Dolls On a Hot Summer's Day

Started off the morning with breakfast and Blockbusters. Came in as the current champ made his next Gold Run. Once again, he didn't do very well, missing several questions. He had far more luck with a mother-daughter pair, beating them just as the episode ended.

Switched to Cartoon Network shorts on their app and Hulu as I did the dishes. The We Bare Bears trio are fed up with the "Food Truck" in the park selling expensive and bad food and with the "don't feed the animals" signs. They start their own food truck and sell calzones to the animals...but find out the hard way why they shouldn't feed wild critters when the animals attack everyone else in the park.

DC Super Hero Girls get a lesson in "#AngerManagment" when Jessica tries to help out rough and tumble Kara in an anger management course. Tough Kara refuses to take it seriously, so Jessica insists Zantana hypnotize her to think anything that makes her angry is a cute animal. This seems to work...until they need to suit up as Green Lantern and Supergirl and stop a spore monster a raging Poison Ivy sent to destroy the city.

Dressing the dolls for August was next on my to-do list. Most of the dolls wear bathing suits during this heat wave. Lauren sent Whitney's purple popsicle print Our Generation suit a few years ago and Ariel's white and green floral for Christmas last year. Jessa's floral print AG modern Hula Suit, Samantha's navy blue 1904 Bathing Costume romper and skirt, and Molly's peach print 1944 Bathing Suit all came from eBay. 

Josefina and Felicity come from time periods where swimming and bathing weren't considered ladylike. Josefina's wearing the pretty beige floral Party Dress and moccasins I found her in. Left Felicity in her Summer Gown. I really don't have enough to change her into.

Had a smoothie for lunch while watching Match Game '75. Bern Bennett took over announcing for this week while Johnny Olsen went on vacation. We also had two panelists making their first and only appearances on the show, bass-voiced comedian Joe Silver and Good Times matriarch Esther Rolle. 

Spent the next few hours working on a major project. I have slim DVD cases and CD binders that need covers or labels. Started with a simplified version of the Hogan's Heroes covers I attempted last month. Took group shots off Pinterest for the front cover and typed the episodes on the discs in the case on the other side. Not fancy, but easy to print. Took me a few hours to figure out how I wanted to do it and type everything out.

It was so late, I didn't break until Press Your Luck at 4. Made no-bake Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars during the first round. Only one person hit Whammies the first time around. They hit a lot faster during the second, to the point where the champ eventually won some money and nothing else. 

Returned to the computer for writing after I slid the pan into the refrigerator. Brett's chatting with the head of The Cheshire Catwoman (Lee Merriweather) when King Allen and Queen Betty come over. Queen Betty's not happy when she sees Allen near Lee and orders Sir Richard to take her head off. Sir Richard would rather flirt with her instead. Brett drags her sons and Richard's away from the tarts before they eat them all, leaving them in the Knave's care...

Broke for dinner at 6:30. Richard Dawson had a rare off day on Match Game '76 when his "brush" answer gets a thorough booing from the audience. The others have slightly more luck with the Audience Match "I Got __."

I'd been inside all day. Needed to get outside...but it also jumped into the upper 90's today. It remained  hot and humid even when I went for a walk at 7. I was going to get a treat, but The Puddin' Palace closed early, and I'm not sure Phillies Yummies takes debit cards. Settled for a stroll around the neighborhood instead, watching kids ride their bikes and parents walk their dogs. 

Heavy, thick black clouds gathered as I made my way down Manheim. They held off long enough for me to wave at Jodie as she chatted with a neighbor on the porch. She added there was a package waiting for me on as shelf in her side of the house. I retrieved the first part of my recent Amazon.com order, the 20th Century Fox Cinema Archive DVD for Three Little Girls In Blue, when I came in. (Look for that review towards the end of the month or the beginning of next month!)

Watched the second half of Sale of the Century as I finally had peach-blackberry cobbler for dessert. Though the one lady did win a Fame Game, the champ bought at least one Instant Bargain, picked up a card on another Fame Game, and still killed everyone at the Speed Round. He picked up a lovely upright piano for his wife on the Match the Prizes board.

By the time Sale ended, a heavy thunderstorm pattered on the roof. It was the perfect night for Clue. Mr. Body (Lee Ving) gathers six people he's been blackmailing to his remote mansion in 1954. Madam Miss Scarlet (Leslie Ann Warren), butler Wadsworth (Tim Curry), clumsy Mr. Green (Michael McKean), prim politician's wife Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), lusty psychiatrist Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), sarcastic black widow Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn), and former Army man Colonel Mustard (Martin Mull) wouldn't mind eliminating Body and his many informants, but it seems someone's doing it for them. After Body turns up dead and the corpses start piling up in the living room, they have to figure out what's going on, before they either become the next victim or end up in jail. 

