the “bar” for shock value keeps rising.
“Dracula” is harmless fun—is it “terror”? Probably not, but it remains creepy enough to qualify as a classic horror film. “Frankenstein”, all of the Vincent Price movies and most of the older films have stood the test of time.
If you’d like my blog in your e-mail weekdays (free of charge and excessive gore), just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Good Day For Ted Williams
September 28th was a good day for Ted Williams-TWICE!
It was on this day in 1941 that Ted elected to play in a double-header against the Philadelphia Athletics. It was the last day of the regular season and Ted could have opted to sit out the games and preserve a .400 average, the first time that had been done since Bill Terry in 1930. But no, he played-made eight trips to the plate and got six hits. He ended the season with a .406 batting average. No one has gotten to .400 since.
It was also on this date-19 years later—that Ted hit a homerun in his very last at-bat at Fenway Park—a “storybook ending” (as Ted himself described it) to a fabled career.
Ted’s relationship with the fans and the Boston media was often rocky, but no one could deny that he remains the greatest hitter ever to play the game. After a less-than-stellar season in 1959, hitting only .254 with a bad back, the Red Sox urged Williams to retire.
Too proud to hang it up in this manner, Ted returned in 1960 and hit .317 with 29 home runs at the age of 42!
In his final at-bat, hit launched a 1-1 pitch from Orioles pitcher Jack Fisher into the Boston bullpen. After being booed early in his career, he swore never to tip his cap to Boston fans again. True to form, there were those who thought he MIGHT make an exception for his last great moment at Fenway.
They were disappointed.
Enjoy the footage below of Ted Williams. That last home run at Fenway is in there, about 50 seconds into the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImPB6Da13Fo
Regardless of his tempestuous relationship with the media and his fans, he DELIVERED.
He did it often and consistently, all without steroids or fanfare. He lost three seasons to fly combat missions in World War II and Korea—and STILL put up incredible numbers!
The Sox sure could use him this season-but there will never be another Ted Williams.
If you’d like my blog in your inbox weekdays, let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
It was on this day in 1941 that Ted elected to play in a double-header against the Philadelphia Athletics. It was the last day of the regular season and Ted could have opted to sit out the games and preserve a .400 average, the first time that had been done since Bill Terry in 1930. But no, he played-made eight trips to the plate and got six hits. He ended the season with a .406 batting average. No one has gotten to .400 since.
It was also on this date-19 years later—that Ted hit a homerun in his very last at-bat at Fenway Park—a “storybook ending” (as Ted himself described it) to a fabled career.
Ted’s relationship with the fans and the Boston media was often rocky, but no one could deny that he remains the greatest hitter ever to play the game. After a less-than-stellar season in 1959, hitting only .254 with a bad back, the Red Sox urged Williams to retire.
Too proud to hang it up in this manner, Ted returned in 1960 and hit .317 with 29 home runs at the age of 42!
In his final at-bat, hit launched a 1-1 pitch from Orioles pitcher Jack Fisher into the Boston bullpen. After being booed early in his career, he swore never to tip his cap to Boston fans again. True to form, there were those who thought he MIGHT make an exception for his last great moment at Fenway.
They were disappointed.
Enjoy the footage below of Ted Williams. That last home run at Fenway is in there, about 50 seconds into the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImPB6Da13Fo
Regardless of his tempestuous relationship with the media and his fans, he DELIVERED.
He did it often and consistently, all without steroids or fanfare. He lost three seasons to fly combat missions in World War II and Korea—and STILL put up incredible numbers!
The Sox sure could use him this season-but there will never be another Ted Williams.
If you’d like my blog in your inbox weekdays, let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Friday, September 25, 2009
Let's All Laugh!
It’s FRIDAY-a beautiful and breezy Fall day in New England—and it has been a CRAZY week. As such, I’ve made an executive blog decision-namely:
I’ll dispense with the serious stuff and pass along some laughs from one of my favorite comedians-Jim Gaffigan. Yes, this is a colossal cop-out, but one that you may enjoy more than my usual fare.
Now be aware, Mr. Gaffigan can PUSH THE ENVELOPE—to the point of being a tad sacrilegious or a bit crude, but the following clip is pretty tame—and yet, it remains HILARIOUS.
Jim takes aim at the traditions of our various holidays-enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjJCIbC9sxA
Hope you enjoyed-and were not offended. Either way, feel free to comment. If you’d like my blog in your box weekdays, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
I’ll dispense with the serious stuff and pass along some laughs from one of my favorite comedians-Jim Gaffigan. Yes, this is a colossal cop-out, but one that you may enjoy more than my usual fare.
Now be aware, Mr. Gaffigan can PUSH THE ENVELOPE—to the point of being a tad sacrilegious or a bit crude, but the following clip is pretty tame—and yet, it remains HILARIOUS.
Jim takes aim at the traditions of our various holidays-enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjJCIbC9sxA
Hope you enjoyed-and were not offended. Either way, feel free to comment. If you’d like my blog in your box weekdays, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lucy, You've Got Some 'Splainin' To Do!
This blog has often lamented the fragmentation of audiences caused by the explosion of our media choices-and on this, the anniversary of the LAST “I Love Lucy” episode in 1961, that point is driven home.
I think there is value in “shared experience”-even if it is only TV. It is said that there are no more “mass” audiences-just micro-targets—perhaps to the point that someday, we’ll each have our own “channel”—one that no one else sees.
Of course, in the early days of television, the choices were 2—and then 3. Somehow, we all survived as a society—and in my estimation, may have been better off.
“I Love Lucy” ran for 10 years. Lucille Ball, a former Hollywood starlet and radio actress, teamed up with her husband Desi Arnaz. Ball insisted to network executives that her husband be cast in the show as her TV hubby as well, despite their claims that the country wouldn’t believe or accept the idea that a white American actress would be married to a Cuban bandleader.
Seems the suits were wrong.
“I Love Lucy” became one of the most popular sitcoms in history, ranking in the top three shows for six years-and turning the couple’s production company “Desilu Productions” into a multi-million dollar entity.
Thanks to reruns, everyone over 35 years of age has a “favorite” Lucy episode. Mine happens to be the candy factory assembly line where Lucy & Ethel can’t keep up with the flow of chocolates and must eat or hide the product as it races by!
In case you don’t remember (how COULDN’T you?!), here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wp3m1vg06Q
Of course, it’s tough to think of only ONE show that makes you laugh out loud. The beauty was that you KNEW that everyone you knew had watched the same show at the same time.
Today, with DVR’s, (or even stone-age devices like the VCR in my home), timeshifting means that commonality is lost. The closest thing we have is “American Idol”-but even that could be watched a day or two after it originally airs.
As for Lucy, she became President of Desilu Productions following her divorce from Desi in 1960. She then starred in several other “Lucy” shows : “The Lucy Show” which debuted in 1962 and ran for six years, “Here’s Lucy”-which also starred her two children. A later program, “Life With Lucy” was cancelled after only 8 episodes. Ball died in 1989-and Arnaz in 1986.
Despite less than stellar attempts to recreate the magic of that first show, Lucy’s impact on TV and in our nation’s collective pop culture can’t be overstated. There was no one bigger than Lucy during “I Love Lucy”’s heyday.
It was a simpler time—and the ability of TV to create HUGE consistent tune-in has never been higher.
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
I think there is value in “shared experience”-even if it is only TV. It is said that there are no more “mass” audiences-just micro-targets—perhaps to the point that someday, we’ll each have our own “channel”—one that no one else sees.
Of course, in the early days of television, the choices were 2—and then 3. Somehow, we all survived as a society—and in my estimation, may have been better off.
“I Love Lucy” ran for 10 years. Lucille Ball, a former Hollywood starlet and radio actress, teamed up with her husband Desi Arnaz. Ball insisted to network executives that her husband be cast in the show as her TV hubby as well, despite their claims that the country wouldn’t believe or accept the idea that a white American actress would be married to a Cuban bandleader.
Seems the suits were wrong.
“I Love Lucy” became one of the most popular sitcoms in history, ranking in the top three shows for six years-and turning the couple’s production company “Desilu Productions” into a multi-million dollar entity.
