Friday, September 28, 2007

Friday-Sunday, September 28-30, 2007

Watching history in the making in New York...

This is a story that transcends sports. You don't have to be a sports fan to understand these numbers: 4, 10, 7, 17. You don't have to be a sports fan to understand that the New York Mets have a chance to make baseball history should they fail to make the postseason when this weekend ends. The national media has made New York the sports capital of the world, swooping in and circling Shea Stadium like vultures. Now for the numbers:

  • 4) The number of games the Mets have won in their last 14 games...
  • 10) The number of games the Mets have lost over those 14 games...
  • 7) The number of games the Mets led the National League East on September 12...
  • 17) The number of games remaining when the Mets were in first place by 7 games on September 12...

There have been worse losing streaks in September but no team in history has ever failed to finish first after being ahead by 7 or more games with 17 remaining in a season. There's your history lesson. Should history be made at Shea Stadium when the regular season ends Sunday afternoon, these 2007 New York Mets will join the '78 Red Sox, '64 Phillies and '51 Dodgers in the baseball hall of shame for blown leads in a pennant stretch...

Only one thing is for certain - this nightmare will be over, one way or another, come 4:30 Sunday afternoon...

10 Timeline Memories for September 28:

  1. 1892] Lights, Action: According to the good people of Pennsylvania, the first nighttime football game in America, using electric lights, is played between the Mansfield State Normal School and the Wyoming (PA) Seminary...
  2. 1920] Dirty Sox?: Eight members of the Chicago White Sox are indicted in the "Black Sox" scandal. All eight are accused of throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. They will be acquitted in 1921...
  3. 1941] Teddy Ballgame: Ted Williams goes 6 for 6 in a doubleheader and finishes with a .406 batting average (no one has done it since). Ten years later, same date in 1951, Williams hits a home run in his last at-bat...
  4. 1951] Oh-no twice: The Yankees' Allie Reynolds pitches his 2nd no-hitter of the season, beating the Red Sox. Yogi Berra gets a second chance to catch a foul pop-up after muffing one. This time he catches it ending the game and saving the no-hitter...
  5. 1955] In living color: The World Series is televised in color for the first time. I remember watching it in a store window on 13th Avenue, Borough Park, Brooklyn. I was not happy seeing the Dodgers win however. Here are some highlights of that WS including the catch made by Sandy Amoros: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb1zY7CQzvM ...
  6. 1960] Curtains: "The Millionaire" runs its last episode as John Beresford Tipton goes broke after 5 seasons...1968] Janis Joplin leaves Big Brother and the Holding Company to go solo...
  7. 1961] Doctor my eyes: Richard Chamberlain starts making house calls as "Dr. Kildare" (Just 4 days later "Ben Casey" debuts). Here's a scene from "Dr. Kildare" from the early 60s. The actress is Yvette Mimeaux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYBen5iQgz8 ...
  8. 1976] Rubberband Man: Muhammad Ali wins the rubber-match against Ken Norton in 15 rounds to win back the heavyweight title at Yankee Stadium...
  9. 1989] "Happy Trails": 1989] Ferdinand Marcos, deposed Philippine president dies in exile in Hawaii of kidney, heart and lung failure. Marcos was 72...1991] Jazz great Miles Davis dies of a stroke at 65...2000] Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau dies of Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer at 80...2003] Tennis champion Althea Gibson dies at 76 from respiratory failure...2004] Legendary disc jockey Scott Muni, dies at 74 after suffering a stroke earlier in the year...
  10. 1991] Things go better with coke?: Former mayor of the District of Columbia, Marion Barry is sentenced to 6 months in prison for possession of crack cocaine...

Music Memories:

  • 1957] Number One on this date: "Honeycomb" - Jimmie Rodgers...
  • 1958] Released on this date: "To Know Him Is To Love Him" - Teddy Bears (18-year old Spector, seen on the right playing guitar and singing the bass part, used his father's headstone inscription as the title of the song): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCnUsInBQws ...

Commentary...

As the regular baseball season winds to a close this weekend, there is a saving grace whether or not the Mets make the playoffs, the Red Sox win their division or however your favorite team finishes and that's the finality of it all. If they fail, your misery is over. If they make the playoffs, realize this: there is no correlation between a team's record in September and their performance in the playoffs. Teams have had miserable final months yet have turned it around in the playoffs. The latest example? Last year's St. Louis Cardinals who after a mediocre season, stumbled to the finish line but went on to win the World Series. Have faith. It happens...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Hilary Duff (20), Naomi Watts (39), Mira Sorvino (40), Janeane Garofalo (43), Ben E. King (69), Brigitte Bardot (73), Arnold Stang (82) and William Windom (84)...

Timeline Countdown for September 28: 5 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 26 days before the World Series begins...

Saturday-Sunday, September 29-30...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1947] Brought to you by: The World Series is televised for the first time with sponsors paying a 'hefty' $65,000 for the entire Yankees-Dodgers series (9/30)...
  2. 1953] Premiered on this date (9/29): "Make Room For Daddy" starring Danny Thomas for the first of 18 seasons and here's a scene featuring Danny and Dean Martin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzOyoDrLKqA ...1960] "My Three Sons" starring Fred MacMurray (runs 12 seasons)...1963] "My Favorite Martian" starring Ray Walston (3 years)...1971] "McMillan and Wife" starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James (6 years)...1985] "MacGyver" (7 years)...1986] "Designing Women" (7 seasons) and 1987] "Thirtysomething" (4 years)...Premiered on this date (9/30): 1950] "Grand Ole Opry" is televised for the first time...1951] "The Red Skelton Show" (20 seasons)...1960] "The Flintstones" (the first primetime animated show runs 6 seasons and in syndication forever. Here's the show's open): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Oj1Yx80uc... 1965] Donovan makes his debut on "Shindig!" which lasts for 2 seasons... 1982] "Cheers" begins an 11-year run...
  3. 1954] The Catch: Willie Mays makes what's considered by many as the greatest catch of all-time against Cleveland's Vic Wertz in game one of the World Series. The Giants will go on to sweep the heavily favored Indians in 4 games and here's the catch (9/29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dK6zPbkFnE ...1957] Same date in 1957, the Giants play their last game in New York, losing 9-1 in front of 11,606 (9/29)...
  4. 1955] Hollywood tragedy: 24-year old Hollywood star James Dean is killed in a two-car collision while racing near Cholame (CA) (9/30) Here's a tribute to the life of James Dean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21bqgY5HLPw ...
  5. 1960] Clarabelle speaks: The "Howdy Doody Show" ends with the mute Clarabelle, played by Bob Keeshan, future 'Captain Kangaroo" speaking for the first time. Clarabelle simply says "Goodbye Kids" (9/30)...
  6. 1974] John and the Professor: John Lennon sits in as guest disc jockey with Scott Muni on WNEW-FM (9/29)...
  7. 1976] Musical managers: Tommy Lasorda replaces Walter Alston as Dodgers manager. Alston was manager for 22 years and Lasorda rings up 20. George Steinbrenner kvells with admiration (9/29)...
  8. 1978] Smoke at the Vatican: After serving barely over one month, Pope John Paul I is found dead of a heart attack. There are those who believe the pontiff may have been poisoned. The Pope was 66 (9/29)...
  9. 1982] Super Strength: Seven people die in Chicago after taking extra-strength Tylenol that had been laced with cyanide (9/29)...
  10. 1985] Curtains: Howard Stern is fired by WNBC after 3 years on the air. Stern resurfaces at WXRK (9/30)...

