Completeist

2/11/2012 Billboard Top 10 Singles - Adele's 2nd week atop Hot 100 !

2012-02-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Gunsmoke - Chester's Hanging

2012-02-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

Time for another Gunsmoke on Radio and Gunsmoke on TV comparison. Tonight's episode is Chester's Hanging which originally aired on radio Feb 12 1955 (Season 3) and then was made into a tv episode which aired May 17th 1958 (Season 3) on CBS television.

Here is the radio episode

The TV version

1987 Billboard Top 10 Singles - 2/7/1987 ~ 25 years ago today ~

2012-02-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

New York Times Bestseller List NonFiction 02/05/2012

2012-02-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top 10 books on the NY Times Bestseller list for the week ending Feb 5th 2012

10 - Catherine the Great - Robert K Massie (10 weeks on list)
9 - Elizabeth the Queen - Sally Bedell Smith (2 weeks)
8 - Obamas - Jodi Kantor (2 weeks)
7 - Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman (13 weeks)
6 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (62 weeks)
5 - Through My Eyes - Tim Tebow (20 weeks)
4 - Killing Lincoln - Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (17 weeks)
3 - Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson (13 weeks)
2 - American Sniper - Chris Kyle (3 weeks)
1 - Ameritopia - Mark R Levin
(DEBUT)

Bonanza - Walter and the Outlaws

2012-02-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

From Season 5, the season's final episode "Walter and The Outlaws". Aired on NBC May 24th 1964
Bonanza aired on Sunday nights 9-10pm and was the #2 show for the 1963-64 season. It was sandwiched in the ratings by CBS' Wednesday 9-10pm power house combo of the Beverly Hillbillies at #1 and the Dick Van Dyke Show at #3.

In this episode the dog Walter is the same dog from the first episode of the 1964-65 season of the Andy Griffith Show "Barney's Bloodhound". He was named "Blue" in that episode.

This episode is probably the best example of just how fun and funny Bonanza could be and how everyone on the show interacted so good to make it a hilarious episode.

2/4/2012 Billboard Top 10 Singles

2012-01-31T17:46:00.000-08:00

Billboard Country Singles May 1, 1982 Top 50

2012-01-27T15:07:00.000-08:00

The Golden Age of Radio - X-Minus One

2012-01-26T15:57:00.000-08:00

Our Show for today is from the science fiction series of the mid 1950s, X Minus One.

"A Gun for Dinosaur" written by L.Sprague de Camp in 1956. This episode aired March 7th 1956 and was adapted for radio by Ernest Kinoy.

Classic Television - The Andy Griffith Show

2012-01-25T19:14:00.000-08:00

One of my very favorite tv shows of all time is The Andy Griffith Show (B&W). I could watch this show everyday and never get old.

Here is a great episode from Season 5. Episode 7 "Man in the Middle". Originally aired on CBS TV November 2nd 1964

Billboard Top 100 singles of 1964 ( No.25 - No.1 ) - Billboard Year End ...

2012-01-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

In Case You Missed It

2012-01-23T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Cadillac hearse that carried the body of President John F Kennedy to Air Force One following his assassination in Dallas TX in 1963 was sold at a Scottsdale AZ auction for $160,000.

Click here for the full story at CNN

New York Times Bestseller List 01/22/2012 Non Fiction

2012-01-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Books on the New York Times Bestseller Non Fiction List for the week ending January 22nd 2012

10 - In the Garden of the Beasts - Erik Larson (31 weeks)

9 - Boomerang - Michael Lewis (14 weeks)

8 - Heaven is for Real - Todd Burpo (6 weeks)

7 - Through My Eyes - Tim Tebow (18 weeks)

6 - Catherine The Great - Robert K Massie (8 weeks)

5 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (60 weeks)

4 - Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman (11 weeks)

3 - Killing Lincoln - Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (15 weeks)

2 - American Sniper - Chris Kyle w/Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice (DEBUT)

1 - Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson (11 weeks)

(11 consecutive weeks at #1)

New York Times Bestseller List 01/22/2012

2012-01-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top 10 Books on the NY Times Fiction bestseller list for the week ending January 22nd 2012

10 - Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson (8 weeks on list)
9 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks (13 weeks)
8 - The Litigators - John Grisham (11 weeks)
7 - The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson (73 weeks)
6 - Locked On - Tom Clancy (4 weeks)
5 - 77 Shadow Street - Dean Koontz (2 weeks) (#1 last week)
4 - 11/22/63 - Stephen King (9 weeks)
3 - Death Comes To Pemberley - P.D. James (5 weeks)
2 - Love in a Nutshell - Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly (DEBUT)
1 - Private : #1 Suspect - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
(DEBUT)

Billboard Top 100 singles of 1987 ( No.25 - No.1 )

2012-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:00

Billboard All-Time Top 100 Songs ( 1958 - 2008 ) - 50th Anniversary

2012-01-18T15:16:00.000-08:00

Grammy Flashback

2012-01-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

With the Grammy Awards coming up on Feb 12 2012 I thought I would do some looks back at past Grammy Award winners.
Tonight we start with the 1961 Grammy Awards and the Album of the Year and New Artist of the Year winner, Bob Newhart.
The Album of the Year was "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart"

This was the debut album for Mr. Newhart and was recorded live at The Tidelands Club in Houston, TX.
He spent 14 non consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard album chart. This was the first comedy record to be named Album of the Year and the only time a comedian has been awarded the Best New Artist Grammy.
Bob Newhart wanted to title the album "The Most Celebrated New Comedian Since Attila" but the Warner Brothers executives didnt care for that and created "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart", but allowed his original title to stay as the subtitle.

here is the entire album for your enjoyment.