Thanks to reruns, everyone over 35 years of age has a “favorite” Lucy episode. Mine happens to be the candy factory assembly line where Lucy & Ethel can’t keep up with the flow of chocolates and must eat or hide the product as it races by!
In case you don’t remember (how COULDN’T you?!), here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wp3m1vg06Q
Of course, it’s tough to think of only ONE show that makes you laugh out loud. The beauty was that you KNEW that everyone you knew had watched the same show at the same time.
Today, with DVR’s, (or even stone-age devices like the VCR in my home), timeshifting means that commonality is lost. The closest thing we have is “American Idol”-but even that could be watched a day or two after it originally airs.
As for Lucy, she became President of Desilu Productions following her divorce from Desi in 1960. She then starred in several other “Lucy” shows : “The Lucy Show” which debuted in 1962 and ran for six years, “Here’s Lucy”-which also starred her two children. A later program, “Life With Lucy” was cancelled after only 8 episodes. Ball died in 1989-and Arnaz in 1986.
Despite less than stellar attempts to recreate the magic of that first show, Lucy’s impact on TV and in our nation’s collective pop culture can’t be overstated. There was no one bigger than Lucy during “I Love Lucy”’s heyday.
It was a simpler time—and the ability of TV to create HUGE consistent tune-in has never been higher.
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Hey, that college with the funny name!
My first recollection of RPI was as a kid, visiting my relatives in Troy, NY, my dad’s hometown. The trip from Washington, D.C. was 8 hours long, but what fun we had in Troy for a week or so each summer!
RPI was that nearby college just blocks away. Siena College and Russell Sage were also in the area—and I lumped them all together. Big mistake. RPI is in a class of its own.
Fast forward some 40-plus years—and now my oldest son John is a STUDENT at RPI. No parental pressure or legacy was to blame. John, a superior student (and that would be MY term, not his) wanted to study Engineering as his major, so RPI was one of the DOZEN (yes, 12!) schools he applied to. Aside from USC, we got to visit most of them, even Georgia Tech down in Atlanta.
After much soul-searching on his part, RPI came out on top. That the track team wanted him may have been the clincher, but I think John had an inner feeling that this was the right place for him. I must say that my respect for RPI has grown with each passing day.
Now in his junior year, John has been consistently on the Dean’s list as a double-major in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering (am I even SPELLING that correctly?)—and his mother and I could not be prouder of his accomplishments. I am also in AWE of the subject matter that John navigates each semester. A trip to the RPI bookstore is eye-opening. Peruse the textbook section to see an array of disciplines that you didn’t even know EXISTED.
Nothing like a trip to RPI to make me feel like a dope.
When I heard the Brooklyn Bridge was built by an RPI grad, I was duly impressed. More recently, the video game “Guitar Hero” also owes its invention to a Rensselaer alum.
Watch the following propaganda film about RPI and you’ll get an inkling of what these students tackle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIJuA17pE7Y
In this economy especially, there is no substitute for lifelong learning—and for every problem afflicting man and womankind, there is likely a “geek” toiling away in an obscure laboratory on a campus like RPI—solving the problem quietly.
I am so proud of John—and of his sister Christina, just beginning her journey at Creighton University in Omaha (no doubt the subject of a future blog!). I am now finding it easier to turn the TV off for my youngest, Kevin, who at 9 years old, has yet to appreciate the value of the opportunities that accrue to those who “crack the books!”
Maybe “SpongeBob Squarepants” is educational TV, but I tell Kevin that unless he spends some time reading and learning, he could end up resembling that cartoon’s stupid starfish, “Patrick”. Even at 9 years, every kid understands this analogy.
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
My first recollection of RPI was as a kid, visiting my relatives in Troy, NY, my dad’s hometown. The trip from Washington, D.C. was 8 hours long, but what fun we had in Troy for a week or so each summer!
RPI was that nearby college just blocks away. Siena College and Russell Sage were also in the area—and I lumped them all together. Big mistake. RPI is in a class of its own.
Fast forward some 40-plus years—and now my oldest son John is a STUDENT at RPI. No parental pressure or legacy was to blame. John, a superior student (and that would be MY term, not his) wanted to study Engineering as his major, so RPI was one of the DOZEN (yes, 12!) schools he applied to. Aside from USC, we got to visit most of them, even Georgia Tech down in Atlanta.
After much soul-searching on his part, RPI came out on top. That the track team wanted him may have been the clincher, but I think John had an inner feeling that this was the right place for him. I must say that my respect for RPI has grown with each passing day.
Now in his junior year, John has been consistently on the Dean’s list as a double-major in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering (am I even SPELLING that correctly?)—and his mother and I could not be prouder of his accomplishments. I am also in AWE of the subject matter that John navigates each semester. A trip to the RPI bookstore is eye-opening. Peruse the textbook section to see an array of disciplines that you didn’t even know EXISTED.
Nothing like a trip to RPI to make me feel like a dope.
When I heard the Brooklyn Bridge was built by an RPI grad, I was duly impressed. More recently, the video game “Guitar Hero” also owes its invention to a Rensselaer alum.
Watch the following propaganda film about RPI and you’ll get an inkling of what these students tackle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIJuA17pE7Y
In this economy especially, there is no substitute for lifelong learning—and for every problem afflicting man and womankind, there is likely a “geek” toiling away in an obscure laboratory on a campus like RPI—solving the problem quietly.
I am so proud of John—and of his sister Christina, just beginning her journey at Creighton University in Omaha (no doubt the subject of a future blog!). I am now finding it easier to turn the TV off for my youngest, Kevin, who at 9 years old, has yet to appreciate the value of the opportunities that accrue to those who “crack the books!”
Maybe “SpongeBob Squarepants” is educational TV, but I tell Kevin that unless he spends some time reading and learning, he could end up resembling that cartoon’s stupid starfish, “Patrick”. Even at 9 years, every kid understands this analogy.
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Darwin Awards
Judging from the thousands of minutes of sheer stupidity available on YouTube, it is truly amazing that the human race has made it this far.
We deserve complete extinction, if you ask me.
Insulated from the natural dangers that afflicted our prehistoric ancestors, it appears that modern man needs to actually CREATE situations where we purposely put ourselves in danger.
The Darwin Awards, a tongue-in-cheek tribute to evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin-are those given to individuals who “do humanity a service by removing themselves from the gene pool”, usually through sheer stupidity, thus insuring those idiot genes are not passed down to the next generation.
This, of course, means death.
While people exiting this world is such a stupid fashion has spawned a series of bestselling books, I prefer to focus on those whose stupidity merely entertains us-without hopefully causing serious injury.
Check out the video compilation of human folly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svEPX2GpoXY
I don’t know if intelligent life from other planets is able to tap into our internet and view these episodes of sheer lunacy. If they are, it’s a good bet that are planning trip to Earth for an easy conquest. How can a species that behaves like THIS ever hope to put up a decent fight?
Of course, we have ALL done stupid things-it’s just that nowadays, the likelihood of someone nearby capturing your embarrassing episode on video has never been higher.
Here’s to staying safe—and if you MUST make a fool of yourself, check to see that nobody is filming it!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
We deserve complete extinction, if you ask me.
Insulated from the natural dangers that afflicted our prehistoric ancestors, it appears that modern man needs to actually CREATE situations where we purposely put ourselves in danger.
The Darwin Awards, a tongue-in-cheek tribute to evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin-are those given to individuals who “do humanity a service by removing themselves from the gene pool”, usually through sheer stupidity, thus insuring those idiot genes are not passed down to the next generation.
This, of course, means death.
While people exiting this world is such a stupid fashion has spawned a series of bestselling books, I prefer to focus on those whose stupidity merely entertains us-without hopefully causing serious injury.
Check out the video compilation of human folly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svEPX2GpoXY
I don’t know if intelligent life from other planets is able to tap into our internet and view these episodes of sheer lunacy. If they are, it’s a good bet that are planning trip to Earth for an easy conquest. How can a species that behaves like THIS ever hope to put up a decent fight?
Of course, we have ALL done stupid things-it’s just that nowadays, the likelihood of someone nearby capturing your embarrassing episode on video has never been higher.
