The Music of New Jersey

Slept in this morning. Got a quick start with breakfast and Bon Jovi. The songs on New Jersey don't really have much to do with our home state, but they're some of the band's best and most famous just the same. "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There for You" were the hits here. We also get "Lay Your Hands On Me," "Homebound Train," and "Ride Cowboy Ride."

Headed off to work shortly after the CD ended. We now have to clean the bathroom every hour on the hour after we finish sweeping, and that's with everything else baggers do! Good thing the bathrooms didn't really need much done. Two baggers were there when I arrived, including a teen girl who was just hired, allowing me to focus on the carts. I did have to take over everything else after they left, and I never did catch up with the carts again.

Went straight home after that and into a more recent album by a rock legend from New Jersey. Although Wrecking Ball apparently didn't do quite as well as Bruce Springsteen's previous albums Magic and Working On a Dream financially, it still has a lot to recommend. "We Take Care of Our Own" was the hit single, but I prefer the title song, "Land of Hopes and Dreams," and the haunting "Jack of All Trades."

Worked on the inventory briefly after I ate dinner. Just had enough time to find the S titles and add the original Sweet Charity with Gwen Verdon, a truncated studio version of the operetta Sweethearts, and Take Me Along, a 1959 musical version of Ah Wilderness with Walter Pidgeon and Jackie Gleason. I've had all three for a long time. Found Charity at a now defunct Collingswood thrift shop in 2009 and Along at Collingswood's town-wide yard sale in 2011. I think Sweethearts came from one of the Philadelphia stores sometime between 2007 and 2009, but I don't remember anymore. 

Finished the night on YouTube with the Sunday Match Game marathon. Tonight, we looked deeper into Richard Dawson's acrimonious exit from the show in mid-1978 with one episode from every week leading to his departure. Truth be told, he hadn't been happy since at least late 1976-early 1977, but it didn't really boil over until 1978. He was doing Match Game and Family Feud and was just plain tired. Family Feud was beating Match Game in the ratings by 1978 as well, and Richard had more control over the proceedings there. 

Richard still had some fun moments early in the year. He saw Betty White scold Gene for swatting a fly, and Gene attempt to swat it with a stick full of holes. A handsome young wrestler shook Richard's hand so hard after he got the Audience Match answer, Richard had Marcia Wallace write out the Head-to-Head answer for him. Gene at one point tried to force him to smile in a bizarre sequence at the end of an episode. Another episode ended with Richard and Charles playing tic tac toe on Gene's windowpane check suit, much to the annoyance of the latter! 

Richard saw the arrival of the Star Wheel that contestants spun to choose which panelist they'd play with in the Head to Head round as the last straw. He was the panelist who had been the most often chosen for the Head-to-Head before that and considered it to be his time in the spotlight. He did get one last good moment after it came, arguing the difference between "toes" and "feet" with Ira, but the damage had been done. 

Between his exhaustion and an eye infection that forced him to wear glasses (he also wore them on Feud), he simply didn't do much of anything on his final week. He left after his last PM episode and refused to come back. Gene was reportedly so furious with him for his poor behavior, he never spoke to him again, and Brett and Charles weren't happy either. 

It's a shame nobody - Gene, Goodson-Todman, Ira, or even Richard himself - handled his departure well. Richard was such a big part of the show for so long. They should have either given in to his demands, or let him go when he originally asked in 1976. I don't think it would have effected the show as much as most people think, and it would have been far more professional than what ultimately happened. 

At any rate, see how all of this went down for yourself in this marathon!

Match Game Sunday Night Classics - Featuring Richard Dawson: The Long, Sad Goodbye

Return to Matches

Began the morning with breakfast and Sailor Moon Crystal. Usagi transforms into "Serenity" after Tuxedo Mask's life is in danger. She recalls who she and the other Guardians are now - the original defenders of the Kingdom of the Moon. Serenity loved Endymion, but they were forbidden to see each other after the moon and Earth went to war. Usagi is understandably upset after Tuxedo Mask vanishes, but the other girls are there to encourage her.

Hurried off to work after that. Work was off-and-on busy, though nothing like Labor Day Weekend. It was so nice, a lot of people may have gone down to the Shore for the weekend. It remains sunny, warm, and a tiny bit humid here, though nothing like earlier in the summer. I did have to put away some cold items, but otherwise, I was either sweeping or outside pushing carts and enjoying the weather.

I've been meaning to unload a full plastic container of coins into the Coinstar machine for a while now. Got $16 out of it. Picked up coconut macaroons and pumpkin cake roll off the clearance rack for a treat and bagels for lunch this week.

Hurried straight home after that. Watched Alice In Wonderland (Or What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing In a Place Like This?) while eating dinner. I go further into this Hanna Barbara retelling of the famous fantasy novel at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Musicals On TV - Alice In Wonderland (Or What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing In a Place Like This?)

Took a quick shower, then finished the night with today's Match Game Classics marathon. It was originally supposed to be for Paul Williams, but for some reason, YouTube decided it didn't like that and cut it off after an hour. The owner of the channel switched to a shorter marathon revolving around panelists returning after a long absence. Orson Bean made a final appearance in late 1979 after having been away for several years. Jimmie Walker, Bill Daily, and Elaine Joyce all turned up early in the run of Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour. Avery Schriberer, Mary Wickes, Jo Anne Worley, and Dick and Dolly Martin all made their first appearance in over a decade on Match Game '90.

No one made more of a reappearance after a prolonged absence than Charles Nelson Reilly. He went away for six months in late 1974-early 1975 to direct a Broadway play. He finally returned to the show via wire, a stuffed bird, and feathers falling on Gene Rayburn. Jokes even got tossed around about the bird flying him out there and giving him water so Betty White wouldn't be upset. And of course, he had to throw out one last quip about the guys who hauled him in hauling Brett out.

Return with these panelists to those thrilling days of yesteryear as we see them come back for one last match!

Match Game Sunday Classics - The Return of Popular Celebrities to Match Game

Night of the Love Boat

Began the morning with breakfast and PAW Patrol. The "Pups Save Friendship Day" when Mayor Goodway breaks her arm and can't deliver all the cards for Friendship Day. Mayor Humdinger turns it into a competition to see who can be the friendliest town and tries to send his own vegetable candy. What he doesn't count on are rabbits getting into the candy and floating away on balloons, or one of his cats joining them. 

Headed out after that. My first stop was the Haddon Township Library for this week's job counseling session and to return the books I took out last week. Dawn and I ended up applying to a travel office, the Mercedes-Benz in Cherry Hill, and a security firm. All are secretarial and receptionist jobs. None of them sound that overly exciting, but they're jobs, and I need to get out of the Acme.

Left Dawn doing work on her laptop around 12:30 and rode to Collingswood for lunch. I hadn't eaten at the Pop Shop since Lauren visited in June. They were pretty quiet despite it being 1 PM, just after the lunch hour. They're famous in South Jersey for their many variations on grilled cheese, so I tried the one on their fall menu with apples, bacon, and three cheeses. Oh yum. The apples complimented the gooey cheese perfectly, and the bacon was cooked just well enough. Had it with crunchy-salty tater tots. 

Walked around Collingswood for the next few hours. Dug up Huey Lewis and the News' first hit album Picture This and a plush Care Bear at Time Lapse. I'd never heard of Laugh-a-Lot Bear. She must have been created for the most recent version of the show on Cartoon Network. She's a gold cutie with a bright red clown's nose and a goofy star with its tongue out as her tummy symbol. She'll be a great gal pal for the smaller Cheer Bear I picked up a few years ago.

Since it's around the corner anyway, my next stop was Collingswood Music. Once again, I didn't find a lot, but I did dig up some interesting stuff. Actually, my best find was a biography of original Who drummer Keith Moon, Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend, for $8. I also got John Lennon's last posthumous album with Yoko Ono, Milk and Honey.