New York Times Bestseller List Fiction 1/14/2012

2012-01-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top 10 books on the NY Times Bestseller list for the week ending January 14th 2012

10 - Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich (6 weeks on list)
9 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Steig Larsson (72 weeks)
8 - Red Mist - Patricia Cornwell (4 weeks)
7 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks (12 weeks)
6 - The Litigators - John Grisham (10 weeks)
5 - Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson (7 weeks)
4 - Locked On - Tom Clancy (3 weeks)
3 - Death Comes To Pemberley - P.D. James (4 weeks)
2 - 11/22/1963 - Stephen King (8 weeks)
1 - 77 Shadow Street - Dean Koontz
(DEBUT)
A 19th century tycoon's mansion has been turned into luxury apartments, but it remains in the grip of evil forces.

Aloha from Hawaii: Via Satellite

2012-01-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

Today in 1973 - Elvis Presley drew the largest audience for a single TV show to that time -- an estimated one billion viewers in 40 countries. Elvis - Aloha From Hawaii, a live, worldwide concert from Honolulu International Center Arena (later known as the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena). Performed at 12:30 a.m. Hawaiian Time, it was beamed live via Globecam Satellite to Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, South Vietnam and other countries, and was seen on a delayed basis in approximately 30 European countries. The first American airing was April 4th on NBC-TV. The show was also released as a two-record album, and became one of Elvis’s top-selling LPs

This was the last soundtrack (and last #1 album on the Billboard 200 for Elvis) released during Elvis lifetime, the last 2 were released after his death, Elvis in Concert (1977 TV Special) and This is Elvis in 1981.

Here is the complete show from 1973

Golden Age of Radio - The Red Skelton Show

2012-01-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

Today's Golden Age of Radio broadcast is from January 13th 1942 and it was never a broadcast, but a rehearsal. The Red Skelton Show recorded their rehearsals and in some cases that is all that survives of that a particular broadcast.
These also tended to be looser and funnier in some cases as Red ad libs even more and laughs at everything and just has a great time.
His cast included his then wife and joke writer Edna Stilwell, his bandleader Ozzie Nelson with singer/wife Harriet Hillard (Nelson).
Near the end of the broadcast Red likes to close with his "mean widdle kid" which is always a great laugh.

Read a short biography of the great hoosier comedian by going here

Courtesy of our wonderful podcaster and friend Buck Benny here is the rehearsal of the Red Skelton Show from January 13th 1942

Billboard Hot 100 - Top 50 Singles (1/14/2012)

2012-01-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

UK Official Singles Chart: Top 20 (1/14/12)

2012-01-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

Top of the Pops (John Lennon Edition)

2012-01-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

This week in 1980 the UK Charts were dominated (and rightly so) by the late John Lennon. Tragically he was murdered a month before and now in sorrow and honor his legions of UK fans put 3 of his singles in the Top 5 of the UK singles chart for the week ending January 10th 1981.

5 - (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon

4 - Antmusic - Adam and the Ants

3 - Stop the Calvary - Jona Lewie

2 - Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John and Yoko

1 - Imagine - John Lennon
(4 consecutive weeks at #1)

Sanford and Son - Grady and His Lady

2012-01-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

This episode of Sanford and Son aired on NBC Tv October 4th 1974
(Season 4)

Fred fears wedding bells will break up his beautiful friendship after Grady announces he's engaged to Dolly, so Fred plots to puncture the romance

New York Times Bestseller List 1/8/2012

2012-01-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top 10 Fiction Bestsellers on NY Times Fiction Best Seller List for the week ending January 8th 2012

10 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Stieg Larsson (71 weeks on List)
9 - V Is For Vengeance - Sue Grafton (6 weeks)
8 - Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich (5 weeks)
7 - Red Mist - Patricia Cornwell (3 weeks)
6 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks (11 weeks)
5 - Death Comes To Pemberley - P.D. James (3 weeks)
4 - Locked On - Tom Clancy w/Mark Greaney (2 weeks)
3 - Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson (6 weeks)
2 - The Litigators - John Grisham (9 weeks)
1 - 11/22/63 - Stephen King (7 weeks)
(4th non consecutive week at #1)

Craig Ferguson Show January 4th 2012

2012-01-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

1/7/2012 Billboard Top 10 Singles - LMFAO wiggles their willies all the ...

2012-01-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

Top 5

2012-01-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top 5 Movies this week in 1986

5 - White Nights

starring Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines and Helen Mirren. This movie also gave 2 of the years biggest songs of 1985 with the Academy Award winning "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie and the nominated "Separate Live" performed by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin and written by Stephen Bishop.

4 - Spies Like Us

starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase and directed by John Landis.

3 - Out of Africa

The winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1986 as well as Best Director for Sydney Pollack. Nominations for Best actress, Meryl Streep and Best Supporting Actor, Klaus Maria Brandauer. Also starring was Robert Redford.

2 - The Jewel of the Nile

the sequel to the 1984 blockbuster "Romancing The Stone", starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny Devito.

1 - Rocky IV

the fourth and most financial successful of the Rocky franchise bringing in $127.8 million in the US and Canada and $300 million worldwide. This really introduced the world to Dolph Lundgren and Brigitte Neilsen who played and Ivan Drago and his wife Ludmilla.

