A Very "CHILD OF TELEVISION" Christmas (Click PODCAST)

As a child I always looked forward to all the Holiday Specials like Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, The Little Drummer Boy , Frosty the Snowman, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. These shows were all mandatory family viewing in our house. After the show we as a family discussed what we learned. The Little Drummer Boy taught us that a gift does not have to be a tangible object. The Grinch taught us "Maybe Christmas, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" Charlie Brown taught us what Christmas is all about from a Biblical perspective. And Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer taught us not to discriminate against someone who is different, because you may want to exploit that person's abnormality for your own personal gain. Speaking of Santa, did he have an eating disorder? His codependent wife kept saying, "Eat, Poppa, eat. You're gonna disappoint the children. They expect a fat Santa". And when did Mrs. Claus become an Italian mother? According to Rankin & Bass, Santa had a different wife with every story. And not only was Rudolph's father (Donner) ashamed of his son for being different, he was also a chauvinistic pig telling his wife that a woman's place was in the cave. If I was Rudolph when Santa came to me on that foggy Christmas Eve saying, "Rudolph, with your nose so bright, wont you guide my sleigh tonight?" I would have told everyone at the North Pole to go screw themselves and gone to work for PeTA.

As an adult I would hear something about a controversy associated with one of these holiday specials. Usually the controversy would involve some of the things I just joked about. A character was perpetuating a negative stereotype. A negative story line (You kind of need the negative part in order to get to the moral of the story) or that the story was no longer Politically Correct. Strangely enough, I have never heard anyone complain about the religious theme in A Charlie Brown Christmas. I can't help but to think that parents aren’t watching these shows with their kids and talking about them afterwards. Instead they would prefer more low maintenance or watered down stories with no lessons to be learned. These shows were meant to be family viewing not to be used as a babysitter. I understand that things are different now with everyone having a TV in their own room or both parents working, but then again we now also have VCRs and DVD players so you are not limited to network scheduling.

Finally, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The people who grew up with these holiday specials have paid homage to these great shows. Saturday Night Live's Robert Smigel honored A Charlie Brown Christmas on his TV Funhouse. MAD TV honored Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with Raging Rudolph. And last year Office Max honors the Rankin & Bass specials in their commercial featuring the Rubber Band Man.

To quote Linus Van Pelt (and the Gospel according to Luke - Chapter 2:8-14) from A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown".

Stay Tuned and Merry Christmas


Tony Figueroa

My Honorable Mention additions to "TV Guide and TV Land presents The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments".

TV Guide and TV Land did a comprehensive series that focused on the 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments. Once again, whenever I see one of these lists I, like I’m sure many others played Monday morning quarterback and noticed what didn’t make the list.Again I suggest for future lists that there should be a distinction between entertainment produced for television and events that were captured on television. I also don't think the entire series run of Hogan's Heroes (#100) and The Flying Nun (92) should count as a moment. Here is my list of Unexpected TV Moments that I think should have made the Top 100. Please note that some entries also appeared in My Honorable Mention additions to "TV Guide and TV Land presents The 100 Most Memorable TV Moments".

Murphy Brown’s baby (May 18, 1992) Murphy Brown. Never before or since has a TV show influenced presidential politics. What was unexpected was the country’s reaction to Vice President Dan Quayle’s comments about the episode.

Jack Paar walks off the Tonight Show (February 11, 1960). The previous night, Paar had told a joke during his monologue with the word "water closets" in it. The joke offended the NBC censors, who cut it out of the show. How times have changed.

Maude has an abortion (November 14,1972) from Maude. Some CBS affiliates did not air the episode. Note: This episode aired a year prior to the Supreme Court's Row vs. Wade decision.

Fonzie cries in an episode of Happy Days (January 31, 1978). Richie is involved in an accident with his new motorcycle and is in a coma at the hospital. Fonzie enters the room and breaks down while talking to him. This episode was written when Gary Marshall received a letter from a woman who worked with abused children telling him how the children connected with Fonzie. As part of their therapy the kids needed to cry but didn’t because the Fonz didn’t cry. Fonzie showed us all that it is okay to cry.

David Letterman’s post 9/11 show (September 17, 2001) from The Late Show with David Letterman. Dave let America know that it was okay to laugh again. This episode should make the list since no one knew what to expect.

Footage of a woman giving birth (November 1967) on Donahue.

