Show Toppers: The Rookies

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'The Rookies,' TV title, 1972

‘The Rookies,’ TV title, 1972

The Rookies first hit TV screens as an ABC Movie of the Week in the spring of 1972. By September, the series proper had launched and ran until March of 1976.

Kate Jackson as Jill Danko

Kate Jackson as Jill Danko

The Rookies focused on a group of young southern California police recruits played by Georg Stanford Brown (Terry Webster), Sam Melville (Mike Danko) and Michael Ontkean (Willie Gillis). Kate Jackson, of Charlie’s Angels fame, played Mike’s wife, Jill. Gerald S. O’Loughlin appeared as older vet and mentor, Lt. Ryker. After two seasons, Ontkean left the show and was replaced by Bruce Fairbairn (Chris Owens).

In 1975, a two-part episode entitled “S.W.A.T.” was shown and it successfully launched a spin-off series for the Special Weapons and Tactics team.

Roll The Rookies season one intro below and bask in the aural glory of Elmer Bernstein’s epic, funky theme.

The Rookies TV Intro, 1972

The Rookies Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show toppers: The Fantastic Journey (1977)

Daily 70s Spot: Pepto-Bismol commercial (1972)

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Bring on the Pepto!

Bring on the Pepto!

“Pepto-Bismol’s good to have when somebody’s a little too quiet…”

Our Daily 70s Spot on tap today features a child with an upset stomach and a caring mother with a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. This belly-coating commercial aired in August of 1972.

When I was young and it was time for the Pepto, I actually kind of enjoyed the taste. It was like a spoonful of stale candy. And stale candy was better than no candy to my tiny mind.

Daily 70s Spot #48: Pepto-Bismol Commercial, 1972

A Johnny Carson Moment: Andy Kaufman’s Elvis transformation

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Andy Kaufman freaking out America, 1977

Andy Kaufman freaking out America, 1977

I know we experienced A Johnny Carson Moment a mere two weeks ago but this clip was too priceless to hold onto any longer. Here’s the hilarious and bizarre Andy Kaufman (d. 1984) morphing from “Foreign Man”/Latka Gravas into an amazing Elvis Presley before our very eyes. A classic Tonight Show performance that originally aired in March of 1977. Shake it, baby!

*Note to Andy: I hope your death has been a decades-long performance art piece. Maybe come back next May on the 30th anniversary of your “death,” huh? You ain’t getting any younger. Looking forward to your return!

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: Andy Kaufman Elvis Performance, 1977

Previously, on A Johnny Carson Moment: Howard the talking bird (12.17.1976)

Daily 70s Spot: RC Cola ‘Skater Girl’ (1978)

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"I don't rave about a perfect wave - it takes more to make me smile..." (RC Cola, 1978)

“I don’t rave about a perfect wave – it takes more to make me smile…” (RC Cola, 1978)

“Me and my RC.”

Here’s a sunny, California-style Daily 70s Spot that will have you singing along to a tune you’d forgotten. This RC Cola commercial, featuring a pizza delivery gal on a skateboard, aired in March of 1978. Roll with it.

Daily 70s Spot #47: RC Cola ‘Skater Girl’ Commercial, 1978

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Qantas Airlines Koala Mascot (1972)

Trailer Tuesday: Kelly’s Heroes

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'Kelly's Heroes' trailer title, 1970

‘Kelly’s Heroes’ trailer title, 1970

Kelly’s Heroes hit theaters in June of 1970 and ended up just making it onto the Top 20 highest-grossing films of the year list. The WWII comedy stars Clint Eastwood as the titular hero along with Donald Sutherland (Oddball), Don Rickles (Crapgame), Telly Savalas (Big Joe) and Carroll O’Connor (Maj. Gen. Colt) who round-out the big names in a large cast.

Oddball (Donald Sutherland) and Kelly (Clint Eastwood)

Oddball (Donald Sutherland) and Kelly (Clint Eastwood)

The plot involves a group of soldiers (Kelly and his heroic pals) who go behind enemy lines to rob a bank of a large cache of gold bars. Many explosions and laughs follow. Take in the original theatrical trailer below.

Kelly’s Heroes Theatrical trailer, 1970

Kelly’s Heroes Wiki, IMDb
Kelly’s Heroes review at Every 70s Movie

Kellys_Heroes_1-Sheet_1970

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Macon County Line

Daily 70s Spot: Qantas Airlines Koala Mascot (1972)

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This koala is not a fan of Qantas. (Qantas Airlines commercial, 1972)

This koala is not a fan of Qantas. (Qantas Airlines commercial, 1972)

“I hate Qantas.”

Here’s another Daily 70s Spot featuring a famous airline mascot. This time around we have the Qantas Airlines koala “bear” touting the virtues of the new 747B planes. The commercial aired in January, 1972.

Why does the lovable koala hate Qantas? Because the Australian airline’s services are so wonderful that too many tourists are heading Down Under and disturbing his peace and quiet. Well, that was the gist of the long-running series of commercials anyway.

Daily 70s Spot #46: Qantas Airlines Koala Mascot Commercial, 1972

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: ‘Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show’ NBC Promo (1978)