< ONE DAY AT A TIME

16 Dec

35 years ago tonight, on Tuesday, December 16, 1975 “One Day at a Time,” the newest sit-com from Norman Lear, premiered on CBS. The show starred Bonnie Franklin as newly divorced Mom, Ann Romano, and Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli as her teenage daughters Julie and Barbara. Richard Masur played Ann’s boyfriend David and the building super, Schneider, was played by the show’s best-known cast member Pat Harrington Jr.

Original cast of "One Day at a Time" - 1975

 The next morning I sent a letter to the show hoping to get Norman Lear’s attention by writing the show’s first fan letter. I had previously read how Lear was touched by a letter from an early viewer of “All in the Family.” However, there was really nothing about “One Day at a Time” that even remotely reflected my life or experiences.

Form letter from Norman Lear, dated January 8, 1976.

 Norman Lear did send a letter though. It was a form letter thanking me for my interest in “One Day at a Time.” But at 15 years old, getting any letter from the most prolific comedy producer of the 1970s felt great.

“One Day at a Time” ran for nine seasons on CBS. It is one of the first, and perhaps only shows I can recall that was set in Indianapolis.  It was never a blockbuster hit, but Schneider became an iconic character of the 70s, and the show did introduce us to Valerie Bertinelli.

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RHODA HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

9 Dec

32 years ago tonight, on Saturday, December 9, 1978, the sit-com “Rhoda” aired the final episode of its primetime, network run.

“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” spun off 3 shows in the 1970s: “Lou Grant,” “Phyllis,” and of course, “Rhoda,” all on CBS.

Autographed photo of Valerie Harper sent to fans of “Rhoda” in 1975.

 As portrayed by Valerie Harper, the character of Rhoda Morgenstern became a fan favorite on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” so it was no surprise when producers gave the character her own series. The 1970s were, after all, a decade of spin-offs.

“Rhoda” is famous for its wedding episode, where the character took the New York City subway to her own wedding while wearing her gown. But I best remember two of the jokes from the opening sequence of “Rhoda.” (You remember when TV shows had theme songs, right?)

Cast photo sent to fans of “Rhoda” in 1975.

 Rhoda explains, “I was born in New York… in December… 1941.” Then concedes she always felt responsible for World War II. How great is that line as a way to reveal something about the character? Although most people tuning in would have known Rhoda from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” this was a terrific way to introduce new viewers to the kind of misplaced guilt felt by Miss Rhoda Morgenstern.

The other memorable laugh line was when Rhoda says she grew up in New York, but moved to Minneapolis where it’s cold and she figured she’d “keep better.”

The envelope that contained the photos shown above is postmarked November 26, 1975.

Don’t you love how they put Valerie Harper’s name above the studio address on the envelope? It’s as if they want to make it look like she sent it from home.

“Rhoda” ran on CBS for four seasons. It premiered in September 1974 on Monday nights at 9:30pm (ET) and remained on Mondays until January 1977. It moved to Sunday nights before ending its run with a 3 month stay on Saturdays.

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< SAMMY!

8 Dec

85 years ago today, on Tuesday, December 8, 1925 Sammy Davis Jr. was born in New York City. In time he would become one of the most complete performers who ever took the stage. Davis could sing, dance, act, make you laugh, and play musical instruments. He began his career as a young child in a song and dance team alongside his father (Sammy Davis Sr. of course) and Will Mastin. As The Will Mastin Trio they toured the country for decades before Davis Jr. became a break out star.

Autographed 8x10 photo of Sammy Davis Jr. sent to members of The Sammy Davis Jr. International Fan Club in the 1970s.

In addition to numerous guest appearances on TV, Sammy had two series of his own. “The Sammy Davis Jr. Show” ran from January 1966 through April of that same year. I believe I attended one of the last episodes of this series, which was taped at the NBC studio in Brooklyn. I never knew it was a series. I thought it was a TV special. What would I know? I was 5 years old. What I do know, and do remember, is that I sat in the audience of a show starring Sammy Davis Jr. and guest Art Carney, which was taped in that studio. According to IMDb, Carney was a guest on the April 15, 1966 episode of this series.

Photo of Sammy Davis Jr. also sent to members of his International Fan Club.

Sammy’s other well-known foray into series television was the syndicated “Sammy & Company.” This 90-minute talk/variety show featured guest appearances and performances from many of Sammy’s show biz friends. The series, with radio’s William B. Williams as the announcer, was produced for 2 years, 1975-1977.

Sammy Davis Jr. died from throat cancer on May 16, 1990. He was just 64. Muppet master Jim Henson died the same day making it a memorable but sad one for the world of entertainment.

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THE PRINZE OF COMEDY

6 Dec

37 years ago tonight, on Thursday, December 6, 1973 Freddie Prinze became a star.

Freddie Prinze with Johnny Carson on a later "Tonight Show" appearance, circa 1975.

