Grading the TV Season...So Far

From the Oct. 2nd Chicago Tribune "Grading the TV Season."

Of the twenty new shows debuting this season.


Ones I've watched have an asterisk. They had comments, but the ones shown are mine.

FIVE BEST:

Prime Suspect (NBC)* Girl trying to crash the Good 'Ol Boys Network. I bet she does.

New Girl (Fox)

2 Broke Girls (CBS)* A new "Odd Couple"

Terra Nova (Fox)* I like any scifi, especially with dinosaurs.

Secret Circle (CW)

I agree with the ones I've seen. All good shows.


THE FIVE WORST

Charlie's Angels (ABC)

Free Agents (NBC)* Seen all shows so far. isn't catching on with me and may stop watching.

The Playboy Club (NBC)* Despite the title, it's still a man's world. So far, the moral would be, "Don't mess with the bunnies."

Hart of Dixie (CW)

Unforgettable (CBS)*

I definitely disagree with "Unforgettable" being on the worst list. It's a new way to solve crime. But then, I liked "Numbers."

I Have Some Other Good Ones So Far As Well. --RoadDog

Every Bloomin' THing: Early October

The various sedum and many, many, many mums are carrying the color right now.

Plus, the golden rods are near the end of their run. I have some sort of plants with hundreds of little white blooms that is at its top right now.

No trees changing yet.

Best to steer clear of the sedum and those white plants as they are covered with stinging varmints.

I'll have to put up the Halloween decs in the next week as it is that time of the season.

Just ate my second nut-covered caramel apple, something that says to fall to me. have to get over to Meijer's to get a gallon of the apple cider as well. Now that it's October, I can burn on the weekends through November.

I consider fall to be September and October. Forget November, although it's technically a part of fall. We just finished the coldest September in Chicago history, so hoping I;ll get some fall now.

Temps in the 70s this week, so hope to get some final boating in.

Love That Fall. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.

Number One Songs This Date, October 1st-- Part 4

DECADE OF THE 50s


1959 MACK THE KNIFE-- BOBBY DARRIN-- Well, that shark sure has sharp teeth.
1958 IT'S ALL IN THE GAME-- TOMMY EDWARDS
1957 HONEYCOMB-- JIMMIE RODGERS

1956 DON'T BE CRUEL/HOUND DOG-- ELVIS PRESLEY-- The Pel gets a two-sided
1955 THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS-- MITCH MILLER-- Follow that bouncing ball.
1954 HEY THERE-- ROSEMARY CLOONEY

1953 VAYO CON DIOS-- LES PAUL AND MARY FORD
1952 YOU BELONG TO ME-- JO STAFFORD

1951 BECAUSE OF YOU-- TONY BENNETT-- I was a little over 4 months old and Tony's still singing.
1950 GOODNIGHT IRENE-- GORDON JENKINS AND THE WEAVERS

1941 PIANO CONCERTO IN B FLAT-- FREDDY MARTIN
1931 WHEN THE MOON COMES OVER THE MOUNTAIN-- KATE SMITH

1921 SONG OF INDIA-- PAUL WHITEMAN-- This guy was on a roll with the number one song for five straight months with three different ones: My Mammy and Cherie #1 each for two months.
1911 ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND-- ARTHUR COLLINS & BYRON HARLON

1901 UNCLE JOSH'S HUSKIN BEE DANCE-- CAL STEWART

You Ain't Nothin' But a _____ ____. --RoadDog

Number One Songs This Date, October 1st-- Part 3

DECADE OF THE 60S

1969 SUGAR, SUGAR-- ARCHIES-- OK, now TRY to get this out of your head.
1968 HEY JUDE-- BEATLES-- Imagine a month in the 60s after 1964, without a Beatles song at or near #1.
1967 THE LETTER-- BOX TOPS0-- A little blue-eyed soul if you please.

1966 CHERISH-- ASSOCIATION-- These guys could sure harmonize together.
1965 HANG ON SLOOPY-- McCOYS-- Rick and the boys have the official Ohio Rock and Roll song.
1964 OH, PRETTY WOMAN-- ROY ORBISON-- One of those great music riff openings.

