He Knew Nothing!

Who is the best Nazi in the world? John Banner! His real name may not be a household word but his character's is. John Banner played the iconic character of Sergeant Hans Georg Schultz on the popular TV series "Hogan's Heroes".
Banner was actually a Austrian Jew born in Vienna. He escaped the Nazi occupation and got to Hollywood. Banner was then cast as a Nazi in the anti-German films during and after the war. His career was stalled until he had his break through as Sgt. Schultz the most inept Nazi in a stalag of ineptitude Stalag 13.
John Banner after his fame on "Hogan's Heroes" was able to be cast in guest starring role on many TV shows. He and his wife decided to return to his native Austria in 1972. It was while visiting friends in Vienna John (Johann Banner) Banner died. It was on his 63rd birthday.

Happy Holidays!

Nothing Says Xmas Like a Toy Drive Riot

Kappa Alpha Psi may just go down as the wildest frat in the good ole USA. They decided to have a toy drive for the Xmas season at a hotel in Long Beach, California. Well you know how toy drives can get, the next thing you know a festive holiday step contest starts up as they do. Natch a riot breaks out. Sucker punches and pepper spray rear theirs heads. Happy Holidays!

She was Miss Belfridge

If you are a fan of the British sitcom "Are you Being Served?" you know her um face. Her name is Candy Davis famous Page Three girl cum actress. Candy Davis is most remembered for her role of the slightly daft but extremely buxom Miss Belfridge. Candy Davis is really Candy Davis' creation. Born in London in 1962 to a nice and normal English family, her father worked for NASA and her mother was a school mistress. When Candy, then known as Clare Bastin, was teenager she worked in a candy store until she ran away from home and became a stripper. She went on to become very well known as one of the naughty Page Three models in the London Sun. In 1982 Candy Davis won the Miss Nude title and it was because of this she was given the role of Miss Belfridge on "Are You Being Served?". Her role was that of the secretary in Mr Rumboldt's office. The role was played by several actresses until Candy Davis was cast. Miss Belfridge became a regular character in the later years of the series. There was a running joke on the show where either Mrs. Slocum or Miss Brahms would find Miss Belfridge in the lady's fitting room trying on a very small and revealing bathing costume. 
Candy Davis knew what she was doing and parlayed her good looks and body into a prosperous career. 

 

Happy Birthday Johnny Whitaker

Cute curly haired and freckle faced Johnny Whitaker was a 1960's hot commodity. He started off his career doing a local LA car commercial before getting cast in "The Russians are Coming the Russians are Coming". It was his role along side Anissa Jones as twin Jodie Davis on the television series "Family Affair" that made him a household name. Whitaker played Buffy's twin brother for five years. 
The next major role on television was the role of Johnny Stewart in the Sid and Marty Croft Saturday morning show "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters".  He also appeared on many televisions shows like "Green Acres", "Adam 12", and Walt Disney's "Wonderful World of Color". Whitaker also starred as the title role in the musical film version of Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer".
After graduating from high school Johnny Whitaker lived in Portugal for several years as a missionary. Upon returning he worked here and there as an actor eventually joining his sister's talent agency. One of his client's was Dana Plato from "Different Strokes". He has worked with SAG/AFTRA Young Performers Committee with the goal of helping child actors transition in adult life and careers. In 1997 he started a drug and alcohol dependency program after giving up drugs and alcohol himself.
Johnny Whitaker is now 54 years old. 

The Dancing Cop

There is a Christmas tradition in Providence, Rhode Island like no other tradition. The tradition is The Dancing Cop. The Dancing Cop is Tony Lepore and he directs traffic over the holidays in key Providence intersections. Lepore is a retired Providence Police officer who was at one time a traffic cop and directed traffic. The dancing part started as standing is the street directing traffic is sort of boring and to entertain himself he started to dance. Well you would think he would be in trouble for these antics but Providence residents loved it. Lepore is now retired but he comes back every year to stand in the snow and rain to direct shoppers and office workers in the downtown area. His performances are fun to watch and get a lot of attention, unfortunately drivers are so entranced with him traffic can at times snarl. Too much of a good thing!

The Baroness has Died

Actress Eleanor Parker has died  today. She was 91 years old. Although she was in over 80 movies and was known as the woman with a thousand faces she will always be rememberd a the jilted scheming Baroness in "TheSound of Music" Parker worked with everyone and was in some amazing movies but her performance as the icy Baroness with her heart set on Baron Van Trapp in "The Sound of Music" willmke her immortal!Married 4 times Eleanor Parker died in her Palm Springs home.

