The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, December 31st, 1965

 

Hey everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Now let's have a wonderful New Year!

Today I present a full episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from New Year's Eve, 1965. Even the commercials are included! Back then, the show aired live from New York City rather than taped in Los Angeles, so they check into Times Square live as the ball drops. It's a window into a familiar show but in a possibly unfamiliar format. I love pop culture time capsules like this (even if I have misgiving about Carson after learning some things about his treatment of staffers).

Enjoy embedded below or directly on YouTube here. 

Before I go, I want to reiterate that I have a feature starting in January that I'm looking forward to presenting. I think you'll really enjoy it. If I do it right, it will be running on the blog for a few good weeks!

Thanks, and...

,,,HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas 2025!

 

Here we are, we made it! We got Christmas exactly when we needed it!

Although we've reached the Big Night, the Countdown will still roll on for a little bit longer. I have a couple of New Year's items for you next week I hope you enjoy. Then, starting in January, I launch a new, ongoing feature that I think you'll appreciate. There's a good bit of material to cover for it, so it will fuel the blog for several weeks. I'm looking forward to it!

Until then...

...MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PBS American Playhouse, "Hallelujah" (1993)

 

We're almost there! Christmas is just three days away! Here's a heartfelt film to watch while you wrap your gifts.

"Hallelujah" is an episode of the PBS drama anthology American Playhouse. First aired in 1993, this film follows a young Black preacher (Charles S. Dutton) and his family who arrive at their new church in Washington, D.C. The church board is standoffish with the preacher and only give him two days to win the congregation over before they move on to someone else. Through hard work, determination, and faith, the preacher vows to tackle the neighborhood's problems and give the area's unwanted and unloved a home for Christmas.

This is heavy material for this blog, but I think it's important to throw in some sobering programming here and there to remind you that Christmas isn't just about gifts, food, and merriment. Now more than ever, we need reminders to take care of one another.

In addition to Dutton, the stellar cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Dennis Haysbert, Keith David, and the late James Earl Jones (who was excellent in everything he was in!). Please enjoy embedded below or directly on YouTube here.

Thank you!

Mork & Mindy, Season 1, Episode 13, "Mork's First Christmas," December 14, 1978

 

Today's offering is a fun one: it's the first (only?) Christmas episode of Mork & Mindy.

When Mork learns about Christmas and the tradition of giving gifts, he makes his own gifts to give to people with...underwhelming results. After accidentally learning of his friends' disappointment, he finds another gift to give to everyone with a much better outcome.

Sadly, the uploader of this YouTube video doesn't allow embedding to other Web sites (boo), but here is the link to watch it directly on YouTube: Mork & Mindy, "Mork's First Christmas."

Enjoy! Nah noo nah noo!

Dancin' On Air, Christmas Day 1985, WPHL-TV, Channel 17, Philadelphia

 

There must have some magic in that ol' Christmas Day 1985, because I have another pop music-focused program that aired the same Christmas Day as the MTV programming block I shared with you last week.

I've discussed before the 80s-era local Philly TV dance show Dancin' On Air, an 80s successor to American Bandstand. The show went national years later on the USA cable network under the name Dance Party USA. Think hair spray, neon, local TV production values, early hip hop, and synth-heavy dance music. If that's your thing, this is for you!

Here is the episode that aired on Christmas Day in 1985. And for you commercial freaks out there, this hour-long episode contains all of the commercials as well. Please watch below or directly on YouTube here.

Enjoy!

A Christmas Without Snow TV-Movie, WBBM-TV Chicago, December 9, 1980

 

For this Christmas weekend, I present a full-length TV-movie sure to keep you in a retro Christmas spirit!

A Christmas Without Snow stars actress Michael Learned (The Waltons) as a divorced woman recently settling in San Francisco who joins a church choir. She meets the choir's stern but devout director (the late John Houseman), and while they butt heads, they also help heal each other's emotional wounds in time to celebrate a sincere, inspiring holiday.

