Sad Ironic Death of Crazy Guggenheim aka Frank Fontaine Billy Ingram 2023-06-25 | Frank Fontaine, known as Crazy Guggenheim from The Jackie Gleason Show in the 1960s, was one of those comedians that died or nearly died onstage.Conductor Tim Fowler and musician Jack Salley toured with Fontaine when they were musically fronting the Roy Radin Revue during the 1970s, here they reminisce about Fontaine at the end of his life and his death in 1978 just moments after stepping offstage. He was 58. You can read all about the Roy Radin Revues in the book ‘Beyond Our Wildest Dreams’ by the Alberici Sisters from Dean Martin’s Golddiggers!Tales On the Road with the Infamous Roy Radin Revue.
Revealing Interview with Demond Wilson of Sanford & Son! Billy Ingram 2023-07-30 | No Dressing Room for Redd Foxx! Being Discovered on All in the Family! The Exile of Slappy White! NBC Refuses to Please Redd Foxx! Harsh Words for Co-stars like Jayne Kennedy! Those Dean Martin Roast and Hollywood Squares Appearances! Quitting Sanford & Son For More Money! No comment on The Cotton Club Murder victim Roy Radin he was connected to!I conducted this summer of 2009 interview in conjunction with Demond Wilson's book Second Banana. He, along with Redd Foxx, were the stars of of the number one rated sitcom on NBC in the 1970s, I asked about the early days of the sitcom when the network didn't even provide the stars with a dressing room!I published parts of that interview here:http://www.tvparty.com/vegas-wilson.htmlThe Roy Radin Revue - Death of Crazy Guggenheim!youtu.be/9IhwfjXPkWIWe also talked about being a popular guest star on shows like Hollywood Squares and the Dean Martin Roasts. Filmed in both Burbank and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Demond Wilson characterized those primetime roasts hosted by Dean Martin as, "A bunch of old, drunk comedians walking through what was left of their careers. When they roasted you that meant you had reached a certain level of success and notoriety and that in a nutshell is all it meant to Redd [Foxx]. You didn't get roasted unless you'd made it."When the sitcom was riding high in the ratings, "I walked out on Sanford and Son for more money," Wilson told me. "And they said 'You can't do television, you can't do radio, you can't do movies. If your house in Truesdale Estates catches on fire and a camera crew shows up and we see you interviewed on television you are in contravention of your contract.' So I said, 'Okay, I'm going to Vegas.' The money was grand, it was great, it was huge, but the lifestyle, my God. It was like sleep all day, up all night." Vegas in those days was a crepuscular lifestyle, still is. "I don't understand how they could do that night after night," Wilson said. Contractually unable to do a stand-up act, he performed an hour long set of dance routines instead. "It was murder. I never worked so hard in my life. You can't do two shows a night for four weeks and have any weight on you, I was down to Skeletor frame and still it almost killed me. It's not a life, it's like a vampire. I don't know how Sammy Davis Jr. did it - ”yes I do, he drank, smoked and used cocaine."
Smother Brothers Hosting The Tonight Show 1975 - Truly Amazing! Billy Ingram 2023-07-28 | Like, Share, & Subscribe!! During the 13 weeks The Smothers Brothers Show aired on NBC from January 13 - May 26th 1975, Tom and Dick hosted The Tonight Show in Johnny Carson's absence on Monday, March 24, 1975 and the result was hilarious!