Ziffel vs Ziffel

In the annals of television history there are few questions more important than who was the best Doris Ziffel! There were two Mrs. Ziffels on the classic sitcom "Green Acres". The original Doris Ziffel was played by Barbara Pepper who originated the character but was replaced due to heart ailments. the second Mrs. Ziffel was played by veteran character actress Fran Ryan.
Mrs Ziffle was the wife of Fred Ziffel the nearest neighbor of Oliver Wendell Douglas and his Hungarian wife Lisa. The Ziffels also had a "child" their son Arnold the pig.

Barbara Pepper started her career in New York at the age of sixteen as a Goldwyn Girl where she met and became a life long friend with Lucille Ball. She married fellow actor Craig Reynolds. They had two sons. Reynolds was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1949. Left alone to raise her children she went back to work doing radio and small movie roles. Over the years she gained weight and this lead her to television character parts. She did appear in a few movies later in life like "Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and "My Fair Lady". She was made several appearances on "I Love Lucy" eventually being cast in "Petticoat Junction" and eventually the role of Doris Ziffel on "Green Acres". She had to leave the show due to her ill health. She died in 1969 at age 54.

Fran Ryan started her career at the age of six at the Henry Duffy Theater in Oakland, California. Ryan attended Stanford University until World War II started when she joined the USO where she used her comic abilities to entertain the troops. After the was she moved to Los Angeles she took up acting and did a lot of television. Ryan had role on "Gunsmoke" and "The Doris Day Show". She was then chosen for the role of Doris Ziffel. She played the role until the show ended. Fran Ryan continued to act in television and movies until the end of her life. Fran Ryan died in 2000 at the age of 83.

Aside: I was working on a film in the 1990's and riding in a van to the set when I started talking to the lady next to me. That lady turned out to be Fran Ryan and was thrilled that I remembered her as Mrs. Ziffel.

Harlow Gold

Harlow Gold is a burlesque show like no other I’ve seen in a while. This isn’t your old standby bump and grind and take it off show. Harlow Gold is loud brash and in your face. Snare drums and cymbals have been replaced with Tom Waits and PJ Harvey. The performance I attended was in a club called Harvell’s in downtown Long Beach. Harvell’s is a great venue for this show. The club is underground (physically) on a walk street right off of Broadway right in the center of Long Beach. Walk down a metal stair case to a plain black metal door that when opened reveals it is lined in tufted red leather and opens onto a dark red and black themed underground space.  The club has two options either a reserved table or standing room and back wall seats. The former is more expensive but well worth the extra money. The cheaper option is good though as the performers in Harlow Gold frequently leaves the stage sometimes even dancing on the bar and hanging from the ceiling.

The creators of Harlow Gold are Tracy Phillips and Dominic Carbone.  Who not surprisingly are successful choreographers kept busy in Hollywood working with the like of Rhianna, The Spice Girls and Fiona Apple. They have given the old time burlesque a modern twist evoking a Weimar meets Cirque du Soleil vibe.  The performers exude female energy and power as well a healthy sexuality.

The audience is part of the show while the performers jump up on tables and climb across walls. The show starts off with a disclaimer saying the performers may touch you but you are not allowed to touch them. I at one point in the night had a package of Planter’s peanuts pushed into my mouth during an airline flight attendant themed piece. If you are faint of heart or a prude this might not be the show for you but then again what burlesques show would.

Harlow Gold is also performed at another Harvell’s location in Santa Monica as well as at Bar Fedora in downtown Los Angeles. If you are in the area the show is well worth checking out. Performed several times a month in the three venues around town there is definitely a lot of opportunity to see Harlow Gold.

As Seen on TV

The time has come for the constant barrage of television commercials specially designed to separate you form your money. It is Christmas and this is when you can buy a "Clapper". You know the device that turns lights on and off with just a simple clap of the hands. "The Clapper, clap on clap off". This is the one time of year to run out to your local Walgreens, CVS or selected Orchard Supply Hardware stores and pick one up for your loved one! Hurry you only have 24 days!

