/ / / / / / Classic TV Blog / / / / TV Shows on DVD/ / / / / / 2012 TV Show Reviews

 

OTHER COOL TV BLOGS:

TV Blog

Television Blog

Wayne Hicks'
Standup Comedy Blog

The TV Series that travelled from city to city across America : Route 66 on DVD

Backward City

Rankin- Bass Blog

TVLoop

Michael & Spider

TV Time Machine

TV Series Finale

Cheese Says

For Better or Werts

Otaku Review

SheKnows

Tugley Wood

Just My Show

Cleveland Classic Media Blog

TV Hot Spot

Aerial Telly

The Flaming Nose

Ken Levine

Lloyd Thaxton

The Home For Orphan Toons

Television Anagrams

Classic Television Showbiz

Televisionista

Brilliant But Cancelled

Tom Gilbert Timeless TV Blog

The Phil Nugent Experience

Our Word and Welcome to It

Kinescope HB

Yesteryear Museum Blog

What's Allan Watching?

Jane Espenson

Deadline Hollywood Daily

 

 

TV Blog / Television Blog / TVparty!
* Your TV Blog *

TV Blog / Bing Crosby Christmas Specials1968 TV CHRISTMAS
Bing Crosby has been getting a lot of play in this blog this holiday season. I guess it's because, more than anyone else, Bing is the archetypical Christmas TV star to me. I actually enjoyed Andy Williams a great deal more but Der Bingle's suave style seemed to embody the spirit of Christmas' past - plus he had that cold, stern personality that a lot of guys of that generation shared.

Bing hosted The Hollywood Palace Christmas fest in 1968 and he brought his family along with Jackie Gleason and The Lennon Sisters among others.

As long as we're lingering in 1968 here's a portion of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Holiday episode from that year.

Finally the Christmas episode from Julia in 1968, 'I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas.' I really liked that show as a kid, I'm not sure it holds up so well, but this episode's pretty good and touching too. In it the widowed Julia tried to explain Santa's race to her son while her boss laments that people were forgetting the reason of the season. And that was 40 + years ago! I always enjoy watching classic TV Christmas episodes, they usually stray a bit from the program's usual storyline parameters.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 - 11:00am
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

 

TV Blog / Ricky Gervais star of The Office & ExtrasMORE ON RICKY GERVAIS
I have a much longer article at dtvusaforum.com about the conference call I participated in with Ricky Gervais the other day but I wanted to share this with you here.

At times the teleconference felt like a university lecture on the vagaries of life, long time fans know Gervais is as intelligent as he is funny. He offered up eloquent, thoughtful answers to every question posed and expressed deep gratitude for where he is now. He also talked about the evolution of television entertainment over the last decade:

"The last 10, 15 years TV took on film and beat it on many levels. There is nothing as audacious in TV as 'The Wire' and 'The Sopranos'. And it even beat it as an art form because with the pressure of movies to make their money back in the first three hours of opening, you know, they don’t give it time to evolve and it’s these focus groups and begging people just to come out and just like it enough to do it again.

"Whereas things like 'The Wire,' if 'The Wire' had been based on ratings it would have been canceled. And it’s amazing and they kept that up. It’s like an art factory those things, like 'Sopranos' and 'The Wire' and so TV had that to give us. It had to give us - there was no pressure. It was much more about the work of art itself as opposed to the industry.

"And so to come to America and then win the Golden Globes and then to be asked to do a remake was ridiculous. I didn’t even think about it at the time because I thought, “Well nothing’s going to come of this.” That’s me being British. That’s how we think. Nothing will come of this. And then we cast Steve Carell who by the way I must say joking aside, I always joke about him, I always tease him, I hope people know that I think he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met genuinely. There’s no one like him. He’s untouched by Hollywood. He’s untouched by his fame, his (cachet). He’s just a lovely family man who loves comedy and the work and he’s done an amazing job above and beyond the call of duty.

