Television

Good Times
'Maude' had a spin-off by the name of 'Good Times' that starred Esther Rolle as Florida Evans (Maude's old housekeeper) and her family James, J.J., Thelma, and Michael. Florida and her family lived in the ghetto and just trying to make ends meet. James had many jobs but had to deal with layoffs, unemployment as well as other issues that affected his family. As in the other two series this show was generally depicting what life in the mid to late seventies was like for the Negro or Black community. J.J. was an artist portrayed by Jimmie Walker and his famous line "Dyn-o-mite!" Thelma was into fashion and Michael was the political activist of the family. I really liked this show and watch the reruns even today when I can find them. There are a lot of lessons that one can still learn from this old show today.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Maude
'All in the Family' was followed up by many spin-offs and the first one that I remember was 'Maude' this one is based on Edith's sister or she was a cousin named Maude who lived in Pawtucket, a suburb of Connecticut, I think. Maude lived with her husband Walter and her daughter and grandson. They also had a housekeeper named Florida. Maude had next door neighbors who were played by Conrad Bain and Rue McClanahan were married and into the scene and will try anything that seem therapeutic for a marriage. 'Maude' was a person who was very outspoken on many issues of the time like abortion and drugs, and really anything that struck her fancy. 'Maude' also had a catchy theme 'And then came Maude' with a catchy melody if I remember right. Like 'All in the Family' 'Maude' was also very controversial.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
All in the Family
Who remembers watching a television show entitled 'All in the Family' that was all about in a lot of ways social and political discourse of the early 1970's the affected the family at 704 Houser Street. There was Archie, Edith, Gloria, and Michael aka Meathead. 'All in the Family' was created by Norman Lear that gave the television audience a chance to see and hear and learn how society wanted to stay the same but also wanted change in many ways, such as women's rights, dealing with welfare and racial relations. This was a television show that let the idea of conservativism and radicalism kind of live together for at least a half an hour. To me this was a comedy/drama but not like today's standards. There were also multiple shows that followed this one.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Welcome Back, Kotter
Here is another old situation comedy for the mid-1970's named 'Welcome Back. Kotter'. This was a show set in an urban high school named Buchanon High School. The main character of Gabe Kotter, a social studies teacher and a graduate of this high school is hired to teach the students known as the 'Sweathogs' who are smarter than they think from Vinnie Barberino to Arnold Horshack to Juan Epstein to Boom Boom Washington these were the main Sweathogs. Gabe is a married man to Julie and these students pay visits in some very importune times. This show and its' stars did all move on from the show to bigger things. John Travolta and his many movies, Robert Hegyes went on to Cagney and Lacey, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs I believe made a few movies as well and Ron Palillo also did a few other projects. This is also a show that was famous for a much overdone phrase 'Up your nose with a rubber hose.' I remember hearing that a lot when I was in elementary and junior high when someone did not like something or someone.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Chico and the Man
There was a situation comedy about in the mid-1970's called 'Chico and the Man'. This was a show where a young Chicano and an old man lived and worked in a garage. The young Chicano lived in a van parked in the back and the old man lived upstairs. This show starred Freddie Prinz and Jack Albertson as Chico and the Man. This was a show even back then that tried to describe society and solve various problems and issues. The first episode if I remember was mainly helping Chico find a job and a place to live, since Chico was a mechanic looking for a job and the old man did need help. Before the show went off the air and the guy who played Chico died in real they tried to replace him with a kid to try and help the old cope with losing a friend and partner. For the mid-1970's this was a funny show even when they covered a few serious issues of the time.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Microsoft Azure Globally Down
On July 30, 2024, at approximately 13:13 UTC, Microsoft Azure & Microsoft 365 reported a global outage affecting a subset of its services. The issue resulted in timeouts and difficulties connecting to various Azure services worldwide. Multiple engineering teams at Microsoft were promptly engaged to diagnose and resolve the issue. The company acknowledged the problem and provided updates on the Azure status page.
