STUMPTOWNBLOGGER

MERV’S DIGS

THE MINOW LOOKED SO MUCH BIGGER ON TV

FROM OUR HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION ... RANDY WEST

CBS 50th ANNIVERSARY ....41 YEARS AGO

Thanks to Mr. Hollywood ....Randy West 

SO MANY ARE GONE .... 

GEEZ! Not a bad lineup!

RARE VIEW OF BOB BARKER

FROM OUR HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION ... RANDY WEST

It really was never pitched as "a show about nothing..."

 

On this date in 1998, the final episode of "Seinfeld" aired on NBC. Commercial time in the "event" was priced like the Super Bowl, at $2 million for 30 seconds. Damn good for a show that barely made it to air, and was almost cancelled.

 

The two shows considered by some to be TV's greatest sitcoms both shared the same home - the pilot "The Seinfeld Chronicles" taped on the same stage that was home to "The Dick Van Dyke Show,"

 

New York? Never. The CBS lot in Studio City had all that was needed to fake New York for scenes with the cast.

CHEERS BAR IN BOSTON BUT REALLY IN HOLLYWOOD

Thanks to our Hollywood connection, Randy West.

ON THIS DAY IN 1957

 

CBS aired the final “I love Lucy” that includes 180 episodes. Here’s their final bow to a live audience. 

Thanks to TV veteran Randy West. 

RANDY WEST REPORTING FROM HOLLYWOOD

Speaking of payola yesterday, here's the great scapegoat...

 

On this date in 1958, Rock and Roll's pioneer air personality, Alan Freed, was fired from WINS in NYC after being charged with inciting a riot at a rock concert. He was scapegoated for being the highest-profile promoter of "race music," to the mass audience. After he was fired, the charge was dropped.

 

But wait, there's more!

 

The ultimate indignity was suffered in the payola witch hunt. Freed was fired the following November from giant WABC for refusing to sign a letter that he never took payola from record promoters. He was found guilty of commercial bribery, while most others who were embroiled in the investigation were merely admonished. His career in ruins, Freed died penniless and hopelessly drunk in Los Angeles a few years later at age 43.

 

Why was Alan Freed scapegoated? Besides being high profile, he was not apologetic and humble, holding the investigating parties in obvious contempt. Although far more enmeshed in conflicts of interest, Dick Clark was respectful, effusive with apologies, presented as the picture of humility. 

 

Dick cooperated by divesting himself of over 30 different controversial business interests before appearing as a witness, and he had ABC's Leonard Goldenson quietly supporting him.

 

Lesson: Attitude counts