"We never knew the remake was going to be this successful. I mean it’s the first successful British remake of a sitcom for 30-odd years, 'Sanford and Son' or 'All in the Family' or something. And they made it happen, that team made it happen. So honestly I don’t think anyone has a bad word to say about Steve Carell. And it’s a great ensemble cast. They’ve kept the level up for, you know, 100-odd episodes. It’s a success story commercially and in terms of an art form.

"And there’s difference in this one. It had to be. It’s not so steeped in that the realism, it’s slightly broader. It hasn’t got that existential quality. It’s sort lighter. You know, people are better at their jobs and more fun and all that but that’s true. That’s the difference between English and Americans really. It has to be that way. It really shows the difference between our two nations I think that the English and the American Office.

"Americans are told they can be the next President of the United States. British people are told, 'It won’t happen to you.' And it did happen to me. And so it’s strange that I’ve come full circle. It started with 'The Office' and the Golden Globes and it’s just great. So looking back it’s been ridiculous. It’s been like a dream. I’m going to wake up and I’m still - I’m 36 still working in my old job. I’m still working in the office where I got the idea from and I’m going to wake up and go, 'I just had the best 12-year dream I’ve ever had.'"

By all means jump over to dtvusaforum.com for the rest!

Monday, December 13, 2010 - 1:00pm
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

 

12-24-74
1974 was one of my favorite years and one of my best Christmases. So let's take a trip back in time to Christmas Eve 1974 when humorist Jean Shepherd read 'Duel in the Snow, or, Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid' over the WOR radio airwaves in New York. This story was the inspiration for The Christmas Story but you knew that.

That very same night Elton John presented his musical Christmas Special on the radio live from the Odeon Hammersmith. This was when the pop star was at the peak of his popularity selling millions of albums here in the USA alone and no one suspected he was gay in spite of the feather boas and flamboyant Bob Mackie outfits. We were so naive. On the live event he was joined by Rod Stewart and Gary Glitter for an Elton-upped 'White Christmas'.

Monday, December 13, 2010 - 9:45am
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

 

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
One of my favorite holiday themed episodes of all time is the 'Honeymooners Christmas Party' from 1953, before the series run in 1955 (Jackie Gleason had Honeymooners sketches on his variety series before and after The Honeymooners ended in 1956).

In this episode the Kramdens are visited by characters Gleason made famous on his show like The Poor Soul and Reggie Van Gleason, Frances Langford belting (It's Gonna Be A) 'Great Day', and features a delightful rendition of 'Walking My Baby Back Home' performed by a little kid.

Sunday, December 12, 2010 - 9:23am
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

 

RICKY GERVAIS
TV Blog / Ricky Gervais star of The Office & ExtrasI participated in a conference call with Ricky Gervais yesterday and it really was amazing. What an intelligent and thoughtful guy.

Here's how Ricky opened the conference call - I couldn't help busting out laughing, sorry about that!

Here's an example of the long form answers he gave to every question, he talks about how grateful he is for the opportunities he's been given. I'll share more from that call later.

Ricky Gervais will host The Golden Globes on Sunday, January 16, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. (PT) and 8-11 p.m. (ET) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Thursday, December 9, 2010 - 9:23am
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?



Read more TV Blog entries here!

TVparty is Classic TV on the internet!

TELEVISION BLOG

Your host - Billy Ingram is one of the nation's top Pop Culture Gurus and expert on classic TV.

Seen on VH1,
Trio & Bravo!

Classic TV Blog


Please consider a donation
so we can continue this work!

 

Amazon Prime - unlimited streaming
of your fave TV shows and movies!
Get your FREE 30 Day Trial!