Music Memories:

  • (9/29) Released on this date: 1967] "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" - Gladys Knight & the Pips...
  • (9/29) Number One on this date: 1977] "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" - Meco...
  • (9/29) Gold Standard: 1969] "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" - Jackie DeShannon. This video provides a scenic backdrop for some terrific audio of the single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMDghG_Jrdw ...
  • (9/30) Number One on this date: 1971] "Maggie May" - Rod Stewart. This video clip shows Rod with the Faces from the 70s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xikQ0c5KdZE ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(9/29) Jill ("Love Boat") Whelan (41), Andrew "Dice" Clay (49), Bryant Gumble (59), Jerry Lee Lewis (72), Anita Ekberg (76) and Lizabeth Scott (85)...

(9/30) Martina Hingis (27), Jenna Elfman (36), Crystal Bernard (46), Fran Drescher (50), Barry ("Brady Bunch") Williams (53), Deborah Allen (54), Marilyn McCoo (64), Len Cariou (68), Johnny Mathis (72), Cissy Houston (74), Johnny Padres (75), Angie Dickinson (76), Elie Wiesel (79), Robin Roberts (81) and Deborah Kerr (86)...

Timeline Countdown for September 30: 3 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 24 days until the World Series begins...

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Nielsen is on to something that will set a good precedent...

When I first saw this press release I thought - wait a second, this is cheating, you can't do that. My paranoia set in during the "misinterpretation of the rules" statement made in the 'spygate' case by my teams' coach. I'm leery of everyone now. Here's the deal: Nielsen Media Research will measure the audience watching NBC-TV's "Heroes" for the second time (in rerun) this Saturday night. Huh? The only condition being that NBC run the same commercial it ran during the shows' season debut on Monday night. And exactly why would the other networks allow this to happen? Because Nielsen's clients, which would include a network or two I would imagine, agreed to it in the summer, that's why...

There won't be any rating given for the rerun but the unduplicated viewers (but what's to prevent a previous viewer from watching it again?) will be added to what undoubtedly will be a high number for Monday. So NBC will be able to throw out a low-rated hour from, oh let's say "Life" or one of their new shows from its average week. If you don't agree with this new rule, not to worry because it probably won't happen again this season. It's kind of like, the earth ("Heroes") aligning with Mars (same commercial) exactly the same, twice in one week...

The rule change was made because of the changing landscape of television viewing and is done at times in syndication. It's inevitable that total viewing (or listening) accuracy will never be achieved but we can come as close as a random sampling will allow. There's only one answer for that: Find out what (viewers) (listeners) are (watching) (listening to) right now...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1894] It's pony time: Aqueduct Race Track opens in Ozone Park, Queens, giving the New York metro area its first race track...
  2. 1954] Tonight, tonight: Steve Allen becomes the 1st host of the new "Tonight Show"...2004] NBC-TV tells Conan O'Brien he will become the new host of the "Tonight Show", replacing Jay Leno in 2009...Conan gives us a history of the show in this great video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-umKXS0Am3s ...
  3. 1964] Warren wrap: The Warren Commission issues a report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Questions remain...
  4. 1972] Dropping the puck: The 1st hockey game is played at the brand new Nassau Coliseum. In a pre-season affair, the Rangers beat the Islanders 6-4...
  5. 1973] Special K: With a strikeout of Minnesota's Rich Reese, Nolan Ryan breaks the Sandy Koufax record for K's in a season with his 383rd...
  6. 1973] What's your name?: Carlos Santana, a disciple of Sri Chinmoy, changes his name to Devadip, begging the question, was it Devadip Santana or Santana Devadip??? Hare Krishna...
  7. 1983] Real Celtic green: Larry Bird becomes the highest paid Boston Celtic player in history, signing a 7-year contract for $15 million. They would give him the franchise today...
  8. 1996] Ptooey: Orioles All-Star second-baseman Roberto Alomar spits on umpire John Hirschbeck during an argument. The two will become friends eventually after Alomar apologizes...
  9. 1998] Tainted record: Mark McGwire of the Cardinals sets the all-time home run record for a season when he hits numbers 69 and 70. That was not Tang he started his day with...
  10. 2004] Spector charged: Phil Spector is charged with murder in the shooting death of Lana Clarkson at his mansion in 2003. For more on yesterday's hung jury, see my Commentary...

Music Memories:

  • 1963] Number One on this date: "Blue Velvet" - Bobby Vinton...1973] "We're An American Band" - Grand Funk. This is a terrific live version of the tune: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_RGnNWmsWIs ...1984] "Let's Go Crazy" - Prince...
  • 1964] Premiered on this date: The Beach Boys make their 1st appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" singing "I Get Around". This is from Britain's "Ready, Steady, Go!" in 1964: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCYouoLKxjo ...

Commentary...

When the jury came to the judge deadlocked at 7-5, there appeared to be a chance for a verdict in the Phil Spector murder trial but yesterday they were hopelessly deadlocked at 10-2 in favor of conviction. The judge did the only thing he could and declared a mistrial. If you think this is all over, think again. Prosecutors said they will seek a retrial of Spector at a hearing to be held October 3...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Avril Lavigne (23), Gwyneth Paltrow (35) Here's Gwyneth and Huey Lewis with their great version of Smokey's "Cruisin'": http://youtube.com/watch?v=XAuokuvaZ0s , Meatloaf a.k.a. Marvin Lee Aday (60), Randy Bachman (64), Don Cornelius (71), Wilford Brimley (73), Jayne Meadows (87), Johnny Pesky (88) and Zach a.k.a. Zacherle a.k.a. John Zacherley (89)...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 27 days until the World Series opener...




Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly of the Month...

The Good

No news about an athlete made me feel better this month than the report that injured Buffalo Bill, Kevin Everett, might one day walk. Kevin suffered a devastating injury on the field in the Bills first game of the season. According to a medical report yesterday, Everett lifted his arm for the first time over the weekend, one day after sitting up in bed for four hours. The initial prognosis was bleak but has improved considerably. Doctors said they can't be sure of a complete recovery but there is now hope. This earlier video clip reported improvement in his condition and shows the helmet-to-helmet blow that caused the injury: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9nNx8s94o . The 'Good Award of The Month' winner is: Kevin Everett...

The Bad

Candidates include: Cyclist Floyd Landis (doping proved), Bill Belichick (spygate) and Rick Ankiel/Troy Glaus/Jay Gibbons (latest baseball poster boys for steroids). But the nod goes to O.J. Simpson for his failed break-in attempt to steal back his memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room. And let's not forget that he was accompanied by armed goons. Our 'Bad Award of The Month' goes to a person who doesn't ever want us to forget him: O.J. Simpson. Here's the video coverage of the break-in as reported by Celeb TV: http://youtube.com/watch?v=StR3oXEP5oM ...

The Ugly

FYI: Michael Vick is not included here because he was a winner in August. Right now, Vick is the leading candidate for 'Ugly Award of The Year'. Candidates for September include: Isiah Thomas (sexual harassment case against him which is turning ugly) and Mike Tyson (another athlete who like O.J. doesn't want us to forget him) for drug use and another DUI but neither of them is the winner. That distinction goes to Ray Boudreaux. Who? Ray Boudreaux is the Tulane running back who was arrested on five counts of attempted murder that left five wounded victims in a Bourbon Street stabbing. Boudreaux is claiming self-defense. Our 'Ugly Award Winner of The Month': Ray Boudreaux...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1914] The feds to the rescue: The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is established. Like you, I don't know what they do either...
  2. 1955] Wedding Bells: Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher walk down the aisle and then go on an "Aba Dabba Honeymoon". After 4 years Eddie Fisher calls out for help, singing "Oh Mein Papa"...
  3. 1957] Premiered on this date: "West Side Story" at the Winter Garden Theater (for 732 performances)...1962] "Beverly Hillbillies" which will air for 9 seasons...1964] "Gilligan's Island" for 3 seasons and then re-runs forever...1968] "Hawaii Five-O" which says 'Aloha' after its 12th season...1969] "The Brady Bunch" which lasts 5 seasons...1969] The Fillmore West opens in San Francisco...1975] "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf premieres. Here's my favorite song from the movie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=zdu7xoHU9DA ...1995] JFK Jr.'s "George" magazine is born...
  4. 1960] Debate? What debate?: The first of four nationally televised debates between presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon is held. Guess who won???
  5. 1965] Good Knight: The Beatles are decorated with the Order of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. They are four of the 372 members of the order...1969] Same date, 4 years later: The "Abbey Road" LP is released. From the LP, "Here Comes The Sun": http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuUhZxkr194 ..
  6. 1985] Shamooooo: Shamu is the first Orca whale born at Sea World (Orlando). Shamu becomes the first killer whale to survive being born in captivity. There have been several since including Candu, Cantdu and Wontdu...
  7. 1986] Here come de judge: William H. Rehnquist is sworn in as the 16th justice of the Supreme Court. Antonin Scalia is sworn in as an associate judge...
  8. 1986] Waking the dead: The episode of "Dallas" featuring Bobby Ewing a.k.a. Patrick Duffy returning from the dead airs...
  9. 1991] Bubble people: Four men and four women begin a 2-year stay inside the Biosphere II. The project is intended to develop technology for future space colonies. Two years later, to the date, they leave the bubble...
  10. 2001] Guilty as charged: Richard Allen Davis, the killer of 12-year old Polly Klaas is sentenced to death in San Jose (CA)...