Did much better at Innergroove Records two blocks down Haddon Avenue. I promised myself I wouldn't spend over 20 on anything today, and I already pushed that with the Care Bear. I managed to dig a whole pile of interesting albums out of the 1 and 2 dollar bins here:

Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House - A Disney vintage spooky sounds album with a great scary cover depicting an old house against a graveyard. I laughed so hard when I found this! My guy friend Matt discussed this at his blog Dinosaur Dracula just yesterday. I mentioned in the comments that I hadn't found it yet...and it turned up less than 24 hours later. 

Frank Sinatra - A Man and His Music

Johnny Mathis - Open Fire, Two Guitars and Warm (a "Deluxe 2-Record Gift Set")

The original cast album for the 1964 Steve Lawrence vehicle What Makes Sammy Run?

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Going Places (Ehh, everyone probably has at least one Tijuana Brass album laying around in their collection. This one features what's likely their two most iconic numbers, "Tijuana Taxi" and "Spanish Flea.")

Doubled back to Sprouts after that to finish my grocery shopping. Picked up two boxes of Olyra breakfast cookies, four cans of Olipop soda on sale, coconut milk, Hint water for the ride home, and more dried pineapple and cinnamon almonds from the bins. The pineapple and almonds cost a bit more this time...but oh, were they worth it, especially the perfectly sweet-crispy nuts.

Put on an episode of The Wild Wild West when I got home. "The Night of the Tottering Tontine" gets into Murder By Death territory when Jim West and Artemis Gordon discover someone's killing the members of a tontine, group of investors who have their own laws stating that the last remaining member will gain all their assets...including the secret weapon one member is developing. Members have been dying mysteriously even before West, Gordon, and the remaining number are trapped in the secret room of a creepy old mansion.

Got my schedule online at this point. While I didn't get as many hours, I still have more than got earlier in the summer. Three days off this time, but also two early days. It's probably a good thing, as I intend to spend most of next week getting ready for my vacation the week after. 

Worked on the inventory next. Added the two rock albums I bought today, plus Subways are for Sleeping, Sugar (the first Broadway version of Some Like It Hot from the 70's), the burlesque revue Sugar Babies, and Sunday In the Park With George. Subways goes back the furthest here. I bought it from the now-defunct Friends In Deed Thrift Shop in Collingswood around 2009. 

Switched to Match Game '73 during dinner. The first episode was the one with Gene coming out in that infamously ugly green and red plaid suit. He looked so awful, even the panelists wouldn't turn his way. Gene wasn't the only wild thing going on in that episode, either. Towards the end of the episode, after the contestant won the Head-to-Head, most of the panelists just got up, ran off the stage, and randomly hugged and kissed audience members. Fannie Flagg smooched a very lucky guy, while Jack Carter ended up in some lady's lap. Patti Deustch made her debut in the second episode, joined for the first and only time by Jim "Mr. Magoo" Backus.

Finished the night with more classic TV shows on Paramount Plus and Tubi. Captain Steubing is worried on The Love Boat when his gambler buddy (Gene Barry) makes Vicki think she can easily make money without working. His friend takes the pearls he gave Vicki to the casino to teach her a lesson in "Vicki and the Gambler." One lady (Vicki Lawrence) discovers that "Love With a Skinny Stranger" isn't easy when her now-slender fiancee (Charles Siebert) keeps attracting lovely ladies. Two married former crooks (Kaye Ballard and Jesse White) spring a retired safecracker (Jack Gilford) from jail to reunite "That Old Gang of Mine" for one last score. 

In addition to the appearance with his band mates in the third season of Laugh-In, Davy Jones also turned up solo on a mid-second season episode. They especially seemed to like pairing him with noisy, oversized Jo Anne Worley, but Goldie Hawn and Ruth Buzzi got their chance to ogle him, too. Nipsey Russell, Greer Garson, and a pre-Hart to Hart Robert Wagner toss out the short blurbs and bits here. 

Some Kind of Magic

Got a quick start this morning with breakfast and The Muppet Show. Doug Henning was the most popular magician of the 70's who had just come off the run of the Broadway hit The Magic Show when he appeared in the fourth season. Fozzie's so impressed with his tricks, he tries to do a few tricks of his own backstage. It ends with rabbits running around all over the place after he hits his hat with his wand one too many times.

Hurried off to work after that. Pretty much the same deal it has been for the past couple of days. It was quiet the entire morning and early afternoon. Though I did get called to return cold items a few times, I spent most of the day outside. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. It remains nice here, despite the slightly increased humidity. There actually wasn't a lot for me to do, especially with the side parking lot across from Arby's being redone. 

Did some grocery shopping after work. I mainly needed to restock yogurt, popcorn, and the Poppi soda that's 2 for $4. Grabbed two of those tasty Oreo Coke Zeroes that were also on sale 2 for $4. I won't be getting to the farm market on Saturday, so I grabbed peaches too. Took advantage of an online coupon to pick up those Made Good soft breakfast bars.

Since I was in the area, I stopped at Lane Bryant on my way out. The underwear I bought in April was starting to get worn out. They were buy one, get one, so I bought six pairs for $40.

Once again took the long way home down Nicholson Road to avoid road work elsewhere. Nicholson Road was busy with the beginning of rush hour traffic. Once I got into Oaklyn, the traffic vanished, and I had no trouble getting home. I wish we'd get some rain, though. The trees and especially the grass is starting to look dry and crunchy again.

Watched The Price Is Right when I got home as I put everything away. The One Away game in this episode was especially funny. First of all, the sound effects people didn't play the right horn to indicate if the older lady had the correct number, which annoyed the heck out of Bob. Then, they didn't sound it after she changed all of them...because it was obvious she had them all right after the change. The lady was amused, but poor Bob looked like he wanted to either crawl into the floor boards or throw those numbers at someone.

Put on Evita after Price ended. I go further into this rock opera about controversial Argentinian first lady Eva Peron with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Evita (1996)

Worked on the inventory next. Added Silk Stockings, Sophisticated Ladies, the original Mary Martin stage version of The Sound of Music, the original South Pacific, and a 1952 studio version of The Student Prince. Some of these go back pretty far. I picked up Sound of Music from the Haddon Township fall town-wide yard sale in 2011, South Pacific from Abbie Road on Valentine's Day 2012, and Student Prince from the Logan Presbyterian Church thrift shop almost exactly a year later. 

Broke for dinner and Match Game '73 at 7 PM. Charles returns here, along with Betty White, Jo Ann Pflug, and Betty White. We also hear cracks from Pat Harrington about Gene's very green suit jacket, learn why the contestant Sunny got her name, and hear from George, the first guy to work the slats behind the Super Match board.

Finished the night after a shower with classic rock records. The Moody Blues became known in the late 60's for their classical-inspired concept albums like On the Threshold of a Dream. I kind of bought this for the gorgeous surreal cover art, but I forgot how good the songs are here. "Send Me No Wine," "Dear Diary," "Never Comes the Day" and "The Dream" all beautifully reflect the discussion of the hippie dream of flower-power and a new consciousness.

I know the Moody Blues best for The Other Side of Life. The massive hit from this album, "Your Wildest Dreams," was one of my favorite songs when I was 7, and it remains my favorite Moody Blues song to this day. Other good ones here include "Rock and Roll Over You," the title song, and "Running Out of Love."

Led Zepplin hit the hard rock jackpot with their second self-titled album in 1971. "Stairway to Heaven" became the anthem for hard rockers everywhere. Other well-regarded songs here include "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll" and "Going to California." 

Dreaming of You

Began the morning with breakfast and The Busy World of Richard Scarry. Huckle, Lowly, and Mr. Frumble go on "A Trip Back In Time" when Mr. Frumble accidentally sends Mr. Fixit's new time machine back to a colonial Busytown. The two cave pigs try to build "Home Sweet Home" for their Neander-pig friend in a riff on "The Three Little Pigs." He destroys their first tries, but he's the one who adds something more useful to their stone house. Mail-pig P.S wishes she got letters every now and then. The kids become "P.S Pig's Special Friend" and write her letters signed "your special friend," until their teacher Miss Honey catches on.

