Boy, does this 1982 commercial bring back memories. We just added it to last week's In Memoriam playlist to replace a Jim Bouton video that was taken down by THE MAN. Enjoy a look back at Big League Chew.
Bouton put up much of the money for the product after two fellow Portland Mavericks associated created the concept. Big League Chew is still around today.
I was not a huge gum kid, seeing it mostly as an obstacle in the wax pack separating me from my baseball cards, but you got to love Big League Chew. In fact, you have to admire that a product so clealry patterned after something dangerous and illegal (for kids) is so successful. this tobacco imitator broke through in a way candy cigarettes never did, and this kind of marketing had a lot to do with it.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Monday, October 28, 2019
Happy National Chocolate Day!
Celebrate with that staple of 1970s and 1980s TV and sponsor of many a CBS SPECIAL PRESENTATION, Almond Joy and Mounds from Peter Paul!
Sunday, October 27, 2019
BOTNS Top Ten #39
1) Patrick Simmons: Still riding the wave of his success at the Batty Awards, Doobie Simmons announced that former members of the band would be welcome if the band were to win induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He must be feeling quite magnanimous, because he added, "Hell, if Gary Sandy shows up, he can join us, too."
2) Bay City Blues: As we enjoy the World Series this week, let;s remember the 1983 Steve Bochco dramedy even if nobody else does (except ESPN Classic, which did rerun the series years ago).
3) Al Burton: R.I.P. to a guy who had an amazing TV career. Not only did he produce shows like The Jeffersons and Fernwood 2Night and create Charles in Charge (hey, let's not speak ill of the recently deceased), but he has co-songwriting credits on Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes. And who could forget his theme for this Elliot Gould sitcom:
4) The Bradys: It seems like every week, HGTV announces some new Brady Bunch project combining alumni of the beloved show with some kind of home-related concept.
To be honest, I'm getting a little tired of it.
5) Disneyland: On this date in 1954, the first Disney series on TV debuted, and it was named after the new theme park. Of course it led to numerous incarnations of Disney anthology shows through the years, including the BOTNS era. I can live without Song of the South being on Disney +, but how about we lobby for something like this that should have an actual snowball's chance of being on there?
6) Room 222: The Closer magazine classic TV podcast interviewed Karen Valentine to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic high school show and also featured her in a big article on its website.
7) Ned Wertimer: Ralph the Doorman's birthday was today, but there aren't a lot of Ned Wertimer clips out there, so let's watch co-star Sherman Helmsley on Soul Train:
8) Joe Garagiola: Speaking of baseball, remember all those times we heard Vin Scully call the Series on NBC? Well, Joe wasn't as revered, but...he was often there, too!
9) Ghost Story: Get ready for Halloween with Decades' weekend binge of the early 1970s anthology series also known as Circle of Fear.. Hey, wait, nobody gets this channel. Looks like we got a rock.
10) Dick Van Patten: I recently heard Tony Figueroa say on the TV Confidential radio show that he heard DVP was very protective of the kids on Eight Is Enough. We don't need more reason than that to put him on the list!
2) Bay City Blues: As we enjoy the World Series this week, let;s remember the 1983 Steve Bochco dramedy even if nobody else does (except ESPN Classic, which did rerun the series years ago).
3) Al Burton: R.I.P. to a guy who had an amazing TV career. Not only did he produce shows like The Jeffersons and Fernwood 2Night and create Charles in Charge (hey, let's not speak ill of the recently deceased), but he has co-songwriting credits on Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes. And who could forget his theme for this Elliot Gould sitcom:
4) The Bradys: It seems like every week, HGTV announces some new Brady Bunch project combining alumni of the beloved show with some kind of home-related concept.
To be honest, I'm getting a little tired of it.
5) Disneyland: On this date in 1954, the first Disney series on TV debuted, and it was named after the new theme park. Of course it led to numerous incarnations of Disney anthology shows through the years, including the BOTNS era. I can live without Song of the South being on Disney +, but how about we lobby for something like this that should have an actual snowball's chance of being on there?
6) Room 222: The Closer magazine classic TV podcast interviewed Karen Valentine to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic high school show and also featured her in a big article on its website.
