Whatever Happened to : Jonathan Silverman

Some remember Jonathan Silverman as one of the guys from the Weekend at Bernie's Movies. Some might remember his 90's sitcom, The Jonathan Silverman Show. Others might know him as the actor they got when they couldn't get Matthew Broderick to be in a Neil Simon play. Where is Mr. Silverman now? His last big show was a failed sitcom called, In Case of Emergency. He spends most of his time doing what a lot of 80's and 90's stars do. He guest stars on USA Network Shows. Most notable Psych and White Collar. He even starred in the direct to video release of , Beethoven's Big Break. Looks like Jonathon has many projects in production, including a Show with Lex Luther (Michael Rosenbaum), called Saved by Zeros.

Commercial Break : Reebok Pump

Favorite New Old Song : XTC - "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead"

XTC were a band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. Most famous for their break up then their songs, XTC did score a few hits on the Modern Charts. This was their 2nd number 1 song on the chart. Some people think the song is about JKF, Jesus Christ or even John Lennon. The truth is it could be any of these people. It was written after band member, Andy Partridge, saw a rotten Pumpkin and felt bad for it. Regardless, it is a great song with some really great lyrics. Skip the remake by the CrashTest Dummies.

The Fox from Zooblie Zoo Is not the Principal from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

The Legend goes that The guy that Played the Fox on Zooblie Zoo also played the Principal from Ferris Bueller. Let us crush this rumor for good. The Fox from Zooblie Zoo Is not the Principal from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I can see where you might get confused. They are both bossy and annoying. They both are loud and obnoxious. They both have really bad hair... Wait a minute... No, It can't be!. The Fox was played by Gary Schwartz and the Principal was played by Jeffrey Jones. Jones has had a lot of trouble with the law, from drugs to sexual abuse charges. To bad, because , "The Fox and the Principal" could of made a good show.

Riding the Train on Silver Spoons to the "Red Room"

Watching my family put up the Christmas village got me thinking. On the great Classic 80's sitcom Silver Spoons that dad was more of kid then the son. He would have arcade games and a big train running through the house. Who didn't want that in their house growing up. There is something funny seeing Edward Stratton III riding that train with his conductors hat. The best is when Grandfather Edward Stratton II, played by the wonderful John Houseman, would stop over and make a snide comment. Here we are face to face, a couple of Silver Spoons.

Mathnet

I forgot about the best parody of Dragnet, Mathnet. Mathnet was a segment on the Children's show, Square One. Mathnet had two detectives who solved mysteries using their mathematical skills. Detectives Kate Monday and George Frankly were in charge of the Mathnet department. Instead of carrying guns, they would carry calculators and pull them out to help solve crimes. This segment would always come at the end of the episode, and would have a continuous story though out the week. Friday would be the big reveal on who commented the Crime. They would always High-Five at the end of the case.

Joe Friday

It is Black Friday, but I am staying here. Catching up on my Blog. It is time to talk about an even better Friday. Joe Friday, the Detective Sergeant from the T.V. Dragnet. He was played by the multi talented, Jack Webb. It is said that Friday's character coined the catch phrase, "just the facts ma'ma. This is not true. Friday actually said in an early episode is "All we want are the facts." Friday, as portrayed by Webb, never actually said the oft-repeated phrase. Indeed, it was more Stan Freberg's parodies of the Dragnet series that popularized the phrase. His Badge was number 714. Dragnet has been remade a couple of times. First in a Movie and than later in attempt to bring it back to T.V. Ed O'Neill starred as Joe Friday in the remake. Dragnet was so popular it has it's own spin-off, Adam-12.

Pop Goes Perfection!

Perfection was a game by Milton Bradley. There was a board and a timer and you had to put the pieces in the slots before the timer ended. If you didn't, Watch out! The pieces would go flying everywhere. So in a way it was like 52 card pick up. I never really understood why this games was so popular. Was it helping you get ready for the mental institution? Who knows. The board never changed so you could easily remember were the pieces went. Pop Goes Perfection!

Ugly Cosby Sweater of the Week

Whose Voice is That? Sally from Felicity

In my post about the top unseen T.V. characters, I forgot to mention Sally from Felicity. Sally Reardon was Felicity's French Tudor that she kept in contact with. Felicity would make these tapes and send them to Sally. Sally would send one back and often that became the voice over to end the show. Sally was never seen, but who was that wise voice we heard. It was Janeane Garofalo. At first you don't hear it because we always think Janeane has that snark tone to her voice, but who knew she was a wise French Tudor too. Oh course, we all know what Janeane Garofalo is doing. But what is Sally Reardon up to? In the land of social media and high end technology, I like to think she is still sending those tapes out. If not to Felicity, than to some college student fighting the battles that start the path to adulthood. Thank you Sally, for those slow motion walks in New York.