Rushed to work after that. Same deal as yesterday. Work wasn't busy in the slightest. The weather is too nice, we're between holidays, and the kids are all back in school now. Pushed carts and swept the store with no trouble whatsoever.

I had a harder time getting home. First of all, I left my lunch bag at the Acme and had to go back for it. Then when I tried to get down the Black Horse Pike, I realized that utility trucks blocked the ramp into Oaklyn. Thankfully, the traffic on the longer way down Nicholson wasn't that bad. At least I got more of a chance to enjoy a warm, dry day and lovely breeze.

Put on The Monkees while I changed and got organized when I got home. Sweet bassist Peter Tork is "One Man Shy" when he gets a crush on a smart and pretty debutante. Her fiancee Ronnie Farnsworth (playwright George Firth) doesn't like that one bit. The other three do everything they can to try to make Peter look worthy in front of Valerie...but she knows that Peter does best when he's himself.

Spent the rest of the afternoon watching Selena, the 1997 biography of the tragic Mexican-American singer that propelled Jennifer Lopez to stardom. I go further into this at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Selena

Worked on the inventory after that. Added She Loves Me, the 1946 version of Show Boat, the London revue Side By Side By Sondheim, the 1983 Tommy Steele London version of Singin' In the Rain, the recent Some Like It Hot, and Song of Norway. She Loves Me and Singin' go back the furthest. In September 2014, Jessa, Joe, and I checked out several thrift shops in Maple Shade and Pennsauken. I hit the jackpot in Maple Shade, picking up a ton of records, including these two. Too bad I don't think that thrift shop exists anymore. It was a great place.

Switched to Match Game '73 during dinner. Bert Convy returned during this episode and Nipsey Russell took over Charles' seat. Mary Ann Mobley made her debut as well, complete with her many long, rambling stories.

Finished the night with two classic rock albums. Blood, Sweat, and Tears were a wildly popular hard rock band in the late 60's and early 70's, peaking with their major hit "You've Made Me So Very Happy." I'm fonder of their other big hit, the rocking "Spinning Wheel." Other good songs on this Greatest Hits collection include "I Can't Quit Her," "Sometimes In Winter," and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know." 

The Dark Side of the Moon was Pink Floyd's first shot at a "concept" album, exploring their wild lifestyle that led to the departure of their bassist Syd Barrett. I don't know if it has anything to do with The Wizard of Oz, but I do know that some of their best and most experimental work can be found here, including "Money," "Time," "The Great Gig In the Sky," and "Eclipse." 

Pumpkin Spice and Sunshine Is Nice

Started the morning with breakfast and The Scooby Doo Show. "The Curse of Viking Lake" claims another victim when Velma and Mystery Inc shows up for an ice fishing trip with her Uncle John and find him missing. Seems two geologists have also vanished in the area after ghostly Vikings appeared. The kids search for Uncle John and uncover a rather steamy mystery under the lake.

Rushed off to work after that. Thankfully after last week, there was no trouble whatsoever today. In fact, we were quiet for most of the morning. I spent the day pushing carts, sweeping, and gathering trash. We're between holidays, the kids began their first full week at school yesterday, and we're past the beginning of the month. Not to mention, the weather was gorgeous, sunny and dry, if a bit warmer than yesterday. It was no day for shopping. I was in and out after a quick stop at the pharmacy to pick up my blood pressure medication.

Stopped at Common Grounds Coffee House on the way home. I got to try their fall menu. The Pumpkin Spice Chai did taste like pumpkin, though it was once again a bit sweet. The caramel apple coffee cake had moist cake and a thick caramel apple crumb topping that was amazing. 

Soon as I got in, I changed, took out the recycling, and went straight into La Bamba on Tubi. I go further into this searing biography of teenage Mexican-American rock pioneer Richie Valens at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

La Bamba

Watched Match Game '73 while eating leftovers for dinner. I don't have a clue as to why Buzzr suddenly jumped all the way back to the week with Robert Culp, Pat Carroll, and Jack Klugman sitting next to his then-wife Brett Somers. Not that I'm complaining. Brett and Jack had some good moments sparring, and Carroll was a delight. I really regret that neither she nor Culp ever returned to any version of the show.

Finished the night working on my La Bamba review while listening to Miss Saigon. This 1991 rock opera retelling of Madame Butterfly reset the story in Vietnam in 1975, just as the Americans were pulling out of the country. The title character is now Kim (Lea Salonga), who is "bought" by Marine Chris Scott (Simon Bowman). He ends up genuinely falling for her, but they're separated before he can get her out of the country. By 1978, Kim is back working for "The Engineer" (Jonathan Pryce), a sleazy night club owner, and trying to get her son by Chris back with his father. Chris, however, has already married a respectable American woman, and she's not interested in taking in a foreign child.

This was the first cast album I bought on cassette around 1992-1993. I thought "The Last Night of the World" and "Why God Why?" were the most romantic songs in the world as a 14-year-old. Even now, listening to this still reminds me of those nights huddled in my bedroom, swooning as Kim and Chris promised eternal devotion and wondered how they found each other in the midst of chaos. 

Truth be told (and part of the reason I eventually ditched the cassette), I don't think this show has really dated all that well. There is some really great music, and Pryce in particular is terrific as the Engineer despite the controversy in 1991 with him not being Vietnamese, but the story isn't an especially accurate reflection of that time period. Even now, the Vietnamese have trouble with how they're portrayed as either victims or villains here. The second half is bogged down in melodrama, and I don't think the music is as memorable, either, leading to a predictable tragic ending. You can tell this was made by the same team and composers who did Les Miserables. It shares that show's epic scope and often bombastic score.

I'm going to say your mileage may vary on this one. Pryce not being Vietnamese is less obvious on the original 1989 London cast recording, and his performance and those stunning ballads generally manage to drown out the mush in the second half. Worth checking out if you love Les Mis or other heavy European rock operas from the 70's and 80's.  

Dreaming From the Waist

Began the late morning with breakfast and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood in honor of Grandparents' Day yesterday. "Daniel's Grr-iffic Grandpere" loves doing special and fun things with him, like showing him a toy boat with a secret compartment, or showing him all the treasures that can be found on the sand at low tide. Jodi and Daniel are "Making Mozies With Nana" when they join her to make a chewy gluten-free banana oatmeal cookie they call mozies. (And if it's as good as that "banana whirl" Mrs. Tiger came up with a while back, I might have to try it sometime.)

Took the laundry downstairs and loaded it into the wash, then stripped the sheets and quilt off the bed and brought them downstairs, too. It's been days since I've needed the air conditioner, and I actually went to bed cold last night. Though it is supposed to warm up later in the week, I suspect it won't get that warm at night anymore. 

Did some things online, then went for a walk. Stopped at Dollar General first. I was able to get the wipes I wanted there and another bottle of Oreo Coke Zero, but I couldn't find the humidifiers I wanted. Didn't see them at Family Dollar, either. 

Finally ended up at Jalapeno's Bar and Grill for lunch. They're one of only three restaurants on the White Horse Pike to be open on Mondays, and I wasn't in the mood for Capitol Pizza. I ate outside, on their patio. Though it was a gorgeous day, sunny and a little warmer than it has been, it was also very windy! Napkins and plates blew away. Not to mention, Jalapeno's isn't known for the fast service. It took forever for them to take my shrimp quesadilla order, and then even longer to take it away. At least the quesadilla was yummy, with lots of cheese and tasty little shrimp.

Headed home after lunch. Put the laundry in the dryer and the sheets in the washer, then Swiftered the stairs and put everything away. Listened to my two new Who albums while I worked. The Who Sells Out was their first shot at a concept album, a parody of the offshore rock stations in England at the time. It gets so into the spoof, the tracks include fake commercials for Heinz Baked Beans and deodorant, along with goofy public-service announcements. The songs are closer to what would actually have been heard on those stations in 1967. "I Can See For Miles" would become the Who's biggest-ever single, and is still associated with them to this day. Other good numbers include "Armenia City In the Sky" and "Relax."