Here’s to staying safe—and if you MUST make a fool of yourself, check to see that nobody is filming it!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday Night Football USED To Be Special
I suppose that “millions” of people will tune into ESPN tonight to watch the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts tangle on Monday Night Football.
I won’t be one of them.
Hey, the match-up is OK, but the thrill is gone. Monday Night Football USED to be a big deal, but now, it’s just another football game.
The original Monday Night Football debuted 39 years ago today-the Jets versus the Browns—but it was the SHOW that captivated everyone’s imagination.
First, there was Howard.
The bombastic egomaniac encased in Howard Cosell’s body came out every Monday night to annoy tens of millions of football fans nationwide. His unmistakable delivery and cadence made him a favorite for impressionists to mimic—and nearly everyone could do a decent Howard Cosell.
“Dandy” Don Meredith was a whack-job, pure and simple. His former career as a player was the only thing keeping him on the air. No matter how many times we heard him sing, ”Turn off the lights, the party’s OVER” at the end of one team’s hopes of winning the game, we would laugh and wince simultaneously.
Frank Gifford-also a former player—made for an exciting intro to each week’s game, but that’s about where it ended. His factual gaffes throughout the telecast were legendary.
Yet…despite all of this…those three SOMEHOW managed to crawl into the nation’s psyche and plant themselves as indispensable—the backdrop to some of the game’s greatest moments.
ABC’s Roone Arledge created the idea of a prime-time football game since nothing else seemed to be working—the network was struggling, so it was time to throw out the playbook (sorry for the gratuitous sports metaphor) and try something completely different. Critics mostly hated the telecast, the announcers and the whole idea, but Americans had a different response.
Technological innovations such as slow-motion replay and interactive graphics (things we take for granted today) made THIS football game a SHOW.
Never packaged in this manner before, we were front-row witnesses to the evolution of Sports-As-Entertainment.
Some interesting stats:
Most points-55 by Indianapolis in October of1988
Most One-side Game-45 points-Baltimore 48, Green Bay 3—December of 2005
Highest Scoring Game- 95 points- Green Bay 48, Washington 47—October of 1983
Lowest Scoring Game-3 points—Pittsburgh 3, Miami 0---November of 2007
First Sponsor of MNF—Marlboro Cigarettes, before tobacco TV/radio ad were banned by FCC
Nothing against Al Michaels, who is my favorite TV Sports anchor-and MNF Play-by-play announcer since 1986, but his supporting cast has been a revolving door. I liked Dan Dierdorf, thought Dennis Miller a horrible choice (even though I think he is brilliant in his chosen field, which is NOT sports)-and Tony Kornheiser, who is likewise brilliant, hilarious and knowledgeable. It's just that no one JELLED the way the original trio did.
Here is a clip from that very first Monday Football game-notice how much has changed, from the telecast itself to the equipment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwwtl79uxig
After experimenting with different start times, it was clear that Monday Night Football was doomed to exit network TV in prime time.
I’m hoping that it makes a return-even though it seems that every bar in America has cable and ESPN—it’s more the idea that MNF was somehow part of the cultural fabric of the nation for so long. After all, it is where most Americans learned of the assassination of Beatle John Lennon. Hearing the news from Howard Cosell was not exactly comforting, but Monday Night Football was such a part of our common experience on Monday nights, in some weird way it was appropriate that we learned the news from Howard.
It’s true that you can’t go back—and to think that magic could be recreated is folly…..but then again…who knows?
“Are you ready for some football?”
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
I won’t be one of them.
Hey, the match-up is OK, but the thrill is gone. Monday Night Football USED to be a big deal, but now, it’s just another football game.
The original Monday Night Football debuted 39 years ago today-the Jets versus the Browns—but it was the SHOW that captivated everyone’s imagination.
First, there was Howard.
The bombastic egomaniac encased in Howard Cosell’s body came out every Monday night to annoy tens of millions of football fans nationwide. His unmistakable delivery and cadence made him a favorite for impressionists to mimic—and nearly everyone could do a decent Howard Cosell.
“Dandy” Don Meredith was a whack-job, pure and simple. His former career as a player was the only thing keeping him on the air. No matter how many times we heard him sing, ”Turn off the lights, the party’s OVER” at the end of one team’s hopes of winning the game, we would laugh and wince simultaneously.
Frank Gifford-also a former player—made for an exciting intro to each week’s game, but that’s about where it ended. His factual gaffes throughout the telecast were legendary.
Yet…despite all of this…those three SOMEHOW managed to crawl into the nation’s psyche and plant themselves as indispensable—the backdrop to some of the game’s greatest moments.
ABC’s Roone Arledge created the idea of a prime-time football game since nothing else seemed to be working—the network was struggling, so it was time to throw out the playbook (sorry for the gratuitous sports metaphor) and try something completely different. Critics mostly hated the telecast, the announcers and the whole idea, but Americans had a different response.
Technological innovations such as slow-motion replay and interactive graphics (things we take for granted today) made THIS football game a SHOW.
Never packaged in this manner before, we were front-row witnesses to the evolution of Sports-As-Entertainment.
Some interesting stats:
Most points-55 by Indianapolis in October of1988
Most One-side Game-45 points-Baltimore 48, Green Bay 3—December of 2005
Highest Scoring Game- 95 points- Green Bay 48, Washington 47—October of 1983
Lowest Scoring Game-3 points—Pittsburgh 3, Miami 0---November of 2007
First Sponsor of MNF—Marlboro Cigarettes, before tobacco TV/radio ad were banned by FCC
Nothing against Al Michaels, who is my favorite TV Sports anchor-and MNF Play-by-play announcer since 1986, but his supporting cast has been a revolving door. I liked Dan Dierdorf, thought Dennis Miller a horrible choice (even though I think he is brilliant in his chosen field, which is NOT sports)-and Tony Kornheiser, who is likewise brilliant, hilarious and knowledgeable. It's just that no one JELLED the way the original trio did.
Here is a clip from that very first Monday Football game-notice how much has changed, from the telecast itself to the equipment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwwtl79uxig
After experimenting with different start times, it was clear that Monday Night Football was doomed to exit network TV in prime time.
I’m hoping that it makes a return-even though it seems that every bar in America has cable and ESPN—it’s more the idea that MNF was somehow part of the cultural fabric of the nation for so long. After all, it is where most Americans learned of the assassination of Beatle John Lennon. Hearing the news from Howard Cosell was not exactly comforting, but Monday Night Football was such a part of our common experience on Monday nights, in some weird way it was appropriate that we learned the news from Howard.
It’s true that you can’t go back—and to think that magic could be recreated is folly…..but then again…who knows?
“Are you ready for some football?”
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Where Are The Comedy Duos?
It was on this date in 1950 that Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis made their debut as hosts of the TV show “The Colgate Comedy Hour”. Of course, they were well known to America by then, having first teamed up in 1946.
With the “Jay Leno Show” making an attempt to bring a comedy/variety show back to prime time, I can’t help but notice that ‘ol Jay is going it…ALONE.
In fact, I was trying to think of the last time a comedy DUO made it big! With the proliferation of comedy clubs and Comedy Central on cable, it could be said that comedy itself is in it’s “Golden Age” right now---TONS of funny people out there, men and women, but are there any comedy twosomes?
I don’t think so.
After all, the reality show is called “Last Comic Standing”, not….”The Last Two Of You Left”
Since the turn of the century (and by that I mean TWO turns ago), we have enjoyed the antics of :
Laurel & Hardy
Burns & Allen
Martin & Lewis
Abbott & Costello
Bob and Ray
Rowan and Martin
Hudson and Landry
The Smothers Brothers, even
Cheech & Chong
It seems there is a HUGE hole now for a great team to emerge. Maybe two funny guys/gals/one of each--like George & Gracie, who perhaps can’t make it on their own, but maybe as part of a team.
Enjoy this tribute video to Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNxRdYihOa0
Martin & Lewis suffered through a bitter public break-up-and certainly each was successful afterwards, although Jerry Lewis’ primary association would be through his work with Muscular Dystrophy-“Jerry’s Kids”. Neither was as popular alone as they were together.
