Predictions of 1985

New Years Day is usually a slow news day. Some of the year end summaries were presented during the newscasts, but in this case, ABC took a different take. A Smithsonian exhibition in Chicago showed what life was thought to be like in 1985 (from a 1930's-50's perspective). Here a fascinating look, taken from a segment broadcast on 1-1-85.



Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year !!!

1985 Rockin' Eve

Dick Clark was a fixture of New Year's Eve from the 70's through the mid 2000's. The original format were live shots of Dick in Times Square, juxtaposed with a taped Hollywood segment. Other shows tried to emulate his style (including MTV), but there could never be another substitute for the real McCoy. Here is the countdown to 1985 as it was broadcast live.

A Halloween Treat

Let's take another deep-dive into the cavernous VistaVueLounge video vault for another gem from 1986. ABC's Our World presented a classic and award winning episode entitled Halloween: 1938. Here's a description from the book Special Edition A guide to Network Television and Special News Reports, 1980-1989 by Daniel Einstein:

Recalling Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre broadcast of H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds on 10/30/38. Featured are interviews with Welles and one of his rapt listeners, Steve Allen. Also examined: the world prepares for war. Emmy winner: Outstanding Individual Achievement (writing: Linda Ellerbee and Ray Gandolf).

Other events covered included the Hurricane of '38, and a prelude to the upcoming war in Europe. This is a great show! Enjoy (and Happy Halloween) !

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The Summer of '69

We've lost quite a few famous folk this summer...Ed McMahon, Walter Cronkite, Don Hewitt, and now Ted Kennedy. All played an important part in the halcyon days prior the start of the '70s (I refer to that time as the "lost decade"). As we come towards the end of another summer, this is a good opportunity to reflect on things and past events...so why not 1969!

In 1986, ABC was up against stiff competition on Thursday nights. The Cosby Show was so far ahead in the ratings. No other show could stop it. ABC offered a sacrificial lamb by creating a new and novel show...Our World. This wonderfully produced and edited show was a low-cost vehicle, using ABC News footage and video. Here's how the book Special Edition described it:

The concept of Our World was a simple one. Each broadcast would recall a significant moment in history (a day, a week, a month, a season) and would bring to the screen the challenges, textures, and lifestyles of a era passed. It would describe events with carefully chosen archival images and interviews with witnesses and place them all into a current perspective and context. The series would encompass every facet of American life, including politics, technology, music, business, fashion, sports, science, and art.

The show was written and hosted by veterans Linda Ellerbee and Ray Gandolf. It was widely hailed by critics, but unfortunately lasted only a single season. Since I was not a fan of Cosby, I taped and watched every single episode.

The episode presented here (without the commercials...except for the very end) is the premiere. It was broadcast by ABC on September 25, 1986. Here is the show description (from Special Edition):

THE SUMMER OF '69
Recalling the flight of Apollo 11 and man's first walk on the moon; the Woodstock rock festival; the Vietnam War divides the nation; the "amazin" New York Mets win the World Series; Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick; the Manson Family murder case; the death and funeral of Judy Garland.

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I'll be away for a few days, enjoying the last gasp of the summer of 2009. See you sometime next week!