1963 BLUE VELVET-- BOBBY VINTON-- Back in his "Blue" phase.
1962 SHERRY-- FOUR SEASONS-- Jersey Boys making good.

1961 TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY-- BOBBY VEE-- Filled in for Buddy Holly after the crash.
1960 MY HEART HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN-- CONNIE FRANCIS

Sherry, baby. --RoadDog

Going on a Chili Run/Oktoberfest

Despite the cool temps today, I'm going out with friends on a boat for the Mineola Chili Run in a few hours. We'll be going to five places on the Chain of Lakes, starting and ending at the Mineola, a small-scale version of the Grand Hotel in Mackinac. (Not in good shape, though.)

Should be a good time if I don't freeze.

Then, it's off to the Fox Lake annual Oktoberfest at Lakefront Park for brats, more beer, a German oompah band and a rock band to cap off the day.

Out on the Chain and Feeling No Pain. --RoadDog

Number One Songs This Date, October 1st-- Part 2

I'll be expanding to including the #1 songs from the 50s to 80s.


DECADE OF THE 70S

1979 SAD EYES-- ROBERT JOHN
1978 KISS YOU ALL OVER-- EXILE-- Country goes nasty. Not to be confused with Dr. CC's song.
1977 STAR WARS THEME/CANTINA BAND-- MECO-- Think this might have had something to do with that movie?

1976 PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC-- WILD CHERRY-- Just the song we needed for the bicentennial.
1975 FAME-- DAVID BOWIE
1974 I HONESTLY LOVE YOU-- ONJ-- That pretty gal from Australia, Olivia.

1973 HALF BREED-- CHER-- And "Papa would have shot him if he knew what he'd done."
1972 BABY, DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME-- MAC DAVIS-- "Lord, It's Hard to Be Humble" with a name like that.

1971 MAGGIE MAE/REASON TO BELIEVE-- ROD STEWART-- Here we go again at the Sig Ep house at the University of Georgia.
1970 AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH-- DIANA ROSS

Wake Up Maggie, I Think It's Time to Go. It's Late September and I really Should be Back at ____. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: We never really grow up, we only learn how ro act in public.

Number One Songs This Date, October 1st-- Part 1

It's a new month, time to take a look at the number one songs this date going back 110 years. Personally, I don't remember most of them before 1955...but you never know who might be reading.

Big thanks to Josh Hosler for his Number One in History website: www.joshhosler.biz.

2011 MOVES LIKE JAGGER-- MAROON 5/CHRISTINA AGUILERA
2001 FALLIN'-- ALICIA KEYS
1991 GOOD VIBRATIONS-- MARKY MARK

DECADE OF THE 80S

1989 MISS YOU MUCH-- JANET JACKSON
1988 DON'T WORRY, NE HAPPY-- BOBBY McFERRIN-- Darm, now I've got that song stuck in my head. If you see me whistlin', don't think I've flipped out.
1987 DIDN'T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL-- WHITNEY HOUSTON-- Pre-Bobby, not McFerrin either.

1986 STUCK WITH YOU-- HUEY LEWIS-- Could this guy make a great pop song or what?
1985 MONEY FOR NOTHING-- DIRE STRAITS-- Great video back when MTV was really music.
1984 LET'S GO CRAZY- PRINCE-- Before he did that name thing.

1983 TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART-- BONNIE TYLER
1982 JACK AND DIANE-- JOHN COUGAR-- Or do you call him John Mellancamp.

1981 ENDLESS LOVE-- DIANA ROSS/LIONEL RICHIE
1980 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST-- QUEEN-- I lost count of how many times I played this one at weddings.

And Your Chicks for Free. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.

Maxine Knows Stupid

My wife sent me a Maxine funny from 9-29-11 Crabby Road.

After seeing it, I had to agree.

