NBC's Sloganeering

NBC went through a rough patch in the early 1980's. Nothing they tried seemed to work out for them. While they awaited their Renaissance that would begin with the pickup of The Cosby Show. Until then, they tried various different slogans and logos.

One of the first 1980's slogans was "Our Pride is Showing", which suggested to viewers that perhaps things were getting better at the last place network. (Though it has a different connotation now.)

As things began to improve, NBC invited viewers to join them with "Let's All Be There."

By the late 1980's the peacock feathers were simplified down to just six, the 'N' logo behind the peacock was removed and the network became "The Place To Be".

The Simpsons Files: Gil Gunderson

Easily one of the saddest characters in Springfield (outside of Moe Syzslak) Gil Gunderson is a character who can never seem to catch a break. 

Chronically unemployed, Gil nonetheless keeps a positive attitude; he always feels like good luck is just around the corner. Modeled after Jack Lemmon's character in Glengarry Glen Ross, Gil was originally intended as a one shot character. Viewers loved him, however, and after the death of Phil Hartman, who voiced the sad sack lawyer Lionel Hutz, Springfield needed a similar character. Ol' Gil was brought in to fill the void and has become an important part of Springfield.

TV Quote Weekends

"The bouncer is a bulldog who looks like Wilford Brimley and the password is diabeetus!"

TV Quote Weekends

"How do hobos fit all their stuff in a bandanna?!?"

The Famous Mister Ed

When Alan Young was offered the role of Wilbur Post in Mister Ed, producers wanted to name the program The Alan Young Show. He feared that the show would fail and didn't want his name on a canceled show. So the talking horse got top billing and Mister Ed was born.

Alan's fears of a colossal failure were unfounded; Mister Ed was a huge success. In fact, the show did something that very few shows do- it began life as a locally syndicated show and got picked up by a television network. In this case, it was CBS.

Perhaps the strangest thing about the show, however, was that they were able to entice Mae West, the bawdy pre-code actress out of retirement. Ms. West played an exaggerated version of herself in a fourth season episode entitled (obviously) Mae West Meets Mister Ed.

Rest in Peace, Bud Yorkin

Bud Yorkin, who partnered with Norman Lear to produce some of the biggest sitcom hits of the 1970's, has passed away at age 89.

Mr. Yorkin began his career at NBC in the 1950's, producing variety shows, but it was his partnership with Norman Lear that would bring him his biggest success. Together they produced All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Maude, Good Times and many other shows.

He eventually left the company he founded with Mr. Lear and found success in his new venture, producing What's Happening and Carter Country. Mr. Yorkin's shows provided hours of laughs and entertainment for millions who grew up around and lived through the 1970's.

Rest in Peace, Yvonne Craig

Yvonne Craig, who got her start in show business as a ballet dancer, has passed away at age 78. 

Ms. Craig would eventually transition to television, where she received guest starring roles on various classic television shows of the 1950's and 1960's like Perry Mason, Dobie Gillis and Star Trek.

It was her role as Barbara Gordon in Batman that would earn her a spot in television history. As the crime fighting Batgirl, she joined Batman and Robin in helping her clueless father fight Gotham City's infamous villains. 

With the recent release of the Batman series on DVD, Ms. Craig has been discovered by a newer generation, cementing her legacy for generations to come.

Ella Joyce on Newsradio

Television shows go through huge changes on their road to production. Most of the time, however, the show is mostly set in stone before the pilot airs. In the case of Newsradio it was decided that the eccentric Bill McNeil needed a foil in the broadcast booth, someone who was not only in competition with him, but could also put him in his place. That job fell to Catherine Duke, who would be played by Ella Joyce of Roc fame.

The change was made so suddenly that Catherine didn't have any lines in the pilot. She is just seen through the glass, possibly reporting on the news. When the show was officially picked up, the producers decided that Ella Joyce wasn't the right choice for Catherine and recast her with Khandi Alexander. Since the character is never referenced in the pilot and had no speaking lines, the episode was never reshot and Ella remains in it to this day.

Khandi and the guys.

Mr. Lucas, Are You Free?

Trevor Bannister played the part of Mr. Lucas in Are You Being Served? for seven years. In 1979, he disappeared, replaced by Mike Berry, who played Mr. Spooner.

So why did Trevor leave the show? For years, production of the series was erratic. For some reason, the BBC would often renew the show at the last minute, scheduling production with little notice. Trevor didn't mind too much, since they always worked around his schedule of live performances.

However, after the seventh season, the BBC was certain that it might cancel the show. The cast was notified not to expect to return. Trevor made plans to perform in a live production, only to discover that the series was returning after all. Unlike in previous years, the BBC was not willing to work around Trevor's schedule. They dug in their heels and forced him to choose. He chose the live production and Are You Being Served? went back into production- without Mr. Lucas.

Colonel Klink's Demands

When Werner Klemperer agreed to play the bumbling Colonel Klink on CBS' Hogan's Heroes he had some very simple demands, none of which were costly or vain.

As a Jewish actor, he merely asked that his character always be portrayed as a buffoon and that he never be shown "winning" anything, be it an argument, scheme or discussion. The network was perfectly fine with the request and made sure that the incompetent Colonel Klink lost at everything he attempted.

TV Quote Weekends

"When you married me you knew that I couldn't cook, I couldn't sew, and I couldn't keep house. All I could do was talk Hungarian and do imitations of Zsa Zsa Gabor."

TV Quote Weekends

"No shoes, no shirt, no script!"

Magic Pixies?

"I don't know where you magic pixies come from, but I sure do love your pixie drink!"