This TV-movie, which celebrated its 45-year anniversary this past Tuesday, is readily available on free-commercial-supported streaming services such as Pluto TV, Tubi, and others, but this YouTube upload I'm presenting is special: it's taped directly off of the CBS Chicago affiliate WBBM-TV broadcast the night it premiered, with all of the original commercials intact. Retro TV fans rejoice!

You can watch the film embedded below or directly on YouTube here.

Enjoy! Have a warm, cozy, merry Christmas season weekend!

MTV Christmas Day 1985 Programming and other MTV Christmas Bits

 

Here is almost three hours of programming that aired on MTV on Christmas Day, 1985. Nina Blackwood and Martha Quinn are the VJs. There appear to be some edits here and there, so it's not three consistent hours, but it's more than enough to simulate leaving the tube on MTV in the background while sipping your eggnog and playing your newly gifted ColecoVision that long-past Christmas Day.

I've also thrown in some holiday-related bumpers and segments (some that may also appear in the larger video, but hey, repeats are a part of television). Enjoy!

Phyllis, "The Christmas Party"

 

Starting off this second week of the Countdown to Christmas is a holiday-themed episode of the '70s sitcom Phyllis.

Phyllis, a spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, starred the late Cloris Leachman as the titular Phyllis, living as a single woman in San Francisco. In this episode, "The Christmas Party," Phyllis tries to throw a large office party for her coworkers to avoid spending the holiday alone, against the wishes of her politician boss.

Consider yourself invited to the party! Enjoy below or directly on YouTube here. Thanks! 

Christmas Music Videos

 Music is a very important part of enjoying the holidays. I can't imagine a Christmas season without it! Just as enjoyable much of the time are Christmas music videos, which have really blossomed the past few years, even for music recordings that are decades old.

Here below are several Christmas music videos that have caught my eye in recent years. I may feature one or two I've blogged in the past, but write it off as being a Christmas tradition.

Enjoy!

The Christmas Raccoons (Reblog from 2010)

 

My first entry in this year's Countdown to Christmas is a program I originally blogged way back on December 15, 2010. I don't usually like to blog stuff I've blogged before, but since it's been 15 years, and the original video link is now broken, I figured I can forgive myself the repeat.

The Christmas Raccoons is the first appearance of the titular raccoons from the famous Nelvana animation studios, a Canadian production house that gave us some memorable, if weird, 70s TV specials such as A Cosmic Christmas, The Devil and Daniel Mouse, and other trippy cartoons. In this special from 1980, which stars Rich Little as the narrator, Rupert Holmes as a forest ranger, and Rita Coolidge as the sister raccoon, three raccoon siblings lose their forest home due to the machinations of Cyril Sneer, a capitalistic, oligarch aardvark. Who smokes a cigar.

A capitalistic, oligarch aardvark. Who smokes a cigar.

It's much cuter than it sounds.

The raccoons proved very popular, having had three more TV specials like this, followed by a regular series in 1985. If you're a Gen Xer but don't recall this special, give it a look, it will likely jog your memory.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the 2025 Countdown to Christmas!

 

Ho Ho Ho! Welcome one and all to the 2025 Countdown to Christmas! I hope this month to bring holly to your jolly, kisses to your mistletoe, and stuffing to your stocking!

Throughout the month of December, I'll present to you Yuletide cartoons, TV episodes, movies, music, and all sorts of good cheer. Stay tuned every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (real life permitting) for holiday fun and frivolity.

Below is just a warmup for the festivities. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

Thanks, CBS Sitcom Pilot, August 2, 1999

 Hello all! I have one other Thanksgiving item to show you before the big weekend. I'm just getting this in under the wire!

Thanks is a short-lived sitcom that aired on CBS for six weeks starting in August of 1999, about the Pilgrims that settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Of course, this is NOT historically accurate, as the creators are going for modern-day laughs rather than a history lesson.

The series was panned by both critics and audiences and is now largely forgotten. I only remember it because it debuted during my early years working for TV Guide magazine, but I didn't see it until I looked it up on YouTube this month. I've only seen this first episode, and I found it mildly amusing enough. Plus, it was fun to see some familiar faces, notably the late Cloris Leachman and Erika Christensen (Parenthood, Will Trent).

