They Might Be Tiny Toons

For your viewing pleasure, here is "Particle Man". In case you've never seen this clip or heard the song, it's basically a music video from "Tiny Toon Adventures" of the They Might Be Giants song of the same name, with Plucky Duck as the title character. The video was directed by Art Vitello, one of the top "TTA" directors. It originally aired on February 1, 1991.

Calling All Good Guys!

Tipping you all off that XM Radio's Channel 6 is doing a salute to WMCA this Friday from 4-9 p.m. Eastern. WMCA was sort of the weak sister to WABC in New York radio in the 60's, but the station did have its charms and I daresay I listened as much to WMCA as I did to WABC back then. They had the "Good Guy" airstaff that included Harry Harrison (before he jumped ship to WABC), Dan Daniel, B. Mitchell Reed, Gary Stevens, Jack Spector, Joe O'Brien, etc. The station had an incredible soundscape featuring jingles that were created by Johnny Mann, shortly before he helped create the "Boss Radio" sound with his jingles for KHJ in Los Angeles. The Good Guys were noted for their Noo Yawk attitude (since the signal of WMCA didn't have the reach of WABC, they could afford to be local) and the coveted Good Guys Sweatshirt.

Unfortunately for radio fans, WMCA went talk in the early 1970's (with the likes of Barry Gray and Long John Nebel) and is now a religious station (under the same ownership as Bwana Johnny's old stomping grounds, 970 WWDJ) - but reportedly they've gone back to using some of the old Johnny Mann jingles for kitsch value!

Memories Of Hela

Earl Kress, in his relatively new blog, reveals that he used to be an engineer and puppeteer with The New Jersey Network, and discusses a puppet show he used to work on with Hela Young (who was then known as Hela Yungst). Hela, of course, was best known to NJN viewers as the lottery hostess for 25 years, from 1976-2001, who passed away on February 24, 2002.

There's other neat items on his blog about Hanna-Barbera cartoon history so go check it out. Now. I'll wait.

6992 + 8 = 7000

We have changed our No No-Hitter number. Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen mentioned that tonight's game was the 7000th in Mets history, and upon further research, we discovered that the Mets had played eight games that ended in ties, and thus would not show up in the won/loss record. Therefore, it is now 7000 games without a no-hitter. That's enough of those kind of games, don't you think?

#6998: Bannister No-Hitter Broken Up...

Almost immediately after Gary Cohen, on SNY, said the Mets have never had a no-hitter in 44 years plus one game.

Thank you. Not.

Jinx.

Wilford Brimley, Rap Star?

Those of use who have to sit through his almost-every-break spots for Liberty Medical on "The Price is Right" every day - and especially those of us who are diabetics and don't have to get our supplies from them - will appreciate this one. It's called "The Beetis."

Six Months Goes By Too Fast

Today is the six-month anniversary of the passing of Nancy. The reason I mention this is because we still need to keep up the breast cancer fight on her behalf. The most heartening moments during those emotional early weeks of October and November were the periodic notices I'd receive from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation that some kind soul thought enough of Nancy to give some money to the cause. Thank you.

That Time Of Year Again

As the calendar turns to April, we turn our attentions to a brand new baseball season, specifically, that of the New York Mets.

I may polarize a lot of my friends, but I really cannot abide the Yankees. From the fake jerseys marketed to kids with names on the back to their haughty TV and radio announcers, there's a lot to despise before you even get to the holier-than-thou attitude of most Yankees fans.

However, my true friends bleed Mets blue, black and orange. You all know who you are.

What continues to rankle us is that the New York Mets have still not pitched a no-hit game in their existence. The little sidebar denoting games without a no-hitter will be hopefully done away with this season. The Mets have had a great spring training and there is a lot to be optimistic about, including the prospects of that no-hitter. However, we will continue to maintain the counter as long as Mets pitchers cough up at least one hit per game. Enjoy the season and maybe we'll see you at some games this summer.