Author Archives: Tom Garrett

Awkward Moments in Entertainment History: Pat Boone Wigs Out

Pat Boone was one of the most commercially-successful musical artists of the late 1950’s.  He spawned numerous Top Ten hits, including an impressive total of six songs that reached #1 on the U. S. charts. As his core audience began to … Continue reading

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Ahead of Its Time

Magnum, p.i. circa 1984: T. C. sends a text message.

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No Laughing Matter

Seen at the Richmond International House of Airplanes Airport: Upon arriving at the security checkpoint, I announced loudly that “A priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into an airport . . . ” at which point I was quickly … Continue reading

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Awkward Moments in Entertainment History: Arthur Godfrey Fires Julius La Rosa

The television landscape of the 1950’s looked nothing like what we know as the medium today.  Putting aside the technological advances of the past half-century[1], the biggest difference between that time and the present is audience fragmentation. Greater choices within … Continue reading

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Rules

I experienced something instructive while covering a high school baseball tournament a few months back.  Our local minor league baseball team graciously afforded its stadium for use in the event. The stadium closes its upper deck for purposes of the … Continue reading

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The Laziest Thing I’ve Seen This Year

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Revenge of the Nerds

What set Money in the Bank apart from the standard professional wrestling events of the past few years wasn’t the hot crowd in Chicago, or the slick production values, or even the great in-ring work.  Every WWE pay-per-view features at … Continue reading

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Portrait of a Cereal Killer

My “normal” eating habits properly may be called neither “great” nor “terrible.” I certainly overeat on occasion.  I also rarely eat a lot of sugar.   I don’t eat as many vegetables as I should.  I do make a point … Continue reading

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Talking Points FTW

Opposition leader Edward Miliband of the UK Labour Party does us the favor of breaking off a little piece of what sometimes makes modern politics so depressing (comical?).  Here are his responses to a series of questions in the wake … Continue reading

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Freedom (of Gluttony)

As a tip of the cap to our nation’s birthday, as well as to the industrious spirit that made our country great, I present one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen on television.  Not “greatest shows” or “greatest competitions.” … Continue reading

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