Thursday, September 22, 2005

This time saying "uncle" wins...

But only if you spell it U.N.C.L.E. as in "The Man From..." The popularity of James Bond created this take-off of Agent 007 and his exploits on September 22, 1964...

Superagents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) were expertly teamed to fight the international crime syndicate THRUSH. The United Network Command for Law and Enforcement (for those who have forgotten or never knew what U.N.C.L.E. stood for) had secret American headquarters in New York City. Mr. Alexander Waverly who ran the office was played by Leo G. Carroll...

Week after week we saw Solo and Kuryakin spend most of each episode saving the world from THRUSH and liked it so much we helped push the show as high as #13, its highest rating position achieved, in the '65-'66 TV season...

"The Man From U.N.C.L.E." would run 4 years, ending on January 15, 1968. The show that replaced it would become one of the biggest hits of the late 60s. I'll name that show in my commentary...

More September 22 Memories...

1957) "Maverick" starring James Garner debuts on ABC-TV...

1961) JFK establishes the Peace Corps...

1962) Bob Dylan makes his first appearance at Carnegie Hall...

1962) The Springfields (featuring Dusty Springfield) become the 1st British group to reach the top 20 when "Silver Threads & Golden Needles" hits #20...

1964) "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." debuts on NBC-TV (feature story)...

1965) The Supremes record "I Hear A Symphony"...

1966) "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby" is released by the Rolling Stones...

1967) The Beatles appear on the cover of Time Magazine...

1967) The Box Tops top the charts with "The Letter"...

1969) The Giants' Willie Mays becomes the second player, behind Babe Ruth, to hit his 600th home run ( Hank Aaron will eventually pass both)...

1975) "I'm Sorry" tops the charts for John Denver...

1975) Sara Jane Moore fails in an attempt to shoot President Ford outside a San Francisco hotel (it's the second attempt on Ford's life)...

1983) After 10 years apart, the Everly Brothers reunite in London's Royal Albert Hall...

1985) The first Farm-Aid concert, inspired by John Cougar Mellencamp raises $10 million for U.S. farmers...

1987) The second regular season NFL player strike begins (it's the second strike in 5 years)...

1989) Songwriter Irving Berlin dies at the age of 101...

1995) Time Warner strikes a $7.5 billion deal to buy Turner Broadcasting System, Inc...

1997) Elton John releases his Diana tribute, "Candle In The Wind 1997"...

1999) Actor George C. Scott plays his last scene at 71...

2001) Violinist Isaac Stern plays his last note at 81...

Happy Birthday to...

1927) Tommy Lasorda...

1956) Debby Boone...

1960) Joan Jett...

1962) Scott Baio...

Commentary...

Although "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was a hit show, it was replaced with an even bigger show on January 22, 1968. That show would reach #1 in the '69-'70 TV season. What was that show ? It was "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" which debuted in the same 8pm to 9pm Monday night time slot one week after "U.N.C.L.E." departed...

There was one spin-off of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." lasting only one season from 1966 to 1967 and it was called "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.". That show starred Stephanie Powers and Noel Harrison. Leo G. Carroll was also cast on the spin-off as Alexander Waverly...

Could it be that the spin-off would've worked with a different title ? How about something more creative like "The Girl From A.U.N.T." ? Hey, you never know...

If at first you don't succeed then skydiving definitely is not for you...