That's right! You can click on the video below for more CB radio, more Greg Evigan, and folks who didn't make it into the episode we covered, like Lobo and Judy Landers! Ed Lauter for Bayer aspirin! All this and more!
And remember to check out our official YouTube channel for episode-specific playlists for each podcast!
Friday, November 30, 2018
Show Notes: Episode 5-7: B.J. and the Bear
*B.J. and the Bear aired 3 seasons (1979-1981) on NBC. Cain's Cruiser, season 2 episode 3, premiered Saturday, October 13, 1979 at 9:00 P.M. opposite The Love Boat (ABC) and Lifeguard (1976) (CBS).
*B.J. premiered February 1979, and spinoff Lobo debuted September 1979. Both had shortened third seasons and were axed after the 1980-1981 TV year.
*The Universal vault fire we mention on the podcast has not been covered in detail; we see a lot of speculation but not so much facts. Consensus seems to be that the studio's music archives were hit harder (as far as irreplaceable losses) than the film/TV side.
*Citizens Band radio was invented in 1945 but took off as a fad in the 1970s. Rising gas prices and a federal speed limit of 55 made CB radio useful for truckers to plan routes and such. People started ignoring licensing requirements (that were eventually just eliminated), and soon all kinds of people were messing around with CB.
*Wisconsin football was very successful in the 1950s but mediocre when B.J. and the Bear premiered.
*I don't know whatever happened to Sam the Chimp, who played Bear, but I recommend reading this.
*In this 1981 Christian Science Monitor piece, Fred Silverman says: In the case of 'BJ and the Bear,' the time came to end it, since it had been on the air for 2 1/2 years and it never really made it. There is a moment in time when you say, 'Let's take it off and try something else. However, he didn't get try too much else, as Brandon Tartikoff replaced him the next season.
*This April 1981 New York Times article talks about NBC's struggles but does say that:''Facts of Life'' and ''B.J. and the Bear'' have evolved from marginal shows last season to modestly successful series.
*Here is the Glen Larson interview clip Mike mentions. Check our YouTube playlist for more.
*The Greg Evigan interview Mike mentions, in which he talks about turning down Knight Rider, is here.
*Ed Lauter was known for being in jillions of movies and shows in the 70s and 80s, like the original The Longest Yard.
*The Universal show with Robert Wagner is It Takes a Thief, not To Catch a Thief (which was the Cary Grant movie).
*According to the CB Slang website, If you hear a truck driver say "Tijuana Taxi" on their CB radio, it's just another way to say "Tow truck." Now it also refers to any well-marked police car.
*B.J. premiered February 1979, and spinoff Lobo debuted September 1979. Both had shortened third seasons and were axed after the 1980-1981 TV year.
*The Universal vault fire we mention on the podcast has not been covered in detail; we see a lot of speculation but not so much facts. Consensus seems to be that the studio's music archives were hit harder (as far as irreplaceable losses) than the film/TV side.
*Citizens Band radio was invented in 1945 but took off as a fad in the 1970s. Rising gas prices and a federal speed limit of 55 made CB radio useful for truckers to plan routes and such. People started ignoring licensing requirements (that were eventually just eliminated), and soon all kinds of people were messing around with CB.
*Wisconsin football was very successful in the 1950s but mediocre when B.J. and the Bear premiered.
*I don't know whatever happened to Sam the Chimp, who played Bear, but I recommend reading this.
*In this 1981 Christian Science Monitor piece, Fred Silverman says: In the case of 'BJ and the Bear,' the time came to end it, since it had been on the air for 2 1/2 years and it never really made it. There is a moment in time when you say, 'Let's take it off and try something else. However, he didn't get try too much else, as Brandon Tartikoff replaced him the next season.
*This April 1981 New York Times article talks about NBC's struggles but does say that:''Facts of Life'' and ''B.J. and the Bear'' have evolved from marginal shows last season to modestly successful series.
*Here is the Glen Larson interview clip Mike mentions. Check our YouTube playlist for more.
*The Greg Evigan interview Mike mentions, in which he talks about turning down Knight Rider, is here.
*Ed Lauter was known for being in jillions of movies and shows in the 70s and 80s, like the original The Longest Yard.
*The Universal show with Robert Wagner is It Takes a Thief, not To Catch a Thief (which was the Cary Grant movie).
*According to the CB Slang website, If you hear a truck driver say "Tijuana Taxi" on their CB radio, it's just another way to say "Tow truck." Now it also refers to any well-marked police car.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
5-7: BJ and the Bear "Cain's Cruiser"
Trucker B.J. McKay and his best pal Bear, a chimp, face off with Sheriff Cain and his supercar...designed and built by one Erin Gray. We dig deep into this one, speculate on its role as the possible secret origin of Knight Rider, and pitch our own trucker show Truckstop Lawyer.
Check out this episode!
Check out this episode!
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
YouTube Spotlight: Ralph Waite on "The Mississippi"
One of my favorite clips in this week's YouTube playlist for The Waltons is the opening sequence to short-lived CBS series The Mississippi.
Thanks to The Rap Sheet for posting this on its own YouTube channel.
The Mississippi ran 1982-1984 for a total of 27 episodes. As you can tell from this sequence, Waite is a criminal attorney who gives it all up (sort of) to buy a boat. The thing is, he keeps running into people who need a good lawyer as he makes his way up and down the mighty Mississip.
I don't know why, but I love this premise.
Thanks to The Rap Sheet for posting this on its own YouTube channel.
The Mississippi ran 1982-1984 for a total of 27 episodes. As you can tell from this sequence, Waite is a criminal attorney who gives it all up (sort of) to buy a boat. The thing is, he keeps running into people who need a good lawyer as he makes his way up and down the mighty Mississip.
I don't know why, but I love this premise.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Happy birthday, Ricardo Montablan!
The late great Ricardo Montalban was born this day in 1920!
No, he doesn't mention "Corinthian leather" in this ad, but it's still great. Mr. Roarke is not part of the BOTNS universe yet, but someday he will be!
(H/T to Sean Mc for posting the video!)
No, he doesn't mention "Corinthian leather" in this ad, but it's still great. Mr. Roarke is not part of the BOTNS universe yet, but someday he will be!
(H/T to Sean Mc for posting the video!)
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Happy birthday, Dwight Schultz!
Happy 61st to Howlin' Mad from The A-Team, Dwight Schultz! Here's one to grow on--and is that who I think it is showing up at the kid's door?
Odd to think that Schultz is only 3 years older than Stanley Livingston from My Three Sons, who was always born on this day.
(H/T to Retrostatic for posting the video!)
Odd to think that Schultz is only 3 years older than Stanley Livingston from My Three Sons, who was always born on this day.
(H/T to Retrostatic for posting the video!)
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