Sonny & Cher w Bill Boggs 1972 on WGHP TV 8 / On Tour 06.06.72 Billy Ingram 2023-07-28 | Bill Boggs interviewing Sonny Bono and Cher backstage at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC on June 6, 1972, a stop on the couple’s nationwide tour (weekends, between TV tapings) following the massive success of the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour on CBS one year earlier.Bill Boggs is one of the sharpest and most creative celebrity interviewers in TV history, he got his talk show start with ‘Southern Exposure’ airing over a small station, WGHP the ABC affiliate (now FOX) in High Point, North Carolina.All about the Sonny & Cher Shows:http://www.tvparty.com/sonnycher.htmlThe Last Episode of The Sonny Comedy Revue!youtu.be/XGKbKIdhFv8
Sonny Comedy Revue - Eighth Episode! (Audio) Billy Ingram 2023-07-28 | Like, Share & Subscribe for more! Airing on November 10, 1974 on ABC with guest stars Loretta Swit, Ed McMahon, and Smokey Robinson.As was done on occasion on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, this episode opens with series’ regulars Peter Cullen, Murray Langston, and Freeman King riding on an animated train while introducing the guest stars. Harry Harris of The Philadelphia Inquirer saw potential in Bono's solo outing, "Can Sonny make it as a TV star without Cher? ABC's first 'Sonny Comedy Revue' suggests that his chances aren't bad. The variety hour is fast-moving, crammed with camera tricks and often quite amusing... Plus marks go to some zany skits."The premiere episode ranked 41st out of 61 programs for the week. Not a good sign but the other networks started their Sunday nights at 7:30, Sonny’s show came on ABC at 8:00. The October 24, 1974 episode ranked 50th out of 53 shows. Even a fan of Sonny Bono like myself was horrified by the badly written skits and mostly bland guest stars. The final episode aired on Sunday, December 29, 1974 at 8:00pm EST.Last Episode of The Sonny Comedy Revue:youtu.be/XGKbKIdhFv8FOR MORE on The Sonny Comedy Revue:http://www.tvparty.com/sonnycher2.html
Sonny Comedy Revue Final Episode Open, 2 sketches, Chastitys Only Appearance! Billy Ingram 2023-07-28 | Subscribe for more! Here are some audio remnants from the very last episode of The Sonny Comedy Revue. This aired on Sunday, December 29, 1974 at 8:00pm EST and features daughter Chastity at the end, as was the custom on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. This was the only time, however, that Chas appeared on her dad’s show, Sonny had to get lawyers involved to get Cher to agree to it.There’s also a recurring musical blackout sketch from the series called ‘The Newsstand’ sampled here. It was common for Sonny to have a sexy female by his side to open each show, that didn’t happen on this episode as ‘The Bones’ announces his show has been cancelled.I remember the final sketch being an unbearably long French Foreign Legion bit, the first episode also had one of those silent sketches (mercifully not included here). NOTE: The Wiki entry for The Sonny Comedy Revue (and just about every other web site except TVparty!) states that the last episode was a repeat. That’s wrong, the proof being the promo, that you can hear here, for a TV movie ‘Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders’ that premiered at 9:00pm on December 29, 1974 that is heard at the end here.Eighth Episode of The Sonny Comedy Revue!FOR MORE on The Sonny Comedy Revue:http://www.tvparty.com/sonnycher2.html
Progress at Former Beef Burger? Billy Ingram 2023-06-09 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Hard to believe it’s been a little over 2 years since Beef Burger closed. In January of 2023 it was announced that Timmy's Hot Chicken is coming to Greensboro and will take over the historic Beef Burger location on West Gate City Blvd.For the full story of Biff/Beef Burger in Greensboro and the tragic events around the closing CLICK HERE:youtu.be/dI6bCpUGwW8
Andy Griffith & Carol Channing for Sanka! Billy Ingram 2023-06-09 | From 'An Evening With Carol Channing' CBS special. Sanka was one of the main sponsors of The Andy Griffith Show.Bewitched cast for Aunt Jemima: youtu.be/ubdy8HZ-QrI
Last Sears Has Closed in North Carolina! Billy Ingram 2023-06-08 | SEE ALSO: Footage shot in April, days after it was announced that the store was closing and a liquidation sale was underway:youtu.be/GMdX_HL0AzM
Catchy Jingle for Sunbeam Bread Youll Be Humming All Day! Billy Ingram 2023-06-08 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for MORE!! This couple couldn't be happier, dancing down the supermarket aisles. They wouldn't be so darn effervescent if they saw the grocery prices today!
