Around the dial

One of these days we'll make it to the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, although I suppose I don't have any excuse for not having attended the one year that we lived two states over from where it was held, in Maryland.  Anyway, until that day comes, I'll just have to live vicariously through those that were there - and Joanna from Christmas TV History has a great write-up of all the excitement - with great pictures!  I'm so jealous of that picture of Joanna in the Tardis...   Meanwhile Andrew from The Lucky Strike Papers was there as well, and has his own report from the scene.  Andrew, if you're reading this - your book is next up on the pile in our library!

Speaking of great stuff (and of Maryland), I'm never sorry to head over to the Broadcasting Archives at the University of Maryland.  What I wouldn't give to spend a few hours in that collection.  This week's offerings include everything from vintage radios (which I find particularly of interest, since I'm into a bit of a radio phase right now) to pictures celebrating the anniversary of the historic Kennedy-Nixon debates.   Can you imagine people getting that excited about a debate between presidential candidates today?

I didn't watch the Emmy Awards last Sunday, which I suppose isn't too surprising considering I don't watch most of the shows that were up for awards, but at TV Gems Tom tells us what we missed - and it isn't surprising that some of the best moments came from the classic TV stars.

Fred Astaire was pure elegance.  Even if he's just sitting there, he does it with style.  And in the days when variety specials really were must-see TV, few of them were as must-see as the trio of specials Fred did from 1958-1960.  Fortunately, Kinescope TV takes us back to those days, and do make sure to take some time to check the video out, one of the oldest existing shows broadcast in color.  I promise you won't be sorry - unless it's that there aren't shows like this on TV today.

And I can't think of a more graceful note on which to end for this week.  See you back on Saturday, when I promise that This Week in TV Guide will be more about what's on the tube, and less on my pontificating! TV