December 23, 2016

Around the dial

Christmas may be just around the corner, but that doesn't mean things are letting up here—in fact, we've got as many classic TV goodies as there are presents wrapped under the tree.

If you find an Amazon gift certificate in your Christmas sock this year, you might want to consider spending it on my friend Amanda Reyes' new book, Are You In the House Alone? And that's only the beginning of the news for the busy blogger from Made For TV Mayhem. Way to go, Amanda!

A while back I wrote about the provocative Hitchcock episode "The Thirty-First of February." This week, bare-bones e-zine takes a closer look at the episode, and the Julian Symons novel on which it's based.

If you know the great actress Agnes Moorhead only from her recurring role on Bewitched, you don't really know her. Good thing Silver Scenes has come along with a thorough rundown on her "magnificent" career.

If you're a sports TV nerd like me, you're probably going to be interested in Classic TV Sports' latest, a rundown on the rare occasions when a network's #1 announcing crew does the first game of a Sunday doubleheader - as far back as I can remember, it's always been the second game that the lead crew does.

What's this? A second mention of Made For TV Mayhem? You bet, when it's Christmas TV History's Joanna Wilson appearing on the Made for TV Mayhem podcast, talking about - what else - Christmas shows. You don't want to miss this!

David Hofstede is up to the '70s in his Comfort TV rundown of the ten funniest sitcom episodes by decade. Hint: if you're looking for Chuckles the Clown, you won't be disappointed. And speaking of rundowns, The Twilight Zone Vortex gives us the 411 on the Zone's Christmas episodes.

Have you ever felt like there's no place to hide? I've been having that very feeling lately, so much so that - well, that's another story for another time. As for this story, it's called No Hiding Place, and Cult TV Blog tells us about one of the most popular British TV series of the 50s and 60s. Does this go on my shopping list?

I just checked this out this week, and you'll want to as well - Classic Television Showbiz links to Steve Allen's Christmas episode from his 1961 talk show. Some parts are more entertaining than others (I never liked the Smothers Brothers, for example), but the bit with Steve trying to play Santa without benefit of his glasses is worth the price of admission (so to speak).

If you think you know about obscure television, don't try to match wits with Television Obscurities. (There's a good reason the blog's named that way.) This week, a truly obscure series: Manhattan Safari, from New York's WNBT - in 1941! TV  

7 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas!!! Love the wonderful TV classics... Especially at Christmastime!!!

    Blessings!!! Net

    http://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Net, and to you as well - great website, by the way!

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  2. Thanks, Mitchell, and Merry Christmas!

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    1. You're welcome - Merry Christmas to you as well, Jack, and best wishes for the new year!

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  3. Getting in late... as Christmas is almost over in Australia... but wishing you a Merry Christmas Mitchell and to your readers and best wishes for 2017!

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  4. Thanks for the plug, Mitchell! Happy New Year from the Vortex!

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  5. I don't my last comment took, so forgive me if this comes up twice. I just wanted to thank you for sharing the linkage. It is MOST appreciated. And I hope you had a great holiday and have a wonderful 2017! :) Take care, and thanks again!

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Thanks for writing! Drive safely!