Shipley's Donuts in Nashville!

Somehow Shipley's Donuts snuck into Nashville when I wasn't paying attention. If there's one near you, what are you waiting for?

Charles Stern Commercial Voice Reel 1986

Here's the voice talent reel from the Charles Stern Agency in Los Angeles from 1986. This is a state of the art reel, as they represented many of the top commercial voiceover talents. Click on each of the roster names to listen to their individual demos: Paul Frees, Herschel Bernardi, Merlin Olsen, Telly Savalas, Granville Van Dusen, Hoyt Axton, Dennis Weaver, William Daniels, Don Messick, Chuck McCann, Joe Sirola, Robert Stack, Jack Lester, Ed Peck, Martin Doyle, Richard Bull, Daniel Dorse, and Mitzi McCall & Charlie Brill. Wow!

Postcard from Richard Nixon

I'm using the front of this postcard from the 60s as my Christmas card
this year. You should, too. Click to enlarge.

B.M.S. Home Broadcaster

Apparently the Mr. Microphone phenomenon started earlier than I thought. Here's the BMS Home Broadcaster, which allowed your voice to go over the radio from as far away as the wire would stretch.

It looks like a carbon microphone hooked to wires, which you then attached to these induction coils, which you placed between the tube and its socket:


Here's the instructions, click to enlarge.

The technology changes, but our sense of humor never gets anymore sophisticated.

Marine Corps PSAs from 1969

Today's the birthday of the founding of the Marine Corps, so here are some public service radio announcements from 1969 from former Marines. Jack Webb, Art Buchwald, and Jonathan Winters were among the celebrities who recorded these for the Corp. Click the names to listen to Jack Webb, Art Buchwald, and Jonathan Winters.

Wonder Woman Movie

With the success of the DC Universe animated direct to DVD movies, they're talking about filming a live action Wonder Woman movie this year.

Here's the theme song from the 1977 Wonder Woman TV series. Listen to it here.

So who will play Wonder Woman in the live action movie? Signs point to Australian model Megan Gale.

Works for me.

More Sci-Fi Paperback Art

I found these at a local bookstore, the covers are great, the authors are some of my favorites. Click the pics to enlarge, and I'll let you know how good the books turn out to be.

The Shady Bunch video from Jim Gossett

Acorn and their friends in a new TV show. As heard on the Lars Larson radio show.

Retro Cassette Boxer Shorts

Not that much into fashion, but who could pass up these retro cassette pattern boxer shorts?

Thanks Walmart!

I know what you're thinking. Here's the wallpaper for you. Click to enlarge.

Transformers VS. Galactic Man

Look! I just saved 200 million dollars for Michael Bay!

The Transformers 2 movie this weekend reminded me of an offshoot of the franchise, Galactic Man, sold at Radio Shack in the 1980s. This was an officially licensed toy, although the name was new. Let's watch Galactic Man transform from a robot to a space pistol.

Legs go in.
Legs compacts and toes fold in. Head spikes go down. Arms twist and compress.

Legs go into the body to form grip. Arms combine and pivot.

Completed gun. Extra piece caps arms, body splits, and site comes up.

You have your choice of sounds with Galactic Man. Watch video below to hear the sounds.

I'm On The Tonight Show

Here's an embarrassing tape from Nov 1 1995. I was in Los Angeles for a computer animation convention and went to see the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Guests that evening were Alec Baldwin, Brooke Shields, and Dwight Yoakum. But I got caught on camera during the monologue. Enjoy my shame below:



I'm the second guy, Veterinarian Who Sleeps With His Patients. 

It's on my resume now.

Thanks to Jay Leno for 17 very funny years. I've been a fan for a long time.

DirecTV Still Racist

A while back, we showed you some of the programming truncations that might upset some folks.

Did DirecTV heed our warning? Not at all. Below, more examples from the past month or two.

When will it end? Click any pic to enlarge.

Farrah Fawcett Sings! Sort Of

After Farrah Fawcett's intial surge of popularity in 1977, TK records went to the vaults and licensed this classic song for U.S. release. Jean-Paul Vignon was a moderate pop star in France, but this duet met with a less than stellar response from the public.

Click here to listen to the song. Click either pic to enlarge it.

Tampa Police Dance Band

Here's an album from 1965 or so. Needing good publicity and outreach, the Tampa Police Department forms a 27 piece dance band. Actually, they're pretty good. Click here to listen to "I'll Remember April". Click either pic to enlarge it.

I don't think the offshoot band, The Policia Brass, would be as big a hit today in Tampa. Or maybe they would. Click here to listen to "The Mexican Shuffle" and make up your mind.

2009 Nissan Cube Sighting

Here are some shots of the all new Nissan Cube, that hits the showrooms in May 2009. Click any pic to enlarge.

Asymmetrical styling makes the Cube interesting and unique.

Doors open wide and low for easy access.

This Cube is a pre-production model. The actual for sale model will vary slightly.

Dash is simple and functional.

Back hatch opens 90 degrees. This will be easy to load.

I think Nissan will sell a lot of these. It's a fun ride. Here's the official 2009 Nissan Cube site.

Saturday Morning In Franklin TN

It's not often I see a car older than me.

Marilyn Chambers Disco Record

This song has been floating around the tubes for a while, but here's a new lift from one of my 45s.

Marilyn was best known as a porn star, but the record is hilarious, especially the last 90 seconds or so. Possibly offensive, if you can be offended while you're laughing. Listen to it here.

I See Stick People

Click for a wallpaper sized pic.

I'm seeing them everywhere. Peeking out from behind corners, in my face at the store, blinking past on TV.

Stick people logos.

The other day I figured out why they bother me.

1) They're easy to make, and they don't require a lot of talent.

2) There's an implied universalism that irks me. Isn't EVERYONE running in the 5K? Taking Crestor? Signing up for the Conference on Communication Interfacing? You're not on board with the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research as they lead the way to a healthier future?

Please companies, try a little harder, and demand more from your logo designers. After all, stick people logos have been around a long time.