American Television

America pervades television program titles.  Indeed, examples are plentiful. America’s Next Top Model, America’s Most Wanted, American Chopper, American Inventor, American Masters, American Hot Rod, American Justice, America’s Got Talent, American...

Before He Was Colonel Potter

Before he was Colonel Potter on M*A*S*H, Harry Morgan was one of Hollywood’s cornerstone character actors.  He shared the silver screen with legends. Inherit the Wind with Spencer Tracy.  High Noon with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.  The Glenn Miller Story with...

“L.A. Law” Retrospective (Part 6 of 8)

In Teleliteracy is Here…So Telefriend, Chapter 14 of his 1992 book Teleliteracy, television critic David Bianculli raises the issue of television programming rivaling literature for intelligence. “Authors of written literature reveal their own enthusiasms...

James Bond: Spoofs, Parodies, and Parallels

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then James Bond should be very flattered indeed. Bond’s popular culture icon status inspired spoofs, parodies, and parallels aplenty.  Roger Moore portrayed Bond in the 1970s and 1980s.  He also portrayed a Bondish...

The Lone Ranger – Green Hornet Connection

The Lone Ranger’s origin is a story of vengeance.  Captain Dan Reid of the Texas Rangers leads a squad to pursue legendary outlaw Butch Cavendish.  A double-crossing guide leads the Rangers into a trap at Bryant’s Gap. Cavendish’s gang then ambushes...