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

And please be here Monday, December 1st, for the 2025 Countdown to Christmas!

WOR-TV Channel 9 New York TV Commercials from Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1981

The holiday season is nearly here--some people consider the season officially begun--and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to enjoy these TV commercials that aired on Channel 9 New York, WOR-TV, from Thanksgiving Day, 1981?

While WNBC-TV Channel 4 showed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, this station had an annual tradition of showing King Kong movies on Thanksgiving Day, followed by a Godzilla movie marathon on Black Friday. Sounds awesome to me!

As you can imagine, there are plenty of Christmas-related commercials here, and some good, local ones too, especially if you're a fan of the commercials for the Crazy Eddie electronics store chain. After all, their prices were INSANE!

This collection is courtesy of one of my favorite YouTube channels, 80s Commercial Vault. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to the channel here. Amazing stuff!

Thanks!

Post-Halloween Palette Cleanser

Hello all! I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween season! Let's do it again next year!

This is just a quick note to say that the blog might be quiet between now and Thanksgiving. One reason is I have a thousand things going on that need my attention, and the other is that I'll likely spend any time I do have to blog to write up posts for a Countdown to Christmas I want to do. Last year, I only had one Christmas article and that was it. I want to do better than that! But to do that, I'll need to write stuff in advance and schedule it to appear in December.

So please stay tuned for great Christmas stuff coming up, but please be patient until then. Of course, if I can post something before Thanksgiving, that would be great. Keep me in your blog feed and look out for me soon.

Thanks!

Happy Halloween 2025!

 

And that's a mummy wrap on the 2025 Countdown to Halloween!

I hope you had as much fun reading and watching as I've had blogging. To celebrate the season, we've shared our time with the Pink Panther, Fred Flintstone, Parker Stevenson, the Banana Splits, space aliens, and our beloved Vincent Price, just to name a few. I hope you've had plenty of ghoulish fun!

Thanks again to Dex of AEIOU and Sometimes Why for orgnaizing the Countdown--many good spooky vibes to you, sir! And of course, the most important person throughout all this is YOU, the reader/watcher/listener. The Countdown would be meainingless without your care and support. THANK YOU!

Please enjoy the season finale tonight, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy an entire spooky weekend! I'm sure everyone will keep festivities going straight through Sunday evening. When the sun rises Monday morning, then we'll officially close the books on Halloween 2025.

Thank you once again, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

And coming soon!

Vincent Price's Dracula: The Great Undead (1982)

 

Hello! It's the last week of the Halloween season! And this is the next-to-last post of the Countdown to Halloween. And I celebrate this week by going full circle back to the beginning of my part in the Countdown--Vincent Price.

Today I present Vincent Price's Dracula: The Great Undead, a documentary about the Dracula legend from Bram Stoker's titular Count to real-life inspirations for the same. This was first released directly to home video in 1982, then in later years shown on PBS stations.

Price presents the material as a wealthy eccentric hosting the viewer in his gothic abode, telling the legends and history of the character with Price's usual wry wit and pomp. Perfect Price!

Enjoy below or directly on YouTube here. Thanks!

See you on the 31st, when I'll wrap up the Countdown!

Spaced Invaders (1990)

 

For the last weekend before the big night, I've chosed the 1990 family comedy Spaced Invaders!

Five Martians land on Earth because they think there is an invasion of the planet by their people. However, they've really intercepted a small town's broadcast of the famous War of the Worlds play by Orson Welles on Halloween night, mistaking it for a real invasion.. Hilarity ensues.

I haven't seen this movie yet, but I remember it's release during my high school years and found the commercials for it funny. It's a forgotten movie but well received by those who have seen it as a light, fun, family-friendly film. The studio, Disney/Touchstone, must not have had much faith in the movie. Despite being Halloween-themed, it was released in theaters in April. ???

Enjoy below or directly on YouTube here. Have a great last weekend before Halloween! But with the night on a Friday this year, I'm certain the whole of next weekend will be filled with fright!

