The Time Has Come, Jenny Jefferson...Part 1

We were watching Six Feet Under last night, and there upon the screen was Jenny Jefferson (Belinda Tolbert). I thought, man, you really don't see many of the surviving Jeffersons on TV anymore. You might catch Sherman Hemsley or Marla Gibbs doing TVLAND shows, like the new Back To The Grind, but that's about it these days. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see the second (phoney) Lionel in a Geico ad. Anyhow, it made me realize that I really haven't done a proper post on the Jeffersons. This is one of my all time favorite TV shows. Sure, I've seen all of the episodes numerous times - and I do mean numerous - but I feel that you reach a new dimension of enjoyment when you become that familiar with a piece of entertainment - or art, for you highbrows. So I don't want to just rehash the usual stuff that you see all of the time on "retro tv" sites, etc. I want to give you a glimpse of my, um, well, no, obsession is a bit strong, but, well, ok, maybe, but, you know, my interest in the show.

I'll start with Bob Dudno. Don't remember him, do you? That's because he really wasn't on the show. He was a co-worker that Tom Willis would sometimes tell stories about. I guy that worked with him at Pelham Publishing. Bob was always besting Tom, much to his chagrin, even if it was just grabbing the last creamer when Tom was ahead of him in line for coffee. Usually a retort with a play on his last name followed: "Oh, he claims not to have known, but Dudno Did Know!!" A real laugh riot, see?

I also enjoy the multi-part episodes that featured the Jeffersons traveling. They went to Hawaii, Los Angeles and on a whodunit cruise with famous mystery novelists. There was also a one part episode in Atlantic city. The afficianado will note that Garrett Morris, playing George And Louise's "step-son" Jimmy, appeared in both the Los Angeles and Atlantic City travel-eps. Greg Morris from TV's Mission Impossible joined them on the former as Jimmy's cousin.

The whodunit cruise featured Russell "the professor" Johnson and Edie McClurg as famous mystery novelists. I like this one because George has to pose as one of the famous novelists to be on the cruise. He comes up with great fake book titles like, "In By 9, Dead By Five" and "Bloodstains, No Problem." See, he was a dry cleaner. Another laugh riot. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, "The Stiff Wore Starch."

We'll pick up here next time...

TV Guide Vintage Christmas Issue 1972 Partridge Family

Vintage TV Guide December 23-29, 1972

Cover: Christmas Issue

* Includes A Fab Article On The Partridge Family's Visit To King's Island Amusement Park In Cincinnati, Ohio. The Family Was There To Film An Upcoming Episode For Their Television Series, Starring David Cassidy. The Classic TV Fan Will Note, That The Rival Brady Bunch Filmed An Episode There, As Well. Who Can Forget The Mad Dash Through The Park, Everyone Passing That Yogi Bear Poster Off Like A Relay Race. Also, Please Note That The Park Was Sponsored By Hanna-Barbera, Creators Of The Banana Splits, Who Incidentally, Can Be Seen Roaming Through The Park In The Brady Bunch Episodes. This Adds Further Credence To My Long-Held Belief That There Is An Odd Connection Between The Banana Splits And The Brady Bunch. You Might Notice That Both Bananas And Bradys Do Indeed Come In Bunches. At The Risk Of Over Illuminating, I Can Not Go Without Mentioning That Sid And Marty Krofft Designed The Banana Splits Costumes For Hanna- Barbera. They Were Also The Creative Geniuses Behind The Epically Bad Brady Bunch Variety Hour. Are You Starting To Put It All Together?

Publisher: Triangle Publications

Condition: See Scans For Cover Condition - Intact And Complete - Crossword Not Worked - Notice Creasing And Small Tear At Front Cover Staple - A Few Pages Have Some Notes In Pen

Please Feel Free To Ask Questions!

Gidget

Sandra Dee was the original actress to portray surf-crazy teen, Gidget Lawrence, but my money's on Sally Field for making Gidget so, well, Gidgety. Dee was great in the movie, but Field gave us the most consistent and longest-running portrayal on the 32 episodes of the TV show. By the way, the actual Gidget is the daughter of the man who wrote the book, Frederick Kohner. If you have not read the book, you might give it a shot. It's not nearly as campy and bubblegum as the small and big screen adaptations. It was actually considered a bit salty for it's time.

