Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Feb. 9, 1989, edition 1 / Page 17
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8DTHOmnibusThursday, February 9, 1989 Reminiscing about the Before Cosby years By WIKSTON LLOYD StaffWriter "I had to get up, get out from under 'cause life's too short. There's a new girl in town . . ." The mere mention of old 70s television shows inspired a stu dent to sing the "Alice" theme song. And junior Kristy McAlister from Chapel Hill knew all the words. People get nostalgic about their old favorites, which in many cases they realize were pretty bad. Its kind of like remembering all the words to some of the old disco stuff. Dont Donna Summer and K-Tel really bring back the memories? The number one television show for a few years back then somewhat of the Cosby Show of B.C TV (Before Cos) - featured a brewery, the Big Ragu, and Lenny and Squiggy. "Laverne & Shirley" is remembered by all and now despised by most. As well it should be. Obviously I like TV, and in most cases, if there is one in the room, I think it should be on. But if "laverne & Shirley" is all that's on, HI seriously consider destroying the set That show was at a time when hardly anything on televi sion was a critical success. Admittedly, there were some good shows Before Cosby. "All in the Family" was a critics' favorite, although the Meathead was hated more than the very conservative Archie. I suppose it was a harbinger of the Reagan years to come. from... Chapel Hill 102 West Franklin St. between Logos book store & Bruegger's Bagels 967-9068 Ice Cream CafcPlyn Then there was NBC. Before we all came home to the peacock network, for years we stayed away in droves: Fred Silverman, who had quit or been fired from all the other networks, was run ning NBC He was responsible for "Supertrain." What , was he think ing? in the culturally depraved 70s, a major form of transportation failed: the train system. Even the opulent Orient Express in Europe had shut down (it's running now though). "Supertrain" was "Hotel" on wheels. Trust me, it was beyond bad. NBC also had "Baa Baa Black Sheep." Not a ratings success, it can be found on cable from time to time. Robert Conrad was Pappy Boyington, the leader of a squad ron of misfits in the Pacific Thea tre of world War II. The writing ranged from dramatic and inter esting to silly and childish, when the network sent in nurses, with no acting ability, to boost the ratings. It didnt work. One senior remembered the show fondly, but McAlister said, "I didnt watch boy shows." Oh well, so much for demographics. The most notable thing about the show, later renamed "Black Sheep Squadron," is the people involved. It was written and created by Stephen J. Cannell and Donald P. Bellesario. Cannell is more prolific and diverse. "Baretta," "The Rockf ord Rles,""The A-Team" and "Wise guy" have all since sprung from his mind. Bellesario was more success ful. He gave us "Battlestar Galac tica" in 1978 and then the biggie, "Magnum, P.I." in 1981. The pilots of the black sheep have been around, too. Rick Wright and Mac (Larry Manetti and Jeff McKay) from "Magnum," Ed Begiey Jr. from "St. Elsewhere" and Dan Fielding (John Larroquette) of "Night Court" all flew against the Japanese in the Soloman islands. Manetti and Begiey also flew against the Cylons on "Galactica." The Battlestar which led the cattle train of space, had the same problem as the black sheep. Some Skip Lenoir's crunch By LESLEY BARTLETT StaffWriter . The excellent opportunity for fine lunchtime dining in a comfor table yet classy atmosphere is escaping most UNC students. But a few have wised up; instead of fighting with 100 rabid students over a table in Lenoir, they grab a to-go lunch from the Pit Stop, Lenoir, or the Union Station and take it downstairs to the Union Cabaret. Because the Cabaret is funded by student activity fees, each picnicker has free admission to the. beautifully-decorated and ; B.C. TV politically-charged episodes had Captain Apollo sounding like former California Gov. Reagan, "Strength alone can support free dom," others featured clownish robots and people wearing "Lost in Space"-looking silver suits. The writing lacked any form of con sistency. Dirk Benedict (you remember the womanizing Star buck whatta name, huh?), however, saw greater success on "The A-Team," the show that began NBC's rise from the base ment. Remember Murdock calling out for "Traaaash bags. I want some traaaaash baaagsl"? Brett