The Who By the Numbers came out in 1975, by which time the band had just finished their Quadrophenia tour and were tired as heck. Pete Townsend was working through writer's block and worried that he and the others were losing relevance in the music world, and that carries into songs that are more introspective than usual. That goes a long way to explaining the unusual, almost country sound to this album. There's some great work for a guy who had a hard time writing songs at this point. "Squeeze Box" was the hit, but I like "Dreaming From the Waist" and "How Many Friends."

Brought the laundry upstairs, then made the bed with the spring/fall sheets and comforter. Worked on the inventory for a while after that. Added the British operetta Robert and Elizabeth, The Robber Bridegroom, the 1952 studio cast of Roberta, Noel Coward's last show Sail Away with Elaine Stritch, the off-Broadway show The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Seesaw, and the original 1776. The only one that I can't remember where I got it from is Roberta. I'm pretty sure I picked that up in Philly, but I'm not sure anymore. Seesaw came from the Collingswood Book Festival in 2018. Sail Away goes back the furthest. I found it at Russakof's Used Books and Records in June 2010.

Switched to Match Game '79 during dinner. They're down to the final episodes of the 1973-1979 CBS run. I have no idea why these shows weren't seen anywhere but New York until 2001. There's nothing offensive, and some of the gags are fun. For one thing, Bart Braverman made his debut in the last week. In the first episode, Elaine Joyce argues over the difference between whipped cream and Cool Whip and Brianne Leary does her best Herve Villenchance impression. The second had Marcia Wallace answering "__ Island" in the Head-to-Head.

Finished the night on YouTube honoring the anniversary of The Joker's Wild, which began September 1972. Jack Barry and his partner Dan Enright had been tinkering with this one since the late 60's. Barry pitched it when he worked for Goodson and Todman, but they rejected it. He and Enright had been  hit hard by the quiz show scandals in the late 50's, which is why CBS was iffy on him hosting it. Allen Ludden hosted the 1969 pilots. Their first choice, Bob Barker, finally went to the revamped Price Is Right, and they gave Barry a trial run.

Joker's Wild was one of three CBS shows that debuted that fall, along with Price and Gambit, that redefined what a game show could be. An enormous slot machine rolled jokers and five categories. If they get one or more categories, they have to answer a question from that category. If they get jokers, they can use them as wild cards to match categories for double or triple the dollar amount, or save them for later. The bonus round allowed the winner to spin for increasing dollar amounts and avoid the devil.

Joker's Wild was a hit right off the gate against an aging Dinah Shore talk show. It had more trouble in the ratings once the equally popular Celebrity Sweepstakes moved opposite it. The CBS run ended in 1975, but it remained big enough for syndication to pick it up in September 1977. It proved far more popular and sustainable there, running until 1986. There was even a children's version, Joker! Joker! Joker!, in 1979. Barry hosted until 1984. Bill Cullen took over after his death, but he was really too slow and amiable for the lightning-fast pace of this show. (In fact, Bill retired shortly after the show's run ended.)

The Joker's Wild was one of the many shows to turn up again in 1990...and it didn't work out any better than Match Game '90 or Tic Tac Dough. The set traded 70's neutrals for 90's pastels and was frankly ugly. Pat Finn now asked terms for the contestants to define instead of regular questions, and they spun cash amounts instead of categories. The lowest-scoring contestant was eliminated at the end of the round. Finn wasn't horrible, but he wasn't the right guy to add excitement to this. The new rules were so strange that the original question-and-answer format was reinstated for the final week of the run.

Apparently, rapper Snoop Dog was a big fan of this show as a kid and headlined the most recent revival on TBS and TNT in 2017. The categories are back, the play is closer to the original show, and the neon set is actually sort of cool...but Snoop Dogg is annoying, and most of the questions are about him or his buddies in the music industry. Fine if you're a fan of his, kind of weird if you're not.

(And I wouldn't mind seeing this series again, preferably without Snoop Dogg. I think there's a lot more life left in spinning wheels and answering jackpot questions.) 

Spin that wheel and look for that creepy joker with rappers and producers in the fastest and most heart-pounding slot machine game ever!

The Joker's Wild Pilot #2 (1969)

The Joker's Wild Premiere (1972)

The Joker's Wind CBS Finale (1975)

The Joker's Wild Syndicated Premiere (1977)

Joker! Joker! Joker! (1979)

The Joker's Wild Syndicated (1984)

The Joker's Wild (1990)

The Joker's Wild With Snoop Dogg (2017)

Dyn-O-Mite Matches

I slept in so late, it was past 12 when I finally got to brunch. Listened to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels while I ate. This is the 2005 musical adaptation of the 1988 movie about two con men in the French Riviera who try to fleece a soap heiress, only to find themselves being the ones who get fleeced. This did well enough at the time but wasn't a huge hit despite a great cast and lavish production. 

I'm surprised. There's a lot of really fun material here. Norbert Leo Butz scores as the more uncouth con-man Freddy, singing about how he'll be "Great Big Stuff" in his introductory number. He and Sherie Renee Scott as the heiress get the lovely "Nothing Is Too Wonderful To Be True," and there's witty satirical numbers like "Love Is My Legs." John Lithgow, who played the senior con-man Lawrence, pops up to tell people not to listen to the final three numbers if they don't want to be spoiled. Fortunately, I've seen the original film and the all-female remake The Hustle, so I'm quite familiar with the hilarious twist ending. 

The CD I bought in Philadelphia came with an extra surprise. It took me a minute to realize the squiggly lines someone drew on the disc were signatures. According to Wikipedia, about a month after the show's opening, thousands of people stood in line at the Imperial Theater in New York to get free preview copies of the cast album before its May release. Several members of the cast and composer David Yazbek signed them. I know I see Butz and Scott's signatures there, and Joanna Gleason's, too. Wow. I'll bet the owner of Circa Gallery never checked the CD in the case, or this would have cost way more than a dollar. I'm going to treasure this one.

Hurried out just as the CD ended. Work mostly went fine, other than one incident. I almost got run over by a speeding car that went way too fast on the road between the parking lot and the Acme. Truth be told, I really should have been paying attention. It did rattle me and I wish I'd been more careful, but ultimately, no one was harmed. 

In fact, we were dead almost the entire afternoon. First of all, the weather was utterly stunning. Brilliant blue sky without a cloud in it, cool fresh breezes. It was barely in the 70's. Pushing carts was mostly a pleasure. Second, there's not a whole lot going on right now. The kids start their first full week of school tomorrow, we're between holidays, and the Eagles don't play an afternoon game until my first day of vacation. It's too nice to be shopping!

Hurried home as soon as I finished, then took a shower, grabbed dinner, and went straight into tonight's Match Game marathon. Comedian Jimmie Walker goes way back on Match Game. He started in mid-1974 and continued appearing regularly through 1991, long after his breakout show Good Times was in re-runs. 

Jimmie could be annoying, often yelling into the crowd when they booed one of his bad answers, or trying to agitate them in support for said answers. On the other hand, he also had a lot of really funny moments. In a 1976 episode, his response to a question about a modern Snow White would look like had him insisting she should look more like him. He appeared in two classic PM episodes, in 1975 with Kate Jackson, and in 1981 where Debralee Scott kept flirting with a cute contestant, until they finally kissed (and quite passionately!) after she helped him win the first Audience Match. Earlier in '75, he admired a very cute contestant who made the attractive green suit she wore.

Honestly, his most memorable appearances were probably in Match Game '90. He heard Sally Struthers announce her role as the voice of the younger sister in a new ABC show, Dinosaurs. He proved to be the Master of the Match-Up, flying through the answers like his words had wings. Twice, he got an especially pretty lady to the Audience Match. The second time, he was so enamored with the lovely miss, he picked her up and carried her off - twice!

