TV Now and Then: Some things just never change

Good morning, Don. I was fascinated to read about Halberstam and his book, The Fifties. And like you, I was present for nine years in the 50s, and all I remember is centered around being a kid. I do remember my folks talking about Korea and maybe my dad would get called up and how heated my mom reacted to how quiet and cold my dad was about the possibility. Then I was caught up in being a child of the 50s and hearing about Sputnik and how the Russians were going to take over because they had the “high ground”. As a child, I remember the words, the intensity of the feelings, but it was decades later before I really understood what caused those reactions in the important adults in my life.

I’m not surprised about the spying thing – it seems to be a common problem among politicos in every country. This time the US got caught. I wonder how many times the US has found out about the spying of other governments and has chosen not to report it. I’d like to believe there is some sense of nobility in our government. Or maybe this is how we got so many concessions from other countries…

Elvis. My mom was convinced he was the bad news as far as music was concerned; that he would destroy mankind by distracting and subverting the teenagers of the world. She never missed an Elvis movie. She just couldn't get over the eyes.

TV. Oh, that was the other subversion as far as my folks were concerned. We actually didn’t get a TV until 1960. We lived in Gunnison and Silverton and reception was poor at best, lack of vertical hold made us all sick while watching, snow patterns often defeated the picture… it wasn’t until we moved to Denver that I realized what color The Lone Ranger’s horse was, Black Beauty was more than a blob on the screen, and Lawrence Welk was actually directing a band instead of just swinging his arms around.

As a teenager, I spent many Saturday afternoons in the basement watching Dr. Who, Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Hokey at best, pure imagination that extended my boundaries beyond my own neighborhood. It was great training that set me up for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs in the 1960s. I admit that the 1950s were important - they did set us up for the explosion of technology and advancements that occurred on the 1960s. Scientifically, the 60s have yet to be beat.

You’re right, Don, about the power of social media. TV was the way for almost 50+ years. Now, the internet, Facebook, Twitter and the other medias are quickly taking its place. For us personally, TV has become a way to watch old movies and catch up on the weather. I have a few favorite shows I watch now and then, but nothing that locks me into a weekly must see.

I take that back – there are some shows that when they’re on, I like to watch them. But they’re not on the big 3 networks! I’m adjusting to the strange scheduling of Discovery, National Geo, ScyFi, PBS. The flexibility of these stations staggers the mind! All my childhood and adult life we’ve been locked into premiers  and new season openers happening only in the fall, or winter if it is a mid-season replacement, with maybe 18 shows a year and the rest of the time locked into reruns. And the reruns were deadly! I was so thankful for tapes and dvd!

These new stations do split seasons – run other shows in between instead of reruns, and don’t seem to be afraid to end a show if it just isn’t making it.  One of the things I really like are the weekend saturations of all the old shows before the new season opens. This will be the case of Dr. Who which will celebrate 50 years with a Day of the Dr on Nov. 23^rd. I’ve watched the trailers and I can say I am stoked! I am ready! And there will be many previous episodes shown before the new session opener. Is it the 23^rd yet?

Can you tell I don’t get out much?

 

Playing cards – really?! How did I miss that? Ah well.

I’ve looked back over my last riddle and discovered that it really isn’t well written. So I’m going to try it again.

Ponderous and bulky

Sleek and slim

Sheath or shell

Tuck into pockets or purses 

Made of wood, cloth or plastic

Some with metal trim

Latch lid or open mouthed

To slide, snuggle and protect

That which is seen to behold

 

In the meantime, I’m working to get the December website organized. December is when we showcase the books Wormhole has published this year. This year we have 4 – A new Captain Jackson, The Touching Lands Dance, a Fantasy Collection and a Best Science Fiction Collection. We did that much editing this year, Don! Here’s to us! And here’s to the writers who are talented, prolific and wonderful to work with. We’ll be finishing a series in January, The Search, and staring another series, The Telepath’s Song. And I have fascinating stories lined up for January, February, March and April so the spring is off to a great start! It is so interesting to work months in advance of what is really happening next. Sometimes I get confused as to who is doing what when! But it all works out by the first Friday of each month.

 

Don, I seem to remember you talking about kitchen renovations. How are they going?

Later folks,

Carolyn

 

All images downloaded from google images

Fig 1 – BBC New special Report 1998 retrieved from news.bbc.uk

Fig 2 – Elvis Presley: I am an Elvis Fan retrieved from www.popmatters.com

Fig 3 – Flash Gordon retrieved from www.doctomacrolcom

Fig 4 – Warehouse 13 retrieved from www.fanpop.com

Fig 5 – 50th Anniversary Convention retrieved from www.doctorwhotv.co.uk

Fig 6 – Side LInes: May 20112 retrieved from americandigest.org