• Comedian Tracey Ullman got her first job, helping out at a local bakery, when she was 14. Unfortunately, she didn’t last long at the job—whenever she had to put cream cakes into bags, she insisted on licking the excess icing off her fingers.
• As a youngster, comedian Richard Pryor used to perform in school talent shows. His talent for making people laugh made itself known early, and the school auditorium was packed with kids waiting for young Richard to rehearse.
• Comedian Beatrice Lillie once wore a $10,000 diamond ring. Child actor Brandon De Wilde looked at it and was properly impressed, saying, “Gosh, I bet that cost $100.”
• Jack Benny used to pretend that his car wouldn’t start without a kiss. Of course, after his little daughter gave him a kiss, the car started right up.
Christmas
• Lou Costello of Abbott and Costello fame really got into Christmas, setting up an elaborate Christmas display each year with angels, music, reindeer, and many hundreds of Christmas lights. Comedian George Gobel lived across the street from Mr. Costello. Mr. Gobel did nothing for Christmas except to put up a sign that said, “See our display across the street.”
Clothing
• Some stand-up comedians pay too much attention to what they wear. Comedian Jay Sankey met a comedian who tried to dress in a way that supported his on-stage character (an excellent idea), but who then asked Mr. Sankey what the audience would think of his shoes. Mr. Sankey replied, “If they notice your shoes, you aren’t funny.”
• Suzanne Rand of the improvisational team Monteith and Rand had a grandmother who bought her incredibly sexy underwear. One day she wore some of the underwear to bed, and when she got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, she looked down and noticed that her crotch was glowing.
• Groucho Marx owned a photograph of a young Harpo Marx. In it, Harpo is wearing mittens and holding a gentleman’s leather glove in his hands. Why? According to Groucho, “Harpo heard early in life that a gentleman never appears in public without holding a glove.”
• When Carol Burnett was growing up, she lived with her grandmother in a small apartment—so small that young Carol hung her clothes in the shower. For years, whenever Carol put on her clothing, it was slightly damp.
• Beatrice Lillie once dressed in a long formal gown and gave a serious recitation in front of Ethel Barrymore—before lifting her skirt and roller-skating off the stage.
Competition
• Vaudeville comedians often tried to steal laughs from each other. One day, when W.C. Fields was doing his famous pool game routine on stage, Ed Wynn sneaked under the table and began mugging to get laughs. Mr. Fields continued with his act and waited until Mr. Wynn stuck his head out from under the pool table, then swung the cue stick and hit Mr. Wynn hard. The audience thought it was part of the act and howled every time Mr. Wynn moaned. After this incident, Mr. Wynn stopped sneaking under Mr. Fields’ pool table.
• Early in Bob Newhart’s career, after he had become the hottest comedian in show business, he used to watch the comedians on The Ed Sullivan Show to size up the competition. Week after week, he watched the comedians and said, “Well, fella, you’re OK, but not socko. We know who’s still number one.” But after watching a young comedian named Bill Cosby on Ed Sullivan, Mr. Newhart said, “Good luck, kid. Take it and run with it awhile.”
Contracts
• When comedian/singer Fanny Brice was given a contract by the great theatrical producer Florenz “Flo” Ziegfeld, she wore it out by constantly showing it to her family, friends, acquaintances, and total strangers. Mr. Ziegfeld gave her a new copy of the contract, but when she wore that one out, too, he declined to give her any more written contracts. Ms. Brice kept on working for Mr. Ziegfeld for several years, but their contracts were all verbal, not written.
Considered by some food historians as the first junk food, Cracker Jack introduced two mascots in 1916, Sailor Jack and his dog. What is the name of Sailor Jack's dog?
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's vibrating lips (embouchure) cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate. Unlike most other brass instruments, which have valves that, when pressed, alter the pitch of the instrument, trombones instead have a telescoping slide mechanism that varies the length of the instrument to change the pitch. However, many modern trombone models also have a valve attachment which lowers the pitch of the instrument. Variants such as the valve trombone and superbone have three valves similar to those on the trumpet.
The word "trombone" derives from Italian Tromba (trumpet) and -one (a suffix meaning "large"), so the name means "large trumpet". The trombone has a predominantly cylindrical bore like its valved counterpart, the baritone, in contrast to its conical valved counterparts: the cornet, the euphonium, and the French horn.