A TV sitcom might be the best launching pad for such a duo—as the “variety show” route has been nonexistent for years—let’s hope Leno revives it!
If you’d like my blog in your box, just holler at me! tim.moore@citcomm.com
With the “Jay Leno Show” making an attempt to bring a comedy/variety show back to prime time, I can’t help but notice that ‘ol Jay is going it…ALONE.
In fact, I was trying to think of the last time a comedy DUO made it big! With the proliferation of comedy clubs and Comedy Central on cable, it could be said that comedy itself is in it’s “Golden Age” right now---TONS of funny people out there, men and women, but are there any comedy twosomes?
I don’t think so.
After all, the reality show is called “Last Comic Standing”, not….”The Last Two Of You Left”
Since the turn of the century (and by that I mean TWO turns ago), we have enjoyed the antics of :
Laurel & Hardy
Burns & Allen
Martin & Lewis
Abbott & Costello
Bob and Ray
Rowan and Martin
Hudson and Landry
The Smothers Brothers, even
Cheech & Chong
It seems there is a HUGE hole now for a great team to emerge. Maybe two funny guys/gals/one of each--like George & Gracie, who perhaps can’t make it on their own, but maybe as part of a team.
Enjoy this tribute video to Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNxRdYihOa0
Martin & Lewis suffered through a bitter public break-up-and certainly each was successful afterwards, although Jerry Lewis’ primary association would be through his work with Muscular Dystrophy-“Jerry’s Kids”. Neither was as popular alone as they were together.
A TV sitcom might be the best launching pad for such a duo—as the “variety show” route has been nonexistent for years—let’s hope Leno revives it!
If you’d like my blog in your box, just holler at me! tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Roadrunner Makes His Debut--With Coyote
Are there days when you feel like Coyote?
Days when no matter what you do, you are thwarted, steamrolled, blown up or squashed?
Of course, in cartoons no one ever dies, which is fortunate for Coyote, who otherwise would have croaked a thousand times over.
It could have been from the ANVIL that landed on his head from high above in the canyon. Perhaps the Acme rocket used to catch Roadrunner that malfunctioned and slammed into the sheer stone face would have done the trick. Or, maybe my favorite is Coyote sheepishly opening a small umbrella over his head, fully aware it would be useless against the bus-sized boulder hurtling his way from above.
For a cartoon series where The Roadrunner is the hero and Coyote the villain, you have to at least admire Coyote’s never-give-up attitude. I’m thinking he must have bought all that Acme crap on credit---considering what he spent, he could have bought 10,000 steak dinners. Acme products often failed, but immediate delivery to the middle of the desert had to the clincher when considering his purchase.
Coyote’s resilience is amazing, unbelievable and unrealistic.
That’s why I love it.
Where else could you be cooked to a crisp, blackened to the wisp of a charcoal cinder—and then in the next frame be plotting your next attempt-without a scratch?
Roadrunner debuted in the Warner Brothers cartoon “Fast and Furry-ous” on this date in 1949. Like the countless other characters, it was Mel Blanc’s voice that provided the cheerful “Beep, beep!”
Here’s a classic sequence of pain :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUq9hynzCVo
When one says “Roadrunner” nowadays, the immediate thought is Time Warner’s internet service (I get it, it’s FAST!), but let us never forget the ORIGINAL Roadrunner.
While it is unlikely that a commercial enterprise will use Coyote as the symbol of their product, you have to at least admire his ingenuity. Who else could, in about 10 seconds, paint a tunnel on the side of a canyon wall, only to have it “work” as such for Roadrunner—and yet remain a wall when Coyote gave it a try? If persistence is a virtue, then Coyote is your “patron saint”.
Beep, beep!
If you’d like my blog in your daily inbox, drop me an e-mail: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Days when no matter what you do, you are thwarted, steamrolled, blown up or squashed?
Of course, in cartoons no one ever dies, which is fortunate for Coyote, who otherwise would have croaked a thousand times over.
It could have been from the ANVIL that landed on his head from high above in the canyon. Perhaps the Acme rocket used to catch Roadrunner that malfunctioned and slammed into the sheer stone face would have done the trick. Or, maybe my favorite is Coyote sheepishly opening a small umbrella over his head, fully aware it would be useless against the bus-sized boulder hurtling his way from above.
For a cartoon series where The Roadrunner is the hero and Coyote the villain, you have to at least admire Coyote’s never-give-up attitude. I’m thinking he must have bought all that Acme crap on credit---considering what he spent, he could have bought 10,000 steak dinners. Acme products often failed, but immediate delivery to the middle of the desert had to the clincher when considering his purchase.
Coyote’s resilience is amazing, unbelievable and unrealistic.
That’s why I love it.
Where else could you be cooked to a crisp, blackened to the wisp of a charcoal cinder—and then in the next frame be plotting your next attempt-without a scratch?
Roadrunner debuted in the Warner Brothers cartoon “Fast and Furry-ous” on this date in 1949. Like the countless other characters, it was Mel Blanc’s voice that provided the cheerful “Beep, beep!”
Here’s a classic sequence of pain :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUq9hynzCVo
When one says “Roadrunner” nowadays, the immediate thought is Time Warner’s internet service (I get it, it’s FAST!), but let us never forget the ORIGINAL Roadrunner.
While it is unlikely that a commercial enterprise will use Coyote as the symbol of their product, you have to at least admire his ingenuity. Who else could, in about 10 seconds, paint a tunnel on the side of a canyon wall, only to have it “work” as such for Roadrunner—and yet remain a wall when Coyote gave it a try? If persistence is a virtue, then Coyote is your “patron saint”.
Beep, beep!
If you’d like my blog in your daily inbox, drop me an e-mail: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Critters Are Cool!
How can ya NOT love critters?
The impact of animals-especially domesticated pets—is a dimension of our existence that merits more attention and appreciation.
The extravagances that some people lavish on their pets still makes me ill-mostly because animals don’t want or need the luxury items that we bestow on them—and it’s true that most American pets eat better than many people around the world. That is a sad statement regarding our priorities. The “Fancy Feast” cat food ad where the pampered feline is “dining” out of a crystal dish makes me want to hurl!
That said, it is true that millions of pets-dogs, cats, hamsters, parakeets and rabbits are responsible for enhancing our lives, particularly the elderly and others who are alone in the world. One cannot discount the companionship they provide. When I visit my elderly mother in the nursing home, I try to bring my sister’s dog—as ALL of the residents light up at the sight of a cute little dog. In fact, the most popular “resident” of the community is a rabbit who provides hours of enjoyment for the old folks.
Enjoy the short video of pets---funny photos of our furry friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcpo3G1Gnw
We cannot underestimate the value of pets in reducing loneliness, in providing unconditional love and generally behaving the way more people should!
Viva la critters!!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
The impact of animals-especially domesticated pets—is a dimension of our existence that merits more attention and appreciation.
The extravagances that some people lavish on their pets still makes me ill-mostly because animals don’t want or need the luxury items that we bestow on them—and it’s true that most American pets eat better than many people around the world. That is a sad statement regarding our priorities. The “Fancy Feast” cat food ad where the pampered feline is “dining” out of a crystal dish makes me want to hurl!
That said, it is true that millions of pets-dogs, cats, hamsters, parakeets and rabbits are responsible for enhancing our lives, particularly the elderly and others who are alone in the world. One cannot discount the companionship they provide. When I visit my elderly mother in the nursing home, I try to bring my sister’s dog—as ALL of the residents light up at the sight of a cute little dog. In fact, the most popular “resident” of the community is a rabbit who provides hours of enjoyment for the old folks.
Enjoy the short video of pets---funny photos of our furry friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcpo3G1Gnw
We cannot underestimate the value of pets in reducing loneliness, in providing unconditional love and generally behaving the way more people should!
Viva la critters!!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Monday, September 14, 2009
Congratulations Derek Jeter!
Damn, it hurts to even SAY that!
As a staunch Red Sox fan-and thereby a Yankee hater, it’s tough to tip your cap to the enemy. I’ve spent hours disparaging the Bronx Bombers, from Steinbrenner all the way down to the bat boys. Anything in pin stripes was fair game.
