Another World 50th Anniversary: The Final Word

Tom Eplin as Jake McKinnon and the suspects in the "Who Shot Jake?" mystery storyline.

Pictured Left to Right: Cali Timmons as Paulina, a mystery woman as Marley Love, Carmen Duncan as Iris Wheeler, Anne Heche as Vicky Hudson and Anna Stuart as Donna Love. If only Judi Evans was already playing Paulina–then this would be a perfect shot.
Here's the cast from 1982. How many can YOU name?
Here's a candid shot from the 19th anniversary party (1983).Here's a 25th Anniversary ad from The Hollywood Reporter circa 1989.

And finally, from 20 years ago - as the cast celebrates 30 years with a retro-themed party. Thanks for humoring me and my obsession with the continuing story called ANOTHER WORLD.

Another World 50th Anniversary: Super Couples

In my previous posts I've mentioned some of the super couples of ANOTHER WORLD. I've touched upon Sandy & Blaine, Catlin & Sally, Michael & Donna, Sam & Amanda, Ryan & Vicky and even Matt & Donna. But there are some fan favorites which need further examining.Dashing construction magnate Steve Frame (George Reinholt) romanced lovely nurse Alice Matthews (Jacquie Courtney).The two were married on AW's 10th anniversary in a lavish hour-long special. Included above are Liz Matthews (Irene Dailey), Russ Matthews (David Bailey), Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe), Robert Delaney (Nicholas Coster) and Iris Carrington (Beverley McKinsey).Alice's brother Russ (played Sam Groom here) was snared by bad girl Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser). But Rachel didn't want Russ...Rachel (now Victoria Wyndham) wanted Steve!

And Rachel won Steve - by getting pregnant with his child.

After Steve "died" ( he came back in the 80s played by David Canary), Rachel, the shrew was tamed by the love of publisher Mac Cory (Douglass Watson).

Rachel almost destroyed her happiness with Mac by cheating with Mitch Blake (William Gray Espy).

Rachel and Mac had their times apart, but their love always brought them back together. Mac died off screen when Douglass Watson passed away.Rachel's widowhood led to several short-lived romances, culminating with her unlikely marriage to Mac's nemesis Carl Hutchins (Charles Keating). This time around it was Rachel who tamed the lion.

Another great couple from the 70s were Sam & Lahoma (Jordan Charney and Ann Wedgeworth). This duo proved so popular that they were spun off to SOMERSET. The two were later reunited on THREE'S COMPANY.
Police officer Larry Ewing (Rick Porter) tamed sexpot Clarice Hobson (Gail Brown)–making an honest woman of her.

Cass Wintrop (Stephen Schnetzer) was a great match with Cecile DePoulignac (Nancy Frangione). (See here with John Hutton's Peter Love).
But Cass was also great with Kathleen McKinnon (Julie Osburn), until her death.
After mourning his wife and  a bad experience with Nicole Love, Cass finally found love again with Frankie Frame (Alice Barrett), until she was killed as well.
In the tradition of Larry and Clarice, good guy cop Joe Carlino (Joe Barbara) found love with Paulina Cory (Judi Evans).
And officers Gary Sinclair (Timothy Gibbs) and Josie Watts (Amy Carlson) make a great, sexy duo.

John Lennon 1940-1980

I'd like to take a minute away from all the holiday festivities to pay honor to John Lennon on the 30th anniversary of his senseless murder. While I am not the world's biggest Beatles fan by far, John always stood out among the four as being the most interesting to me. Being both a pop culture icon and anti-establishment free thinker (as well as a talented songwriter), John and his beloved wife Yoko will always be a symbol of hope, peace and strength in times of despair, war and hate such as today. I remember how their album Double Fantasy and the single "(Just Like) Starting Over" were creating a buzz back November 1980, not knowing that only weeks later on Dec. 8, the world not only lose a great artist, but an important voice of dissent. So sad.

My 3rd Anniversary, Mary's 40th

Yes - I began blogging 4 years ago on September 19, 2007 and (THE) MARY TYLER MOORE (SHOW) premiered 40 years ago on September 19, 1970. To celebrate both occasions, here's a re-edited re-post of a very early blog. In fact, it was the first DOUGSPLOITATION post.

Let's just say that (THE) MARY TYLER MOORE (SHOW) is the all-time best sitcom ever. No argument there. Despite the terribly awkward 2008 OPRAH reunion (which, I must admit, skillfully recreated sets from the show) and the horrendous MARY & RHODA TV-movie (which skillfully created a constant feeling of nausea), nothing can ever erase the warm memories of Mary's office life at WJM, and her cozy apartment in the snow-covered Lindstrom house at 119 N. Weatherly in Minneapolis.

We have the first six seasons on DVD to remind us how great television can be. Hopefully Fox will  be releasing the final season soon.

For a great guide to the MTM show, seek out LOVE IS ALL AROUND: THE MAKING OF THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW (1989) by Robert S. Alley & Irby B. Brown. This book has been in my collection since it was published, and I cherish it almost as much as the show itself.

Also, another great resource for Mary info is MTM: QUALITY TELEVISION published in 1984 by the British Film Institute, which looks at the entire MTM Studio production history, including other great classic shows like THE BOB NEWHART SHOW, RHODA, PHYLLIS, LOU GRANT, WKRP IN CINNCINNATI, NEWHART, THE WHITE SHADOW, HILL STREET BLUES, ST. ELSEWHERE and REMINGTON STEELE. 

Plus forgotten gems like THE BETTY WHITE SHOW (remember UNDERCOVER WOMAN? the show-within-a-show starring Betty as a 'Pepper Anderson' knock-off), THE TONY RANDALL SHOW and THE DUCK FACTORY. The book also covers pilots and TV-movies made by the company as well, as flops like Mary's two variety shows. 