That was the night the young comedian made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Throughout Carson’s 30 year reign, stand-up comedians vied for a coveted spot on “Tonight” because one good performance could literally give you a career. And while Carson rarely invited a new comedian to sit down after their first appearance, a simple “OK” sign from the “King of Late Night” was like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Publicity photo of Freddie Prinze sent to fans of "Chico and the Man"

On December 6, 1973 Sammy Davis Jr. was seated to Johnny’s right as 19-year old Freddie Prinze came on stage for the most important performance of his life. While the audience loved him, and Carson was impressed, some say it was Davis’s fawning over the comic that prompted Johnny to wave Freddie over to the chair.

Publicity photo of Freddie Prinze sent to fans, circa 1974.

While better gigs and more money did follow for Prinze, it was more important that producer James Komack, was watching “The Tonight Show” that night.  Komack was in the process of creating the sit-com “Chico and the Man” and that confluence of circumstances would change Prinze’s life. Nine months after that fateful “Tonight Show” appearance “Chico and the Man” starring Freddie Prinze and veteran actor Jack Albertson premiered on NBC.

Letter to fans that accompanied the previous photos.

And so, a good performance on “The Tonight Show” literally gave Prinze a career. I don’t mean to suggest that he didn’t earn it; rather I’m trying to emphasize the power of Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” especially in the 1970s.

Autograph sign by Freddie Prinze on September 27, 1974, after a taping of "The $25,000 Pyramid"

Freddie Prinze became a sit-com star, a Vegas headliner, and a guest host on “The Tonight Show.” He recorded a comedy album and starred in a TV movie. Prinze also had a drug problem. And in January 1977 Freddie Prinze died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. 

Publicity photo of Prinze in "Chico and the Man" that was sent to NBC stations.

Few know that Prinze was not making his network debut that December evening. Months earlier he had performed on Jack Paar’s late night show on ABC without much notice. But it was “The Tonight Show” that mattered and Prinze would always refer to his December 6, 1973 appearance as his TV debut. Sadly, viewers only got to enjoy Freddie Prinze for a little more than 3 years before his career and his life came to a tragic end.

But that story, dear friends, is best saved for another date in TV history.

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<THIS DATE IN TV HISTORY

26 Nov

59 years ago on Monday November 26, 1951 “Bob & Ray” or “The Bob and Ray Show” premiered on NBC featuring the comedy team of Bob & Ray (Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding). Best known for their work on radio Bob & Ray had their own brand of comedy that delighted many and went over the heads of others. Joining them in sketches and spoofs in this 15 minute program was Audrey Meadows. She would later be replaced by Cloris Leachman, who would then be replaced by Audrey Meadows.

Bob & Ray in their WOR radio studio, December 1974, joined by students Sami Kenigsberg, Paul Messina, and Jerry Seigerman.

The photo shown above was taken in December 1974 during Bob & Ray’s radio show on WOR (AM) in New York. The comedy legends were nice enough to agree to be interviewed by 3 junior high school students (I was one of them). If you look closely we are wearing “Wally Ballou for Mayor” buttons given to us that day by Bob & Ray.

The autographs were signed several years later (I believe 1979) in Bob & Ray’s dressing room after their masterful performance in the NBC late night comedy special “Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda.”

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<THIS DATE IN TV HISTORY

19 Nov

48 years ago today, on Monday, November 19, 1962 Alicia Foster was born in Los Angeles. By the time she began her acting career three years later she was known as Jodie Foster. 

Postcard from the 1974 ABC series "Paper Moon" produced by Paramount Pictures

Although she is best known today as a film star and Oscar-winning actress, Jodie Foster began her career on television. The postcard (above) was sent to fans of the TV series, “Paper Moon,” which was based on the film of the same name. It premiered on ABC in September 1974 but only lasted a few months. In the show Foster played young Addie Pray, the same role that won Tatum O’Neal an Oscar. The back of that postcard featured facsimile autographs from Foster and co-star Christopher Connelly.

Reverse side of postcard from the 1974 ABC series "Paper Moon" - produced by Paramount Pictures

I remember Jodie Foster playing a small role as a young neighbor in one or two episodes of “Family Affair.” Her other TV appearances include episodes of “The Doris Day Show,” “Julia,” “Nanny and the Professor,” “Mayberry RFD,” “My Three Sons,” and “The Paul Lynde Show.” Foster was also in the cast of the TV version of the film, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” which aired on ABC in the fall of 1973.

Today’s TV birthdays also include: 

Allison Janney                  1959 (maybe 1960)

Ann Curry                            1956

Ted Turner                          1938

Dick Cavett                         1936

Larry King                            1933

Alan Young                         1919

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SEE IT. NOW!

18 Nov

59 years ago today on Sunday, November 18, 1951 Americans watched the first broadcast of Edward R. Murrow’s documentary program “See It Now.”

Sketch of Edward R. Murrow by Viondette Lopez, from Edward R. Murrow High School's 1978 Yearbook

Although the series run of “See It Now” didn’t begin until April 20 of the following year, the first edition broadcast was on this date in TV history.

