A Closer Look J. K. Rowling was born Joanna Rowling on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire. A philanthropist, Rowling is the author of Harry Potter, a seven-volume fantasy novel series published from 1997 to 2007. Rowling was […]
It’s been twenty-one years since the devastating death of beloved Emmy-winning actress Estelle Getty. Best known as the comedically cranky Sophia Petrillo on the classic TV series, The Golden Girls (NBC, 1985-1992), Getty died from Lewy body dementia […]
It’s been nine years since the tragic demise of beloved, Emmy-winning actress Doris Roberts. Roberts was best known for her feisty, maternal-in-law role as Marie Barone on TV’s classic sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS, 1996-2005). The show […]
[Note: This article is an edited excerpt from the book, RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION: AN IN-DEPTH PERSPECTIVE OF CLASSIC TV’S SOCIAL CIRCUITRY.] There are several key classic TV moms in the history of pop culture, […]
Many actors were already stars when they made guest appearances on Star Trek: The Original Series (NBC, 1966-1969). For example, both Jane Wyatt and Elinor Donahue first found fame on Father Knows Best before their separate guest spots […]
[Note: This article is edited material based on the two books, The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery: A Guide To Her Magical Performances, and Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery.] Actress Elizabeth Montgomery, who died […]
Countless female performers left their indelible mark on television in the 1960s. But here’s a look at least ten who stood out above the rest. Image Credit: IMDb. Elizabeth Montgomery The daughter of film and […]
Elizabeth Taylor, who died on March 23, 2011, was one of the most glamorous stars in the history of Hollywood. She won countless awards (including two Oscars), critical acclaim, and devoted fans worldwide. Yet, all […]
Marla Gibbs is best known for two of TV’s classic sitcoms, The Jeffersons (CBS, 1975-1985), and 227 (NBC, 1985-1990). An acting icon with a dynamic comedic delivery, Gibbs held several non-Hollywood gigs before she found fame as Florence Johnston on The […]
Bobby Darin, a Frank-Sinatra-esque singer with a list of hits including “Mack the Knife,” was born Walden Robert Cassotto, on May 14, 1936, in New York City, Beloved original Gidget actress Sandra Dee was born Alexandra Zuck on […]
I am no doctor, nor have I ever played one on TV or anywhere throughout social media. I’m just an all-around health-conscious guy who is always seeking out, researching, and willing to share any information […]
In the fall of 1964, legendary crooner and film star Bing Crosby made a failed attempt to be part of the television sitcom landscape. The series was titled, The Bing Crosby Show. A Closer Look As […]
It’s been four years since the tragic death of actor Gregory Sierra from cancer at 83 years old. He was best known as Detective Chano Amenguale on TV’s long-running hit police sitcom, Barney Miller (ABC, 1975-1982). Actor Max Gail played Detective Stanley […]
Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On […]
Actress Amanda Blake, who died from AIDS-related hepatitis in 1989, was one tough cookie, just like her most famous character, Miss Kitty Russell on TV’s long-running Western, Gunsmoke. As the only female star of the beloved Western […]
Actor/singer David Soul and actress Lynne Marta had an “open relationship” for years, and had married other people, but never married each other. In the end, they died within days of one another other. This is their story nearly […]
Entertainment historian Bob Barnett remembered sitting in front of his “old television set with its rabbit-ear antennas, waiting for the annual TV broadcast of A Charlie Brown Christmas, which this year celebrates its 59th Anniversary. The moment that tiny […]
The Oscar-winning actress Rita Moreno, now 92, dated the late Tinseltown legend Marlon Brando, who cheated on her, so she sought revenge by dating Elvis Presley (who died in 1977). Such is the Hollywood life, and this is the […]
Tinseltown icons Lucille Ball and Joan Crawford each left their indelible mark in their given sector of the Hollywood realm. But when they came together in an episode of Ball’s sitcom, The Lucy Show, these two entertainment titans clashed. A […]
[Note: This article is a work of nonfiction based on the personal opinion of the author.] The Christmas TV special is an American tradition. But they have changed over the years, and sometimes, not for […]
In the 1930s, Lucille Ball and Judy Garland began appearing on the big screen in various films, the latter in larger-known films, and the former in B-pictures. By the 1950s, they were both bonafide Hollywood legends, with Garland owning […]
Who doesn’t love Christmas TV specials, especially the animated ones, right? And here’s a list of at least ten of the best. En-joy (and peace)! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (NBC, 1964): Directed by Larry Roemer. Written […]
It’s been nearly two months since the tragic death of actor Ron Ely. According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, the actor, best known for NBC TV’s classic 1960s adaptation of Tarzan, succumbed to “end-stage heart disease.” […]
At the time of her death, actress Estelle Winwood, who played Aunt Enchantra on TV’s Bewitched, was 101 years old, and the oldest member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. She also smoked three packs of cigarettes […]
Of all the varied Christmas TV special formats, the musical comedy variety program holds an inaugural, pertinent place and portion of the pie in the Christmas special spectrum, either as a singular hour airing just […]
Who doesn’t love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which has aired annually, except once (in 1999 when a poorly-made decision outraged viewers)? In 1964, the same year the 90-minute sci-fi feature film oddity titled, Santa Claus Conquered the […]
Many noble new Christmas TV-movies are churned out today by the good folks at Hallmark and Lifetime, but none can compare to the classics. Here is a list of at least ten of the best. […]
Beloved actor Max Baer, Jr. (who prefers to be known as just Max Baer) is now 87. Baer is best known for playing Jethro Bodine on the classic CBS sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies, which originally aired from 1962 […]