You'll have a dyn-o-mite time flying through Match-Ups with the Prince of urban sitcoms in this hilarious marathon!

Match Game Saturday Night Classics - Featuring Jimmie Walker Episodes

Gold Star Harvest

Got a quick start today with breakfast and The Busy World of Richard Scarry. Bananas Gorilla wants to be "The Perfect Gentleman" for lovely leopard Rita. He thinks he's doing nothing but causing trouble, but she enjoys their date anyway. Michael Antelope is recruited to paint the Sistine Chapel, but a priest keeps smudging his paint and ruining his artwork. He proves why he's "The Best Painter Ever" when he finds a way to keep wandering hands off his frescoes. Poor Dennis the elephant thinks he's not good at anything, but "The Best Day for Dennis" shows that everyone has something to contribute, even a long trunk.

Hurried out after the cartoon ended for a run to the Collingswood Farm Market. Even at 11 AM, and despite the chilly and cloudy weather, they were busy with people buying produce for last-of-the-season barbecues and back to school dinners. It took me less than 20 minutes to buy tiny Gala apples, fat peaches, and tart black grapes. I got out so early, I went across the street to WaWa and bought a chocolate banana smoothie.

Began 13: The Musical when I got home and had lunch. I go further into this Netflix coming-of-age tale about a boy who just moved to Indiana and is trying to fit in at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Musicals On Streaming - 13: The Musical

Ran out to work before I even finished the movie. I was surprised at how busy we were today. We're past the beginning of the month, between holidays, the kids are fully back in school, and the Eagles don't play again until Monday the 16th. Maybe people just wanted something to do in the bad weather. The wind picked up mid-way through my shift and it got even colder. It even showered briefly but hard at one point. I had to clean up a broken jar of tomato-onion Goya sauce and fell behind with the carts until it was almost time for me to leave.

Confirmed my schedule here as well. In good news, still a lot of hours with a more spread-out Monday and Friday off. However, most of those hours are still really early. The head bagger wanted Tuesday off and has spent more time lately in a register replacing a morning cashier who retired. 

Dashed straight home and upstairs after that. Finished 13, then listened to records for a while. The Cinderella story and songs record is pretty typical of the genre. I believe it's a later recording from 1980 that doesn't use any of the original voices, but does have most of the original songs. The stepsisters are a bit too shrill, but the fairy godmother has a deep, inviting voice, and Cinderella herself isn't bad.

Trane: The Atlantic Collection features John Coltrane numbers from his albums released by Atlantic Records. "My Favorite Things" was the hit here and is still occasionally heard on the radio at Christmas. Other iconic stand-outs include "Giant Steps," "Equinox," and "Naima." 

Finished the night at YouTube for tonight's late Match Game marathon. Tonight's theme was episodes the channel's owner deemed "Gold Star," significant or especially funny. And given the bent of the show, there's a lot of them. 

Some shows featured goofy questions, like Orson Bean's hilarious answer to a question about getting a man to propose. There was also the time Polly Holiday's microphone bent over and wouldn't work and Richard held a mock funeral for it. Or the one shortly after the set was remodeled and the Star Wheel brought in when Gene brought a woman on the set to see the show better and commented that the new question holders sounded like Star Wars when they moved up and down. Gene once attacked a cameraman when he wouldn't get off Avery Schriber eating his answer. 

Syndicated episodes had their fair share of wacky shenanigans, too. Brett and Barbara Rhodes drooled over a handsome young man from Maine who towered over Gene. Brett and Fannie turned up in another syndicated show on Gene's arms in blonde wigs. Patty Duke got help for a sore knee from a physical therapist contestant, while Jack Jones flirted with the other. There was also the overly excited woman in a later week with McLean Stevenson and long-time soap actress Melody Scott-Thomas who went so crazy every time she won, she practically attacked Gene, and the PM episode with contestants who were so inept, the man only won because Charles matched each of them once, then matched him in a tie.

Check out some of the funniest Match Game episodes ever in this gold star marathon!

Match Game Saturday Night Classics - Featuring Gold Star Episodes (1973 - 1982) 

Red Hot and Cool

Began the morning with breakfast and The Scooby Doo Show. "The Ghost That Sacked the Quarterback" appears to have kidnapped the local football team's star player. Turns out it's supposedly the ghost of a player who disappeared years ago, the Rambling Ghost. The kids stick around the stadium to find out what's really going on with this mystery, while Shaggy and Scooby dodge the Rambling Ghost to get at all that concession stand food.

Headed out after that. First up was a brief stop at WaWa for a drink. I ended up with an Oreo Coke Zero. Looks like Coke has been messing around with their limited edition "Creations" again. Thankfully, unlike that nasty artificial-tasting Y3000 a while back, this did taste like a fizzy liquid chocolate Oreo. 

Cut across Audubon and Haddon Lake Park to avoid traffic on the Black Horse Pike. There were two businesses on the Pike I really wanted to check out again. Del Buono Bakery is impossible to miss, with the giant horse statue out front and several more statues of animals outside. I went in through a side door flanked by statues of the Blues Brothers. The first room you see is dominated by rows and rows of breads and rolls, with a huge conveyor belt-like machine spitting out hot, fresh rolls in the back. The front room is filled with shelves of cookies, cake rolls, cheesecake, coffee cake, soft pretzels, and cinnamon rolls, along with a deli. I bought four bagels and a raisin roll for lunch next week and pretzels for a snack later.

Rode a couple of blocks down past Walgreens and CVS before crossing into Mt. Ephraim. I hadn't visited Bob at the Abbie Road record store since Lauren visited in early June. He was pretty busy for him, with at least two other guys digging around for new and used classic rock, hard rock, jazz, and pop LPs and CDs. I hit the jackpot with CDs, picking up five jazz, four rock, and one country title as a Christmas gift for Lauren. Only found three records, but one was a childhood favorite. The three records are:

The Rolling Stones - Black & Blue

 

The Moody Blues - The Other Side of Life

Walt Disney's Story and Songs from Cinderella (This cost me the most, but it was a mint, still-in-its plastic copy of the very first record I ever owned. It's what it says on the tin, four songs and some dialogue from the Disney Cinderella. Mom bought this for me and Snow White for Rose in the early 80's; she'd pick up Sleeping Beauty for Anny a few years later.) 

Thanks to a 5 for 20 sale on CDs, I came up with that gift for Lauren and:

The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers and Voodoo Lounge

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (1971)

Santana - Abraxus

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

David Benoit - The Best of David Benoit 1987 - 1995

Charles Mingus - Three or Four Shades of Blue and Mingus Ah Um

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Jazz: Red Hot and Cool

Miles Davis - The Best of Miles Davis - The Capitol/Blue Note Years

I thought of riding down to Tu Se Bella's or the Black Horse Pike Diner for lunch, but I didn't feel like going all the way down to Audubon Crossings and I just did a diner last week. Thought I'd try Toni Roni's on the corner of the Black Horse Pike and West King's Highway, a couple of blocks down from Abbie Road. Considering it was almost 3 when I made it there, I was surprised to see a couple of guys at Formica tables enjoying slices. I'll have to eat there again when I'm on the Black Horse Pike and feel like pizza. The thin, crispy slices of cheese and tomato basil mozzarella weren't bad. Had them with a bottle of iced tea.

The traffic on the Black Horse Pike had gotten so bad by 3:30, I decided to go home the way I came and cut across Audubon and Haddon Heights. I suspect I'd run into folks on their way to a weekend at the Shore. If they were going to the Shore, they picked the wrong weekend. It was cloudy, cool, and very humid as I rode down Merchant Street and over the train bridge into Oaklyn. It spit slightly when I arrived at Abbie Road, but to my knowledge, it hasn't done anything since then.

Went straight into working on the inventory when I got home. In addition to all of the rock titles I picked up today, I added the 1981 Pirates of Penzance revival with Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt, Plain and Fancy with Barbara Cook, Promises, Promises, Purlie, Raisin, the Gwen Verdon Victorian mystery Redhead, and The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd with Anthony Newley. All but Plain and Fancy came from thrift shops and record stores; I picked that one up from the Voorhees Library book sale over a decade ago (when they still held it). 