The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park (1972)

 

Today's installment of the Countdown to Halloween features the Fab Four. No, not that one--The Banana Splits!

The live action furry quartet, created by Hanna-Barbera in the early 70s, help a lost girl escape from the clutches of a wicked witch and her two daffy apprentices in Hocus Pocus Park. This one is clearly for the yougn and young at heart.

Enjoy! You can also find this special on Tubi.

Struck By Lightning TV Series Pilot, CBS, September 19, 1979

 

Welcome back to the Countdown to Halloween! There are less than two weeks left until the big night, so be sure to kick things into high gear!

Today I offer the first episode of the very short-lived TV series Struck By Lightning. In the series, high school science teacher Ted Stein, played by Jeffrey Kramer (Jaws, Jaws 2, Halloween II), inherits an old New England inn. As he arrives at the inn to check out his inheritance, he meets the staff, including a gruff, imposing caretaker played by Jack Elam. It turns out, the caretaker is none other than the Frankstein monster!

Who just so happens to look like a gruff, imposing New England caretaker.

Ted must do more than run the inn; he must also use his scientific skills to recreate a serum Dr. Frankenstein created to keep the "creature" alive for another 50 years.

Did I mention this is a comedy?

The show's conceit should make more sense when you watch the pilot below. Maybe. 

The series didn't click with audiences, and it was canceled after airing only three episodes (although 11 were produced). It's unusual to be sure, but I found it an interesting watch.

Enjoy!

The Intruder Within TV-Movie (1981)

 

We come to the conclusion of this week's portion of the Countdown to Halloween with the 1981 TV-movie The Intruder Within!

Workers at an oil rig in Antarctica discover prehistoric fossilized eggs while drilling for oil. When one of the eggs hatches and introduces a killer creature into the premises, it's up to the drillers to take it down.

If this sounds like a rip-off of Alien, it is, but that doesn't mean it's not entertaining. I remember my parents watching this movie when it first aired, and while I couldn't tell what was going on at the time, it still creeped me out.

1981 must have been a good year for made-for-TV horror movies. Last Friday, the TV-movie I featured, This House Possessed, also debuted in 1981.

Enjoy below or directly on YouTube here. Have a great spooky weekend! We're in the thick of the season now. Make the most of it!

The Flintstones Special: The Flintstones' New Neighbors (1980)

 

Today I present The Flintstones Special: The Flintstones New Neighbors, an animated special that appeared on NBC prime time September 26, 1980.

In this special, the Munsters-esque family the Frankenstones move next to Fred and Wilma, but Fred won't have any "freaks" living next door to him and is initially antagonistic towards them. However, he soon learns that looks can be deceiving and prejudice can dwell in anyone. Who'd think such an important lesson could be handled on a Flintstones special?

The Frankenstones are fine and all, but to be honest--I'll take the Gruesomes any day.

Enjoy!

Friday the 13th: The Series, Season 1, Episode 5, "Hellowe'en"

 

Welcome back! I hope you had (or are having, if you have today off) a great October weekend!

I kick off Week 3 of the Countdown to Halloween with the Halloweeniest program I've featured yet this year. I present a Halloween-themed episode of the 1980s horror TV series Friday the 13th: The Series!

For those unaware, the series was about two distant relatives who inherit their uncle's antique store. The only problem--all of the items for sale are cursed, thanks to the uncle making a deal with the devil! It's up to the cousins and an old business partner of the uncle to reclaim the cursed items before further harm can be done.

Although the show uses the title and logo of the famed horror movie franchise, there is no canonical connection between the film and tv series whatsoever. The show's producting studio, Paramount, simply wanted to get more mileage out of the franchise name. Ha!

In this episode, "Hellowe'en," our protagonists are out doing their thing on Halloween night, only this time, the not-so-dearly departed uncle makes a return to renter the living world. Not a good idea!

Enjoy! And for Joe Mello---THIS ONE'S FOR YOU! :)

This House Possessed TV-Movie (1981)

 

Welcome to Friday! Today, as I do most Fridays during the Countdown to Halloween, I present a long-form video to enjoy. This week, it's the 1981 made-for-TV movie This House Possessed!

