Nicki Elson's Blog, page 51
April 13, 2011
80s TV Shows: KITT and Kaboodle
Knight Rider1982 - 1986
Click image for Knight Rider introWho could forget the Hoff and his crime-fighting car, KITT? The idea for the show was the result of Brandon Tartikoff jokingly pitching "The Man of Six Words." The trouble with casting handsome men in lead roles was that few of them could act---so Tartikoff suggested a show where the guy says six words and the car does most of the talking. Execs love it!
Quote:"Keep your scanners peeled."
Trivia:On KITT's jumps, the shot often switches to another angle---like Michael driving---because more often than not, the stunt car's front end was totaled upon landing.
What is KITT's exact make and model (year too)?
More info. on Knight Rider and other 80s TV Shows
Click image for Knight Rider introWho could forget the Hoff and his crime-fighting car, KITT? The idea for the show was the result of Brandon Tartikoff jokingly pitching "The Man of Six Words." The trouble with casting handsome men in lead roles was that few of them could act---so Tartikoff suggested a show where the guy says six words and the car does most of the talking. Execs love it!Quote:"Keep your scanners peeled."
Trivia:On KITT's jumps, the shot often switches to another angle---like Michael driving---because more often than not, the stunt car's front end was totaled upon landing.
What is KITT's exact make and model (year too)?
More info. on Knight Rider and other 80s TV Shows
April 12, 2011
80s TV Shows: Jarring Justice
So the consensus on yesterday's show was pretty much "It's a...huh?" Does this one sound more familiar?
Jake and the Fatman1987-1992
Click image to watch intro.In this one hour crime drama, a veteran District Attorney teamed up with a young private investigator to solve cases. The show started in L.A., moved to Hawaii, and then came back to L.A.
Quote:"If you were a lady, honey, you wouldn't have called me over here without clothes on."
Trivia:Jake and the Fatman was supposed to be canceled after its first season, but it was saved when another 80s TV show ended and CBS wanted to make use of the expensive unexpired lease on that show's studio facilities in Hawaii---what show might that've been, hm?
More info on Jake and the Fatman and other 80s TV Shows
Jake and the Fatman1987-1992
Click image to watch intro.In this one hour crime drama, a veteran District Attorney teamed up with a young private investigator to solve cases. The show started in L.A., moved to Hawaii, and then came back to L.A.Quote:"If you were a lady, honey, you wouldn't have called me over here without clothes on."
Trivia:Jake and the Fatman was supposed to be canceled after its first season, but it was saved when another 80s TV show ended and CBS wanted to make use of the expensive unexpired lease on that show's studio facilities in Hawaii---what show might that've been, hm?
More info on Jake and the Fatman and other 80s TV Shows
April 11, 2011
80s TV Shows: Impish Interactions
It's a Living1980-82/1985-89
Click image to watch opening themeThe history of this 80s TV sit-com about a group of waitresses and a cheeky piano player in a swanky restaurant atop a skyscraper is surprisingly complicated. It first ran in 1980, changed its name to "Making a Living" in 1981, got canceled in 1982, then picked up in syndication in 1983 where it caught a following, and began making new shows again (w/ the original name "It's a Living") in 1985.
Quote:"Ladies and gentlemen, are we in for a treat tonight---we have with us a group of acrophobiacs, who despite their morbid fear of heights are going to sit by the window. Should be interesting."
Trivia: Part of the shows success on its second run is attributed to Ann Jillian's public announcement of her struggle with breast cancer---she was one of the first celebrities to do so, and viewers wanted to show their support.
More info on It's a Living and other 80s TV Shows
Click image to watch opening themeThe history of this 80s TV sit-com about a group of waitresses and a cheeky piano player in a swanky restaurant atop a skyscraper is surprisingly complicated. It first ran in 1980, changed its name to "Making a Living" in 1981, got canceled in 1982, then picked up in syndication in 1983 where it caught a following, and began making new shows again (w/ the original name "It's a Living") in 1985.Quote:"Ladies and gentlemen, are we in for a treat tonight---we have with us a group of acrophobiacs, who despite their morbid fear of heights are going to sit by the window. Should be interesting."
Trivia: Part of the shows success on its second run is attributed to Ann Jillian's public announcement of her struggle with breast cancer---she was one of the first celebrities to do so, and viewers wanted to show their support.
More info on It's a Living and other 80s TV Shows
April 9, 2011
80s TV Shows: Huge Hit
Hill Street Blues1981-1987
Click image to watch opening themeThis is the original "ensemble drama" featuring the overworked staff of an urban police precinct. Hill Street Blues set the stage for many other successful 80s TV shows of the same genre (e.g. L.A. Law, Thirtysomething).
