tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14696202674661733802024-03-13T11:30:53.793-04:00The Ernie Kovacs BlogA blog devoted to the Buster Keaton of Television, Ernie Kovacs!Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-90259118073370486932013-02-28T13:49:00.001-05:002013-08-05T21:10:43.319-04:00Airdates Of Kovacs Sketches On Vol. 2A fan of the two "Ernie Kovacs Collection" DVD sets wrote in recently, noting that the bonus sketches on Volume 2 do not have their airdates listed in the liner notes, and asked if we wouldn't mind divulging them.<br />
<br />
Not at all! They should have made it into the liners, ideally, and so that everyone has the information, here are the sketches and airdates for Volume 2:<br />
<br />
<b>Disc 1 sketches </b><br />
Interview: Algernon Gerard, Archaeologist - 1/24/56<br />
Howard, the World's Strongest Ant: A Hot Date - 1/27/56<br />
Strangely Believe It: Writers to Blame - 2/17/56<br />
The Kapusta Kid in Outer Space Meets Olivia Scilloscope - 4/5/56<br />
Charlie Clod in Brazil - 4/6/56<br />
Ernie's Opening Monolog - 4/11/56 (K)<br />
Miklos Molnar's Glue: 4/26/56 (K)<br />
Percy Dovetonsils: "Ode to Electricity" - 6/11/56<br />
Interview: The World at Your Doorstep - 6/18/56 (K)<br />
<br />
<b>Disc 2 sketches </b><br />
Irving Wong, Tin Pan Alley Songwriter - 1/13/56<br />
Percy Dovetonsils: "Ode to a Housefly" - 1/18/56<br />
Rock Mississippi in <i>The Umbrella Salesman of Ranchipur</i> - 1/26/56<br />
Howard the World's Strongest Ant: Howard's Campground - 2/23/56<br />
Skodney Silsky, Hollywood Reporter - 4/11/56 (K)<br />
Ernie's Opening Monolog - 4/18/56<br />
Surprise Audience Member (Al Kelly) - 4/23/56<br />
Audio Lost - 4/24/56<br />
Matzoh Hepplewhite - 7/5/56<br />
<br />
What the (K) stands for: on several dates, two shows were done back-to-back – one live, and then another direct-to-kinescope for air at a later date, when Ernie and Edie would be on vacation. <br />
<br />
Until next time…<i>it's been real</i>!<br />
<br />
Ben Model<br />
New York NYUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-34096869280731098132012-07-10T18:22:00.000-04:002019-01-26T17:14:50.786-05:00The Ernie Kovacs Collection Volume 2 Announced TodayAttenton current, former and future members of the EEFMS!<br />
<br />
Shout Factory announced today the release (on Tuesday, October 23, 2012) of the <b><i>second</i></b> DVD box set of Ernie Kovacs television programs. I have been working as curator on this set since fall of 2011, and am pretty excited about it and hope you will be, too.<br />
<br />
I watched all 74 extant episodes of Ernie's morning show for NBC and selected 8 full episodes (2 of which have Edie's songs intact because they were in the public domain!) as well as 18 additional sketches from the morning show. Three killer episodes of "Take a Good Look" are on disc 3, as well as the much-sought-after unaired "Medicine Man" pilot co-starring Buster Keaton, seen in a brand new transfer. What I'm really excited about is the inclusion of Ernie's October 1961 interview for "The Lively Arts" on the CBC, in which he speaks candidly about his working methods and his philosophy of television. I will try to write more in detail about the contents of the set as the release date gets closer.<br />
<br />
Make sure you pre-order from Shout Factory, the only place you can get a free bonus DVD containing 7 additional episodes of "Take a Good Look"! Click this link to pre-order your copy today: <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/ob117js0ys-FKKLPOGIFHGNMOMJH?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoutfactorystore.com%2Fprod.aspx%3Fpfid%3D5257940&cjsku=826663136012" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.shoutfactory.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;">
The Ernie Kovacs Collection: Volume 2 with Bonus DVD!</a><img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/qn72nswkqo9EEFJIAC9BAHGIGDB" width="1" height="1" border="0"/><br />
<br />
I'm grateful to Jordan Fields at Shout Factory and to Josh Mills of Ediad Productions for the opportunity to put this follow-up set together for them, and mostly of course I am indebted and deeply grateful to Edie Adams (wherever she is right now) whose forward-thinking efforts to save all of Ernie's stuff has meant we can all continue to enjoy his comedy in the 21st century.<br />
<br />
"It's been real…"<br />
<br />
Ben Model<br />
New York, NY<br />
<br />
<hr noshade="noshade" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/t775cy63y5LQQRVUMOLNMTSUSPN?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoutfactorystore.com%2Fprod.aspx%3Fpfid%3D5257940&cjsku=826663136012" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.shoutfactory.com';return true;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Ernie Kovacs Collection: Volume 2" border="0" src="http://cart.shoutfactorystore.com/store_assets/eoc/productimages/b3eoc/sho/826663136012.jpg" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/ns80ltxlrpAFFGKJBDACBIHJHEC" width="1" /></div>
<br />
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR FIRST KOVACS COLLECTION RELEASED IN 2011 FUELS SECOND VOLUMEWITH MORE THAN 9 HOURS OF PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED & RARE CLASSIC TELEVISION CONTENT</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Ernie Kovacs Collection<br />
Volume 2</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR FIRST KOVACS COLLECTION RELEASED IN 2011 FUELS SECOND VOLUMEWITH MORE THAN 9 HOURS OF PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED & RARE CLASSIC TELEVISION CONTENT<br /><br />
SET FEATURES 8 EPISODES OF KOVACS' NATIONAL MORNING SHOW, 3 FULL EPISODES OF </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">KOVACS' ODDBALL GAMESHOW TAKE A GOOD LOOK, AN UNAIRED TV PILOT MEDICINE MAN FEATURING BUSTER KEATON, RARE SOLO INTERVIEW WITH KOVACS, 2011 AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUEPANEL DISCUSSION, HOME MOVIE WITH JACKIE GLEASON, EDIE ADAMS AND MORE<br /><br /><i>TAKE A GOOD LOOK</i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> BONUS DVD AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM SHOUTFACTORY.COM<br /><br />
OWN IT ON DVD OCTOBER 23, 2012 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY</span>
</span></b></center></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
LOS ANGELES, CA (JULY 10, 2012) More of the vast archive of Ernie
Kovacs' (www.erniekovacs.com) iconic brand of comedy and classic
television will once again be available to consumers both physically and
digitally for the first time since it originally aired in the 1950's.
One of television's early comedy pioneers gets his second box set due to
overwhelming demand.<br />
<br />
Produced and distributed by Shout! Factory in association with Ediad Productions, Inc., <i>The Ernie Kovacs Collection Volume 2</i>,
a 3-DVD box set is set to debut in stores across North America on
October 23, 2012, just in time for the holiday season. Pent-up demand
from fans, rave reviews of the first collection, and better than
expected sales of the first collection have made this new volume a
reality. This DVD box set is now available to preorder at Amazon.com,
ShoutFactoryStore.com, erniekovacs.com and other online retailers.<br />
<br />
Kovacs, whose offbeat humor graced the airwaves for just a decade in the
1950s and 60s, served healthy portions of the offbeat to his audiences,
who had never seen anything quite like this cigar-wielding charmer.
Wickedly funny but not offensive, Kovacs' unique humor and flair for
improvisation would ripple across generations, influencing TV funnymen
from Johnny Carson, Monty Python and David Letterman to Jim Henson, Pee
Wee Herman and <i>Saturday Night Live</i>.<br />
<br />
The first 6-Disc DVD collection, curated by noted film/television
historian Ben Model, was designed to appeal to Kovacs fans already
familiar with his work, and was priced at $69.97. This second 3-Disc DVD
collection, priced at $29.93, is designed to introduce a broader
audience to the comedic icon. Kovacs, who died in a 1962 car accident,
left behind an unparalleled body of work that survives thanks to the
indefatigable efforts of his wife and co-star, the late Edie Adams
(www.edieadams.com). With more than 150 half hours of early television
in the archive, Kovacs' legacy and archive is perhaps the largest
collection of privately owned early television in existence.<br />
<br />
Fans who pre-order <i>The Ernie Kovacs Collection</i> direct from
ShoutFactoryStore.com will receive as a gift with purchase, an exclusive
bonus DVD containing seven episodes of Kovacs' game show <i>Take A Good Look</i>,
all unseen since their original broadcast. Panelists/guests include
Edie Adams, Carl Reiner, Cesar Romero, Hans Conreid, Rogers Hornsby and
Bobby Fischer.<br />
<br />
Since the release of the first box set in 2011, a Kovacs revival is in
full swing. In April of 2012, Shout! Factory released a single set DVD <i>The ABC Specials</i>, and a long lost, previously unreleased comedy album, <i>Percy Dovetonsils...Thpeaks</i>
was released on vinyl, CD and digital formats on June 19 of this year.
Additionally, a series of special live events focusing on his work were
produced at the Paley Center for Television in New York, the American
Cinematheque in Los Angeles, the Museum of the Moving Image in New York
and the Long Beach (CA) Museum of Art. Additional events are planned in
the near future in Washington, DC and Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
<i>The Ernie Kovacs Collection Volume 2</i> includes a comprehensive
booklet filled with rare photos and informative program notes from
Kovacs and Edie Adams archivist Ben Model. Priced to own at (SRP)
$29.93, <i>The Ernie Kovacs Collection Volume 2</i> from Shout! Factory offers fans another goldmine of comedy genius from one of television's original genius.
<br />
<i>The Ernie Kovacs Collection Volume 2</i> Features:
<br />
<ul>
<li>8 More Episodes From Kovacs' National <i>Morning Show</i>
</li>
<li>18 Bonus Sketches Featuring Many Of His Most Beloved Characters
</li>
<li>3 Complete Episodes Of His Oddball Game Show <i>Take A Good Look</i>
</li>
<li>"A Pony For Chris" - His Rare TV Pilot For <i>Medicine Man</i> Costarring Buster Keaton
</li>
<li><i>The Lively Arts</i> Featuring The Only Existing Filmed Solo Interview With Ernie Kovacs
</li>
<li>2011 American Cinematheque Panel, featuring Harry Shearer, Jeff
Garlin, Bob Odenkirk, Merrill Markoe, George Schlatter, Jolene Brand
and Ben Model.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
DISC 1: <i>THE NBC MORNING SHOW</i> (December 12, 1955, to July 27, 1956 - 10:30-11:00 a.m.)
<br />
<ul>
<li>EPISODES
<ul>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> January 6, 1956
</li>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> January 23, 1956
</li>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> January 30, 1956
</li>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> March 16, 1956</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bonus Sketches:
<ul>
<li>Interview: Algernon Gerard, Archaeologist
</li>
<li>Howard, The World's Strongest Ant: A Hot Date
</li>
<li>Strangely Believe It: Writers To Blame
</li>
<li>The Kapusta Kid In Outer Space Meets Olivia Scilloscope
</li>
<li>Charlie Clod In Brazil
</li>
<li>Ernie's Opening Monologue
</li>
<li>Miklos Molnar's Glue
</li>
<li>Percy Dovetonsils: "Ode To Electricity"
</li>
<li>Interview: The World At Your Doorstep</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
DISC 2: <i>THE NBC MORNING SHOW</i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>EPISODES
<ul>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> April 12, 1956
</li>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> April 17, 1956
</li>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> May 17, 1956
</li>
<li><i>The Ernie Kovacs Show</i> June 27, 1956</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bonus Sketches
<ul>
<li>Irving Wong: Tin Pan Alley Songwriter
</li>
<li>Percy Dovetonsils: "Ode To A Housefly"
</li>
<li>Rock Mississippi In The Umbrella Salesman Of Ranchipur
</li>
<li>Howard, The World's Strongest Ant: Howard's Campground
</li>
<li>Skodney Silsky, Hollywood Reporter
</li>
<li>Ernie's Opening Monologue
</li>
<li>Surprise Audience Member
</li>
<li>Audio Lost
</li>
<li>Matzoh Hepplewhite</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
DISC 3: RARITIES
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Take A Good Look</i> - April 21, 1960 - Panelists: Ben Alexander, Tony Randall, Edie Adams; Guests: Scott Crossfield, Clarence Nash
</li>
<li><i>Take A Good Look</i> April 28, 1960 - Panelists: Ben Alexander, Cesar Romero, Edie Adams; Guests: Mack Sennett, Daniel Inoyue, Asta The Dog
</li>
<li><i>Take A Good Look</i> March 2, 1961 - Panelists: Hans Conreid, Cesar Romero, Edie Adams; Guests: Carl Reiner, Bob Rosberg
</li>
<li>Interview With Ernie Kovacs on The Lively Arts October 31, 1961 - Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC)
</li>
<li>"A Pony For Chris" - Unaired Pilot for Series <i>Medicine Man</i> Costarring Buster Keaton; Filmed January 1961, Produced by Screen Gems
</li>
<li>Ernie Kovacs Panel Discussion: August 27, 2011, at the American Cinematheque in Hollywood, CA
</li>
<li>Home Movies: Golf With Ernie and Edie
</li>
<li><i>Wake Me When It's Over</i> Trailer
</li>
<li><i>Five Golden Hours</i> Trailer</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
About Ediad Productions, Inc.<br />
Formed by the late entertainer & Muriel Cigar girl Edie Adams and
currently run by her son Joshua Mills, Ediad Productions is home to what
is likely the largest independent archive of early American television
in existence. With more than 150 half-hours of content from legendary
comedian Ernie Kovacs as well as two seasons of Edie Adams' prime time
variety show from the mid-1960's, Ediad Productions is a treasure trove
of classic popular entertainment. Titles in the archive include, The
Ernie Kovacs Show, Ernie in Kovacsland, Take A Good Look (clues), the
Kovacs specials for ABC, The Edie Adams Show, Here's Edie! And much
more. Ediad Productions is the go-to archive for television, digital
& mobile entertainment content and is based in Los Angeles,
California.<br />
<br />
About Shout! Factory<br />
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to
producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture.
Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their
careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning
consumers the world over. Shout! Factory's DVD offerings serve up
classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live
music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with
extras. The company's audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets,
new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues
and indispensable "best of" compilations. These riches are the result of
a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a
hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout!
Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout!
Factory, visit shoutfactory.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-16806276397169776642012-04-17T14:34:00.001-04:002012-04-17T14:39:52.362-04:00Ernie Kovacs: The ABC Specials<br><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/lc116uoxuowBGGHLKCEBDCKHKKDD" target="_blank"></a>April 19th, 2012, will mark the one year anniversary of the release of <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.net/collection.html" target="_blank" title="The Ernie Kovacs Collection DVD Set">"The Ernie Kovacs Collection"</a> DVD set. Today is the release day for "Ernie Kovacs: The ABC Specials," which is disc 5 from the original set. You can click the link above to learn more about the content of this disc, or the photo ad to purchase it.<br />
<img align="right" alt="The Ernie Kovacs Collection Buy 6 DVD set here and" border="0" hspace="10" src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/88115bosgmk5AABFE68576EBEE77" vspace="10" /><br />
Here is a great review from <a href="http://blogcritics.org/video/article/dvd-review-ernie-kovacs-the-abc1/" target="_blank" title="DVD Review: Ernie Kovacs - The ABC Specials - Blogcritics
Video">from Dusty Somers of "blogcritics.org."</a><br />
<br />
I've been writing about Ernie for a long time now and highly recommend this packaging of the specials as a fantastic way to introduce the uninitiated to Ernie's work. This is when Ernie was really pushing the video envelope; everything was shot on videotape (no film) and new, innovative special effects and editing techniques were used. What Ernie did back then with so little is what has influenced so much that is done with video by today's computer generation. The material on this disc is a MUST SEE for video artists.<br />
<br />
Special #6, from November 24, 1961, is the classic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Show" target="_blank" title="Silent Show - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">"Silent Show," aka "Eugene."</a> This alone is worth the relatively inexpensive "price of admission" for this disc.<br />
<br />
Yesterday would have been the 85th birthday of <a href="http://www.edieadams.com/" target="_blank" title="Edie Adams">Edie Adams</a> and this disc is a fitting tribute to her. Without Edie's tireless efforts so much of Ernie's work would have been lost forever. Special thanks also goes to "Shout Factory!" for releasing it, Edie's son <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.com/" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs">Josh Mills</a> for making that possible and of course to <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/" target="_blank" title="Kovacsland Online! - the Ernie Kovacs website">Ben Model</a>, our friend, blog contributor and Kovacs Historian/Curator. Ben was instrumental in putting this material together.<br />
<br />
And speaking of Ben, he'll be hosting a <a href="http://www.movingimage.us/visit/calendar/2012/04/27/detail/ernie-kovacs-and-edie-adams" target="_blank" title="Museum of the Moving Image - Visit - Calendar - Ernie Kovacs and Edie Adams">great panel discussion on Ernie and Edie next Friday, April 27, 2012,</a> at the "Museum Of The Moving Image" in Astoria, a section of the lovely borough of Queens, in the wonderful city of New York. It promises to be great: just take a look at the stellar panel that's been assembled. And, from what I understand, another stellar panelist is to be added soon (I'll tweet that when it happens).<br />
<br />
Do you love Ernie and Edie? Do you enjoy Greek diners run by charming folks who will remind you of Miklos Molnar? Well, then buy this disc and get yourself out to Queens next Friday for some dinner and a show!<br />
<br />
Until next time fellow Kovacsians: "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-46939296674072069302011-11-01T14:01:00.001-04:002011-11-02T14:04:32.782-04:00Ernie Kovacs And Thelonious Monk<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdalYu6ERSiqVY_UlkpjajsuB33V9fSiXjzFfh-EYf0jXecT04iLMezPX7SosJyPUhd4WUsL_sLgCz534NKKmbpU-Ccw6mHmdNDL8czxpKrP7-BPWBltTgvgyUcOdFLw4mOhwQM-jWRA/s1600/ekmonk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="332" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdalYu6ERSiqVY_UlkpjajsuB33V9fSiXjzFfh-EYf0jXecT04iLMezPX7SosJyPUhd4WUsL_sLgCz534NKKmbpU-Ccw6mHmdNDL8czxpKrP7-BPWBltTgvgyUcOdFLw4mOhwQM-jWRA/s400/ekmonk.jpg" /></a></div>This has been rattling around in my mind for some time now: what are the similarities between these two wholly original geniuses, both heroes of mine? Some fun, some serious. Feel free to add more in the comments section.<br />
<br />
1. From this <a href="http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/humr0502.htm" title="ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Jazz Music, Jazz Artists, Jazz MP3s, Jazz Reviews, Jazz Photos and More | AllAboutJazz.com" target="_blank">article by Jeff Fitzgerald on the "All About Jazz" website</a>:<br />
<blockquote><b><i>"Ultimately, the legacy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelonious_Monk" title="Thelonious Monk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk</a> is one of a genius incongruent with his age. Like television pioneer <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.net/" title="Ernie Kovacs Dot Net A Tribute To Televsion's Original Genius" target="_blank">Ernie Kovacs</a>, who was 60 years ahead of his time 50 years ago, we may still not have fully come to appreciate the body of work Monk left behind." </i></b></blockquote>Yes. No argument here; this is the main and most important similarity.<br />
<br />
2. As shown in the photo, both men favored cool specs, caps and facial hair. EK, however, never sported a beard except for the fake ones he would occasionally wear in bits (eg, Ernie as King Menelaus satirizing a scene from "Helen of Troy" by Euripides).<br />
<br />
3. One of Monk's most famous tunes is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues" title="Blues - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">blues</a> called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thelonious-Monk-Straight-No-Chaser/dp/B000053VC9/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1320167097&sr=1-1" title="Amazon.com: Thelonious Monk - Straight No Chaser: Thelonious Monk, Nica De Koenigswarter, Barry Harris, Bob Jones (IV), Johnny Griffin, Larry Gales, Nellie Monk, Teo Macero, Tommy Flanagan (II), Phil Woods, Frank Paccione, Thelonious Monk Jr., Harry Colomby, Charlie Rouse, Ray Copeland, John Coltrane, Samuel E. Wright, Ben Riley, Jimmy Cleveland, Charlotte Zwerin: Movies & TV" target="_blank">"Straight No Chaser."</a> Ernie liked his drinks that way, especially <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Round_Midnight_%28song%29" title="'Round Midnight (song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">"'Round Midnight."</a><br />
<br />
4. Both men had wives who absolutely adored them, realized their genius, then encouraged and supported it. For Ernie it was <a href="http://www.edieadams.com/" title="Edie Adams" target="_blank">Edie</a> and for Monk it was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/27/arts/nellie-monk-80-wife-muse-and-mainstay-of-a-jazz-legend.html" title="Nellie Monk, 80, Wife, Muse And Mainstay of a Jazz Legend - New York Times" target="_blank">Nellie</a>. That's not always easy to find. And Edie was a major talent in her own right. Just think what the world might have missed if it hadn't been for both of these great women.<br />
<br />
5. Monk's REAL middle name is Sphere. That is too cool. While Ernie's middle name is fairly average his initials spell "EEK." That, in my humble opinion, is also too cool.<br />
<br />
6. Ernie was gregarious and and spoke a great deal. Monk was introverted and didn't speak very much. Both men, however, would cause all heads to turn when they entered a room, because both men had a giant presence. When either man spoke their words had meaning and people listened. And, both men were hilariously funny.<br />
<br />
7. Both men produced art that on the surface seems abstract and a bit rough around the edges, but upon closer inspection you come to realize that it's very logical and incomparably beautiful. And then you realize that you've never heard or seen anything like it.<br />
<br />
8. Ernie and Monk both pushed boundaries, were fearless, ignored critics, broke rules and did things that people said couldn't, or shouldn't, be done. As a result doors were opened for artists everywhere. Who says you can't have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Show" title="Silent Show - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">milk flowing laterally out of a thermos</a> or a tune that sounds beautiful even though it's loaded with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitone" title="Semitone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">minor seconds</a>?<br />
<br />
9. Both men were art forms unto themselves, owing to their singular originality. I would like to think Ernie loved Monk's music and Monk loved Ernie's comedy for this reason.<br />
<br />
10. In the final analysis, Ernest Edward Kovacs and Thelonious Sphere Monk were both kind, decent men who advanced their respective art forms to new heights. <br />
<br />
I'm sorry I never got to meet either one but am very grateful for the legacy each left behind. <br />
<br />
Until next time, Kovacsians, "It's Been Real!"<br />
<br />
<p>Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com2New York, NY, USA40.7143528 -74.005973140.4942638 -74.2853821 40.9344418 -73.7265641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-7461149376683736072011-08-22T14:52:00.010-04:002011-08-23T07:13:01.300-04:00Ben Model Talks Kovacs On WNYC/NPR - Listen In<p>I appeared on the "<a href="http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2011/aug/22/ernie-kovacs-collection/" target="_blank">Leonard Lopate Show</a>" on WNYC/NPR on Monday August 22. I had a blast, and even got to chat with Alice Cooper before I went on. Cooper was on the show in the segment before mine, and is a huge Ernie Kovacs fan. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNRW8DPds4bUPg_hGgndOTaFiZoLIzhhgNWKdK5IaAA48GpNstf1-O-7xIsHPDZeqvrFkhlZQL8L7CFAgQ2tWJ6Md38PKryYj8LqsIJcXnrQIp1BK8Z-a-s1iN8ji9kR93j-tY57HLpN8/s1600/IMG_0694-cooper.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNRW8DPds4bUPg_hGgndOTaFiZoLIzhhgNWKdK5IaAA48GpNstf1-O-7xIsHPDZeqvrFkhlZQL8L7CFAgQ2tWJ6Md38PKryYj8LqsIJcXnrQIp1BK8Z-a-s1iN8ji9kR93j-tY57HLpN8/s320/IMG_0694-cooper.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643756640441597394" border="0" /></a> <br />
You can listen to the segment with me and Mike Pesca (guest host for the show this week): <br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="file=http://www.wnyc.org/audio/xspf/153465/&repeat=list&autostart=false&popurl=http://www.wnyc.org/audio/xspf/153465/%3Fdownload%3Dhttp%3A//www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/audio.wnyc.org/lopate/lopate082211cpod.mp3" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" src="http://www.wnyc.org/media/audioplayer/red_progress_player_no_pop.swf" height="29" width="515"></embed><script type="text/javascript">(function(){var s=function(){__flash__removeCallback=function(i,n){if(i)i[n]=null;};window.setTimeout(s,10);};s();})();</script> <br />
<br />
Until next time...it's been real. <br />
<br />
Ben Model <br />
New York, NYUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-25191121681278793362011-04-26T18:38:00.003-04:002011-04-26T19:32:08.358-04:00"It's Been Real" - A View From The Stage At The Paley Event<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stevefriedmanphoto.com/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599904551191631938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNT05cM8t_E4lkWa9vOC002xZnPlZxlvUttSL-w8rE0IVRq66PkTnBkYw5Ap43TGCq6diboVYa-OVpHNndQjUDFnYuZuc-dr3ZRLT0OZRH3W92ipRpTcD9JPNoI4tiUlt7a3ctRwvetuw/s400/0020-Paley-Center-4.12.11w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 307px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">(Robert Smigel, George Schlatter, Jolene Brand Schlatter, Pat Mitchell, Ben Model and </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">Joel Hodgson between flashbulbs on the red carpet at the <a href="http://www.paleycenter.org" title="The Paley Center for Media" target="_blank">Paley Center for Media</a>.)</span></span></div><br />
Preparing for the Kovacs panel event on April 12 found me cramming like this was the Kovacs LSAT’s. Re-reviewing less-common content from the new set and boning up on facts in the Kovacs chronology from the three books on Ernie as well as notable facts I’d figured out in my own research. And then the question came up – what about Lollos?<br />
<br />
My good friend, photographer <a href="http://www.stevefriedmanphoto.com/" target="_blank">Steve Friedman</a>, had introduced me to John Lollos a couple of years back when I’d begun doing research for the Kovacs set. If you’re a credit-reader, you’ll know this name. John Lollos is the guy who conceived and produced “The Best of Ernie Kovacs” that aired on public television in 1977. He’s had a long and varied career in TV and theater as well, and graciously chatted with me at length about the back-story of making “Best Of” and getting it on the air.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoCiehdkPhX_pIXZS5C4Q8WJVe8LM79GTpd2RnEIgU0hqUPe6ECTn0sGOVKRfP1UAOjrFv8NyTFmRdZRxrhe1F9nnUPHTpWTCbLhJSaOVrPUQ9ws40FoVgyp-OB5DuW_pST3z7irLeXLG/s1600/Kovacs-Lolloscredit.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596613067192038354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoCiehdkPhX_pIXZS5C4Q8WJVe8LM79GTpd2RnEIgU0hqUPe6ECTn0sGOVKRfP1UAOjrFv8NyTFmRdZRxrhe1F9nnUPHTpWTCbLhJSaOVrPUQ9ws40FoVgyp-OB5DuW_pST3z7irLeXLG/s320/Kovacs-Lolloscredit.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>So, when Steve posed this question to me, I had a “D’oh!” moment – John lives in the tri-state area and could certainly get to Paley. It was only fitting that the man responsible for the forty- and fifty-somethings’ having discovered Kovacs through the “Best Of” series – to say nothing of the next generation down who’d found the show on home video or in pieces on YouTube – should be in the house that night. I had bought a block of tickets the moment they went on sale, and had one for Mr. Lollos, and as it turned out he was able to attend the Paley event.<br />
