Showing posts with label In Search Of. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In Search Of. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Friday, July 24, 2020
On National Amelia Earhart Day, never forget Leisure World
July 24 is designated National Amelia Earhart Day in honor of her birth in 1897. Remember her many accomplishments, but also remember the lingering suspicion that she lived out her days at a remote location: Leisure World.
Click here if you haven't listened to us discuss this memorable episode of In Search Of.
Click here if you haven't listened to us discuss this memorable episode of In Search Of.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
it was 85 years ago today...
On this date in 1933, the first recorded sighting of the Loch Ness Monster occurred.
Of course, some 44 years later, Leonard Nimoy and In Search Of conclusively proved that there was no way to disprove the possibility that something may have at one time or another existed in that environment.
We talked about this episode (along with Amelia Earhart) in season one.
Click here for that show in audio format or here to check it on our YouTube page!
Of course, some 44 years later, Leonard Nimoy and In Search Of conclusively proved that there was no way to disprove the possibility that something may have at one time or another existed in that environment.
We talked about this episode (along with Amelia Earhart) in season one.
Click here for that show in audio format or here to check it on our YouTube page!
Saturday, April 1, 2017
And now, a Word from THEIR sponsor...Say it ain't so, Leonard Nimoy!
It's 1980-ish, and Leonard Nimoy has a lot going on: In Search Of is in first-run syndication, he's doing hosting for radio dramas, he has an MA from Antioch, he's making stage appearances and developing his on-man show Vincent covering the life of Vincent Van Gogh...
and, yeah, he was just in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. For a guy who wrote a book called I Am Not Spock, he sure didn't run from the franchise, and I think we are all glad he did not. But, man, it seems a little disrespectful to get the guy to shill for your product in semi-Spock mode:
First of all, the outfit makes me...uncomfortable. Second, you have to love the concept: Put Leonard in some kind of vaguely futuristic ensemble, make it look like there are stars behind him, and, VOILA--space!
I wonder if Nimoy is thinking, "I don't need this stuff. I have all these bad-ass, non-revealing suits I wear on a little show called In Search Of, and I'm doing just fine hosting that." You know what, though? It's possible that he didn't know they would add that cheesy transporter effect at the end. In fact, though I'd feel bad that they did that to him, I kind of hope that is what happened.
Or at least, I DID hope that until I did some research and found that Leonard had been doing this before. Check out this 1979 spot:
He even uses the word "logic" here...several times. I'm surprised he doesn't say he'll give a nerve pinch to anyone who doesn't sign up for Atlantic Bank's checking accounts.
Say it ain't so, Leonard Nimoy!
and, yeah, he was just in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. For a guy who wrote a book called I Am Not Spock, he sure didn't run from the franchise, and I think we are all glad he did not. But, man, it seems a little disrespectful to get the guy to shill for your product in semi-Spock mode:
First of all, the outfit makes me...uncomfortable. Second, you have to love the concept: Put Leonard in some kind of vaguely futuristic ensemble, make it look like there are stars behind him, and, VOILA--space!
I wonder if Nimoy is thinking, "I don't need this stuff. I have all these bad-ass, non-revealing suits I wear on a little show called In Search Of, and I'm doing just fine hosting that." You know what, though? It's possible that he didn't know they would add that cheesy transporter effect at the end. In fact, though I'd feel bad that they did that to him, I kind of hope that is what happened.
Or at least, I DID hope that until I did some research and found that Leonard had been doing this before. Check out this 1979 spot:
Say it ain't so, Leonard Nimoy!
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Happy anniversary, Amelia Earhart!
On this day in 1935, legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart became the first person to cross the Pacific solo from Hawaii to California. In our In Search Of... episode solved the mystery of her later disappearance in 1937.
Wait, no, we didn't solve the mystery of her disappearance. We solved the mystery of whether or not the In Search Of... episode devoted to her was worth watching. I'm still proud of our accomplishment.
As a helpful reminder as we celebrate this aviation milestone, let Leonard Nimoy remind you that THIS is Amelia:
THIS woman, despite the claims of a certain individual, insists she is NOT Amelia:
Are they celebrating this anniversary at Leisure World in New jersey?
(To learn more, check out our episode covering this as well as the YouTube playlist)
Wait, no, we didn't solve the mystery of her disappearance. We solved the mystery of whether or not the In Search Of... episode devoted to her was worth watching. I'm still proud of our accomplishment.
As a helpful reminder as we celebrate this aviation milestone, let Leonard Nimoy remind you that THIS is Amelia:
THIS woman, despite the claims of a certain individual, insists she is NOT Amelia:
Are they celebrating this anniversary at Leisure World in New jersey?
