TV and Movie Stars from Yesteryear

I was watching the latest episode of the US crime drama Rizzoli and Isles on Alibi TV and was pleasantly surprised to see 2 of the actors appearing were well-known from years back

If you haven't caught the show yet, it is the story of a Boston police detective Jane Rizzoli (played by Angie Harmon) who works extensively with Medical Examiner Dr Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander).

Both characters were devised by best-selling US crime author Tess Gerritsen (if you haven't managed to read any of her books, I can truly recommend them).

First of the actors appearing and not looking much different to 30 odd years ago will be remembered by the words "goodnight John-Boy". Yes, none other than Richard Thomas who played the oldest son of the Walton clan back in the 1970's and onwards.

Thomas as John-Boy Walton

Thomas is now into his 60's and, as I mentioned earlier, doesn't look that much different from all those years ago.

The other star from yesteryear was the English actress Jacqueline Bisset who is best remembered for her roles in Bullitt (1968), Airport (1970), The Deep (1977), and Class (1983). She also starred in the TV series Nip/Tuck in 2006.

In Rizzoli and Isles she plays the mother of Dr Isles which can only be assumed to be a recurring role of some kind.

Bisset is now 67 years young and looks absolutely stunning as the image below (taken in 2007) proves.

Jacqueline Bisset

Both actors still look really good which means they have either been lucky enough to age well or have been successful enough to pay for aging well.  

Rizzoli and Isles is shown on Alibi TV here in the UK. Please give it a try - I think you might enjoy it.

The Passing of Davy Jones

The news of the death of  Davy Jones, member of the 1960s manufactured pop-group the Monkees, has by now been widely reported on all media.

The only British member of the "prefab four" passed away after suffering a massive heart attack in his sleep, at his home in Indiantown, Florida.

Davy Jones Performing in 2006

Born in Manchester, the 66 year old first came to prominence appearing in the long running UK soap opera  Coronation Street, playing the part of Ena Sharples' grandson.

At age 14, when his mother died from emphysema, he gave up acting to train as a horse race jockey - his diminutive size being an asset in this change of direction. His love affair with horses and racing remained until his death.

This change of career was not to last long however as he took the part of the Artful Dodger in a London West End production of Oliver, before taking the role to Broadway and being nominated for a Tony award.

In 1965 he was cast as a member of the legendary Monkees and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jones is the 2nd high profile music star to die within the last month, after the passing of soul diva Whitney Houston.

In an interview with BBC Radio a year ago publicising a reunion tour, he stated that his own favourite Monkees song of all was the Gerry Goffin and Carole King penned Pleasant Valley Sunday. 

Sung by Mickey Dolenz, with a memorable Mike Nesmith guitar riff, it was probably my favourite also.

The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday

As a footnote, in 1967 the Monkees outsold both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones put together. 

Their TV show, shown worldwide, was great fun, the records were of a high, polished production standard that had not been heard previously. 

At the time, the Monkees and Davy Jones truly had the world at their beck and call.

RIP Davy, you will be missed.

Do We Need Award Ceremonies?

OMG – it’ silly season again.

I woke up this morning only to hear on the TV news about last night’s Oscar’s ceremony in Hollywood and who won what, who wore what and what that total “ID 10T” Sacha Baron Cohen was up to this time (and the less said about that the better).

An Oscar Statuette

We’ve had the BAFTA’s, the Golden Globes and now the Oscars for the movie industry. There has also recently been the Grammy’s and the BRITS for music and at some stage the TV and Soap awards will fill our screens. The question does have to be asked, why do we actually need award ceremonies anyway?

Aren’t these so called movie, TV and music stars not paid enough already, without having to resort to a panel of nameless members of a so-called academy to decide upon who was the best at whatever category? 

If I want to make an award to a certain film, I will toddle off down to my local Cineworld or Odeon cinema, pay my few quid and sit there amongst the great unwashed of the world, listening to their infernal chatter, their munching of popcorn whilst slurping upon their diet cola or drink-on-a-stick.