In the film, Parker Stevenson plays a young rock star who suffers a nervous breakdown and takes time off in a luxurious mansion with his nurse. While in the house, very strange things occur to both the rock star and the nurse. Is the house haunted? Are they crazy? Or is something else going on? And what exactly is the history of the house?

The reputation of this movie is admittedly not good, but I'm featuring it because a specific scene stayed in my head when I first stumbled upon this movie as a child involving a very creepy shower.

Enjoy below or directly on YouTube here. Have a great holiday weekend! Enjoy the extra day if you're lucky to have it!

The Pink Panther, "Pink Panic" and "Pink Plasma"

 

Welcome back!

Today I offer not one but two great cartoons featuring the magenta mountain lion himself, the Pink Panther. In the first, "Pink Panic," the Panther spends the night in a haunted ghost town with a troublesome ghost and skeleton on his tail. In the second cartoon, "Pink Plasma," Panther spends the night in a creepy castle with a hapless vampire. Fortunately, the intrepid Panther comes out on top--most of the time.

Enjoy!

Halloween TV Commercials 2025 Edition

 

Welcome to the first full week of the Countdown! And today I have a great way to kick the week off. Today I present my annual look at great Halloween TV commercials!

Of course, they're not necessarily Halloween specific, but may simply have a spooky, scary, or strange theme. Let's check them out!

First, try claiming Dracula's gold (Dracula has gold?) in this fun electronic game from 1982.

Next, it's always great to pay a visit to Count Chocula and Frankenberry, but especially on Halloween!

This British commercial for Knorr soup is supposed to be whimsical, but frankly, I find it a bit creepy. I'm sure this scarecrow is friendly, but..well, take a look!

Most of the commercials I feature are many years, even decades old, but the final two commercials I have today are in fact from this very year! The first one from this past July features Cheetos doing a tie-in with Netflix's hit series Wednesday by auditioning Thing to be Cheetos' new spokes...hand.

Finally, my last commercial today is extremely new--it debuted September 29, 2025, exactly one week ago from when I'm writing this! Dr. Frankenstein attempts to teach his creation the ways of the world with poor results. But hook Frankie up with Xfinity wi-fi, and he becomes an overnight sensation!

Thank you for your time! Please come back every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in October for more Halloween greatness!

The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute starring Vincent Price

 

Hello again, and welcome back! Today we kick off the Countdown in earnest with a fun look at movie monsters of the past, hosted by the unofficial mascot of the Countdown.

Today I present The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute, a special that aired on February 20, 1974 as part of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment series on weekday late nights. It's a lighthearted look at horror movie characters of the past, hosted by none other than one of the greats, and a favorite of this blog--Vincent Price. I try to include at least one visit from Price in every Countdown, and this year, there may be more than one!

The special is heavy on comedy, and the jokes are pretty tame, but that's 1974 TV for you. Guests include Price's fellow Batman alum Frank Gorshin, John Astin (TV's Gomez Addams as well as another Riddler portrayer), and horror movie legend John Carradine, among others.

You can watch the special below or directly on YouTube at this link. Enjoy! Have a great first weekend of October. Drink pumpkin beer! Watch horror movies! Read my blog's archives! Eat candy!

Welcome to the 2025 Countdown to Halloween!

 

Hello one and all to the 2025 Countdown to Halloween! The time has come once again to arise from our coffins and partake in the Danse Macabre that is the Countdown. And am I sure ready for it!

Rejoice as we enjoy our annual parade of movies, cartoons, TV episodes, and other gifts of ghoulishness for a packed 31 days. I'm so happy you've chosen to spend your season with me!

Of course, I'm not alone in the Countdown. Thanks to Dex of AEIOU and Sometimes Why for organizing this year's Halloween hootenany. Please be sure to partake in all of the participating sites this year.

Please be especially sure to try my daughter Megan's Instagram site, Wallflower Avenue, as this is her first year participating in the Countdown. Way to go, Meg!

