The Mr. Nice Guy Show Blog

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My thoughts on what's goin' on in the world,

just like years ago on the radio.

Saturday, May 10, 2003

Still a Wasteland

Exactly 42 years ago yesterday, May 9, 1961, soon after being appointed FCC Chairman by JFK, Newton Minow spoke to the National Association of Broadcasters and said, in part:

"When television is good, nothing--not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers--nothing is better."

"But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there without a book, magazine, newspaper, profit and-loss sheet or rating book to distract you--and keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that you will observe
a vast wasteland." (emphasis added)

"You will see a procession of game shows, violence, audience-participation shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western badmen, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence and cartoons. And, endlessly, commercials--many screaming, cajoling and offending. And most of all, boredom. True, you will see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, try it."

( See http://www.janda.org/b20/News%20articles/vastwastland.htm )


Well, we don't see many westerns anymore, but otherwise, it is absolutely amazing to think about how little has changed in TV since Minow spoke those famous words.

-M!

Friday, May 09, 2003

We Need Some Music in Here

Please sing with me...

WORKIN' ON A GROOVY THING

When I saw you I knew that I was gonna love you
And every day I thought of how I'm gonna love you
Now you're here next to me
And ecstasy is a reality
I feel good when you are near
I'm alive cause you are here
Workin' on a groovy thing baby
Workin' on a groovy thing
Workin' on a groovy thing baby
Let's not rush in we'll take it slow

Before I met you I know my lips were only wasted
Cause you have got the sweetest kiss I ever tasted
Music moves us along
Your arms around me are snug and warm
Happiness is in my soul
I'm about to lose control
Workin' on a groovy thing baby
Workin' on a groovy thing
Workin' on a groovy thing baby
Let's not rush in we'll take it slow
Workin' on a groovy thing

Originally recorded by The Fifth Dimension in 1969
Written by Neil Sedaka and Chet Atkins


-M!

Sinead


The Associated Press is reporting today that washed-up, oddball singer Sinead O'Connor says she plans to teach religion after quitting the music business this July. Why am I figuring that even God is looking at this story and getting a little nauseous?

O'Connor says she is also interested in becoming involved with a group called Death Midwives. As entertainment reporter John Moore commented on CFRB Radio Toronto this morning, O'Connor would probably be a good death midwife, since she did an excellent job of killing-off her career.

-M!

Walshking Wounded


Here's a fun story:

---
Fri May 9, 9:04 AM ET (Associated Press)
NEW YORK - Television host John Walsh broke his left ankle in three places trying to mimic a child skateboarder on his syndicated show, a spokesman said.

Walsh fell down a skate ramp Thursday at the Chelsea Piers sports complex in Manhattan, where he was taping an episode of "The John Walsh Show" to be titled "Amazing Kids with Unbelievable Talents," show spokesman Gary Rosen said.

The skateboarder had just completed his stunt when Walsh, 57, decided to try it himself, Rosen said.
---

Walsh is also the host of America's Most Wanted, a show I admire despite its ties to Fox and Rupert Murdock, who take delight in broadcasting predominantly shit and encouraging people to be ignorant and intolerant.

A native of Auburn, NY, near my beloved Oswego, Walsh has endured pain a lot worse than the broken ankle. Years ago, his son was abducted and murdered, leading to the missing children and crime-fighting efforts he's involved in. He is truly a great American. But, pushin' 60 years old, he shouldn't be getting on a skateboard.

-M!

Thursday, May 08, 2003

Lollipop, Lollipop, Ooooh

I had a lollipop today.
Actually two of 'em (they were small).
And, actually, they were Dum-Dum Pops; a fine product for me.

I probably hadn't had a lollipop in over 30 years.
One was cherry and one was watermelon. Someone brought a giant bag of them in to work.

They tasted so good.
Have a lollipop. Stop and smell the roses.
It's spring.

-M!