Norm MacDonald and Larry King (SNL and Johnny Carson)

Norm recently appeared on "Late Show with David Letterman" for the final time (excellent article/clips here).  He tells Dave that Letterman is "my Johnny Carson," later adding that Johnny Carson was also Norm's Johnny Carson.  In the clip below, Norm explains the meeting-that-never-was to Larry King.

(UPDATE: Norm was invited back again to perform the final stand-up set on the "Late Show" on May 15... a rare honor to return so quickly, which shows how highly regarded Norm is by Dave).


Here's the whole Larry King interview.  And below is the Larry King imitation he's referring to, hilariously excerpted in the following SNL clips...




There are two more in this episode, which Norm hosted in 1999.  Nice ad-libs.
And here's Larry King's wedding reception (a minor classic with a nice cameo)

And finally, here's Norm hosting Larry King Live AS Larry King, interviewing the real Larry King:

What were the 90s like?

This 1993 sketch from SNL features Christian Slater, Chris Farley, David Spade and Adam Sandler and is a perfect encapsulation of every suburban garage grunge-band.

More with Siskel and Ebert

Following up on my post about the dynamic duo on Letterman, here's an excerpt from the fascinating oral history of their work.

And some outtakes; I believe these are excerpted in "Life Itself."



Finally, a long compilation of moments from their show, as well as "Ebert & Roeper."

Chris Farley and David Spade at the Oscars

Not only didn't I know this happened, but it is really difficult to watch.  Farley would pass away in eight months:

The best pizza I've ever eaten

If you EVER find Mr. Marshall, drug him, throw him into your trunk (but get some help first) and have him make pizza as his ransom.  It was amazing.  The place closed in 2003 or so, allegedly because as a cash business, the IRS decided to check his books.  They went "on vacation" for weeks, and I remember seeing the whole operation being wheeled out the front door.  Edward said it sold at auction to another local restaurant for $750.  Sad.  (I will not name the other business, because they were never friendly and their food always made me sick... and I don't remember the name).

Sylvester Stallone on SNL

Rocky-Rambo finally hosted the show in 1997, and here Norm MacDonald gives him the business.  Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer give nice supporting roles to a sketch that's pure Norm.

Zack the Lego Maniac

This commercial is tattooed on my brain, and I didn't even really like Legos as a child.  As an adult, though, they are an important source of calcium.



#SNL4kidz

The Best Chinese Food In Every State

Allegedly.  Do you agree?  Suggestions welcome below.  Here's the article.

Wollensak reel tape recorders

These things seem to be indestructible, yet also difficult to find today.  I had one around 2007 and it worked excellently, but I've never played the tapes back on a professional deck to see how they sound.  Maybe it's time.
Anyhow, this is a weird commercial for the 1966 line.  This woman does not seem comfortable with go-go dancing.

Norm MacDonald and Andy Rooney on SNL

Norm's choice of impressions seems to veer a lot toward the Greatest Generation.  Here is his bizarre take on Andy Rooney from 60 Minutes.  The best part is the lack of audience response: the only laughs seem to be coming from his fellow Saturday Night Live castmembers.

'The Rockford Files' car chase compilation

Not sure who assembled this, or why, but it's a nice example of James Garner behind-the-wheel of his Pontiac Espirit (really a Trans Am under the skin).
This is where we get the term "J-Turn" (for Jim!).

Colin Ferguson on SNL

The 20th season of "Saturday Night Live" (1994-95) has been considered one of the show's worst, but it definitely had its moments.  Here, Long Island Railroad shooter Colin Ferguson absurdly tries to act as his own defense.  He's played by the under-rated Tim Meadows.

The Rolling Stones rare 1970 Decca poster

"Let It Bleed" was the Stones' final original studio album under their deal with Decca Records (London in the US).  The labels would put out the excellent live "Get Yer Ya-Yas Out" (1970), and compilations "Hot Rocks" (1971) and "More Hot Rocks" (1972) along with tons of unnecesary compilations for the next two decades (plus an interesting outtakes compilation in 1976, "Metamorphosis").

But in 1970, as the Stones ascended the showbiz ladder, the label wanted to remind listeners about their 1960s output... albums and singles which the group had accidentally signed away to Manager Allen Klein.

This rare and fascinating poster recently surfaced, advertising the London/Decca years.

And as a side note, from the same blog (Gary Rocks), here's a rare billboard-that-never-was for "Let It Bleed."

The King of Queens was THIS CLOSE

Kevin James' King of Queens ran for 9 seasons (1998-2007) as a moderate hit, which CBS seemed to treat as "filler."  They moved it all over the place, and sometimes it did well (following "Everybody Loves Raymond," for example).  The early years stuck to a tired faux-Honeymooners style.  But once they ditched the live audience and brought in more of Doug's weird friends (Patton Oswalt, Gary Valentine and Victor Williams, for example), the show became an exercise in ridiculousness.  Here's one of the less bizarre later episodes.  The sequence in which Doug tries to annoy Carrie's co-workers is the highlight here (about 13 minutes in).