Broke at quarter after 7 for dinner and Match Game '79. They're almost up to the end of the CBS run with Fred Grandy's first week. It also features the first appearance by Carolyn, a contestant who will become rather important in a few episodes...

Took a shower, then finished the night at YouTube with more Match Game. James Darren, Philadelphia singer, actor, and TV director, passed away on Monday. He finished out 1974 with Betty White, sweet Juliet Mills, and Nipsey Russell and his poems on prosperity. James hadn't hadn't been on the show for more than five minutes before Jack Narz suddenly popped up from under his desk to promote his show Now You See It. The New Year's episode was a riot, with Jimmy Durante nose joke questions, an adorable older man answering "__ Breaker" on the Audience Match, and balloons and streamers coming down from the ceiling to celebrate the arrival of the New Year and their new sign.

The joint is jumpin' the Philadelphia way with this beloved South Philly singer and director!

James Darren - Match Game Tribute

The Eagles-Packers game in Brazil was on Peacock, so I didn't watch it, but I did check the score. It seemed to be one heck of a game, with the score going back and forth all night. In the end, the Eagles just barely pulled off their first win of the season, 34-29. 

Getting Things Done

Got a late start this morning with breakfast and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Jodi is "A New Friend at School" on her first day. Daniel is disappointed when Prince Wednesday would rather play pigs with her than race cars with him. Teacher Harriett finally reminds him that even if a friend plays with someone else, you're still friends. Likewise, he gets upset when Miss Elainia plays splatball with Jodi instead of him. Lady Elaine reminds Daniel that "A New Friend at the Playground" will include him in their fun.

Had just enough time before my job counseling appointment for a quick errand at Target. I needed shaving gel. Got that and a Hint apple water, too. To my surprise, the Westmont Plaza was mobbed with teenagers when I arrived. They must have just gotten out of school, because none of them were up front. There were no lines anywhere but Starbucks. Hurried to the library quick enough to take out the intriguing-looking mystery A Midnight Puzzle by Gig Pandian and Job Therapy by Tessa West. 

I had just finished checking out the books and was going to see if Dawn had arrived when she walked right in. We had a fairly productive hour. I applied for a part-time copy writer at Sagpixel in Cherry Hill, a Marketing Coordinator for something called Corporate Synergies in Camden, an editor for the Patch newspapers, and a secretary for CarVision in Maple Shade. Truth be told, the Patch is the only one I'm all that interested in, and I'm not sure I'm really qualified for any of them. I haven't worked with Microsoft Word or PowerPoint or anything fancy since college. I really need to find a way to upgrade that.

I still felt better when I doubled back to the Westmont Plaza. Thankfully, though there were lots of chattering teenagers at Starbucks, the line wasn't long. I had an egg and pesto sandwich on chewy ciabatta bread and the most amazing Apple Crisp Non-Dairy Foam Chai Latte that really did taste like the fall dessert. Unlike the pumpkin latte in Audubon yesterday, it wasn't too sweet or spicy, just right.

Sprouts was even quieter. There's nothing there to interest teenagers, no seasonal or toy aisles. In addition to coconut milk, breakfast cookie sandwiches, and Poppi soda, I thought I'd try something different. Sprouts has bins where you can buy everything from staples like flour and salt to candy, nuts, and dried fruit in bulk. I scooped a small bag of dried pineapple and another of coconut macaroon almonds, just to try them. Not only were the almonds delicious, but the pineapple came to 39 cents and the almonds to $1.30. I will absolutely be doing that again with sweet nuts and dried fruit. 

Headed down the hill and past Haddon Township High School to the Westmont Acme next. They were even less busy. I mainly needed to restock yogurt and granola bars. Apple butter is a decent price for a good-sized jar, and it's less sweet than jelly or jam. I discovered the hard way last night when I had an upset stomach that I needed to refill the Lifesavers jar I use for Starlight mints. Poppi soda is still three for $6 here, and bakery cookies were on sale, too.

Rode across Newton Lake Park going home, then over the path on the hill next to the Haddon Township Environmental Center. The weather remains gorgeous here. It's slightly more humid, but otherwise beautiful, sunny, breezy, and in the lower 80's. The park is still pretty gorgeous, too. The water rippled and sparkled under the new fountains. Emerald leaves over my head waved in that sweet-smelling breeze.

When I got home, I watched PAW Patrol while getting organized and putting my groceries away. "Pups Save the Bookmobile" when its owner's raccoon accidentally lets go of the breaks and it goes flying down a mountain. The pups have to make sure that neither the books nor the bookmobile's owner get hurt. Mayor Humdinger has a desire to carve his and the Kitty Catastrophe Crew's faces on the side of a cliff, but the "Pups Save Heady Humdinger" when the head breaks off and rolls through Adventure Bay.

Switched to The Price Is Right while taking down the summer decorations and putting up the ones I have for fall. I know, it's early, but first of all, it's been really hot one day since mid-August. Second, by the time fall actually does start, I'll be on vacation. The Sees candy tin and candles shaped like candy corn go on the shelf with my Beanie Babies and my old teddy TJ. Set up baskets of fall foliage on three different shelves and two scarecrows on the media center and one of the book shelves. The orange owl with glasses reading a book sits with my collectible teddies on top of the record crates. I can't find the fall wreath, so I hung the dangling wooden leaves and acorns on my door instead.

Worked on the inventory next. Added On the Twentieth Century, the 1983 revival of On Your Toes, Once Upon a Mattress with Carol Burnett, and the original stage Paint Your Wagon, The Pajama Game, and Peter Pan. All but Once Upon a Mattress were bought from record stores within the last six years. In fact, Once and Twentieth Century are the only ones that didn't come from Phidelity Records in Westmont, and Twentieth Century came from Long In the Tooth Records in Philly.

Watched Pigskin Parade while I worked. I go further into this cute college football romp that was Judy Garland's first feature-length film at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Back to School Again - Pigskin Parade

Watched Match Game '79 as I worked. They were up to the adorable week featuring vintage TV puppets Kukla and Ollie. Brett spent the week flirting with Ollie the Dragon, while Eva Gabor spent it explaining her strange answers. Kukla and Ollie's puppeteer and creator Burr Tilstrom popped out to show how he worked the duo in the end.

Finished the night with rock records while I worked on the Pigskin Parade review. Thankfully, Beggars Banquet did have the right record. One of the Stones' best albums of the 60's featured the dark hits "Sympathy for the Devil" and one of my favorites of their songs, "Street Fighting Man." I also like "Factory Girl" and "Salt of the Earth."

I didn't cry at "The Old School" on Rupert Holmes' Pursuit of Happiness, but it and "Town Square" are lovely, sad songs about memories. They were especially meaningful to me. There is an old school in Cape May, the Franklin Street School, that was Cape May's black school before New Jersey integrated all schools in 1948. It's been the town rec center since my childhood. I remember taking dance and gymnastics classes in the auditorium when I was very young. Unlike the Old School, it was recently remodeled and is now the Cape May City Library. 

I've been hearing Dan Fogleberg's songs on the radio since I was trying to tumble in those gymnastic classes. They always seemed a little sadder and more melancholy than most of the songs on the radio in the 80's. The tribute "Leader of the Band" and sorrowful take of "Same Old Lang Syne" were the hits. "Hard to Say" and "Missing You" are also good. 

Good Times, Bad Times

Started off a beautiful morning with breakfast and The Busy World of Richard Scarry. Sally Cat wails "Has Anyone Seen My Book?" when her favorite story goes missing. Huckle and Lowly have to get it back from the man they accidentally sold it to in a flea market. "P.J Pig's Brave Day" gives the squire a chance to be a hero when the real knights prove unsuited to rescue fair Princess Lily. Mr. Gronkle's nephew Vanderbilt wants to join the soccer team, but he's too slow. He thinks "Vanderbilt's New Shoes" will make him a soccer star, but what really gets him on the team is constant practice.