Underrated all-star comic mystery is a long-time favorite in my family. We taped it around off cable around 1987. It became our official "stormy weather" movie, trotted out for the spooky but silly atmosphere whenever a major storm hit the area. I still pretty much have the dialogue memorized to this day. If you love the cast, comedy-mysteries, or are interested in the gimmick of having three different endings playing at once or at random, you'll absolutely want to chase this one up to that frightening house on the hill. 

Jazz on a Summer's Evening

Started off a hazy blue morning with breakfast and the last two episodes on disc 4 of Hogan's Heroes season 1. Hogan gets Klink to believe he's a "Psychic Kommandant" when he claims they're doing experiments on ESP. What they're really doing is trying to figure out how to sabotage a new noiseless plane before the German high command shows up to see it in flight.

Kinch gets a rare chance in the spotlight as "The Prince from the Phone Company." The others convince him to replace an African prince before he can accept a bribe from the Germans. They want to use that bribe money to process escapees. Kinch is more interested in the Prince's gorgeous and intelligent American wife. 

Switched to Match Game '75 while I got my laundry organized. The contestant jumped around so hard after she got the right answer for the Audience Match, Gene said she literally broke the set under that shag carpeting. Later, the audience really loved the other contestant's answer to what prints the cops were taking from Lola the Stripper.

Headed out after the episode ended. Despite the hot and humid day, I really needed to get my laundry done. The weather must have scared everyone off. The laundromat was dead the entire time I was there. Dunkin' Donuts finally reopened their lobby. I bought a Vanilla Bean Coolatta there, then walked two blocks down the street to the Oaklyn Library once I dropped the laundry in the dryer. The librarian chatted with an older lady while I took out two British mysteries set in the early-mid 20th century, London Calling and A Dangerous Engagement. 

Had lunch and put the laundry away while watching one the final two-part episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Goofy accidentally makes all the stories in the Clubhouse disappear, so he travels into "Goofy's Fairy Tale" to find the magic Golden Storybook that will release them. He helps the Pied Piper round up his ducks, convinces Hansel Mouse and Gretel Mouse that the Cow Witch isn't so scary, and shows Daisy the Beauty that Beast Pete isn't as mean as he claims he is. 

Made the bed (including a newly-clean sheet) after switching to another Disney fantasy, The Adventures of the Gummi Bears. "The Sinister Sculptor" has a magic potion that freezes Zummi, Sunni, Cubbi, and Tummi into sculptures. Grammi and Gruffi put aside their perpetual bickering long enough to rescue them. "Zummi Like It Hot" when elder bear Zummi memorizes a new lamp-lighting spell. It proves to be more useful than he thinks when he, Sunni, Cubbi, and their human friend Calvin to dodge ogres long enough to find out what's cutting off their water supply.

Laid down for a rest as Tattletales came on. Hilariously combative Mitzi McCall and Charlie Brill and George Hamilton and his sophisticated wife Alania were the big winners today, over R&B legend James Brown and his wife Deirdre. I slept through a lot of Press Your Luck, but I did wake up in time to see a young man win a wad of cash with no Whammies.

Managed to get some writing in after the show ended. The head of the Cheshire Catwoman (Lee Merriweather) appears as Jack (Klugman) the Red Knight tries to kiss a confused Brett. He dashes off before she can ask questions. Lee explains how the Red King is more interested in trying to butter up Queen Betty (White) and take her kingdom from her than in playing croquet and chopping off heads; he also wants Sir Richard (Dawson) the White Knight out of the way.

Broke for dinner at quarter of 7. Made Italian Stove-Top Casserole with summer vegetables, cooking wine, dried herbs, tomato sauce, and ground turkey and a sweet corn on the cob while watching Match Game '76. Betty White's delighted to have her beloved mother Tess back in the audience after having missed shows due to illness. Meanwhile, the others try to help the new champ figure out "__ Train" in the Audience Match.

Ironically, Ted "Issac" Lange from The Love Boat joined sweet (and very blonde) Susan Richardson, deadpan Robert Donner, and Joyce Bulifant in a fluffy purple jacket for tonight's Match Game PM. It kicked off with everyone teasing Lange over his "sissy" Russian pin he got during the making of an episode. Meanwhile, the contestants had a harder time figuring out where Jackie the comic got all his bad jokes from (Joyce got a great crack at Richard Dawson in that one) and Susan had to figure out how to deal with the winner's odd answer to "__ Tennessee." 

I have no clue why Sale of the Century jumped back to the beginning of the run with that young man who won everything on the board. Though the other man did get two Fame Games, he got the third fame game and blasted through the Speed Round. You can imagine he was utterly ecstatic to win the sports car on the Match the Prizes board. 

(Oh, and rumor has it that the bizarre 1979 game show Whew! will be joining Buzzr, I'm guessing sometime this fall. I'm always open to more Tom Kennedy, and considering how strange that show is, it could really jazz up their evening or weekend schedules. At the least, I can guarantee that it's like nothing else currently running on the network.)