Gunsmoke - Pucket's New Year

2011-12-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

From the television version of Gunsmoke, Season 2 originally aired January 5th 1957

Pucket's New Year written by John Meston

this was a great episode and in the style of the radio version since it was written by the man who wrote the majority of the radio episodes and the first 10 season's of television episodes.

Billboard Top 50 singles of 1984 - Billboard Year End Singles Chart

2011-12-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Billboard Top 100 singles of 1978 ( No.25 - No.1 ) - Billboard Year End ...

2011-12-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

OTR Christmas

2011-12-25T17:18:00.000-08:00

Here are several episodes that are tremendous examples from the Golden Age of Radio, thanks to Buck Benny and Bob Camardella and their wonderful podcast !!

Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show 12/23/1951

The Jack Benny Show 12/23/1951

Fibber McGee and Molly 12/16/1941 (Fibber Cuts His Own Christmas Tree)

The Jack Benny Show 12/21/1941

Gunsmoke 12/20/1952 (A Christmas Story)

Life with Luigi 12/20/1949

Duffy's Tavern (The Christmas Carol) 12/21/1945

The Martin and Lewis Show 12/12/1949

The Jack Benny Show 12/22/1946

The Bing Crosby Show (A Crosby Family Christmas) 12/20/1950

The Jello Program starring Jack Benny 12/20/1936 (An Old Fashioned Christmas)

The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show 12/15/1946

Top 5

2011-12-21T16:36:00.000-08:00

This week's Top 5 comes courtesy of the Clever Movies website and their Top 5 Horse Movies.

1984 Billboard Top 10 Singles - 12/22/1984 ( 27 years ago Christmas week )

2011-12-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

New York Times Bestseller List 12/18/2011

2011-12-20T18:32:00.000-08:00

The New York Times Bestseller list for Fiction, the week ending December 18 2011

10 - 1Q84 - Haruki Murakami
(6 weeks on list)
9 - Micro - Michael Crichton
(2nd week on list)
8 - The Scottish Prisoner - Diana Gabaldon
(Debut)
7 - V is for Vengeance - Sue Grafton
(3 weeks on list)
6 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks
(8 weeks on list)
5 - Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson
(3 weeks on list)
4 - The Litigators - John Grisham
(6 weeks on list)
3 - Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich
(2 weeks on list)
2 - 11/22/63 - Stephen King
(4 weeks on list)
1 - The Drop - Michael Connelly
(Debut)
Harry Bosch of the LAPD uncovers both the operations of a sadistic killer and a political conspiracy

Jack Benny Christmas

2011-12-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

One of the famous running gags for the Jack Benny Show was always Jack going Christmas shopping to buy gifts for Don, Phil, Rochester, Dennis and even Mary. Usually the clerk was Mel Blanc who by the end was so exhausted dealing with the skin flint Jack that was ready to shoot himself.

here from the 1957 season of the TV version of Jack's show features the classic lineup with Mel as the clerk and Frank Nelson as the smartalec floor walker he made famous on the radio show.

Click here for the radio classic, the 1946 Christmas shopping episode

Billboard Top 100 singles of 2011 ( No.100 - No.1 ) - Billboard Year End...

2011-12-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

New York Times Bestseller List NonFiction 12/11/2011

2011-12-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Books on the New York Times Non Fiction Bestseller list for the week ending December 11th 2011

10 - Catherine The Great - Robert K Massie
9 - How I Got This Way - Regis Philbin
8 - Then Again - Diane Keaton
7 - Back To Work - Bill Clinton
6 - Throw Them All Out - Peter Schweizer
5 - Jack Kennedy - Christ Matthews
4 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
3 - Being George Washington - Glenn Beck and Kevin Balfe
2 - Killing Lincoln - Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
1 - Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
(5th consecutive week at #1)

New York Times Bestseller List Fiction 12/11/2011

2011-12-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

The Top book on the New York Times Bestseller list for the week ending December 11th 2011

10 - The Christmas Wedding - James Patterson
9 - Devil's Gate - Clive Cussler
8 - Zero Day - David Baldacci
7 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks
6 - Micro - Michael Crichton
5 - V is for Vengeance - Sue Grafton
4 - The Litigators - John Grisham
3 - Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson
2 - 11/22/63 - Stephen King
1 - Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich
(Debut)
After a disastrous vacation in Hawaii, Stephanie Plum becomes the target of an international killer.

Sanford and Son - Superflyer

2011-12-09T15:38:00.000-08:00

From Season 3 originally aired November 2nd 1973

Fred finds out he had an uncle Leotis who died and left him 1500.00 dollars. Of course Fred has to fly to St Louis to get the money and Fred don't fly.

1987 Billboard Top 10 Singles - 12/5/1987

2011-12-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Harry Morgan April 15 1915-December 7 2011

2011-12-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

Today we lost another link to television's great past with the passing of Harry Morgan. He was 96 and left a long legacy of great roles in movies and television. Most notably, he played Col. Sherman T Potter of the MASH 4077 from 1975-1983. He was brilliantly cast as Col. Potter, the fatherly old soldier with a great sense of humor. He could enforce the military's rules and still make you laugh and feel like he was doing it for your own good.

Here is an interview he did for TVLegends on Emmy.org

making an appearance on a Jack Benny special with Jack Webb as Friday and Gannon

and just a brief clip of his work on M*A*S*H*

Interesting Obituaries

2011-12-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

This is an audio obituary from 1970, Paul Harvey on his daily noon newscast reads his tribute to the last Vince Lombardi. Probably recorded around September 3rd of 1970 (the date of Lombardi's death).