But Jeter is a different story. His breaking Lou Gehrig’s all time hit record with the Yankees is a gargantuan feat. His love of the game is self-evident-and his skill in playing it at the highest level is beyond debate. Here is a future Hall of Famer who could strike out every time he comes to bat from now until the end of his career and we’re still talking first ballot induction.
I didn’t always feel that way. Back in the late 90’s, I wanted to wipe that little smirk off his face with a Hillerich & Bradsby. He seemed arrogant and self-absorbed, much like the rest of the Yankee squad. As the World Series rings piled up, I detested the excellence wrapped up in that ever-present smile.
I think, perhaps, that I got it wrong.
Jeter LOVES baseball.
He loves playing the game-and that “little boy” joy is simply irrepressible. That it shows up whenever he smacks one up the middle against the Sox-or turns two—is MY problem, not his. Ever since winning Rookie of the Year honors, the accolades have been piling up.
Somehow, he has avoided controversy and scandal throughout it all. Despite a brief relationship with singer Mariah Carey, he has largely avoided the tabloids (except for New York itself, where his popularity makes him the golden boy in print and elsewhere)
To surpass the record for hits on a team like the Yankees (with no shortage of big-time hitters in their history) is amazing. To do so against Gehrig is doubly impressive. In fact, the resume' of Jeter-as stellar as it is—makes Lou Gehrig’s look even more amazing, considering that his career was cut short by the illness that now bears his name.
Below is a video clip of the newsreel coverage of Lou Gehrig’s farewell at Yankee Stadium:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4msaZTJrTA
You can hate the Yankees and still appreciate their role in baseball history-and the stars who made them legendary.
Derek Jeter is now in that exclusive club. The highest praise I can muster for Jeter is this:
I wish he played for the Red Sox.
If you’d like my blog in your inbox daily, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
As a staunch Red Sox fan-and thereby a Yankee hater, it’s tough to tip your cap to the enemy. I’ve spent hours disparaging the Bronx Bombers, from Steinbrenner all the way down to the bat boys. Anything in pin stripes was fair game.
But Jeter is a different story. His breaking Lou Gehrig’s all time hit record with the Yankees is a gargantuan feat. His love of the game is self-evident-and his skill in playing it at the highest level is beyond debate. Here is a future Hall of Famer who could strike out every time he comes to bat from now until the end of his career and we’re still talking first ballot induction.
I didn’t always feel that way. Back in the late 90’s, I wanted to wipe that little smirk off his face with a Hillerich & Bradsby. He seemed arrogant and self-absorbed, much like the rest of the Yankee squad. As the World Series rings piled up, I detested the excellence wrapped up in that ever-present smile.
I think, perhaps, that I got it wrong.
Jeter LOVES baseball.
He loves playing the game-and that “little boy” joy is simply irrepressible. That it shows up whenever he smacks one up the middle against the Sox-or turns two—is MY problem, not his. Ever since winning Rookie of the Year honors, the accolades have been piling up.
Somehow, he has avoided controversy and scandal throughout it all. Despite a brief relationship with singer Mariah Carey, he has largely avoided the tabloids (except for New York itself, where his popularity makes him the golden boy in print and elsewhere)
To surpass the record for hits on a team like the Yankees (with no shortage of big-time hitters in their history) is amazing. To do so against Gehrig is doubly impressive. In fact, the resume' of Jeter-as stellar as it is—makes Lou Gehrig’s look even more amazing, considering that his career was cut short by the illness that now bears his name.
Below is a video clip of the newsreel coverage of Lou Gehrig’s farewell at Yankee Stadium:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4msaZTJrTA
You can hate the Yankees and still appreciate their role in baseball history-and the stars who made them legendary.
Derek Jeter is now in that exclusive club. The highest praise I can muster for Jeter is this:
I wish he played for the Red Sox.
If you’d like my blog in your inbox daily, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Loss Of Civility
Republican Joe Wilson’s rude outburst (“You lie!”) during the President’s speech last night was regrettable.
In fact, it was inexcusable-and unfortunately an example of a growing trend—the loss of civility in our discourse over issues large and small.
Forget the details of Obama’s speech last night—for a moment—and focus on the TONE.
Regardless of your views on the President, any objective observer (and that is really the key word-OBJECTIVE) would conclude that it was both decisive AND conciliatory. The President praised Republicans alongside of Democrats. He also scolded the extreme left of his own party. Pointing out John McCain, Orrin Hatch and other legislative foes-and outlining how their votes for “government programs” that helped the disadvantaged were examples of compassion and political courage, he was exceedingly generous to a party that has almost held him in open contempt.
Obama came across as a strong but inclusive leader, a transformational politician—in short, he was PRESIDENTIAL. As thanks for this expansive address, he was heckled by Wilson and others. No one wants the behavior of Britain’s parliament here in the U.S. It was a low point in our history, right in the midst of a high point.
It was truly the greatest speech I have ever heard to a joint session of Congress by ANY President. I’ll let the fact-checkers run the numbers-and we’ll see if the President was off-or optimistic on his figures.
Here is part of that speech last night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgkacBbNZiQ
One thing is for sure-he is betting his presidency on this issue—and regardless of your views, you have to admire the political courage it takes to actually TAKE ACTION. America voted Obama in as a change agent—and now, when the rubber meets the road, we are collectively getting skittish. Obama’s motives are pure, I think—and I agree with his admonishment of those of both sides of the aisle who label liberals as “socialists” or the progressives who disparage conservatives as “right wing extremists”. He called for the “bickering to end”—and for serious discussion to resume.
This is not meant to agree with everything Obama has proposed ( I do not) I am wary of his proposal for a public option. But “wary” does not translate to “distrustful”—and the President himself said it well-those trying to score political points by torpedoing the bill instead of trying to improve it—are betraying the sacred trust given to them by their constituents.
The media—of which I am sometimes embarrassed to be a member—is clearly part of the problem. It is the media that created “Joe The Plumber”—a man whose fifteen minutes of fame should have lasted…well, fifteen minutes. It is the media that distorts reality by showcasing ONLY those town halls where protesters disrupt the proceedings, thereby insuring copycat events.
Is it possible to DEBATE the merits of opposing proposals without DEMONIZING the people who put them forth?
Seeing as we haven’t made much progress through name-calling and partisan childishness, maybe we ought to give it a try.
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
In fact, it was inexcusable-and unfortunately an example of a growing trend—the loss of civility in our discourse over issues large and small.
Forget the details of Obama’s speech last night—for a moment—and focus on the TONE.
Regardless of your views on the President, any objective observer (and that is really the key word-OBJECTIVE) would conclude that it was both decisive AND conciliatory. The President praised Republicans alongside of Democrats. He also scolded the extreme left of his own party. Pointing out John McCain, Orrin Hatch and other legislative foes-and outlining how their votes for “government programs” that helped the disadvantaged were examples of compassion and political courage, he was exceedingly generous to a party that has almost held him in open contempt.
Obama came across as a strong but inclusive leader, a transformational politician—in short, he was PRESIDENTIAL. As thanks for this expansive address, he was heckled by Wilson and others. No one wants the behavior of Britain’s parliament here in the U.S. It was a low point in our history, right in the midst of a high point.
It was truly the greatest speech I have ever heard to a joint session of Congress by ANY President. I’ll let the fact-checkers run the numbers-and we’ll see if the President was off-or optimistic on his figures.
Here is part of that speech last night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgkacBbNZiQ
One thing is for sure-he is betting his presidency on this issue—and regardless of your views, you have to admire the political courage it takes to actually TAKE ACTION. America voted Obama in as a change agent—and now, when the rubber meets the road, we are collectively getting skittish. Obama’s motives are pure, I think—and I agree with his admonishment of those of both sides of the aisle who label liberals as “socialists” or the progressives who disparage conservatives as “right wing extremists”. He called for the “bickering to end”—and for serious discussion to resume.
This is not meant to agree with everything Obama has proposed ( I do not) I am wary of his proposal for a public option. But “wary” does not translate to “distrustful”—and the President himself said it well-those trying to score political points by torpedoing the bill instead of trying to improve it—are betraying the sacred trust given to them by their constituents.