David Groh

There was a time in the late 1970's when one of the hottest stars on television was David Groh. He was on one of the hottest shows of the 70's "Rhoda". David Groh played Joe Gerard the husband to Valerie Harper's character Rhoda. Joe Gerard owned a building demolition company in New York. In the 7th episode of the first season Joe and Rhoda were married in one of the highest rated television episodes ever.
Groh played the character for three seasons before the character was written off the show. he and Harper remained good friends.
Groh was born in brooklyn and educated at Brown University where he graduated phi beta kappa. He moved to England and studied acting at LCMDA eventually moving back to New York to study at the Actor's Studio.
He fame in Rhoda came fast. After Rhoda Groh had his own short live TV sitcom "Another Day". He went on to make his Broadway debut in Neil Simon's "Chapet Two".
For two years in the 1980's Groh was on the soap opera General Hospital. He also continued to work in Hollywood in guest star roles.
David Groh died of kidney cancer in 2008, he was 68 years old.

Hey Hon You're a Movie Star

Glen Milstead was a fat faggy boy from suburban Maryland who dreamed of being a star and he made it. A film about Glen’s life made its Hollywood Blvd. debut at the America Cineamatique’s Grauman’s Egyptian Theater. The title of the movie is “I Am Divine”. Glen Milstead was Divine; Divine was Glen Milstead.  Divine was going to be a star and he didn’t care what he had to do to do it. If he had to eat dog shit so be it!

“I am Divine” is a documentary film by Los Angeles based film maker Jeffery Schwarz.  The film follows the life of Glen Milstead and his becoming Divine.  Schwarz has filled the film with hilarious interviews with friends and co-workers of Divine including Frances Milstead, Divine’s mother.  His friends all speak highly of him as a person but do not turn him into a saint. He was overweight and smoked a lot of pot and his friends have no qualms about talking about it.  The Dreamlanders talk about his early life in the sub-culture of Charm City (Baltimore) and the early truly underground films.  As the film goes on the people he worked with in the later years also get into the act and talk lovingly about working with Divine.

“I am Divine” is now out in limited release but if you are a fan it is a must see.

I Hope Andy Kaufman Isn't Dead

If the recent story is to be believed Andy Kaufman is really not dead and has a daughter. I want this to be true as it would be the best prank ever pulled. Not only did he fool everyone he also got to have a second shot at life! The best part about these reports are there just could be a grain of truth to it. Kaufman was a known prankster and hoaxer with a really strange sense of humor. This is just the kind of thing you would expect him to do. Or conversely he is dead and this was a prank he planned before he died with his brother.
Either way its a riot!

Perhaps the Worst Singer Ever

Florence Foster Jenkins always wanted to be a famous opera singer. Mrs. Jenkins may well have become one. Not because she was good but because she was so horrid. Her voice is at best a shriek and at worst a harridan's painful keening. Fingernails on a black board is an apt description of her vocal range.
Born to wealthy parents in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania Narcissa Florence Foster wanted to study opera in Paris and her father being of sound mind and hearing said no he wouldn't pay for it. So she eloped with Frank Jenkins a Philadelphia physician. They were married for nearly 20 years. One can only take so much off tune singing in ones life.
After her divorce in 1902 Mrs. Jenkins taught piano. she then took up with a (gasp) man, a stage actor named St. Clair Bayfield. He later became her manager.  It was upon her wealthy father's death she was able to support her new musical career. With her "manager" Florence was able to get herself booked into a few parties and smaller society shows even though she was obviously tone deaf and had little sense of rhythm. Her performances were considered a must see as they were so awful. Even though people left in droves and openly laughed during performances the delusional Florence dismissed these people as "jealous".  
Her coup d'etat was her performance at New York's Carnegie Hall that she produced. She was known for wearing elaborate and extreme costumes that she designed herself. It seemed her sense of design was on par to her singing. Mrs Jenkins was also known to throw flowers into her audiences and once accidentally threw the basket into the audience. Her assistant would then go out and collect the flowers for later performances.
Florence was aware of the critics and their derision of her "talent" and their backhanded reviews. " People may have said I can't sing, but they can't say I didn't sing"
After a taxi cab accident Mrs. Jenkins found she could sing a higher F than ever. She rewarded the cabbie with a box of expensive cigars.
Florence Foster Jenkins voice was silenced in 1944 at age 76.

Oscar Madison Who Played Him Better

The other day I happened to see the 1969 film version of "The Odd Couple". I had forgotten that Walter Matthau had played the role of Oscar Madison. Not only did he play the role in the movie he originated the role on Broadway. Funnily enough he was replace on Broadway with Jack Klugman who made the role of Oscar his own in the 1970's television series.
I then had to re-watch some Odd Couple episodes and my conundrum is who played Oscar best. I decided that as it was originally written Matthau's version is masterful but Klugman's version is more fully fleshed out as he had more time and situations to be in. 