DO I REALLY NEED TO KNOW THAT IT’S WON 17 OSCARS, 48 GOLDEN GLOBES, A FREE HAPPY MEAL AT McDONALDS OR EVEN A BLOODY TENNER ON THE LOTTERY TO DECIDE WHETHER IT’S ANY DAMN GOOD OR NOT?

Adele performing in Seattle (2011)

The same goes with music. If I want an album, I will either buy the CD or download it (am down with the kids me!) 

I DON’T NEED TO HEAR ABOUT ADELE THROWING THE FINGER AT THE SO-CALLED SUITS, BECAUSE THEY CUT SHORT HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH - GET OVER IT LOVE AND GO COUNT YOUR WADS OF NOTES.

To add insult to injury, the Best Film category at all the ceremonies went to a black and white, silent film. I have not seen “The Artist” so am in no position to comment on whether it is a deserved accreditation or not (I am informed however that it is a complete joy to watch). 

But it is not the style of the film that annoys me, it is the fact that the winner is a French movie and our TV channels here in the UK are continually going on about how wonderful it is. 

Poster advertising "The Artist"

Maybe we should stop for a moment and remember, 

IT’S FRENCH AND WE ARE BRITS. WE HATE THE FRENCH, WE ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL HATE THE FRENCH, AND HERE WE ARE EXTOLLING THEM.

THE WORLD (OR AT LEAST THE UK) HAS GONE TOTALLY MAD! 

(Tatty needs a short lie down!).

In my chosen full–time profession (and I don’t mean blogging sadly), there are no awards to be won – no prizes to be had. That is except for my salary payment at the end of the month of course. 

There's no slapping each other on the back saying how wonderful we are, no putting on a happy face (even through a grimace), when our rival scoops the bounty. We just get on with the job in hand as best we can.

So do we need award ceremonies? Oh you bet we do!

Are Traditional Pub Games on the Way Back?

As landlords attempt to attract customers into their inns, it is being reported that traditional pub games are making a dramatic comeback to public houses throughout the UK.

Bar Billiards Table with Ball and Skittle

 Many pubs have returned to offering such pastimes as dominoes, cribbage, table skittles, darts and my own personal favourite bar billiards, in an effort to boost sales in an ailing industry. 

Indeed many pubs are again forming teams to take on the regulars from other local hostelries and local leagues are once more being set up.

Many of these games have seen a decline in the modern era of music, Sky Sports TV and food dominated pubs, but can a return to tradition really be a saviour of our trademark local public houses? 

A Game of Dominoes (Is it me or do they seem to be enjoying themselves just a little too much?)

Greene King, one of the UK’s largest pub chains, has quickly jumped on the bandwagon, sending out game kits including such all-time favourites as quoits and shove-ha’penny, to their landlords up and down the country.

I fondly remember my earlier years, often spending many an hour in the “Nags Head” in Knaphill, Surrey, enjoying a pint or three of brown and mild, propping up the bar billiards table in the corner. 

Bar billiards was a favourite game of many, only to be usurped by the oncoming popularity of pool. The popularity of its comeback could be due to the fact that it takes up less room with the table being placed against the wall, giving the publican other usage options with area saved.

A Cribbage Board and Cards

Surely giving the drinker something to keep his mind occupied while he drowns his pint would be conducive to higher sales, a big hit with pub-goers and go some way towards stopping the trend towards drinking at home?

Now if my local pub were to install a bar billiards machine today, Mrs Tatty would most likely not see a lot of me in the evenings (and she probably wouldn’t be too upset if truth be known).

Your shout:

So what do you think? 

Would you like a return to the old-fashioned British local, or maybe prefer your pub left the way it is? 

Please let me know.

RIP Frank - It's the Way I Tell 'em

The very sad news has broken this evening of the passing of comedian Frank Carson.

The late Frank Carson

Best remembered for his catchphrases "it's the way I tell 'em" and "it's a cracker", Frank lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 85, passing away peacefully at his home in Blackpool.

The Northern Irish jokester first came into the affection of the British people when winning Hughie Green's "Opportunity Knocks" talent show back in the 1960s. He later starred in "the Comedians" and "Tiswas", both for ITV.