Sally come in at 5:30

Kids Incorporated

Kids Incorporated was a children's show that was on the air from 1984 to 1993. The show was about the kids who preformed in their bands called, Kids Incorporated. There was a revolving cast every season and some famous people were part of the band. These included 80's pop icon Marta "Martika" Marrero, Eric Balfour, Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson, Pre Saved by the Bell Mario Lopez, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. I would always watch this on the Disney Channel. I never understood how they could afford to play concerts so much and not seem to make a dime, but it was the 80's. Each of the episodes dealt with a story line and current songs that were popular at the time. I remember when they covered Time After Time. They were the first Glee. Minus the angry cheerleader coach and the annoying teacher. Due to Music Rights, Kids Incorporated has yet to be put out on DVD. A shame!

You should be a "Cool Rider"!

Sure, Grease 2 sort of sucks. Why would you make a sequel to that movie anyway? It is basically the original with the roles reversed. This time Michelle Pfeiffer is a pink lady looking for her cool rider. The plot is stupid, but the music is so bad it is good. For some reason these songs get stuck in your head. To bad the cast didn't. The Sex Ed song is just plan funny and the song at the Bowling alley is just the right kind of cheese. Nothing beats the catwomen herself, getting on a ladder and singing the song to Cool Rider. Sure she can sing, but who knew that she could do choreography with a set piece from "Our Town." This song is worth enough for you to check out Grease 2. At least the soundtrack.

E/R the Sitcom starring George Clooney

Yes, that is right! George Clooney was in a show called E/R before he was in a show called ER. That's right E/R was a sitcom that ran from 1984 and 1985. Clark Street Hospital was the home of the doctors that included Clooney and Elliot Gould. E/R ran for 22 episodes, but was cancelled it's first season. The show was beat out regularly by The A-Team. Guest stars included Sherman Hemsley, Dennis Franz, Jonathan Silverman, Martha Quinn and Karen Black. The theme song was sung by Lou Rawls.

Weekend Classic Episode : The Dick Van Dyke Show-"Coast to Coast Big Mouth

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Whatever Happened to : Miss Cleo

You might remember Miss Cleo as that psychic that was a spokesperson for a pay psychic hot line. "Oh Miss Cleo knows everything. Those commerical were at there height between 1997-2002. Where is she now? Well lets first start with the fall of Miss Cleo. In 2002, the FTC charged the hot line business with false advertisement and corrupt billing practices. Even Miss Cleo herself was sort of a fraud, as her name was really Youree Dell Harris and she was actually from New York. In 2002, Fuse Network hired Miss Cleo for spots promoted their channel. In early 2005, Harris was reportedly appearing on television as Cleo in advertisements for a used car dealership in Florida. Her last know appearance on screen is in a documentary called, Becoming Psychic. She has come out proudly as a lesbian. Who would of predicted that?

My top 5 Price is Right Sound Effects

I spent years watching The Price is Right. I would love staying home from school, just to watch people "come on down." The games, the lights and the sound effects got me every time. Here is my list of my favorite music/sound effects from the price is right.





5 Bing - Whenever a price or number would pop up in a game, this sound would happen.


4) Showcase wheel beep - Loved that wheel and when you would spin it fast... Beep beep beep beep


3) Cliffhanger game - The music as the Cliffhanger would march up that mountain was classic.


2) Loser Horn Buzz - Got something wrong you heard this horn.

1) The Theme song - Those doors would open and that music would play. You knew you were in for a great hour.

Somewhere in Time

Somewhere in Time is a 1980 romantic time travel movie, that has gained a cult following over the years. Christopher Reeve plays a playwright who gets a mysterious gift from an older women. Telling him to "come back to me." He later finds out who she is. She is an actress in 1912, played by Jane Seymour. He then teaches himself to go back in time, where he finds the actress and they began a great love affair. Of course, with ever good time traveling romance comes a twist. I will not ruin it for you, but it involves a penny. Scary scene to me!!!. Check out this Great movie.

Laff-A-Lympics

Who didn't want all of their favorite cartoon characters on one show. The Laff-A-Lympics was a Hanna-Barbera Productions cartoon that followed three teams on races around the world. The teams were the The Scooby Doobies, The Yogi Yahooeys, and The Really Rottens. Of course the Rottens were the bad guys that always cheated. I would always cheer for the Scooby Doobies. The show was hosted by Snagglepuss and Mildew Wolf. I loved watching this sometimes more than the cartoons that each characters was on. The overall standings on the Laff-A-Lympics were: The Scooby Doobies - 14 wins, The Yogi Yahooeys - 7 wins, The Really Rottens - 2 wins, and one three way tie.