Interesting indeed.

1981 Billboard Top 10 Singles - 12/19/1981

2011-12-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

New York Times Bestseller List NonFiction 12/04/2011

2011-12-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Books on the New York Times NonFiction Bestseller for the Week Ending December 4th 2011

10 - No Higher Honor - Condoleezza Rice
9 - Then Again - Diane Keaton (debut)
8 - Back To Work - Bill Clinton
7 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
6 - Gabby - Gabrielle Giffords (debut)
5 - How I Got This Way - Regis Philbin (debut)
4 - Jack Kennedy - Chris Matthews
3 - Imperfect Justice - Jeff Ashton w/Lisa Pulitzer (debut)
2 - Killing Lincoln - Bill O'Reilly w/ Martin Dugard
1 - Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
(4 consecutive weeks at #1)

New York Times Bestseller List Fiction 12/04/2011

2011-12-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Best Selling Novels on the NY Times Bestseller Fiction list for the week ending December 4th 2011

10 - 1Q84 - Haruki Murakami
9 - The Christmas Wedding - James Patterson
8 - The Old Republic : Revan - Drew Karpyshyn (debut)
7 - Zero Day - David Baldacci
6 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks
5 - Devil's Gate - Clive Cussler (debut)
4 - The Litigators - John Grisham
3 - V is for Vengeance - Sue Grafton (debut)
2 - 11/22/63 - Stephen King
1 - Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson
(Debut)
Alex Cross investigates when the President's children are kidnapped, but the FBI and CIA stand in his way.

Interesting Obituaries in the News This Week

2011-12-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

Andrea True - Singer/actress

She hit the pop charts in 1976 with her song "More More More" and took it to #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

Click here for the full obituary in the Los Angeles Times

Anne McCaffrey - Bestselling Science Fiction/Fantasy Author

Ms. McCaffrey was the first woman to win a Hugo Award and a Nebula award for her novella, Dragonrider, in 1968 and 1969. In 2005 she was presented with the 22nd Grand Master Award by the Science Fiction Writers of America and then inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006.

Dragonriders of Pern information

Click here for the full obituary in the Los Angeles Times

Lana Peters - Daughter of Josef Stalin

Click here for the full obituary in the Los Angeles Times

The Golden Age of Radio - The Great Gildersleeve

2011-11-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

This episode of the Great Gildersleeve is focused on the nephew of Gildy, Leroy, who is portrayed by child impersonator and wonderful voice actor Walter Tetley.

Tetley was famous for his portrayals of young boys on radio including Julius Abruzzio on The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show. He had those concurrent roles on 2 of the most popular shows on radio. He joined the Harris/Faye Show in 1948 and by the time it had finished its run on radio in 1954 he was nearly 40 years old.

He became well known to another generation of children from his role as Sherman the boy of Mr. Peabody on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show segment "Mr. Peabody's Improbable History".

New York Times Bestseller List Fiction 11/27/2011

2011-11-25T18:26:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Books on the the NY Times Bestseller List for the week ending November 27th 2011

10 - The Prague Cemetery - Umberto Eco (debut)
9 - The Snow Angel - Glenn Beck
8 - Hotel Vendome - Danielle Steel
7 - The Alloy of Law - Brandon Sanderson (debut)
6 - 1Q84 - Haruki Murakami
5 - The Christmas Wedding - James Patterson
4 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks
3 - Zero Day - David Baldacci
2 - The Litigators - John Grisham
1 - 11/22/63 - Stephen King (debut)

Top 5

2011-11-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

Today's Top 5 is a look at the Top 5 bestselling novels on the New York Times Bestseller list November 22nd 1981
This weeks list contained some of the biggest names in novels and some of their most famous works.

5 - The Legacy by Howard Fast

The Lavette family of ''The Immigrants'' and ''The Establishment'' reaches the turbulent 60's.

4 - Noble House by James Clavell

A British-Chinese struggle for control of one of Hong Kong's oldest trading houses.
The first of Clavell's 2 #1 novels and spent 15 weeks at #1 from May until August 1981.

3 - Cujo by Stephen King

Monsters haunt a New York family seeking peace in rural Maine.
This was the 3rd #1 for Stephen King, spending 5 weeks at #1.

2 - The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving
Life with an eccentric family

John Irving's first #1 novel, spending 9 weeks at the top of the list.

1 - An Indecent Obsession by Colleen McCullough
A nurse and her charges in a special-care ward of a WWII hospital
This is the second and last novel to reach the top of the Times bestseller list. The 'Thorn Birds' spend 15 weeks at #1 in the summer of 1977.
This was the 2nd of 13 weeks at #1 for "Obsession".

New York Times Bestseller List 11/20/2011 Non Fiction

2011-11-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Books on the New York Times Non Fiction bestseller list for the week ending November 20th 2011

10 - No Regrets - Ace Frehley and Joe Layden
9 - Boomerang - Michael Lewis
8 - The Time of Our Lives - Tom Brokaw
7 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
6 - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me - Mindy Kaling
5 - No Higher Honor - Condoleeza Rice
4 - Blue Nights - Joan Didion
3 - Jack Kennedy - Chris Matthews
2 - Killing Lincoln - Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
1 - Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
(2nd consecutive week at #1)

New York Times Bestseller List 11/20/2011 Fiction

2011-11-19T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top Ten Books on the NY Times Fiction bestseller list for the week ending November 20th 2011