Music Memories:

  • 1964] Released on this date: "You Really Got Me" - Kinks...1979] "I Fought The Law" - The Clash (here's the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ae_Gv8KoiZA ...1984] "Purple Rain" - Prince...
  • 1966] Number One on this date: "Cherish" - Association...

Commentary...

In response to yesterday's feature about the XO laptop, Harvey Mednick adds: "Saw the XO promo in the Times and forwarded it to our Pastor (we support an orphanage in Kenya). It's a great church activity as well as TalkRadio promotion. Hopefully stations will get all over it after reading your blog." Thanks Harv. I would think it's a great promotion for all formats of radio. I hope the mention helps...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Serena Williams (26), Jillian Barberie (41), Melissa Sue Anderson (45), Carlene Carter (52), WFAN's Joe Benigno (54), Olivia Newton-John (59), Lynn Anderson (60), Christie Todd Whitman (61) and Jack LaLanne (93)...

Timeline Countdown: 7 days until the MLB playoff openers and 28 days until the first game of the World Series...

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The "XO" - give one, get one...

In one of the best feel-good stories of the year, Quanta Computer, Inc. of Cambridge (MA) has designed a low-cost laptop which will introduce computers to children around the world. The XO is a small green and white low-power computer which sells for $188. The laptop, designed for children, has built-in wireless networking, uses very little power and can be recharged by hand with a pulley or a crank. The display has separate indoor and outdoor settings and can be read in full sunlight. About the only drawback is that it doesn't use Windows but the manufacturer is hopeful that one day it will...

From November 12 to November 26, Quanta is offering a "give one, get one" sale of the XO for $400 each, available in the U.S. and Canada only. They will begin mass production next month and although they have fewer than 3 million initial orders, they're hoping that this deal spurs many millions more. It's Quanta's hope that their "One laptop Per Child" campaign results in thousands of donated laptops that will trigger demand in countries that have been hesitant to join the program...

If the U.N. really wants to accomplish something useful world-wide, instead of backing off about 99% of the disputes in the world and creating massive gridlock every time they meet here, how about buying computers for children all over the world. Make it part of UNICEF. The world would applaud you. Then when you've done that, find another city to call home...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1962] A Sonny forecast: Sonny Liston KO's Floyd Patterson in the 1st round to win the heavyweight championship...
  2. 1965] Premiered on this date: The half-hour Saturday morning cartoon, "The Beatles" debuts on ABC-TV and lasts until September, 1969...1979] "Evita" opens on Broadway. It's the 3rd collaboration of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber...1997] The season premiere of "ER" is a live presentation...
  3. 1965] "Say Hey" has his day: At the age of 34, Willie Mays becomes the oldest player to hit 50 home runs in a season...1973] "Willie Mays Night" draws a sold-out Shea Stadium crowd. Willie does not play in the game but the Mets win it for him, 2-1 over Montreal. Willie in his own words: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0zXvKwnCx6w ...
  4. 1980] "Happy Trails": Led Zeppelin drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham who dies of excessive alcohol consumption at 32...2003] Author George Plimpton dies of natural causes at 76...
  5. 1990] Naming Rights: Little Richard Boulevard is named for the star in Macon (GA)...
  6. 1992] D-I-V-O-R-C-E: A judge in Orlando (FL) rules in favor of Gregory Kingsley, a 12-year old seeking a divorce from his biological parents...
  7. 1995] Independence Day: Ross Perot announces the formation of the Independence Party...
  8. 1997] Biting mad: NBC sportscaster Marv Albert pleads guilty to assault and battery of his lover. He is fired by NBC hours later...
  9. 2001] An MJ sighting: Michael Jordan announces his return to basketball as a player for the Washington Wizards. MJ became president of operations in January, 2000...
  10. 2006] Super again: The Superdome reopens for football and the hometown Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-3...

Music Memories:

  • 1954] Live from the Grand Ole Opry: Elvis Presley appears singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky" - this is not that performance but it is audio of Elvis doing the Bill Monroe song over a scenic video backdrop: http://youtube.com/watch?v=upxstc776V0 ...
  • 1971] Released on this date: "Peace Train" - Cat Stevens...1979] "The Long Run" LP - Eagles. The title tune: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UKOTAiPxSAU ...
  • 1975] Jackie Wilson tragedy: Jackie Wilson collapses on stage while singing "Lonely Teardrops" in Cherry Hill (NJ). 41 at the time, Wilson suffers a heart attack resulting in brain damage. He dies in 1984 after spending the rest of his life in a coma. Here's a tribute to the legendary performer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=E1VG0iJPbOA ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Catherine Zeta-Jones (38), Will Smith (39), Heather Locklear (46), Mark Hamill (56), Cheryl Tiegs (60), Michael Douglas (63) and Barbara Walters (78)...

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until the MLB playoff opener and 29 days until the World Series opener...

Monday, September 24, 2007

Monday, September 24, 2007

The growth of Internet Radio...

The Sunday New York Times had an interesting story about the operator of an Internet radio station who's trying to stay afloat despite rising music copyright costs. The Times quoted Bridge Ratings statistics showing total Internet radio listening in America at 55 million as opposed to 279 million who listen to terrestrial (free) radio. Internet radio listening has gone up 26% in the past year. A lot of that listening is done on-the-job where terrestrial radio reception is often inferior. Of course Yahoo and AOL lead the way with portals featuring videos, music news and zillions of song choices. Thrown into that mix of choices is NPR, college, commercial and satellite radio. In addition to all those choices we now have a new breed of broadcasters who are manning their own Internet radio stations and they're starting to make a dent...

Anyone can start broadcasting music online (Ken "Spider" Webb, a veteran R&B personality from New York was the first person I knew of that started his own station years ago). Under a deal in effect since 2003 Webcasters with annual revenues under $1.25 million, pay 10% of their revenues or 7% of expenses to satisfy copyright laws. The big guys like Yahoo and AOL have to pay per song. In March the Copyright Royalty Board, a federal panel (exactly who are these people?) issued a ruling allowing SoundExchange, an organization that collects 90% of the royalties for songwriters, to charge all Webcasters on a per-song basis and raise the cost of playing a song from $.0008 to $.0019 by 2010, making royalty payments undoable for most broadcasters. In August, they backed down...

On August 21, SoundExchange offered to extend much of the current rate structure until 2010, thanks to tons of opposition generated by protests and the help of a handful of lawmakers. How wide spread this movement of new Internet radio stations can grow (right now they number in the thousands) will depend a great deal on how much the copyright rates rise in 2010. I'm in no way an advocate of some person starting his or her own radio station with a handful of their favorite records but it does create still another choice for consumers, doesn't it???