Weekend Classic Episode: Happy Days- Richie Fights Backs

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My top 10 Unseen TV characters

A lot of shows have them. They are the unseen characters that all the others talk about. You always hear their name but never see their face. Here is to those faceless. They are much as characters as the main cast. Here are my Top 10 unseen TV Characters.

10. Tino - My So Called Life - Tino is the guy that everyone talks about. He started and then later left the band, Frozen Embryos. A tough guy that knows how to get things done.

9. Stan Walker - Will & Grace - Karen’s rich husband who is described as really fat.

8) Ugly Naked Guy - Friends - Many of Friend's best jokes were make at the ugly naked guy that lives across the way.

7) Nanny - Muppet Babies - Those green striped socks haunt my dreams


6) Dr. Kahn - Salute Your Shorts - Camp director whom none of the characters seem to have seen, either. His voice was heard over the loudspeaker.

5) Bob Sacamano - Seinfeld - We all have the crazy friend who talks about his other friend who is even more crazy.

4) Wilson - Home Improvement - A wise man that never got to close to Tim, but just enough to give him advice.


3)Charlie - Charlie's Angels - Conference crime fighting caller.

2) Charlie Brown's Teacher - Charlie Brown - Wowwowoowoowooowo

1) Maris Crane - Frasier - Even I was afraid of her. Everything they said about her. Just get chills thinking about her.



P.S. I don't think The Rubber Man Counts on American Horror Story. I think we will see who the Rubber man is. Oh well

Commercial Break: Bubble Tape

RIP Heavy D

Dwight Arrington Myers is better know as the rapper, actor, and producer, Heavy D. D (as I call him) died November 8 due to "respiratory issues. He had a hit with "Now That We Found Love". He also wrote and performed the theme songs to "In Living Color" and "MadTV". Later in his career, D got into acting. He had guest spots in Boston Public, A Different World and the first season of Bones. He had a small role in the movie The Cider House Rules. One of the last roles he had was as a guard in the Movie Tower Heist. He was a pioneer in the hip hop world. Heavy D was 44 years old.

Felicity - The First Thanksgiving

Felicity was a show on the WB that followed Felicity Porter and her years at college. Every season they would have a Thanksgiving episode. They were o.k. but not as good at the first season's Thanksgiving episode. Something about that one brought you back to what it was like to have Thanksgiving with your friends instead of your Family. There are great subplots too in the episode and Keri Russel is funny and brilliant in it. So grab a plate of Mash Potatoes, because this episode is becoming a new classic for me. Don't Deep Fat Fry your Turkey, just let it cook and enjoy.


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Whatever happened to: "The Micro Machines Man"

John Moschitta, Jr. is a voice over actor that has appeared in a lot of commericals, dramas, and game shows. He is most famous as the fast talking Micro Machines Man and the Fedex commercials. He once held The Guinness Book of World Records title as the World's Fastest Talker. This guy would pop up everywhere and you couldn't understand anything, but you loved listening to him. He has the ability to articulate 586 words per minute, but where is this fast talker now. He still does voice over work. He has done work on Family Guy and Robot Chicken, but most recently has reprised his transformers role as Autobot Blurr. He also does voices for the cartoon series, Adventure Time. He could probally read my Blog in two seconds, but so does everyone else!

Ugly Cosby Sweater of the Week

Whose Voice is That? Barney The Dinosaur

There are a lot of things annoying about Barney the Dinosaur. Where do you start? The most annoying thing is that damn voice and giggle. Who provided that fun time, but David Joyner. Joyner got is start as a live store mannequin. He became a Professional Motivational Speaker in 1988, and is in great demand all over the country. He is also an ordained minister. In 1992 he landed the role of the purple dinosaur. Life after Barney involved moving to L.A. to focus on his acting career , but he quickly got back into the kids entertainment business. In, 2005 he portrayed Hip Hop Harry, a rapping teddy bear. He even enjoyed a small role on The Young and the Restless. Hip Hop Harry can be seen on TLC and Discovery Kids. We will never get ride of David Joyner.

Charles in Charge: The First Family

Charles in Charge was about a 19 year old college student who was a babysitter for a family. He lived there to help with room in board. Many viewers will remember the family that he took care of were The Powells, but did you know there was a family before them? When the show premiered in 1984, Charles was in charge of the Pembroke family. The family members consisted of wife Jill, husband Stan, and their three children: Lila, Douglas, and Jason. Due to low ratings, Charles in Charge was cancelled. It was brought back in syndication and a new family was brought in. the story explained that the Pembrokes sub-leased their house and moved to Seattle, and the Powells moved in instead. So Charles charged his way back into the house to babysit once again. Like he is one of the family!

My top 5 Dirtiest Sounding Monopoly Spaces.