Co-star on "Tiswas", Chris Tarrent tonight speaking on BBC radio called Carson "the funniest man I ever met in my life".

Deeply religious Frank who never swore, was very much the comedian in his private life as he was in the limelight. Working until a few months before his passing, he leaves a wife, daughter, 2 sons and 10 grandchildren.

He died at home, surrounded by his family and will be laid to rest next week in his native Belfast. 

His family tonight issued the following statement: "It's quieter down here now. God help them up there!!"

Thanks for the laughs Frank, the world is a sadder place without you.

BBC article: Comic Frank Carson dies aged 85

Your shout:

Do you have a favourite Frank Carson story or joke? Please feel free to make a comment.

Exciting Changes for Uncle Tatty

As you may have noticed, this blog has taken many a turn over the couple of years or so it has been in existence. So many turns in fact, I and everyone else probably have no idea where it is going.

It has been used as a vehicle for my daily racing selections, a general entertainment blog and for me to vent my feelings about sports related (and other newsy) matters. 

Obviously this is not particularly helpful to you dear reader, not knowing what subject I am going to be writing about next. I am sure there are those of you who enjoy the entertainment aspects, but have no interest in sports and vice-versa.

To this end and as of now “The Thoughts of Uncle Tatty” (found here at www.uncletatty.co.uk) will continue as a news and entertainment journal. 

The sports aspect will now be covered on a new blog, to be entitled “Blog-Sport”. This will be found at http://blog-sport.co.uk There will be no restriction as to the sports that will be covered, although it will mainly concentrate on  football, horse racing, boxing and cricket (along with a smattering of rugby league here and there).

So if sport is your bag (as Austin Powers probably wouldn't say), please bookmark the new webpage (http://blog-sport.co.uk) and continue to hear my thoughts on the latest news in the world of sport (I will endeavour to continue posting links that I think you may find interesting). 

You can be assured that it will continue to be as contentious as ever!

Tatty

Finally, a note to all bloggers everywhere – I am always on the lookout for and would welcome guest bloggers to contribute to my sites. Obviously you would be credited with your own work and will be able to create a link back to your own site should you desire. 

The only stipulation however is that I would like to be able to make reciprocal guest postings on your blog with similar backlinks etc. 

If you are interested, please feel free to contact me at uncletatty@yahoo.co.uk

UK Saturday Morning Radio Has Just Got So Much Better!

Saturday morning radio here in the UK has taken a turn for the better in my humble opinion, especially if you are bordering on “old codgery” like me.

The recently launched Smooth70s DAB radio station (also available on the internet and more than likely on Digital TV platforms – I haven’t checked as yet) has started playing editions of Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” radio show, which has been syndicated across the world ever since 1970 (there have been a few different hosts across the years).

Casey Kasem

Now my British readers may well be asking Casey – who? (our friends across the pond will probably be amazed that us “backward limeys” are totally unaware as to his identity). A good comparison is that he could be classed as the US equivalent of the late Alan “Fluff” Freeman, who hosted the UK’s “”Pick of the Pops” for more years than I care to remember. 

American radio personality Kasem, (also known for voicing the character of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo cartoons), has done voice-overs on many TV commercials over the years along with putting the voices to many of the Sesame Street favourites. 

Casey (born Kemal Amin Kasem) is of Lebanese-Druze heritage and is still actively working in the broadcasting industry at the age of 79. In 1985, he was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame radio division and is well known for his signature sign-off: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

 

AT40 is aired on Smooth70s every Saturday morning between 9 and 12 and is repeated on the following day (Sunday evening) between 9 and midnight. 

This week edition (first broadcast in 1973), included such varied content that ranged from the sublime of Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man”, to the slightly dodgy “Photograph” by Ringo Starr, ending up with the truly appalling “Do You Wanna Dance?” by Bette Midler. No1 that week was Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock”. The show certainly brings back memories, good and bad!

So if you were a child of the 70’s or are just interested in hearing the originals of many cover versions of later years, please give it a listen. You’ll love it!