George Carlin, the man who challenged both censors and the institution of Stand Up Comedy, would have celebrated his 79th birthday today, had he not been so foolish to die in 2008. Carlin started his career in radio while he was still in the USAF. While it only lasted a few months, it gave him … Continue reading George Carlin, Johnny Carson, and Comedy ► Throwback Thursday
Johnny Carson got his start in Show Biz as a magician Dateline May 13, 1994 – Johnny Carson makes his last tee vee appearance ever, fittingly on David Letterman’s show. Carson was a tee vee institution for over 30 years. While other people hosted the Tonight Show both before and after him, Carson will always … Continue reading Johnny Carson’s Last Tee Vee Appearance ► Another Magical Tee Vee Moment
Dateline May 22, 1992 – Johnny Carson made his final appearance as host of the Tonight Show after nearly 5,000 shows. Here’s how that show opened: Johnny Carson gave so many comedians their start. A case in point: Ellen Degeneres: Carson started in magic and particularly loved magicians. Here is The Great Flydini: Few people … Continue reading Last Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ► A Day In History
There’s no way to sugarcoat this — not that I would want to — but ‘Merka has made itself the laughing stock of the entire world by electing former-reality tee vee personality and crooked businessman Donald J. Trump. Mea culpa. I’m partially to blame. Aside from calling him a demagogue twice last year [Read: Donald … Continue reading Not My President – Not Even My Country ► A Manifesto
On this day in 1962 The Weavers — Ronnie Gilbert, Lee Hays, Fred Hellerman, and Pete Seeger — took a stand that almost ruined their careers. You may not have heard of them, but there’s no denying their influence in ‘Merkin popular music. The Weavers were one of the most important groups of the ’50s … Continue reading The Weavers ► Monday Musical Appreciation
♫ ♪ ♫ Meet Cathy, who’s lived most everywhere… ♪ ♫ ♪ It’s way past due to create another Unpacking The Writer, my almost-monthly behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening here in the Not Now Silly Newsroom. But, I’m just not feeling it right now. It’s not that I have nothing to say. It’s that I … Continue reading Me and Garry Shandling and Patty Duke, But Mostly Me ► Unpacking The Writer
The undisputed King of Late Night is — and forever will be — Johnny Carson. On this day in 1962, Carson took the helm of The Tonight Show, and nothing was ever the same again. Carson didn’t invent the modern talk show. That honour goes to Steve Allen. However, Carson reinvented the talk show and … Continue reading All Hail the King of Late Night Talk Shows ► Throwback Thursday
Morgan State students arrested for protests at the segregated Northwood Theater, Baltimore, Maryland Hello, Headline Hunters. Today’s birthday belongs to Femi Kuti. Here are some other Headlines Du Jour of yesteryear: 1755 – French and Indian War: The French surrender Fort Beauséjour to the British, leading to the expulsion of the Acadians. 1816 – Lord … Continue reading Headlines Du Jour ► Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Hello again, Headliners! Today’s birthday belongs to one of Not Now Silly‘s favourite artists: Thomas Wright Waller, better known to Jazz aficionados as simply Fats Waller. Here are some of the other Headlines Du Jour of yesteryear: 1851 – Slavery is abolished in Colombia, South America. 1856 – Lawrence, Kansas is captured and burned by … Continue reading Headlines Du Jour ► Thursday, May 21, 2015
Heya, Headliners! Today’s birthday belongs to Teresa Brewer, who knew a thing or two about the Headlines Du Jour of yesteryear: 351 – The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out. After his arrival at Antioch, the Jews begin a rebellion in Palestine. 1429 – Joan of Arc ends the Siege of Orléans, pulling an … Continue reading Headlines Du Jour ► Thursday, May 7, 2015