 

 

Billy Ingram's Book About Greensboro Hamburger (Squared)

 

 

 


Latest TVparty
Classic TV Blog Entries

TV BLOG - 202
TV BLOG - 201
TV BLOG - 200
TV BLOG - 199
TV BLOG - 198
TV BLOG - 197

TV BLOG - 196
TV BLOG - 195
TV BLOG - 194
TV BLOG - 193

TV BLOG - 192
TV BLOG - 191
TV BLOG - 190
TV BLOG - 189
TV BLOG - 188

TV BLOG - 187
TV BLOG - 188
TV BLOG - 189
TV BLOG - 190
TV BLOG - 191
TV BLOG - 202
TV BLOG - 201
TV BLOG - 200
TV BLOG - 199
TV BLOG - 198
TV BLOG - 197

TV BLOG - 196
TV BLOG - 195
TV BLOG - 194
TV BLOG - 193

TV BLOG - 192
TV BLOG - 186

TV BLOG - 185
TV BLOG - 184
TV BLOG - 183
TV BLOG - 182
TV BLOG - 181

TV BLOG - 180
TV BLOG - 179
TV BLOG - 178
TV BLOG - 177
TV BLOG - 176

TV BLOG - 175
TV BLOG - 174
TV BLOG - 173
TV BLOG - 172
TV BLOG - 171

TV BLOG - 170
TV BLOG - 169
TV BLOG - 168
TV BLOG - 167
TV BLOG - 166

TV BLOG - 165
TV BLOG - 164
TV BLOG - 163
TV BLOG - 162
TV BLOG - 161

TV BLOG - 160
TV BLOG - 159
TV BLOG - 158
TV BLOG - 157
TV BLOG - 156

TV BLOG - 155
TV BLOG - 154
TV BLOG - 153
TV BLOG - 152
TV BLOG - 151

TV BLOG - 150
TV BLOG - 149
TV BLOG - 148
TV BLOG - 147
TV BLOG - 146

TV BLOG - 145
TV BLOG - 144
TV BLOG - 143

TV BLOG - 142
TV BLOG - 141
TV BLOG - 140
TV BLOG - 139

TV BLOG - 138
TV BLOG - 137
TV BLOG - 136
TV BLOG - 135
TV BLOG - 134

TV BLOG - 133
TV BLOG - 132
TV BLOG - 131
TV BLOG - 130
TV BLOG - 129
TV BLOG - 128

TV BLOG - 127
TV BLOG - 126
TV BLOG - 125
TV BLOG - 124
TV BLOG - 123
TV BLOG - 122
TV BLOG - 121

TV BLOG - 120
TV BLOG - 119
TV BLOG - 118
TV BLOG - 117
TV BLOG - 116
TV BLOG - 115

TV BLOG - 114
TV BLOG - 113
TV BLOG - 112
TV BLOG - 111
TV BLOG - 110

TV BLOG - 109
TV BLOG - 108

TV BLOG - 107
TV BLOG - 106
TV BLOG - 105

TV BLOG - 104
TV BLOG - 103
TV BLOG - 102
TV BLOG - 101
TV BLOG - 100

TV BLOG - 99
TV BLOG - 98
TV BLOG - 97
TV BLOG - 96
TV BLOG - 95

TV BLOG - 94
TV BLOG - 93
TV BLOG - 92
TV BLOG - 91
TV BLOG - 90
TV BLOG - 89

TV BLOG - 88
TV BLOG - 87
TV BLOG - 86
TV BLOG - 85
TV BLOG - 84
TV BLOG - 83

TV BLOG - 82
TV BLOG - 81
TV BLOG - 80
TV BLOG - 79
TV BLOG - 78

TV BLOG - 77
TV BLOG - 76
TV BLOG - 75
TV BLOG - 74
TV BLOG - 73

TV BLOG - 72
TV BLOG - 71
TV BLOG - 70
TV BLOG - 69
TV BLOG - 68

TV BLOG - 67
TV BLOG - 66
TV BLOG - 65
TV BLOG - 64
TV BLOG - 63

TV BLOG - 62
TV BLOG - 61
TV BLOG - 60
TV BLOG - 59
TV BLOG - 58

TV BLOG - 57
TV BLOG - 56
TV BLOG - 55
TV BLOG - 54
TV BLOG - 53
TV BLOG - 52
TV BLOG - 51

TV BLOG - 50
TV BLOG - 49
TV BLOG - 48
TV BLOG - 47
TV BLOG - 46
TV BLOG - 45
TV BLOG - 44
TV BLOG - 43

TV BLOG - 88
TV BLOG - 87
TV BLOG - 86
TV BLOG - 85
TV BLOG - 84
TV BLOG - 83

TV BLOG - 82
TV BLOG - 81
TV BLOG - 80
TV BLOG - 79
TV BLOG - 78

TV BLOG - 77
TV BLOG - 76
TV BLOG - 75
TV BLOG - 74
TV BLOG - 73