7) Ned Wertimer: Ralph the Doorman's birthday was today, but there aren't a lot of Ned Wertimer clips out there, so let's watch co-star Sherman Helmsley on Soul Train:
8) Joe Garagiola: Speaking of baseball, remember all those times we heard Vin Scully call the Series on NBC? Well, Joe wasn't as revered, but...he was often there, too!
9) Ghost Story: Get ready for Halloween with Decades' weekend binge of the early 1970s anthology series also known as Circle of Fear.. Hey, wait, nobody gets this channel. Looks like we got a rock.
10) Dick Van Patten: I recently heard Tony Figueroa say on the TV Confidential radio show that he heard DVP was very protective of the kids on Eight Is Enough. We don't need more reason than that to put him on the list!
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Batty Awards Season 6 In Memoriam Video Playlist
As a tribute to the many notable personalities we mentioned in our In Memoriam segment on this year's Battys, we put together the following YouTube playlist spotlighting some of their work. Click below to see (almost) all of the names listed below as read on the podcast. You'll also see Harrison Ford, Lucille Ball, David Letterman, wookies, Wonder Woman, the Heat Miser (!), and many more!
*Kristoff St. John
*Jan-Michael Vincent
*Morgan Woodward
*Katherine Helmond
*King Kong Bundy
*Sid Sheinberg
*Maury Laws
*Peter Mayhew
*Jim Bouton
*Peggy Lipton
*Doris Day
*Tim Conway
*Max Wright
*Arte Johnson
*Harley Race
*Jack Whitaker
*Valerie Harper
*Kristoff St. John
*Jan-Michael Vincent
*Morgan Woodward
*Katherine Helmond
*King Kong Bundy
*Sid Sheinberg
*Maury Laws
*Peter Mayhew
*Jim Bouton
*Peggy Lipton
*Doris Day
*Tim Conway
*Max Wright
*Arte Johnson
*Harley Race
*Jack Whitaker
*Valerie Harper
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Show Notes: Season 6 Batty Awards
*We can find no evidence of any discussions of a Doobie Brothers cartoon. Some bands who did have animated series: The Beatles, The Archies, The Jackson Five, Menudo, Josie and the Pussycats...and of course season 6's Jem and the Holograms. Who doesn't think the Doobies belong in that group?
*Tommy Westphall Universe: For those unfamilar with this phenomenon, click here for a quick read. We thank the Westphall snow globe for hosting the Sixth Batty Awards.
*According to IMDB, Richard Mulligan and Richard Moll never worked together on camera, but Moll's Night Court co-star Marsha Warfield did become a regular on Mulligan's Empty Nest.
*The Pittsburgh drug scandals plagued Major League Baseball and the Pirates in the 1980s, with a series of trials in 1985 and multiple suspensions. The mascot was even involved! I recommend this excellent book by Aaron Skirboll for the whole story.
*Jayne Kennedy was a star on NFL Today, a host of Greatest Sports Legends, a Miss Ohio, an actress, and more. Jayne Meadows was an actress in movies like Lady of the Lake, a game show panelist, and one-half of a well-publicized marriage with Steve Allen.
So there's really no reason to confuse them...yet I mix up the names all the time.
*Rhea Perlman had a short-lived CBS sitcom in 1996 called Pearl (also starring Malcom McDowell), and did make a guest appearance on an episode of Hot in Cleveland.
*Michael Richards had his own eponymous sitcom shortly after Seinfeld but later had a recurring role on the TV Land original Kirstie, which starred Kirstie Alley. She was on Cheers, which may be why I thought Rhea Perlman and Richards were on a show together...but then again, consider that I keep mixing up Jayne Kennedy and Jayne Meadows.
*Tommy Westphall Universe: For those unfamilar with this phenomenon, click here for a quick read. We thank the Westphall snow globe for hosting the Sixth Batty Awards.
*According to IMDB, Richard Mulligan and Richard Moll never worked together on camera, but Moll's Night Court co-star Marsha Warfield did become a regular on Mulligan's Empty Nest.
*The Pittsburgh drug scandals plagued Major League Baseball and the Pirates in the 1980s, with a series of trials in 1985 and multiple suspensions. The mascot was even involved! I recommend this excellent book by Aaron Skirboll for the whole story.