The "F" word on Saturday Night Live.
(February 21, 1981) The Guest host was Charlene Tilton (Dallas) and there was a running "who shot J.R. Ewing" gag with Charles Rocket called "who shot C.R.". At the end of the show Tilton was on stage with Rocket. She asked how he felt. Rocket said, "Oh man, it's the first time I've been shot in my life. I'd like to know who the f**k did it."
(March 15, 1980) Paul Shaffer accidentally mumbled "f**kin'" instead of "floggin'" during a sketch. Paul’s reaction to what came out of his mouth was priceless.

Tonight Show host Johnny Carson crashes the set of the series C.P.O. Sharkey after he discovers that that the shows star Don Rickles smashed his cigarette box, while guest hosting for Johnny.

Archie Bunker changes baby Joey’s diaper (January 12, 1976) from All in the Family. The show had (baby) frontal nudity. To commemorate the birth of baby Joey a doll was manufactured by Ideal Toys Corp. The Joey doll was the first anatomically correct male doll to be made and sold in America.

Rosalind Shays (Diana Muldaur) steps in elevator falls down the open shaft on L.A.LAW (March 21, 1991).

This weeks quote could also count as an Unexpected TV Moment.
William Shatner on SNL, "I'd just like to say... GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!"

Stay Tuned


Tony Figueroa

Richard Pryor, Your Life Is Calling.

Richard Pryor
1940 - 2005

Anybody who is remotely interested in a career in stand-up comedy needs to study the complete works of Richard Pryor. He spun his own life’s tragedies into comedic gold. I was fortunate early on in my comedy career to meet Mr. Pryor and watch him perform live at the Comedy Store. Even after he became ill he continued to perform on a regular basis. I am very optimistic that Richard Pryor will be remembered for his unique comedic voice and not for his use of obscenities.

When looking for a Richard Pryor quote, the first one that popped into my head was from the December 13th, 1975 episode of Saturday Night Live titled: Racist Word Association Interview, "Dead honky!"
SNL Transcripts: Richard Pryor: 12/13/75: Racist Word Association Interview

Good Night Mr. Pryor and thank you for teaching us that comedy is truly tragedy plus time.

Stay Tuned


Tony Figueroa

Peace on Earth. (Click PODCAST)

Recently in an article Happy 40th Anniversary Charlie Brown. I quoted Linus Van Pelt reading from Luke 2:8-14 in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

I also pointed out that the network had concerns about the religious message but in the past forty years I have never heard anyone complain that the show was too religious. I think I know why. Charles M. Schulz told us a story that featured Christmas elements from his childhood growing up in the Midwest including snow and a religious celebration of the holiday. Putting aside the fact that in the world of Peanuts children speak like little adults. There is an honesty in this special. Part of it comes from the fact that Linus is voiced by a real child (Christopher Shea) but Linus is also telling a story not selling a religion. Even if we all don't believe the part about "a Savior, which is Christ the Lord", we all should be able to get behind the idea of "on Earth peace, good will toward men".

Speaking of Peace on Earth.

I wrote an article titled Confessions of a Toon Head.. In that article I mentioned that The Cartoon Network showed Peace on Earth (1939) on the Christmas episode of Toonheads. I described this cartoon as the supporting cast of Bambi (1942) in a scene from All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). The story opens with two baby squirrels asking their grandfather, "What are men?" when he comes in singing "Peace on earth, good will to men". Their Grandpa tells them that there are no men anymore and describes them as violent critters who kept finding new reasons to fight. One example he gave was the vegetarian people fighting with the meat-eating people. Grandpa then tells the kids the story of man's last war with graphic detail.

After the last two men die, all the animals gather in a bombed out church. The wise old owl reads "Thou shalt not kill" from a big book of rules (The Bible).

Then the animals begin to rebuild from their wastes.

Thc part about men who kept finding new reasons to fight reminds me of a fight I have been seeing waged on TV in the past week. The Bill O'Reillys and John Gibsons of the world are fighting over what we call at pine tree. Media Matters - Fox betrays Christmas crusade, sells "Holiday" ornaments for your "Holiday tree". These broadcasting hypocrites report on a Liberal Plot to take Christ out of the holiday. As I sit in a Studio City (a few miles north of crazy liberal Hollywood) Starbucks writing this piece and drinking my venti cup of Christmas Blend, I am listening to a beautiful operatic rendition of Oh Holy Night over the speakers, and guess what? The ACLU did not bust down the door demanding that Starbucks replace the song with one about Rudolph or Frosty. As I said in My "HOLLYWOOD" Civic Pride, I live in Hollywood. I live two blocks from the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Last week I watched The Hollywood Christmas Spectacular on TV and heard a live Gospel Choir when I was walking down Universal City Walk. Leave us liberals out of this fight that is obviously between social conservatives protecting their religious holiday and the fiscal conservatives wanting to expand their bottom line. This Christmas/Holiday Season we are looking back over a year filled with the devastation of war and natural disaster that can kill ones Christmas/Holiday spirit. This is what we should be talking about instead of trees, songs or greetings. But I guess I have to be the grown up here, and it's a sorry state of affairs when I have to be the grown up. It’s called a Christmas Tree, a Hanukkah Dradle. Hallmark carries a wide variety of holiday cards, and on Black Friday people beat the holy crap out of each other fighting over the last Xbox. (Now for those who want to attack my beliefs read Must See Sabbath and then comment). Where is the "Peace on Earth and the good will toward men"? That should be the message of the season and throughout the year.