Quotes:"Hey, let's be careful out there."
"Oh my Gawd! Here it is Christmas Eve, and I'm gonna get shot dead in a moose suit!"
Trivia:
The show is set in an anonymous city, but do you know which real city it's based on?
More info. on Hill Street Blues and other 80s TV shows
Click image to watch opening themeThis is the original "ensemble drama" featuring the overworked staff of an urban police precinct. Hill Street Blues set the stage for many other successful 80s TV shows of the same genre (e.g. L.A. Law, Thirtysomething). Quotes:"Hey, let's be careful out there."
"Oh my Gawd! Here it is Christmas Eve, and I'm gonna get shot dead in a moose suit!"
Trivia:
The show is set in an anonymous city, but do you know which real city it's based on?
More info. on Hill Street Blues and other 80s TV shows
April 8, 2011
80s TV Shows: Groovy Geriatrics
Golden Girls1985 - 1992
Click image to watch the ladies buy condomsPicture this---Miami, 1985...four single women of very different personalities decide to live together after being widowed/divorced. Hilarity ensues.
Quote:"Like we say in St. Olaf, Christmas without fruitcake is like St. Sigmund's Day without the headless boy."
Trivia:Two of the actresses were originally supposed to play different roles, but they worried about being typecast so they traded. Which of these two do you think it was: Sophia, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy?
More info on Golden Girls and other 80s TV Shows
Since we're speaking of the letter G, I'd like to cordially invite anyone who'll be in or near the Fox Valley (western Chicago suburbs) on April 28th to my event, Grapes & Guys.
We'll be pairing a wine with each of the Daves from Three Daves!
Afterwards, I'll post the wine selections here. :)
Click image to watch the ladies buy condomsPicture this---Miami, 1985...four single women of very different personalities decide to live together after being widowed/divorced. Hilarity ensues.Quote:"Like we say in St. Olaf, Christmas without fruitcake is like St. Sigmund's Day without the headless boy."
Trivia:Two of the actresses were originally supposed to play different roles, but they worried about being typecast so they traded. Which of these two do you think it was: Sophia, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy?
More info on Golden Girls and other 80s TV Shows
Since we're speaking of the letter G, I'd like to cordially invite anyone who'll be in or near the Fox Valley (western Chicago suburbs) on April 28th to my event, Grapes & Guys. We'll be pairing a wine with each of the Daves from Three Daves!
Afterwards, I'll post the wine selections here. :)
April 7, 2011
80s TV Shows: Fabulous Family Fun
Family Ties1982-1989
Click image to watch opening themeMichael J. will always be Alex P. to me. This TV show can still make me laugh as much to day as it did back in the 80s. Why do I never see this one in syndication?
Quote:"Of all the Basic Applied Economic Principles of Capitalism in the Post-Industrial Era Seminars in the world, you had to walk into mine."
Trivia:What Oscar-winning actor played Elyse Keaton's alcoholic brother? Too easy? Fine, who's picture was on lil' Alex's lunchbox.
More info. on Family Ties and other 80s TV Shows
Click image to watch opening themeMichael J. will always be Alex P. to me. This TV show can still make me laugh as much to day as it did back in the 80s. Why do I never see this one in syndication? Quote:"Of all the Basic Applied Economic Principles of Capitalism in the Post-Industrial Era Seminars in the world, you had to walk into mine."
Trivia:What Oscar-winning actor played Elyse Keaton's alcoholic brother? Too easy? Fine, who's picture was on lil' Alex's lunchbox.
More info. on Family Ties and other 80s TV Shows
April 6, 2011
80s TV Shows: Think ER Wasn't on TV in the 80s? Think Again.
E/R
1984 - 1985
Click image to see the trivia answer in actionI know! Crazy, right? I found out about this other E/R TV show during the trivia game at one of the 80s themed book clubs I went to. 80s E/R was a sitcom, but like the later ER, it was also based in Chicago.
Quote:"Stay back of the white line!"
Trivia:A regular cast member of the later ER was also a regular on all 22 episodes of this E/R. Do you know who?
More info. on E/R and other 80s TV Shows
1984 - 1985
Click image to see the trivia answer in actionI know! Crazy, right? I found out about this other E/R TV show during the trivia game at one of the 80s themed book clubs I went to. 80s E/R was a sitcom, but like the later ER, it was also based in Chicago.Quote:"Stay back of the white line!"
Trivia:A regular cast member of the later ER was also a regular on all 22 episodes of this E/R. Do you know who?