During the Renaissance, the equivalent English term was "sackbut". The word first appears in court records in 1495 as "shakbusshe" at about the time King Henry VII married a Portuguese princess who brought musicians with her. "Shakbusshe" is similar to "sacabuche", attested in Spain as early as 1478. The French equivalent "saqueboute" appears in 1466.
The sackbut was used extensively across Europe, from its appearance in the 15th century to a decline in most places by the mid-late 17th century. It was used in outdoor events, in concert, and in liturgical settings. With trumpeters, trombonists in German city-states were employed as civil officials. As officials, these trombonists were often relegated to standing watch in the city towers but would also herald the arrival of important people to the city. This is similar to the role of a military bugler and was used as a sign of wealth and strength in 16th century German cities.
Source
Mark. was first, and correct, with:
Trombone.
Randall wrote:
Trombone
Jacqueline said:
Trombone
Alan J answered:
A Trombone.
Billy in Cypress responded:
The trombone
zorch replied:
A sackbut is a trombone.
Dave said:
Trombone. Google told me.
Jim from CA, retired to ID, wrote:
The sackbut is a trombone from the Renaissance and Baroque eras
Deborah, the Master Gardener replied:
The name alone — sackbut — is humorous. It’s also a kind of trombone. Thank you, Wikipedia.
Seasonal and setting up for another rain storm to move in later today.
Seen on Twitter: Not to get technical, but chemistry says that alcohol is a solution.
Happy Hump Day!
Rosemary in Columbus responded:
Trombone
Barbara, of Peppy Tech fame said:
The answer is trombone.
Cal in Vermont wrote:
The slide trombone.
Joe answered:
Trombone. I can't believe I didn't answer yesterday's quiz. I knew the answer. I thought I answered, oh well. I wanted to play the trombone in junior high but I thought I was too small.
I took up the drum.
Mac Mac took the day off.
Dave in Tucson took the day off.
Michelle in AZ took the day off.
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mj took the day off.
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Ed K took the day off.
Roy, your Libtard, Snowflake friend isolating in Tyler, TX took the day off.
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Micki took the day off.
Angelo D took the day off.
Harry M. took the day off.
George M. took the day off.
Gary K took the day off.
Roy the (now retired) hoghead (aka 'hoghed') ( Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ~Frank Zappa ) took the day off.
Saskplanner took the day off.
Gateway Mike took the day off.
Steve in Wonderful Sacramento, CA, took the day off.
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BttbBob has returned to semi-retired status.
~~~~~
Info: From the soon-to-be-released RICK LAWNDALE UNPLUGGED VOLUME 2
Featuring Gene Williams on guitar
“In addition to performing in electrified surf rock and country bands such as Lawndale and The Rick Lawndale Band as well as cover bands such as Backtracks and, Nation Culture, Rick has always maintained an interest in acoustic music. His first live performances, in fact, were at the open mics of such legendary clubs as the Palomino and The Improv in the early 1980's.”
Another joyous afternoon spent at the laundromat-of-the-darned.
Tonight, Thursday:
CBS opens the night with a FRESH'Young Sheldon', followed by a FRESH'B Positive', then a FRESH'Mom', followed by a FRESH'The Unicorn', then a FRESH'Star Trek: Discovery'.
Scheduled on a FRESHStephen Colbert are Joe Biden, Jill Biden, and Jon Batiste.
Scheduled on a FRESHJames Corden, OBE, are Gal Gadot and Smith & Burrows.
NBC begins the night with the made-for-TV-movie 'Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colors', followed by 'Dateline'.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Fallon are Paul McCartney, Pedro Pascal, and the Voidz.
Scheduled on a FRESHSeth Meyers are Kristen Wiig and Carrie Underwood.
On a RERUNLilly Singh (from 1/14/20) are Francia Raisa and Debby Ryan.
ABC starts the night with a FRESH'Station 19', followed by a FRESH'Grey's Anatomy', then a FRESH'A Million Little Things'.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Kimmel are Viola Davis, Daveed Diggs, and the Bird and the Bee featuring Dave Grohl.
The CW offers the FRESH'Dogs Of The Year', followed by a FRESH'Worlds Funniest Animals', then a RERUN'Worlds Funniest Animals'.
Faux fills the night with LIVE'Thursday Night Football', then pads the left coast with local crap.
