July 9th

Do we need a Jon Stewart or a Bill Maher to tell us what to think? Are they the wise sages of our times? Is ugliness from them permeating our society. Why do they constantly bash anyone who's political ideology doesn't fit the mode of Manhattan and Hollywood? I remember a time when people who made their livings as comedians made people laugh and not smear people because they wanted to rid our great grandchildren of an obscene debt that the feds have incurred the past 10 years. I remember late night talk shows that were truly funny. Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, and Merv Griffin could touch on politics without the mean spirited jargon of David Letterman. Is it me or is David Letterman getting less relevent and less funny as time goes by? Johnny Carson always looked like he was having a great time on the "Tonight Show." Letterman looks like he'd rather be anywhere but where he is most nights. Conan O'Brien on TBS and Jimmy Fallon who took Conan's time slot on NBC are genuine contemporary comedians. I long for the days of Ed McMahon saying "hereee'sssss Johnny!" right after the 11 p.m. news. I miss Johnny Carson's characters like Art Fern, Floyd Turbow, and the Great Carsoni. Dick Clark gave me a guest shot on an NBC show in the early '90's called "Hot Country Nights" and it was taped in beautiful downtown Burbank at the NBC studios. The studio was the same one where Red Foxx did "Sanford and Son." Right next door was where the "Tonight Show" was taped. I was taken to that studio between takes of the Dick Clark production and I sat briefly behind Johnny Carson's desk. On our class trip to NBC at 20 Rockefeller Center in 1969 when the "Tonight Show" was recorded in New York City, I sat behind Mr. Carson's chair for the first time. If I could have met any celebrity in my lifetime it would have been Johnny Carson, Bob Hope and Elvis. Johnny Carson was a small town boy from Nebraska who made good by keeping his small town values and ideologies. When you turned off the set when Johnny Carson's program was over it made for a happy ending to your day. If I try to watch Jon Stewart or Bill Maher before bedtime, I'll need Tums, Pepto Bismol or Alka Seltzer. Do any of you long for the days of the Nashville Network? Ralph Emery has been a friend for the better part of 30 years. His show "Nashville Now" was a terrific blend of music and family entertainment. Ralph can be seen now on RFD TV and he still is quite active in Music City. I wonder what happened to the genre of television variety shows and the fact that games shows are getting fewer and fewer. I loved "Concentration" hosted by Hugh Downs on NBC and Allen Luden's "Password." John Daly was a great ringmaster keeping the show moving on "What's My Line." Did you know that Merv Griffin came up with "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" as a young man recalling the games he and his sister made up while going on family trips? Merv was a kazillionaire because of his empire of game shows. He once owned Paradise Island in Nassau in the Bahamas from his fortune in game shows. He died a few years ago a very wealthy man. I liked his talk show too because he had Arthur Treacher as his sidekick and he had great music acts and truly funny and compelling guests. I have a DVD collection of the "Merv Griffin Show" and Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show." I miss the days of Dinah Shore's daytime talk show. Do you remember when we saw Burt Reynolds who was 20 years younger than Ms. Shore fall in love right on national television? I guess reality television has now taken over. I can't see much redeeming value to the "Housewives of New York, Orange County, New Jersey, Atlanta, or Buncombe." Congratulations to the winner of the Powerball drawing on the 28th of June who purchased the $77 million dollar ticket at the Pilot Travel Center on Georgia Highway 100 just off I-20. Wasn't the parade last Monday terrific? I really believe Sheriff Eddie Mixon is in cahoots with area dentists with how much candy was thrown to parade goers from his float Monday afternoon. The fireworks Monday night was enjoyed from the front yard. Kudos to the city for the spectacular show. Are any of you in a shock on the outcome of the trial down in Orlando last Tuesday? The cable news network HLN had their highest ratings ever for the weeks long trial. If we don't see Nancy Grace for a while it will be ok with many of us. I got a very nice email from John Hutcheson who's grandfather Dewell Hutcheson ran the soda fountain at Robert's Pharmacy back in the day. He made the best lemon sours, orange smashes, and ice cream sodas a lot of us ever experienced. If I have a plumbing problem in Cobb County, I might see one in a couple of days. Tallapoosa is blessed to have Richard Gentry.