<br />
The “green room” for us panelists was upstairs in the executive offices where there was a large antique card table and bookcases whose shelves also hosted many radio mike frames with call letters of stations long gone. When I entered I found Mr. Olbermann chatting with the Schlatters, exchanging stories of classic broadcasting comedy…Bob & Ray, Laugh-In etc. Paley Chief Curator Ron Simon invited me to sit at the table and, after being introduced, I basically nodded and smiled while stories were told. Smigel and Hodgson arrived soon after, and I chatted with them a little. I'd been in touch with Joel in the late 90s when he was doing an online ant farm website. After that I hovered in the background, being a little more comfortable hanging out with curator folk.<br />
<br />
Photos were taken, and then we were escorted downstairs where we were miked just outside the Paley’s video control room. (Mr. Schlatter disappeared inside for a few minutes...I'm sure it was hard to resist.) We then entered the auditorium to applause, and the evening began.<br />
<br />
The clip reel, assembled by Paley curator Barry Monush, ran 17 minutes (impressive, considering how much material there is) to a great response. It won’t really be necessary to go into details on what was discussed during the panel here. I noticed when I took my seat onstage that there were two young-ish people in the back row typing on laptops. Turns out the event was being tweeted live on the <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/paleycenter" target="_blank" title="Paley Center (paley center) on Twitter">Paley’s Twitter feed</a>. Rather than make you go there and try to find April 12 on it, I got screen grabs of the evening’s feed, and have posted them here (scroll way down to the bottom).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvP6wqlzjUXmPxo7nULkqESzIPiklNs4V4yyGyyserI7lmqrzIDvRjgAP6eb1Y2dvTYpG47-hgg1DBpcCJE1tS0HSVGsjcBLw4ZF9i7mcPgrjX3T8icJ50uppRF5ZJvtvOSRg_vWQOEkJ/s1600/KovacsPanelBen-w.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599910781965316946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvP6wqlzjUXmPxo7nULkqESzIPiklNs4V4yyGyyserI7lmqrzIDvRjgAP6eb1Y2dvTYpG47-hgg1DBpcCJE1tS0HSVGsjcBLw4ZF9i7mcPgrjX3T8icJ50uppRF5ZJvtvOSRg_vWQOEkJ/s320/KovacsPanelBen-w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Ron Simon and I had coordinated running a pair of Dutch Master spots during the panel, but the discussion and Q&A went on without an opportunity to run these. I managed to point out John Lollos, seated in the second row, during the evening and he got a real nice hand. During the Q&A John spoke and talked about the challenge of including the DM spots on the “Best Of” shows, as commercials were not shown on PBS in 1977. Olbermann picked up on this and made it a segue to the DM spots, which we then ran.<br />
<br />
We each made a final statement to wrap up the evening, with Keith’s closing being a warm call to arms for all us fans to share Kovacs programs with people, now that we all have our hands on them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4q3UbrPpBND1RzyaSs6C_zQEOMmMnN4pUX7zbY6wCbZ8NUoFjOuH60hAgVo2SWWQJMMA2JX1LJCyoH986CjGwEWaGw5HHbLe8_YrnKaD2Ny4Mk_z0Lo-2rx19zu_rHT76CQ_S1z8R1yH/s1600/0016-Paley-Center-4.12.11w.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599905387510030786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4q3UbrPpBND1RzyaSs6C_zQEOMmMnN4pUX7zbY6wCbZ8NUoFjOuH60hAgVo2SWWQJMMA2JX1LJCyoH986CjGwEWaGw5HHbLe8_YrnKaD2Ny4Mk_z0Lo-2rx19zu_rHT76CQ_S1z8R1yH/s320/0016-Paley-Center-4.12.11w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 248px;" /></a>In the end, many of the Kovacs facts I'd crammed my cranium with went unused, and I managed to hold up okay alongside everyone else on the panel who had way more credibility, fame, etc than I did. Part of what helped was the way Olbermann addressed me and asked questions. My agenda was to make sure we all acknowledged Edie Adams and the work she did with Ernie and later, saving his shows. I managed to work that in, and Keith pointed out Josh Mills in the audience. The evening was a spectacular success and I think we were all floating for a bit for a few hours after it all ended.<br />
<br />
With all the pre-ordered DVD sets arriving in fans' mailboxes this week, my hope is that the euphoria over Kovacs will expand and ripple outward...once you've all come up for air after what will probably be a number of marathon viewings of the 15+ hours of Kovacs shows (not 13 hours – you <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> order from Shout, didn't you?).<br />
<br />
It's really been real.<br />
<br />
Ben Model<br />
<a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/" target="_blank" title="Kovacsland Online! - the Ernie Kovacs website">Kovacsland Online</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvDscLMQ0yN1AxCpkV_gQhRWNJ0E0QOFwHV2DQiyRaqz0VqHHyx0eeTyzTCdxWH04LTyV9ZY3qfal09VZRUlwQkG347pg06bRyTdu7X_iJHjPSLxcYHQIdLbY1gXjX_gWS8dDrdcK_AIx/s1600/KovacsPaleytwit-1.jpg"><br />
</a><br />
<hr /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFgYD0R_1COFaCqBhxb4cX7g0uyA7CQ3AdXE4Hlrx5gDHnCkxslJKFkRUkX154uMsmx0MvsvExLoXfFCQH3QW90YLrmie4XQ-fPo6kufCpK2njQad68zT1NNQr2Q9RDCZnQ8ZHCciSZKT/s1600/KovacsPaleytwit-5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596613781159795330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFgYD0R_1COFaCqBhxb4cX7g0uyA7CQ3AdXE4Hlrx5gDHnCkxslJKFkRUkX154uMsmx0MvsvExLoXfFCQH3QW90YLrmie4XQ-fPo6kufCpK2njQad68zT1NNQr2Q9RDCZnQ8ZHCciSZKT/s400/KovacsPaleytwit-5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 301px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFAQKMoZRg4HbNLClzmJN50eEM1LnTDoEsrXsIQipj_XJWxxhD9FVeWbR7SJsbpM14PlyCLgp3Gr5DY1-MLx7HH5hQKR4YP9GP5n3pkg8mTZUXXb9fDL5oiJlxFLgP_XrYWJRizOGIXMR/s1600/KovacsPaleytwit-4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596614024383776658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFAQKMoZRg4HbNLClzmJN50eEM1LnTDoEsrXsIQipj_XJWxxhD9FVeWbR7SJsbpM14PlyCLgp3Gr5DY1-MLx7HH5hQKR4YP9GP5n3pkg8mTZUXXb9fDL5oiJlxFLgP_XrYWJRizOGIXMR/s400/KovacsPaleytwit-4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 286px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ydwpQoJBi7R4hFvGJh0P4EoiWFlyitImL1w63jrcY2I5Qe7DmRVaLoWU2D185sFRM03Zgkb_og_SVhBdnSE2OvWZNqXJ0ZKBnMaWT8xlliUIuoAEGuviI69OeofmqilObaL5h00cEIc-/s1600/KovacsPaleytwit-3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596614162904010482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ydwpQoJBi7R4hFvGJh0P4EoiWFlyitImL1w63jrcY2I5Qe7DmRVaLoWU2D185sFRM03Zgkb_og_SVhBdnSE2OvWZNqXJ0ZKBnMaWT8xlliUIuoAEGuviI69OeofmqilObaL5h00cEIc-/s400/KovacsPaleytwit-3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 287px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSevpfI4RAFs83u3x6IPQNvtiGi_MuToKVp1tvumhOKc55C8lJr3v_cEbU_4g37Jhq4ukyUv2osd2PxJsIyNv6lhFup_tskscw21JGD5bm2F8kHu1BA4hBl4BDvP6r7ThoX4v5r2U64vmC/s1600/KovacsPaleytwit-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596614279300668338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSevpfI4RAFs83u3x6IPQNvtiGi_MuToKVp1tvumhOKc55C8lJr3v_cEbU_4g37Jhq4ukyUv2osd2PxJsIyNv6lhFup_tskscw21JGD5bm2F8kHu1BA4hBl4BDvP6r7ThoX4v5r2U64vmC/s400/KovacsPaleytwit-2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 285px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0ZC0SWBTBDlB-CkoA9_Sg6cnE7S_BKjkyTHJx-mIFtVe4TKkCnQrGQluBraKy6YyrGrwFsC4n9sQFWu4knabqcAok3UMRCH2gvszMXP2T5XAhxGnxe2lnup94ovEpoF0x_bHK-ySXhCr/s1600/KovacsPaleytwit-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596614396642717906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0ZC0SWBTBDlB-CkoA9_Sg6cnE7S_BKjkyTHJx-mIFtVe4TKkCnQrGQluBraKy6YyrGrwFsC4n9sQFWu4knabqcAok3UMRCH2gvszMXP2T5XAhxGnxe2lnup94ovEpoF0x_bHK-ySXhCr/s400/KovacsPaleytwit-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 312px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-34377355664035089652011-04-21T14:16:00.015-04:002011-04-22T10:08:58.739-04:00"Kovacs Hates TV" - Vintage Article From 1953Here's a vintage article from May 1953, published during the run of "Kovacs Unlimited" on CBS, in a magazine called Focus, whose focus wasn't on TV. I'm not sure what it focused on, as its articles cover a range of topics possibly of interest to the supermarket shopper or newsstand browser. The mini-magazine itself measures 4" x 6". Still, it's an interesting early look at the early Ernie. I picked this up on eBay a bunch of years ago and have been meaning to post it.<br />
<br />
Here you go.<br />
<br />
Ben Model<br />
curator, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Ernie Kovacs Collection</span> DVD set<br />
webmaster, <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/" title="Kovacsland Online! - the Ernie Kovacs website" target="_blank">Kovacsland Online</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiVcayHfobuJ9HsoX1T0kCD7xM4G-qUVtJe_EfPZvUcIk4QAX3PVqf0K-jyxtSx9M3gz3uSBa_RfXXp1YYPlj-hzuQE7HqSGwEYA6LAZeDGHeDz2-stnn65JqohAn5b593KuF5SaH2OQv/s1600/EK-FocusMag-May53-1w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598102665775430034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiVcayHfobuJ9HsoX1T0kCD7xM4G-qUVtJe_EfPZvUcIk4QAX3PVqf0K-jyxtSx9M3gz3uSBa_RfXXp1YYPlj-hzuQE7HqSGwEYA6LAZeDGHeDz2-stnn65JqohAn5b593KuF5SaH2OQv/s400/EK-FocusMag-May53-1w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 269px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJFnSTkDN0l1z4b4_pJuXFwDnfJdXpzklTWTnmVnXBW_pHhA36fGdAvNqWqsXL2pP2wCNtN6iFz067oCM120m5uY2FuYa6kJSLML-dk-6kTSlKRZ0ImTc8aD32PYT1ID7Ygog4hLd_qH6/s1600/EK-FocusMag-May53-2w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598102592738541682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJFnSTkDN0l1z4b4_pJuXFwDnfJdXpzklTWTnmVnXBW_pHhA36fGdAvNqWqsXL2pP2wCNtN6iFz067oCM120m5uY2FuYa6kJSLML-dk-6kTSlKRZ0ImTc8aD32PYT1ID7Ygog4hLd_qH6/s400/EK-FocusMag-May53-2w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 269px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLjoJksSWlR9ysX1FvzUpL_ofiucgTk_SSS5qeH-02w-saVu1IO9kjTlojqJFyWPJbJ0rMe5noSbkZDfMLJ0n3kINluYTslL5MDzItSWlUeeWM6PgaY8vFV_USOi-LVTXB4HCTuBtJvSo/s1600/EK-FocusMag-May53-3w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598102498546959154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLjoJksSWlR9ysX1FvzUpL_ofiucgTk_SSS5qeH-02w-saVu1IO9kjTlojqJFyWPJbJ0rMe5noSbkZDfMLJ0n3kINluYTslL5MDzItSWlUeeWM6PgaY8vFV_USOi-LVTXB4HCTuBtJvSo/s400/EK-FocusMag-May53-3w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 274px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-47549238992310692482011-04-11T14:54:00.028-04:002019-01-26T17:16:36.238-05:00Springtime For Ernie Kovacs And Edie Adams: Paley Center And DVD Set<img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="560" hspace="15" src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/ekedcom.jpg" vspace="15" /> <br />
Spring is here and there is a great deal going on in Kovacsland. I haven't posted anything in a while and in light of all that is happening I figured it was about time that I did (my thanks to Ben Model for posting and keeping the blog fresh with some great news).<br />
<br />
1. If you're going to be in New York City (Manhattan) tomorrow, I strongly suggest that you buy tickets to <a href="http://www.paleycenter.org/2011-spring-kovacs" target="_blank" title="It’s Been Real: The Life and Legacy of Ernie Kovacs | The Paley Center for Media">It’s Been Real: The Life and Legacy of Ernie Kovacs</a> at the Paley Center For Media. This event features a stellar panel, including our own Ben Model, and starts Tuesday, April 12th, 2011, at 6:30pm. <br />
<br />
2. The Paley Center festivities are a week prior to the official release of <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-4375232-10858371" target="_top">Shout Factory's "The Ernie Kovacs Collection" 6 DVD set</a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.tqlkg.com/image-4375232-10858371" width="1" />, which is Tuesday, April 19th, 2011. If you pre-order the set, you'll get a <b>bonus 7th DVD for free</b>; you can do so by clicking on the link or on the banner in the upper left corner of this blog. To get the bonus disc you must order the set directly from Shout Factory and clicking one of the aforementioned links takes you directly to the set's page on their site; do not order from Barnes And Noble, Amazon, etc., if you want the bonus disc. Ben Model was the curator for this fantastic new release, the first of Ernie's work in years and much of it not seen since it originally aired. I've discussed it with Ben and you have my word that this is the definitive collection and one that Kovacs fans everywhere should own. The two emails that I get most frequently ask whether it's possible to see the live color version of "Eugene" ("The Silent Show") or footage of Ernie hosting "Tonight". They are included on this new set, "Eugene" on one of the main discs and the "Tonight" clips on the bonus disc. You can read a full summary of what's on the discs <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kovacsland/blog/541963618" target="_blank" title="The Ernie Kovacs Collection 6 DVD Set To Be Released on April 19, 2011: AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER by Ernie Kovacs on Myspace"> here</a>. <b> </b><br />
<br />