*Jayne Kennedy was a star on NFL Today, a host of Greatest Sports Legends, a Miss Ohio, an actress, and more. Jayne Meadows was an actress in movies like Lady of the Lake, a game show panelist, and one-half of a well-publicized marriage with Steve Allen.
So there's really no reason to confuse them...yet I mix up the names all the time.
*Rhea Perlman had a short-lived CBS sitcom in 1996 called Pearl (also starring Malcom McDowell), and did make a guest appearance on an episode of Hot in Cleveland.
*Michael Richards had his own eponymous sitcom shortly after Seinfeld but later had a recurring role on the TV Land original Kirstie, which starred Kirstie Alley. She was on Cheers, which may be why I thought Rhea Perlman and Richards were on a show together...but then again, consider that I keep mixing up Jayne Kennedy and Jayne Meadows.
Monday, October 21, 2019
BOTNS Top Ten #38 (Post-Battys Edition!)
1) Cheers: No surprise that the series tore through the back half of the Battys, considering it's one of our favorite shows. It's good to recognize it every now and then, though, because some people may not appreciate anything made in the twentieth century.
2) The Doobie Brothers: Last week they received one of the most prestigious honors a performer in their field can get...and they also were nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
3) Ed Flanders: Stupid Flanders. Everyone always thinks HE'S so great with his dumb mustache and his--Oh, ED Flanders! Yes! Congratulations to this season's Genius Award winner.
4) Shelley Long: Edged our Cybill Shepherd for Outstanding Female Performer, and if you think Cybill had a tantrum, shame on you for perpetuating that dated stereotype that successful, talented women are hypercompetitive and "difficult" and can't appreciate each other's acclaim.
No, Shepherd was just glad Christine Baranski didn't win it.
5) Ted Danson: Seriously, is it time to just name Ted Danson Emperor?
6) Alan Thicke: The Thickening of Battle of the Network Shows continues in 2019 with his wonderful exasperation, and because I need to get some video in this post, here it is again:
7) Moonlighting: The theme song lost a valiant battle against Cheers but put up a good fight, much like the knock-down drag-out battles between Cybill Shepherd and--hey, wait, you almost got me again.
8) Gary Deeb: Perhaps no other season 6 individual captured hearts and imaginations like former media critic Gary Deeb. Here's MY criticism of the media: Why isn't there more archival footage of Gary Deeb critiquing stuff?
9) Solomon Grundy: Has anyone ever explored a possible link between Grundy and fellow Batty nominee Cocaine? I'm not saying, but I'm just saying. The paranoia, the irritability, the general edginess, the pallor...
10) Bob Uecker: I can only speak for myself, but of all the people who didn't win (let's say that instead of losers to pay tribute to Ned Flanders), the one I most wish I could give an award to is Bob Uecker. Rest assured we put him in the front row inside the snow globe.
2) The Doobie Brothers: Last week they received one of the most prestigious honors a performer in their field can get...and they also were nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
3) Ed Flanders: Stupid Flanders. Everyone always thinks HE'S so great with his dumb mustache and his--Oh, ED Flanders! Yes! Congratulations to this season's Genius Award winner.
4) Shelley Long: Edged our Cybill Shepherd for Outstanding Female Performer, and if you think Cybill had a tantrum, shame on you for perpetuating that dated stereotype that successful, talented women are hypercompetitive and "difficult" and can't appreciate each other's acclaim.
No, Shepherd was just glad Christine Baranski didn't win it.
5) Ted Danson: Seriously, is it time to just name Ted Danson Emperor?
6) Alan Thicke: The Thickening of Battle of the Network Shows continues in 2019 with his wonderful exasperation, and because I need to get some video in this post, here it is again:
7) Moonlighting: The theme song lost a valiant battle against Cheers but put up a good fight, much like the knock-down drag-out battles between Cybill Shepherd and--hey, wait, you almost got me again.
8) Gary Deeb: Perhaps no other season 6 individual captured hearts and imaginations like former media critic Gary Deeb. Here's MY criticism of the media: Why isn't there more archival footage of Gary Deeb critiquing stuff?