My Guilty Pleasure

I should be ashamed to say this but oddly I am not. I am obsessed with the Home and Garden Channel's shows especially House Hunters and House Hunter's International. If i had to pick House International is my favorite. The thing I really like is the American's moving to Europe and Asia leaving their suburban tract houses to live in a foreign land but wanting their split level ranch house.  There always seems to be one of the couple who is pretty much a pill when the real estate agents show them properties. The wives all seem to want huge kitchens and the husbands all seem to want enormous showers and "man caves". They always seemed shocked that Parisian apartments are small or expensive or Asian homes are tiny. It is like they have never been to the country they are moving to. One of my favorite things is the shock over refrigerators. It seems Americans are also obsessed with closet space.
I do wish Home and Garden would do some reverse shows with Europeans moving to the US to see what it is they are appalled by. What do we take for granted that foreigners find horrid? 

"I'm Sure I Wouldn't Know" Florence Bates

There was a time when if you were making a movie and needed a stuffy dowager you knew who to cast. You needed Florence Bates. Her most memorable role was that of the stuffy and pretentious Mrs. Van Hopper in Alfred Hitchcock's 1939 film version of the Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca".  She went one to play dowagers and fussy spinsters up until just before her death at age 65. 
Ms Bates was born Florence Rabe in 1888. She was raised in Texas where she studied mathematics at the University of Texas. She taught math for a while but became dissatisfied and went on to study law and at the age of 26 became the first woman in Texas to pass the bar and practice law.
After the death of her parents she left her practice and took over their antique business. It was then she met her husband a wealthy oil tycoon William Jacoby. He lost his fortune and the two of them moved to Los Angeles and opened a bakery. Florence auditioned for and got the role of Mrs. Bates in Pasadena Playhouse's version of Jane Austin's "Emma". She took her professional name from the character.
It was in 1938 she caught Hitchcock's eye and started her film career. After playing Mrs Van Hopper her career took off and she played versions of that character in over 75 films and television shows.
Florence Bates died from a heart attack in 1954.

Ann B. Davis is a Twin!

Ann B Davis is known by different generations for two different roles. To an older generation she is Schutzy the lovelorn secretary on "The Bob Cummings Show" from the 1950's. She was given a star of the walk of fame for that role. She is known by later generations as Alice Nelson the lovelorn maid on the "Brady Bunch". Alice B Davis always played the gal who wanted a guy. Be it her boss or Sam the butcher. 
Ann B. Davis (87) was born in Schenectady, New York and was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. Retired and rolling in Brady Bunch money she sold her home in Los Angeles Davis joined an Episcopal church sect and lives with them now. 
Oh yeah, she is also one of a set of twins.

Octogenarian Jewel Thief

Doris Mae Paine has struck again! Ms Paine is a jewel thief and she is also 83 years old. Doris has had a long career as a thief and done time for her thefts. She was recently just nabbed again for attempting to steal a $22,000 ring from a Palm Desert, California jewelry store. Doris Mae just recently got out of the slammer after a 2 and 1/2 year stint for stealing an $8,000 ring from a San Diego department store. Doris say she has stole over 2 million bucks worth of gems in her lifetime. Her thefts have taken her to New York and Monte Carlo where she has pinched ice and lived off the precedes of her crimes. 
Doris is also the subject of a documentary "The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne". There is also talk of a biopic in the works in which Doris is played by Hallie Berry although Doris would rather see Queen Latifa in the role.

A Very Sad Good-bye to Lou Reed

Today is a sad day. Lou Reed has died. His voice was a voice of a generation that is slowly disappearing. He was the voice of the Factory and Warhol's whole set. His solo work after Velvet Underground was some of the most exhilarating rock music ever recorded. "Walk on the Wild Side" made the Warhol Superstars part of the American rock and roll lexicon. Holly from Miami Fla, Little Joe, Candy from out on the island, Sugarplum Fairy and Jackie will be remembered forever. Only Holly and Joe are left now. Thanks Lou!