3. A special thanks goes to Josh Mills, Edie Adams son who runs Ediad Productions Inc., for bringing all of this wonderful new material to the fans. Josh has started two websites, one for <a href="http://www.edieadams.com/" target="_blank" title="Edie Adams">Edie</a> and one for <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.com/" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs">Ernie</a> (screen captures of the sites are to the left). The information provided on them is great and I'm thrilled to have both join with <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.net/" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs Dot Net A Tribute To Televsion's Original Genius">my site</a> and <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/" target="_blank" title="Kovacsland Online! - the Ernie Kovacs website">Ben's</a> to continue promoting the legacy of these two wonderful video artists. If you need to acquire the rights to any video footage Josh is the person to contact and you can do so through either of the sites he runs; I'll often get emails asking about this. <br />
<br />
Until next time Kovacsians, "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-91049884560024240742011-02-11T20:16:00.011-05:002011-03-04T11:59:28.036-05:00"Television's Original Genius" - Out Of Print, But Still Viewable<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanX8nMGCQtQF2fQp-DhRui_AitSlI_3ZR6eyTH0QaoDS4V8vlJOKjIMTQlKr9m8fK2O0wlReIaPx2rHVIEeHeQihv1Cz_3p9MqCT9tYsia5AaIcZ9ORf7AURq9cb7s6FFw3KXYF4yY_2z/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-11+at+8.20.55+PM.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanX8nMGCQtQF2fQp-DhRui_AitSlI_3ZR6eyTH0QaoDS4V8vlJOKjIMTQlKr9m8fK2O0wlReIaPx2rHVIEeHeQihv1Cz_3p9MqCT9tYsia5AaIcZ9ORf7AURq9cb7s6FFw3KXYF4yY_2z/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-11+at+8.20.55+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572626975565992418" border="0" /></a>While you're waiting for the release of "The Ernie Kovacs Collection" DVD set, here's something you can watch. While poking around for Kovacs pics, Google Images took me to a shot of Ernie on a website called "John Barbour's World". Yes, it's the John Barbour who made the documentary "Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius" (1982), which aired on Showtime and was available on VHS a long time ago.<br />
<br />
Mr. Barbour has posted the entire documentary on his website. <a href="http://www.johnbarboursworld.com/kovacs.html" title="Ernie Kovacs, comedy, funny, very funny videos, comedy videos, funny videos, ernie kovacs photo" target="_blank">Click here</a> to go to his page for the show, where you can watch it, in eight somewhat lo-fi Quicktime file segments.<br />
<br />
Ben ModelUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-64767825735852756172011-01-22T11:37:00.007-05:002011-03-04T11:59:28.047-05:00Wish Ernie Kovacs A Happy 92nd Birthday...Online!It's Ernie Kovacs' birthday tomorrow, January 23rd. Now that an official website, Facebook page, Twitter account and MySpace page have been set up for Ernie, here's your chance to give an online shout-out to Ernie on what would have been his 92nd birthday.<br />
<br />
Kovacs fans are being asked to say Happy Birthday on all these social media and to sign off with "It's Been Real"...if you're on Twitter, be sure to use the catch-phrase as a hashtag (#itsbeenreal).<br />
<br />
Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/realerniekovacs">http://www.facebook.com/realerniekovacs</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/erniekovacs"> @erniekovacs</a><br />
Myspace: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/realerniekovacs">http://www.myspace.com/realerniekovacs</a><br />
Official website: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.erniekovacs.com">www.erniekovacs.com</a><br />
<br />
And here's a quote from Terry Gilliam about Ernie that's just been posted:<br />
<blockquote>"One of my strongest memories as a kid growing or not-growing up in the countryside of Minnesota was having to go to our neighbour's house to watch television. I had no idea that the Nameless God of Surreal Humour was hunting me down. I felt happy with the <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">...world as it was. But, one night that dark god coaxed the neighbours into switching the TV to The Ernie Kovacs Show. I was ambushed. Knocked sideways into a world where the bizarre and the daft and the preposterous all lived happily alongside wisdom, wit and perception. I had never experienced anything so visually absurd and inventive. It was sublime. It hurt. I was 11 years old. Was this some new form of child abuse? If it was, it was one of the most momentous things that ever happened to me. Ernie Kovacs scarred me for life. Thankfully, I've never recovered." </span></blockquote>And...remember to brush with Koda-Dent, the toothpaste with the film in it!*<br />
<br />
Ben Model<br />
<a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/">www.erniekovacs.info</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*this was a spoof product Ernie did a mock commercial for on an episode of his DuMont late night show...a predecessor of the infamous Schnitzel-Dent spot from 1956.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-45921283775895607012011-01-10T11:42:00.017-05:002011-01-10T22:33:58.187-05:00"The Ernie Kovacs Collection" DVD Box Set Available For Pre-Order!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-4295796-10858371"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWe3re49C_J4vsaZ9GQkPJHpkq1AgB837Ion-THWFUb-y64a19C20fJsJQSmsqTmnvi_ZVFvCJBGpBDqg5kSJvo769oTDBH5AXvIVqMHP8JZi6ldKLQQ5SaKwKHnJMP8I68KFpWor2SIa/s400/ErnieKovacsCollection350w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560598748879365650" border="0" /></a>Good morning, Kovacs fans!! Wonderful news: Shout!Factory is releasing a 6-disc DVD set entitled "The Ernie Kovacs Collection", and contains 13+ hours of Kovacs shows, sketches, and other rarities. I've been working on curating the set for Shout since May of last year, and had been asked to keep "hush-hush" about it until today, when Shout Factory's press release goes wide.<br /><br />The set will be released on April 19, 2011 but is available for pre-order <span style="font-weight: bold;">today</span> on Shout's website. You'll want to order the set on Shout!Factory's website as it's the only way to qualify to receive a 7th bonus disc that includes an hour of sketches from the 1956 summer replacement show plus material from the two surviving "Tonight!" shows Ernie hosted (one of which includes the first-ever Eugene tilted-table sketch). <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-4295796-10858371" title="Shout Factory Store" target="_blank">Click here</a> to go to Shout Factory's website and pre-order the set.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Ernie-Kovacs-The-Ernie-Kovacs-Collection/14900" title="he Ernie Kovacs Show DVD news: Press Release for The Ernie Kovacs Collection | TVShowsOnDVD.com" target="_blank">Click here to read the press release</a>, which lists all the programming.<br /><br />It's been real...<br /><br />Ben Model<br /><a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/" title="Kovacsland Online! - the Ernie Kovacs website" target="_blank">www.erniekovacs.info</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt2qHICuVe5GBnQZwIyvRfE8CHEdYbkcndahUFRV78_SYIPdrEi-tXSgQoVnt4TuRvXGgyHdu-ImQyDZVHjTByv3nX9qX8rLAvOCDdYYM1ckCGMsFnF_cFLl5HKQyWYtUjFkGhjYU_ab0/s1600/EKovacs_300x250_05.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt2qHICuVe5GBnQZwIyvRfE8CHEdYbkcndahUFRV78_SYIPdrEi-tXSgQoVnt4TuRvXGgyHdu-ImQyDZVHjTByv3nX9qX8rLAvOCDdYYM1ckCGMsFnF_cFLl5HKQyWYtUjFkGhjYU_ab0/s400/EKovacs_300x250_05.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560766340780856386" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-73670225824924439382010-12-09T13:39:00.000-05:002019-01-26T16:52:34.740-05:00Pass The Kapusta Please!<p>As has been mentioned in previous posts, our friend Rick Spector runs a company called <a href="http://www.stairstars.com/" target="_blank" title="Stairway To The Stars">"Stairway To The Stars"</a> which specializes in costumes, props, awards and historical artifacts from the golden age of film and television. One of the ways Rick obtains these items is through auction.</p>I became aware of Rick and his work last year when I posted this <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2009/12/kapusta-kids-and-nairobi-trios-in-color.html" target="_blank" title="Kapusta Kids And Nairobi Trios: IN COLOR">piece about Ernie's classic puppet bit, "The Kapusta Kid In Outer Space"</a>. At that time the puppets were up for auction but nobody was buying them. After getting to know Rick through email correspondence it occurred to me that there wouldn't be a better person to acquire and care for those legendary puppets. I guess Rick felt the same way, because he ended up buying them. Now, a lot of folks will get to enjoy them!<br />
<br />
Rick sent me an interesting email with some pics of a couple of the Kapustas which he brought to a recent event. Our thanks go to Rick for granting permission to share these with you:<br />
<blockquote><b><i>Hi Al,<br />
<br />
Just wanted to share with you that some months ago we were asked to display some of our vintage film and TV used puppets at the <a href="http://www.orlandopuppetfestival.com/" target="_blank" title="Orlando Puppet Festival">Orlando Puppet Festival</a> at the <a href="http://www.galleryatavalonisland.com/" target="_blank" title="Gallery at Avalon Island, Orlando, FL">Avalon Island Gallery</a> in downtown Orlando. This event is hosted by Heather Henson's (<a href="http://www.henson.com/" target="_blank" title="The Jim Henson Company">Jim's</a> daughter) <a href="http://www.ibexpuppetry.com/" target="_blank" title="IBEX Puppetry">IBEX Puppetry Company</a>. The event was launched with a special opening night party on Nov 16th and runs through to Dec. 10th. They have posted numerous images on their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/IbexPuppetry" title="IBEX Puppetry|Facebook" target="_blank">Facebook pages</a> of which I include a few here including one of Heather.. I was specifically asked to bring Ernie and "Albumen".<br />
<br />
I also made a slide show presentation for all the puppets and included a section on Ernie with stills of him with "Albumen" doing the "Kapusta Kid in Outer Space". It is on a digital screen that loops next to the cases for people to learn about or remember Ernie.<br />
<br />
Rick</i></b></blockquote><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/ekalb.jpg" title="Ernie And Albumen" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ibexpuppetry.com/" target="_blank" title="IBEX Puppetry"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/kapcase.jpg" title="Kapusta Kid Stills And Puppet Case" /></a></div><br />
Rick mentioned in another email that the duck in the case with Ernie and "Albumen" was made for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Seville" target="_blank" title="Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">Dave Seville</a> by <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/16/nyregion/morey-bunin-is-dead-at-86-pioneer-television-puppeteer.html" target="_blank" title="Morey Bunin Is Dead at 86 - Pioneer Television Puppeteer - Obituary; Biography - NYTimes.com">Morey Bunin</a> and used by him on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bandstand" target="_blank" title="American Bandstand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">American Bandstand</a> in 1957:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/duck.jpg" title="Duck" /></div><br />
David Seville was famous for his creation <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_and_the_Chipmunks" target="_blank" title="Alvin and the Chipmunks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">"Alvin And The Chipmunks"</a>, who of course figure very big during the holiday season with their number 1 hit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chipmunk_Song_%28Christmas_Don%27t_Be_Late%29" target="_blank" title="The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)."</a><br />
<br />
And on that note all of us here in Kovacsland wish you a most Happy Holiday Season and best wishes for a prosperous New Year in 2011! It's your gracious support throughout the year that helps to keep Ernie's legacy alive for a new generation of fans. <br />
<br />
