Bizarre TV Tie-ins

Every television show creator dreams of the ancillary revenue that can be made by licensing toys, games, etc. While many shows are not suitable to be turned into toys, that doesn't stop them from trying.

For example, which kid wouldn't want a toy based on a show his parents watch after he goes to bed? An adult comedy about war? Enter the M*A*S*H Playset collection!  There's the Helicopter landing pad set and even the glamorous Latrine set! Imagine the happy Christmas morning when a kid opens up the "M*A*S*H Latrine Set"! Who wouldn't want such a delightful toy?

TV Quote Weekends

"Well, the Little House on the Prairie. Now that's a fine, wholesome show. It's about blind children out west, and every week they have a fire, or someone gets an incurable disease. We enjoy it very much."

-Lucille Tarlek

TV Quote Weekends

"If there's one thing this reporter knows about, it's two things: One- hogs, and two- Russians."

-Les Nessman

Rest in Peace, Donna Douglas

Donna Douglas, known to millions as the sweet Elly May on the television classic Beverly Hillbillies has passed away at age 81.

Ms. Douglas was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and grew up loving "critters" as much as her character Elly May did. A true Southern Belle, Ms. Douglas began her acting career in New York after winning several beauty pageants. A classic role on The Twilight Zone brought her to the attention of Hollywood where she quickly won the role that would define her career- Elly May Clampett. Her all-American beauty and southern charm won her millions of fans throughout the world.

While she became typecast as Elly May and found little work after The Beverly Hillbillies, Ms. Douglas never turned her back on her most famous character. She loved her fans as much as they loved her and she took every opportunity to bring smiles to their faces when they recognized her. Viewers will forever remember Donna Douglas's beauty and infectious smile.

The Beatles on The Simpsons

All three Beatles members who were alive during the run of The Simpsons have provided their voices to the show.

The first was Ringo Starr, who was shown answering his fans' letters all these years later:

The second was George Harrison who meets Homer at a Grammy party:

Paul McCartney helps Lisa join the world of vegetarianism:

Sadly, John Lennon had already left us by the time The Simpsons began, but his widow Yoko Ono reportedly told a reporter that she believed her husband would have loved the show and had been the first of the Fab Four to become a part of it. We'll sadly never know if this would have been true, but the show did once include John in a scene watching down from heaven.

Happy New Year!

Rest in Peace, Edward Herrmann

Edward Herrmann, well known movie and television actor has passed away at age 71. Perhaps best known recently from his role on the WB show Gilmore Girls, Mr. Herrmann had an extensive television and film resume. Often cast as the stuffy, east coast snobbish type, Mr. Herrmann guest starred in hundreds of television shows through the years and lent his voice to countless historical documentaries.

His most frequent role was as U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a part he played in two television movies and in the original film version of Annie. 

Mr. Herrmann leaves behind a wife, three children and legions of fans.

Rest in Peace, Christine Cavanaugh

Christine Cavanaugh has passed away at age 51. You may not recognize her name or face, but you've probably heard her voice.

While Ms. Cavanaugh did a ton of guest starring roles throughout the 90's, she is best known for her voice-over work, both in the movies and on television. Her resume is a who's who of 1990's cartoons, including Ahh, Real Monsters!, Dexter's Laboratory and Disney's Darkwing Duck among so many others. Ms. Cavanaugh also voiced Babe the Talking Pig on the big screen.

It was her voice-over work for Rugrats that has endeared her to millions and cemented her legacy. As the voice of scaredy cat Chuckie Finster, Ms. Cavanaugh brought to life a fully dimensional character who leapt out of our televisions and into our hearts. While we may have lost a talented voice, we can rest assured that her work will live on in perpetuity.

Went to a bartender...

The beloved sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati is probably best remembered for its catchy theme song. Sure, it was hilarious as well, but even people who have never seen the show probably know the words to the theme song.

But what about the infamous closing song? Even people who have heard the song thousands of times have a hard time deciphering it. Most people seem to agree that the first line is "Went to a Bartender" but what follows is anyone's guess. Even stranger- the song was produced exclusively for the show; unintelligible lyrics and all.

The backstory to the song's creation is actually quite amusing in itself. CBS, which aired the show in the United States, asked for music of some kind to go over the ending credits. An innocent sounding request. However, at the time the network had an announcer speak over the end credits of each show, reminding viewers to stay tuned for more CBS programming. CBS was asking the show to produce music that would not actually be heard. The show's producers who were pranksters at heart, decided to throw together something that would be indecipherable because it wouldn't matter if anyone understood the lyrics to a song that wouldn't be audible during the show's network run anyway. It wasn't until the show aired in syndication that the bizarre song was actually heard. The show's fans have been trying figure out the lyrics ever since.

A Bartless Episode

On The Simpsons, only one main family member has not been in every episode. Unbelievably, it is Bart Simpson!

As hard as it is to believe, even little Maggie, referred to by Homer as "the forgotten Simpson" has been in more episodes than Bart. In fact, Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie have been in every episode, but not Bart.

Even stranger, Bart isn't even mentioned or referred to in the episode he doesn't appear in- season twenty's Four Great Women and a Manicure, an episode which tells the stories of, well, four great women. As Bart might have said years ago- Aye Caramba!

TV Quote Weekends

"Well, you'll be living in a van down by the river when you're living in a van down by the river!"

-Matt Foley on Saturday Night Live

TV Quote Weekends

"I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!"

-Saturday Night Live

Bizarre TV Guide Ads: "Roller-Disco Pajama Party"

Where should we start with this one?

The network apparently thought that viewers interested in watching a special with Playboy Playmates would also be interested in seeing performances by The Village People and Wayland Flowers and "Madame". It's like someone took the late 1970's, put them in a blender and this was the result.