Do not pass go, this top 5 should have you rolling a dice and rolling on the floor. Monopoly is a Parker Brothers game that first came to the shelves in 1934. If you haven't played Monopoly or don't know the rules, then I don't even know why you are reading my blog. The Monopoly game board consists of forty spaces containing twenty-eight properties (twenty-two colored streets, four railroads and two utilities), three Chance spaces, three Community Chest spaces, a Luxury Tax space, an Income Tax space, and the four corner squares: GO, (In) Jail/Just Visiting, Free Parking, and Go to Jail. I just thought that some of these spaces sound sort of naughty. Here are my top 5 dirtiest sounding Monopoly Spaces.




5) Community Chest

4) B & O Railroad

3) Free Parking

2) Baltic Avenue

1) Marvin Gardens

Cancelled to Soon T.V. Shows: Love Monkey

In 2006, CBS broadcasted a clever show about a record executive who gets fired from his major label job. He then takes a job with and indie label company. The show also followed his friend through their lives in New York City. It starred Tom Cavanagh and every episode got better and better. CBS pulled it after three episodes aired, but later VH1 picked up the serious and showed the remaining episode. Witty, Charming, Smart, and Real was what this show was. It is hard to get a show like that on the air and keep it, if it isn't about doctors and lawyers. If you need a pick me up and a smile, check it out. I found all the episode on youtube. If you are a music geek you will love it even more.

1999 Year in Movies

Most film buffs always point out that 1939 was the greatest year for movies. There is no doubting that. With classics like The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Wuthering Heights and much more, 1939 was a great year in cinema. Then in 1999 a new brand of movie broke through. I believe that 1999 was the best year in modern Movies. Think about what come out then that has influenced today's standards. Nothing can beat the classic, but American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, The Blair Witch Project, Fight Club, The Insider, Magnolia, The Matrix, and The Sixth Sense come real close. Looking back at this list you have to marvel that we were being entertained on the next level. Studios didn't have to cram everything into a 3-D market arena, and word of mouth was what sometimes got you to the movies. Here is hoping that 2049 brings us something good.

Hand-me-down toys: Husker Du (Guest Post Katie Foster)

As the youngest of four children (much younger, I might add), I was often the recipient of "hand-me-down toys". Many of the toys I played with are probably older than most readers of Brad's blog.
One of my favorites as a kid was Husker Du (pronounce Hoosker Doo). This game was first released in 1970 by Endless Games; it was shortly after that my sister received it as a gift.
Husker Du was a kind of memory game where you placed little black disks over the pictures. Then there was a wheel on the side of the board game that would move the pictures under the plastic pieces so each time you had a "new" matching game. There were probably only 4 possible "matching games" involved.
When I was old enough to play this game (probably around 1985) the box was a bit damaged from 3 older siblings playing; the wheel didn't always move with ease - but I sure thought the game was FUN! I NEVER won and I could never figure out why! I now realize it was probably b/c for 15 yrs my siblings had been playing this game over and over again - memorizing the matching combinations - DREAMING about mercilessly teasing their poor, defenseless little sister SOMEDAY. ((((sigh))) Oh the agony of being the youngest - My mother still has this game (somewhere) since she has a real problem with "letting go". Perhaps this Thanksgiving I'll get it out and play ... I Bet I can win against some kid who's never played! - by Katie Foster

PEZ

My niece got a Pez Dispenser for Halloween. The house that handed that out is my hero. I use to have a ton of PEZ. Nothing of real value, but some of them were older and cool. PEZ was invented in 1927 and first held only Mint flavored. They were a similar shape to a cigarette lighter, and dispensed an adult breath mint marketed as an alternative to smoking. So maybe all you smokers need a Garfield PEZ dispenser and you will never smoke Camels again. Yeah, I didn't think so. Still, finding PEZ in your Halloween bag is a good treat. Now I know what to give for Christmas. Thanks, PEZ!

Rowlf the Dog: The Rodney Dangerfield of Muppets

That is right my friends, Rowlf the Dog gets no respect. People that know me will tell you that I always champion for the Muppet Dog. With the new Muppet movie hitting theaters soon, you probably thought you would see him everywhere. This is not the case. In promotion photos his dog ears are no were to be found. The trailer is better, but we get to see 5 seconds of him at the piano. So Why Rowlf you Ask? Well folks, he was on of the first Muppets. Rowlf first was on T.V. in 1962 in Purina Dog Chow commercials. A year later he gained real fame as the sidekick on The Jimmy Dean Show. Some of the Jokes on there were not of the Muppet kid friendly kind. You have to love that. He deserves to have more fame. He was the first Muppet with a regular spot on network television appearing in many episodes from 1963 to 1966. Let's all show Rowlf a little more respect.

Weekend Classic Episode: The Odd Couple - Password

Sorry I haven't Posted anything in awhile. Been Busy with the new job. I promise more post will follow. Meanwhile, Enjoy this.

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