(To learn more, check out our episode covering this as well as the YouTube playlist)
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
In Search Of...Leonard Nimoy's most bad-ass look
Let's face it, while we all love unexplained phenomena, a big part of the appeal of In Search Of is not the exploration of ESP nor of UFOs, but rather the mere presence of Leonard Nimoy, who gave the show both credibility and, I dare say, coolness with just a few fleeting appearances per show. I went in search of...Nimoy's best on-screen look.
This is Nimoy at his most authoritative: Relatively conservative and clean. Does he sacrifice some machismo, though, with his bid for gravitas?
Still fairly tame, but that collar is opening up and increasing. Leonard is getting in touch with his inner 1970s icon.
Showing a little skin now, eh, Leonard? The swinger--uh, I mean the swagger--is surfacing.
Getting increasingly risqué as season 3 advances, but it was the end of the 1970s. It was all about FREEDOM from restrictions, and that includes top buttons.
Suddenly Nimoy takes a turn back to the straitlaced. Is this a deliberate response to the permissiveness of the times as personified by Studio 54? Or did he just really feel like wearing a nice jacket for the location shoot?
Nimoy brings out a new item from the wardrobe for Season 3's "Dreams and Nightmares": a zippered sweater/
The wardrobe may say, "professional" in Season 4's "Shroud of Turin," but the mustache says "BAD ASS."
What a look for this episode. It's like Nimoy thought, "OK, Glenn Miller isn't all that exciting, so I'll add another layer. And trim my 'stache."
In Season 5's examination of "The Great Wall of China," Love the casual placing of the hands in the pockets to exude that effortless cool factor."Yeah, it's a wall, all right. You might call it very good--great, even. I've seen greater."
I think he saves the best for the series' final episode, "Life Before Birth." Classic suit complemented by the classic 'stache, and it's all made better by the American flag in the background. USA! USA! USA! What other country can bring the bad-assery like the USA? None, I tell you. Here we don't have "presenters." We have "hosts." If we're lucky enough, they are as awesome as the late, great Leonard Nimoy.
Still fairly tame, but that collar is opening up and increasing. Leonard is getting in touch with his inner 1970s icon.
Showing a little skin now, eh, Leonard? The swinger--uh, I mean the swagger--is surfacing.
Getting increasingly risqué as season 3 advances, but it was the end of the 1970s. It was all about FREEDOM from restrictions, and that includes top buttons.
Suddenly Nimoy takes a turn back to the straitlaced. Is this a deliberate response to the permissiveness of the times as personified by Studio 54? Or did he just really feel like wearing a nice jacket for the location shoot?
Nimoy brings out a new item from the wardrobe for Season 3's "Dreams and Nightmares": a zippered sweater/
The wardrobe may say, "professional" in Season 4's "Shroud of Turin," but the mustache says "BAD ASS."
What a look for this episode. It's like Nimoy thought, "OK, Glenn Miller isn't all that exciting, so I'll add another layer. And trim my 'stache."
In Season 5's examination of "The Great Wall of China," Love the casual placing of the hands in the pockets to exude that effortless cool factor."Yeah, it's a wall, all right. You might call it very good--great, even. I've seen greater."
I think he saves the best for the series' final episode, "Life Before Birth." Classic suit complemented by the classic 'stache, and it's all made better by the American flag in the background. USA! USA! USA! What other country can bring the bad-assery like the USA? None, I tell you. Here we don't have "presenters." We have "hosts." If we're lucky enough, they are as awesome as the late, great Leonard Nimoy.
Monday, November 14, 2016
In Search Of...Something to Write
Earlier in the week, I found myself pondering innumerable questions. Would I have something to write to expand on this week's episode about In Search Of? After we recorded the episode, I had watched some more In Search Of on topics like Atlantis, the Bermuda Triangle, and--of course--Bigfoot. Would one of those offer more insight or jokes we hadn't yet covered? Could I possibly come up with an image-based piece like the one of the Bionic Mustache or a high concept one like Frank's Diary? What about Nimoy's mustache? Only time would tell if I had a tale to tell.
Idea one: watch an episode about a mystery now solved and compare the speculation to the truth. I immediately thought of the Titanic, once a hallmark of speculation. I went looking for the episode, knowing it must exist, yet as I scrolled through episode after episode, I didn't see it. Killer bees, UFOs, UFOs, UFOs, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. No Titanic. Would I ever find it? How could a show as focused on the mysteries of the unknown as In Search Of possibly ignore the greatest shipping disaster of all time? Finally, I found it all the way in season 6. It originally aired on November 30, 1981, a mere four years before the discovery of the doomed ship on the ocean floor.