10 - The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Eugenies
9 - Out of Oz - Gregory Maguire
8 - The Snow Angel - Glenn Beck
7 - The Christmas Wedding - James Patterson
6 - 1Q84 - Haruki Murakami
5 - Lost December - Richard Paul
4 - Hotel Vendome - Danielle Steel
3 - The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks
2 - The Litigators - John Grisham
(last week's #1)
1 - Zero Day - David Baldacci
(debut)
A Military investigator unconvers a conspriacy

Gunsmoke - The Tragedian

2011-11-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

Season 5 Episode 20 of that season aired January 23rd 1960

This revolves around and down and out actor turned card sharp who Matt and Chester decide to help instead of arrest.
The highlight for Gunsmoke fans was the appearance of Howard McNear as Joe the owner/cook of a local restaurant.
The longtime cast member of the radio version of Gunsmoke originating the role of Doc Adams before moving into the equally legendary role of Floyd the barber on the Andy Griffith Show.

Friars Tribute to Jack Benny

2011-11-14T17:12:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of clips from a Friars Tribute to Jack Benny hosted by Johnny Carson.
Not quite sure where or when (my guess is around 1968-69) this was but maybe one of my friends can step up with some information.

The best of course feature Phi Harris followed by Dennis Day...you have to watch those 2 in that order to get the funniest part of this roast.

The Trailer Park

2011-11-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

Tonight's visit to the Trailer Park is to see the trailer for "Gentleman's Agreement". One of the biggest selling books of 1947 and then the winner of the Oscar for Best Picture in 1947.

The story of a reporter, played by Gregory Peck, who goes undercover to conduct a research expose on antisemitism in New York City and the affluent community of Darien, CT.

Hogan's Heroes

2011-11-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

Here is another episode from that great comedy of the 1960s Hogan's Heroes

Episode 2 Season 4 Aired October 5th 1968
"Klink vs the Gonculator"

and again, high quality video

Top 5 - Music Edition

2011-10-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Album sales by artist.

Here are the Top 5 acts in albums sales since 1991, when Neilsen Soundscan started tracking album sales for Billboard magazine. (Sales totals as of the week ending 10/29/2011).

5 - Celine Dion - 51,368,000

4 - Metallica - 53,025,000

3 - Mariah Carey - 53,406,000

2 - The Beatles - 63,017,000

1 - Garth Brooks - 68,551,000
All 15 of his releases have been certified multi-platinum (sales of 2 million or more)

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

2011-10-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

New York Times Bestseller List 10/23/2011 Fiction

2011-10-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the Top 5 books on the NY Times Bestseller list for fiction for the week ending October 23rd 2011

1 - Shock Wave - John Sanford (Debut)
Virgil Flowers investigates several bombings of a superstore chain that seeks to open a store in a Minnesota river town.

2 - The Affair - Lee Child (2 weeks on list)
For Jack Reacher, an elite military police officer, it all started in 1997. A lonely railroad track. A crime scene. A cover-up.

3 - Survivors - James Wesley (Debut)
Individuals use survivalist skills to defend themselves after the United States suffers a socioeconomic collapse.

4 - Neverwinter - R. A. Salvatore (Debut)
The second book in a fantasy series featuring Drizzt Du‘Orden.

5 - The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern (4 weeks on list)
Two young rivals at a magical circus become collaborators as they fall in love.

Gunsmoke on Radio - Doc Holliday

2011-10-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is Episode 13 from the first season of the radio version of Gunsmoke.

Originally aired o CBS radio July 19th 1952

Top 5

2011-10-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

Our Top 5 this time around covers another of my favorites, Horse racing and the Kentucky Derby.

Here are the 5 fastest horses to win the Kentucky Derby.

#5 - Decidedly - 1962 2:00.40
This was the son of the 1954 Derby winner Determine.

#4 - Spend a Buck - 1985 2:00.20
1985 Horse of the Year

#3 - Northern Dancer - 1964 2:00
The 3 Year Old Horse of the Year in 1964 and considered one of the greatest sires in the history of thoroughbred racing. He is an ancestor of all the Triple Crown winners of 2009 (Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra and Summer Bird).

#2 - Monarchos - 2001 1:59.97
Only the 2nd (and to date last) horse to ever break the 2 minute barrier in the Derby

#1 - Secretariat - 1973 1:59.40
Considered by many the greatest race horse of all time and the first horse to break the 2 minute barrier at the Derby. He went on to win the Preakness and Belmont for 1973 making him the first horse since 1948 to win the Triple Crown.

Sanford and Son - Lamont Goes African

2011-10-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

In honor of Demond Wilson's 65th birthday today I give you one of the funniest episodes of a very funny show, Sanford and Son.

From January 19th 1973 Episode 31 from season 2

The Trailer Park

2011-10-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to the Trailer Park. Its been sometime since we last visited and enjoyed the trailer to one of our favorite movies.

Tonight we see the trailer for the 1952 comedy "The Stooge" starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. It was released on New Year's Eve 1952 and is one of my favorite Martin and Lewis features.

New York Times Bestseller 10/02/2011

2011-10-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here are the 2 books that are currently the #1 bestsellers on the NY Times Bestseller List
(click on the title to go to Amazon to see more or buy a copy)

Fiction
New York To Dallas - JD Robb
(debut)

NonFiction

Jacqueline Kennedy : Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy
(debut)

Top of the Pops - Album Edition

2011-10-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today our TOTPs looks at the top 5 albums for this week in 1994. This top 5 had a group that was having almost unprecedented success on the singles chart, a 1960s icon with an all blues album and one of the biggest selling soundtracks of all time.

Lets get this party started!!!