Nude Rowing for a Cause

The boat club rowing team of England's Warwick University have once again gone nude. They've gone nude every year for the past four years and they've done it for a cause. This year their cause is the effort to stop homophobia. How does nudity and rowing fight homophobia you may ask yourself. They go nude and have a fun photo shoot that gets made into a calendar. So do you want to help a cause and get a cheap thrill? Go to their website and order yourself a calendar! http://www.warwickrowers.org/shop

Dr (?) Conrad Murray

Dr. Conrad Murray is due to be released from prison after serving part of his sentence in the Michael Jackson death case. Conrad Murray is requesting that he be allowed to practice medicine once he is released. Just who would say I want him for my doctor? Junkies perhaps but no sane sick person. His patients would not really be all that interested in a high level of care. They would be Michael Jacksons looking for a fix. Perhaps he could focus on the suicidal? Or he could be the physician you see when you want to bump off a rich and elderly relative. "Mother would want it this way."  Wouldn't you love to see his resume.

Orson Bean is Still Alive

You know how sometimes you think of someone out of the blue? That happened to me today and the person I thought of was Orson Bean. I wondered is he still alive and found out that yes indeed he is not dead. Good for you Orson Bean!
Bean grew up in Boston and studied there. His career started out in New York in the 1950's. He is mainly remembered from his game show appearances. He was a mainstay on "To Tell the Truth"as well as "Match Game".  He was also a regular character on Norman Lear's "Mary Hartman Mary Hartman" and later on "Fernwood 2nite"
Orson Bean is 85 years old and lives with his third wife in Los Angeles.

Judge Judy She Rocks and Rules

Happy 71st birthday to Judge Judy Sheinlin on October 21st. Judge Judy is a real judge with her own long running court show. Judy has attitude and has now problems telling an idiot he or she is an idiot. 
Born in Brooklyn Judy was educated at Washington College of Law and passed the New York State bar in 1965. She started her law career as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics firm but found it less than satisfying and left her job to raise her kids. She did go back into law as a prosecutor for the New York Family Court. Mayor Ed Koch liked her no-nonsense style and made her a criminal court judge where she was considered a tough judge.
In 1996 Judge Judy retired from the state courts and in that year she also started her syndicated court show. She has gone on to dole out verdicts and sage advise ever sense. When asked how long she would do the show she replied as long as she could.
Happy Birthday Judge Judy!   

Mother Douglas

Eleanor Audley is a name you might not know off the top of your heard but you would recognized her voice if you are a fan of Disney Animation. Her voice is the voice used for the character of Maleifcent in "Sleeping Beauty". Her face is also know as she worked a lot in the late 1950's and 1960's on situation comedies. Her most famous role was that of Eunice Douglas the mother of Oliver Wendell Douglas on Green Acres. She was also the voice a many a villainess on Saturday morning cartoon. Eleanor Audley Died in 1991 at the age of 86.

Semi back in Business

In the past several months I have had a myriad of computer problems. I am still working on them. As it stands right now I can not upload photos to the blog. This of course does not make me happy but i at least have some control over it! I will attempt to keep it rolling.

Musso & Frank

Established in 1919 Musso & Frank is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Located on Hollywood Blvd it has long been a prime spot for dinners and lunches in Hollywood. The restaurant is an old school bar and grill and serves up food that one's grandfather would find appealing. Heavy meals are their specialty. There are two room to Musso & Frank the old room and the "new" room. The new room was added on to the original in the 1920's when it was the center of Hollywood and film production. This was the hot spot to see and be seen for the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Otto Preminger and Cecil B. DeMille. The restaurant is still a hopping place to be seen. The waiters and staff have all worked there for years and know their regulars by first name. 

It's National Tequila Day

The day of the year alcoholics live for has finally arrived! It is National Tequila day! Tequila the distilled beverage made from the blue agave has its very own day. When a blue agave plant has reached its 12th year it can be harvested and made into tequila. Tequila like Champagne can only come from one place. True tequila must come from the city of Tequila in the Mexican state of Jalisco. So go off and have a shot with lime and salt or a frozen margarita just enjoy the day! 

Peter Falk Gets A Star

The Hollywood Walk of Fame will get a new star today, its 2,503rd and this one is a posthumous star. Today's star is dedicated to Peter Falk. Falk's star is located at 6654 Hollywood Blvd near Cherokee just steps from the Go-Go's star. Peter Falk best known for his portrayal of the LAPD detective Columbo.
Falk was born in New York in 1927 and started his career in 1956 in Broadway and off Braodway plays. Columbo started in 1968 as the made for TV movie "Prescription: Murder". The role had originally been offered to Bing Crosby who turned it down. Falk played the character of Columbo until 2003. Peter Falk died in 2011.