TV BLOG - 72
TV BLOG - 71
TV BLOG - 70
TV BLOG - 69
TV BLOG - 68

TV BLOG - 67
TV BLOG - 66
TV BLOG - 65
TV BLOG - 64
TV BLOG - 63

TV BLOG - 62
TV BLOG - 61
TV BLOG - 60
TV BLOG - 59
TV BLOG - 58

TV BLOG - 57
TV BLOG - 56
TV BLOG - 55
TV BLOG - 54
TV BLOG - 53
TV BLOG - 52
TV BLOG - 51

TV BLOG - 50
TV BLOG - 49
TV BLOG - 48
TV BLOG - 47
TV BLOG - 46
TV BLOG - 45
TV BLOG - 44
TV BLOG - 43


Local & National Kid Shows / Saturday Morning Shows / Video Vault / TV Goodbyes / Fabulous Fifties / Unseen Scenes / Game Shows / Requested Classic TV Shows / Sixties TV Shows / The New * * Shows / 1980's Wrestling / TV Blog

TVparty! Classic TV
Classic TV on the Internet!

TV's Embarrassing Moments / Action Shows of the Sixties / TVparty Mysteries and Scandals / Variety Shows of the 1970s / The Eighties / The Laugh Track / 1970's Hit Shows / Response to TVparty / Search the Site / Add Your Comments
 
Superman on DVD / 1950's TV / 1960's TV / 1970's TV / Lucy Shows / Classic Cars / John Wayne / Gene Roddenberry / Star Wars / KISS / Lancelot Link / Saturday Morning Cartoons / Wonder Woman / Classic Comic Books / Andy Griffith / Cher / TV Shows on DVD / Outtakes & Bloopers / 1967 TV Shows / Romper Room / ABC Movie of the Week / The Goldbergs / Daws Butler Commercials / Saturday Morning Commercials / Captain Kangaroo / Chicago Local Kiddie Shows / Boston Local TV / Philly Local TV / NYC Local Kid Shows / Amos 'n' Andy / Electric Company / Bette Davis / Judy Garland / Christmas Specials / Redd Foxx / Good Times / Sitcom Houses / What's Happening! / Winky Dink & You / Sonny & Cher / Smothers Brothers / Commercial Icons of the 1960s / Soupy Sales / TV Terrorists / Irwin Allen / The Untouchables / Carol Burnett Show / Celebrity Commercials / Classic TV Commercials / The Carpenters / Route 66 / Bozo / The Carpenters Christmas Specials / Local Kid Shows / Death of TV's Superman / Wonderama / Sesame Street / Bob Hope Specials / Little Rascals / TV Terrorists / Irwin Allen / The Untouchables / big brotherCarol Burnett Show / Batman TV Show / Green Hornet / Today Show History / Our Gang / Doris Day Show / 1970's Commercials For Women / Bill Cosby in the 1970s / The Golddiggers / Lola Falana / 1970s TV Shows / David Bowie on TV / Hudson Brothers / The Flip Wilson Show / Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour / The Bobby Darin Show / Lucy's Lost Christmas Special / Classic Christmas Toy Commercials / Cricket On The Hearth / 1950's Holiday Shows / Amahl and the Night Visitors / A Christmas Carol on TV / The Richard Pryor Show / George Burns / Rudolph / Movie Posters & More!

Looking for classic TV DVDs? See below:
TV Commercials on DVD Wrestling DVDs Classic TV Books
Jim Longworth Christmas Specials TV Shows on BLU-RAY