By Shine b johnabout a year ago in Critique
Timmy and Lassie
How many out there remember watching the old series about a little boy and his dog known as 'Timmy and Lassie'? I do not remember watching the original series that was known as 'Jeff's Collie', but the only time that I watched this show was early in the morning before going off to catch the school bus. I am a dog person and really liked watching any program with a dog. 'Timmy and Lassie' had a famous mother by the name of Ruth Martin portrayed by June Lockhardt and Timmy Martin was played by Jon Provost for how I remember that bit of information they did a reboot in the 1990's entitled 'The New Lassie' and Jon portrayed a grown Timmy now Steven for he changed his name for he thought Ruth and the father deserted him and he was sad. The original 'Timmy and Lassie' always had some impending crisis from someone falling down somehow and Lassie going and getting help and in the long run a social issue of the time was settled. If I remember right the last episode had Timmy taking Lassie to the home the Ranger. Also, I think that is when I really started watching the Lassie shows for Lassie and Ranger had many an adventure.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
The Latest Updates on the Upcoming "Knives Out" Sequel: "Wake Up Dead Man"
Fans of the "Knives Out" series have been eagerly awaiting news on the next release, and the wait is finally over. The title for the new movie has been announced as "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," and it promises to bring back the charm and wit that the series is known for. With Daniel Craig reprising his role as the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc, the new film is set to feature an exciting cast and intriguing storyline.
By Horace Waslandabout a year ago in Critique
Father Knows Best
Another old television show from the 1950's is 'Father Knows Best' or did he. This program starred Robert Young and Jane Wyatt along with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The basic premise of the show was that dad was the person who knew all the answers to all the problems that occurred but was he really. There was always some problem and the show centered on one child's or parent's issue to get at a solution whether it was Betty getting ready for graduation, Bud getting a new car somehow or Cathy getting into trouble over what she has done or some other misunderstanding. The father went out to work, the mother stayed home and made the perfect home right down to vacuuming the walls for any dust. Boys did boy things and girls did girl things. To me I like how I was raised in the 1970's and we had a choice if boys wanted to playhouse/school or whatever or if the girls wanted to race bikes or play with trucks who cared. Oh, there were questions raised but we did our own thing.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
The Donna Reed Show
There was an old television show that was from the 50's and before my time called 'The Donna Reed Show'. Donna is a stay-at-home mom as most were in the 50's unless the woman was a nurse, teacher or secretary you were a homemaker. Each episode there was always some dilemma with the kids or the husband for the mother was the only one able to figure out a way to solve the problem. It also seemed that Donna was somewhat a perfectionist for the house was always just so. I know that it was a television show, but there were episodes that Donna was able to scrub and wax her kitchen floor, bake a cake and paint a room all in one day and still have dinner on the table for the family. Believe it or not I liked the show for it gave me a somewhat idea of what the 1950's were like before all hell broke out of the 1960's. The Donna Reed Show had a young Shelly Fabree, a young Paul Peterson and a few other actors that I remember from some shows from my younger days and even today. Some of the rules from the 50's should still be in practice today.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Mister Rodger's Neighborhood
Who remembers watching 'Mister Rodger's Neighborhood' as a child? This was one of my favorites back in the late 60's before heading off to school at six years of age. My favorite part of the show was when he would take us to the Neighborhood of Make Believe and my favorite two characters in that land of make believe was Daniel, Striped Tiger who lived in a clock and Lady Elaine Fairchild, a puppet that owned the merry-go-round museum. Actually, I believe I had my first crush on Lady Amberline, King Friday's human niece. Other parts of the program that were fun was when Fred would go in the backyard and either do experiments or activities with a sand or water table. There was a picture on the wall that showed film strips and I think it was called Picture picture. Oh yeah, who could forget Mr. McFeely, Chef Brocket, and a few other characters from the human neighborhood on field trips throughout the neighborhood. This was a show that taught children many social skills and prepared them for kindergarten. Please comment any memories of this program that you may have.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Did Somebody Try to Shoot Donald Trump?
In an unprecedented incident that shocked the nation, Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump by firing shots from a roof in Butler, Pennsylvania. The chaos that ensued revealed confusion and communication breakdowns among law enforcement agencies. This event has raised significant concerns about the effectiveness of current security protocols and the readiness of our protective services.
By Horace Waslandabout a year ago in Critique