As I watched, I waited for inspiration, that one wacky person or theory to latch onto, but alas, none appeared. Yes, the discovery of the Titanic changed some of the general thought on the damage and the sinking. The iceberg buckled plates on the hull, causing small areas for water to enter rather than the long gash theorized in the show, but that theory didn't represent one of a crackpot. It represented the prevailing theory. Also, we now know that the engines and boilers didn't fall through the ship and that it cracked as it sank. Again, nothing spectacular there. In fact, I would still recommend watching the episode for an eyewitness account from a woman who survived the disaster as a child. Also, Nimoy utters these classic In Search Of lines:
Of course, someone did find the Titanic, which has answered many questions. The episode does briefly feature one potentially interesting figure, Jack Grimm, a wealthy oilman who searched for (and claimed to have found) the Titanic, and this led me on my next quest.
While reading up on the Titanic's discovery, I saw reference to Grimm as a man who had also searched for Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, a hole in the North Pole (connected to the Hollow World theory), and Noah's Ark. Boy, he sounded like the perfect subject, a man in search of, well, everything you would expect to see on In Search Of. Our friend Google would certainly turn up loads of information on this character and all his thrilling expeditions. He sounded straight out of a 1970s comic book or a 1930s serial: Jack Grimm and the Quest for Noah's Ark, Jack Grimm vs. Bigfoot, Jack Grimm Tames the Loch Ness Monster, Jack Grimm: Titanic!
Uh, no. I found some obituaries, a few small references on Bigfoot sites, but only his Noah's Ark and Titanic adventures gained more than a passing notice in his obituaries. For instance, he claimed to have found Noah's Ark, brought home a timber dug up from Mount Ararat, and carried a piece of it with him at all times. Also, of less interest, he rarely paid for these adventures himself, instead raising the money from others. I did find a 1976 documentary called In Search of Noah's Ark, but Grimm doesn't appear in it. I also found a 1990 documentary on the same subject (hosted by the grear Darren McGavin), but it didn't have credits for the talking heads, and I didn't have time to watch the whole thing.
So I find myself again asking what would I write about? Perhaps I'll never know...or perhaps it will come to as if in a dream (and what are dreams?). Will the audience find itself fed up to end this mystery with only more questions? Only time will tell...or will it?
Idea one: watch an episode about a mystery now solved and compare the speculation to the truth. I immediately thought of the Titanic, once a hallmark of speculation. I went looking for the episode, knowing it must exist, yet as I scrolled through episode after episode, I didn't see it. Killer bees, UFOs, UFOs, UFOs, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. No Titanic. Would I ever find it? How could a show as focused on the mysteries of the unknown as In Search Of possibly ignore the greatest shipping disaster of all time? Finally, I found it all the way in season 6. It originally aired on November 30, 1981, a mere four years before the discovery of the doomed ship on the ocean floor.
As I watched, I waited for inspiration, that one wacky person or theory to latch onto, but alas, none appeared. Yes, the discovery of the Titanic changed some of the general thought on the damage and the sinking. The iceberg buckled plates on the hull, causing small areas for water to enter rather than the long gash theorized in the show, but that theory didn't represent one of a crackpot. It represented the prevailing theory. Also, we now know that the engines and boilers didn't fall through the ship and that it cracked as it sank. Again, nothing spectacular there. In fact, I would still recommend watching the episode for an eyewitness account from a woman who survived the disaster as a child. Also, Nimoy utters these classic In Search Of lines:
The story of the Titanic is one that raises more questions than it answers. Where exactly was she lost? Will we ever find out? What was the mystery ship that sailed so close to her in the night? What about stories of a rules-flaunting romance between a boy from steerage and a wealthy young woman?
Of course, someone did find the Titanic, which has answered many questions. The episode does briefly feature one potentially interesting figure, Jack Grimm, a wealthy oilman who searched for (and claimed to have found) the Titanic, and this led me on my next quest.
While reading up on the Titanic's discovery, I saw reference to Grimm as a man who had also searched for Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, a hole in the North Pole (connected to the Hollow World theory), and Noah's Ark. Boy, he sounded like the perfect subject, a man in search of, well, everything you would expect to see on In Search Of. Our friend Google would certainly turn up loads of information on this character and all his thrilling expeditions. He sounded straight out of a 1970s comic book or a 1930s serial: Jack Grimm and the Quest for Noah's Ark, Jack Grimm vs. Bigfoot, Jack Grimm Tames the Loch Ness Monster, Jack Grimm: Titanic!