Bewitched Cast & Crew On Location Salem, Mass 1970 Billy Ingram 2023-06-07 | For 3 episodes early in the seventh (1970-71) season, the Bewitched cast & crew filmed scenes in the city famous for putting on trial and burning witches. Samantha's sister Serena (who was, by that point, the most popular character on the show) would have none of that!It was at this juncture that the series jumped the shark for me!Bewitched cast commercial for Aunt Jemima: youtu.be/ubdy8HZ-QrI
OUTTAKES: 1967 CBS Stars Filming Promos for Local TV Station Billy Ingram 2023-06-06 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Irene Ryan (Granny), Mike Connors (Mannix), Bea Benaderat (Petticoat Junction), Peter Graves (Mission Impossible), Randy Boone (The Virginian), Milburn Stone (Gunsmoke), and Pat Paulsen (Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour).Entire footage of Jonathan Harris filming his promo: youtu.be/24ulnQAMxXwEntire footage of Bea Benaderet filming her promo: youtu.be/dlq6giNPRc4
Referring to Someone in Movies as a Fag Was Normal in the 1970s Billy Ingram 2023-06-05 | Wrong on so many levels that I’m not sure I can properly address it. It was a common occurrence, especially in late-60s, early-70s mainstream motion pictures, to refer to someone as a 'Fag.' In this very popular motion picture from 1971, ‘The Anderson Tapes’, a hotel employee is describing a guy and refers to him as a ‘fag’ and the person on the other end of the phone says, “That’s him.” Probably got a big laugh.It was directed by Sidney Lumet so maybe I missed something... The 'N' word got thrown about a lot in movies back then too, particularly westerns, when it was way too late for that sh!t but Hollywood thought they could get away with it on a historical level. CLASSIC TV:http://www.tvparty.com
Adventures of Superman Sugar Smacks Commercial Billy Ingram 2023-06-05 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! The staff at the Daily Planet sure are crazy about their Sugar Smacks and that's a cinch!
Bewitched Cast for Aunt Jemima! Billy Ingram 2023-06-04 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!! Larry Tate and Darrin are having trouble coming up with a slogan for new Aunt Jemima Pancake Syrup, fortunately Samatha uses her powers to twitch that problem away in just seconds. ABC made their stars available for commercials during primetime broadcasts years after it fell out of favor on CBS and NBC. They were very effective!Bewitched cast filming on location in Salem, Mass: youtu.be/UlUx3M4-gqs
Promo for Salvage 1 and The Odessa Files on ABC. Billy Ingram 2023-06-04 | Andy Griffith adventure series Salvage 1 only lasted a few episodes in the 1970s.
Meanwhile, Back on Earth… Long-Haired June Lockhart for Gravy Train in 1977 Billy Ingram 2023-06-04 | Lockhart had been appearing in TV and print ads for Gravy Train dating back to the 1950s when she starred on Lassie.
First Half-hour Sitcom Couple to Share a Bed! Billy Ingram 2023-06-04 | Funniest Sitcom You’ve Never Seen! Mr. Adams and Eve. In 1957, Lupino paused making movies to team up with her husband Howard Duff to star in a novel sitcom, Mr. Adams and Eve, the everyday story of a movie star couple living in Beverly Hills. Lupino wanted the show to have a ring of truth to it, exaggerated slightly for comic effect.The result was a hilarious and stylish sitcom, a wonderful send-up of Hollywood in the Fifties - that golden time when women were all dolled up with no place to go.Read the full story here: http://www.tvparty.com/50adams.html
Holmes & Yo Yo - another dumb short-lived 1970s sitcom! Billy Ingram 2023-06-04 | September 25, 1976 - December 11, 1976 - Holmes and Yo-Yo was conceived as a comedy version of the highly successful 'Six Million Dollar Man/Woman/Boy/Dog' franchise that ABC had going at the time.If the show reminded you of 'Get Smart', it's because they shared the same producers - Leonard Stern was executive producer and Arne Sultan was producer.Read all about it: http://www.tvparty.com/recholmes.html
Shatner & Roger C. Carmel (Harry Mudd) in 1987 Commercials! Billy Ingram 2023-06-03 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE! Two Star Trek Stars in mid-eighties TV ads : William Shatner and daughter for Oldsmobile & Roger C. Carmel as Señor Naugles for Naugles Mexican fast food restaurants. (I used to love that place!) This was Carmel's last role before dying of a drug overdose while cavorting with a prostitute in 1986 (that was the story going around Hollywood anyway and I believe it). Since this ad was released in '87, it may be the last one he filmed.