Chock Full o’Nuts is that Heavenly Coffee

You know the song so sing along!
Chock Full o’Nuts is that heavenly coffee,

Heavenly coffee, heavenly coffee.

Chock Full o’Nuts is that heavenly coffee,

Better coffee a millionaire’s money can’t buy.

The voice of that jingle died today. The singer's name was Page Morton Black.

Page Morton was a cabaret singer who funnily enough married the founder of Chock Full o' Nuts Coffee. The rest is jingle history!

Page Norton Black died at the age of 97 in New York. Not only a jingle queen Ms. Morton Black was a philanthropist. She started her career as a lounge singer in places like the Pierre, The Vanderbilt and The Sherry-Netherland not too shabby. To get some cabaret props she also performed in the West Village. This is where she met her husband. he was looking for a singer to sing his company's jingle.

Page Morton Black worked it!

Who Doen't Love a Bong Throwing Arsonist?

In the exciting new world of crazy celebrities Amanda Bynes has now entered the A-list. She has officially joined the ranks of your Lindsays, Brittneys, Hasslehoffs and your Latoyas. How did she go from kinda crazy to A-lister you may ask. Well today she was picked up for lighting a fire on the driveway of an elderly couple she does not know. Booked on the very fashionable charge of 5150 Ms. Bynes is now locked down in a chic psychiatric hospital. She apparently did not answer questions understandably when grilled by the LAPD.

The couple whose driveway she targeted live on a quiet street in Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley. Oddly this is the very area that America's newest firebug grew up in. The next question is what color wig does the 21st century's Frances Farmer wear to a competency hearing?

 

Los Angeles Loses Another Icon

On September 2, 1961 Jay Ward productions installed a large statue in front of their office on Sunset Blvd. The statue was of their animated stars Rocky and Bullwinkle. The statues stood on the property in front of their Sunset Blvd offices until this week when it was removed. Rocky and Bullwinkle were damaged and the current owners of the building were not able to flip the bill for the repairs to the 15 foot tall statue of the Moose and Squirrel. Dreamworks, who owns the rights to the Rocky and Bullwinkle characters now have the statue and plan to restore it. It is not know if it will return to its Sunset Blvd. home when repaired.

They Ran With The Flock Of Seagulls Stuff

The 1980's new wave hair band The Flock of Seagulls have been robbed! The English band on a tour of small cities in the US parked their 1990's white for van in the parking lot of a Comfort Inn in Downey a suburb of Los Angeles where it was pinched. They band went out to the parking lot in the morning after playing a show in nearby Bellflower to head to their next show in Woodland Hills in the San Fernando valley when they discovered their van was gone. In the van was $70,000 worth of equipment and the master tapes for an upcoming solo record by the bands lead singer Mike Score.
The theft was reported to the Downy police and Comfort Inn security tapes were looked at. On the tapes a car is seen pulling up by the van a man hopping out and then driving away in The Flock of Seagull's van.
The band was able to perform the next show in Woodland Hills with rented equipment. In the van was the bands equipment and stage clothing along with the tapes that Score had been working for the past 18 months with to release a solo record. The Flock of Seagulls had a huge hit in the 1980's with the song "I Ran".

She's Always on Call

Dr. Nancy Snyderman is the hardest working doctor around! The woman must be working 24 hours a day. Dr. Nancy is not only chief medical editor for NBC News and a frequent commentator on the Today Show and Nightly News she also has a private practice. Dr. Snyderman specializes in head and neck cancer.

The doctor was born in St. Louis Missouri and was raised in Indiana. Her undergraduate degree was in microbiology and she received her medical degree from University of Nebraska. Dr. Nancy started off her career in Little Rock Arkansas. It was in Little Rock she started doing television for the local ABC station. From there she moved to San Francisco practicing at University of California Medical Center. She also was back on the air waves with KPIX. From there Dr. Nancy went big time! She headed off to New York and NBC. Catch her anytime of the day or night discussing medicine she is always at work!

Was Disneyland a disaster?

It was 57 years ago today Disneyland opened its gate.  The opening day was considered a disaster. It was such a disaster Walt Disney and his cronies referred to it as “Black Sunday” for many years and on the books they claim it opened the next day. Imagine that Walt Disney lied!