A bunch of sequels to the original film were made with different actresses, most notable being Deborah Walley. There were even some made for TV films and an attempt at a 1980's television series. None of these were very good, but Gidget Goes Hawaiian starring Walley is a pretty fun film.

This post is dedicated to our dogs, Gidget and Moondoggie...

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eBay: Space 1999 DVD Set 2 FREE SHIPPING Gerry Anderson TV

Vintage Science Fiction Television At The Umbrella Shoppe!

eBay: Space 1999 DVD Set 2 FREE SHIPPING Gerry Anderson Program

4 8 15 16 23 42

It's Wednesday, and in the Umbrella House, that means LOST! Yep, we're still hanging in there. I guess there is already shark-jumping talk about Lost. What do you think? I'm still interested, so far, but I felt a little let down when the "hatch" was abandoned. I mean, this seemed to be the center of the Lost universe for so long!! Remember how you felt when you first realized there was an apartment in there?!?!?! Those kind of "what the heck?" moments seem to be fewer and farther between, but when they saw Jack playing football in that Brady Bunch-looking backyard, well, that came pretty close.

I still want to know more about Hugo, those numbers, and that guy in the institution that kept mumbling them over and over. I am hoping that the creators of the show don't cop out Twin Peaks-style....That would suck....

Who Loves Ya Baby??
E$ Does, That's Who...

Courtship Of Eddie's Father

"People let me tell you bout my best friend..." Ahhh yes, that sweet song, written by Harry Nilsson, began the beloved show, The Courtship Of Eddie's Father. Bill Bixby, later of The Incredible Hulk, played single-dad to the loveable Eddie, who, in turn, would try to fix his dad up with a steady flow of bride-to-bes. Jodie Foster made scattered appearances as Eddie's pal Joey. Pal Joey, get it?? Anyway, they also had a housekeeper, Mrs. Livingston, to keep an eye on the bachelors. This brings me thus and forthwith: WHY ISN'T THIS SHOW ON DVD??? Rise up, people. Make your voices heard. No longer will you softly accept your fate. You will ride to victory!!!

Who Loves Ya Baby?
E$ Does

Oh, Bob?

And then there's Bob!

Where's this guy been? Do you remember a time when everyone was talking about this man? Remember how scary he seemed. Seems like a guy from a Kevin Smith movie now.

Who Loves Ya Baby?
E$ Does

Top Of The Muffin TV Viewing Paradox

Good Morning Contestants! Here at The Umbrella Fonzie Experiment, we take our TV viewing two ways: deadly serious and never serious. Example: I have named my DVR as executor of my will. BUT, I can watch a full episode of "Charles In Charge" without fast forwarding. Make sense? Here's another example: We are depressed that television analog signals will soon be a fuzzy, yet warm, memory from our past. BUT, we were also depressed when we got to the last episode of "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" when it was aired on TVLAND. See? I call this the Umbrella Family TV Viewing Attitude Paradox. I have found that it makes a nice rule of thumb for life: 1.Find what you love. 2.Do it with maniacal zeal. 3.Don't forget to take the time to laugh at what you are doing. Just another friendly PSA from your friends under the Umbrella.

Who Loves Ya Baby
E$

CHiPs On DVD!!

PONCH!!! JOHN!!!

Introductions By Erik Estrada!!!

CHiPs...Why Did It Always Look So Grainy??

Season 1 Out Now On DVD!!!

Click For More Info!!

Who Loves Ya Baby?
E$

Where Is Season 2 Of NIGHT GALLERY On DVD??

Does anyone know if season 2 of Night Gallery is going to come out on DVD?? I really like this show, although some episodes are much better than others. On some levels, the "Sin Eater" episode with Richard Thomas has to be the scariest thing I have EVER seen. And this was on NETWORK TELEVISION people!! Now they slop out this reality TV and expect it to be shocking. PLEASE. I urge you to check out Serling and Chayefsky and all of those great writers from the Golden Age...


Who Loves Ya Baby?
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