LEAGUE OF THEMSELVES - ROBERT WAGNER

ROBERT WAGNER

From Wikipedia:

Robert John Wagner, Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor of stage, screen, and television, best known for starring in the television shows 'It Takes a Thief' (1968–70), 'Switch' (1975–78), and 'Hart to Hart' (1979–84). In movies, Wagner is known for his role as Number Two in the "Austin Powers" trilogy of films (1997, 1999, 2002). He also had a recurring role as Teddy Leopold on the TV sitcom 'Two and a Half Men'.

Wagner's autobiography, "Pieces of My Heart: A Life", written with author Scott Eyman, was published on September 23, 2008.

AS SEEN IN:

'Futurama'

"Calculon 2.0"

SYNOPSIS:

Like many celebrities in the future of the Tooniverse, Robert Wagner was cloned back to life as just a head in a jar, injected with false and/or artificial memory implants of his past life.  

When it was decided that the late robot actor Calculon no longer deserved to have a star on the Walk of Fame in 3013, it was removed and replaced by yet another star for Wagner.

BCnU!

THE HAT SQUAD: REMEMBERING PAGE MORTON BLACK

Page Morton Black passed away earlier this week at the age of 97.  For the younger members of Team Toobworld, that name probably draws a blank.  I would not be surprised if the same holds true for many of the older visitors to Inner Toob.

Ms. Black was the voice for Chock Full O' Nuts, that heavenly coffee*.  She sang the blipvert's jingle for years.

But the commercials also played with variations on that winning formula, with this one that especially caught my eye as a televisiologist:

There have been other versions of Pinocchio in the TV Universe, including 'Once Upon A Time' (in which he's now dead, as far as I know.)  Whichever televersion is the one accepted as the official portrayal in Earth Prime-Time, this blipvert could be considered part of that same story.  Even though he would look differently, the splainin could be that his "spirit" was transferred into the new wooden body carved by Gepetto until repairs could be made to the original.

As for the character played by Ms. Black?  She may be dressed like Snow White, but Pinocchio calls her "Page" in this commercial.  However, based on her fashions and the home's interior design, she must be an ancestor to Page Morton Black, not Ms. Black herself.

Which is a good thing, because we all know why she liked having Pinocchio around, don't we?  Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink! 

And that wouldn't be very respectful if she was supposed to be Page Morton Black.

Awww, who am I kidding?  It's not respectful in any way!

BCnU!

* I'll take the ad's word for it since I don't drink coffee.....

DATELINE: SKITLANDIA - "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER"

Here's some video goodness that came out of the San Diego Comic-Con......

SUPER DRAMATIC BLIPVERTS

It's time to make the donuts.....

An early role for James Nesbitt in that last one.  He made two commercials for the Yellow Pages, one in 2004 and the other in 2005.....

BCnU!

CLASSIC TELEVISION THEATER - "THE ODD COUPLE MEET THEIR HOST"

Here's today's showcase in the League of Themselves:

LEAGUE OF THEMSELVES - DAVID STEINBERG

DAVID STEINBERG

From Wikipedia:

David Steinberg (born August 9, 1942) is a Canadian comedian, actor, writer, director, and author. At the height of his popularity, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was one of the best-known stand-up comics in the United States. 

He appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' more than 130 times (second only to Bob Hope in number of appearances) and served as guest host 12 times, the youngest person ever to guest-host. 

Steinberg directed several films and episodes of many of the most successful television situation comedies of the last twenty years, including 'Seinfeld', 'Friends', 'Mad About You', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', and more than 35 episodes of 'Designing Women'.

Since 2012, Steinberg has hosted the interview program 'Inside Comedy' on the Showtime network.

AS SEEN IN:

'The Odd Couple'

"The Odd Couple Meet Their Host"

SYNOPSIS:

Felix convinces Oscar to be a guest on Steinberg's talk show and then gets "moody" when Oscar tells stories about Felix.

BCnU!

CLASSIC TELEVISION THEATER - LOU GRANT READS RAYMOND CHANDLER

Earlier this week, Inner Toob noted the 125th anniversary of Raymond Chandler's birth.  So I thought it only fitting that we replayed the episode of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' in which Lou Grant read the opening paragraph to "Red Wind".

So here is "Mary The Writer" in its entirety.  But if you're only interested in the Chandler bit, skip ahead to 8:15 in the show.......

BCnU!

AS BILL CRIDER WOULD SAY, "CRIMSON LANDSLIDE" WBAGNFAB

Even when you can get a corporation to respond to your "complaints", it's rarely done with such humor and panache......

THE COMPLAINT:

THE RESPONSE:

BCnU!

#9000 - MUPPET MISSIVES TO THE ROYAL WHELP

Now that the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis is now officially part of the TV Landscape (thanks to 'EastEnders'), other Toobworld characters are noting it as well.....

I apologize if the video doesn't fit into my blog's frame......

BCnU!

THIS IS "INNER TOOB" POST NUMBER 9000!

OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

For this week's 'Doctor Who' content, here's a fan-made video for an all-new opening credit sequence:

With a new Doctor to be introduced at the end of the Christmas special, I think the series needs a bold, new look to open the show.  This could be the way to go.....

BCnU!