Monday, January 20, 2025

"To Young To Remember"...TV Guide or Not !

The history of TV Guide

Fascinating look at how media consumption evolved in the 20th and 21st centuries. Here’s an overview of its development.

Origins and Early History 1948

The idea for a publication like TV Guide
originated during the dawn of television in the United States. The growing popularity of TV programs led to the need for a centralized guide to show schedules.

1949

Local publications, like TeleVision Guide, appeared in major cities such as New York and Philadelphia. These were the precursors to a national TV Guide.

1953

The official TV Guide magazine was launched on April 3, 1953, by Walter Annenberg's company, Triangle Publications. The first issue featured a photo of Lucille Ball’s newborn son,

Desi Arnaz Jr. and sold for 15 cents.

Rise to Popularity

TV Guide became a massive success due to the public's increasing reliance on television. It provided not only programming schedules but also feature articles, celebrity interviews, and insights into the industry. By the mid-20th century, it was one of the most widely circulated magazines in the United States. The small, digest-sized format made it easy to carry and store.

Cultural Impact 1960s-1980s

TV Guide was considered essential for households. People relied on it to plan their TV viewing, especially in the pre-DVR and pre-streaming eras. The magazine often featured iconic TV stars

on its covers, making it a key part of pop culture. It was not just a schedule guide but also an influential publication in the television industry, affecting how shows were marketed.

Decline and Transformation 1990s

As cable and satellite TV expanded, and electronic program guides (EPGs) became available, TV Guide's relevance began to wane.

2000s

The magazine struggled to adapt to the digital age. It shifted from its digest format to a larger magazine and focused more on feature stories than schedules.

2008

The company was sold, and the magazine went through several ownership changes.

Digital Era TVGuide.com

The brand transitioned to the internet, providing online TV schedules, reviews, and articles. This move allowed it to stay relevant in the streaming era. The publication’s digital platform continues to offer tools for users to navigate the ever-expanding world of television and streaming services.

Is TV guide still available ?

Yes, TV Guide is still available, though it has evolved significantly from its original format. Here's the current state of the brand.

Print Magazine Availability

The TV Guide print magazine is still published but with a reduced frequency. It is available on a biweekly basis (every two weeks). The print version has shifted from primarily listing TV schedules to focusing more on feature stories about TV shows and stars.

Reviews and recommendations for series and movies.

Insights into streaming platforms

TV schedules are still included, but they are not the primary focus. Digital Presence TVGuide.com. The brand has a strong digital presence with its website offering, TV listings for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. Recommendations for what to watch on popular streaming services. News, reviews, and articles about TV shows and entertainment.

Apps

TV Guide also offers a mobile app to help users discover and organize their viewing. Relevance in the streaming era while the traditional TV Guide is no longer as central to daily life as it was during the golden age of television, it has managed to stay relevant by adapting to modern viewing habits. It now focuses on helping viewers navigate the overwhelming options available in the streaming era.

Bj 🙈🙉🙊📺

Sunday, January 19, 2025

"Chico and the Man"...mucho caliente !

"Chico and the Man"

Holds a special place in TV history as one of the first network shows to prominently feature a Latino lead character. It aired on NBC from September 13, 1974, to July 21, 1978, spanning four seasons and a total of 88 episodes. Created by James Komack, the

show combined humor and heart while tackling cultural and generational differences. The Premise Set in a rundown Los Angeles garage, "Chico and the Man" centered around the unlikely friendship between two very different characters:

Ed Brown (played by Jack Albertson): The "Man," was a grumpy, old-fashioned, and often prejudiced Anglo-American garage owner.

Bitter and cynical, he represented a fading world resistant to change.

Chico Rodriguez (played by Freddie Prinze), "Chico," was a young, energetic, and optimistic Chicano who became Ed's

mechanic. Chico's charm and good nature slowly broke through Ed's crusty exterior, forming a heartwarming bond. The show explored themes of generational gaps, prejudice, and friendship, often using humor as a way to bridge divides.

Cultural Significance:

Freddie Prinze's role was groundbreaking as one of the first Hispanic leads in American television. The show resonated with Latino audiences and brought greater visibility to Hispanic culture on TV. Prinze, who was of Puerto Rican and Hungarian descent, was celebrated for his charisma and comedic talent, helping to popularize the series.

Tragic Turn:

The show faced a significant tragedy when Freddie Prinze died by suicide on January 29, 1977, at just 22 years old. His untimely death shocked the

entertainment world and left the series in a challenging position.

After Prinze's death:

The show's creators tried to continue the series by introducing new characters:

Gabriel Melgar joined the cast as Raul Garcia, a young Mexican boy whom Ed

took under his wing. Despite these efforts, the dynamic of the original pairing was irreplaceable, and the show struggled to maintain its popularity.

