Richard Dawson has died, a video remembrance

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Richard Dawson on Family Feud, 1978 - wondering who he'll kiss next...

As you may have heard by now, TV sitcom star and Emmy-award-winning game show host, Richard Dawson, has died, aged 79. Dawson was best known for hosting TV’s Family Feud (1976-1985) and for portraying Cpl. Newkirk on Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971).

In the 1970s Dawson also appeared on a wide variety of TV shows such as Match Game, McCloud, Love, American Style, Laugh-In, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat. I watched my fair share of Family Feud as a kid and was a big fan of Hogan’s Heroes – which ran in reruns throughout the 70s. Thanks for the entertainment, Mr. Dawson!

BBC Quote:

“After starting his career as a stand-up comedian, Dawson married the English pin-up Dors in 1959. The couple settled in California but he was devastated when she walked out on him and they divorced in 1967.

By then, he was known as the Cockney prisoner of war in Hogan’s Heroes, which ran on CBS from 1965 to ’71. He became Family Feud’s host when it launched on the ABC network in 1976 and won a daytime Emmy Award in 1978 for best game show host. At its height, Family Feud was one of the most popular programmes on US TV, airing 11 times a week – five in daytime and six in the evening.”

Richard Dawson on Family Feud, 1978


Richard Dawson on Hogan’s Heroes, 1967

Richard Dawson Wiki, IMDb

Funshine Friday: Will The Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down

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'There goes Jerry Lewis...'

Filmation’s Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down made its debut on ABC in September of 1970 and 18 episodes were produced.

The cartoon featured Jerry Lewis characters made famous in the actor’s films and the show’s title is a play on the final question from the game show To Tell the Truth. While Jerry Lewis did not provide his voice, David Lander, who later played Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, did. Not too shabby.

Enjoy the show’s intro and closing below and have a happy Funshine Friday.

(Thanks, YouTube poster toontracker.)

WTRJLPSD, 1970. Can you name them all?

Brady Bunch Moments: Don’t play ball in the house…

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The Brady Bunch, 1970. 'There goes my camping trip...'

Time for another exciting “Brady Bunch Moment”. Today, we take a look at the boy’s ill-advised basketball shenanigans that lead to a heartbreaking household accident. Peter’s camping trip is sure to be canceled…or is it?

This choice moment appeared on The Brady Bunch in the “Confessions, Confessions” episode of season two and first aired on December 18, 1970.

Greg: “Mom’s favorite vase.”

Bobby: “She always says, ‘Don’t play ball in the house.'”

70s stories in the news: Sex Pistols & Olivia Newton-John

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Sex Pistols, 'God Save the Queen', 1977. 35 years on...same queen, same Pistols.

The Sex Pistols have re-issued their “God Save the Queen” single to celebrate the song’s 35th anniversary. A limited-edition 7″ picture disc has been made available to commemorate the original which released on May 27, 1977. Read about the release at the official Sex Pistols site and enjoy a remembrance of the Pistol’s jubilee boat trip down the Thames at The Guardian.

Pistols Quote:

“Originally released on May 27th 1977, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, ‘God Save The Queen’ made its mark in history. The BBC amongst others refused to play it and although it technically out-sold the Number 1 record of the week (The First Cut is the Deepest by Rod Stewart) ‘GSTQ’ peaked at Number 2 in the singles charts. The powers-that-be refused to acknowledge it but the Sex Pistols were Number 1.

On the Jubilee holiday itself, June 7th 1977, the Sex Pistols arranged their own Jubilee tribute with a boat trip along the River Thames in full view of the Houses of Parliament. After playing a handful of songs Police boarded the boat and arrested several people; including the band’s then manager Malcolm McLaren.”

In other 70s-related news, CNN chats with Olivia Newton-John. (Yes, I enjoyed putting these two stories together in the same post.)

Olivia Newton-John CNN Interview:

“Singer Olivia Newton-John talks about her earliest career aspirations and how she stays fit and healthy at 63.”

Trailer Tuesday: A Bridge Too Far

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A Bridge Too Far, 1977. 'Out of the sky comes the screen's most incredible spectacle of men and war!'

After the Memorial Day weekend it seems appropriate to remember the troops of World War II with a look at A Bridge Too Far on this Trailer Tuesday.

Richard Attenborough’s A Bridge Too Far was released in June of 1977 and tells the true story of Operation Market Garden. A huge list of stars appear in this classic war film including; Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Sean Connery and Robert Redford. I caught this one on TV many times in the 70s (and beyond) and it was a childhood favorite.

A Bridge Too Far Wiki, IMDb

Music for Monday: Stories, ‘Brother Louie’

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Stories, 1973. 'Louie Louie Louie Louieeeeeeee...'

Stories had a #1 US hit in 1973 with a cover of Hot Chocolate’s “Brother Louie”.

Here’s the short-lived (’72-’74) NY-based band playing live on The Midnight Special (with an introduction from Jose Feliciano) in ’73. Have a great Memorial Day Monday.