Says Maxine:

"I don't think going shirtless or painting your face at a football game makes you look stupid...I think paying $8 for a beer and $30 for parking makes you look stupid."

Right On, Maxine. --RoadDog

Happy 50th to the USS North Carolina (BB-55)

It was 50 years ago, October 2, 1961, that the USS North Carolina reached its final berth across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington, NC.

It rightfully claims the name "Showboat.' That is one really smart-looking ship. It was launched just before World War II and served proudly in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. headed for the scrap heap after the war, it was aved by private donations and the school children of the state who donated their pennies, nickels and dimes.

I have been writing about the ship a lot in my history blog, Cooter's History Thing.

I am a big fan of all the battleships, but especially this one. I built at least two models of it and one was displayed in my classroom for the 33 years I taught.

When we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, the Naval base at Mayport was nearby and our nexr door neighbor served on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La. He was able to give us the opportunity to tour the carrier. I liked it, but it was "no battleship."

My brother Bob and I then commenced an on-going argument which lasted for years as to which was better and would win: a battleship or aircraft carrier. If I remember correctly, once it came to blows. Hey, if a battleship caught an aircraft carrier without its planes, it would surely make short work of it. But, with those planes, I kind of doubt it.

I remember our parents, however, gave Bob a print of the NC coming home and I still have a big glass ashtray with the ship on the bottom. Bob's print is now at Mom's place at Topsail Beach.

I Had Almost Forgotten About Our "Argument." --RaodDog

Beach, Boogie & Blues

Listening to WNCT 1070 AM over the internet right now. They call their music Beach, Boogie & Blues and they play a great variety of music, especially that Beach Music stuff that I like so well. Plus, every so often they throw in an oldie.

Songs played by Allen Vick in last 30 minutes:

I'VE BEEN HURT-- Bill Deal & Ammon Tharp
SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU-- Alexander O'Neal
WHAT DOES IT TAKE-- Jr. Walker & the All Stars
LET ME MAKE LOVE TO YOU-- Gene Chandler

I WANNA BE YOUR EVERYTHING-- Embers
WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU-- Spinners
YOU'RE MY BLESSING-- Breeze Band
HOOKED ON A FEELING-- B.J. Thomas

IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I CRY-- Paul Malo
LOVE BUYS LOVE-- Solomon Burke
THIRD RATE ROMANCE-- Amazing Rhythm Aces
CORINNA, CORINNA-- Big Joe Turner

C'EST CI BON-- Lloyd Price
LOVE CHILD-- Supremes
WEEKEND-- Wet Willie (Great song to kick your weekend off.)

Everybody there is getting ready for the big East Carolina--North Carolina game tomorrow. Greenville being the home of the ECU Pirates, I wonder who they're pulling for.

Give Me That Good Old Beach Music. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

JSS: Nasty Weather-- Baseball's Over-- "Moneyball"-- Good Times

JSS-- Just Some Stuff


1. NASTY WEATHER-- there's been no yardwork and little boating the last week, because of a particularly nasty piece if weather that seems stuck right over us. It's either raining or threatening to rain, plus cool, very cool.

Now, we have high winds coming in and a drop in temperature.


2. BASEBALL'S OVER-- Well, for the Sox and Cubs. There weren't any real races for first place in any division, but the wildcard races were exciting. I will be watching some of the playoffs as I like some of the teams that made it (I won't say who for fear of a whammy).

Maybe Mr. A. Dunn will earn his millions next year. He sure was worthless this year.

It appears Ozzie's going to the Marlins was purely for da money. He just couldn't live on a "paltry" $2 million. Good riddance.


3. "MONEYBALL"-- And speaking of baseball and "Moneybags Guillen," I saw an excellent baseball movie yesterday, "Moneyball." Proving that the Adam Dunn and Ozzie Guillen bucks don't always buy success. As with the 2002 Oakland As. And the General Manager turned down $12.5 million to go to the Red Sox.

A great movie.