“See It Now” was hosted by legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow and was a TV version of his radio show, “Hear It Now.” The TV show is now best remembered for its broadcast of March 9, 1954 which took on controversial Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Other broadcasting icons who worked on “See It Now” include Executive Producer Fred W. Friendly and Don Hewitt who was the show’s director. Some 20 years later Hewitt would go on to become the creator and driving force behind “60 Minutes.”

Artwork © Viondette Lopez

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IT’S NOT BROOKLYN, IT’S HBO

14 Nov

 ON THE SET:

William Hurt as former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, November 14, 2010

Today, the Midwood section of Brooklyn once again returned to its roots as the original Hollywood. The HBO drama, “Too Big to Fail” (about the recent financial crisis) was filming at JC Studios. A portion of the studio goes back to around 1930 when it was built by Warner Bros. NBC bought it in the early 1950s and it remained an NBC studio for nearly 50 years.

Paul Giamatti on set as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, November 14, 2010

 Among those filming at the studio today were Oscar-winning actor William Hurt (top), who portrays former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. Paul Giamatti as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke can be seen entering the makeup trailer (above).

Cynthia Nixon as Paulson's former spokeswoman Michele Davis, November 14, 2010

Actress Cynthia Nixon (above) portrays Paulson’s former spokeswoman Michele Davis. And dressed as current Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner is Billy Crudup (below) seen heading into the studio. 

Billy Crudup on set as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner, November 14, 2010

Other cast members are reported to be Ed Asner, James Woods, Tony Shalhoub, and Dan Hedaya.

©Photos by Mike Wright

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A POEM BY NIPSEY RUSSELL

5 Nov
 

Unused ticket for "To Tell the Truth," November 5, 1974

36 years ago on Tuesday November 5, 1974 I attended a taping of “To Tell the Truth.” It also happened to be Election Day. A regular panelist on the show at that time was the fun-loving Nipsey Russell, who had a poem for every occasion… and Election Day was no different.

Not yet 14-years old, I didn’t totally understand the poem he recited that day, but I never forgot it. And in time I learned why it was so funny.

It will help if you try to read this with Nipsey’s classic delivery in your mind:

I’ve written a poem about politics,

I think you should read it before you vote,

It’s about the Democrats, the Republicans, and the taxpayers,

And it’s called the donkey, the elephant, and the goat 

Unused ticket for "To Tell the Truth," November 5, 1974

Nipsey Russell died on October 2, 2005 at age 87. The man never failed to put a smile on my face.

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MEETING CONAN, 1988

4 Nov

Closeup of Conan from the Happy Happy Good Show, 1988

I first met Conan O’Brien and saw him perform in the summer of 1988 in Chicago. He was in town to do a sketch comedy show with my old college friend, Robert Smigel and several other former members of the local improv group All You Can Eat. With the Writer’s Guild on strike at the time, Smigel combined part of his old improv group with fellow SNL writers, Conan O’Brien and Bob Odenkirk to create the Happy Happy Good Show. 

Program from the Happy Happy Good Show (including Conan O'Brien), 1988

In the program for the show (above), which was performed at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Studio Theater, you’ll see a photo of the cast with an arrow pointing to Conan.

 Inside the program (below) you can read Conan’s bio, in which he refers to his rich uncle Conius C. Coneworthy, and the bios of Bob Odenkirk and Robert Smigel which are also highlighted by arrows. In addition to this trio of now well-known performers, several others in the cast have continued their careers in entertainment. Dave Reynolds, in fact, went on to co-write the classic Disney film “Finding Nemo.” 

The inside of the program from the Happy Happy Good Show, 1988

In a review of the show that appeared in the July 15, 1988 edition of “The Reader,” a Chicago alternative weekly newspaper, critic Tom Valeo wrote, “If any television executives see Happy Happy Good Show, they may decide to let the writers’ strike go on forever.” He also declared the show “remarkably unfunny” and said “almost nothing works.” On the bright side Valeo does call the performances “pretty skillful.” And in referring to one sketch with Conan and Bob Odenkirk, the critic says they are “wonderfully manic as ‘bithespians’ who team up to give a single performance.” 

Conan fans may remember that this was the summer Conan famously roomed with another unknown comedian named Jeff Garlin, now on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” On another occasion I will describe my 1987 encounters with Garlin and perhaps show a clip of the standup video I hired him to host that year.

NBC bio given out at the Press Conference introducing Conan O'Brien to the media, May 3, 1993.

 When he was selected to host “Late Night” in 1993 Conan O’Brien was best known as a writer and not a performer, so NBC included his Happy Happy Good Show experience in his official bio (see above). Months before his version of “Late Night” premiered I showed Conan the old program from Happy Happy Good Show and he was excited to see it. Apparently he never saved a copy for himself. So if he still wants one… he knows where to find me.

All items are from the collection of Paul Messina. ©Paul Messina

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