Sitcoms come and go. Some are good, some are great but none will ever match the magic that was the world of Mary Richards.

My 800th Post!

Number 800. Hard to believe it, it seems like yesterday when I started this little distraction. Let's celebrate with a little contest.
Whoever can name all these awesome George Barris TV cars will get a copy of HBO's big penis dramedy HUNG Season One on DVD. What goes together better than Dougsploitation, crazy cars and big dicks? Good luck, readers!

UPDATE: We have a winner! The lovely and talented J.P. Johnson of Lexington, KY - the world's hottest librarian since Yvonne Craig starred as Barbara Gordon and the man behind the smart and sexy NSFW blog This and That. How appropriate that Mr. Johnson won HUNG! Here's J.P.'s answers:
1. Stutz Bearcat
2. Munster Coach
3. Beverly Hill Billies Hot Rod
4. Bugaloo Buggy
5. Green Horney (is that a typo?)
6. MonkeeMobile
7. THE Batmobile
Congrats JP!

Judy Garland 1922-1969

Today is the 41st anniversary of Judy Garland's death, so in honor of that sad (but historical event) here's a photo of me from about 25 years ago, visiting the grave of the legendary performer. How gay is that?

700th Post!

Wow - I can't believe this blog has made it to post number 700! What started three years ago as the tongue-twistery lark titled MOVIES THAT MAKE YOU SAY 'HUH?' and evolved into DOUGSPLOITATION has been a sheer delight for me. Despite a busy life that includes a day job and producing and art directing TV and film projects, I've tried to keep my readers entertained on a daily basis - even it means "reruns" of previously posted blogs. Thanks to all you guys who pop by every day, once a week or even once a month. As long as you keep coming back, I'll keep blogging about the things I love. As Michael Champagne of PRETTY would say, "I do it for you!" Speaking of PRETTY, episode 3 debuts on Monday - and I've have another cast member interview right here as part of my ongoing DOUGLAS MICHAEL SHOW series. Have a great day and "friend" me on Facebook! (Don't forget to mention DOUGSPLOITATION)

20 Years of THE SIMPSONS

20 years ago last night, THE SIMPSONS made its premiere on the fledgling FOX network.
The Simpsons characters actually appeared before that in crudely-drawn short animated spots that cartoonist Matt Groening created for THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW in April 1987.

The first episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" told the heartwarming story of how Homer saves Christmas.

After the family's Christmas savings is spent on Bart's costly tattoo removal procedure and Homer is denied his annual take-home bonus, the desperate dad pulls a Fred Flintstone and takes a second job as a department store Santa.
In the end, Homer ends up getting a very special present for the family, a dog which they name Santa's Little Helper.

The series began airing weekly on then as a regular series on Jan. 14, 1990 . The show went on to become a huge hit and helped put FOX on the map. The characters Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie soon became a major merchandising force. To date THE SIMPSONS has aired almost 450 episodes and has become the longest running animated series, the longest running American sitcom, and the longest-running entertainment program in the history of US television. D'oh!

Rocky & Bullwinkle @ 50

Jay Ward's Rocky the Flying Squirrel first flew into American homes 50 years ago today! Yes, it's been a half-century since Rocket J. Squirrel began outwitting Cold War villains Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, along with his friend Bullwinkle on ROCKY & FRIENDS and later on THE BULLWINKLE SHOW. For lots more info on Rocky and his Frostbite Falls cohorts, go here.

Supergirl @ 50

The current DC Comics version of Supergirl releases it's 50th issue in February.
Though I stopped collecting the title a while back, I will be picking up this special celebratory 50th issue.
The character of Supergirl is also celebrating her 50th Year in comics, having first appeared in Action Comics #252 (May 1959).
As part of this anniversary celebration, SUPERGIRL film actress Helen Slater will be contributing a story that looks into a day in the life of the Girl of Steel.The cover to this extra-sized extravaganza will be by the late Michael Turner, who tragically passed away last year at the age of 37. While I was never a big fan of his elf-like female characters, his work on Kara helped define her for a new generation.

Happy 40th Anniversary SESAME STREET

The PBS show turns 40 today. I guess time flies when you are having fun and learning. There's lots of media coverage of this event, so I'll just simply say "Happy Anniversary" and "thank you" to the Childrens' Television Workshop for changing the face of kids TV.

Celebrating My 550th Post

Anniversaries, birthdays, season premieres - it's like we're always celebrating something these days. Well, I've been busy celebrating all sorts of good things all weekend long, so I've fallen behind on my blogging. Enjoy this vintage cookbook spread while I regroup and figure out what the hell I'm gonna blog about tomorrow.

My Two Year Anniversary

DOUGSPLOITATION turned 2 years old over the weekend. What initially began as film reviews on my VELVET CANDY BLOG, then spun off into a blog called MOVIES THAT MAKE YOU SAY "HUH"?, this here blog is an ever-evolving work in progress. From it's humble origins of just reviews of bad movies, I've added posts about TV shows, music, comic books plus THE DOUGLAS MICHAEL SHOW featuring interviews with people I think are super cool.

I've had a few rants and a near meltdown after Prop 8 passed, but for the most part this blog has been all about fun.

I've had days when I've had over 8000 readers (thanks to a little something called SONSEED) and I've had days when I felt like there was no one out there at all.

There's also been days when I feel like I should just stop this silliness and put my time and energy into something that actually makes me money.

For now, I think I'll just keep on blogging as long as it's fun. When it starts feeling like a chore, it will be time to give it up. So, if you're out there and wanna drop me a line and let me know what you'd like to see on this blog, feel free to contact me via the "comments" button below.