And, as EK himself might have said: <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"It's Been Real!"</b></span><p></p>Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-30677086403922073972010-11-11T07:51:00.013-05:002010-11-14T09:05:44.072-05:00Be Sure You "Like" Ernie Kovacs On FacebookI've created a new fan page for Ernie Kovacs created on Facebook. I'll be disabling the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12778513935&ref=ts" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs fans">group</a> I set up some time ago and will use the fan page to post news and trivia. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/pages/Ernie-Kovacs/162143760485620" title="Ernie Kovacs" target="_blank">Click here</a> to go directly to the page or click on the Facebook badge below:<br /><a style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" title="Ernie Kovacs" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ernie-Kovacs/162143760485620" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs"><br />Ernie Kovacs</a><br /><p align="left"><a title="Ernie Kovacs" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ernie-Kovacs/162143760485620" target="_blank" ><img style="border: 0px none;" src="http://badge.facebook.com/badge/162143760485620.1862.159720709.png" width="120" height="256" /></a></p>It's been real!<br /><br />Ben Model,<br />New York, NYUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-76445448391864658462010-05-31T16:11:00.000-04:002019-01-26T17:06:55.615-05:00Two Koufax For A Kovacs<p align="center"><img align="center" src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/ekcard.jpg" /></p><p>Good afternoon fellow Kovacsians. It's been a while and I hope it's been real.<br /><br />Every once in a while when I mention EK to someone who isn't all that familiar with him or his work, they will say "<a title="Sandy Koufax On Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Koufax" target="_blank">Oh, yeah, that guy who used to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers.</a>" Some of them are being "HAH, HAH, FUNNY!" and yet others are actually serious.<br /><br />To all those folks I say that EK actually had his own version of the baseball card so you're not too far off the mark. I picked up Ernie’s <a title="Starline Hollywood Walk Of Fame" href="http://www.moviecard.com/modern/star-holywalk.html" target="_blank">"Starline Hollywood Walk Of Fame"</a> card on <a title="Ernie Kovacs Items Currently Available On eBay" href="http://desc.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=ernie+kovacs&_in_kw=3&_ex_kw=&_sacat=See-All-%20%20Categories&_okw=ernie+kovacs&_oexkw=&LH_TitleDesc=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sad%20%20is=200&_fpos=Zip+code&_fsct=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_rdc=1" target="_blank">eBay</a>. They show up there quite frequently and aren't very expensive so if you’re looking for a fun EK collectible that won’t break the bank then this is it. These cards were released during 1991-1992 and clicking the link above will take you to a list of all the cards in the set.<br /><br />According to the <a title="The Movie Card Website" href="http://www.moviecard.com/" target="_blank">"The Movie Card Website"</a> there were some mistakes made in the initial run of cards which were corrected for the second run. They listed Ernie’s death as November 3, 1962 when in actuality it was January 13, 1962. The web site does not mention Ernie’s card as having been corrected and since I’ve never seen one with the correct date I'm assuming they always went out this way.<br /><br />When looking at EK’s "stats" you'll notice that <a title="The Nairobi Trio On The Ernie Kovacs Blog" href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/search/label/nairobi%20trio" target="_blank">"The Nairobi Trio"</a> is referred to as a "monkey band", they list one of Ernie’s lesser known characters ("Irving Wong Chinese Songwriter") and they actually mention his hosting of <a title="The Tonight Show On The Ernie Kovacs Blog" href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/search/label/tonight%20show" target="_blank">"The Tonight Show"</a>. "Monkey band" is an odd choice of wording and Irving is too arcane of a character to make the cut but the "The Tonight Show" belongs there; readers of this blog may remember that when <a title="Conan O'Brien On Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_O%27Brien" target="_blank">Conan O'Brien</a> was slated to take the helm of the program we wrote some posts trying to convince <a title="NBC" href="http://www.nbc.com/" target="_blank">NBC</a> to list EK as a past host. They never did and given the way that whole fiasco turned out it was all for the best.<br /><br />Should you wish to visit Ernie’s star on the <a title="Hollywood Walk Of Fame Offical Website" href="http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/index.php?page=7" target="_blank">"Hollywood Walk Of Fame"</a> the <a title="List Of Addresses On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame" href="http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stars_on_the_Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame" target="_blank">address</a> is listed, a new one on me since I never knew that marble slabs had addresses.<br /><br />I'd like to wish a Happy <a title="Memorial Day On Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day" target="_blank">Memorial Day</a> to all the members of the Armed Forces past and present. And by the way if you want to trade and don’t have two Koufax cards I’ll take two <a title="Ernest Borgnine On Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Borgnine" target="_blank">Ernest Borginines</a> and a <a title="Gene Barry On Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Barry" target="_blank">Gene Barry</a>. They both had a better slider than Kovacs (OOPS! I MEANT KOUFAX!) last year.<br /><br />Until next time, "It’s Been Real!".</p>Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-51201844792791015802010-04-13T17:41:00.004-04:002010-04-16T12:43:43.584-04:00Ernie Kovacs & Early TV Comedy: Nothing In Moderation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurhhZktsce_BkEgDyRViq6INSLenr6lQS0mfQzD2M4q8igsbbahPzVeuw55RcOHYHHmQCJHlmJ2ImADGAXypITnR08lMF18jQniaigXR7s4OE-suaNUzhOIXI5pq7BnTjF37WhqBONK0/s1600/ekbalq.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 10pt 10px 10px 10pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurhhZktsce_BkEgDyRViq6INSLenr6lQS0mfQzD2M4q8igsbbahPzVeuw55RcOHYHHmQCJHlmJ2ImADGAXypITnR08lMF18jQniaigXR7s4OE-suaNUzhOIXI5pq7BnTjF37WhqBONK0/s400/ekbalq.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458891309686765826" border="0" /></a><br />Good afternoon fellow Kovacsians. It's been a while.<br /><br />Exactly two months ago I posted <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2010/02/percys-poetry-book-and-new-book-on.html" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs & Early TV Comedy: Nothing In Moderation">information</a> about the new book "Ernie Kovacs & Early TV Comedy: Nothing In Moderation" by <a href="http://www.andyhorton.org/" title="Andrew Horton" target="_blank">Andrew Horton</a>, which was released on April 1, 2010. It includes an interview with the author and all the info you'll need if you'd like to acquire a copy. That post will give you a very thorough understanding of the book; this post will give you my quick impressions since I just finished reading it.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed it and suggest that it's a fine addition to the library of anyone who really wants to study the work of Ernie Kovacs; it's wonderful that fans and scholars now have another book to provide them with knowledge. It's divided into <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/excerpts/exhorern.html" title="Table of Contents and Excerpt, Horton, Ernie Kovacs & Early TV Comedy" target="_blank">five chapters</a> which take us through and help us to understand EK's work and what influenced it during different periods of his development, from the very beginning until the very end. That, in a nutshell, is what the book is.<br /><br />Here is what it is not: a biography of Ernie Kovacs. And, it doesn't claim to be; Professor Horton points this out quite clearly towards the end of his introduction:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally, I wish to note that I spend almost no time in these pages on Ernie's biography since that is not the subject of my study. The Works Cited section does cover book that do justice to a summary of Kovacs' life, especially <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2009/02/1.html" title="Interview: " kovacsland="" author="" diana="" rico="" target="_blank">Diana Rico's thoroughly researched book "Kovacsland"</a>.</span></blockquote>Chapter four,"Ernie in the Movies: From Comic Director to Supporting Character Actor", was the most enlightening section for me. I admit that I don't spend a great deal of time considering Ernie's films and I've been writing about him for well over a decade. I never felt that they were at all what he was about or even anything to do with him really; EK was at his best when he ran the show and not when he was a crew member on someone else's ship. And that's no joke about the ship; Ernie went to Hollywood figuring he might be a leading man one day and ended up portraying so many military officers that at one point he took out an ad in "<a href="http://www.variety.com/" title="Variety" target="_blank">Variety"</a>, imploring "No More Captains--Please." Professor Horton does a great job of pointing this out while at the same time providing excellent analysis of the films in which EK appeared and his contributions to them.<br /><br />My thanks go out to Professor Horton for the wonderful mention he gives us in the "Works Cited" section under "Internet Sources". Both <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/" title="The Ernie Kovacs Website" target="_blank">Ben Model</a> and myself have worked hard over the years to help keep EK's memory alive and to have a solid internet resource where people can learn more about him. It's great to be given a nod for that. I'd also like to thank all of you who visit <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.net/" title="ERNIEKOVACS.NET THE WEB SITE FOR ERNIE KOVACS INFORMATION" target="_blank">my site</a>, Ben's, and this blog for your constant support of our work. Visit Ben's site by clicking the link above and you'll find a section called "books by/on Kovacs" which will show you a list of all that is available on EK, prior to the release of this book.<br /><br />The following is off topic, but a fun way to end. I get emails from time to time asking if EK based Percy Dovetonsils on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Williams" title="Tennessee Williams On Wikipedia" target="_blank">Tennessee Williams</a>. To be honest, I don't know. I have heard it alluded to, however, and I can definitely see it. Here's a video of the great playwright reading poetry. I'll let you all be the judge:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7L8EIdFmj4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7L8EIdFmj4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></div><br />Until we meet again, "It's Been Real!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">ED. NOTE, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Model sent me the following message regarding the basis for Percy Dovetonsils. Thanks Ben!</span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Al,<br /><br />Ernie's Percy character was supposedly based on someone named Ted Malone (orig name Frank Alden Russell), who read poetry on a radio program that began in 1929 and went into the 1940s called "Between the Bookends"...which is why Percy's sign-off was usually "I'll see you just outside the bookends". Here's a link to his obit <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/27/obituaries/ted-malone-81-was-radio-pioneer-with-talk-programs.html?pagewanted=1" target="_blank" title="Ted Malone Obituary NY Times">on the NY Times</a>. Here's a link to download and lithen to a 1945 epithode: <a href="http://www.radiolovers.com/pages/betweenthebookends.htm" title="Between The Bookends Radio Show" target="_blank">click!</a>. Malone has no dithernable lithp, but Malone's voice itself does seem to be the basis for the Percy character.<br /><br />Ben</span></span><br /></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">I can definitely see EK having morphed the voice into what became Percy. Here are couple of interesting pictures of Ted Malone:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2850203/Hulton-Archive" title="Ted Malone Dining With Ronald Reagan And Jane Wyman" target="_blank">Ted Malone Dining With Ronald Reagan And Jane Wyman</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.jameswhitcombriley.com/wpe13259.gif" title="Ted Malone With His Children And A Moustache He Should Have Reconsidered" target="_blank">Ted Malone With Some Kids And An Unfortunate Mustache</a><br /><br />I can see that aspects of Percy's looks were derived from Mr. Malone as well.<br /><br />I've also found an interesting interview with Professor Andrew Horton. You'll see a poster of EK when they first show his office:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3RkTYAE7o9U&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3RkTYAE7o9U&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></div><br /><br /></span>Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-72673638936227873342010-02-13T14:26:00.001-05:002019-01-26T17:09:44.825-05:00Percy's Poetry Book And A New Book On Ernie<p>Rick Spector runs a company called "<a href="http://www.stairstars.com/" target="_blank" title="Stairway To The Stars">"Stairway To The Stars"</a> which specializes in costumes, props, awards and historical artifacts from the golden age of film and television. One of the ways Rick obtains these items is through auction. He recently acquired Percy Dovetonsils' book of poetry at an auction held by the <a href="http://www.hollywoodmuseum.com/" target="_blank" title="Hollywood Entertainment Museum">Hollywood Entertainment Museum</a>.</p><br />
Rick shared some pics with us. The color photo doesn't have to do with Percy or the auction item; Rick discovered <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Ernie-Kovacs-Edie-Adams-1960-Color-Photo_W0QQitemZ360182556630QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dc8da7d6" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs Edie Adams 1960 Color Photo">some interesting color photos for auction on eBay</a> and since you don't see a lot of these I thought I'd show it. The color pic dates from 1960. Thanks Rick: <br />
<br />
<center><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/pdek.jpg" /></center><br />
<br />
<img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/hortbook.jpg" vspace="10" />Speaking of books we're excited to announce that a brand new one about Ernie is coming out in April, 2010. It's titled <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/horern.html" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs & Early TV Comedy: Nothing in Moderation">"Ernie Kovacs & Early TV Comedy: Nothing in Moderation"</a> and comes to us from <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/" target="_blank" title="The University Of Texas Press">The University Of Texas Press</a>. Author <a href="http://www.andyhorton.org/" target="_blank" title="Andrew Horton">Andrew Horton</a>, who is the The Jeanne H Smith Professor of Film And Video Studies at <a href="http://www.ou.edu/web.html" target="_blank" title="The University Of Oklahoma">The University Of Oklahoma</a>, took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for us:<br />
<br />
1. What inspired you to write a book about Ernie Kovacs?<br />
<br />
<b>I wrote this book because Ernie has always been a part of me since I was a child and I finally said, "It's time to take a closer look at what has kept me laughing so much all these years.<br />
<br />
As I say in my intro: Kovacs was an indelible part of my own childhood. When I was growing up in the l950’s, no one made me laugh louder and more frequently than Ernie Kovacs. The sheer nutty brilliance of the man, his wife Edie Adams, and his comic co-conspirators such as writers including Rex Lardner, Deke Heyward, and Mike Marmer and actors such as Barbara Loden, Peter Hanley and Trigger Lund has come back to make me laugh again and again through the years, often at unexpected moments.<br />