Before She Was Famous As... Billy Ingram 2023-06-02 | Recognize this teenager who would very shortly shoot to superstar status on a very popular ABC musical sitcom in 1970? None other than Laurie Partridge herself, Susan Dey. A commercial for a state-of-the-art 1960s hairdryer system, Misty. Expensive but the best there was when girls really took time to get their long hair bouncy and full. Now you can do it with product.
RARE 1959 Chevrolet Commercial in Color w Dinah Shore! Billy Ingram 2023-06-02 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Beautifully careographed commercial with Dinah Shore in the driver's seat, from her NBC variety hour on NBC which was broadcast in color in the 1950s - very rare for that time.
Can You Recognize The Classic TV Star Narrating this Commercial? Billy Ingram 2023-06-02 | Can You Recognize The Classic TV Star Narrating this late-1980s Commercial for Scotch Guard? None other than Jonathan Harris, Dr. Smith on Lost in Space... using same seductive tone he used luring Will Robinson into one cataclysmic misadventure after another. Oh the pain!
The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show : First Opening + Hedda Hopper Billy Ingram 2023-06-01 | The continued adventures of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in Connecticut in 1957 after the 6 year run of I Love Lucy ended, but once a month for an hour. The other three weeks were various Desilu productions. This is the first episode opening and a segment with Hollywood hag Hedda Hopper. CBS reran these thirteen specials under the "Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour" title as prime-time summer replacements, from 1962 to 1965, with a final run in 1967. Every episode featured a big name guest star, this first one had several. Lucy would repeat this theme with Here's Lucy, almost every week a different guest star.
Single Weapon Could Win WW!! Billy Ingram 2023-06-01 | Sold only in Grocery Stores in 1966... For real! Available especially (primarily?} on East Coast beaches - where this plastic contraption would bog down in the sand and you would totally understand why.
Partridge Family 2200 AD Billy Ingram 2023-06-01 | In the 70s, it became a trend to make cartoon versions of cancelled sitcoms. They even launched Gilligan's Island into space!Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough, and Brian Forster voiced their respective characters from the live action series. Susan Dey provided Laurie's voice for only two episodes, replaced by Sherry Alberoni who had voiced Alexandra for Hanna-Barbera's Josie and the Pussycats. Micky Dolenz, a member of The Monkees, portrayed different characters in the series.
Hip & Funny! Daws Butler Little Red Riding Hood Parody Billy Ingram 2023-06-01 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Way too hip for early-sixties' TV and for Snowdrift Shortening...
Racko & Easy Money (Monopoly Ripoff) Billy Ingram 2023-05-31 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Don't blame me if you can't get this jingle out of your head for the next few years!!
Mystery Date! Billy Ingram 2023-05-31 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for MORE FUN! Milton Bradley game Mystery Date. "Will he be a dud or a dreamboat?" Quite frankly, the guy they label a 'dud' is the hottest one! M-B had incredibly catchy jingles that really help sell these games.
First Quisp vs Quake Commercial Billy Ingram 2023-05-31 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for MORE FUN! Quaker Oats launched Quisp and Quake cereals as rivals in 1965 but, other than the shape, both cereals tasted the same to me, very much like Cap'n Crunch. Plus a commercial for another spinoff, Orange Quangaroos, which was a big flop!First Cap'n Crunch Commercial! youtu.be/_W066imWjRMThese television commercials were produced by Jay Ward, a major producer of animated television series like Bullwinkle. Daws Butler as the voice of Quisp and William Conrad (Cannon) as the voice of Quake.In 1969, Quake was given a makeover, slimming down and swapping his lighted miner's hard hat for an Australian bush hat and cape. in 1972, when a series of commercials asked kids to vote for which cereal should remain on the shelves. Quisp was the winner and Quake cereal was discontinued, but Quake himself introduced a new sidekick, an orange kangaroo named Simon and a new orange-flavored cereal called Quake's Orange Quangaroos. In 1976, Quaker Oats ran another contest, this time asking children to choose between Quisp and Quangaroos. Quisp won again and Quangaroos was discontinued.
