The Silver State Chronicles

Pretty Paul Roma!

Ric Flair returned to WCW after his first run in the WWF and TBS programming executives gave him a talk show, A Flair For The Gold.  This show even featured The Nature Boy’s maid, Fifi!  Flair was reassembling his NWA faction of troublemakers, The Four Horsemen, and used the forum to introduce the newest member to join him , Arn Anderson, and Ole Anderson on the team.

Unfortunately, he chose former WWF mid-carder, Paul Roma.  The audience reacts in a predictable fashion.  This is just one of those things that never should have happened.

Scandal Rocks The WWF!

Vince McMahon’s WWF ran into a bit of a bump when allegations of gay sexual harassment, rampant drug use, and more converged in 1992.  Watch Vince and friends visit Donahue for a hard-hitting episode, brother!

A Musical Spectacle!

Probably one of the funniest bits to ever air on television, Zoo Animals On Wheels is central to an episode of Chris Elliott’s wonderful series Get A Life.  Enjoy!

Dragnet Star Passes Away

Veteran actor Harry Morgan, most famous to modern audiences as Colonel Potter from the MASH  and After MASH TV series, has passed away.  Here at The Silver State Chronicles, we fondly remember him as Bill Gannon, partner of Sgt Joe Friday in the 1960′s incarnation of Dragnet.

He shall be missed.

A nice article at The Muskegon Chronicle…

Actor Harry Morgan went from Muskegon High School performer to Emmy winner
By Megan Hart

Harry Morgan came a long way from the young man who acted in Muskegon High School productions.

Morgan, who was best known for the role of Col. Sherman T. Potter on the TV series “M*A*S*H,” died Wednesday at age 96.

He was born Harry Bratsburg and graduated from Muskegon High School in 1933. He later attended Muskegon Junior College (now Muskegon Community College), where he was also active in drama.

Morgan left Michigan for good to perform in New York and on the East Coast in the late 1930s. He broke into film and moved to California shortly before Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941, which was the subject of a feature in Monday’s Chronicle.

Morgan performed in more than 100 films and TV shows, spanning more than six decades. His last appearance was in the “M*A*S*H 30th Anniversary Reunion” in 2002. Some of his notable roles were in the 1960 film “Inherit the Wind,” and in the TV series and film “Dragnet.” He won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series for his role as Col. Potter in 1980.

He returned to Muskegon only once, to film a Lifesavers commercial in 1978 with two Muskegon High School students.

“I don’t think I ever enjoyed myself more than going to high school, here,” Morgan told The Chronicle in 1978. “I was very enthusiastic about coming back, and it’s regretful that it’s too short a time to visit. There really was no reason to come back before. Most of my close friends and relatives have gone elsewhere. I’ve been invited to the class reunions, but the arrangements were too complicated.”

What Pro Wrestling Is Missing Today

Here’s the first segment for the American Wrestling Association’s All-Star Wrestling program on January 1, 1984.  The show opens with a squash match featuring Jumping Jim Brunzel, but the best part is the promo before the episode starts hosted by Gene Okerlund.

Gene starts by interviewing Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura, and segues to an astonishing feat of martial arts by Mr Saito. This is exactly the type of raw interview and spontaneous atmosphere that modern wrestling is missing.  Then Gene closes out with some comments by promoter Vere Gagne, where he tries to explain why his promotion is losing a lot of talent during this difficult time.

Good job in there, Dex.  You sliced him up good!

The concluding scene from Dexter, Season One, Episode Twelve.  Probably my favorite ending to a tv season, ever.

We do love Dexter!  Keep up the good work!  After all, an avenging angel’s job is never done.

Preach on, Brother Rockford!

OK, well he’s not exactly speaking directly to the OWS vermin, as this was filmed and broadcast years before many of the protesters were born.  But the message still fits!

Great stuff from a great TV show!  The only downside is that The Rockford Files isn’t a Quinn Martin Production!

* Hat Tip to my friend Andrew Breitbart, John Nolte, and BigHollywood!

‘Cause things won’t be like they’ve been before!

Finally, an endorsement that carries some weight!

From the venerable New York Post…

Adam West gives ‘crime-fighter’ Coffey AG nod
By Brendan Scott

Holy endorsement, Batman!

The star of the campy 1960s “Batman” TV series swooped into Gotham yesterday to boost a Democratic contender for state attorney general ahead of tonight’s cliffhanger ending to the primary race.

Adam West, now 81 and living in Idaho, lent his sonorous voice to automated phone calls boosting prosecutor-turned-trial-attorney Sean Coffey for the Democratic Party’s nod to succeed Andrew Cuomo as the state’s top lawyer.

The actor famous for his cheesy, melodramatic delivery and lumpy physique channeled his classic role as the Dark Knight to assure Democrats that Coffey is the “best crime fighter” in the crowded five-way race.

“I know a thing or two about keeping Gotham City safe,” West told voters on a 45-second recorded message. “Sean is an independent voice who wants to fight those villains in Albany.”

Coffey first teamed up with West a few years back while fly fishing in Idaho’s Silver Creek, and the duo has since forged a dynamic friendship.

“I came to the conclusion Sean Coffey’s not only a good guy, but a clear thinker,” West told The Post. “I’ve been a pretend crime-fighter for years. Now, we’ve got a potential real one with him.”

The heroic assist came as voters prepared to narrow the field in key statewide races and numerous congressional and state Legislature posts.

There must have been some magic in the old silk hat they found…