Finished the night online after a shower with Jazz on a Summer's Day. I go further into this early concert film depicting the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Musical Documentaries - Jazz on a Summer's Day

Dodging the Storms

Began the morning with breakfast and Hogan's Heroes. The boys learn "How to Cook a German Goose By Radar" when a new prisoner turns out to be an American general in need of help with a bombing mission. He has to figure out how to direct the bombing. Hogan and Newkirk figure out a way to jack up that amazing new radar invention without Klink figuring it out.

Headed out ten minutes after the episode ended. No trouble whatsoever today. I was on my own for almost the entire afternoon, which meant I didn't really get anything done besides gathering carts and sweeping the store. On the other hand, it was only busy during rush hours. Despite two cashiers calling out, I never ended up in a register, and I did have help for the last hour. 

Heavy black clouds started gathering around at least 3. By the time I got off at 5, they were thick, black, and ready to burst any minute. I sped home, noticing as I rolled into the garage that Jodie's car was in the driveway. Made it in the door just in time. Twenty minutes after I got in and changed, thunder rumbled the house, and it poured buckets down Hillcrest Avenue. The rain didn't last long. The sun came out before I finished on my laptop.

Speaking of the laptop, I did get a little writing in. The Cheshire Catwoman's (Lee Merriweather's) head appears over Brett and Jack, disrupting their tete a' tete. Brett wants to ask Jack what's going on, but he vanishes before she can get around to it.

Broke for Match Game '76 at quarter of 7. The panel rather surprisingly had a hard time with the Audience Match "__ Mary." They did better with a question about what the Frankenstein monster needed a blue suit for and what Unlucky Louie got with a drink at the bar. 

Charles and Brett stuck around for Match Game PM, joined by Marcia Wallace, late ace pitcher Don Sutton, and Vega$ castmates Bart Braverman and Phyllis Davis. Marcia threw out a couple of jokes about how much she and Phyllis (didn't) have in common. Phyllis is a lot more nervous when she helps a contestant with "__ Trooper" on the Head-to-Head!

Sale of the Century continues to skip around. They went all the way to the end of the next major winner's run. She only had one prize left to pick up on the board...but an older lady beat her at the last minute on the Speed Round. The lady won a trip to Jamaica; she said she'd been there before and would be glad to return.

I was too tired for much more than watching a double-length Love Boat episode on Paramount Plus to end the night. Gopher is smitten with a beautiful model (Hailey Mills) and imagines him suavely winning her heart in "The Secret Life of Burl Smith," but his tongue trips him up at every turn. A young boy is caught in a "Tug of War" between his divorced parents (Juliet Mills and David Hedison). Baseball star Reggie Jackson (himself) can't convince anyone he's the real deal, including his "Designated Lover" (Thelma Hopkins). A chauffeur on vacation (John Mills) is "A Good and Faithful Servant" to his employer (Celeste Holm), who is also on the ship...but he really wants to show how much he loves her. 

The Password Is "Summer"

Started off the morning with blueberry pancakes for breakfast and one of the Verasae Sarabande CDs I finally got around to buying last year. Unsung Musicals III is the last one in the series spotlighting shows that died on the road, had short runs, or were never recorded for one reason or another. My favorite from this one is the charming title song of a musical It's a Wonderful Life and "At the Same Time" from a stage adaptation of Freaky Friday. 

Rushed out to work before the CD even finished. We were insanely busy all day, probably with the last of the beginning-of-the-month people. Thankfully, other than I barely got in on time and had to deal with a few grouchy customers, there were no major problems. I finished one last big load with two pleasant ladies and was able to shut down right on time.

Went straight home the moment I got out. Had leftovers for dinner while listening to another Verasae Sarabande title. The Lost In Boston series focuses on songs cut from musicals that did make Broadway. The third entry kicks off with one of my favorite cut songs, "Mama's Talkin' Soft" from Gypsy, performed by two girls as in the original show. Other good ones here include the sweet "Pink Taffeta Sample Size 10" from Sweet Charity and "Older and Wiser" from Bye Bye Birdie. 

Spent the next hour or so relaxing blissfully in the bath. I badly needed it. Work's been such a mess. If people aren't quitting, they're on vacation. That's why I took those three days off in the middle of the week. I'm tired, frustrated, and frazzled, and I need a chance to sleep in, rest, and actually get some errands done and work on projects.

Finished the night with various incarnations of Password in honor of Buzzr's Password Triple Play starting next Saturday. The show made its debut in 1961 and was an instant sensation for its simple and lightning-paced game play. Two celebrities give clues for a contestant to guess a certain word. The first team to 25 points won the contestant $100 and a chance to play the Lightning Round. Here, the contestant had to guess 10 words in under a minute for up to $250. 

