Monday, May 21, 2012

Barry is the only one left

Robin Gibb, who seemed to rally from his bout with pneumonia last month, died yesterday.  He was 62.





Iconic musicians from the 70's should check in with their physicians immediately.


May 21, 1990 -
The last episode of Newhart aired on CBS-TV on this date.



The final scene was kept a secret from most of the cast and crew until moments before filming it. Only Newhart, director Dick Martin, the writers and producers knew. A curtain was put in front of the recreated The Bob Newhart Show set so the audience would not know the secret right up until the moment of filming. When the curtain was pulled back, the audience immediately recognized the set and reacted wildly. After filming, the audience was asked to keep the secret.


May 21, 1992 -
Bette Midler, the last scheduled guest, sang a touching impromptu duet with Johnny Carson, on the Tonight Show, on this date.



This penultimate show was immediately recognized as a television classic, and Midler would win an Emmy Award for her role in it.

I've said this before but now as I get older, I realize how true this is - this was the apex of TV. It doesn't get any better than this.


Today in History:
It was on this date in 1471 that King Henry VI of England was murdered in the Tower of London, concluding Part III of his reign.



Edward IV assumed the throne as the world eagerly awaited Richard III and the dramatic conclusion of the War of the Roses.


May 21, 1904 -
... This is so nice, it must be illegal.





Thomas Wright (Fats) Waller, jazz pianist, organist, composer and entertainer, was born on this date.


May 21, 1917 -
One of the World's Greatest Actors, Raymond Burr was born on this date.



In celebration, may I suggest purchasing a small container of the fabulous nipple rouge bearing this man's name. May I suggest the color, Luscious & Pouty.


May 21, 1924 -
Two Chicago teenagers interrupted their daily sodomy practice and attempted to commit the perfect crime just for the thrill of it.



Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb kidnapped 14-year-old Bobby Franks, bludgeoned him to death in a rented car, and then dumped Franks' body in a distant drainage ditch. They didn't get away with it.


May 21,1927 -
Charles Lindbergh, American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, racist, Neo-Nazi, Isolationist and serial philanderer became the first man to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean, on this date.



Exactly five years later Amelia Earhart became the first woman to do it, on this date as well.



This was an impressive step for feminism, and she did it without the astronaut diapers.


May 21, 1952 -
Mr. T was born in the ghetto on this date.



and his mama cried.


May 21, 1972 -
A deranged Australian geologist takes a hammer to Michelangelo's Pieta, shouting "I am Jesus Christ -- risen from the dead!"


Laszlo Toth was never charged with any crime, instead receiving a free trip to an Italian insane asylum. Toth's name is later adopted by comedian and former SNL regular Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci) for a long series of pranks by mail.

Everybody's a critic.


May 21, 1980 -
George Lucas didn't have enough money. He produces a sequel to his highly successful Star Wars, which somehow is Part V (don't ask or someone will go to great lengths to explain it all to you.)



The Empire Strikes Back premiered on this date.



The film contains, arguably the most shocking revelation - right next to what Rosebud was or Who actually is Keyser Söze?


Before I forget - the next time your kids tell you they're bored, show them this video



Then hand them some paper and a pair of scissors.



And so it goes

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