Uh, no. I found some obituaries, a few small references on Bigfoot sites, but only his Noah's Ark and Titanic adventures gained more than a passing notice in his obituaries. For instance, he claimed to have found Noah's Ark, brought home a timber dug up from Mount Ararat, and carried a piece of it with him at all times. Also, of less interest, he rarely paid for these adventures himself, instead raising the money from others. I did find a 1976 documentary called In Search of Noah's Ark, but Grimm doesn't appear in it. I also found a 1990 documentary on the same subject (hosted by the grear Darren McGavin), but it didn't have credits for the talking heads, and I didn't have time to watch the whole thing.
So I find myself again asking what would I write about? Perhaps I'll never know...or perhaps it will come to as if in a dream (and what are dreams?). Will the audience find itself fed up to end this mystery with only more questions? Only time will tell...or will it?
Friday, November 11, 2016
Show Notes: Episode 8: In Search Of
*In Search Of was a weekly half-hour program that aired in syndication for 5 seasons (1977-1982). It was preceded by three hour specials narrated by Rod Serling, who reportedly would have hosted the series had he not died in 1975.
*In the 1990s, A&E and History Channel reran the show; and a 2002 Sci-Fi Channel revival starred Mitch Pileggi. The complete series is available on DVD from Canadian company VEI.
*Leonard Nimoy did indeed write the Van Gogh episode of the series, the only one that he did.
*The Nimoy appearance on The Simpsons that Rick references is in the classic "Marge vs. the Monorail" from Season 4. He also appears in "The Springfield Files" in season 10, sending up his role as In Search Of host.
*The Loch Ness Monster roller coaster premiered at Busch Gardens amusement park in 1978 and is still there today!
*Beany and Cecil was a Bob Clampett puppet then animated series with a little boy and a lovable sea serpent.
*After the taping of this episode, new research pointed to the theory that Amelia Earhart died on a remote island after an emergency landing.
*Flight for Freedom, the 1943 RKO movie loosely based on Amelia Earhart, is available on home video from Warner Archive.
*Ball Four is still not available on DVD, but Fox introduced the baseball drama Pitch this season.
*Remember to visit our YouTube page for a playlist for this episode! It includes two versions of the Ball Four opening credits, including the series theme song by Harry Chapin and a pilot version with a different song (and a different cast, including Gary Sandy).
*Wikipedia offers this fascinating tidbit about Ball Four, which only aired 5 episodes
Ball Four aired at 8:30 PM Eastern time, which was during the Family Viewing Hour, an FCC-mandated hour of early evening "family-friendly" broadcasting. Consequently the writers had some trouble with the network's Standards and Practices in their attempt to portray realistic locker room scenes, especially the language used by the players. Pseudo-profanity such as "bullpimp" was disallowed, while "horse-crock" and "bullhorse" were approved.[2]
*In the 1990s, A&E and History Channel reran the show; and a 2002 Sci-Fi Channel revival starred Mitch Pileggi. The complete series is available on DVD from Canadian company VEI.
*Leonard Nimoy did indeed write the Van Gogh episode of the series, the only one that he did.
*The Nimoy appearance on The Simpsons that Rick references is in the classic "Marge vs. the Monorail" from Season 4. He also appears in "The Springfield Files" in season 10, sending up his role as In Search Of host.
*The Loch Ness Monster roller coaster premiered at Busch Gardens amusement park in 1978 and is still there today!
*Beany and Cecil was a Bob Clampett puppet then animated series with a little boy and a lovable sea serpent.
*After the taping of this episode, new research pointed to the theory that Amelia Earhart died on a remote island after an emergency landing.
*Flight for Freedom, the 1943 RKO movie loosely based on Amelia Earhart, is available on home video from Warner Archive.
*Ball Four is still not available on DVD, but Fox introduced the baseball drama Pitch this season.
*Remember to visit our YouTube page for a playlist for this episode! It includes two versions of the Ball Four opening credits, including the series theme song by Harry Chapin and a pilot version with a different song (and a different cast, including Gary Sandy).
*Wikipedia offers this fascinating tidbit about Ball Four, which only aired 5 episodes
Ball Four aired at 8:30 PM Eastern time, which was during the Family Viewing Hour, an FCC-mandated hour of early evening "family-friendly" broadcasting. Consequently the writers had some trouble with the network's Standards and Practices in their attempt to portray realistic locker room scenes, especially the language used by the players. Pseudo-profanity such as "bullpimp" was disallowed, while "horse-crock" and "bullhorse" were approved.[2]
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Episode 8: In Search Of "Amelia Earhart" and "The Loch Ness Monster"
This week, we probably take a look at what might be the definitive 1970s docuseries In Search Of. Through diligent research, authoritative interviews, and on-site camerawork, host Leonard Nimoy and crew dig deep into the mysteries of Amelia Earhart and the Loch Ness Monster and come up with--well, you be the judge. In all probability, we might offer are own opinions. Also, "What We'd Like To See!"
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
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