The opening problems were many. There was a huge traffic jam, a gas leak, some malfunctioning rides and attractions all happening on an extremely hot Sunday afternoon.  Disneyland was a very costly venture and it took years for it to pay itself off.  So on July 17, 1955 Disney’s dream was not the happiest place on earth.

Damnit Maybe Moving Soon

I was notified yesterday by Google that I had done something that broke their rules. What it is I do not know and they won't tell me. I have had problems with them before so I am looking into moving Damnit to another blog spot like Wordpress or making it a "real" website. Until then I will continue to post here. When my mind gets made up I will make an announcement.

Sharknado!?

Let's play a game where you think up really stupid movie titles and then make up a plot. The winner of this game has to be the people who came up with Sharknado. Yes Sharknado is a real movie and it was on Syfy. To make it even better it stars Ian Ziering from Beverly Hills 90210! The shall we say plot is a storm in the pacific morphs into tornados and turns into water spouts that suck up and shoot great white sharks into the city of Los Angeles. The city of course floods and the sharks are able to terrorize the populous. Sounds plausible no? This was made by the same people that made Sharktopus. What will the come up with next perhaps Sharkquake?

A Curse is a Curse of Course of Course

What is the world coming to when you can't even trust your local psychic? Klarissa Castro from North Hollywood, California has sued psychic Jennifer Williams for fraud and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Castro claims she went to Westside Psychic Readings by Jana and was told during her initial reading that she was cursed and would need more sessions to lift the curse. Williams the psychic (aka Jana) told Castro she would need to buy some "special" candles. Castro spent over $4,000 on sessions with the psychic over two years. Castro also bought $1,400 worth of gift cards for Williams to buy items that would help lift the curse. The straw that broke the camel's back was when Castro paid $5,020 for a painting that would really help lift the curse. Well the curse lifting painting never was delivered and none of the promised changes in Castro's life happened. That's when Castro clued in that she'd been duped! Call in the lawyers because they are there to help you too.

Who Wants Another Reason to Hate Justin Bieber?

The one time cute boy turned weasel Justin Bieber has given the world another reason to find him repulsive. It has been reported by TMZ, and you know they are never wrong, that Miss Bieber was at a New York restaurant with some of his equally horrid friends and when leaving they decided to exit through the kitchen. It was here in the kitchen that Justin decided he needed to pee. The next thing you know he is whipping out his little junk and starts urinating into a mop bucket used to wash the restaurant floors. So now some poor kitchen worker has to empty his urine from the bucket. Wild Boyz! as they call themselves have proven themselves to be boys in need of a spanking.

Idiot of the Week

Arrogance gets you no where and this was proved once again by idiot and fugitive Wanda Lee Ann Podgurski. Wanda Lee Ann was convicted in absentia for the charge of insurance fraud. Good old Wanda Lee Ann was sentence to 20 years but was on the lam and tweeted on her twitter account. "Catch me if you can!" Well you guess it the new face of arrogance was caught! She was nabbed in Rosarita, Mexico and now faces yet an additional 30 years in prison. As she is already 60 she will be enjoying her golden years in the slammer. Wanda Lee Ann you are no Leonardo DiCaprio and even he was captured.

Black Sabbitch

This weekend I was able to see a band I have been wanting to see for a while. The band I finally saw and became of fan of is Black Sabbitch. Yup they are an all woman Black Sabbath cover, or is it tribute, band. Frankly if Black Sabbath played as well as Black Sabbitch I may have liked Black Sabbath more. Yeah yeah yeah I just insulted Black Sabbath but they were never one of my favorite bands sorry. I don't hate Black Sabbath but normally after about 4 Black Sabbath songs I'm done. Not so with Black Sabbitch. I loved the whole set.
The band is made up of Blair N. Bitch on guitar, Melanie Makaiwi, bass,  Angie Scarpa on drums and Bloody Mary Powers on vocals. These women all rock. As the band is an LA based band I really hope that someone has told Ozzie about these broads! Why isn't Sharon producing them? If Black Sabbath and Black Sabbitch were in a bar fight I think I put my money Black Sabbitch as winner.
Do yourself a favor if they are playing near you GO SEE THEM! There are a few videos on YouTube but so far they are better live. I can however recommend the "War Pigs" live at LA's El Cid available on their website.  