Frankly, I was not looking forward to work after all the trouble over the weekend. On one hand, I was able to mostly get the carts done with no trouble. I did get called in to put away a huge cart of cold items ten minutes before I was supposed to sweep the store. I rushed around so I could get everything done. 

Soon as I got home, I changed and went right back out. Like on Monday, it was simply too nice to hang around inside all day. The weather remains stunning here, sunny, breezy, dry, and in the lower 80's. Can't be more perfect for early September. 

I rode my bike over the train bridge and into Audubon. I've had drinks at the Brown Dog Cafe before, but never lunch. Ate a turkey and bacon croissant sandwich and a maple chai tea latte on a wrought-iron table on the sidewalk. It was too beautiful to eat indoors! I wasn't the only person who thought so, either. Even as I enjoyed my sandwich and thick ripple chips, a mother and daughter sipped their own drinks at another outside table. The sandwich was terrific, slathered with what I suspect was guacamole. The chai latte tasted of pumpkin spice and was too sweet.

When I got home, I vacuumed and Swiftered my rooms while watching The Monkees. I actually wanted to check out "The Monkees A La Carte" because none other than Harvey Lembeck of the Beach Party series plays a gangster out to take over a local restaurant. The Monkees pose as the Purple Flower Gang to get in on the mobster's gathering of other local criminals and stop them from taking over all crime in the city!

Dusted my rooms, made my bed, and added the CDs I listened to recently to the folders while watching Horse Feathers. I go into the Marx Brothers' take on college football tropes at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Back to School Again - Horse Feathers

Spent an hour checking Indeed for jobs. When I found nothing interesting, I switched to the inventory. Finished Nine and added No Strings, the Columbia studio versions of Oh, Kay! with Jack Cassidy and Oklahoma! with Nelson Eddy and Kaye Ballard, the original cast of Oklahoma!, and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. 

Moved to Match Game '79 while eating dinner. Nipsey Russell, Loni Anderson of WKRP, and Jack Jones, who sang the theme from The Love Boat, join in here. In the first episode, Brett walks off when they won't accept "cannon ball" for an answer. The second began with Gene auctioning off a poster of Loni in a bathing suit. Charles, of all people, "won" it and displayed it for the rest of the show.

Finished the night after a shower with recent record acquisitions. Ben Bagley's Leonard Bernstein Revisited is another collection of songs cut from musicals by the composer in question, from ones with short runs, or from his ballet Fancy Free or the off-Broadway revue By Bernstein. The opening "Conquering the City" was originally intended to open Wonderful Town, but apparently it was dropped when they didn't like the idea of beginning with a ballet. "Bright and Black," "President Jefferson March," and "Take Care of This House" are from the short-lived 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which covered the relationship between black servants and the President and First Ladies in two centuries of White Houses. Nell Carter does especially well by "Bright and Black." Chita Rivera also has fun with "The Story of My Life," which was apparently cut from Wonderful Town when so-so singer Rosalind Russell couldn't manage it. 

I really need to be more careful when I buy records used. The Rolling Stones album didn't come with Between the Buttons, despite that being the cover. It came with the US version of the collection Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass), and not even a copy that was in good shape. On one hand, it's hard to argue with some of their biggest early hits, including "Satisfaction," "Time Is On My Side," and "Good Times, Bad Times." On the other hand, I really wanted their actual albums. I think I'll just donate this one and keep looking. 

Bad Day of the Flowers

Began the morning with breakfast and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. "Daisy's Grasshopper" actually goes further back than most Disney fans realize. Wilbur originally starred in Goofy's very first short, "Goofy and Wilbur," in 1939. Goofy joins Daisy and the others in hopping after Wilbur when he jumps away before Professor Ludwig Von Drake can take his picture.

Actually headed off to work on time...and that was pretty much the last thing that went right all afternoon. Work was nothing short of a pain in the rear. I would do carts, only to be called to put away carts full of cold items people didn't want. It put me way behind with the carts and sweeping. It didn't help that we were busy all day with grouchy beginning-of-the-month people and elderly senior housing residents taking advantage of the senior discount we have on Tuesdays.

Even after I went to help the floral department manager, the managers up front still kept calling me to put cold items away. The college kid who took over for me was outside, trying to catch up with those carts. The floral department manager saw how flustered and upset I was and chewed out the front end managers, because she needed help, too. Thankfully, we were able to spend my last two hours making lovely little arrangements from the mini-bouquets in peace. I think most of them actually came out rather well, especially a yellow rose and carnation one that was perfect. Hastily put together a rose and sunflower arrangement just before I was almost late getting out.

Needless to say, I rushed home after that. At least the weather remains nice. It was gorgeous, sunny and warm, with a cool breeze. Looks like it's going to be that way for most of the week...and after it rains a little, it'll cool off even more.

Soon as I got home, I changed, took out the trash, and did a few chores before settling down to watch Sweetie. I go further into this rousing early talkie about a chorus girl who inherits a college at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Back to School Again - Sweetie (1929)

Attempted to do the inventory next. I was so tired, I was only able to add My One and Only, New Girl In Town, The New Moon, and Nine. The New Moon is actually its original West End cast. The US wouldn't really do cast albums until the 1940's. I'm pretty sure My One and Only was something I picked up in Philly, but once again, I don't remember anymore. 

Watched Match Game '79 during and after dinner. In the first episode, Everyone, especially Scoey Mitchilll, has comments on Gene's Old Man Periwinkle reading in the first episode. Scoey scolds Fannie for constantly having the wrong answer, only to learn to watch his mouth when it turns out she did match this time.

Finished the night with recently-acquired CDs. Though the Monkees' first album does feature the hits "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" and "Last Train to Clarksville," it also has its fair share of clunkers. I prefer Micky's faster version of "I Wanna Be Free" to Davy's slower and sappier one, and "This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day" works better accompanying weird antics on the TV show. On the other hand, Mike has one of his best early songs, the rollicking "Sweet Young Thing," and Micky and Davy are hilarious in the comedy number "Gonna Buy Me a Dog." 

There's some winners in the additional material on this two-disc set, too. "So Goes Love" is one of Davy's better ballads, and we finally get to hear two Mike songs that made it to the TV show but not albums, "You Just May Be the One" and "All the King's Horses." Mike would later remake the lovely "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)" with his own band in the 1970's, but even the First National Band version isn't as stripped-down and sweet as acoustic demo heard here.

Dean Martin: The Classic Years seems to mostly be recordings from TV or early singles. In addition to hits like "That's Amore" and "Everybody Loves Somebody," there's some deeper cuts. His duet on "Baby It's Cold Outside" is really cute, as is a charming "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." I also like "Pennies from Heaven," "Takes Two to Tango," and a laid-back "Dream a Little Dream." 

On a Clear Labor Day

Started my Labor Day with the material for the holiday from the 1962 Colliers anthology Harvest of Holidays. The long piece was a biography of Samuel Gompers, the founder of the American Federation of Labor and one of the founders of the American Labor Movement. Poems included I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman, Those Who Go Forth Before Daylight by Carl Sandburg, and The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Watched The Scooby Doo Show while eating breakfast. It's "A Bum Steer for Scooby" when the gang visits Daphne's Uncle Matt at his ranch, only to be chased by a ghostly bull. Uncle Matt explains that the ghost bull is an ancient spirit who haunts the ranch at night. No sooner do the kids start investigating this mystery than they encounter an equally spooky Native medicine man and Uncle Matt vanishes. The kids have to get to the bottom of this wild western, before Uncle Matt's not the only one who disappears! 

Went to work after Scooby ended. Work was a pain in the rear. Despite a gorgeous, sunny day, people still weren't in good moods. We were mobbed off and on for a lot of the day, too. It's still the beginning of the month, and most local kids start school between tomorrow and Thursday. I started out pushing carts and sweeping outside, but they pulled me to put away four carts filled with items to be returned (including one of cold items). I normally like putting things away, but not when we had such lovely weather. 