Password was the biggest game show on daytime through the mid-60's. It was so big, it became one of the first daytime shows to jump to nighttime. (The Password board game was such a sensation, versions of it are still being made to this day.) Betty White was a frequent player; she met and married her adored husband, host Allen Ludden, while appearing on this show. The show made the jump to color in 1966 and lasted another year before finally falling to more salacious programs like The Dating Game. 

It was revived by ABC in 1971...but alas, very little of that version survives. That one lasted until 1975; when it returned again in 1979, it was now on NBC as Password Plus. It's still a celebrity and a contestant, but this time, five Passwords add up to a Password Puzzle. If the celebrity or contestant guesses the puzzle, they win the round. The Lightning Round was replaced by Alphabetics. Same deal, only now, the words are in alphabetical order and the round is played for 5,000. 

Ludden still hosted on the 1980 Nipsey Russell-Anne Meara episode seen here, but he was already ill with stomach cancer when this episode filmed. Bill Cullen took over for a few weeks later that year. By the end of the year, Ludden's good friend Tom Kennedy became the show's permanent host and finished out the run.

Bert Convy took over for Super Password. Pretty much the same deal as Plus, only the Lightning Round is now Super Password, and it's played for increasing amounts. There's also the Ca$shword mini-game between rounds. It's supposed to allow contestants to guess a super-hard word for extra money, but the machines frequently didn't work, and most celebrities weren't very fond of it. Chose the episode I have listed in honor of Markie Post from Night Court, who passed away today. She's joined by charming Soul Train comedian Marty Cohen. 

The final version of Password to date was Million Dollar Password in 2008. This one got hit hard by the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire virus, with snazzier, darker sets and graphics and game play that basically crossed the original Password with Millionaire. Regis Philbin hosted this one, too...and to bring everything full circle, Betty White joins radio host and comedian Adam Corolla.

The password is...fun! Enjoy these blasts from the past with one of the simplest and most addictive games ever on TV. (Warning - the Password Plus tape isn't the greatest, but Buzzr only tends to show episodes from 1979 and very early in 1980.) 

Password (1963)

Password (1967)

Password Plus (1980)

Super Password (1985)

Million Dollar Password (2008)

Summer Winds

Kicked off the morning with oatmeal for breakfast and Hogan's Heroes. Things get hairy fast when the Gestopo captures Carter, Newkirk, and LeBeau while on a mission. Hogan and Kinch convince Schultz to pull off "The Great Impersonation" and play Klink in order to release them.

Rushed to work shortly after the episode ended. Once again, we were busy all day...but this time, I had a lot more help. After the teen girl arrived and took over the inside work, I spent the rest of the day pushing carts and rounding up trash and recycling. The night bagger and a teen boy came out to help with the carts during the last hour. I was in and out with no trouble whatsoever. 

The day started out sunny, hot, and humid, then cooled off considerably after clouds and a strong, fresh wind moved in. I really appreciated that chilly wind. It made doing the carts a pleasure, despite the air remaining heavy and humid. 

Threw on more Hogan's when I got home and had a snack, and then later during dinner after messing around with the laptop. (I tried to work on my story and was just too tired.) Normally, a POW camp would be the last place anyone would think of operating "The Pizza Parlor," but Hogan's trying to convince an Italian officer (Hans Conried) to join their side. He literally gets London to call a guy's family pizza parlor in Newark for their recipe.

Hogan's frustrated when Klink's new ultra-efficient second-in-command doubles security. London wants him and his men to relocate an anti-aircraft battery. It turns into "The 43rd - A Moving Story" when the guys try to think of ways to get that battery past the Germans and the Major's strict rules.

Finished out the night on Disney Plus with The Cheetah Girls. I go further into the story of four teen girls who run into more than a few bumps on the road to stardom at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Musicals On TV - The Cheetah Girls

Oh, and the night bagger told me the rain would arrive around 10. He was an hour off. It didn't really start coming down here until closer to 11:30-almost midnight. It's showering at a fairly good clip now and sounds very soothing on my roof. 

Bad Day Blues

Kicked off the morning with breakfast and more Hogan's Heroes. The boys have their own "Gold Rush" when the Nazis store a truck filled with stolen gold at Stalag 13. London orders them to steal as much of it back as they can...and it's Hogan who comes up with the most creative place to stash the load.

Rushed off to work after that. I wish I hadn't. We were busy almost the entire day. Lots of big orders and people who weren't in the best moods. I really messed up when a woman said she only wanted to spend 250 and she did...but I thought she said to ring up the rest after she finished. Figured it was for someone else. She did NOT want me to ring up the rest. I had to cancel it, and was upset and embarrassed even though the people in line behind her handled it better than she did. 

Glad it slowed down enough by 5 for me to shut down without a relief, because I had my own shopping to do. Had online coupons for Acme generic ice cream (tried their Cinnamon Churro flavor) and avocados and found Hunt's low-salt tomato sauce on clearance. Berries were buy 2, get 1 - grabbed two blueberries and a strawberry. Treated myself to bakery clearance bags of sugar and chocolate chip cookies. Restocked butter, brown sugar, milk, yogurt, conditioner, Soft Scrub, bananas, peaches, grape jelly, and lemon juice. Even then, I had trouble ringing everything up on the self-checkout - the regular registers were busy again by the time I finished. 