4. GOOD TIMES-- With all this bad weather, I've seen three movies: Killer Elite, Straw Dogs and Moneyball since Monday. Monday we went to Donovan's Reef for $1.50 pints, NTN and $3.50 cheeseburgers and fries, Tuesday to Fire Wood for $1 pints and 50 cent tacos and then to After the Fox where we were entertained by Jim Seig. Yesterday, it was to Tommy's for buck bottles and a large, one-topping pizza for $10.

Where's My Fall? --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: Going to your house of worship doesn't make you a religious person, any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

When Disco Saved Beach Music-- Part 3

If you ever want to know ANYTHING about Beach Music, the "Fessa, John Hook, is the guy you need to check out. Not only for his BM Countdown and Blues Shows, but his books and magazines.

Here are the songs he played in his second hour. Again, I've head some of them, but not the others. An asterisk behind the performer means I haven't heard it before.

SUGAR PIE-- Guy Joneses*
WAHT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES-- Esther Phillips
BOOGIE SHOES-- K.C. & the Sunshine Band

TRAPPED IN A STAIRWAY-- Paul Jabars*
HE'S SO SHY-- Pointer Sisters
SHOUT AND SCREAM-- Teddy Pendergrass

THIS TIME IT'S REAL-- Tower of Power*
YOU OUGHT TO BE HAVING FUN-- Tower of Power
I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT YOU-- Tuts Vega*

CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING (BUT MY LOVE)-- Stylistics
HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL-- Tavares
RED LIGHT-- Linda Clifford*

BEGIN THE BEGUINE-- Johnny Mathis
YOU LITTLE TRUSTMAKER-- Tymes

Good Stuff If You Can Find It. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCES-- A figure of speech that uses an unexpected ending to a series or phrase.

Movie Scratches: Apes-- Cowboys-- Conan-- Dark

A Dog's Eye View of Current Movies I've Seen.


45. RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES-- 8-12-- FOX LAKE-- $5.50-- Where "keep your hands off me you damn ape!" all began. Hail Caesar!


46. COWBOYS AND ALIENS-- 8-29-- Fox Lake-- $5.50-- It's cowboys, townspeople, Indians and outlaws putting aside their differences to fight nasty space guys.


47. CONAN THE BARBARIAN-- 8-31-- Fox Lake-- $4-- Conan gets the girl, avenges his father and saves the Earth. Not a bad job. And, Freddie Krueger had a creepy daughter.


48. DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK-- 9-2-- McHenry-- $4-- Those tooth fairies aren't as nice as I thought. Don't think I'll be putting teeth under my pillow any time soon.

I Like Kettle Corn Salt the Best. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCES will be up next. Bet you're wonderin' just what they are. So did I.

When Disco Saved Beach Music-- Part 2

According to the 'Fessa, Beach Music was about dead until Disco infused new life into it. An asterisk after the performer means I haven't heard it before.

EVERLASTING LOVE-- Carl Carlton
ROCK YOUR BABY-- George McCrae
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE-- Barry White

HONEST I DO LOVE YOU-- Candi Staton (was married to Clarence Carter)
LOWDOWN-- Boz Scaggs
USED TO BE MY GIRL-- O'Jays

WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU-- Spinners
YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME-- Phyllis Hyman*
WHEN LOVE IS NEW-- Arthur Prysock*

ENJOY YOURSELF-- Jacksons*
CHEATERS NEVER WIN-- Committee
DOCTOR'S ORDERS-- Carol Douglas*
SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ME-- Lou Rawls

Check It Out at Cashbox Magazine. --RoadDog


We can't all be heroes because somebody's got to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.

I Don't Think We're in Oz Anymore

Sorry to hear about the Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Guillen, leaving the Sox. He was a character, even if he did have that potty mouth of his.

It was he who led the Sox to their first World Series win in the past eons. And, if for no other reason, we have to pay our respect to him for that.

Of course, how can any team be expected to win carrying the likes of Rios, Dunn and Peavey on the roster? And, then paying them lots and lots of money. Perhaps it's time for the general manager to go as well.

