Television | Stargayzing

Extreme Carol Channing: “Jam Tomorrow, Jam Yesterday”

Television April 9, 2014

In 1985, disaster movie producer Irwin Allen (Towering Inferno, The Poseidon Adventure) had more highbrow aspirations and brought the world a two-part musical, TV-movie remake of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The results were a different kind…

My Childhood Obsession with “The Fonz,” Plus a Recipe for Henry Winkler’s Steak Broiled in Beer in <i>Eating With the Stars</i>

My Childhood Obsession with “The Fonz,” Plus a Recipe for Henry Winkler’s Steak Broiled in Beer in Eating With the Stars

Eating With The Stars, Television March 27, 2014

When I was in fifth grade ABC’s Happy Days became a the most talked about sitcom on TV. Its breakout star was Henry Winkler, who played Arthur Fonzarelli, a loveable greaser with a heart…

Stairway to Stardom Redux: Horowitz & Spector’s “Diet Song (Boiled Chicken)”

Television March 25, 2014

By this point, it is fairly obvious to Stargayzing readers how I feel about Stairway to Stardom, the local New York cable talent show that ran for almost 20 years and, at least for…

<i>Stairway to Stardom</i> Redux: Precious Taft Performs a Monologue from Lanford Wilson’s <i>The Gingham Dog</i>

Stairway to Stardom Redux: Precious Taft Performs a Monologue from Lanford Wilson’s The Gingham Dog

Television February 6, 2014

This needs no commentary, except to say it was 1983 and this was the way things rolled on New York City’s long running local cable talent show Stairway to Stardom. Longtime readers of this blog…

I Gotta (Stephen) Crowe! StreisBAND’s “Piano Practicing”

Music, Television December 16, 2013

Now here is something rather unexpected: an English speed metal cover band devoted exclusively to the catalogue of Barbra Streisand. My only comment is, “What took so long?” The StreisBAND project, which comes with…

<i>Eating With the Stars:</i> Wayland Flowers and Madame’s Muffins, Plus a Musical Number with Bea Arthur

Eating With the Stars: Wayland Flowers and Madame’s Muffins, Plus a Musical Number with Bea Arthur

Television November 13, 2013

I shouldn’t take for granted that my younger readers are familiar with the world of Wayland Flowers and Madame, so I’m going to endeavor to provide some context because it’s actually pretty brilliant stuff…

<i>Rags To Bitches:</i> The Little Reality Show That Couldn’t, or Didn’t, But Should’ve

Rags To Bitches: The Little Reality Show That Couldn’t, or Didn’t, But Should’ve

Munk's Junk (Everything Else), Television November 6, 2013

In the aftermath of my involvement as an original cast member of the Sundance Channel/World of Wonder reality show Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys, people have occasionally asked me, “Whatever happened to the show…

Mary Tyler Moore Performing Paul McCartney’s “With a Little Luck”

Music, Television October 21, 2013

“Of course I enjoy watching the venerable Miss Moore apply the same “Mary-isms” to the top-ten Wings hit as she did to any random confrontation with Lou Grant, but what really thrills me is the expression of pain on David Letterman’s face.”

“Cher” Day: Acknowledging October 17, 1975

Television October 17, 2013

38 years ago today I got home from school and put on my wig, heels and false eyelashes and lumbered down to the basement of our split level at 15 Overhill Road. With Bridget…

<i>Stargayzing</i> Returns: “I Turn My Back For a Minute and All Hell Breaks Loose,” Says Munk

Stargayzing Returns: “I Turn My Back For a Minute and All Hell Breaks Loose,” Says Munk

Film, Munk's Junk (Everything Else), Music, Television September 3, 2013

I’m back after a short hiatus and even though I was quite busy, I must tell you how much I missed writing Stargayzing. There were so many times I had the impulse to comment…

Hey <i>Stargayzers</i>…See You in September!

Hey Stargayzers…See You in September!

Munk's Junk (Everything Else), Television July 31, 2013

Stargayzing is truly a labor of love for me. The pleasure of writing and sharing my words with you is the overarching reason I work so hard. But the time required to post as…

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Category: Television

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