Good news and frustrating news about my schedule next week. I asked for three days off in the middle of the week. They're not vacation days. I'm saving my vacation time for Lauren's visit here and my visit to her in the fall and when I move. They're just random days I took off because I'm frazzled, weary, and dead tired. I haven't had more than two days in a row since late February. It wouldn't be a big deal if I still got 20 hours a week; almost 40 is badly draining. Trouble is, I didn't realize the head bagger went on her own summer vacation this week. I have 8 or 8 1/2 hours every day I do work. 

When I got home, I put everything away, then changed and had leftovers for dinner. Watched Match Game '76 while I ate. Scoey Mitchilll happily spent the two episodes flirting with a round and pretty contestant. She kept winning and getting to the Audience Match, but having less luck with the Head-to-Head. 

Worked on writing after I finished. Brett's relieved when the Cheshire Catwoman (Lee Merriweather) appears out of nowhere...or at least, her head does. Jack runs off before he can get any further. 

Took a shower at 8, then finished the night with a fourth season Charlie's Angels episode. It's "Three for the Money" when the ladies are hired by a trio who were bilked out of their life savings by a wealthy con artist. They pose as a senator's assistant, a former cowgirl, and a fellow con artist to bring the man down. 

Summertime, and the Livin' Is Easy

Began the morning with breakfast and Blockbusters. Came in just as a solo gentleman easily finished off a pair of sisters. He had a harder time with the Gold Run round. It started well at first...but he kept missing the questions on the last line. They'd just started with a look-a-like pair of fireman brothers as the show ended. 

Switched to Hogan's Heroes as I finished eating and did the dishes. "It Takes a Thief...Sometimes" to figure out that the underground agents Hogan and LeBeau pledged aid to turn out to be Gestopo agents in disguise. The Frenchman and the American flyer have to do some quick thinking and a little misdirection to keep the agents from finding their operations.

Headed out for a stroll after I finished. My first stop was Dollar General. Used up the last of my chocolate chips on the peanut butter cookies the other day; finished off my laundry detergent on Monday. Both, as well as honey, are cheaper here; also grabbed a bottle of water and my favorite pecan roll.

It was much too nice to go straight home. The day practically cried out for a long walk in Newton Lake Park. The weather couldn't be more perfect for early August, sunny, breezy, and in the mid-80's. Not too hot and not too cold, as a customer put it earlier in the week. Soft winds rippled across the glassy green lake and ruffled glossy leaves on the shore. Tiny flowers dotted the green and brown grass like stars shooting across the night sky. Big pink and white hibiscus perfumed the air. 

There's a lesser-known path that goes the other way down Beechwood, beyond the houses. It's just a dirt path, and barely that in some spots, but despite the houses bordering it the heavy trees and earth scents give it a delightfully primitive air. I passed a frustrated fisherman who complained of not making any catches and a man on a bike, but saw no one else during my walk, not even children at the playground. 

After I got home, I had lunch while watching more Hogan's. Klink's old school friend Stofle turns up gloating because he's now a general. If that's not enough, Hogan and his boys aren't saying "Hello, Zolle" when a nosy Gestopo officer follows him, determined to figure out what's going on in the camp. Hogan and the boys have to figure out how to get them both away from the camp. 

Went down for a nap after lunch. I'm still really tired. It's just been one thing on top of another since last spring, and Lauren's insisted on remaining awake later to make up for us not seeing each other in over a year. I was so tired, I forgot about putting water on for iced tea until it set off the smoke alarm. (Thank goodness no harm was done. The kettle's fine, the stove's fine, I boiled it right a bit later, and Jodie's still out of town and didn't hear or smell it.)

Came out for a snack about half-way through Tattletales. Long-married comedian Scoey Mitchilll and his pretty and funny wife Claire were by far the big winners, over Bill Macy and his then-girlfriend Samantha and William Gray Espy and Janice Lynde. The Whammies reappeared after vanishing for the past few episodes of Press Your Luck. They really slammed the champ, including on his very last turn. The other guy did get hit with a Whammy, but he regrouped long enough to pick up a trip to Las Vegas and a telescope, among other prizes.

Moved on to writing after the show ended. Brett catches The Red Knight - aka her kind-of-ex husband Jack Klugman - spying on the group from the bushes. His boss the Red King ordered him to hide and keep an eye on Richard for use in some scheme. Brett tries to get his plans out of him. Not only does he still regard her as his prisoner, but there's a part of her that still has feelings for him...and he seems to be interested in her, too...