9) Solomon Grundy: Has anyone ever explored a possible link between Grundy and fellow Batty nominee Cocaine? I'm not saying, but I'm just saying. The paranoia, the irritability, the general edginess, the pallor...
10) Bob Uecker: I can only speak for myself, but of all the people who didn't win (let's say that instead of losers to pay tribute to Ned Flanders), the one I most wish I could give an award to is Bob Uecker. Rest assured we put him in the front row inside the snow globe.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Your OFFICIAL list of Season 6 Batty Award winners!
Congratulations to all the Season 6 Batty nominees and especially to the winners! Listen to this week's podcast BEFORE reading this if you don't want the results spoiled, but consider this a handy guide to the categories and results.
Winners are listed in bold below:
Best Sitcom Ensemble (Listener Award)
The cast of What's Happening!!
The Seavers (and others) form Growing Pains
The cast of Cheers
The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Outstanding Villain
Eddie Sands (Hardcastle & McCormick)
Eric Raymond (Jem and the Holograms)
John Hurt (Donahue)
Al Dunbar (What's Happening!!)
The Riddler (Legends of the Superheroes)
Solomon Grundy (Legends of the Superheroes)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth
Ernest Thomas (What's Happening!!)
Jeremy Miller (Growing Pains)
Danny Cooksey (Growing Pains)
Dominic Lerner (Jem and the Holograms)
Outstanding Performance by a Non-Human
Cocaine (Growing Pains)
Cursor (Automan)
Automan (Automan)
The Coyote (Hardcastle & McCormick)
Tape recorder (What's Happening!!)
Biggest Exasperation
Frasier Crane (Cheers)
Maddie Hayes (Moonlighting)
Jason Seaver (Growing Pains)
Mr. Carlin (St. Elsewhere)
Phil Donahue (Donahue)
Outstanding Facial Hair
The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Cliff Clavin (Cheers)
Dr. Craig (St. Elsewhere)
Willie Stargell (Greatest Sports Legends)
Outstanding Hair
Phil Donahue (Donahue)*
Sam Malone (Cheers)
Jem (Jem and the Holograms)
Jayne Kennedy (Greatest Sports Legends)
Lena Lerner (Jem and the Holograms)
Mike Seaver (Growing Pains)
Huntress (Legends of the Superheroes)
*Chosen by random number generator
Outstanding Performance as Oneself
Ed McMahon (Legends of the Superheroes)
Phil Donahue (Donahue)
Gary Deeb (Donahue)
Buddy Ebsen (Hardcastle & McCormick)
The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Bob Uecker (Greatest Sports Legends)
Best Song
Takin' It to the Streets performed by The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Gloria performed by Laura Branigan (Automan)
Limbo Song performed by David Addison (Moonliughting)
All Night Long performed by Various Artists in the Jem Jam (Jem and the Holograms)
Gimme performed by The Misfits (Jem and the Holograms)
Oustanding Theme Song (with vocals)
Jem and the Holograms
Growing Pains
Moonlighting
Cheers
Hardcastle & McCormick
Outstanding Theme Song (instrumental)
Tush
Legends of the Superheroes
Greatest Sports Legends
Donahue
Automan
What's Happening!!
St. Elsewhere
Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Male
Kelsey Grammer (Cheers)
John Ratzenberger (Cheers)
George Wendt (Cheers)
Frank Gorshin (Legends of the Superheroes)
Alan Hale Jr. (Growing Pains)
Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Female
Kristy Swanson (Charlie's Angels)
Barbara Bain (Moonlighting)
Rhea Perlman (Cheers)
Laura Branigan (Automan)
Betty White (St. Elsewhere)
Jan Hooks (Tush)
Outstanding Performance by a Male
Ted Danson (Cheers)
Alan Thicke (Growing Pains)
Bruce Willis (Moonlighting)
William Daniels (St. Elsewhere)
Adam West (Legends of the Superheroes)
Outstanding Performance by a Female
Shelley Long (Cheers)
Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting)
Jayne Kennedy (Greatest Sports Legends)
Jem (Jem and the Holograms)
Mabel King (What's Happening!!)
