RIP JEFF CONAWAY

Im posting this image of Jeff because this is the way I'd prefer to remember him. Either this or as Bobby on "Taxi". He led a sad life after a massive back injury that led to constant pain and addiction this actor ended up as the sad center of the reality show with Dr. Drew called "Celebrity Re-hab". It broke my heart to see him as destroyed as he was on that show. So this post I will keep short and simple. Lets remember him the way he would have wanted to be remembered. Here's a great clip from Taxi and one from Grease.

Thanks Jeff. We are glad your suffering is over. Rest in peace.

PAUL LYNDE: TALENTED.....and TROUBLED

"Hello, Sammy!" I absolutely loved when Paul Lynde would show up unannounced on "Bewitched" and utter those words to Samantha Stevens. (Be still my beating heart. Ahhh Liz Montgomery) Uncle Arthur was a great character portrayed by a great character actor. Paul Lynde worked his way into america's heart through Hollywood Squares where he was the best "center square" in history. His quips and quotes from the night before were passed along at the watercoolers across the country everyday at work. My personal favorite...

Peter Marshall: "Paul, is it true that there is a musical bra?"
Paul Lynde: "The hills are alive!..." (Sung to the Sound of Music tune)

But did you know that the handsome, flamboyant comedian/actor was once a heavy set guy from Ohio who struggled with self-confidence? I watched a special on Paul Lynde recently and was blown away when I saw the images of him when he had a serious weight problem. (Check it out HERE) I dont think its a shock to anyone that Paul was gay but in those days it just wasn't as accepted so he had to live with that demon as well.
When you watch the special I linked you to in the last paragraph you'll here the story of how one night Paul and his partner were out partying when his partner, intoxicated, decided to hang out of their hotel window as a goof. He slipped and Paul watched him fall to his death.

Obviously he had a lot to process. Paul Lynde had a difficult personal life. Some say his alcoholism held him back while others talked of his quirky hang ups like when he would buy a new home and decorated it he wouldn't allow folks to come inside during his housewarming party.

But all that aside....I loved the guy. Whether he was the voice of Templeton the rat in the animated Charlotte's Web or Uncle Arthur...he was hilarious. One of the best.

Paul Lynde left us suddenly on January 10th 1982 5 months shy of his 56th birthday. He died of a heart attack. But we will never forget him.

Classic TV Christmas Specials

I remember it like it was yesterday. Hearing the CBS intro music for their holiday specials like Frosty, The Grinch, Rudolph and more. I used to wait all year to watch those specials around Christmas. As if they were actually going to change plots or something I was GLUED to every frame of animation. I wonder if kids feel the same way today. With all the "On Demand" channels they really don't have to wait if they don't want to. I guess its just another of those outdated traditions that we have to hold close to our heart while the next generation develops their own. I can hear them now.....I used to keep Rudolph on my DVR all year and put a security code on it so no one could open it and watch it until December 24th! LOLOLOL.
As I sit here in my living room looking out at the 6" of snow we got on Christmas Day (A record Christmas Day snowfall for central NC by the way) I am reminded of how special this time of the year is for kids... the memories are still with me today. So in case you need a little "memory jogging"...here ya go.

Oh and make sure to listen to our upcoming shows. hoping for Stefanie Powers and maybe Peter Marshall.