Super Groovy Ad for Polaroid Swinger Instant Camera Billy Ingram 2023-05-31 | 1965 Polaroid Swinger sold with a great jingle! Fantastic camera, I had one and loved it.
Captain McCool and Friends Billy Ingram 2023-05-30 | St. Paul schoolteacher Tony Ducklow was the producer and star of Captain McCool and Friends. Revolted by the fact that his students were watching Jerry Springer when they got home after school, he set out to create a wholesome alternative.Tony Ducklow tells us more: "We are a close-knit group. Myself, my wife, and a high school friend of mine named Bill Schiff first began talking about putting together this program in 1998. We approached SCC cable station manager Ted Arbeiter with our idea and he loved it. It turns out he was as big a fan of Casey/Axel/Clancy & Willie era shows as we were. Randy Schichel was added soon after and became invaluable as the puppeteer for Moondoggy, Ozzie, and Harry Razleflavin."My wife does the voice of Yikes and does the sign language arms for Otto. I also do the puppet Pony Oliva. I have a son in college named Marcus who does the sound and runs much of the production booth.Captain McCool first aired in February 2000.
Grumpy, Unfunny Jerry Lewis on Lunch with Casey Billy Ingram 2023-05-30 | Clip from 'Lunch with Casey,' Twin Cities local kiddie show with a grumpy, unfunny guest Jerry Lewis promoting Muscular Dystrophy backyard carnivals. What a grouch, notice how angry he was to see a film camera pointed at him. Jerry Lewis could not have given less of himself here. I held a Muscular Dystrophy backyard carnival when I was a kid, you were given a kit by your local TV station. Good times! "Lunch With Casey" starred Roger Awsumb as train engineer "Casey Jones".Twin City Local Kids' Shows:http://www.tvparty.com/losttwin.htmlLunch With Casey Pledge of Allegianceyoutu.be/1UKr5iiLLmE
Brians Song : Grown men wept at the ending, Billy Dee Williams and James Caan 1971. Billy Ingram 2023-05-30 | Not only is Brian’s Song - arguably - the most important and best received for TV movie of the 20th century, it was a ratings blockbuster, considered one of the greatest sports movies ever - even spawned a hit song, ‘Brian’s Song' by Henry Mancini. Grown men wept at the ending, one of Billy Dee Williams and James Caan’s first roles. Based on a true story, this film solidified them as stars.It was also historical in terms of television's depiction of African Americans, which had been spotty at best even by 1971.
Lunch With Casey : Pledge of Allegiance Billy Ingram 2023-05-30 | Twin Cities Kid Show host Casey Jones, host of ‘Lunch With Casey,’ featured a Pledge of Allegiance film as a regular feature on his show. That film was shown in schools in the 1960s. "Lunch With Casey" starred Roger Awsumb as train engineer "Casey Jones".Twin City Local Kids' Shows:http://www.tvparty.com/losttwin.htmlA Very Grumpy Jerry Lewis on Lunch With Caseyyoutu.be/TK6ufAfWYd4
Very First Cap’n Crunch Commercial! Billy Ingram 2023-05-29 | Like & Subscribe! 1963: First ever Cap’n Crunch commercial along with 2 early short spots that ran heavily on Saturday morning TV.First Quisp vs Quake Commercial!youtu.be/soeR3FmkXnM
Cal Worthington and His Dog Spot Megamix Billy Ingram 2023-05-29 | Hear the entire 3:19 minute long 'Go See Cal' jingle for the first time! Everyone who lived in LA from the 1960s until recently will recognize Cal Worthington!See some of the crazy animals in the 70s & 80s that served as his 'dog Spot.' Cal Worthington passed away some time ago and his car lot closed just recently. One of the greatest TV hucksters of all time!