MY recycles an old 'Dateline', followed by an old 'L&O: CI'.
A&E has 3 hours of old 'The First 48', followed by a FRESH'Killer Cases'.
AMC offers the movie 'The Year Without A Santa Claus', followed by the movie 'Polar Express', then the movie 'Scrooged'.
BBC -
[6:00AM - 11:00AM] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
[12:00PM - 5:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
[6:00PM] THE OUTSIDERS
[8:00PM] GOODFELLAS
[11:00PM] THE OUTSIDERS
[1:00AM] GOODFELLAS
[4:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
[5:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION (ALL TIMES ET)
Bravo has 'Southern Charm', followed by a FRESH'Southern Charm', then another FRESH'Southern Charm', followed by a FRESH'Watch What Happens: Live'.
FX has the movie 'The Equalizer 2', followed by the movie 'FX's A Christmas Carol'.
History has 'Swamp People: Serpent Invasion', 'Swamp People: Serpent Invasion', followed by a FRESH'Swamp People: Serpent Invasion', and 'Swamp People'.
IFC -
[6:00am - 9:30am] Community
[10:00am - 1:30pm] Parks And Recreation
[2:00pm - 5:30pm] Three's Company
[6:00pm - 12:30am] Two And A Half Men
[1:00am - 3:30am] Parks And Recreation
[4:00am - 5:30am] Community (ALL TIMES ET)
Sundance -
[6:00am - 10:00am] the andy griffith show
[10:30am] joyful noise
[1:00pm - 1:00am] law & order
[2:00am] hap and leonard: the two-bear mambo - Senorita Mambo
[3:00am] hap and leonard: the two-bear mambo - Mambo No. 5
[4:00am] hap and leonard: the two-bear mambo - Monsoon Mambo
[5:01am] the andy griffith show
[5:30am] the andy griffith show (ALL TIMES ET)
SyFy has the movie 'Red 2', followed by the movie 'The Day After Tomorrow'.
President Barack Obama shared his television watchlist, which included some of the year’s buzziest and award-winning shows.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, where the former POTUS also spoke about the writing process for his latest memoir A Promised Land, Obama revealed that among his favorite shows of the moment are The Boys, The Good Place, Better Call Saul and HBO’s Emmy-winning Watchmen.
“Better Call Saul, because of its great characters and examination of the dark side of the American dream. The Good Place — it’s a wise and sweet combination of goofy comedy and big philosophical questions. And Watchmen and The Boys, for how they turn superhero conventions on their heads to lay bare issues of race, capitalism, and the distorting effects of corporate power and mass media,” Obama said, when asked about the television titles that help him relax. “Oh, and the NBA playoffs — because it’s hoops!”
Not too long after Obama revealed his watch list, cast members and showrunners of the former president’s favorite shows reacted to the praise.
A sequel series to “Night Court” is in development at NBC, Variety has confirmed.
The followup to the classic sitcom will see original series star John Larroquette return as Dan Fielding. “Big Bang Theory” alum Melissa Rauch is attached as an executive producer on the series.
The new multi-cam show would follow unapologetic optimist judge Abby Stone, daughter of the original series character Harry Stone, as she follows in her father’s footsteps as she presides over the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court. She tries to bring order to its crew of oddballs and cynics, most notably former night court prosecutor Fielding (Larroquette). Harry Stone was played by Harry Anderson in the original series. Anderson passed away in 2018.
Dan Rubin is attached to write and executive produce the project. Rauch and her husband Winston Rauch will executive produce under their After January Productions banner. Larroquette will produce in addition to starring. Warner Bros. Television is the studio.
“Night Court” was created by Reinhold Weege. It ran on NBC from 1984-1992 for nine seasons and nearly 200 episodes. The series won seven Emmys throughout its run, including four for Larroquette in the best supporting actor in a comedy category.
Former President George W. Bush (R-Not Trump) has sent out holiday cards with a pointed message about a hopeful new year as President Donald Trump continues to deny his election loss.
The card, which was obtained by CNN, includes an image of Bush’s painting of the Statue of Liberty that is titled “Beacon of Hope, 2020” and part of his new art collection celebrating immigrants.
“May the light of the holiday season shine bright in your heart now and throughout the New Year,” the card’s message reads.