I'll never forget when Ozzie came to the Sox as a much-heralded shortstop from the Padres back in '85. I had a fit because the Sox traded 1983 Cy Young winning pitcher LaMarr Hoyt to get him. At the time, I didn't know Hoyt had some serious drug problems.

Anyway, the trade proved a good one as Guillen became our shortstop for a long time, and then, of course, manager.

Good Luck to Him in Florida Next Year. Maybe We'll get That St. Louis Guy Back and I'm Not Talking Pujols. --RoadDog



UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Why do "retired" folk forget how to use alarm clocks?

When Disco Saved Beach Music-- Part 1

They say, "Video Killed the Radio Star," well, the Buggles anyway. But according to Beach Music maestro John Hook, "Disco Saved Beach Music."

From 'Fessa John Hook's Beach Music Top 40 Countdowns on the Cashbox Magazine website http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/countdowns/beachmusicweekly.html.

I'm listening to his forty songs right now. Good stuff, including some disco songs I've never heard of before.

Say the word "Disco" and you get lots of groans. We even had Disco Demolition here in Chicago which led to a mini-riot at old Comiskey Park and a Sox forfeiture of a game vs. the Tigers.

I think most people just didn't like the "culture" Disco folks tried to build around the music.

However, most people liked and still like the music. Like they said on American Bandstand, "It's got a good beat and is easy to dance to." I give it a ten.

Back when I was deejaying, if I was having a hard time getting people out on the floor, out came a Disco song and nine times out of ten, it worked.

"I Love the Nightlife" by Alicia Bridges playing right now.

I'll Be Listing All Fifty Songs He Played, But Even Better, You Give It a Listen. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: I "hate" to admit it, but since I've been retired, I sort of forgot how to set an alarm.

Good Times-- Bad Football

This past weekend was both good and bad.

The GOOD

Friday-- The movie "Drive" and control of jukebox at Gasoline Alley overlooking Grasslake. "OUR MUSIC!!" And, of course, those $1 bottles of beer.


Saturday-- Pumpkin Spice coffee from the Mobil station (20 oz. for $1.29) and $1 McMuffins. Grant High School Homecoming parade (two marching bands). Boating. Round Lake sophomores win their football game. Round Lake varsity scores a TD on opening kick off against Grant.

Captain's Quarters "End of the Season" party on Fox Lake. Free shrimp, fried chicken and shrimp and the band "Sucker Punch." $2.50 Coronas.


Sunday-- Lots of TVs, free brats and cheeseburgers and $5 pitchers at the Squaw Bar on Squaw Creek in Ingleside for Bears game. The Usual Suspects and other Bear fans.


The BAD

Saturday-- Despite scoring a touchdown on the opening kick off, the final score was 48-13, Grant wins. Round Lake drops to 0-6. Have won just one game in the last three years.

Pretty miserable weather.

Can it already be the "End of the Season" for boating? Where did it go?


Sunday-- Da Bears be REAL Bad. Losing to...Green Bay. Packer fans enjoying themselves.

Ya Gotta Take the Bad with the Good. --RoadDog

UNIVERSAL TRUTH: I can hit that alarm clock snooze button dead on, everytime, despite being still asleep.

A Trip Back to Our Past-- Part 2

Continued from Friday.

The second set of the Band "1969." hey, that's when we graduated high school!!

Guess who originally sang the song. Answers below.


SON OF A PREACHER MAN
I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE
EVERYDAY PEOPLE
PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE

I GOT A LINE ON YOU
VENUS
VEHICLE
SWING TOWN

YER BIRTHDAY
GET READY
SOME KID OF WONDERFUL
I WANT YOU BACK

25 MILES
ROCK STEADY
I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER

A Great Time. You Don't Often Hear many of These Songs Played by Local Bands. RoadDog




Dusty Springfield
Carole King
Sly & Family Stone
Rascals

Spirit
Shocking Pink
Ides of March
Steve Miller Band

Beatles
Temptations
GFR
Jackson 5

Edwin Starr
Aretha Franklin
Sly & Family Stone