<br />
Let’s be more specific. As a child allowed to watch several hours of television a day, I became hooked not so much on "I Love Lucy" or even Disney’s "Mickey Mouse Club" shows, but on the various Ernie Kovacs shows that existed throughout this period.<br />
<br />
I was too young to "analyze" what it was that I enjoyed so much about his humor, but in retrospect I was fully aware that Kovacs was much further "out there" as a comedian than anyone else in the biz including my other favorites, Sid Caesar and Steve Allen. In particular, I constantly entertained family and friends acting out The Nairobi Trio, those three apes who always mischievously acted out stunts on each other, particularly angering the middle ape, as the same tune, "Solfeggio" played every time they appeared. I too would hum the song and pretend to play the xylophone with my two little xylophone hammers while then turning like some kind of a robot and zapping the "ape" (be "she" my sister, mother, grandmother, or "he" my father, grandfather or a friend) over the head with my imaginary hammers (often substituting other objects).</b><br />
<br />
2. Two major books have been written about Ernie: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-moderation-biography-Ernie-Kovacs/dp/0877497389" title="David Walley's Nothing In Moderation: The Ernie Kovacs Story" target="_blank">David Walley's "Nothing In Moderation: The Ernie Kovacs Story" first published in 1975 (reprinted in 1987 as "The Ernie Kovacs Phile")</a> and <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9780156472500-0" title="Diana Rico's "Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs"" target="_blank">Diana Rico's "Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs"</a> first published in 1990. They both do a great job of delving into the many facets of Ernie's career and art. I can tell you that every major EK fan I know, including me, has read both and is wondering how your book is different and what new information it brings to the table (or in Ernie's case the poker table). <br />
<br />
<b>These books are very good and useful and bring in a lot, especially Rico's, of his life/bio. Where I come in is taking first of all a wider look at COMEDY itself thus placing Kovacs, yes, with not necessarily INFLUENCES but SIMILARITIES to everyone from ARISTOPHANES in Ancient Greece to the MARX BROTHERS , CHAPLIN, KEATON and to suggest how he exemplifies elements of, for instance, COMMEDIA DELL' ARTE in Italy (the mixture of improv with set pieces, etc.) and SURREALISM as well.<br />
</b><br />
<b>As I say early in the book, Question: what do Monty Python, David Letterman, much of Saturday Night Live especially in its early years, Larry David, especially in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" on which he works without a script, "Flight of the Conchords", "Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In", "The Uncle Floyd Show", "Captain Kangaroo" and even "Sesame Street", to offer but a short list, have in common? One answer is quite simple: they all reflect--whether knowingly or not--the imaginative and wildly creative comic jokes, ludic characterizations, hilarious insights and zany experiments that Ernie Kovacs handed down in his years with early American television and late 1950’s Hollywood cinema. “Nothing in Moderation” was not only Kovacs’ wholehearted approach to comedy and life but is also the line on his tombstone in Los Angeles’ Forest Lawn Memorial Park.<br />
<br />
Long story short, as you see from the list of chapters, I go into close detail examining the types of comedy he developed and the influences this has had:<br />
<br />
Chapter 1: An Overview of the Post-War Era & The Ernie Kovacs Shows in the Context of American Television Comedy <br />
<br />
Chapter 2: The Flow of the Philadelphia & New York Kovacs Shows: Comic Surrealism Verbal and Visual <br />
<br />
Chapter 3: Silence Please! Ernie, California & Working With Music, Sound & Surrealistic Visuals on His Specials<br />
<br />
Chapter 4: Ernie in the Movies: From Comic Director to Supporting Character Actor<br />
<br />
Chapter 5: The Kovacs Legacy: “I Don’t Know: I Just Do It!”</b><br />
<br />
3. I read the following comment on the University of Texas web site "In this book, Andrew Horton offers the first sustained look at Ernie Kovacs's wide-ranging and lasting contributions to the development of TV comedy". In what ways?<br />
<br />
<b>Again, I take a close look at shows and specific scenes/moments to "open up" Kovacs' comic genius of VERBAL AND VISUAL, individual and ensemble and suggest influences this has had long since his day. I watch and write not just as a FAN or as a MEDIA SCHOLAR but as a comic screenwriter myself having, for instance, published one book <a href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=Laughing+Out+Loud%3A+Writing+the+Comedy+Centered+Screenplay&aq=f&aqi=&oq=&fp=c5aa4278f68e4a4" target="_blank" title="LAUGHING OUT LOUD: WRITING THE COMEDY CENTERED SCREENPLAY">"LAUGHING OUT LOUD: WRITING THE COMEDY CENTERED SCREENPLAY" (U of California Press)</a> which has been used effectively around the world, I'm happy to say! I would add one more perspective I bring which is I fully appreciate his "Hungarian Viewpoint" for I have worked in Europe including Hungary, Czech Republic, Yugoslavia and Greece and appreciate THEIR HUMOR AND CAN SEE HOW PARTIALLY ERNIE WAS PULLING FROM SOME OF THESE ROOTS TOO! <br />
<br />
Finally, let me add this since I am writing this a few days before Mardi Gras and in the book I do look closely at the SPIRIT OF CARNIVAL THAT ERNIE REPRESENTS! LONG LIVE ERNIE AND CARNIVAL IN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND LAUGHTER:<br />
<br />
Can we think of any more appropriate carnival!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Bakhtin" target="_blank" title="Mikhail_Bakhtin On Wikipedia">Mikhail Bakhtin</a> in writing about the nature of carnival in Europe but projecting to the spirit of the carnivalesque in any culture, commented that:<br />
</b><br />
<blockquote><b>“Carnival is not a spectacle seen by the </b><br />
<b>people; they live in it, and everyone </b><br />
<b>participates because its very idea embraces </b><br />
<b>all the people. While carnival last, there is no other life outside it (7).”</b></blockquote><b> Looking back on the nature of Ernie Kovacs’ original forms of comedy on early American television in the 1950’s up through into the 1960’s, it is certainly fair to say whenever and wherever Ernie was “working”, a carnival was in session and all of those around him had to understand that. Thus it seems accurate to say that Ernie Kovacs brought a spirit of carnival into the new medium of television, a spirit that has had lasting influences. Ernie’s comment that, “I don’t know. I just do it!” is absolutely “carnivalesque” in the sense we have been discussing.<br />
<br />
Let’s be more specific. The carnival spirit can be seen as celebrating the three “F’s”: freedom, fantasy, and festivity (Horton. Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy Centered Screenplay p4). Certainly Ernie felt the “freedom” to do just about anything he wanted to do (as long as no one was being hurt!), and he had endless amounts of “fantasy” that allowed him to dream up what to do. Finally the “festivity” was the SHARING of his comedy with others. If you do all of this by yourself for yourself, that is not the carnival spirit. Carnival is to be shared “in the streets” and, in this case, in the living rooms of America. And in my personal interviews with Edie Adams, she explained she enjoyed helping to edit at times because, as she put it,“ Ernie really needed someone to help edit because he was so into whatever he was doing that often he didn’t know if it was funny or not (personal interview).”</b><br />
<br />
4. You're a screenwriter and have written books on the subject. Do you offer a critical analysis of Ernie's films in the book?<br />
<br />
<b>Yes! I have a whole chapter on his films. I NOTE, FOR INSTANCE, (SEE BELOW) HOW VERY FEW ACTORS EVER MAKE IT IN BOTH TV AND FILM, AND ERNIE WASN'T A BIG STAR YET, BUT HE WAS CLEARLY DEVELOPING IN THIS "OTHER MEDIUM" AS I NOTE BELOW IN THE CHAPTER: </b><br />
<blockquote><b>In his five brief “cinematic years”, Ernie never became a famous lead actor. But he came through often as an impressive supporting character in both comedies and dramas and thus proved to be one of those rare actors who could move from television to film and back again successfully. To put this in a clearer context, it’s important to realize how small a group such actors are or have been. Jerry Seinfeld, for instance, is still funny in reruns of Seinfeld (1990-98), but he has not yet become a movie star and has actually not really tried to cross the bridge, since he has often commented how difficult such medium crossing can be. Similarly, while a few actors have been able to move between the two mediums such as James Garner, Bill Cosby and Lucille Ball, we cannot speak of distinguished feature film careers of most television comics such as Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore.</b></blockquote><b></b> 5. Who did you interview who worked with Ernie in those early days?<br />
<br />
<b>I was so lucky to be able to interview Edie Adams several times in her home and in Kansas when we were both invited to the <a href="http://www.busterkeatoncelebration.org/" target="_blank" title="Buster Keaton Celebration">Annual Buster Keaton Fesitval</a> in Iola to celebrate Buster and Ernie given that even on the day Ernie died he had been working with Buster on a TV Pilot Show. <br />
<br />
A number of my friends worked in TV in the early days and they were helpful and of Ernie's staff workers I was able to interview Robert Key.<br />
<br />
(ED. NOTE: For a thorough discussion of the pilot Ernie and Buster worked on see <a href="http://itsrobfoster.blogspot.com/2009/10/intersecting-parallels-keaton-and.html" target="_blank" title="Intersecting Parallels: Keaton And Kovacs">this article</a> by our friend Rob Foster.) </b><br />
<br />
6. The book is available for pre-order on the <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/horern.html" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs and Early TV Comedy: Nothing in Moderation At University Of Texas Press">University Of Texas web site</a> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Kovacs-Early-Comedy-Moderation/dp/0292721943/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265923539&sr=8-1" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs and Early TV Comedy: Nothing in Moderation At Amazon">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ernie-Kovacs-and-Early-TV-Comedy/Andrew-Horton/e/9780292721944/?itm=5" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs and Early TV Comedy: Nothing in Moderation At Barnes And Noble">Barnes And Noble</a> web sites. Will it also be available in retail outlets?<br />
<br />
<b>I assume so but U Texas will have to tell you this. Alas, the paperback version will not be out the first year.</b><br />
<br />
Our thanks go out to Andy Horton for a very informative interview. It's going to be a great new angle on Ernie's work and something I'm sure all EK fans will enjoy reading.<br />
<br />
My Dad first exposed me to EK by making me watch <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Ernie-Kovacs/dp/B000056B07" target="_blank" title="The Best Of Ernie Kovacs On Amazon">"The Best Of Ernie Kovacs"</a> on PBS in 1978 and then a couple of years later my friends and I discovered <a href="http://www.unclefloyd.com/" target="_blank" title="The Uncle Floyd Show">"The Uncle Floyd Show"</a> on cable TV. That's one connection I truly look forward to reading about! Both are from New Jersey and I've always considered the similarities. <br />
<br />
Until next time Kovacsians: "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-73346325594068959872010-02-10T15:45:00.012-05:002010-07-14T19:39:01.617-04:00"Solfeggio" LyricsSomeone wrote me over at my <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.info/">erniekovacs.info</a> website, looking to find the lyrics to "Solfeggio" (a/k/a "Song of the Nairobi Trio"). In case anyone else has been wondering, here's what I wrote back:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>They're not too complicated, especially if you know "Doe, a Deer" from the Sound of Music. "Solfeggio" is a musical notation system where each of the eight pitches on the major scale is given a name: do re me fa sol la ti do.<br />
<br />
The "lyrics" to the song are nothing more than the names of the notes of the melody:<br />
<br />
"Solfeggio" lyrics:<br />
<br />
Mi sol la<br />
Re fa-re sol<br />
Do me-do fa re<br />
Sol sol<span style="font-style: italic;"> (bongo roll...)</span><br />
<br />
Mi sol la<br />
Re fa-re sol<br />
Do me-do fa re<br />
Sol sol do <span style="font-style: italic;">(wham!)</span><br />
<br />
Do mi fa<br />
Si re-se mi<br />
La do-la fa re<br />
Sol sol <span style="font-style: italic;">(bongo roll...)</span><br />
<br />
Do mi-do fa<br />
Si re-se mi<br />
La do-la fa re<br />
Sol sol do <span style="font-style: italic;">(wham!)</span></blockquote><br />
Thanks for writing!<br />
<br />