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1957] Last exit from Brooklyn: The Dodgers play their last game in Brooklyn at Ebbets Field in front of 6,702 fans. They beat the Pirates 2-0 with Gil Hodges driving in the final run in Brooklyn...
  2. 1961] Curtains: "I Love Lucy" bows out after a run of 10 years. One of the classic scenes from the show is "Vitameatavegamin": http://youtube.com/watch?v=KzgVvAy-6ms ...
  3. 1961] Premiered on this date: "The Bullwinkle Show", originally known as "Rocky and His Friends" in an afternoon slot, the primetime run lasts 3 years with reruns until 1973...1964] "The Munsters", CBS-TV's answer to "The Addams Family" runs first-run for 2 years and then in syndication...1968] "60 Minutes" begins ticking...1968] "Mod Squad" on ABC-TV until 1973...1977] "The Love Boat" sets sail on ABC-TV and won't dock until 1986...
  4. 1969] Behind the 8-ball: A trial begins for the "Chicago Eight", accused of inciting riots at the 1968 Democrats national convention in Chicago...
  5. 1969] The Mets shock baseball: The New York Mets beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles to win their first World Series. Here's the final out captured on this video clip. Curt Gowdy does the play-by-play: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DgY_YZTiV9U...
  6. 1972] Broadway Joe beats Baltimore: Jets QB Joe Namath passes for 6 touchdowns in the Jets 44-34 win over the Colts...
  7. 1976] Guilty as charged: Patricia Hearst is sentenced to 7 years in prison for her role in a 1974 bank robbery. She serves 22 months before Jimmy Carter sets her free on a clemency order...1988] After shooting it out with a Georgia state trooper, James Brown is arrested...
  8. 1991] "Happy Trails": Dr. Seuss a.k.a. Theodor Seuss Geisel dies of natural causes at 87...
  9. 1996] No Nukes: Bill Clinton and other major nuclear powers sign a treaty to end all testing and development of nuclear weapons...
  10. 2005] Not lovely: Hurricane Rita strikes eastern Texas and the Louisiana coast, causing more flooding in New Orleans...

Music Memories:

  • 1977] Released on this date: "Come Sail Away" - Styx: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BARLfUmyBJA ... 1982] "1999" - Prince...
  • 1994] Live from New York...It's Saturday Night: Eric Clapton kicks off the 1994 season...

Commentary...

We lost two entertainers over the weekend who made millions laugh with the passing of the legendary mime, Marcel Marceau and the veteran actress, Alice Ghostley. Marceau who could make you laugh or cry without a spoken word was 84 when he passed away in his native France...The Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ghostley, star sidekick on "Bewitched" and "Designing Women" was the victim of cancer at 83. "Happy Trails" to both...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nia Vardalos (45), Joseph Kennedy II (55), Football Hall of Famer, Mean Joe Greene (61), Lou Dobbs (62), Gerry Marsden (65), Angels' Barbara and Phyliss "Jiggs" Allbut (65), Sheila MacRae (83) and Jim McKay (86)...

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until the MLB playoffs and 30 days until the opener of the World Series...

Friday, September 21, 2007

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23, 2007

A Tufts physicist studies steroids...

The American Journal of Physics will soon issue results of a study on steroids made by Tufts University physicist Roger Tobin. To the best of my knowledge this is the first report showing actual percentages of physical advantages in steroid use...

According to Tobin, calculations show that by putting on 10% more muscle mass, a batter can swing about 5% faster, increasing the ball's speed by 4% as it leaves the bat. "A 4% increase in ball speed can reasonably be expected from steroid use and can increase home run production by anywhere from 50% to 100%" says Tobin. I'm guessing that it's closer to 50% than 100%. A 100% increase would produce home runs traveling 700 feet or more, I would think. Anyway, Tobin adds "an extra 10 pounds of muscle could add just enough extra to a batters swing to send the ball out of the park"...

Tobin did not do a study on Barry Bonds but believes that the number of home runs coincides with the dawn of the "steroid era" during the mid-90s and that the surge quickly dropped to more average numbers in 2003 when Major League Baseball instituted steroid testing...

You might be interested in reading the full report when it's published, I know I am. One thing that stands out to me is that I can understand hitters wanting an advantage but why in the world would pitchers? If a ball comes off the bat 4% faster using Tobin's 'ball off the bat' theory of increased speed, couldn't a pitcher also throw a pitch 4% faster. If the increased speed helps him strike more batters out fine but if the ball makes contact with the bat, how much faster will the ball travel off the bat? This is not a physics test - just wondering...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1937] Premiered on this date: "The Hobbit" is published by J.R.R. Tolkien...1957] "Perry Mason" starring Raymond Burr starts a run of 17 years (here's the show open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViP2UGjdND0 )...1970] "Monday Night Football" debuts with Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson (who is eventually replaced by Frank Gifford) and "Dandy" Don Meredith. The first game features a Cleveland win over the Jets 31-21. This open is from 1973: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_EwidWjKtw ...
  2. 1938] A hurricane with no name: A surprise and unnamed category 3 hurricane slams into Long Island and southern New England claiming as many as 600 lives...
  3. 1949] From Maine to Mexico: Milton Berle becomes the permanent host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC-TV. In this clip done in the 50s, "Melvin" Presley joins his brother Elvis on stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78asaw-2G2g ...
  4. 1966] What's your name?: Jimmy Hendrix changes the spelling of his first name to "Jimi"...
  5. 1973] Confirmation day: Henry Kissinger is confirmed as Secretary of State by the Senate...1981] The Senate confirms Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice of the Supreme Court...
  6. 1981] Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Elton John signs a long-term deal with Geffen Records...
  7. 1982] Dropping the puck: The first hockey game is played in the Meadowlands with the Devils beating the Rangers 3-2 in an exhibition game...
  8. 1986] Emmy Gold: Winners at the 38th Emmy Awards include "Golden Girls", "Cagney and Lacey" and Michael J. Fox...
  9. 1998] Is "is" is?: This is the day that Bill Clinton actually said the following: "It depends on what the meaning of 'is' is?" in testimony about an affair with "that woman, Miss Lewinsky". Hokay..
  10. 1998] "Happy Trails": Olympic gold medal track star Florence Griffith Joyner dies in her sleep after suffering an epileptic seizure. FloJo was just 38...

Music Memories:

  • 1961] Number One on this date: "Take Good Care Of My Baby" - Bobby Vee. This is just a video clip with a still of Bobby but the audio is great anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efMv1rwco8M ...1972] "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" - Mac Davis...1983] "Tell Her About It" - Billy Joel...
  • 1974] Released on this date: "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet - BTO...

Commentary...

Another sad announcement about a member of the CBS Records family: Bob Altshuler passed away on Monday, September 17th at his home in Southbury (CT). Raised in Lawrence (MA) Bob was a dee jay at 16 and hosted a jazz show with his twin brother Bill. His love of jazz music was legendary and he had one of the largest private collections of the genre, actually donating some of his collection to the Library of Congress. Bob worked for 37 years in the music business (CBS, Atlantic, Prestige and Riverside), mostly in publicity and I'll always remember him for that big smile and gravelly voice. RIP Bob. Bob had retired in 1991 and was 84 at the time of his passing...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nicole Richie (26), Ricki Lake (39), Faith Hill (40), Rob Morrow (45), Bill Murray (57), Stephen King (60), The Eagles' Don Felder (60), Henry Gibson (72), Leonard Cohen (73) and Larry Hagman (76)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until autumn in New York, 12 days until the MLB playoffs and 33 days until the World Series opener...