More info. on E/R and other 80s TV Shows
April 5, 2011
80s TV Shows: D is For a Whole Decade of Decadence
Dynasty1981 - 1989
Click image for a Krystal/Alexis CatfightThis was a daytime soap dressed way up for 80s prime time TV. The Carringtons brought us blatant greed, sex and cattiness...and I'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't let me watch it. Dangit.
Quote:Alexis: "Nobody takes me to bed and to the cleaners in one night."
Trivia:One of the main cast members regularly vetoed any story lines involving adultery. Whoever could that have been? By the way, after this blog challenge is over, I'll post the answers to these 80s TV trivia questions along w/ links to those who got each answer right.
For anyone hungry for more 80s nostaliga, Liz P over at 8-Bit Words is featuring 80s childhood memories throughout the A to Z challenge.
More info on Dynasty and other 80s TV shows
Click image for a Krystal/Alexis CatfightThis was a daytime soap dressed way up for 80s prime time TV. The Carringtons brought us blatant greed, sex and cattiness...and I'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't let me watch it. Dangit.Quote:Alexis: "Nobody takes me to bed and to the cleaners in one night."
Trivia:One of the main cast members regularly vetoed any story lines involving adultery. Whoever could that have been? By the way, after this blog challenge is over, I'll post the answers to these 80s TV trivia questions along w/ links to those who got each answer right.
For anyone hungry for more 80s nostaliga, Liz P over at 8-Bit Words is featuring 80s childhood memories throughout the A to Z challenge.
More info on Dynasty and other 80s TV shows
April 4, 2011
80s TV Shows: Cheers all around!
Cheers1982 - 1993
Click image for Cheers Theme songSammy and the gang are so timeless, I forget this TV show began its lengthy tenure in the midst of 80s pop culture.
Quote: Norm: "It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear."
Trivia: One of the original regulars wasn't even in the script until the actor (after auditioning for and not getting the part of Norm) created an impromptu character on the spot and impressed the producers. Everybody at Cheers knew his name...do you?
More info on Cheers and other 80s TV Shows
Taking this A to Z theme even further, Cali Cheer Mom, hostess of the weekly Meet an Author Monday blog hop is out of town at what else...a cheer competition! So I'm hosting that hop this week. Good luck to your girls, Lisa!
Authors! Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Make sure you join in the hop. This is a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are! Here's how it works:
READERS:
Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!AUTHORS:
Follow any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!To make it easier for followers, please included the code with the hop list in your post. Click "Get the code here" below and grab it.
Click image for Cheers Theme songSammy and the gang are so timeless, I forget this TV show began its lengthy tenure in the midst of 80s pop culture. Quote: Norm: "It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear."
Trivia: One of the original regulars wasn't even in the script until the actor (after auditioning for and not getting the part of Norm) created an impromptu character on the spot and impressed the producers. Everybody at Cheers knew his name...do you?
More info on Cheers and other 80s TV Shows
Taking this A to Z theme even further, Cali Cheer Mom, hostess of the weekly Meet an Author Monday blog hop is out of town at what else...a cheer competition! So I'm hosting that hop this week. Good luck to your girls, Lisa!
Authors! Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Make sure you join in the hop. This is a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are! Here's how it works:READERS:
Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!AUTHORS:
Follow any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!To make it easier for followers, please included the code with the hop list in your post. Click "Get the code here" below and grab it.
April 2, 2011
80s TV Shows: B is for Bosoms and Buddies
Bosom Buddies
1980-1982
Click image to watch the opening That's right younglings, before Tom Hanks wore a space suit, or a military uniform, or a tux to the Oscars, he wore a wig and a dress...and called himself Buffy so he and his roommate could take advantage of cheap rent at the Susan B. Anthony residence for women.
Quotes:"She certainly gives credence to those rumors Eva Braun made it out."
Trivia:The series was short-lived (and rightly so) but when Tom Hanks started attracting attention for his role in a popular 1984 movie, ABC bought the rights to Bosom Buddies and re-aired select episodes. Know what that movie was?
More info on Bosom Buddies and other 80s TV Shows
1980-1982
Click image to watch the opening That's right younglings, before Tom Hanks wore a space suit, or a military uniform, or a tux to the Oscars, he wore a wig and a dress...and called himself Buffy so he and his roommate could take advantage of cheap rent at the Susan B. Anthony residence for women.Quotes:"She certainly gives credence to those rumors Eva Braun made it out."
Trivia:The series was short-lived (and rightly so) but when Tom Hanks started attracting attention for his role in a popular 1984 movie, ABC bought the rights to Bosom Buddies and re-aired select episodes. Know what that movie was?
More info on Bosom Buddies and other 80s TV Shows