David Letterman Goes to Japan

Another bit of Letterman road-tripping... sort of.  This is from Late Night's "trip to Japan" in late 1985.  As you'll read here, it's very unlikely that the show actually went to Tokyo.  But they keep the joke up pretty well until Dave hilariously flubs Kenny Rogers' intro.



The Gambler seems to have a pretty good sense of humor about himself, as also seen in this episode of Reno 911!

Frank Rizzo

Crabby Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo gained a whole new level of notoriety when The Jerky Boys began using Rizzo's name as an alias on their comedy albums.  Here's a bizarre (and hilarious... and telling) portrait of the late Mayor after leaving office.

Steve Martin ordering coffee in "L.A. Story"

The west-coast "Annie Hall," 1991's "L.A. Story" is another overlooked gem.  Here's two scenes that never fail to remind me why I moved.


Ordering coffee...

 ... and at the art gallery, which may not be safe for kids.  The coffee scene above IS #SNL4kidz safe.

David Cross ordering pizza

OK it's not actually Cross ordering, but... well, you'll see.  The cross-cutting only makes this funnier.  To which David Cross just said, "I know.  That would be... the POINT."

Louisiana Woman Mississippi Man -- Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn

Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn performed a number of classic country duets in the 1970s.  Here's one of the best, despite the constant ribbing of Twitty's memory on "Family Guy."

When Conway leaps into frame, it reminds me of a co-worker I had who was always... leaping into frame.  Also, anyone know what kind of bass that is in the background?





As a bonus, here's his smoking take on the subtly pornographic Pointer Sisters' hit, "Slow Hand" (with which Twitty had a country hit in 1983... this live version is far better, though):

Is Wal-Mart a house of cards?

Love it or hate it, Wal-Mart has become a polarizing force in our nation's never-ending bitchfest towards eachother.  This article ties it to "House of Cards," which I keep confusing with "Game of Thrones," which is allegedly fancyporn.  When I was growing up, I do not recall anyone getting worked up over Gold Circle, Hills, Zayre, K-Mart or any of the other "discount" chains.  Well, maybe K-Mart.

Late Night with David Letterman... and Johnny Carson (1985)

In the 1980s, every other May, "Late Night with David Letterman" would go on the road.  The show debuted in February, 1982, and did not have the clout yet to go anywhere in '83.  In 1985 they went to Los Angeles.  Las Vegas followed in 1987, then Chicago in 1989.  I do not know why the show stayed put in 1991.  In 1993, Dave's frosty relationship with NBC (over being passed over to replace Johnny Carson), pretty much made it an impossibility.  The fact that he was already negotiating a possible exit in 1992 made it VERY unlikely.  After Dave moved to CBS, I believe he only took two road trips: one to Los Angeles (which featured Johnny's final appearance, anywhere, ever) and one to London.  And now, he does not even venture away from the friendly confines of the Ed Sullivan Theater. I do hope that CBS names something in Dave's honor when he retires in May.  The Ed Sullivan office building (attached to the theater, and around the corner, on 53rd Street) would be a perfect choice.

Anyhow, during his very first road trip -- on May 16, 1985 -- Dave was in L.A. and welcomed Johnny as his guest.  Eddie Van Halen happened to be sitting in with the band, too.  Here's a classic episode of "Late Night with David Letterman."

Tootsie and Family Guy

The aspect ratios are a bit off, but two great slices of the classic 1982 film "Tootsie" are juxtaposed and parodied on "Family Guy."





 And here's the entire office scene. Classic.

#SNL4kidz

Wayne's World 2 STARRING Harry Shearer

"Wayne's World 2" does not get its due as one of the better sequels ever made.  It's a somewhat bizarre take on Wayne & Garth, but still has its moments, such as this scene with Harry Shearer, the Grover Cleveland of Saturday Night Live.  He was a castmember in 1979-80, the fifth and final year of the original cast, joining just after John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd left.  According to the excellent book "Saturday Night" (Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad, 1985), producer Lorne Michaels convinced Shearer to keep the hiring under wraps so as not to upset fans and seem like a usurper/replacement for the departed Blues Brothers.  By season's end, when everyone left, Shearer made an appeal to the network to take over the reins with members of his social circle, plus his former comedy troupe, The Credibility Gap.  That COULD have meant SNL would have been run in 1980-81 by Shearer, David L. Lander, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Albert Brooks and Billy Crystal.  Wow, who would want that?!  Shearer felt the show lacked professionalism and a commitment to craft, although season 5 also suffered from a lot of burn-out.

In season 9 (1983-84), Spinal Tap (including Shearer) came back as a musical guest under then-producer Dick Ebersol.  Shearer felt the environment was much-improved from four years earlier, and agreed to come back as a castmember that fall.  Unfortunately, he had been fooled by assuming that cast and musical guests were treated the same (wrong; the latter got much better treatment).  He left by the middle of season 10.  During the SNL40 celebration, he was asked if he was upset with Lorne Michaels.  Shearer said that "loathes" is a better word.  Wow.