Best Episode (that we covered)
Power Play (Cheers)
Best Show (that we covered)
Cheers
Robert Pine Genius Award: Ed Flanders (St. Elsewhere)
Finally, we want to give a special thanks to our listeners for your support and for inspiring us as we completed another fun season. We had a great time making them and hope you enjoyed hearing them.
Stay tuned for more bonus episodes and news on season 7!
Winners are listed in bold below:
Best Sitcom Ensemble (Listener Award)
The cast of What's Happening!!
The Seavers (and others) form Growing Pains
The cast of Cheers
The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Outstanding Villain
Eddie Sands (Hardcastle & McCormick)
Eric Raymond (Jem and the Holograms)
John Hurt (Donahue)
Al Dunbar (What's Happening!!)
The Riddler (Legends of the Superheroes)
Solomon Grundy (Legends of the Superheroes)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth
Ernest Thomas (What's Happening!!)
Jeremy Miller (Growing Pains)
Danny Cooksey (Growing Pains)
Dominic Lerner (Jem and the Holograms)
Outstanding Performance by a Non-Human
Cocaine (Growing Pains)
Cursor (Automan)
Automan (Automan)
The Coyote (Hardcastle & McCormick)
Tape recorder (What's Happening!!)
Biggest Exasperation
Frasier Crane (Cheers)
Maddie Hayes (Moonlighting)
Jason Seaver (Growing Pains)
Mr. Carlin (St. Elsewhere)
Phil Donahue (Donahue)
Outstanding Facial Hair
The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Cliff Clavin (Cheers)
Dr. Craig (St. Elsewhere)
Willie Stargell (Greatest Sports Legends)
Outstanding Hair
Phil Donahue (Donahue)*
Sam Malone (Cheers)
Jem (Jem and the Holograms)
Jayne Kennedy (Greatest Sports Legends)
Lena Lerner (Jem and the Holograms)
Mike Seaver (Growing Pains)
Huntress (Legends of the Superheroes)
*Chosen by random number generator
Outstanding Performance as Oneself
Ed McMahon (Legends of the Superheroes)
Phil Donahue (Donahue)
Gary Deeb (Donahue)
Buddy Ebsen (Hardcastle & McCormick)
The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Bob Uecker (Greatest Sports Legends)
Best Song
Takin' It to the Streets performed by The Doobie Brothers (What's Happening!!)
Gloria performed by Laura Branigan (Automan)
Limbo Song performed by David Addison (Moonliughting)
All Night Long performed by Various Artists in the Jem Jam (Jem and the Holograms)
Gimme performed by The Misfits (Jem and the Holograms)
Oustanding Theme Song (with vocals)
Jem and the Holograms
Growing Pains
Moonlighting
Cheers
Hardcastle & McCormick
Outstanding Theme Song (instrumental)
Tush
Legends of the Superheroes
Greatest Sports Legends
Donahue
Automan
What's Happening!!
St. Elsewhere
Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Male
Kelsey Grammer (Cheers)
John Ratzenberger (Cheers)
George Wendt (Cheers)
Frank Gorshin (Legends of the Superheroes)
Alan Hale Jr. (Growing Pains)
Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Female
Kristy Swanson (Charlie's Angels)
Barbara Bain (Moonlighting)
Rhea Perlman (Cheers)
Laura Branigan (Automan)
Betty White (St. Elsewhere)
Jan Hooks (Tush)
Outstanding Performance by a Male
Ted Danson (Cheers)
Alan Thicke (Growing Pains)
Bruce Willis (Moonlighting)
William Daniels (St. Elsewhere)
Adam West (Legends of the Superheroes)
Outstanding Performance by a Female
Shelley Long (Cheers)
Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting)
Jayne Kennedy (Greatest Sports Legends)
Jem (Jem and the Holograms)
Mabel King (What's Happening!!)
Best Episode (that we covered)
Power Play (Cheers)
Best Show (that we covered)
Cheers
Robert Pine Genius Award: Ed Flanders (St. Elsewhere)
Finally, we want to give a special thanks to our listeners for your support and for inspiring us as we completed another fun season. We had a great time making them and hope you enjoyed hearing them.
Stay tuned for more bonus episodes and news on season 7!
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