Broke for dinner at 6:30...but went down to West Clinton Avenue to eat instead of sitting in front of the TV. I'm tired of sitting around at home. I've done that since I moved last August. It's not even my finances anymore. I've either been too busy or too tired or both. Not to mention, I'm trying to avoid eating a ton of junk food dinners...and most of the restaurants here don't exactly sell healthy meals. 

I did treat myself to a grilled chicken club sandwich from Phillies Phatties. It was delicious, too, with lots of big grilled chicken chunks and tomato and shredded lettuce. Bit surprised West Clinton wasn't busier, especially at dinner time. There were a few families gathered around the Puddin' Palace and Phillies Yummies and I heard a burst of laughter from Tonewood Brewery, but there were no kids on bikes or chatting adult couples milling around. I guess a lot of people went to the Shore once the weather got really nice.

Sandy, one of the neighbors who attended the party on Saturday, said she left her sunglasses in Jodie's side of the house and had a difficult time driving without them. I let her in through my side of the house to quickly pick them up and head out.

Came home in time for Sale of the Century. No clue why Buzzr skipped to the end of the current champ's run, when he'd picked up every prize on the board but the 10,000 dollars. He bought two of the three Instant Bargains, and even with the other man picking up two out of three Fame Games, still steamrolled over the other two in the Speed Round. He finally opted to return the next day to win the 50,000 and all the prizes they had.

After discovering the movie I originally planned to review tonight isn't available online in its entirety, I went with the somewhat similar Calendar Girl. I go further into this sweet low-budget nostalgic comedy from Republic at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Calendar Girl (1947)

Stranger Adventures

Started off a quick morning with breakfast and more first season Hogan's Heroes. It's "Anchors Aweigh, Men of Stalag 13" when London reports the escape sub is out of commission. The boys build a boat in order to get an English pilot out of the country...and then have to explain to Klink what a boat is doing in the middle of the compound. 

Dashed out to work shortly after the episode ended. I wish I hadn't. Work wasn't fun today. A cashier called out; one of the teen boys quit without telling anyone. The teen who was supposed to help me ended up helping stock dairy instead. I did all the sweeping and cleaning spills and most of the pushing carts by myself...and when I did get more help, they threw me into a register to go in for someone going home. The moment another teen came in for me, I ran out as quickly as I could. Partly sunny, cool, and humid weather didn't help. 

Worked on writing when I got in. Richard assures Brett he intends to get his men out of the dungeon. He's afraid of what Queen Betty and the Red King have planned for them. Brett's about to argue him when she sees a flash of grimy red armor in the hedges and takes her leave...

Broke for dinner at 6:30. Had leftovers while watching Match Game '76. The episode begins with Fannie getting to make the amazing match to "__ Socks." Later, Richard playfully shoves at Gene while he's hamming it up during a Mr. Perriwinkle question, knocking him over! 

Settled down on the couch as Match Game PM began. We kick off an episode featuring Bob Newhart Show cast mates Marcia Wallace and Bill Daily and former Miss Universe Marjorie Wallace with Charles freaking out at Brett over a question involving when to worry about your sexy daughter getting letters. Later, Marjorie helps the contestant on the Head-to-Head with "Chattanooga __." 

We finally had a new champ on Sale of the Century. The previous champ was unseated by a young man who bought no Instant Bargains and blew everyone away at the Speed Round. He picked up a really nifty soda fountain on the Match the Prize board. 

Finished the night on TCM with Captain Sinbad. Sinbad (Guy Williams) is on his way to marry the Princess Jana (Heidi Bruhl) when a Firebird tries to warn him of a trap. The bird is Jana, transformed by the bumbling family magician Galgo (Abraham Sofaer). The wicked ruler of the country El Kerim (Pedro Armedariz) has her captured and Sinbad's boat destroyed. Sinbad gets himself arrested and tries to kill the evil caliph...but it turns out he can't be killed. His heart is kept in a tower, guarded by many traps. He and his men first fight an invisible creature, then a dragon in order to rescue the princess and save her kingdom from El Kerim's tyranny.

This West Germany-made independent fantasy is so bizarre, I'm surprised Mystery Science Theater 3000 never got to it. Williams does seem to be enjoying himself as the swashbuckling sailor, but Sofaer is more annoying than majestic as the bumbling magician who causes a lot of the trouble. Arabian Nights sets and costumes in absolutely glorious Technicolor go a long way to making up for the weird script and for very little of it actually involving Sinbad being a captain. The special effects are more mixed. The fires still look good, but the many-headed dragon in the end is about as obvious a mechanical robot as you can get. 

If you're a fan of other campy swashbucklers from the 50's and 60's, you'll want to jump on the giant eagle and give this one a look. 

Hard Tooths

Started off a fast morning with breakfast and Hogan's Heroes. "Happiness Is a Warm Sergeant" when Newkirk gets Schultz drunk on duty while gathering information. Klink angrily relieves him of his duty. The guys make amends by making his replacement look like he's letting prisoners escape. 