Myers, a junior political science major from Asheville does. Think back on old shows, ' and you're bound to remember a line or situation from it. McAlister cites "The Love Boat" episode where a stunned Julie greets a passenger, "Hello, I'm Julie McCruise, your Coy Director." Sure it's silly, but that's the way it was. Jay wardlaw, a senior business major from Omaha, Neb., remembers the cute little cap tain's daughter, but "as she grew up, she got uglier, fatter." Likewise, junior Florence Beretich of Clinton recalls William Christopher (Father Mulcahy of "MASH") dressing as Hitler on "Hogan's Heroes" in order to fool Col. Klink. "I know nothing, nothing." How about "Donny and Marie'? Admit it, you watched it. You were young and stupid, and had no idea what you were doing. Marie was a little bit country and Donny was a little bit rock'n'roll. Now, Marie is a lotta bit country and Donny has no career. But then Donny became Michael Jackson, as all the Osmonds became all the Jacksons. I dont know what the point is, but l understand Marie is in Playboy this month. Likewise, some say that James Coburn and Lee Marvin are the same person, just like William Shatner, Robert Conrad, and that guy that played Buck Rogers in the late 70s. "Buck Rogers in the Twenty-Fifth Cen tury," where everyone wore skin- remarkably clean Lunch Cabaret. in addition, free entertainment is provided. Karen Moore, coordi nator of the Lunch Cabaret, sche- dules the line-up of what she calls "mellow performers" these are generally accoustic guitarists or pianists who also sing. Music types vary between folk, contemporary, classical, jazz, and blues some times all in one performance. The entertainers are students taken from a talent pool chosen during periodical audtitions. Audi tions were .held. Feb. 5, and the, Bill Cosby is in control tight clothes. "Beeda. Beeda. Beeda. way to go, Buck." . - "I got kind of tired of packing and unpacking, town to town, up and down the dial." The Big Guy, Dr. Fever and Venus Fly-Trap, made for a good show. But WKRP was gone after four seasons. Many people dont remember too much. They mention cartoons or children's shows: "Captain Cave man," "Scooby Doo," "Zoom," or "The Electric company." McAlister even remembered the "Sesame Street" song, and not just the chorus. Most recall these shows with smiles as they yell out, "Remember the time when Richie and Potsie got drunk at the bachelor party?" or "How you couldnt live past 30 on "Logan's Run"" Ask your roommate what he she used to watch. You might learn something about this person by what someone else recalls. And when you remember these things do lunch at next audition is projected to take place after Spring Break. However, Evening Cabaret director Billy Pizer encourages anyone who wishes to perform to come by room 200 in the union, "if we had someone really talented, we wouldnt turn them away." The Lunch Cabaret is on a four week trial to monitor its popular ity. It's currently open Monday through Wednesday from 1 1 :30 am. to 1:30 p.m., but these hours could change. If participation and turnroyt. are; jow,. the .Lunch of TV in the '80s. you havent thought of in years, other memories events or feelings may return, and you can experience that carefree feeling of childhood again. I found people talking about fifth grade or their Intellivision system. Then I remembered fourth grade when my mother grounded me from watching TV because I talked back to my teacher. But on Tuesday, my mother was at some meeting, and my Dad Jet me watch that episode of "Happy Days" when they were in-California and the Fonz had to water ski against this ski champ. Ah, memories. So, in 10 or 20 years someone may say. "Hey. remember that "Cheers" episode when woody was hitting on that rich snob's girl friend?" And the memories will come to you.. . "Yeah. I had to go get a damn measles shot that week." the Cabaret Cabaret will decrease its hours or close altogether. But, as Pizer says, "If demand picks up, it could be opened up for longer. It just depends on the demand.' The Lunch cabaret offers an opportunity to study, meet with friends, or simply relax during your lunch hour. Everyone is encour aged tor escape from the tyranny of Lenoir and the the Pit's incle ment weather to the Cabaret's warmth and space, it's the best place on campus to be "out to lunch."
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 9, 1989, edition 1
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