The media—of which I am sometimes embarrassed to be a member—is clearly part of the problem. It is the media that created “Joe The Plumber”—a man whose fifteen minutes of fame should have lasted…well, fifteen minutes. It is the media that distorts reality by showcasing ONLY those town halls where protesters disrupt the proceedings, thereby insuring copycat events.
Is it possible to DEBATE the merits of opposing proposals without DEMONIZING the people who put them forth?
Seeing as we haven’t made much progress through name-calling and partisan childishness, maybe we ought to give it a try.
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Corvair-"Unsafe At Any Speed"
As a teenager, I worked for my Dad one summer, at the Highway Users Federation For Safety And Mobility (say THAT three times fast!)-mostly in the mailroom.
The offices at 1776 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington were frequented by one Ralph Nader, back when he was known more as a consumer advocate than as a politician. We’re talking about 1974-75.
All I remember was a disheveled man in a crumpled suit who would stick his nose into the mailroom from time to time. I had to ask my co-workers who he was. Meeting him was not a thrill, but rather a curiosity.
Although I have to say that I believe Nader is a “space shot” (waaaay beyond the moon) politically, one has to admire his tenacity to successfully attack General Motors, at the time THE most powerful corporation in America.
It was on this date in 1966 that The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law. This wide-sweeping legislation was a direct result of Nader’s book, “Unsafe At Any Speed”, which mercilessly attacked GM and the Corvair, citing numerous examples of safety concerns, including items like the STEERING WHEEL COMING OFF WHILE DRIVING (most likely an inconvenience for both the driver and anyone unfortunate enough to be a passenger at the time)
GM’s initial response to the scathing book was to discredit Nader himself-hiring private investigators to follow him and dig up dirt. Unfortunately for GM, what they found was a workaholic who didn’t drink, smoke or chase women. Nader made a name for himself with the publication of that book-and consumers still owe him a debt of gratitude.
Here is a TV commercial for a 1965 Corvair-enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59voKreB2j8
The irony is that these cars, soon the butt of jokes following the expose’, ended up becoming collectors items as their scarcity made them valuable following GM’s wise decision to cease production.
A sense of social responsibility should exist in the corporate boardrooms of America. Unfortunately, the primary motive is greed—often at the expense of the safety of consumers. No one would advocate excessive government regulation, but those who are critical of the bureaucracy should at least understand that both laws and entire agencies exist as a direct outcome of the abuse of capitalistic freedom by companies who allow the gleam of profits to blind them to the obligation to build and sell SAFE products to their customers.
The lesson of Ralph Nader—at least in this instance ---is that ONE person can make a difference.
This one did.
If you’d like my blog in your daily inbox, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
The offices at 1776 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington were frequented by one Ralph Nader, back when he was known more as a consumer advocate than as a politician. We’re talking about 1974-75.
All I remember was a disheveled man in a crumpled suit who would stick his nose into the mailroom from time to time. I had to ask my co-workers who he was. Meeting him was not a thrill, but rather a curiosity.
Although I have to say that I believe Nader is a “space shot” (waaaay beyond the moon) politically, one has to admire his tenacity to successfully attack General Motors, at the time THE most powerful corporation in America.
It was on this date in 1966 that The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law. This wide-sweeping legislation was a direct result of Nader’s book, “Unsafe At Any Speed”, which mercilessly attacked GM and the Corvair, citing numerous examples of safety concerns, including items like the STEERING WHEEL COMING OFF WHILE DRIVING (most likely an inconvenience for both the driver and anyone unfortunate enough to be a passenger at the time)
GM’s initial response to the scathing book was to discredit Nader himself-hiring private investigators to follow him and dig up dirt. Unfortunately for GM, what they found was a workaholic who didn’t drink, smoke or chase women. Nader made a name for himself with the publication of that book-and consumers still owe him a debt of gratitude.
Here is a TV commercial for a 1965 Corvair-enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59voKreB2j8
The irony is that these cars, soon the butt of jokes following the expose’, ended up becoming collectors items as their scarcity made them valuable following GM’s wise decision to cease production.
A sense of social responsibility should exist in the corporate boardrooms of America. Unfortunately, the primary motive is greed—often at the expense of the safety of consumers. No one would advocate excessive government regulation, but those who are critical of the bureaucracy should at least understand that both laws and entire agencies exist as a direct outcome of the abuse of capitalistic freedom by companies who allow the gleam of profits to blind them to the obligation to build and sell SAFE products to their customers.
The lesson of Ralph Nader—at least in this instance ---is that ONE person can make a difference.
This one did.
If you’d like my blog in your daily inbox, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Baseball's Steroid Problem--Honesty Is The Issue
The avalanche of stories linking major league baseball players to steroids has produced a similar torrent of reaction from the media and fans---outrage, indignation, disappointment and character assassination.
My reaction? SO WHAT?
Are records set by “juiced” players now “tainted”?. Only if you say they are.
I say no-and here’s why:
Despite their fame and notoriety, it could be that a great many players were not exactly Mensa society members when it came to the legality of these substances, which, for many athletes was a way of life. Staying “productive” in their businesses –not returning to the minors-required constant attention to their physical performance—after tasting what some of these drugs could do to enhance that performance, there was no going back. I believe that some players were not even aware of what they were being given—and that those who were-weighed the pros and cons and made a decision to stay competitive. So, either guilt by ignorance or guilt from desire to remain “employed”. Take your pick.
Remember that the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 is the first item in baseball’s steroid timeline. Anyone in the habit of using before this date was NOT doing anything illegal.
Imagine if COFFEE were made illegal tomorrow. You might be faced with the same dilemma. Hey, you’ve used coffee throughout your working career to wake you up and start your day. But, someone somewhere decides that coffee is a stimulant, that caffeine creates an unfair advantage in your business (whatever it is) and now---it’s ILLEGAL!!!
What do you do? Well, you could switch to No-Doz and/or caffeinated soda, but you get the idea. Chances are you would continue to drink coffee.
What about weightlifters who use protein powder to bulk up? What about the use of vitamins in mass quantities as athletes the world over do? . If Tiger Woods eats a Power Bar during a round to replenish his blood sugar, is he giving himself an unfair advantage?
I am NOT defending the use of steroids. I am, however, castigating those who have unfairly elevated this practice (commonplace as we have seen) to the level of criminal behavior and/or calculated “cheating of the system”. This judgment is unfair and misplaced.
A closer look at the issue yields one inescapable fact. The denial of use is far worse than admitted usage. The coverup is always worse than the crime. Roger Clemens’ staunch denial of use is worse than if he had admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Sports—and the human species—are constantly developing. Comparing records from one era to another is already an exercise in futility. In baseball alone, there was the “juiced ball” era, where the construction of baseballs themselves caused them to exit stadiums easier. Are home runs using that ball now invalid?
Human beings are bigger, stronger, faster than the athletes of yesteryear. Better diets, food nutrients, etc are sometimes given partial credit for this as well. Is THAT also unfair? Equipment-from baseball to golf--is better and enhances performance as well.
The truth is that steroids will not make your curve ball better-or help you get it over the plate. It will also NOT allow you hit a baseball. While it MAY influence the speed of that fastball or the distance that baseball will fly, the talent needed to “ante up” in the world of professional baseball is not influenced by drugs. I could ingest a tractor trailer load of anabolic steroids and still not be able to even foul off a Josh Beckett fastball.
It was on this date in 1998 that Mark McGuire hit his 62nd homer of the year, breaking Roger Maris’ single-season mark—he ended up with 70 for the year-a record some thought would last for years-but was broken by Barry Bonds with 73 just three years later.
Below is a video clip of Roger Maris’s 61st—and as you can see, even THAT record was “tainted” in the sense that Babe Ruth’s 60 homeruns were hit in a 154 game schedule:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJnhHdjs0DI
I say let the records stand and defuse the situation by drawing the line in the sand—NO MORE from now on! End the witch hunt-and cease with the character assassination that comes with each new revelation!
Now, as far as Pete Rose’s situation is concerned…DON’T GET ME STARTED! That’s another can of worms altogether!
If you’d like my blog in your box-just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
My reaction? SO WHAT?