#5 - Dookie - Green Day
After peaking at #2 this album is on its way down but is the best selling album for the punk band from California.
They have sold over 15 million copies of this album as of 2011.

#4 - The Lion King - Soundtrack
This album debuted July 13th 1994 and spent the rest of July, all of August and 2 weeks in September at #1. It would return to the top in 1995 for one more week at the end of April and first week in May. This is the 3rd biggest movie soundtrack of all time behind "The Bodyguard" and "Titanic". This album would win an Oscar and Golden Globe for the single "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" written and performed by legend Elton John.

#3 - Rhythm of Love - Anita Baker
Down from its peak of #2.

#2 - II - Boyz II Men

After debuting at #1 2 weeks ago it drops to #2 but this album would be the 3rd biggest selling album of 1995 and produce 2 #1 singles that managed to spend a total of 16 consecutive weeks at the top from August to December of 1994. They replaced themselves at #1 as "I'll Make Love to You" was moved out of #1 after 14 weeks for "On Bended Knee" which logged 2 weeks at the top. The were only the 3rd act to accomplish this feat after Elvis and The Beatles and the first since 1964.

#1 - From the Cradle - Eric Clapton

The 5th #1 album for the guitar god from the UK. This was the follow up to the hugely successful "Unplugged" LP which spent 3 weeks at the top. This all blues album would top the chart for 1 week and produce one top 20 hit "I'm Tore Down" which reached #5.

The Andy Griffith Show

2011-09-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

From Season 3 (1963), episode 24 "Aunt Bee and the Medicine Man"

this is a classic episode of TAGS with a Gunsmoke connection, the "medicine man" in this episode is played by radio legend and Gunsmoke regular John Dehner.

Dehner's credits include Paladin in the radio version of "Have Gun Will Travel" and several small roles in the tv version of Gunsmoke.

Random Stuff

2011-09-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a great opening monologue from Craig Ferguson on his show from September 22nd 2011

Top 5

2011-09-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

This week's Top 5 is music oriented but its the Top 5 grossing concerts from Billboard magazine dated September 16th 1978

Top 5 Concerts (6,000 to 20,000 size arenas)

1 - REO Speedwagon/Climax Blues Band - 205,194.00 gross receipts
(Alpine Valley Music Theatre, Aug 28-29)

2 - Grateful Dead - 149,369 gross receipts
(Red Rocks Ampitheater Aug 30-31)

3 - Ted Nugent/Cheap Trick/AC/DC - 119,952 gross receipts
(Seattle, WA Aug 29th)

4 - Sha Na Na/Dr. Hook - 97,734 gross receipts
(Providence RI Aug 31st)

5 - Outlaws/ Bill Chinook - 93,500 gross receipts
(Music Inn, Lenox MA Sept 2nd)

Have Gun Will Travel

2011-09-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

On Saturday at 930pm, September 14th 1957 CBS television debuted a western that was to become just as legendary as Gunsmoke in the annals of TV westerns, Have Gun Will Travel.
Starring Richard Boone this was the story of a man called Paladin, a gun for hire in San Francisco.
The show ran on tv until the end of the 1962-63 season, a total of 225 episodes and became almost more famous for its tremendous closing theme song "Ballad of Paladin" written and performed by Johnny Western.

The premiere episode was titled "Three Bells to Perdido"

November 23rd of 1958 "Have Gun Will Travel" debuted on the CBS Radio network as one of its last radio dramas to feature continuing characters. This version featured radio veteran and Gunsmoke regular John Dehner as Paladin.
The radio version ran until November 22nd 1960 and initially each episode was a radio version of the episode that aired on television earlier in the week. Eventually original stories were written and produced for the radio show including the finale when Paladin left San Francisco to collect an inheritance back east.

Thanks again to the great Buck Benny podcast for the posting of the debut radio episode and the second episode of Have Gun Will Travel.

New York Times Bestseller List 09/18/2011 Part 2

2011-09-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here are the Top 5 books on the NY Times Bestseller list for Fiction:

1 - Kill Me If You Can - James Patterson
(Debut)
When a young man finds a bag of diamonds, he gets the attention of the major assassin the Ghost, and a rival assassin who wants the Ghost gone forever.

2 - The Sookie Stackhouse Companion - Charlaine Harris
(Debut) A closer look at the telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse, her family and, of course, her lovers

3 - A Dance With Dragons - George R.R. Martin
(8 weeks on List) After a colossal battle, the Seven Kingdoms face new threats; Book 5 of "A Song of Ice and Fire."

4 - A Trick of the Light - Louis Penny
(Debut) Called to a case, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of homicide encounters a world where nothing is as it seems.

5 - Flash and Bones - Kathy Reichs
(2nd weeks on list) A turbocharged case unfolds for the forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan in the series behind the show "Bones."

New York Times Bestseller List 09/18/2011

2011-09-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

Here are the Top 5 bestselling Books on the NY Times Bestseller list for Non Fiction:

1 - In My Time - Dick Cheney with Liz Cheney
(Debut)

2 - A Stolen Life - Jaycee Dugard
(8 weeks on list)

3 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
(42 weeks on list)

4 - In The Garden of Beasts - Erik Larson
(17 weeks on list)

5 - The Greater Journey - David McCullough
(15 weeks on list)

Gunsmoke on Radio - Billy the Kid (1st episode)

2011-09-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Billy The Kid was the first regularly scheduled episode of Gunsmoke. After 2 audition episodes that were recorded but never aired, the show would debut April 26th 1952 with William Conrad as US Marshall Matt Dillon.