Somehow, though, he agreed to this cameo in the Michaels-produced "Wayne's World 2."
It's actually based on a sketch Shearer wrote (and appeared in) on SNL, on December 8, 1979, with host Howard Hesseman. #SNL4kidz

Why Your Sports Cards from the '80s and '90s Are Worthless

This is interesting not JUST because it neatly outlines the dilemma for Gen X (and younger) hoarders of sports cards, but also anyone selling anything that "seems" collectible.  In reality, a lot of it is not that rare or sought after.  It makes me sad, though, that no one even wants these for any reason.  By the way, I picked an image of John Kruk because he once said (paraphrasing), "I'm not an athlete, I'm a baseball player."

I will also add that I have found sports cards generally from the 70s through early 80s are also worthless unless VERY well-cared-for, and very desirable.  From the 1960s and back, you still have a chance at some pocket change.  But in general, those cardboard memories are just that.... only memories.

Howard Hesseman and his pants

This gets confusing, but stay with it...Howard Hesseman of "WKRP in Cincinnati" spent much of the late 60s and early 70s as part of The Committee, a San Francisco-based comedy troupe.  Here he does a semi-bizarre (and very much of-its-time) sketch on race with Mel Stewart.

Stewart played Henry Jefferson on "All In the Family."  Henry was George Jefferson's brother.  The reason Henry was on the show for its first 3 seasons is because Sherman Hemsley was on Broadway during those years in "Purlie," and wouldn't be available to play George.  So Henry was a stop-gap.  By season 4, Hemsley was available and they were both on the show till Henry "moved away"; really, Stewart had gotten a role in "Roll Out!," a 1974 pilot that was a sort of African-American take on "M*A*S*H."  It did not do well.  CBS picked up the pilot instead of "Bachelor at Law," a white "Sanford & Son" knock-off that swapped junk dealers for shyster lawyers (redundant).  "Bachelor" starred Harold Gould (Rhoda's Dad) and a then-unknown John Ritter, and was written/produced by MTM Productions, the creative minds behind "The Bob Newhart Show" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."



Four years later, CBS picked up another MTM show, "WKRP in Cincinnati," which became a hit once it was scheduled in the time slot after "M*A*S*H."  WHAT?!

By the way, the sketch above is from the under-rated "Dick Cavett Show."  And as a kid, I always thought this Mel Stewart was the same one who directed "Willy Wonka."  (Turns out that film was directed by Mel Stuart).

The Chris Elliot Jr. Show

One (Juan?) could fill a book with the great Chris Elliot moments on Late Night and Late Show with David Letterman.  A few of my inexplicable favorites are below.  Note that Elliot started as an intern on the show and quickly became the panicky “Guy Under the Seats,” among many other oddities.  Eventually, he left to create “Get a Life.”  Seeing these, I wish he’d returned to Letterman full-time.

On several occasions in the late 1980s, Elliot parodied the idiotic “Morton Downey Jr. Show” with “The Chris Elliot Jr. Show.”  Here’s three occasions…

-Topic: Ice-Cream Flavors
-Topic: Women in Construction
-Topic: Convenience Stores

My favorite parts are his attempts to bring Dave into the show.  Two other Elliot quickies… Chris as Marlon Brando; on this occasion, note that Dave had just finished interviewing a very drunk Oliver Reed.



"Better put a leash on it!!!!!"

And here's Chris as consumer advocate.

Stevie Wonder destroys Sesame Street

One of the great moments in music history... and TV history... and HISTORY.  Stevie Wonder appeared on "Sesame Street" in 1972 to perform the show's theme, plus he appeared with Cookie Monster to demonstrate loud vs. soft.  In between, SIX BLAZING MINUTES of "Superstition."  This is right about the time Stevie was opening for the Rolling Stones' barnstorming 1972 tour; his guitarist is Michael Sembello ("Maniac").  I don't know that any of these artists ever reached these heights on-tour.  The program is brought to you by the letters O M G.  Here's a link to almost the entire episode.  For reference, Stevie is in four segments: the short song "1-2-3," the long "Superstition" and two segments with Grover (one where they're teaching repetition and one on loud versus soft). And at the very end, Maria tells Big Bird that Stevie has left, and Big Bird tries to take off and find him.




Seriously, why even bother continuing after this?  They should have canceled the show and just re-run this every week.  And I wonder what the kid in the red sweater grew up to do for a living.  Jammin'!

For comparison, here's Stevie jamming on Musikladen (a German music show that actually had some excellent British and American groups perform) in 1974:




And here he is on David Frost's show.  I have no idea why Frost needed to sit right next to Stevie.  Is he spotting him?  Will Stevie be lifting weights later?

#SNL4kidz

High Fidelity: the book versus the movie versus LIFE

When "High Fidelity" came out in 2000, I thought it was going to be a comedy about collectors and record snobs and whatnot.  It had some of that, but it was mostly an adaption of Nick Hornby’s novel about lost love and the anguish and the sorrow and the nice and the good (as Jerry Lewis would say).  But not unlike “Anchorman,” I think there was a GREAT comedy (not just a cult-comedy) waiting to burst out.  To wit, this deleted scene:




And just for balance, here’s one of the record-snob scenes that did make it into the final cut


It’s not a bad movie; I just wish Director Stephen Frears had given it a different treatment.