Are records set by “juiced” players now “tainted”?. Only if you say they are.
I say no-and here’s why:
Despite their fame and notoriety, it could be that a great many players were not exactly Mensa society members when it came to the legality of these substances, which, for many athletes was a way of life. Staying “productive” in their businesses –not returning to the minors-required constant attention to their physical performance—after tasting what some of these drugs could do to enhance that performance, there was no going back. I believe that some players were not even aware of what they were being given—and that those who were-weighed the pros and cons and made a decision to stay competitive. So, either guilt by ignorance or guilt from desire to remain “employed”. Take your pick.
Remember that the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 is the first item in baseball’s steroid timeline. Anyone in the habit of using before this date was NOT doing anything illegal.
Imagine if COFFEE were made illegal tomorrow. You might be faced with the same dilemma. Hey, you’ve used coffee throughout your working career to wake you up and start your day. But, someone somewhere decides that coffee is a stimulant, that caffeine creates an unfair advantage in your business (whatever it is) and now---it’s ILLEGAL!!!
What do you do? Well, you could switch to No-Doz and/or caffeinated soda, but you get the idea. Chances are you would continue to drink coffee.
What about weightlifters who use protein powder to bulk up? What about the use of vitamins in mass quantities as athletes the world over do? . If Tiger Woods eats a Power Bar during a round to replenish his blood sugar, is he giving himself an unfair advantage?
I am NOT defending the use of steroids. I am, however, castigating those who have unfairly elevated this practice (commonplace as we have seen) to the level of criminal behavior and/or calculated “cheating of the system”. This judgment is unfair and misplaced.
A closer look at the issue yields one inescapable fact. The denial of use is far worse than admitted usage. The coverup is always worse than the crime. Roger Clemens’ staunch denial of use is worse than if he had admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Sports—and the human species—are constantly developing. Comparing records from one era to another is already an exercise in futility. In baseball alone, there was the “juiced ball” era, where the construction of baseballs themselves caused them to exit stadiums easier. Are home runs using that ball now invalid?
Human beings are bigger, stronger, faster than the athletes of yesteryear. Better diets, food nutrients, etc are sometimes given partial credit for this as well. Is THAT also unfair? Equipment-from baseball to golf--is better and enhances performance as well.
The truth is that steroids will not make your curve ball better-or help you get it over the plate. It will also NOT allow you hit a baseball. While it MAY influence the speed of that fastball or the distance that baseball will fly, the talent needed to “ante up” in the world of professional baseball is not influenced by drugs. I could ingest a tractor trailer load of anabolic steroids and still not be able to even foul off a Josh Beckett fastball.
It was on this date in 1998 that Mark McGuire hit his 62nd homer of the year, breaking Roger Maris’ single-season mark—he ended up with 70 for the year-a record some thought would last for years-but was broken by Barry Bonds with 73 just three years later.
Below is a video clip of Roger Maris’s 61st—and as you can see, even THAT record was “tainted” in the sense that Babe Ruth’s 60 homeruns were hit in a 154 game schedule:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJnhHdjs0DI
I say let the records stand and defuse the situation by drawing the line in the sand—NO MORE from now on! End the witch hunt-and cease with the character assassination that comes with each new revelation!
Now, as far as Pete Rose’s situation is concerned…DON’T GET ME STARTED! That’s another can of worms altogether!
If you’d like my blog in your box-just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Friday, September 4, 2009
Gilligan's Island Farewell
Of all the TV shows ever produced-and the thousands of “intros” or theme songs that launched an episode, isn’t it likely that “Gilligan’s Island” takes the prize as #1 most memorable, most quoted, most parodied-and most beloved?
I think so.
The “Mister Ed” opener is up there, but “Gilligan’s Island” has to be first.
The final episode of “Gilligan’s Island” aired on this date in 1967- some 42 years ago—and yet it remains part of our collective culture, especially to those of us “north of 40”.
The show itself only ran for three seasons—it was probably difficult to come up with new and different story ideas with that original (and limiting) premise. After so many failed schemes to get off the island, where do you go? Despite its relatively short “first-run” life, it was, however, a HUGE hit in syndication, still airing today as a classic rerun.
If you’re like me, you have fond memories of laughter at the hapless Gilligan, played by Bob Denver, who, like it or not was defined by the role for the rest of his life. A star in the “Dobie Gillis” TV show earlier, he used the Gilligan role as a way to escape from THAT previous stereotype. Little did he know that he—and in fact all of the cast members—would have trouble landing other, more serious roles “post-Gilligan”.
Perhaps the show’s success lay in the character development of each of the players. We each saw a little of ourselves in all of the castaways.
Guys would be defined by their answer to the question: “Ginger or Mary Anne?” The excesses of wealth were personified by Thurston Howell and his wife—and we all wondered why, if the Professor was smart enough to build a radio out of a coconut, why couldn’t he build a boat to get off that damn island?
Here, for your viewing and listening pleasure, is the original opener to the show. As you’ll notice, later versions included in song “the Professor and Mary Anne”, replacing “and all the rest” in the theme. Guess those two felt a bit left out at first!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR7qxtgCgY
The SS Minnow is gone (although still a popular name for registered boats the world over). Alan Hale, the Skipper, Bob Denver, Jim Backus (Thurston Howell) and Natalie Shafer (Mrs. Howell) are also gone—but through the magic of reruns, we still get to enjoy their comic genius! In addition to the never-ending reruns, the characters were resurrected in THREE made-for-TV movies.
Not bad for a sitcom that came and went on and OFF the air so relatively fast.
If you’d like my blog in your inbox daily, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Those Who Can't Play.....Watch-and Complain!
With so many sporting events on TV-and so many sports fans watching them, you’d think we’d pick up a thing or two about coordination, balance and grace.
Evidently not.
As the elite athletes of our age fail in the arena of sport, I’m sure they’d be gratified to know that we viewers at home are calling them bums, clumsy idiots and worthless klutzes.
Of course, we need to set aside the bowl of potato chips in order to express our anger appropriately. Some of us may even lumber out of our comfy sofas to stand up in front of the TV in disgust, complete with flailing arms and expletives.
Those among us who perhaps cannot even SEE their own feet will call into question the footwork of our “favorite” NFL quarterbacks. As we make razor-sharp cuts around the coffee table and ottoman (both playing the part of NFL defenders for our demonstration), we declare to those who’ll listen -“THAT’S the way it SHOULD have been done!” Hey, maybe the coach will call you for a tip after the game.
Enjoy the short video below of everyday people caught in sports situations-with hilarious results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1796OXXdVzs
After watching THAT, I hope you have a new appreciation for those who make the real thing look so easy in competition. In a world where some of us can only post our best time when the finish line is a refrigerator, perhaps it’s time to think twice before calling into question the athletic prowess of even the lowliest professional athlete. He or she is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the general population in coordination and ability.
I’m not feigning a “holier than thou” attitude, mind you. Your truly is as guilty as those I rail against. In fact, I plan on screaming tonight at my favorite target of late, The Boston Red Sox. With beer in hand and spewing pretzel crumbs like lethal projectiles across the family room, I will denigrate their hustle, their ability and even their heart!
And I’ll be waiting by the phone to take Francona’s call for advice.
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, it’s a relatively unathletic move to click the link here to my address and request it-free! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Evidently not.
As the elite athletes of our age fail in the arena of sport, I’m sure they’d be gratified to know that we viewers at home are calling them bums, clumsy idiots and worthless klutzes.
Of course, we need to set aside the bowl of potato chips in order to express our anger appropriately. Some of us may even lumber out of our comfy sofas to stand up in front of the TV in disgust, complete with flailing arms and expletives.
Those among us who perhaps cannot even SEE their own feet will call into question the footwork of our “favorite” NFL quarterbacks. As we make razor-sharp cuts around the coffee table and ottoman (both playing the part of NFL defenders for our demonstration), we declare to those who’ll listen -“THAT’S the way it SHOULD have been done!” Hey, maybe the coach will call you for a tip after the game.
