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Classic TV

Land of the Lost

Land of the Lost Poster
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Did You Know?

  • Land of the Lost ran on Saturday mornings on NBC from September 1974 to December 1976.
  • Wesley Eure (Will Marshall) often performed songs at the end of several episodes with lyrics pertaining to the lesson learned in the course of the episode.
  • Kathy Coleman – she of the braids, straight bangs, and red and white top – was born in 1962. She married, then divorced, and had two sons along the way. Her sons are Christopher Michael Bell (born 1981) and Alphonzo Robert Bell III (born 1983). The latter is a rap artist who goes by the stage name “40 Keys.”
  • Kathy Coleman is the youngest of 10 children and still gets recognized from her iconic role on The Land of the Lost.
  • Philip Paley (Cha-Ka) is an accomplished martial artist with a black belt. Oddly enough, I always thought it was Clint Howard under that costuem. Even today, when I see pictures, I’d swear it was Clint Howard… even when I know better.
  • Philip Paley has a BA in English from the University of California.
  • As a gimmick, Wesley Eure had himself billed as simply “Wesley” in the “Land of the Lost” (1974) credits. Reportedly, he regrets the ploy to this day.
  • Wesley Eure was the original Mike Horton (1974-1981) on “Days of Our Lives”.
  • Former Cleveland Cavs and Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer was a Sleestak during the show’s first season!

3rd Rock From the Sun

I’m the Hollywood Yesterday writer and I completely approve of this message.

TVLand – as if I didn’t love them enough already – has brought back one of the funniest television sitcoms, in glorious re-runs that I’ll watch religiously. 3rd Rock From the Sun is one of my top 5 favorite sitcoms of all time. I can remember when it first ran, my family and I would laugh so much we had to double over. They just slayed us. The cast is outrageously funny, the writing is flawless, and the entire concept is just sheer genius.

Dick, Sally, Harry, and Tommy – welcome back to my living room… I’ve missed the heck out of all of you!

Click HERE to read more about this classic comedy and to check out the schedule. TVLand has even included an episode guide. Definitely have to buy them something nice. Two somethings nice. Or, two something nices…

Think TV Land takes their TV Land Awards seriously? Oh, could be. Check out the names they’ve lined up for the upcomming show: STEVE CARELL, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, MIKE MYERS, THE CAST OF “ROSEANNE,” ROBIN WILLIAMS, GARRY MARSHALL, “THE GOLDEN GIRLS,” DICK VAN DYKE, JONATHAN WINTERS, PENNY MARSHALL, CINDY WILLIAMS, HENRY WINKLER, KATHY GRIFFIN, JACK KLUGMAN, KIM ALEXIS, RAINN WILSON, BEVERLY JOHNSON AND MORE! The awards show will be hosted by gorgeous Vanessa Williams from Ugly Betty.

I wonder why Vanessa Williams never released more cds… her voice is exceptional. Remember Colors Of the Wind? Speaking of exceptional voices (completely accidental segue – I’m not that clever), non other than Lionel Richie will perform on the TV Land Awards. He’ll perform a medley of his hits. He’ll certainly have plenty to choose from.

The show – which is obviously Can’t Miss TV will air on Sunday, June 15 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT. I know I’ll remind you between now and then, but go ahead and mark your calendars anyway. Every calendar in my house is marked, but you know me, I’m pretty much obsessed with TV Land and classic television.

Roseanne and family, Laverne, Shirley, Fonzie, Rob, Mork, the Golden Girls… Wow!

Honorees and presenters include:

Justin Timberlake will present The Legacy of Laughter Award to Mike Myers. The two will be in the upcomming movie “The Love Guru” – its arrival in theaters is also marked on my calendar (June 20). It’ll be out the same night Steve Carrell’s (Another star TV Land has lined up!) movie Get Smart is. I can’t wait for both of these. Justin Timberlake and Mike Myers also together worked in Shrek 3, too.

Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams. Henry Winkler, Jack Klugman and Dick Van Dyke will present The Legend Award to Garry Marshall. The name Garry Marshall certainly fits into the category of legend, doesn’t it?

Robin Williams will present The Pioneer Award to Jonathan Winters, from one comedic genius to another.

The Innovator Award will be presented to the cast of “Roseanne.” (YESSSS!!!) This award is presented to a series whose influence is still felt and is evident in television today; a show that carved out new territory, redefining elements of the genre and opening new pathways for others to follow. ….and made you laugh so hard you thought you’d die from glee. I added that last part.

The Pop Culture Award will be awarded to “The Golden Girls.” This award is presented to a show that has crossed the line from television series to pop culture phenomenon. The Golden Girls is another one of my all-time favorites. Has there ever been a more perfectly cast series? There absolutely could not have been another Blanche, Rose, Sophia, or Dorothy.

Sunday night – June 15th!

Jay Novello You may not recognize the name Jay Novello, but I’m certain you recognize his very expressive face – from more places than you may realize.

This delightful character actor was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 1904 to Italian parents – explaining why he learned to speak Italian before English.  He died in 1982 from lung cancer, but we’re here to keep memories alive, and Jay Novello has provided us with some great material to draw from!

He has a very impressive filmography resume – having worked in just about every genre imaginable. He even played a Japanese spy in Adventures of Smilin’ Jack (1943).  He is, however, best known for his work on television. Many people remember him as the scheming Mayor Lugato in “McHale’s Navy” (1962). Since I’ve never seen a single episode of McHale’s Navy, I’m not at all familiar with his work on the show. He did, however, appear on two series that I haven’t gone a day without since I can’t remember when: I Love Lucy and Andy Griffith.

He had several very memorable roles on I Love Lucy:

“Mario” in the epdisode titled Visitor from Italy (1956)
“Mr. Beecher” in the episode titled The Sublease (1954) – He was hilarious as the extremely nervous tenant-wannabe who Lucy tries to scare off.
Mr. Merriweather in the episode titled The Seance (1951) – As a highly strung man trying to contact “Tillie” on the other side.

He also left his mark on Andy Griffith:

Jay Novello showed more of his straight man side to the one and only Don Knotts in two classic episodes of Andy Griffith. In Guest of Honor, He played a thief who tricked Barney into thinking he was a hotel detective. He even convinced Barney that the actual hotel detective was the crook.  In Otis Sues the County, he played the sleazy attorney, Neil Bentley.

You may also recognize him from Make Room for Daddy (1958), The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (as Carlos De La Marca in 2 episodes, 1957-1958), Zorro (5 episodes, 1958), The Donna Reed Show (1960), Wagon Train (1960), The Lucy Show (1962), Perry Mason (1962), The Untouchables (Gino Romaldi, 1963), My Three Sons (Vincenzo in an episode from 1966), Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. (2 episodes as Dr. Purdy, 1967-1969), Lassie (1968), Family Affair (3 episodes, 1969), Bonanza (2 episodes, 1965 and 1969), The Flying Nun (1969), Ironside (1971), The Mod Squad (2 episodes, 1969-1971), The Brady Bunch (as Mr. Martinelli in an episode from 1973), Kojak (1976), Chico and the Man (1976)…..

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to learn much about Jay Novello’s personal life.  His wife’s name was Paticia and they had one daughter, Yvonne.   One of my favorite ways to get a handle on someone is to read their quotes, but I haven’t been able to find even one.  I’m still on the hunt, though, so you might want to check this post again in a few days.

Mr. Novello may have something to say and you wouldn’t want to miss it!