Legacy:

Although "Chico and the Man" ended in 1978, its impact endured: It paved the way for other shows featuring diverse casts and addressing multicultural issues. Freddie Prinze became a cultural icon, remembered for his talent and for breaking barriers for Latinos in entertainment.

Theme Song:

The series featured a memorable theme

song performed by José Feliciano, which underscored the show's blend of optimism and soul. Its lyrics captured the spirit of Chico and Ed's evolving friendship.

"Chico and the Man" remains an important part of television history, remembered both for its humor and for the ways it addressed social and cultural issues of its time.....Now a memorable clip...

Bj 🙈🙉😁

Friday, January 17, 2025

"Bill Mumy" in Twilight Zone (Unforgettable)

Bill Mumy’s childhood was extraordinary, shaped significantly by his early entrance into the

entertainment industry. Born on February 1, 1954, in San Gabriel, California, Mumy was captivated by performing from a young age, particularly in acting and music.

He began his professional acting career at just six years old, landing roles in popular television shows like The

Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Fugitive. These experiences not only introduced him to the world of Hollywood but also required him to balance the unique demands of a working child actor.

Mumy’s childhood changed drastically when he landed the role of Will Robinson on the science-fiction series
Lost in Space at age eleven. The show’s success made him a familiar face across America and brought him into close contact with seasoned actors and mentors.

While most children were attending school full-time, Mumy split his days between film sets and schoolwork, gaining hands-on experience in television production.

Despite the pressure and intensity of child stardom, he developed strong

bonds with his castmates, especially with Jonathan Harris, who played Dr. Smith and became a mentor to him.

Apart from acting, Mumy’s childhood was also marked by a love for music. He was already playing guitar by age ten, which would later become an integral part of his life and career.

Although he faced the challenges common to child actors, he was able to transition into adulthood with a continued passion for the arts,

ultimately establishing a career in both acting and music.

In his personal life, Bill Mumy is married to Eileen Joy Davis, and they have two children together: Seth and

Liliana Mumy. Liliana has followed in her father’s footsteps, pursuing a career in acting and voice acting. Bill and his family maintain a relatively private life outside of his professional achievements......Clip !

Bj 🙈🙉🙊

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Fractured Fairy Tales...."Did you not luv them !"

Fractured Fairy Tales was a clever and comedic segment featured in the animated television series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, which aired from 1959 to 1964. Created by Jay Ward Productions, this segment presented parodic and satirical versions of classic fairy tales, offering a humorous twist that appealed to both children and adults.

Concept and Format

The concept behind Fractured Fairy Tales was to take well-known fairy tales and reimagine them with ironic, absurd, or modern elements. The stories often involved exaggerated character flaws, witty dialogue, and surprising plot twists that subverted traditional morals and themes. Each segment lasted approximately 4-5 minutes and was self-contained, making it an easily digestible feature within the larger series.

The storytelling was delivered in a tongue-in-cheek manner, accompanied by narration from Edward Everett Horton, whose distinct voice became

synonymous with the segment. Horton's whimsical and dry delivery enhanced the comedic impact, making even the most ridiculous twists feel natural and endearing.

Writing and Animation

The scripts for Fractured Fairy Tales were penned by talented writers, including Bill Scott, who also voiced several characters in Rocky and

Bullwinkle. The writing blended sophisticated wordplay with slapstick humor, a hallmark of Jay Ward's productions.

The animation, handled by Gamma Productions in Mexico, had a minimalist style characteristic of Jay Ward's work. While the animation was simple, it relied heavily on timing and voice acting to deliver its humor effectively.

Cultural Impact

Fractured Fairy Tales was groundbreaking for its time, introducing a type of humor that appealed to both younger audiences and their parents. The segment's clever rewriting of classic stories often poked fun at societal norms and clichés, adding a layer of satirical commentary. It became a standout feature of The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle

and Friends, earning a lasting place in pop culture.

Many of the episodes have been preserved and celebrated for their wit and creativity. They continue to be referenced and rediscovered by new generations, showcasing the timeless appeal of fractured storytelling. In some

ways, the show foreshadowed the kind of meta-humor and reimagining of traditional tales that would later become a hallmark of modern animated series and films.

Legacy

Even decades after its original airing, Fractured Fairy Tales remains a beloved part of animation history. Its playful approach to storytelling has influenced countless creators and continues to delight audiences with its irreverent charm and smart humor.

Today, it serves as a reminder of the creativity and innovation that defined Jay Ward Productions and its enduring contribution to the golden age of television animation......

Bj 🙈🙉🙊💣

Vintage Cartoons. . . And "Vintage Movies"

Vintage Notes