Saturday and Sunday, September 22 & 23, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1642] Harvard graduates its first class: A grand total of 9 (all male) students graduate with degrees (9/23)...
  2. 1939] "Happy Trails": Sigmund Freud dies in London at 83 of a physician assisted morphine overdose. Freud was suffering from cancer of the mouth (9/23)...1980] Irving Berlin dies at the age of 101 (9/22)...1987] Bob Fosse suffers a fatal heart attack at 60 (9/23)...1999] George C. Scott passes away from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm at 71 (9/22)...2001] Isaac Stern dies from congestive heart failure at 81 (9/22)...
  3. 1952] The real Rocky: Rocky Marciano wins his biggest fight to date by knocking out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round to win the heavyweight championship (9/23)...
  4. 1957] Premiered on this date: "Maverick" starring James Garner for the first of 5 seasons (9/22). Here's the show open (notice the crude slide they used which I helped mail from the ABC mailroom): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AKMP16meGk ...1961] NBC-TV's "Saturday Night At The Movies" debuts with "How To Marry A Millionaire" (9/23)...1962] "The Jetsons" debuts on ABC-TV. It's the networks first program in color, running for just one season (9/23). Here's a one-minute promo for the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeKx7q8D5co ...1964] "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." debuts, making stars of Robert Vaughn and David McCallum for 4 seasons (9/23)...1964] "Fiddler On The Roof" starring Zero Mostel opens on Broadway (9/23)...1969] "Marcus Welby MD" debuts on ABC-TV with Robert Young for 7 years (9/23)...
  5. 1962] Legalized larceny: The Dodgers Maury Wills breaks Ty Cobb's 47-year old record for stolen bases in a season with his 97th steal (he will total 104 for the season) (9/23)...
  6. 1967] The Beatles on TIME: The Fab Four adorn the cover of Time Magazine (9/22)...
  7. 1969] Joining the 600 Club: Willie Mays of the Giants becomes the second player besides Babe Ruth to hit his 600th home run (9/22)...
  8. 1969] Paul is dead hoax: The London Daily Mirror reports that Paul McCartney is dead. WABC's Roby Yonge believed it. Listen to this aircheck in which Roby also announces that he has already been fired (9/23): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNam3ahXXWI ...
  9. 1975] You missed me: Sara Jane Moore fails in an attempt to shoot President Gerald Ford outside San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel. It's the second attempt on his life in 17 days (9/22)...
  10. 1985] Farm aid: Inspired by John Cougar Mellencamp, the first 'Farm Aid' concert raises $10 million. In addition to Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Neil Young perform (9/22)...

Music Memories:

  • 1962] Live from Carnegie Hall: Bob Dylan makes his first appearance there as part of a Pete Seeger concert (9/22)...
  • 1962] First Brit top 20: The Springfields (featuring Dusty) become the first British group to reach the U.S. Top 20 with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" (9/22)...
  • 1965] Recorded on this date: "I Hear A Symphony" - Supremes (9/22)...
  • 1966] Released on this date: "Have You Seen Your Mother Baby" - Rolling Stones (9/22)...1967] "People Are Strange" - Doors (9/23)...1972] "All The Young Dudes" - Mott The Hoople (9/23) Here they are in a live performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvOUAYYYw7U ...1997] "Candle in The Wind" - Elton John (9/22)...
  • 1967] Number One on this date: "The Letter" - Box Tops (9/22)...1975] "I'm Sorry" - John Denver (9/22)...
  • 1983] Reunited and it feels so good: After being apart for 10 years, the Everly Brothers reunite in London's Royal Albert Hall (9/22)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(9/22) Scott Baio (45), Joan Jett (47) (JJ loves R&R: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8 ), Andrea Bocelli (49), Debby Boone (51), Joni James (77) (legendary New England radio personality Dickie Robinson recently interviewed Joni: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3JPBfq7RU and Tommy Lasorda (80)...

(9/23) Harry Connick Jr. (40), Chi McBride (46), Jason Alexander (48), Bruce Springsteen (58), Paul Petersen (62), Julio Iglesias (64) and Mickey Rooney (87)...

Timeline Countdown for Sunday, September 23, 2007: Autumn in New York arrived this morning, 10 days until the MLB playoff opener and 31 days until the World Series opener...



Thursday, September 20, 2007

Thursday, September 20, 2007

NBC vs. Apple in a downloading war...

This whole thing started out with NBC unhappy about the price they were getting from Apple for downloads of their TV shows on iTunes. Apple said we're charging $1.99 per episode for NBC shows on demand to which NBC said, uh, I don't think so. Apple accused NBC of demanding "more than double the wholesale price" to which Apple told NBC, uh, I don't think so. This of course was denied by NBC. No NBC shows. No iTunes. Now, NBC is making downloads available of those same shows for f-r-e-e, every one's favorite price except for Apple...

The only price to download shows like "Heroes", "The Office", "30 Rock", "Friday Night Lights", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" - even the new "Bionic Woman" is watching a commercial which cannot be fast forwarded but hey, it's free. The sponsor is happy and so is the consumer as long as they don't have too many Geico commercials. NBC Direct will start in beta mode in October but consumers can only download shows for one week after the show airs and only on computers running Microsoft Windows. NBC plans on expanding its service for everyone (including Mac) and eventually shows will be available for the whole season...

The thought occurs to me that hi-tech is expanding so rapidly that TiVo and VCR's are on their way to extinction to be replaced with one unit (already available) that has everything (computer, DVD, iPod, MP3 and a recording device) and in every configuration. It will have everything but a radio...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1921] Premiered on this date: KDKA in Pittsburgh starts one of the first daily newscasts on U.S. radio...1952] TV debuts include: "The Jackie Gleason Show" (18 years)...1953] "The Loretta Young Show" (8 seasons)...1975] The Bay City Rollers make their U.S. debut on the premiere of what was originally called "Saturday Night Live", hosted by Howard Cosell (one season)...1976] "The Captain & Tennille Show" (one season but "Love Will Keep (It) Together"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEWU25aN67U ...1984] "The Cosby Show" (led the pack for 8 seasons). Stevie Wonder sings "I Just Called To Say I Love You" in this episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YxY3JCNauw ...
  2. 1947] "Happy Trails": Former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia is the victim of pancreatic cancer at 64...1973] 30-year old singer Jim Croce is killed in a small plane crash in Louisiana. Croce was on his way to a concert in Sherman (TX). Here's a video of Jim and his family with one of his biggest hits, "Time In A Bottle": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtfI54okNZE ...
  3. 1962] Blacked out: Black student James Meredith (a transfer student from Jackson State) is refused entrance to the University of Mississippi by Governor Ross R. Barnett. Meredith was later admitted by court order and graduated from "Ol' Miss" in 1963...
  4. 1969] Taking care of Beatle Biz: Associated TV buys control of the Beatles' publishing company Northern Songs for a couple of million dollars. What were the Beatles thinking???
  5. 1972] Get a whiff of that: Police find cannabis growing on the farm of Paul and Linda McCartney. Paul says it must of been the birds that dropped the seeds. Well they were flying high...
  6. 1973] Battle of the sexes: Billie Jean King (30) beats Bobby Riggs (55) in a grudge tennis match at the Houston Astrodome. King whipped Riggs in straight sets...
  7. 1976] From Jimmy with lust: Playboy releases the Jimmy Carter interview in which he's quoted as saying "I've looked at a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times". How come Clinton didn't think of this instead of 'it depends on what your definition of 'is' is...
  8. 1982] NFL hits the bricks: NFL players begin a 57-day strike, the first in-season strike in NFL history. The season is reduced to a 9-game schedule, instead of 16 and a special playoff tournament is used prior to the Super Bowl...
  9. 1998] 'The Streak' (boogety boogety) ends: After playing in a record 2,632 consecutive games over 16 seasons, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Orioles sits out a game...
  10. 2001] Color-coded: President Bush addresses a joint session of Congress regarding the 911 attacks and names Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to head up the new Office of Homeland Security. Ridge wears an orange tie to match his code Orange shirt but brings a red shirt and tie, just in case...