Without further ado, let the 2025 Countdown to Halloween begin!

Superman Stories from Peter Pan Records (1978)

 

Welcome back!

I'm way late to the party on posting a Superman item, as it's been six weeks since the release of the brand-new movie in theaters, but it's now available on digital, so maybe it's still timely.

Here is an album-length collection of Superman audio stories from 1978 (the year of the first Christopher Reeve film release) by classic children's record company Peter Pan Records. I have a 45 RPM of a Superman story that curiously isn't on this album, but they're all a lot of fun.

Enjoy! And stay tuned this fall, as I plan on more frequent blog articles and, of course, the Countdown to Halloween.

You can check out the YouTube video below or directly on YT here.

Thanks!

Fantastic Four Radio Series from 1975

 

Welcome back!

As I'm sure you know, the latest Fantastic Four movie is coming to theaters Friday, July 25th, and this time, it's set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans have been waiting years for this, and based on the trailers, it looks very interesting! But what some may not know is that the quartet were once brought to life via radio.

In 1975, a Fantastic Four radio series was produced in Canada and adapted from the first 13 issues of the comic book, with narration by Stan Lee and various actors portraying Marvel's First Family. The Human Torch was voiced by none other than Bill Murray.

Yes, THAT Bill Murray.

Here are all 13 episodes of the audio series, both embedded below and directly on YouTube here.

Excelsior!

Walt Disney Studios, "Ben and Me"

 

Happy 4th of July! Well, it's only July 2nd, but who's counting? Plus, if I wait until the 4th, it's highly doubtful anyone will see this.

Ben and Me is a Walt-Disney-produced short, animated film telling how a fictional mouse--and not the one you'd expect--assisted Benjamin Franklin in several of his many high-profile endeavors. I first saw this in a movie theater on an elementary school field trip and enjoyed it. I found it on YouTube last year and saved it for 4th of July this year.

Please enjoy embedded below or directly on YouTube here.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Jaws 50: The Shark Is Still Working Documentary

 

Happy Birthday Jaws! It was 50 years ago this very day that Bruce the shark first terrorized audiences, scaring them away from the water to this very day. It's my favorite movie, despite, or because, it frightened me to my core after seeing it from a too-young age. And I'm far from the only one with such an experience.

The Shark Is Still Working is a fan-made documentary that lovingly details the effect the film had on moviegoers worldwide. If you count yourself as a Jaws fan, you will see yourself in the documentary.

Enjoy it below or directly on YouTube here. Farewell and adieu!

Jaws 50: In The Teeth of JAWS (BBC Making-of Documentary, 1997)

Welcome back! I couldn't let the blog be idle during the 50th anniversary of my all-time favorite movie. Jaws celebrates its 50th anniversary this Friday, June 20th, and to celebrate, I'll be sharing some interesting documentaries of this landmark flick!

First up, In The Teeth of Jaws is a BBC-produced doc from 1997 featuring interviews with producers David Brown and Richard Zanuck, costars Richard Dreyfus and Lorraine Gary, and cowriter Carl Gottlieb, among others. Admittedly, Jaws documentaries abound, but each one still frames the facts of the making of the movie in an interesting light.

Special thanks go to The Daily Jaws, a FINTASTIC Jaws fan site that everyone should visit, for sharing the doc on their YouTube channel. I drink to their legs!

Enjoy! Please see the embedded video below or directly on YouTube here.

Carole King - Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (BBC In Concert, February 10, 1...

Bakshi's 'Lord Of The Rings' Commercial (1979)

Mr. Mouth Commercial (1979)

Toys R Us Commercials, 1980 & 1981

This is a bit of an experiment. In lieu of longform blogging for the time being, I'll just share quick, text-free bits of fun until I can get things going. Enjoy!

This Blog is Postponed

 Folks. Geez. I have so much going on it's not even funny. I won't be blogging any time soon, so please be patient, and thank you for following me all these years. I'll be back--eventually.

Until then, please follow me at all of these lovely social media sites, where I WILL be posting regularly.

Thanks!