Enjoy the short video below of everyday people caught in sports situations-with hilarious results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1796OXXdVzs
After watching THAT, I hope you have a new appreciation for those who make the real thing look so easy in competition. In a world where some of us can only post our best time when the finish line is a refrigerator, perhaps it’s time to think twice before calling into question the athletic prowess of even the lowliest professional athlete. He or she is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the general population in coordination and ability.
I’m not feigning a “holier than thou” attitude, mind you. Your truly is as guilty as those I rail against. In fact, I plan on screaming tonight at my favorite target of late, The Boston Red Sox. With beer in hand and spewing pretzel crumbs like lethal projectiles across the family room, I will denigrate their hustle, their ability and even their heart!
And I’ll be waiting by the phone to take Francona’s call for advice.
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, it’s a relatively unathletic move to click the link here to my address and request it-free! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Happy Birthday, ATM!
The Automatic Teller Machine-or ATM was born on this day in…are you ready?
1969!
Don’t worry if you didn’t get to use one until the late 70’s like me. Chances are you didn’t trust the darn things anyway. At the beginning, just about everyone was willing to take cash OUT -and virtually no one was willing to make a deposit.
The first ATM debuted at Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, New York on this date. Clunky and limited in its functionality, it nonetheless started a banking revolution.
So, whom do we have to thank for the ATM? Well, several inventors worked on such a device, but Don Wetzel, an executive at a company called Docutel is generally credited with being the “Father of the ATM”.
Of course, once the banks caught on and found out they could MAKE money (in fees) from dishing it out, then everyone got into the act. ATMs are now EVERYWHERE, from gas stations to convenience stores to even some churches. There is even an ATM at McMurdo Station in Antarctica!
From the start, the advent of the ATM also spawned some creative ways to STEAL from them. Most have been unsuccessful, but the short video below proves that the smaller variety found in places other than banks can just be carted away:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgOq-TG5zJQ
Of course, would we all like to see the video of this Einstein trying to crack the damn thing open at home! Now, THAT would be entertaining! If you go to YouTube and type in “ATM”, you’ll get videos of all kinds of thefts-from someone backing their pickup truck through the window of a convenience store and dragging one off with a rope-to the garden variety robberies of people preying on those using ATMs, especially after dark.
Today, there are more than 1 million ATMs around the world, with a new one added approximately every 5 minutes. The busiest day for usage? Not surprisingly, on FRIDAYS. The average American uses his/her ATM card 6-8 times a month.
I am probably right in this range of use, but still cannot bring myself to make a deposit in those things. And I still get a creepy feeling if someone is standing around, waiting for me to finish. Is that guy with the ski mask over his face making a deposit to his Christmas Club account?
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
1969!
Don’t worry if you didn’t get to use one until the late 70’s like me. Chances are you didn’t trust the darn things anyway. At the beginning, just about everyone was willing to take cash OUT -and virtually no one was willing to make a deposit.
The first ATM debuted at Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, New York on this date. Clunky and limited in its functionality, it nonetheless started a banking revolution.
So, whom do we have to thank for the ATM? Well, several inventors worked on such a device, but Don Wetzel, an executive at a company called Docutel is generally credited with being the “Father of the ATM”.
Of course, once the banks caught on and found out they could MAKE money (in fees) from dishing it out, then everyone got into the act. ATMs are now EVERYWHERE, from gas stations to convenience stores to even some churches. There is even an ATM at McMurdo Station in Antarctica!
From the start, the advent of the ATM also spawned some creative ways to STEAL from them. Most have been unsuccessful, but the short video below proves that the smaller variety found in places other than banks can just be carted away:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgOq-TG5zJQ
Of course, would we all like to see the video of this Einstein trying to crack the damn thing open at home! Now, THAT would be entertaining! If you go to YouTube and type in “ATM”, you’ll get videos of all kinds of thefts-from someone backing their pickup truck through the window of a convenience store and dragging one off with a rope-to the garden variety robberies of people preying on those using ATMs, especially after dark.
Today, there are more than 1 million ATMs around the world, with a new one added approximately every 5 minutes. The busiest day for usage? Not surprisingly, on FRIDAYS. The average American uses his/her ATM card 6-8 times a month.
I am probably right in this range of use, but still cannot bring myself to make a deposit in those things. And I still get a creepy feeling if someone is standing around, waiting for me to finish. Is that guy with the ski mask over his face making a deposit to his Christmas Club account?
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Presidential Affairs and Expose' Journalism--1802 Style!
Reports of political infidelity and/or scandalous liaisons are an almost daily affair (pardon the pun!). Talk radio and 24-hour Cable News networks have virtually unlimited resources to track down politicians via cell phone cameras and the web.
There is a sense that this is a relatively new phenomenon, evidenced by the now well- known behavior of President Kennedy, whose White House trysts with women such as Marilyn Monroe were suppressed by a media that chose to look the other way.
Not so.
Well, certainly the 1960’s journalists chose to keep to themselves suspicions of hanky-panky, but perhaps the first journalistic expose was published on this date in 1802.
Yes, 1802!
The Richmond Recorder published a report that Thomas Jefferson, living at Monticello and at the time temporarily retired from politics—had kept one of his female slaves as a mistress. The article gave the woman’s name as only “Sally”, but it was referring to Sally Hemings, who had served as a maid and seamstress to Jefferson's deceased wife Martha. The article was largely dismissed, in part because many people believed the publisher, James Callendar, was exacting revenge for having been snubbed by then-President Jefferson for a political appointment.
The newspaper article correctly stated that Sally Hemings was herself the half-black, half sister to Jefferson’s dead wife-and went on to state that Heming’s son John bore a “striking resemblance to those of the President himself”.
Jefferson chose not to respond to the allegations.
Nonetheless, the rumors persisted-and it is true that although Jefferson never freed Sally, he did free her (his) children at their 21st birthdays.
In 2000, a committee used DNA evidence to conclude that Jefferson did indeed father at least one of Heming’s six children. Watch the fascinating short video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHzHurZjuh8
The author of the Declaration of Independence had his reputation tarnished for keeping slaves, but also for carrying on his affair with someone who appeared to have no free choice in the matter. Hemings left Monticello after Jefferson’s death in 1826. Her family has now been officially welcomed by the more "traditional" descendants of our third President.
As for the journalist who blew the whistle-perhaps another lesson is evident. Critical press motivated by personal revenge tarnishes the source as well as the target. It also proves that at the end of the day, even our Founding Fathers were human---and in this case, “Fathers” of more than just our country!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
There is a sense that this is a relatively new phenomenon, evidenced by the now well- known behavior of President Kennedy, whose White House trysts with women such as Marilyn Monroe were suppressed by a media that chose to look the other way.
Not so.
Well, certainly the 1960’s journalists chose to keep to themselves suspicions of hanky-panky, but perhaps the first journalistic expose was published on this date in 1802.
Yes, 1802!
The Richmond Recorder published a report that Thomas Jefferson, living at Monticello and at the time temporarily retired from politics—had kept one of his female slaves as a mistress. The article gave the woman’s name as only “Sally”, but it was referring to Sally Hemings, who had served as a maid and seamstress to Jefferson's deceased wife Martha. The article was largely dismissed, in part because many people believed the publisher, James Callendar, was exacting revenge for having been snubbed by then-President Jefferson for a political appointment.
The newspaper article correctly stated that Sally Hemings was herself the half-black, half sister to Jefferson’s dead wife-and went on to state that Heming’s son John bore a “striking resemblance to those of the President himself”.
Jefferson chose not to respond to the allegations.
Nonetheless, the rumors persisted-and it is true that although Jefferson never freed Sally, he did free her (his) children at their 21st birthdays.
In 2000, a committee used DNA evidence to conclude that Jefferson did indeed father at least one of Heming’s six children. Watch the fascinating short video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHzHurZjuh8
The author of the Declaration of Independence had his reputation tarnished for keeping slaves, but also for carrying on his affair with someone who appeared to have no free choice in the matter. Hemings left Monticello after Jefferson’s death in 1826. Her family has now been officially welcomed by the more "traditional" descendants of our third President.
As for the journalist who blew the whistle-perhaps another lesson is evident. Critical press motivated by personal revenge tarnishes the source as well as the target. It also proves that at the end of the day, even our Founding Fathers were human---and in this case, “Fathers” of more than just our country!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
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