The painting and its title come from a former President who has in the past leveled veiled criticism against Trump’s immigration policies and was one of the first Republican figures to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his election win. Bush’s choice to make the Statue of Liberty central to his card is symbolic of his past critiques of Trump. The statue was often one of the first sights that new immigrants to America would see as they entered New York Harbor and contains a poem by Emma Lazarus that is famous for its phrase, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
The poem itself was targeted by a Trump administration official in 2019 who suggested it should be revised to only include immigrants “who can stand on their own two feet.”
Don't expect Christopher Walken to follow in Mandy Patinkin's footsteps and twerk on TikTok anytime soon, especially since the actor has never owned a cellphone or computer.
Appearing via Zoom to talk about his movie Wild Mountain Thyme on The Late Show, Walken told host Stephen Colbert, "Somebody had to come and set this up because I don't have a cellphone or a computer."
Intrigued, Colbert asked if Walken had a moral reason for avoiding technology.
"No, no," the 77-year-old responded. "I just got to it too late. I think I'm right at a certain age where it just passed me by. And I never got involved in it because it would be strange to have any 10-year-old be much better at it than I am."
The Oscar winner continued, saying cell phones were like watches because "if you need one, somebody else has got it."
A record number of journalists were imprisoned during 2020, as governments cracked down on coverage of the coronavirus pandemic or tried to suppress reporting of civil unrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Tuesday.
At least 274 journalists were in jail as of Dec. 1, the most since the New York-based group began collecting data in the early 1990s, the report said, up from at least 250 last year.
Protests and political tensions were the cause of many arrests, with the most made in China, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, it said.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, authoritarian leaders tried to control reporting by arresting journalists. At least two journalists died after contracting the disease in custody, the report said.
The report blamed a lack of global leadership on democratic values, and in particular attacks on the media by U.S. President Donald Trump, which it said gave cover to authoritarians to crack down on journalists in their own countries.
One of President Donald Trump (R-Loser)’s former Atlantic City casinos will be blown up next month, and for the right amount of money, you could be the one to press the button that brings it down.
The demolition of the former Trump Plaza casino will become a fundraiser to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City that the mayor hopes will raise in excess of $1 million
Opened in 1984, Trump's former casino was closed in 2014 and has fallen into such a state of disrepair that demolition work began earlier this year. The remainder of the structure will be dynamited on Jan. 29.
“Some of Atlantic City's iconic moments happened there, but on his way out, Donald Trump openly mocked Atlantic City, saying he made a lot of money and then got out,” said Mayor Marty Small. “I wanted to use the demolition of this place to raise money for charity.”
The Boys & Girls Club has hired a professional auction company to solicit bids from Thursday through Jan. 19, when the top bids will be revealed and a live auction will determine a winner. The organization provides after-school and summer recreation, education and career-training programs for Atlantic City children and teens.
More than 30,000 tremors have rocked Antarctica since the end of August, according to the University of Chile, a spike in seismic activity that has intrigued researchers who study the remote, snowbound continent.
Scientists with the university's National Seismological Center said the small quakes - including one stronger shake of magnitude 6 - were detected in the Bransfield Strait, a 60-mile wide (96-km) ocean channel between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Several tectonic plates and microplates meet near the strait, leading to frequent rumbling, but the past three months have been unusual, according to the center.
The shakes have become so frequent that the strait itself, once increasing in width at a rate of about 7 or 8 mm (0.30 inch) a year is now expanding 15 cm (6 inches) a year, the center said.
"It's a 20-fold increase ... which suggests that right this minute ... the Shetland Islands are separating more quickly from the Antarctic peninsula," said Sergio Barrientos, the center's director.
A farmer from a rural part of India's Madhya Pradesh became rich overnight after finding a 14.98 carat diamond in his leased land.
Lakhan Yadav, 45, of Krishna-Kalyanpur village in Madhya Pradesh sold the diamond for £61,330 at auction on Tuesday. Mr Yadav found the diamond in his land nearly 20 km away from his village.
Mr Yadav found the fortune in the 625 square feet of land that he had taken on lease from the government.
The farmer owns two hectares bought with the compensation money, two buffaloes, and now a motorcycle that he bought with the first payment he was given after depositing the diamond with the district administrion.
Mr Yadav, who is illiterate, now wants to spend the money to educate his children.
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responded:
has returned to semi-retired status.
In memory.