Headed off to Westmont for my next dental appointment after the episode ended; arrived with no time to spare. They put my crown on today. Honestly, the needles numbing the side of my mouth hurt more than anything with the filling and drilling. I have one last follow-up appointment with the gum doctor next month, and that will be that. It didn't even cost much co-pay, only 8 dollars. I was once again in and out in a half-hour.

Stopped at Target to pick up sugar. Theirs is probably the cheapest in the area during times when baking items aren't on sale. Grabbed baking powder, which is also fairly cheap there. Stopped at WaWa on the way home and treated myself to one of their sweet French Vanilla Cappuccinos in the plastic bottles and a soft pretzel. 

Had a Banana-Chocolate Smoothie for lunch while watching Match Game '75. Southern belle Mary Anne Mobley, Patti Deustch of the creative answers, and folksy comedian Orson Bean joined in this week for several long, involved stories about her answers from Mary Ann...and several just plain strange answers from Patti. 

Switched to trying a recipe from Pinterest after the show ended. They have a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe requiring melted butter that was quick and easy to make. They came out perfectly after I mixed the dough together just right and tasted just sweet enough. 

Worked on them and put my rent check on Jodie's side of the house while watching Two Weeks With Love. I go further into this charming MGM turn of the 20th century vacation tale featuring Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Two Weeks With Love

Went down for a nap after the movie ended and the cookies cooled on the table. It was the perfect day for it. No one was around. Jodie is still in Cape May, and many families may be at the Shore as well. The neighborhood was quiet. The weather was cloudy off-and-on, windy, and unusually cool for August, in the upper 70's. It was no day for the pool.

Slept for about an hour and a half; got up in time for the second part of Press Your Luck. There was a surprising lack of Whammies in this episode; they only hit one of the two ladies, and then just twice. That could be why the guy who won was able to rack up an impressive total and lots of prizes, including a game bar, golf clubs, an electric typewriter, and a trip to New York.

Worked on writing for a bit later. Richard assures Brett that he has no intention of leaving his men in the dungeon. He just needs to figure out how to release them. The Red King has his own ideas on what to do with all the Guards and others the Queen has imprisoned to have their heads cut off...

Broke for dinner at 6:30. Watched Match Game '76 while making veal stew with farm-market fresh potatoes and tomatoes and the grilled vegetables from the party. Dick Gautier happily shows off the poster for the movie he appeared in at that point, Billy Jack Goes to Washington. Meanwhile, Richard is far happier to help a pretty pregnant contestant with "__ Form," after she gets his name right!

Started Blueberry Muffins as Match Game PM began. Fred Grandy sported a cute and dashing newsboy's cap that came in for a couple of jokes in the beginning. He's not laughing as hard when he has to figure out the answer for "__ Foxes" in the Head-to-Head. Meanwhile, Charles shows off his very long list of people he would rather have appearing on the show besides Brett. 

Sale of the Century started off much closer than it has the past few days. Even getting money cards on the Fame Game couldn't help the other contestants. The champ still blew them away at the Speed Round. He went on to pick up a beautiful upright piano on the Match the Prizes board. 

Ran into Craig at the garage as I took out my trash; helped him take out the remaining trash bags from the party. He did confirm that Jodie will be out of town for a while longer. 

Finished out the day the way I began it, with Hogan's Heroes. The boys want "Oil for the Lamps of Hogan" when the Nazis threaten to close the camp and build a refinery in its place. Hogan convinces Klink there's oil under the camp and even tries to get Buckhalter in on the non-existent "deal." 

Getting Things Done

Began a beautiful morning with banana-peanut butter pancakes for breakfast and Hogan's Heroes. There's "Hot Money" coming out of Stalag 13 when the Nazis start a counterfeit printing operation there. The boys try to convince the lead printer he's in danger to get rid of him. "A Russian Is Coming" when the local underground bring the boys a downed pilot. The man fights anyone who doesn't speak his language and is determined to return to his homeland, even Hogan and the guys. Hogan has to do whatever he can to keep the man from running off to Moscow and the Germans from finding him.

Rose and Craig cleaned up recycling from the party as I headed for the garage. I hadn't seen or heard from Jodie since she gave me the leftovers Saturday night. Turns out she went down to the Shore with a couple of her friends who were at the party to spread Dad's ashes on the beach. They have no idea when she'll be home (and she probably doesn't, either), but they did say it would be at least a few days. 

Work was a pain in the rear. It's the beginning of the month, and we were busy with grouchy, grumpy, or just plain demanding people who picked up their government money today. I panicked several times over rain checks I got wrong or people who were rude or wouldn't bag. I'm tired, and I'm not comfortable with the cashiering. Thank heavens it slowed down enough by 4:30 for me to leave with no relief.

When I got home, I changed, then took the laundry to Jodie's side of the house. Thought I'd save time and money tomorrow and get it done today, especially since I have no idea when Jodie's getting home. I had no idea she left - she never gave me any instructions that said not to go into her side of the house.