Music Memories:

  • 1964] Curtains: The Beatles wrap up their 1st U.S. tour with a date at the New York Paramount in front of 3,682 screaming 'Beatlemaniacs'...1971] Peter Frampton leaves Humble Pie to pursue a solo career...
  • 1975] Released on this date: "Born To Run" - Bruce Springsteen...

Commentary...

Bob Sherwood sent me an e-mail this morning that will be of interest to CBS Records alumni. Former CBS Records New York Branch Manager Ron Piccolo, now living in Florida has entered a Miami hospital for major surgery. Those of us who know 'Pic' hope that he pulls through so he can get back on the golf course. For those interested in additional info, please e-mail me (mphillips1675@yahoo.com)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Gunnar and Matthew Nelson (40), Kristen Johnston (40), Red Sox owner John W. Henry (58), Sophia Loren (73), Anne Meara (78), Joyce Brothers (79) and Gogi Grant (83)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until autumn in New York, 13 days until the MLB playoff openers and 34 days until the World Series opener...

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Spector Trial Update...

If Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler moves to give jurors the option of finding Phil Spector guilty on a lesser charge than second degree murder, he might jeopardize the entire case. Legal scholars believe a conviction on a lesser charge will be vulnerable to appeal. Fidler could do this in order to get the jury unlocked in their 7-5 quandary, something brought to the judge yesterday by the jury foreman who sees little hope of resolving the deadlock...

The lesser charge would be "involuntary manslaughter". This would come after Fidler made it clear to the jury that "the only verdict form you will get is second-degree murder." What the judge is trying to avoid is a hung jury after a longer than expected five-month trial that just feels like five-years...

While Spector waits for a verdict, the case against O.J. Simpson for that Las Vegas break-in to steal back his own memorabilia looks like it might be over before the Spector trial is...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1876] Just a bissell: Melville R. Bissell patents the carpet sweeper. 'Bissell' in Yiddish means 'little' or 'small amount'. Financially it means 'cha-ching'...
  2. 1881] "Happy Trails": Our 20th president, James A. Garfield dies of wounds received 11 weeks earlier at the hands of assassin, Charles Julius Guiteau. Garfield is succeeded by Chester A. Arthur...1973] Gram Parsons of the Byrds dies of a drug overdose at 26...
  3. 1934] Gotcha: Bruno Hauptman is arrested in New York and charged with the kidnapping and murder of the infant son of Charles and Anna Lindbergh...
  4. 1958] Y'all come back, ya hear?: Elvis Presley leaves the Brooklyn Navy Yard for Germany to join his Army unit...
  5. 1970] Premiered on this date: "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" which airs for seven seasons...
  6. 1981] Reunion in the park: The infamous 'Simon & Garfunkel Central Park Reunion' draws half-a-million. I call this "the best concert I ever heard" because the closest I got was Cleopatra's Needle and not close enough to even see the stage. Here's a clip from that reunion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuTBEnm9V9k ...
  7. 1982] Emmy Gold: "Hill Street Blues" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb2V9OAhM40), "Barney Miller", Alan Alda and Carol Kane are the winners at the 34th Emmy Awards Show (this years' Emmy show rated lower than last years'. Who will host next years' show?)...1993] "Seinfeld", "Picket Fences" and Ted Danson are the big winners...
  8. 1995] Una-boring: The 'Unabomber's Manifesto', a rambling 44-page doctrine about the 'Industrial Revolution', is published in the New York Times and Washington Post. I couldn't get a translation so I quit reading after the first paragraph...
  9. 2002] Fans attack: Kansas City first-base coach, Tom Gamboa is attacked during a game by a wacked-out father & son at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Was it the way Gamboa kept yelling "back" to the runner at first-base that did it???
  10. 2003] Get the AOL out of here: AOL Time Warner drops the 'AOL' from its name. The merged company becomes 'Times Warner Inc.' The company had changed the name in January of 2000...

Music Memories:

  • 1968] Gold Standard: "Born To Be Wild" - Steppenwolf (watch Steppenwolf do a medley of "Wild" and "Magic Carpet" on this Ed Sullivan Show appearance and notice how Sullivan botches the name of a band members favorite group: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od93fFqGEok)... 1974] "Bad Company" LP...1975] "I Shot The Sheriff" - Eric Clapton...
  • 1978] Released on this date: "Living in The U.S.A." - Linda Ronstadt...

Commentary...

Paul Power tips us to the recent article on Ruth Meyer, program director of WMCA from 1958 to 1968 during the golden era of Top 40 radio in New York. The article was written by Scott Benjamin: http://www.musicradio77.com/ . Thanks Paul. Ruth was injured in the crash that took the life of former WMCA morning jock Joe O'Brien a few years back...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Jimmy Fallon (33), CNN's Soledad O'Brien (41), Trisha Yearwood (43), Joan Lunden (57), Jeremy Irons (59), Twiggy (Lawson) (58), Freda Payne (62), Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan (64), Bill Medley (67), David McCallum (74), Adam ("Batman") West (79), Baseball Hall of Famer Duke Snider (81) and James Lipton (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 4 days until autumn in New York, 14 days until the MLB playoffs begin and 35 days until the World Series begins...





Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The Times drops its web fees...

The New York Times has just announced that they'll no longer be charging for access to parts of their website at midnight tonight. Good news for all you web junkies, myself included, who don't like paying for any service when you can get it for free on the Internet. The genie came out of the bottle about the time you got your first taste of the Internet for free. My hope is that the genie never finds it's way back into the bottle...

The Times was selling their TimesSelect service for $7.95 a month, $49.95 a year. Their website has about 13 million unique visitors each month, according to Nielsen/Net Ratings. They had 227,000 subscribers to TimesSelect and generated $10 million in revenue. Nice money, right? Guess what they discovered? More than that number of subscribers came to their website from search engines and links instead of coming to NYTimes.com. The indirect readers brought more page views and increased advertising revenues. Vivian L. Schiller, Sr. vice president and general manager of NYTimes.com says "What wasn't anticipated was the explosion in how much of our traffic would be generated by Google, Yahoo and others". And here's what Colby Atwood of Borrell Associates, a media research firm says about advertising vs. subscription revenue, "In the long run, the advertising side will dominate"...

Now that the Times has dropped their subscription fee will others follow suit? The Wall Street Journal (Dow Jones & Company) is the only major newspaper in the country that charges for access to most of its website. Their one million paying readers generate about $65 million in revenue but Rupert Murdoch, the News Corporation chairman has talked of possibly making access to the Journal free online. The Financial Times charges for select material like the Times has and the Los Angeles Times tried it in 2005 but quickly dropped the idea. By the way, the New York Times will reimburse their TimesSelect subscribers on a prorated basis...