Last Show for the Sonny Comedy Revue 1974 (audio) Billy Ingram 2023-05-29 | For the story of The Sonny Comedy Revue: http://www.tvparty.com/sonnycher2.html
I Love New York! 1978 PR Campaign Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | New York had a PR problem in 1978. The Big Apple had gone broke, endured a trash strike, crime was rampant, The City was dirty, this was a bad rap so a TV ad campaign was launched to counter these perceived negatives - it was very successful in getting tourists to once again think of New York City as a destination. Quite frankly, I loved New York in the mid-seventies when it was a grittier place!
New Kids on the Block Summer 1990 for Coke Classic Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Airing on an episode of The Simpsons (as you'll see) with NKOTB fronting for Coke Classic in the Magic Cans that dispensed cash money. Really tho?
Soupy Sales Naked Lady Prank on Live TV Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for MORE! Soupy Sales opens the door to see that day's mystery guest... if the kids at home could see what you're about to see Soupy's (and everyone else's) career would have been OVER!
The Green Hornet starring Bruce Lee & Van Williams ABC 1967 Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for MORE! Promo for The Green Hornet 1967-68, a sort-of spinoff of Batman on ABC.
Desi Arnaz Jr. in Mr. & Mrs. Bo Jo Jones Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Promo for ABC Wednesday Movie of the Week 1972. Seems like this was written for Desi Arnaz Jr. - about a young man who gets his girlfriend preggers out of wedlock (GASP!), decides to 'do the right thing' and marry her, but his stuffy parents insist they get the marriage to that slut annulled.
I Sold Used Cars on TV as The Mummy! Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | Shot at Carolina Atlantic, a brand new studio in High Point, NC in 1988. Directed by Les Butchart. The studio was so new the phones weren't installed so I went next door to the Howard Johnsons two make a call, all made up in costume, and the receptionist freaked out, thought I had been in an accident on the highway!TVparty!http://www.tvparty.com
CBS Saturday Night Primetime 1988 Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | LIKE & Subscribe! Promo for High Mountain Rangers + Houston Knights.
Frank Sutton (Sgt. Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC) 1967 Promo for CBS Local Affiliate Billy Ingram 2023-05-28 | Frank Sutton (Sgt. Carter) films a promo for a CBS local affiliate in Tidewater (Virginia?) for the fall 1967 season. Filmed at the station.For Classic TV:http://www.tvparty.com
Jonathan Harris Lost in Space Season 2 Promo Billy Ingram 2023-05-27 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE! Jonathan Harris records a promo for season 2 of Lost in Space, and the shows that followed on Wednesday nights, for a CBS affiliate in Tidewater, Virginia. Local stations would stitch these together along with clips from CBS programs and air it as a half-hour special in primetime to preview the station's new fall schedule. This was filmed at the Tidewater TV station so it must have been an important affiliate...Notice how Jonathan Harris nails it the first time. I think he was the only CBS star who recorded these spots to get it right with no outtakes. He undoubtedly wrote this promo himself as well…. I’ll have more of these coming up!For Classic TV:http://www.tvparty.comEntire footage of Bea Benaderet filming her promo: youtu.be/dlq6giNPRc4
Aesop and Son Cheerios Commercial Billy Ingram 2023-05-27 | LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! Aesop and Son was one of the very funny features on "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle" (1959-1964) where, a father tries telling his boy the wisdom of the world through fables and fairy tales but the kid usually gets the wrong message and the skit ends with a bad pun.The animated cereal commercials that punctuated the afternoons and weekends, featuring characters from the shows produced by Jay Ward and Hanna-Barbera, had a bigger budget per minute than the cartoons themselves and were better animated and, in some cases, better written. The ads were created in black and white because they were broadcast that way - but the cartoons themselves were filmed in color in anticipation of color TV being the norm, which was on the horizon.