Ben ModelUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-86240333873666269782009-12-22T17:54:00.008-05:002019-01-26T16:56:16.978-05:00Kapusta Kids And Nairobi Trios: IN COLORDid the title grab your attention Kovacsians? Good. It was supposed to.<br /><br />I have a great visual treat for you today and considering Ernie was such a visual comic the shoe, or in this case the shoes, masks, scarves and hats, fit.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.hollywoodmuseum.com/" title="Hollywood Entertainment Museum" target="_blank">Hollywood Entertainment Museum</a> held an <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hollywood-entertainment-museums-100-year-collection-up-for-auction-to-save-education-for-at-risk-youth-79100117.html" title="Hollywood Entertainment Museum's 100 Year Collection Up for Auction to Save Education for At-Risk Youth" target="_blank">auction</a> this past weekend of their 100 year old collection of television and film memorabilia in order to raise money for at-risk youth. Included in the inventory of this most worthwhile cause were a mother lode of goodies from Kovacsland.<br /><br />Wonderful puppets from Ernie's parody of children's sci-fi and puppet shows, <a href="http://www.tvacres.com/aliens_kapusta.htm" title="The Kapusta Kid In Outer Space At TV Acres" target="_blank">"The Kapusta Kid In Outer Space,"</a> were some of the featured items. Rick Spector, a new fan of the blog and website, was the lucky winner of the EK puppet which you see pictured below. He seems to think these puppets may have been made by the late puppeteer <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/15/obituaries/larry-berthelson-60-a-master-of-puppetry.html" title="Larry Berthelson" target="_blank">Larry Berthelson</a> and this certainly may be the case as his puppets appeared regularly in Ernie's early shows. "Kapusta" incidentally is the Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, and Slovak word for cabbage. You might say Ernie's puppets were the original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage_Patch_Kids" title="Cabbage Patch Kids" target="_blank">"Cabbage Patch Kids."</a><br /><br />In addition to the puppets, the masks and costumes of Ernie's legendary <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nairobi_Trio" title="The Nairobi Trio" target="_blank">"Nairobi Trio"</a> were also up for auction. And, as if that wasn't enough, throw in some title cards from two of Ernie's early shows, <a href="http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/kovacsinphilly.html" target="_blank">"3 To Get Ready"</a> and <a href="http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/ErnieKovaksShow/erkovacshow.htm" title="Kovacs Unlimited" target="_blank">"Kovacs Unlimited,"</a> some assorted props (including the "Nairobi Trio" mallets) and an odd prop with dials known as "Gearshift's Mechano Almanac" which, quite frankly, I've never heard of. It's amazing what great shape these items are in considering they date back to the early 1950s. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(ED. NOTE: I have to make a correction as we've just been informed that the masks pictured are not the actual ones, but facsimiles since the original is very fragile and I'm assuming they decided not to handle it too much. Please read the comments section for additional clarification. My apologies!) </span><br /><br />I certainly hope you enjoy the color photos posted below; something different since they, along with Ernie, were always seen on TV in black and white:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/ekkapcomp.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/kapcomp.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/naicomp1.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/naicomp2.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.alquagliata.com/erniekovacs/images/blog/miscomp.jpg" /></div><br /><br />Well, there you have it Kovacsians. Until next time Happy Holidays and a very sincere "It's Been Real!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ED. NOTE, DEC. 26TH, 2009:<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.museum.tv/" title="The Museum Of Broadcast Communications" target="_blank">Museum Of Broadcast Communications</a> in Chicago has their <a href="http://archives.museum.tv/" title="The Museum Of Broadcast Communications Online Archive" target="_blank">archives listed online</a> so you can view the list. Some of these listings have a digital file accompanying them for viewing and ⁄ or listening.<br /><br />"The Ernie Kovacs Show" from December 19th, 1955, is one of these. The show contains as one of its sketches "The Kapusta Kid In Outer Space." I uncovered this while doing some further research on the puppets. The EK puppet is not in the sketch but many of the others are.<br /><br />To view this file:<br /><ol><li>Visit this <a href="http://archives.museum.tv/" title="The Museum Of Broadcast Communications Online Archive" target="_blank">link</a> and sign up. It’s free.<br /><br /></li><li>Once you login choose the "TV" link, put Ernie Kovacs in "Keywords" and check the box at the bottom that says "Digital File Available". Then click submit. The archive listings for several files along with links to them will then come up. Look for catalog # TV_05449-3 with a date of 12/19/1955.</li></ol>Most people who visit my EK sites know I don't usually promote online files because most of the time the person uploading them does not have permission to do so. Many times I'm sent emails with links to EK file downloads which I ignore and delete. My assumption here is that a broadcast museum is not just putting up clips without permission.</span>Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-9927163221527698182009-10-18T18:23:00.005-04:002011-10-04T16:02:26.409-04:00"Festival Of Magic" Hosted By Ernie Kovacs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWVugI44b3sNTIwPqGcC1uMzp7YRicTqcArkrogn6zU3VxDxoa_JntBWNmk18Nc2KOLUaKq2jNyNpSan44NcuLhovD7Q7TbauQiqrv0RXSW15YUGWLzvcQpkm0GJ-5tBEVFqJhHMoc6g/s1600-h/fest.jpg"><img style="margin: 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWVugI44b3sNTIwPqGcC1uMzp7YRicTqcArkrogn6zU3VxDxoa_JntBWNmk18Nc2KOLUaKq2jNyNpSan44NcuLhovD7Q7TbauQiqrv0RXSW15YUGWLzvcQpkm0GJ-5tBEVFqJhHMoc6g/s400/fest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393989441786442706" border="0" /></a>Good evening Kovacsians. I have something for you that I know you'll enjoy.<br />
<br />
Kovacs fans know that outside of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Ernie-Kovacs/dp/B000056B07/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1255885327&sr=8-1" title="The Best of Ernie Kovacs" target="_blank">"Best Of Collection"</a> and the <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2008/12/kovacs-christmas-list.html" title="Kovacs Christmas List" target="_blank">ten films he appeared in</a>, there is a dearth of material with Ernie in it that is available for purchase. Now, however, there is something you can add to the list.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1186319/" title="Producers Showcase: Festival Of Magic IMDB" target="_blank">"Producers Showcase: Festival Of Magic"</a> aired on <a href="http://www.nbc.com/" target="_blank" title="NBC TV">NBC</a> on Monday, May 27, 1957. Ernie acts as the emcee for this extravaganza which you can now purchase from <a href="http://www.miraclefactory.net/zenstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_24&products_id=10" target="_blank" title="Festival Of Magic At The Miracle Factory">The Miracle Factory</a>, the company which produces it. Todd Karr, who owns The Miracle Factory, was nice enough to send us a copy for review.<br />
<br />
The program itself is an ode to the big production number/variety shows from television's golden age. From a magic standpoint it has a wonderful theme; grand stage illusions are performed by magicians from the far corners of the world.<br />
<br />
There's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Harbin">Robert Harbin </a>, the British magician who invented the famous "Zig Zag Girl" illusion, a version of which he does here and who for purposes of the show is from "South Africa". Then from "Asia" there is "Li King Si" (a Frenchman born Edouard 'Georges' Cassel), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._C._Sorcar" title="Sorcar" target="_blank">Sorcar</a> from India, Rene Septembre from France, June Merlin from Ireland and <a href="http://www.illusiongenius.com/articles/ChristopherBio.html" title="Milbourne Christopher" target="_blank">Milbourne Christopher</a> from the United States.<br />
<br />
But for me the highlight of the magic is the genius of the Englishman Richard Pitchford, better known to the world as <a href="http://www.cardini.com/" title="Cardini" target="_blank">"Cardini"</a>. This is the only performance of his full act available on film and it's something well worth seeing. He's like a great actor; the delivery and the magic together make for a fine performance and I find it amazing that unlike the other magicians, who are working with much bigger items and/or animals, Cardini pulls off his act with just playing cards and cigarettes. Truly phenomenal, a master of sleight of hand and very funny as well, the perfect compliment to EK.<br />
<br />
"So what about Ernie?" you may be asking. In her book <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/63-9780156472500-0" target="_blank" title="Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs at Powell's Books">"Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs"</a> author <a href="http://www.dianarico.com/" target="_blank" title="Diana Rico">Diana Rico</a> describes him as doing a sword balancing act and performing some running "magic" gags in which he shoots, saws and otherwise tries to destroy some NBC Vice Presidents. This is an apt description; EK, who wrote his own bits for this show, is using them as a jibe at the meddling ways of television executives, something he was famous for loathing. Before addressing the assemblage of "executives" for the first time he tells the audience:<br />
<blockquote>"<span style="font-weight: bold;">Some of the gentleman with whom I've been at odds occasionally, the NBC Vice Presidents, felt that perhaps I might not restrain myself in doing a magic show; they're a little bit skeptical."</span><br />
</blockquote>After turning to look at them he says:<br />
<blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">"You've been here all day; it's awfully difficult to work with them here."</span></blockquote>He then opens with a "trick" in which he attempts to make one of them vanish inside a large cabinet. Very telling.<br />
<br />
Ernie performs all the "tricks" as himself so you won't be seeing <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2007/05/i-need-volunteer-from-audience.html" title="I Need A Volunteer From The Audience" target="_blank">"Matzoh Hepplewhite: Itinerant Magician"</a>. There is also no interaction between Ernie and the magicians themselves; he does his bits at the end of the acts before the commercial breaks and then again coming in from the breaks before the next act, then announces the act. This could have been a "meddling vice president" choice; Ernie was at his best when riffing with people or performers not used to his brand of humor so it seems odd that this was not pursued.<br />
<br />
This is not going to go down on record as Ernie's greatest hosting performance. It's from a time period several months after his fill-in stint as <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2009/04/ernie-tonight-another-nairobi-trio-ek.html" title="Ernie & " another="" nairobi="" trio="" ek="" dvd="" box="" set="" on="" hold="" target="_blank">permanent guest host of Steve Allen's "Tonight!"</a> and was at a point when Ernie did not have a show of his own but was still under contract to NBC. For this reason it's apparent that it's of the "let's get Kovacs to host this magic show" variety, since NBC could never quite figure out what to do with Ernie in a show of his own. At points he's reading from cue cards and seems to not be all that into it.<br />
<br />
That being said Ernie's bits when he's allowed to be Ernie have their moments; wind-up toy animals talk, there's a visual bit where he has a conversation with a tiny man in a pith helmet and of course the attempts to execute TV middle management disguised as illusions are great, if simply for that reason that it's obvious what his point is. Amongst the "executives" Kovacs stalwarts will recognize the veteran character actor <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0489484/" title="Henry Lascoe at IMDB" target="_blank">Henry Lascoe</a> and actor/singer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0360098/" title="Peter Hanley at IMDB" target="_blank">Peter Hanley</a>, both Kovacs show regulars. Hanley of course is famous for introducing the song "Solfeggio" to Ernie; he brought it into work one day to use as a singing exercise and it's the song that inspired Ernie to create the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nairobi_Trio" title="The Nairobi Trio" target="_blank">"The Nairobi Trio"</a> and then became the music for same.<br />
<br />
The DVD itself was made from a tape of an excellent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinescope" title="kinescope" target="_blank">kinescope</a>; for the most part it looks and sounds fine with the occasionally audio and video glitches you might expect but completely watchable. Originally the producers had intended to include the original commercials but left them out because they felt it slowed down the show's pace, however, you do get to see who the sponsors are during the show opening. There is a choice on the DVD menu called "Commercials" but it is simply a little bit of comedy with EK before a commercial break. Running time is slightly over an hour and fifteen minutes which means the original show was probably 90 minutes. The cost of this DVD is $35.<br />
<br />
All in all a very enjoyable "hour and a quarter"; as I write this I can hear my relatives laughing in the other room at EK's antics. That's as good an endorsement as any. If you're an Ernie fan, magic fan or both (and most people who read this blog are), then I suggest you <a href="http://www.miraclefactory.net/zenstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_24&products_id=10" target="_blank" title="Festival Of Magic At The Miracle Factory">pick up a copy</a>.<br />
<br />
Here's a short trailer so you'll have an idea what you're getting:<br />
<br />
<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZ8qIRzeLRE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZ8qIRzeLRE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br />