Biography : Andy Griffith

2011-09-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

Last time I had the legendary comedian/TV star Dick Van Dyke, today its his contemporary and also a legend in comedy and television, Andy Griffith.
Andy is one of my all time favorites and The Andy Griffith Show is preferred viewing at my house (well except the color episodes, just B&W for this family).

Enjoy

The Top 5 (1985 Edition)

2011-09-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

According to Billboard Magazine these are the top 5 rented VHS cassettes in the US for the week ending September 7th 1985

1 - The Karate Kid

2 - A Soldier's Story

3 - The Falcon and The Snowman

4 - Starman

5 - A Nightmare on Elmstreet

Golden Age of Radio - The Great Gildersleeve

2011-09-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

Our journey into the world of Old Time Radio takes us to 1941 and the audition show for The Great Gildersleeve. Played by Harold Peary on "Fibber McGee and Molly", this was one of the first spinoffs in radio and featured Throckmorton P Gildersleeve who was a kind but bombast sort who enjoyed a good laugh and a good argument.
The Buck Benny Podcast brings us this show to kick off his weekly podcast of The Great Gildersleeve.

Surrounded by a great cast this was a one of the funniest and best written comedies of its day.

Hogan's Heroes

2011-08-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Episode 26 from Season 2 "The Most Escape Proof Camp I've Ever Escaped From"

March 3rd 1967

excellent quality

My Record Collection

2011-08-30T17:18:00.000-07:00

I am going to start randomly going into my record collection and grabbing an album and give some info about it and hopefully posting some of the songs.

Today we start with Charley Pride's 1971 album "Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs"

The album went to #1 on the Billboard Country chart but only to #38 on the Top 200 album chart. However it did produce what has become a country standard and Charley Pride's signature song "Kiss an Angel Good Morning". He made it to #1 on the hot country chart, spending the entire month of January in the top spot. This was his 8th #1 country hit and his first to his only song to Billboard Top 40 pop hit going to #21 and also reaching #1 on the Canadian country singles chart.

Gunsmoke on Radio - Amy's Good Deed

2011-08-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Episode originally aired on CBS radio November 27th 1955 Season 4 episode 14, written by John Meston.

Aired on CBS television April 12th 1958 Episode 109 season 3 written for tv by Kathleen Hite.
Guest star Jeanette Nolan as Amy

Top of the Pops

2011-08-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

This weeks Top of the Pops is our UK edition. The Top 5 songs on the UK Top 40 singles chart for this week in 1968.

5 - Help Yourself - Tom Jones

4 - Do It Again - The Beach Boys

3 - This Guy's In Love With You - Herb Alpert

2 - Fire! - Crazy World of Arthur Brown

1 - Mony Mony - Tommy James and The Shondells
(1 week at #1)

Golden Age of Radio - Duffy's Tavern

2011-08-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today I have an episode of the great OTR comedy Duffy's Tavern
thanks to Bob Carmardella's podcast.

Duffy was never heard on the show, we have the tavern manager Archie, played by show creator and head writer Ed Gardner, (who speaks to Mr. Duffy on the phone each episode....but this one)

There was Miss Duffy, daughter of Duffy, played by different actress' in the 10 run of the show, including Shirley Booth (of Hazel fame and then wife of Ed Gardner) and Selma Diamond who was better know to younger audiences as Selma the baliff on the great 80s sitcom "Night Court".
Eddie the Waiter played by Eddie Green until his passing 1950 and Clifton Finnegan played by Charlie Cantor and later by Sid Raymond.

Archie was the brainchild of series creator Ed Gardner, but when he couldnt find an actor with the right accent he stepped and became Archie. Famous for his get rich quick schemes and malapropism this was one of the funniest shows on radio and ran on CBS 1941-42 then moved to NBC until the shows end in 1951.
A brief stint on TV did not prove successful in the 50s.

Top 5

2011-08-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today's Top 5 is the Top 5 Bestselling Novels this week in 1991.
From the New York Times Bestseller list from August 18th

1 - The Kitchen God's Wife - Amy Tan
A ChineseAmerican matriarch tells the harrowing story of her life.

2 - The Firm - John Grisham
A young lawyer learns that his firm is engaged in secret, possibly illegal activities.

3 - Maximum Bob - Elmore Leonard

A woman probation officer pursues the people trying to kill a redneck Florida judge
(the basis for a short lived tv show in 1998 starring Beau Bridges)

4 - Pastime - Robert B Parker

The private eye Spenser learns much about his own past while helping a young man track down his mother, who has disappeared.

5 - Heir To The Empire - Timothy Zahn

The survival of the "Star Wars" galaxy is menaced by new forces.

Gunsmoke on Radio - Cheyennes

2011-08-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

From Season 3 Episode 22 of the season aired on CBS Radio Feb 5th 1955

Aired on CBS television Season 4 Episode 156 June 13th 1959
(my apologies for the so so quality)

Gunsmoke - Bad Seed

2011-08-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

From Season 6 Episode 216 originally aired Feb 4th 1961

Biography : Dick Van Dyke

2011-08-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

This is really good stuff. The A&E Biography of Dick Van Dyke.