This is another wake-up call for Radio, which for the most part, does a poor job of selling website advertising. There are 2 free tabloids here with a combined circulation of about 500,000-600,000. You know why over half a million people read these tabloids? Because they're free. They provide a short, concise look at the current news, sports and weather with some local, in-depth features and guess what? They're free. And how do you suppose these newspapers survive? They sell advertising. If you're not making money with your website, you're losing a great revenue source...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1851] Premiered on this date: Speaking of the Times, the first issue of The New York Times is published...1927] The Mother Ship has landed: The Columbia Broadcasting System debuts with a network of 47 stations. The name of the company is later shortened to CBS...1963] The following TV shows debuted on this date: "The Patty Duke Show" which airs for 3 years and here's the show open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOpNrb-9U7o 1965] "I Dream of Jeannie" starring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman. This series runs for 5 seasons and here's the show open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNg-xClEnqM ...1965] "Get Smart" starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon with a run of 5 years plus syndication forever and here's that open and theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDiRIjv0yf0 ...
  2. 1947] Separate but equal: The U.S. Air Force is established as a separate military branch by the National Security Act...
  3. 1947] Country comes to Carnegie Hall: Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff perform at Carnegie Hall. It's the first Country show at the venue and is recognized as the first time major Country acts perform in New York City...
  4. 1955] What's your name?: "The Ed Sullivan Show" is the new name of "The Toast Of The Town" on CBS-TV since 1948...
  5. 1960] Fidel visits the Apple: Fidel Castro stays at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem where he meets with Malcolm X. He also makes TV appearances and is generally treated like the hero he wasn't...
  6. 1961] "Happy Trails": U.N. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold dies at 56 in a plane crash in Rhodesia (now Zambia)...1963] The New York Mets play their last game at the Polo Grounds. They open at Shea Stadium in 1964...1975] Jimi Hendrix dies of a drug overdose at 27...1994] Tennis player Vitas Gerulaitis is the victim of an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning at 40...
  7. 1969] No tip-toeing around: Tiny Tim announces his engagement to 'Miss Vicki" on the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". Johnny extends TT & MV an invitation to get married on the show which they do in December...
  8. 1975] Gotcha: Patty Hearst is captured in San Mateo (CA). She will be convicted and sentenced to 7 years in prison for her role in SLA crimes. Jimmy Carter will commute the sentence and she only serves 22-months...
  9. 1977] Captain Courageous: Ted Turner captains the Courageous to victory, sweeping Australia in the 24th 'America's Cup' in Newport (RI). Twenty years later on this same date (1997) Turner announces that he will donate $1 billion to the U.N. over the next 10 years...
  10. 1994] Talkin' baseball: The Ken Burns produced "Baseball" series of specials premieres on PBS, making a star of Buck O'Neill, a former Negro League player...

Music Memories:

Commentary...

Congratulations to WCBS-FM. David Hinckley's New York Daily News column has extrapolated figures for August that show they doubled their Jack figures of June (36,900 to 67,300) in average quarter hour shares, 25-54. This ranks them #2 in that demo for the month, trailing WBLS which is #1. They also went from 1.9 to 4.8 (with Z100 #1) in total listeners to place them #2. Now this is only a monthly but is indicative of a huge jump when the Summer book comes out in October. Well done people...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Jada Pinkett Smith (36), Aisha Tyler (37), James Gandolfini (46), Frankie Avalon (67), Fred Willard (68), Jimmie Rodgers (74) and Robert Blake a.k.a. Mickey Gubitosi (74)...

Timeline Countdown: 5 days until autumn in New York, 15 days until the MLB playoffs and 36 days until the first game of the World Series...










Monday, September 17, 2007

Monday, September 17, 2007

No cameras? No problem...

So I guess the coach that the New York Post refers to as Bill Belitrick can coach even without hidden cameras on the field. I can never condone what Belichick did in trying to get an edge on, of all teams - the New York Jets, but last night's thrashing of the San Diego Chargers gives the coach a measure of vindication at the end of his week from hell. The rumours of a contract extension into 2013 can't hurt either. Was his image as one of the premier coaching minds of all-time tarnished? You bet! Suspicion will hang over his head until he hangs up his tacky gray Patriots hoodie for the last time. But you don't compile the record he's achieved by cheating:
  • Career Record: 124-84 (.596)
  • Regular Season: 111-81 (.578)
  • Post Season: 13-3 (.813)
  • Patriots Record: 87-39 (.690)

Winning a game against a team most people pick as a Super Bowl team does not wipe away the harm done by defying NFL rules in trying to gain an advantage in the game but the coach is paying a steep price for it. And how about the players on this team? Inspired by events of the week, they were determined to show the sports world how good they are and did they ever...

It's time to move on from Spy-gate, Camera-gate or whatever you prefer to call it. Are you ready for some football? The Patriots were last night...

  1. 1796] So long, farewell, bye bye: President George Washington reads his Farewell Address before the U.S. Congress...
  2. 1862] Monday, bloody Monday: Union forces repel a Confederate invasion of Maryland in the Civil War Battle of Antietam. Over 23,000 are killed, wounded or captured in the bloodiest day in U.S. military history...
  3. 1947] Rookie Number One: Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson is named the first 'Rookie of The Year'...
  4. 1954] Retaining the title: Brockton (MA) native Rocky Marciano KOs Ezzard Charles in the 8th round to retain his heavyweight crown at Yankee Stadium...
  5. 1963] Premiered on this date: "The Fugitive" which will air until 1967 and then in rerun for one more year...1964] "Bewitched", rated #2 in its first season will run until 1967 and then 6 more years in rerun...1965] "Hogan's Heroes" will run through 1971...1965] "The Smothers Brothers Show", a sitcom which will air for one season before their comedy show begins in 1967...1966] "Mission: Impossible" will enjoy a phenomenal run until 1990...1972] "M*A*S*H" airs for 11 seasons, ending in 1983 as a 2 1/2 hour special viewed by the largest TV audience to ever watch a single program. Reruns are still running somewhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1-14zvIVyM ...
  6. 1986] Clincher: The Mets clinch the NL East title by beating the Cubs 4-2 behind Doc Gooden's 15th win of the season. The 2007 Mets are staggering to the finish line and should get there unless they turn into 9 Guiliermo Mota's...
  7. 1992] Halt. Who go's there? A halt is called in the probe of the Iran-Contra scandal but the investigation will last over 5 years...
  8. 1994] There she is. Walking on air she is: Heather Whitestone, Miss Alabama becomes the first deaf Miss America...
  9. 1996] "Happy Trails": Former VP Spiro Agnew dies from leukemia at 77...
  10. 2004] The 700 Club: Barry Bonds hits his 700th home run for the Giants, joining Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755) as the only 700 home run hitters...

Music Memories:

  • 1964] Released on this date: 1964] "Baby Love" - Supremes...2002] "A Moment Like This" - Kelly Clarkson. Here's Kelly's winning moment on "American Idol" and her first hit - originally the "B" side of "Before Your Love": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zteEy6YYj1I ...
  • 1967] Live on "The Ed Sullivan Show": The Doors sing "Light My Fire" and "People Are Strange"...
  • 1977] Number One on this date: "Rumours" LP - Fleetwood Mac. This was the 19th of 31 weeks on top of the charts and from the LP: "Dreams": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMq4jpjab34 ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nona (daughter of Marvin) Gaye (33), John Franco (47), Rita Rudner (52), Phil Jackson (58), LaMonte (Fifth Dimension) McLemore (68) and Football Hall of Famer George Blanda (80)...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until autumn in New York, 16 days until the MLB playoffs and 37 days until the first game of the World Series...





Friday, September 14, 2007

Friday-Sunday, September 14-16, 2007

The richest sports league in the world gets richer...

The NFL now has the single most valuable sports franchise on the planet, worth $1.5 billion. It's also the most profitable sport with a mean operating income in 2006 of $17.8 million on $204 million in revenue. Time to test my worst subject - rounding off the 17.8 to 18, let's see, zero, zero, six, twenty becomes 19 - that's a profit of $186 million. How come my computer doesn't have a math check??? Figures, except the last one, are compliments of Forbes newest NFL team values Top 32 list...

I won't go down the entire list of 32 but I will tell you that the Dallas Cowboys are number one, thanks to their new $1 billion stadium which opens in 2009. Their value has increased by 28%, the largest jump of any NFL team, to $1.5 billion. The Cowboys moved up from third to first in rankings, passing the Washington Redskins who are second with a worth of $1.467 billion, the rest of the top 5: 3) Patriots ($1.199 billion) (minus the $250,000 team fine - Belichick's fine was at his expense, makes it $1.197), 4) Houston (+$1 billion) and 5) Philadelphia (+$1 billion)...

