Sunday, July 16, 2006

Recommended Reading

Nicholas Von Hoffman on why we may be in Iraq for a lonnnnng time.

• Posted at 10:07 PM · LINK

Today's Bonus Video Link

Stephen Colbert discusses Joe Lieberman.

• Posted at 6:24 PM · LINK

Recommended Reading

The latest on Art Buchwald, the man who continues to defy death. This guy may outlive all of us.

• Posted at 1:36 PM · LINK

Another Report

My buddy Aaron Barnhart, who covers television for the Kansas City Star, was also present for the last performance of the live What's My Line? show. He files this account in his blog, complete with pictures.

• Posted at 9:27 AM · LINK

Recommended Reading

Michael Kinsley writes about his brain surgery.

• Posted at 9:07 AM · LINK

Today's Video Link

Here's another great classic commercial...the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial. Legend has it that it wasn't terribly successful in terms of selling the product but given how much attention it attracted, I'm not sure I believe that. Legend also has it that it was pulled from the air due to protests from Italian anti-defamation groups and I find that somewhat easier to accept. Anyway, it was created by the legendary advertising king, Joe Sedelmaier, who did many well-remembered campaigns.

The lead actor is a gent named Jack Somack, who had a rather fascinating acting career...fascinating because it began late in life. Mr. Somack was a chemical engineer who in 1967, at age 48, decided he'd gotten into the wrong line of work and that he wanted to be an actor. He began studying and auditioning, mingling with wanna-be actors half his age, and he managed to get some stage roles. It was when he landed this commercial in '69 that he first began to make a living as a performer and he remained one, working quite often for the rest of his life.

I don't know who played his wife but the stage manager is the wonderful Ronny Graham, a very funny man who left us way too soon.

Here's the commercial...

• Posted at 12:14 AM · LINK