Worked on writing for a while after I tossed my small load (including my fuzzy robe) into the washer. Sir Richard Dawson agrees to guard the tarts from miscreants like the Knave (Ira Skutch), who is very interested in having them all for himself! Meanwhile, Brett swears she sees a familiar bit of grimy red armor on the edges of the garden...

Broke for dinner at quarter of 7. Had leftovers while watching Match Game '76. The episode kicked off with a very funny Audience Match involving "Cry __," and Richard's impossible Head-to-Head match on "Pie __." Later on, we're introduced to go-getting Lyle, a go-getting fellow from Las Vegas with a flashy toupee and a very aggressive desire to win.

Started making Peach-Blackberry Cobbler with peaches that were going bad in the fridge as Match Game PM came on. This episode began with a gentleman showing off how he could turn his feet around backwards. I have to agree with Gene - that looked scary and painful. Later. Brett has to match the other contestant with "Smoked __."

For the second day in a row, the champ dominated Sale of the Century full-stop. The one woman did buy the first Instant Bargain, but after that, it was all about the champ. He absolutely obliterated the others at the Speed Round, getting one of the highest scores I've ever seen there. He then went on to win the car at the Match the Prizes board...and he really deserved every bit of it.

Finished the night online after a shower and putting away the laundry with an episode of The A-Team. "Hot Styles" has Face in love with a model (Markie Post) who is definitely not what she seems. She's kidnapped by a gangster who's running an operation to put out cheap imitations of popular fashions. Face and Hannibal try to figure out what she's really up to, while Murdock revels in being able to drive the group's van while BA is away. 

First Time Matches

Overslept and barely had enough time for breakfast and to rush off to work. We were insanely busy almost all day. It's the first day of the month, and a lot of people may have been using beginning-of-the-month money. Bad weather didn't help. It was cloudy, breezy, and unusually cool for this time of year, with showers on and off. Thankfully, the rain didn't become heavier than a light shower, given I pushed carts for most of the day. Had plenty of help, too, with lots of teen and college baggers who work on the weekend lending a hand. Other than a few problems with some errands in the middle of the day, I was in and out. 

Went right home and into writing. Richard profusely praises the King's tarts...but so does the Knave of Hearts. Richard even agrees to guard the tarts for the Queen, so she can have some, too. Brett's more interested in figuring out how to beat Queen Betty at her own game...

Broke for a quick leftovers dinner at 6:30. Listened to the soundtrack from Xanadu as I ate. The movie is one of the strangest films of the 1980's, but it did spin off several excellent songs. "Suddenly" and "Magic" were the hits, but I also like Olivia Newton-John's gorgeous ballad "Suspended In Time," her duet with Gene Kelly "Whenever You're Away From Me," the "Dancin'" chorus number, and the big title song. 

Finished the night on YouTube with the latest Match Game marathon. Having finished out Match Game '90 last week, the owner of the Match Game Productions channel has moved on to the controversial Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour. On one hand, the shows really don't work together very well, and too-goofy Jon "Bowzer" Bauman is far from my first choice for Squares host. (What was wrong with Peter Marshall or letting Gene Rayburn host the whole hour?) Plus, there's no regulars for Gene to play off of. On the other hand, the Match Game segment can be just as funny as the previous and later versions, and we get a showcase for panelists like Alison Arngrim from Little House on the Prairie and game show hosts Pat Sajak and Bob Eubanks who appeared on no other run of either show. 

Arngrin, Phil Baker, Barbi Benton, and old Match Game hands Bill Daily and Jimmie Walker helped liven up the show's first week. The very first episode is especially rare. Several ribald or non-politically-correct questions and answers in both segments pretty much assured that YouTube will be the only place that episode is seen. The others ran on Buzzr in 2018 and 2019. Here's hoping you enjoy the start of this combination of TV's wackiest game shows!

Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour First Week Marathon

Moved on to a classic Match Game PM episode from 1975. Richard and Charles show off their wide-brimmed straw chapeaus as they invite everyone to join the "Basic Big Picture Hats Society." Brett and Gene are more than happy to try on Charles' hat. Meanwhile, Richard helps the contestant with "__ Robber" during the Head-to-Head.

Tossed in two vintage Hollywood Squares episodes as well. Florence Henderson, Charro, and Ross Martin are among the celebrities joining Paul Lynde (this time in the center square), Wally Cox, and Rose Marie for a night-time episode from 1972. Peter Marshall resumes his hosting duties for this one. Tom Bergenon is the actual host for an episode from 1999...but Rosie O'Donnell briefly gets to take over as host and ask him a question. Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Villanch, and Caroline Rhea are among the wisecracking celebrities here. 

Don your thick gold beards and big picture hats for these wacky excursions into past celebrity! 

Match Game PM (1975)

Hollywood Squares (1972)

Hollywood Squares (1999)