The local Giants ($974 million) and Jets ($967 million) move to numbers 8 and 10 respectively because of the new Meadowlands stadium that they'll share in a couple of years (ground was just broken at the site). The Minnesota Vikings grab the booby prize for being worth the least of any NFL team. At number 32, the Vikes are worth a measly $782 million...

A sidebar to the popularity of the NFL which still beats the cowhide out of baseball and every other televised sport - nearly three out of four Americans watched an NFL game on TV last season...

10 Timeline Memories for September 14:
  1. 1814] Jose can you see: Francis Scott Key writes the 'Star-Spangled Banner', a poem originally called "Defense of Fort McHenry". Key had witnessed the British bombardment of the Maryland fort during the War of 1812. The song would become our national anthem on March 3, 1931. If I were a descendant of Key I would be upset because the media prefers calling it 'our national anthem' and never refers to it as the 'Star-Spangled Banner'...
  2. 1901] "Happy Trails": President William McKinley dies of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin. McKinley, 58, is succeeded by 42-year old VP Theodore Roosevelt...1982] Monaco's Princess Grace a.k.a. Grace Kelly, dies from wounds suffered when her car plunges off a mountain road one day earlier. The Princess was 52...
  3. 1940] Selective on their part: The Selective Service Act is passed by Congress leading to the 1st peacetime draft in U.S. history...
  4. 1948] Breaking ground: A ground-breaking ceremony takes place at the site of the United Nations world headquarters in Manhattan...
  5. 1968] Breaking 30: The Tigers' Denny McLain becomes the 1st pitcher to win 30 games in 34 years. Denny finishes the season at 31-6. His career stats: 131-91...
  6. 1972] Premiered on this date: "The Waltons" which will enjoy a 9-year run...1978] "Mork & Mindy" which airs until June, 1982...1982] "Entertainment Tonight" and E.T. is still on...
  7. 1984] I want my MTV: Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler host the 1st MTV Awards at Radio City Music Hall. The 1st "Video of The Year" award goes to the Cars for "You Might Think". Here's the video featuring lead singer Ric Ocasek and his model wife Paulina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve3bfQ3K7xk ...
  8. 1994] Strike Three - you're out: Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig cancels the rest of the 1994 season after a strike continues after 34 days. No World Series this year...
  9. 1996] Record Breaker: Mets catcher Todd Hundley sets a season record for home runs by a catcher with his 41st home run (his total for the year)...
  10. 2001] Ground Zero: Using a bullhorn, President George Bush tells those gathered at Ground Zero at the WTC that we will get even for the attacks. On the same date, the FBI releases the names of the 19 suspected terrorists...

Music Memories:

  • 1960] Number One on this date: "The Twist" - Chubby Checker (the only release to top the charts on 2 separate occasions (it repeats in 1962)...1970] "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross (her 1st solo chart topper)...1974] "I Shot The Sheriff" - Eric Clapton...
  • 1999] Free concert in Central Park: Sheryl Crow stages a free concert in C.P. with Stevie Nicks, Chrissie Hynde, Eric Clapton, the Dixie Chicks, Keith Richards and Sara McLachlan. Two videos, two different singers - Sheryl Crow: then and now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CYN-iBkKGY , with Kid Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kskFvErnVQ ...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Joe Senkiewicz attached a video that I wanted to share with everyone but after viewing it I discovered I couldn't link it. This is a close second to that video. In this clip John Kanzius (yesterday's feature story on desalinization) demonstrates how salt water burns. He doesn't demonstrate how your radio station can be number one in ratings however: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKtKSEQBeI ...Okay Belichick apologized, will comply by paying a steep fine and the Pats will give up either a number one (if they reach the playoffs) or number two and three draft picks. Now let's move on. The Sunday night game between the Patriots and San Diego Chargers should be a great one for all the reasons you think it will be...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Faith Ford (43), Jon "Bowser" Bauman (60), Joey Heatherton (63), Larry Brown (67), Former Yankees player and Hall of Fame Broadcaster Jerry Coleman (83...

Saturday-Sunday, September 15-16, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1630] Naming Rights and Redcoats: The original Native American name of Shawmut is changed to Boston (9/16)...1776] The Redcoats take over New York City, landing at Kips Bay and chasing George Washington to the banks of the New Jersey shore (9/15)...
  2. 1928] Medical miracle: Alexander Fleming discovers the antibiotic penicillin in the mold penicillium notatum (Latin 101)(9/15)...
  3. 1948] Musical call letters: WHN changes its call letters to WMGM. The call letters will be changed back in 1962 (9/15)...
  4. 1949] Premiered on this date: (all 9/15): "The Lone Ranger" (reruns keep it alive until 1969. It's revived in 1980)...1957] "Bachelor Father" (lasts 5 seasons)...1965] "Green Acres" (6 years) and here's the great show open and theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSAoBhoKtzI ...1965] "Lost in Space" (3 years)...1971] "Columbo" (22 years)...1971] "Greenpeace", the environmental organization is born in Vancouver, B.C...1982] "U.S.A. Today" today's highest circulated paper...The following premiered on 9/16: 1963] "Outer Limits" (2 seasons)...1964] "Shindig!" on ABC-TV - the first show featured the Righteous Brothers, Everly Brothers and Sam Cooke, seen here jamming at the close of that show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVOGGMCvwvY ...1965] "The Dean Martin Show" (9 years)...1966] The Metropolitan Opera opens its new opera house in Lincoln Center...1972] "The Bob Newhart Show" (6 years) and 1984] "Miami Vice" (5 seasons)...
  5. 1954] Curtains: Filming a scene for "The Seven Year Itch", Marilyn Monroe stands on a subway grating, her dress flies up exposing her underwear. This infuriates husband Joe DiMaggio and the couple will divorce in October after just 9 months of marriage and here are those scenes (9/15): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4QN8N61DYA ...1968] "The Andy Griffith Show" bows out after 8 seasons but will continue in syndication to this day (9/16)...
  6. 1958] "Happy Trails": A commuter train crashes through a drawbridge near Newark (NJ) taking 48 lives including Yankees second baseman George "Snuffy" Stirnweiss, only 39 years old (9/15)...1977] Marc Bolan (T. Rex) in a car accident at 29 (9/16)...
  7. 1968] Sock it to me: That's what Richard Nixon says on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" (9/16)...
  8. 1978] Sock it to him: 36-year old Muhammad Ali decisions Leon Spinks in a rematch to become the 1st heavyweight champ to win the title 3 times (9/15)...
  9. 1981] Sock it to the 'Hitman": Sugar Ray Leonard rallies to beat Thomas Hearns, winning by a TKO to capture the welterweight title. It's Hearns 1st professional loss (9/16)...
  10. 2004] Freezing the puck: The National Hockey League (NHL) owners agree to lock out the players. There will be no hockey in 2004 (9/15)...

Music Memories:

  • 1963] Released on this date: "She Loves You" - Beatles (9/16)...1979] "Rapper's Delight" - Sugar Hill Gang (recognized as the 1st rap song) (9/16). Here they do it live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diiL9bqvalo ...
  • 1969] Number One on this date: "Sugar, Sugar" - Archies (9/15) Ron Dante was the singer and here he does it live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrgAdhBItLE ...1985] "Money For Nothing" - Dire Straits (9/16)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

(9/15) Britain's Prince Harry (23), Dan Marino, Football HOFer (46), Oliver Stone (67), Tommy Lee Jones (61), Football HOFer Merlin Olsen (68), Baseball HOFer Gaylord Perry (69), Norm Crosby (80) and Jackie Cooper (85)...

(9/16) Marc Anthony (38), Mickey Rourke (51), David Copperfield (51), Peter Falk (80), B.B. King (82) and Lauren Bacall (83)...

Timeline Countdown for September 16: 7 days until autumn in New York, 17 days until the MLB playoffs and 38 days until the first game of the World Series...