Ted Baxter for the ‘Six o’ Clock News’ reporting from the Southgate Mall
Here’s a fun Daily 70s Spot that was previously lost in the mists of time. Ted Knight (best-known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Too Close for Comfort) for the Southgate USA Mall in Ohio. Commercial aired in May of 1978.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Winnebago ‘Spring Rally’ (1973)
“We’re the very best at being bad!” (‘Bugsy Malone,’ 1976)
Here’s a musical clip from the film Bugsy Malone (1976). If you grew up in the 1970s this is one of your favorite flicks. It’s certainly high up on my “feel good” list.
The tune on display below is “Bad Guys” (often referred to as “We Could Have Been Anything That We Wanted to Be”) written by Paul Williams and performed onscreen by Fat Sam’s thugs. Roll it!
Previously, on Mood Music: Thin Lizzy, ‘Emerald’
A manly RV, yes. But I like it too! (Winnebago ‘Spring Rally,’ 1973)
Our Daily 70s Spot features a jaunty song and the new line-up of Winnebago RVs for 1973. Vehicles on display include the Brave, Chieftain, and the “best-selling” Indian.
I had a much-loved, Winnebago Indian Tonka toy when I was a young whippersnapper (see photo example below). Man, I loved that thing. The top opened up and you could see inside the motor home. The Winnebago commercial below aired in 1973 (as you may have guessed.)
Winnebago Indian Tonka toy circa 1973. (Photo from Bob’s World of Tools and Toys)
To see a restored Tonka Winnebago toy – drive here.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Running/Jogging promo (1978)
‘Far Out Space Nuts’ TV title, 1975
“I said ‘lunch,’ not ‘launch!'”
Sid and Marty Krofft’s Far Out Space Nuts originally ran on CBS from September, 1975 to September, 1976. 16 episodes were produced.
Junior (Bob Denver) and Barney (Chuck McCann) – the ‘Far Out Space Nuts’
The show starred Bob Denver (Gilligan’s Island) and Chuck McCann as pea-brained NASA maintenance workers who mistakenly launch themselves into space and crash-land on a distant planet. Patty Maloney played the team’s alien buddy, Honk.
“Honk” if you love aliens
A typical Far Out Space Nuts episode would see the hapless Barney and Junior running from a variety of bizarre aliens and they’d either end up prisoners or escape in the nick of time – only to crash on another strange planet.
I enjoyed the show at the age of eight but have to admit this comedy hasn’t aged as well as some of the other Krofft series. Here’s the intro. Have a gnarly Funshine Friday!
Previously, on Funshine Friday: The Fantastic Four (cartoon series, 1978)
Fully-clothed streaking aka “Jogging.” (Running promo, 1978)
Here’s a healthy Daily 70s Spot and a good way to work off all that Billy Beer. A promotional commercial touting the benefits of running produced by The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Commercial aired in September, 1978. That would make the president Jimmy Carter. Thanks, Jimmy!
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Peter Graves for Natural Light Beer (1978)
“A party of adventurers journeys through zones of time.” (‘The Fantastic Journey,’ 1977)
This edition of Show Toppers focuses on a lesser-known science fiction series, The Fantastic Journey, which ran on NBC from February to June, 1977. Only 10 episodes were produced.
The plot centered around a group of scientists who became shipwrecked on an island after passing through a eerie green cloud in the Bermuda Triangle. There, they met other stranded travelers from various points in time. Some, like Varian, from the distant future, some, like Willaway, from the near past. All were attempting to find a place called Evoland where they could return to their respective eras.
The omnipresent Roddy McDowall as ‘rebel scientist,’ Jonathan Willaway.
Star Trek alum, D.C. Fontana was a story editor on a few episodes of the show and the cast included; Jared Martin (Varian), Carl Franklin (Dr. Walters), Ike Eisenmann (Scott), Katie Saylor (Liana) and Roddy McDowall (Dr. Willaway).
The Fantastic Journey Wiki, IMDb
Previously, on Show Toppers: The Betty White Show (1977)