The Off Sunset Festival

Sunday July 7th was the first Off Sunset Festival in the Silverlake neighborhood Los Angeles. The festival took place on Santa Monica Blvd just off of Sunset Blvd. running for two blocks. The festival consisted of booths of local businesses and organizations running down both sides of Santa Monica with a DJ stage at one end and a music stage at the other. The attendees were an interesting mix of punk rockers and the gay S&M scene.  These crowds co-exist as there are a lot of similarities. Black leather seems to be the great equalizer.
The S&M crowd tended to stay nearer the DJ stage that was set up outside of the Eagle a local leather bar. The music stage was attended by mainly the punk rock crowd. I spent the majority of my time at the music stage as I was friends with members of a couple of the bands. The line up for this Los Angeles event had a distinct San Francisco flavor. Four of the six bands are based in San Francisco or formed there.

The line up started with LA based Black Sabbitch an woman Black Sabbath cover band. They were so rocking that if Black Sabbath played as well as Black Sabbitch I may have liked them more. Next up was San Francisco's Hunx and his Punx. They have a sort goofy surf-y, campy sound. My favorite song of the set was the super short "Don't Call me Fabulous".

The next band was the legendary San Francisco all punk rock woman band Frightwig. Frightwig has been on a hiatus but are back at work playing shows and recording new music. The next up was Prima Donna an LA based band. Prima Donna had the most stag antics of all of the bands and are a lot of fun to watch. Next was queercore sweethearts Pansy Division. Fast and funny Pansy Division are always fun to see and never disappoint. The Headliners of the show was Imperial Teen. Imperial Teen reformed after a shorty hiatus and are releasing new material. The show consisted of new songs and their past hits.

Being a show that was sponsored by among others The Eagle and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Frightwig in a nod to the sponsors had to jock strap and harness wearing Go Go boys shaking it during their set. The crowd all enjoyed the show and this was a tough crowd. There were a lot of very well known punk names in the audience.
This was the fist Off Sunset Festival and it hopefully won't be the last. If they are able to produce it again next year it would be smart to hire another great line up of bands like they did this festival.

He Was Alfalfa

Carl Switzer was the actor best known for playing Alfalfa in the Our Gang series in the 1930's. Switzer was born in Illinois and when on a family vacation in Los Angeles Carl and his brother Harold were discovered by Hal Roach while they were performing at the Our Gang Café across the street from the Hal Roach studios. Both brothers were signed to contracts and went to work immediately in the Our Gang shorts. Harold eventually was used a mainly an extra but Carl was cast as Alfalfa the kid with the cowlick and off key singing voice.
During the run of the series Carl Switzer was his families main source of income. He was also the most troublesome of the Our Gang kids. Switzer was often the cause of trouble on the set and was considered a mean kid by many of the other cast members and despised by the crew. In 1938 MGM bought the series from Hal Roach and production was moved to the MGM lot. The series focus became much more centered on the Alfalfa character for the next two years. Switzer left the series in 1940 when he was 12 years old. His career never really took hold after this time he played mainly bit parts in B movies. He did have some small roles in bigger films but he never achieved the status he once had as a child.
In the early 1950's Switzer appeared on television in guest star roles and supplemented his income with raising and training hunting dogs as well as bartending. In 1954 he was set up on a blind date with a woman named Dian Collingwood the heiress from Kansas. They were married three months later in Las Vegas. They were running low on money as Switzer's family had used up most of his earnings from Our Gang. He and his wife had a child (Justin) and little to no income so they accepted the gift of a farm in Kansas. Switzer tried to be a farmer but wasn't cut out for it and the marriage suffered. He and his wife were divorced in 1957. Switzer then moved back to Los Angeles and was more actively involved in the breeding of hunting dogs.
In the late 50's Switzer had a couple of problems with the law. He was arrested in the Sequoia National Forrest in December of 1958 for cutting down pine trees. One of his hunting dog clients Bud Stilz, lost his dog on a hunting trip and Switzer set about finding the dog offering a $50 reward for the return of the dog. Several days later a man contacted Switzer and agreed to come to the bar in Studio City where Switzer was working at the time. Several days later on January 12,1959 Switzer and a friend were drinking and decided that Stilz "owed" Switzer the $50. They drove to the house where Stilz was living in Mission Hills and pounded on the door demanding the money. A fight ensued and Stilz pulled out a revolver. Switzer then pulled out a switchblade and lunged at Stilz who shot him. Carl Switzer was shot in the groin and bled to death on the way to the hospital. He was 31 years old.