Hurried straight home after work. When I got in, I changed and went right back out again. It really was too nice of a Labor Day to waste bent over a computer. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, sunny and brilliant blue, with a nice cool wind and not a bit of humidity in sight. It was the perfect day for a bike ride in Oaklyn.

My first stop was the Hispanic ice cream booth La Morelense Plus for one last cool treat of the summer. I was originally going to get another milkshake like I did in June, but I saw a woman get a chocolate sundae topped with crushed Oreos and cherries that looked divine. Their chocolate banana cried out for crushed peanut butter cups, and I added chocolate syrup, too. Oh, wow. It was incredible, so sweet and chocolaty, with just enough banana and a hint of nuttiness from the peanut butter. I wasn't the only person enjoying ice cream on a perfect late summer day. Their patio was full when I arrived, and there was a long line of people trying to decide what they wanted.

Made a quick stop at WaWa for Olipop soda, then went for a long bike ride around Oaklyn. Rode past Rose's house on Kendall and around the neighborhoods on either side of the school, dodging the road work being done on Goff. Stopped briefly to gaze at the stunning view of the creek between Oaklyn and Audubon Park. The sky was so clear, I could see all the way to the Ben Franklin Bridge. I wasn't the only one admiring the sights, either. Two girls chatted on a bench by the water, while another man talked on his phone in his car.

After I did some more riding in the neighborhood where Dad used to live and over by Dollar General, I made another quick stop at Crown Chicken and Gyro. I really didn't feel like leftovers again, so I ordered a fish sandwich with fries, lettuce, and pickles. They were pretty quiet, but it was also still kind of early for dinner. 

I ate at home while watching Match Game Syndicated. I caught part of Holly Hallstrom's debut on the show, and all of the episode where someone said he'd give Gene a mink if he kissed his aunt. The "mink" turned out to be fuzz on a stick, but Brett ended up with it anyway. The others made "minksicle" jokes all through the show. We also saw Bart Braverman get really booed by the audience, and the first season finale. 

For some reason, they switched back to Match Game '79 after that. I've seen the '79 episodes a thousand times by now, so I took a shower instead. Finished the night with game shows featuring Regis Philbin, whose birthday was last week. Philbin's first shot at hosting a game show was The Neighbors in 1975. Two female neighbors answer gossipy questions about a panel of three real-life neighbors. Yeah, it's about as interesting as it sounds. Regis is good and the homey set was cute, but the gossip was obnoxious, the questions were silly, and frankly, you didn't really care what these catty women thought of each other. It didn't last four months.

It would be the late 90's before Philbin hosted another game show...and this time, the show was a sensation. Philbin was in charge of the US Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from the start. He, the show, and his catchphrase "Is that your final answer?" were ubiquitous from late 1999 through mid-2002. More than the lifelines or the neon set, Philbin was instrumental in knowing when to rack up tension, and when to ease off and joke around. His energy really made the show what it was. I have a random episode from the height of the show's popularity in 2000 that gives you a good example.

Philbin turned over hosting the syndicated show to Meredith Vieira, but he would occasionally turn up as host for his signature show for a decade thereafter. He did the special Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire in 2004 and a series of specials for its 10th anniversary in 2009. In late 2009, he would briefly take over hosting syndication, and did just as well on the truncated version as he did with the longer one back in 2000. 

Philbin occasionally played on other people's game shows. He did Password Plus twice, in 1981 and 1982, both times to promote his then-talk program The Regis Philbin Show. He honestly did pretty well, getting his contestant to Alphabetics at least once in both episodes I have here. Audrey Landers joins him in '81; none other than Betty White was his partner near the end of the show's run in '82. He made a brief cameo at the beginning of a special two-hour episode of Deal Or No Deal in 2006 to help a contestant.

His last appearance on a game show was hosting Million Dollar Password in 2008. Password got hit hard by the Millionaire bug here, with neon sets and consecutive money tiers that did nothing to enhance the game. The celebrities were generally better. Serena Williams and Craig Ferguson play pretty well here and seem to be enjoying themselves well enough. Though the show was relatively popular in the ratings, it was a hit with people who were a lot older than CBS was looking for at the time. It lasted just a little over a year.

Create millionaires, describe Passwords, and get to know your neighbors with one of the most beloved and influential hosts of all time!

The Neighbors (1975)

Password Plus (1981)

Password Plus (1982)

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (2000)

Deal or No Deal (2006)

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Syndicated (2009)

Million Dollar Password (2009)

And I hope you all had a beautifully sunny Labor Day of your own, whether you had to work or not!

Music and Matches

Began the morning with breakfast and the cast album for Look Ma, I'm Dancin' and Arms and the Girl. These are flop vehicles for popular female stage comedians of the time, which is pretty much all they have in common. Look Ma was a modern-set dance-heavy spoof for Nancy Walker as a brewery heiress who takes over a ballet company. Arms and the Girl is a musical version of the play The Pursuit of Happiness. Nanette Fabray is an ardent soldier in the American Revolution. Pearl Bailey is a runaway slave who takes the name of whatever state she happens to be in. 

Frankly, neither show is especially top-drawer, although Look Ma was said to have outstanding choreography by Jerome Robbins. Pearl Bailey gets the best songs in Arms, "Nothin' for Nothin'" and "There Must Be Something Better Than Love." Walker dances off with Dancin' belting "I'm the First Girl In the Back Row." Dancer Harold Lang also does well by the opener "Gotta Dance."

The Cotton Club had a lot of problems on release, but its fine collection of Duke Ellington standards on the soundtrack wasn't one of them. The moody "Copper Colored Gal" and lovely "Ill Wind" are my favorites. There's also a passable Cab Calloway imitation with "Minnie the Moocher." 

Switched to working on the cast album inventory after I ate. In addition to Look Ma and Arms and the Girl, I added Milk and Honey, Miss Liberty, the semi-operatic The Most Happy Fella, Mr. President, and the original Broadway cast of The Music Man. These were all record and thrift shop finds. I think The Music Man was too, but I'm otherwise not sure about that one. 

WDAS-FM Black Rock remains a staple R&B and soul station in Philadelphia to this day. In 1975, they put out a collection of what was likely the big hits on the station at the time. Some of these I've never even heard of, like "Choice of Colors" by Curtis Mayfield and "Peace at Least" by Rotary Connection. My favorites were the dance-y "Bang Bang" by Joe Cuba and "I Think About Loving You" by Earth Wind & Fire.

Hurried off to work after a very quick lunch. Work was mobbed when I came in, with lines across the aisles. I suspect it has less to do with Labor Day Weekend and more with it being the beginning of the month and kids going back to school. I dodged a lot of grouchy or ignorant people, including at least three who complained because only one electric cart out of three was charged and ready when I first came in. Sorry, I can't help it if one is broken and the other was used until it died by a customer. I stayed outside for the first half, but had to sweep too when the morning bagger finished. Otherwise, no trouble whatsoever.

As soon as I got home, I changed, took the laundry downstairs, and finished with tonight's Match Game Classics marathon. Wacky plaid sport coats were apparently the style in the 1970's, especially early in the decade. The most infamous of Gene's plaid coats was by far that awful green plaid suit he wore in an early '73 episode that was so ugly, no one in the panel would even look at when he came in. Thankfully, after that episode Gene limited himself to the coat or the pants, but not together. Richard had two plaid coats of his own, one in tan and brown and one in purple and white. There was also Gene's almost as awful gray checked suit that made him look like half of a vaudeville team, and Richard's more subdued navy and white checked coat. 

It's the attack of the wild Me Decade prints in this eclectic and creative marathon!

Match Game Sunday Classics - Attack of the Plaids! 

Oh, and I bought train tickets for my vacation tonight! I'll be in Pittsfield this year from the 22nd through the 30th. The musical blog will be on hiatus at that time, but I'll continue to post updates here.