To quote Jay Leno, "The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin".

Stay Tuned


Tony Figueroa

Supporting the Supporting Actor

There is a common misperception that a supporting actor is less important than the star. This week we lost two great character actors who although you might not know their names their contribution to the shows they worked on were invaluable.

Jack Colvin

This classically trained actor was a veteran of numerous TV shows and movies, but to me he was best known for the role of investigative reporter Jack McGee in the TV series The Incredible Hulk. You may remember this quote from the show’s opening, "The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter. Mr. McGee... don't make me angry... you wouldn't like me when I'm angry".

As a kid I was a devoted fan of the show, but I saw the character of Jack McGee as just the bad guy. As an adult I enjoyed the show again in reruns on SCIFI and really saw what Jack Colvin brought to the character of McGee. Here was a brilliant reporter who now was down on his luck working at a tabloid (The National Register). He knew that the HULK story would put him at the top of his profession again and became obsessed like Capt. Ahab. Instead of hunting the great white whale, he wanted to expose the big green man. I found myself not wanting him to succeed in finding the Hulk for the sake of the Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) and Dr. Banner (Bill Bixby). At the same time I cared for McGee because unlike Ahab his quest was not a personal vendetta, he just wanted to be respected in his field again. That is a lot of support to give to the star.

Good Night Jack, You finally got your story.

Wendie Jo Sperber

This Actor is probably best known from her role as Amy in Bosom Buddies although I also loved her work in the short lived FOX sitcom Women in Prison as well. Ms. Sperber’s greatest role was as the founder of weSPARK. In 1997 Wendie Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer and found that battling the decease was as much an emotional fight as it was a physical one. In 2001 she opened weSPARK as a place to meet new friends, to exchange information, to explore new ways of coping and new possibilities for healing. weSPARK - Where all services are free of charge.

To quote Wendie Jo Sperber, "I spent many years with low self-esteem, but the cancer has given me the gift of seeing how many people love me."

Don’t forget without the supporting actors the stars would be doing one man shows.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Happy 40th Anniversary Charlie Brown. (Click PODCAST)

A Charlie Brown Christmas

This Tuesday, December 6th ABC will air A Charlie Brown Christmas marking its 40th anniversary on television. I don’t think that we children of television fully appreciate the influence this holiday classic (I don’t use the word classic lightly) has on our popular culture. If someone, said "that looks like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree" you don’t need any explanation. If you hear Vince Guaraldi’s Linus And Lucy someone will mimic the dance moves of one or more of the characters. The only part that of the cartoon that is dated is when Lucy sends Charlie Brown out to get an aluminum tree.

Lucy Van Pelt: Get the biggest aluminum tree you can find, Charlie Brown, maybe painted pink.

It is hard to believe that this holiday special that has been airing all of my life was not liked by the brass at CBS, but remember these are the same people who thought that Gilligan's Island might be too highbrow. The network wanted a laugh track, did not like that real children were used to voice the characters (Snoopy was voiced by animator Bill Melendez) and thought the show was too religious (Linus quotes Luke 2:8-14).

Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.

After the show aired CBS ordered four more specials. Who knew? Honestly if Charles M. Schulz & Lee Mendelson went to one of the major networks today with the pitch for A Charlie Brown Christmas I would imagine that the response would be, "So, this is a holiday special for kids where the title character is a boy going through holiday depression. Okay, a bit of a downer isn’t it? And this depression stems from people’s greed and the over commercialism of the holiday. Yeah, kinda hard to sell commercial time when you alienate the potential sponsor who is also counting on that consumer greed. See a good Christmas story has to have someone saving the holiday by helping Santa make his flight. In your story the day is saved thanks to a Bible reading. I don’t get it. How does the birth of the baby Jesus inspire kids to save a tree? The tree was cut down, it’s already dead. Sorry this is not for us, but the guys at PAX will love it".

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa