Called Uber after the cartoon ended. It's still pretty hot here, into the mid-90's. Unfortunately, not only did I call late, but the first driver canceled, and the second took 11 minutes to arrive. Thanks to that, I was two minutes late to work. Going home only took 7 minutes and went much better.
That was the worst thing that happened all day. I was in the floral department this morning and early afternoon. When I arrived, I watered the plants and condensed empty buckets that once held bouquets of roses so we could put new ones out. It took me longer to stick prices on new balloons than it really should. I don't move fast enough with a lot of things. I did better helping her get the new pink, red, and white roses into buckets after my break.
I had just enough time before I left to make one lovely little arrangement. I noticed there were multi-colored arrangements, but no plain white ones. We had one white bouquet with broken buds that we couldn't put out. Those creamy blooms were too pretty to not use in some way, so I trimmed three of them and added lots of baby's breath (to make up for us being out of greenery). I thought it came out very well, giving the impression of the roses being nestled in a cloud of white and green.
After I got home, I changed, took the laundry downstairs, and finished the rock artist inventory with U2, Uncle Kracker, and the Who. It came up to 119 pages! And that's only the tip of the iceberg. Tomorrow, I'll be starting the rock collections. That's the albums with a variety of artists, usually from one company (K-Tel, Time-Life Music) or as part of themed series (AM Gold, Have a Nice Day, Malt Shop Memories).
Listened to my two new Bette Midler records while I worked. Songs for the New Depression was her third album, and her first where she wrote her own songs. Her "Mr. Rockefeller" was a highlight, but my favorites were her "Old Cape Cod" and "I Don't Want the Night To End." Live at Last was apparently her "Bette Midler Show" concert in Cleveland. "Mr. Rockefeller" and "Shiver Me Timbers" turn up here, too, along with "Drinking Again," a medley of around-the-world songs, and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" in the finale.
Switched to the soundtrack from La Bamba as I did job hunting on Indeed. Rose used to be a big fan of this biography of pioneering Mexican-American rocker Richie Valens. I remember it being supremely sad, especially that real-life tragic ending, but with great music. The LP bears out the latter with the classic cover of the title song by Los Lobos that was all over the radio during the summer of 1987. If they weren't playing one of the songs from Dirty Dancing, you were getting "La Bamba." Other good ones on here include "Oooh, My Head," Bo Diddley singing "Who Do You Love," and Brian Setzer belting out "Summertime Blues."
Decided I wanted to get out for a walk around quarter of 7. Besides, I wanted to drop Captain From Castile in the book kiosk. Though it was still hot at that point, it wasn't quite like earlier. It actually could have been worse. It was hot, but not really humid. Newton Lake Park felt really nice, under its wide green canopy. Given it was the dinner hour by that point, I didn't see too many people out and about. A man working in his yard, a mother and her son out for a walk, some dog walkers. At least the rain we've had the last few days has done its job. Everyone's lawns and gardens look much better, with only some brown patches left.
Stopped at Crown Chicken and Gyro to pick up a quick dinner. I was not up to any type of cooking. I went in, ordered a chicken gyro and fries, and headed out. Saw one other person picking up food, but it was just after the dinner hour.
Ate and drank a Diet Pepsi while watching Match Game Syndicated. Phyllis Diller and David Doyle return here, joined by Fred Travalena next to Diller in Richard Dawson's original "Smart guy" seat. Joyce Bulifant has a hard time with "__ Muffin" in the Head to Head. They all do better with "__ Neighbor" in the Audience Match and making jokes about a contestant who is a fish doctor.
Finished the night on YouTube with a virtual trip to England to check out more of their original game shows that largely haven't traveled over here yet. London's been broadcasting for longer than us - the BBC was doing regular TV broadcasts in 1939! - and their game show history goes just as far back. Take Joker's Wild, from 1969. This variation on the American Can You Top This? has comedians (including future game show host Les Dawson) tossing out jokes on whatever subject MC Barry Cryer pulls out. I didn't recognize anyone but Dawson, and I still thought some of the jokes were pretty funny.
Give Us a Clue is even funnier. This is basically Celebrity Charades. Two teams of beloved British comedians and character actors act out a movie or TV title for their team. This started out on ITV, then moved to BBC for a brief revival. Once again, I don't recognize most of the actors involved, but it's still hilarious to watch them try to mime Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein or The Glass Menagerie.
Family shows go far back in England, too. Ask the Family is a long-running predecessor of Family Feud. Two parents and two teens answetr general trivia questions. Winner gets to go on to the next round. This one ran from 1967 well into the mid-80's; I have an episode from 1978 here.
Turnabout is a 90's show played tournament-style, with the winner and high-ranking losers from the week were called back at the end of the series to play for a big trip prize. This was a variation on Wheel of Fortune, with yellow and red circles hiding letters instead of wheels and boards. They would answer clues to guess the word. Fast-paced and challenging, this was a hit at the BBC in the early-mid 90's, running for 6 years.
Possibly the most unique game show on British television in the 90's was The Crystal Maze. Odd host Richard O'Brian leads 4 people between 16 and 40 through areas representing different periods in history - medieval, Aztec, futuristic, industrial, Oceanic. If they complete a series of tasks in the time allotted, they get a crystal. The more crystals you get, the time you have in the bonus round, grabbing money blown up in the air in the "crystal" sphere in the center of the room. If they get enough gold cards, they get the big prize. I far and away enjoyed this one the most of what I watched tonight. Looks like they tried to revive it in 2016, but it got caught in the Pandemic and had to end in 2020. Nickelodeon ran a one-season American version in 2019.
The kids' show Knightmare was nearly as much fun with a similar premise. Here, it's kids who take part in the mini games. Three children lead one blindfolded child "Knight" around Chroma-Key castle rooms filled with puzzles and actors costumed as sorceresses and elves and older knights. The kids are given food for their "life force" in the beginning, here represented by a knight in a helmet. If the knight gets down to a skull, the kids are out. No wonder this is well-remembered by people who grew up in the late 80's-early 90's. The Chroma Key/early CGI backgrounds give it a unique look, and the mini games are genuinely challenging.
There were more traditional quiz games in England, too. Connections from 1985 had teenagers trying to connect various clues given by host Sue Robbie. The first linked photos; the second was mathematical equations. The bonus round linked letters. The BBC's 4 Square from 1989 was somewhat similar, only adults played and they had to match pictures under the squares, like Memory.
Go on vacation across the pond without leaving home with these thrilling episodes from jolly old England!
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