Top 5

2011-08-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

The Top 5 shows of the 1973-74 television season

5 - Hawaii Five-O 24.0 rating (CBS Tues 830-930)

4 - M*A*S*H 25.7 rating (CBS Sat 830-9)

3 - Sanford and Son 27.5 rating (NBC Fri 8-830)

2 - The Waltons 28.1 rating (CBS Thurs 8-9)

1 - All In The Family 31.2 rating (CBS Sat 8-830)

Bonanza - The Blood Line

2011-08-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

From Season 2, episode 15, aired December 31st 1960

The Blood Line
(missing original Bonanza theme)

Top 5

2011-08-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

New feature, the Top 5. This could be music, sports, history, trivia, movies or just about anything else.

Today The Top 5 movies this week in 2001

#5 - America's Sweethearts ($12.1M)

#4 - Jurassic Park III ($18.1M)

#3 - The Princess Diaries ($37.8M)

#2 - The Planet of the Apes ($39.2M)

#1 - Rush Hour 2 ($100.4M)

Gunsmoke - Never Pester Chester

2011-08-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

This episode aired on CBS TV November 16 1957, Season 3
in this episode the character of Stobo, was played by Jacob "Buddy" Baer who was the brother of heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer and uncle to Max Baer Jr, better known as "Jethro Bodine" on the Beverly Hillbillies.
Originally aired on CBS radio Season 1 July 5th 1952

New York Times Bestseller List 07/31/2011

2011-07-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here are the top 5 books on the New York Times Bestseller List (Non Fiction) for the week ending July 31st 2011

Non Fiction

1 - A Stolen Life - Jaycee Dugard (Debut)

2 - Unbroken - Laura Hilenbrand (35th week on list)

3 - In the Garden of the Beasts - Erik Larson (10th week on list)

4 - Bossypants - Tina Fey (15th week on list)

5 - Of Thee I Zing - Laura Ingraham (Debut)

New York Times Bestseller List 07/31/2011

2011-07-31T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here are the top 5 books on the New York Times Bestseller List (Fiction) for the week ending 07/31/2011

Fiction

1 - A Dance with Dragons - George R.R. Martin (Debut)

2 - Now You See Her - James Patterson (3 weeks on list)

3 - Then Came You - Jennifer Weiner (Debut)

4 - Smokin Seventeen - Janet Evanovich (4th week on list)

5 - Quinn - Iris Johansen (Debut)

What's My Line? - Mystery Guest

2011-07-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a video compilation of some of the great mystery guest and guess' by the panel from one of my all time favorite shows "What's My Line?".

Top of the Pops

2011-07-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

Today's edition of TOTPs is from March 28th 1992

5 - I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred
Still hanging in the top 5 after being #1 5 weeks ago for 3 consecutive weeks.

4 - To Be With You - Mr. Big
The #1 song 2 weeks ago slips to #4. To date their only Top Ten single on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 3 consecutive weeks at the top.

3 - Remember the Time - Michael Jackson
One of the few singles from Michael Jackson to not top the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #3.

2 - Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
The highest charting single for "Slowhand" since his 1974 #1 single "I Shot the Sheriff". This would win the Grammys for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

1 - Save the Best for Last - Vanessa Williams
The former Miss America hits the top with the biggest selling song of her career. Nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year Grammys.

The Jack Benny Show on Radio

2011-07-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

Tonight, thanks to the great podcast by Buck Benny, I bring you a classic from the Golden Age of Radio.

The Lucky Strike Program starring Jack Benny from December 9th 1945 featuring the first appearance by Ronald and Benita Coleman. Anytime the Colemans made an appearance it was always hilarious.

Enjoy

In Case You Missed It - Motorcycle Crash Edition

2011-07-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to SI.com for this one

Gunsmoke - Old Comrade

2011-07-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

Fascinating episode of Gunsmoke. Frank Sutton (Sgt Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC) plays a Gomer like character who is the son of a renowned US Army General.

Episode 16 of Season 8 aired 12/29/1962

Gunsmoke on Radio - The The Army Trial

2011-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight's episode of Gunsmoke on Radio originally aired June 25th 1955 episode 42 of Season 3

The Army Trial written by Norman Macdonnell

Top of the New York Times Bestseller List 07/17/2011

2011-07-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here are the 2 books topping the New York Times Bestseller List for the week ending July 17th 2011

The #1 Fiction Bestseller

Now You See Her - James Patterson (Debut)
Nina Bloom, who years ago changed her identity to save her life, is forced to confront the past and the killer she thought she had escaped.

The #1 Non Fiction Bestseller

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (33rd week on list)
An Olympic runner's story of survival as a prisoner of the Japanese in World War II.

Gunsmoke on Radio - The Old Lady

2011-07-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

This edition of Gunsmoke on Radio is from January 24th 1953, Episode 39 written by Kathleen Hite.

The Old Lady

Bonanza - Hoss and the Leprechauns

2011-07-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a true classic and funny episode of Bonanza.
Season 5 Episode 12 (of the season) December 22nd 1963

The Jack Benny Show on Radio

2011-07-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a truly classic episode from the Jack Benny Show, April 18th 1943. This featured every classic thing Jack and his cast was known for and made it all hilarious. This episode one saw a great performance by Rochester (Eddie Anderson).

Enjoy and thanks again to Buck Benny and his wonderful podcast

Top of the Pops - 4th of July Edition Part 2

2011-07-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 on July 4th during the 1970s

1970 - The Love You Save - The Jackson 5

1971 - It's Too Late - Carole King

1972 - Lean on Me - Bill Withers

1973 - Will it Go Round in Circles - Billy Preston

1974 - Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation

1975 - Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain and Tennille

1976 - Silly Love Songs - Paul McCartney and Wings

1977 - Undercover Angel - Alan O'Day

1978 - Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb

1979 - Ring My Bell - Anita Ward