Until next time, "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-80883608453769781182009-08-09T11:18:00.003-04:002010-07-14T19:36:56.964-04:00Ernie's Former New City Home For Sale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ixVyJZC2gjsCk1WZIQiIF3kKOdbSYntQgB-q7GQVvoEADz4lJdddXGlAqT53LHEBVTLV5E29XV0Bqa-55pZDGVDmd82YHy5AM1Di5HytIWAEWT0kJ4wZGHCA_oGuQSXp06j_iXnavSM/s1600-h/ernienewcityhome.jpg"><img style="margin: 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ixVyJZC2gjsCk1WZIQiIF3kKOdbSYntQgB-q7GQVvoEADz4lJdddXGlAqT53LHEBVTLV5E29XV0Bqa-55pZDGVDmd82YHy5AM1Di5HytIWAEWT0kJ4wZGHCA_oGuQSXp06j_iXnavSM/s400/ernienewcityhome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367977520871040610" border="0" /></a><br />Good morning Kovacsians. It's been a while.<br /><br />Back in the mid 1950s when Ernie was doing his show from New York City he purchased a home for his mother Mary Kovacs in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_City,_New_York" title="New City, New York" target="_blank">New City</a>, New York, which is a suburb in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockland_County,_New_York" title="Rockland County, New York" target="_blank">Rockland County</a>. The home is currently up for sale; you can see the listing and some additional photos by clicking the link above.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">(ED. NOTE, 9/12/2009- I disabled the link to the property as it's apparently been sold or pulled off the market and the page no longer exists.- Al Quagliata)</span></span><br /><br />Many Kovacs fans will remember that Ernie's daughters, Bette and Kippie, were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Kovacs#First_marriage" title="Ernie Kovacs Children Kidnapped" target="_blank">kidnapped to Florida</a> by their mother and Ernie's first wife, Bette Wilcox. According to Diana Rico's book <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780151472949-0" title="Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs" target="_blank">"Kovacsland: A Biography Of Ernie Kovacs"</a> Ernie filled the home with presents and decorations each Christmas in the hope they would all be reunited in time for the holiday. When they were finally reunited in the summer of 1955 the girls were brought to the house for the first time. Bette Kovacs remembered that there were still candy canes and stars on the ceiling in the room where they were to sleep and these remained there for all the years her grandmother occupied the home.<br /><br />A nice story for a nice Sunday. Until next time, "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-66285568444685011462009-06-23T08:07:00.001-04:002010-07-14T19:36:56.973-04:00Edie Adams Interview With Josh Mills And Becky Greenlaw<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EK</span> fan Mary Lou <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cassidy</span> brought to our attention a six part interview that <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/info/press/default.php?ReleaseID=679" target="_blank" title="Doug Norwine">Doug <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Norwine</span></a> of Heritage Auction Galleries did with Edie's son Josh Mills and her assistant Becky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Greenlaw</span> as part of their last <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=7006&chkPABS=1&ic=catalog_home" target="_blank" title="Heritage Auction Galleries Auction 7006">celebrity memorabilia auction which took place from June 5-7, 2009.</a><br /><br />Each segment is about 7 minutes. The first five feature Josh and Becky discussing Edie and Ernie; the sixth shows Edie's gowns and dresses which are up for auction with either Josh or Becky discussing their history:<br /><br /><a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/video.php?src=entertainment/Collection-7006-18-1&ic=rightcolumn-7006video-050109" target="_blank">PART 1</a> <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/video.php?src=entertainment/Collection-7006-18-2&ic=rightcolumn-7006video-050109" target="_blank">PART 2</a> <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/video.php?src=entertainment/Collection-7006-18-3&ic=rightcolumn-7006video-050109" target="_blank">PART 3</a> <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/video.php?src=entertainment/Collection-7006-18-4&ic=rightcolumn-7006video-050109" target="_blank">PART 4</a> <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/video.php?src=entertainment/Collection-7006-18-5&ic=rightcolumn-7006video-050109" target="_blank">PART 5</a> <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/video.php?src=entertainment/Collection-7006-18-6&ic=rightcolumn-7006video-050109" target="_blank">PART 6</a><br /><br />We thank Mary for digging these out for all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">EK</span> fans to see; they are not easy to find on the site.<br /><br />One very interesting item that sold was for $1314.50 was <a href="http://entertainment.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=7006&Lot_No=49383" target="_blank" title="Ernie Kovacs Poker Table"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">EK's</span> famous poker table!</a> That's probably a lot less than Ernie would have lost in a typical night of gambling.<br /><br />Until next time, "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-26469514423710569772009-05-14T14:30:00.001-04:002010-07-14T19:36:56.982-04:00Ernie Kovacs And Bob Hope On DVD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6dlxqKVo9HzwF04uEyShCINrE5PBs7sdSPD4zHUdeETSS3K78HiyO0CRAHGVh-6hpfiedjLxr_9bAnPppoOWmQduoBSMXy3QD9OmBLzR9hl0Y28bDoL5foFLW406M6CJD_JYTxWlF_0/s1600-h/bobhope.jpg"><img style="margin: 10pt 10px 10px 10pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6dlxqKVo9HzwF04uEyShCINrE5PBs7sdSPD4zHUdeETSS3K78HiyO0CRAHGVh-6hpfiedjLxr_9bAnPppoOWmQduoBSMXy3QD9OmBLzR9hl0Y28bDoL5foFLW406M6CJD_JYTxWlF_0/s400/bobhope.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335734824048399346" border="0" /></a>Good afternoon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kovacsians</span>. Our good friend John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hammes</span> of <a href="http://www.libs.uga.edu/science/" target="_blank" title="UGA Science Library at The University Of Georgia">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">UGA</span> Science Library at The University Of Georgia</a> wanted to share with us his quick review of an interesting piece of Ernie video memorabilia which he brought to my attention a while back. Fans of the blog know John as the gent who has contributed a couple of <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/search/label/john%20hammes" target="_blank" title="EK Triva Quizzes"> very tough trivia quizzes</a> to the site. Here's his latest trip into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kovacsland</span>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Original <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Air Date</span>: 12/11/59<br />"Bob Hope Christmas Special"<br /><br />Repeat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Air Date</span>: 10/29/76<br />"Bob Hope's World Of Comedy"</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Hope-Ultimate-Collection-Special/dp/B000UFIYQC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1242321954&sr=1-3" target="_blank" title="BOB HOPE: The Ultimate Collection">BOB HOPE: The Ultimate Collection</a> is mainly comprised of the original <a href="http://www.bobhope.com/" title="Bob Hope's Official Web Site" target="_blank">Bob Hope</a> anniversary/compilation specials that were broadcast circa 1970's 1980's. This is a four DVD set that was released in 2007.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPlcVxLOd2K-od6ZKyUUg9_uwQxAefwfvjimH4Lzu7q0jzawa7pq63Y1cSQgFdjgPiVRcfiOtdnbJtEPbIvxAOXuCGoUhdeniCn7w1psfSraK9od8F2wmYzKPp5a0uLcSGakQiu-S9sc/s1600-h/ekhope3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPlcVxLOd2K-od6ZKyUUg9_uwQxAefwfvjimH4Lzu7q0jzawa7pq63Y1cSQgFdjgPiVRcfiOtdnbJtEPbIvxAOXuCGoUhdeniCn7w1psfSraK9od8F2wmYzKPp5a0uLcSGakQiu-S9sc/s400/ekhope3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335742138146767042" border="0" /></a>The 1976 "World Of Comedy" special is the sole feature on disc four. Among hundreds of clips, this includes a sketch featuring Ernie from the 1959 Christmas Special. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">EK</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">BH</span> had another sketch on that same special (based on top 40 radio "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payola" title="Payola" target="_blank">Payola</a>"), but that other sketch is absent here. Guess we will need to sent nice letters and e-mails to the good people at the Hope Estate, requesting the 12/11/59 Christmas Special in full.<br /><br />Ernie's segment on "World Of Comedy" was unfortunately edited somewhat: it would have been better to see the entire sketch. Still, this is a good representation of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kovacs</span>, clocking in at two minutes. </span><br /><br />I'd like to thank John for taking the time and effort to put this together for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">EK</span> Blog. If you're an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">EK</span> fan, Hope fan or both be sure to pick up a copy. <br /><br />On May 12, 2009, <a href="http://www.observer.com/2009/media/richard-beys-infinite-punyverse" title="Richard Bey's Infinite Punyverse" target="_blank">the New York Observer ran an interesting piece</a> about the former talk show host <a href="http://www.richardbey.org/" title="Richard Bey" target="_blank">Richard Bey</a>. Interesting because I was just having a "whatever happened to discussion" with someone the other day then saw this and interesting because someone in the article compares Bey to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">EK</span>. I will say this; I never liked his show because of the prurient and infantile subject matter but I always liked Bey and found the man funny. He had some good bits, did some decent character work and was always quick on his feet. I can see the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">EK</span> comparison to a certain extent. Read the article if you get a chance and judge for yourself. As always feel free to post a comment.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by friends. Until we meet again, "It's Been Real!"Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-66764183045269323752009-05-05T12:24:00.006-04:002010-07-14T19:36:56.991-04:00Ernie The Sketch The ArtistGood morning <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kovacsians</span>. I bet you didn't know Ernie was also something of an artist. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EK</span> fan Lynda Francis shared the following anecdote with me:<br /><blockquote>Back in the late 70's the nurses aides at a nursing home in Chelsea (Oklahoma) decided to have an auction to raise enough money to buy every resident a Christmas gift as some had no family. They bought a book of celebrity addresses and sent letters requesting a piece of memorabilia, an autograph or whatever they could get. It was amazing the response they got. The residents not only got a gift but also other needed items. Edie Adams sent this sketch. I cannot remember what I paid for it. </blockquote>Here's a photo of the sketch:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfvSSmFpoAHHBquBcYAtohDLNFYVIbzFGo-lEFbDMDXG7tTu-uSQBSsFB3Foz6Ek8vUfMVRokUW_hhNtL10b2hKlLzPAJiltrwLn2I-2_k7h1GpO5iq3dALFid2rttjFJhegH2G8Q52o/s1600-h/ekgaucho.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfvSSmFpoAHHBquBcYAtohDLNFYVIbzFGo-lEFbDMDXG7tTu-uSQBSsFB3Foz6Ek8vUfMVRokUW_hhNtL10b2hKlLzPAJiltrwLn2I-2_k7h1GpO5iq3dALFid2rttjFJhegH2G8Q52o/s400/ekgaucho.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332370896910010610" border="0" /></a>Here's a close-up of the signature:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvbqlkkqQp6o1sXJ_65rpL5mIKnRVCjMAMnv6euxhd4dp1SV_2KXm1iGnIftoNuLJEJhV1b48ApcoN5YlmX7aTFigYdQyG08Qn8yr2yI9m4YDgQI_l-SQWjhXN_0YBmV59FhW8aCiyig/s1600-h/eksig.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvbqlkkqQp6o1sXJ_65rpL5mIKnRVCjMAMnv6euxhd4dp1SV_2KXm1iGnIftoNuLJEJhV1b48ApcoN5YlmX7aTFigYdQyG08Qn8yr2yI9m4YDgQI_l-SQWjhXN_0YBmV59FhW8aCiyig/s400/eksig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332371599171787218" border="0" /></a>The sketch is of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaucho" title="Gaucho" target="_blank">Gaucho</a>. Lynda emailed wanting to know if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">EK</span> did any other artwork. To be honest, I'm not sure. He would parody art on his shows and sketch on his morning show in Philly for the kids and his likeness was rendered <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2007/12/test.html" title="Ernie And Mad Magazine" target="_blank">for bits in Mad Magazine</a> and by artists such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Bevan" target="_blank" title="Donald Bevan">Don Bevan</a> and <a href="http://www.alhirschfeld.com/" target="_blank" title="The Margo Feiden Galleries">Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hirschfeld</span></a>. If I find out about any other drawings <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">EK</span> did I'll post the info here.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by folks and thanks for the pics Lynda!<br /><br />Until next time, "It's Been Real."Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-43055611308383429812009-04-23T16:52:00.001-04:002010-07-14T19:36:57.002-04:00Quitting The Nairobi Trio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKh5X7NiZOyk7VuWlCDnosA3FBSAo5SBZuO26ssKYho2YS7VQLnt62c7vHnAnpbEw752MttgBRBSPFdTz9EJoerbBeDjfn51g_kgzgYruCt2_u9InxJmNmTXwI6iFAl0ZXgp8zErWp7w/s1600-h/FILE0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKh5X7NiZOyk7VuWlCDnosA3FBSAo5SBZuO26ssKYho2YS7VQLnt62c7vHnAnpbEw752MttgBRBSPFdTz9EJoerbBeDjfn51g_kgzgYruCt2_u9InxJmNmTXwI6iFAl0ZXgp8zErWp7w/s400/FILE0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327934758456673570" border="0" /></a>Good afternoon Kovacsians. I discovered the book to the left while doing some "Nairobi Trio" research online and was able to get a copy from my local library.<br /><br />I just finished reading and it's fantastic. Rather than give you a review I'll say this; its not what you might think. And the way EK and "The Nairobi Trio" work into this true story is wonderful. Yours truly picks up ANYTHING that has to do with EK and reads it, yet I found that right from the start I was enjoying the book so much that it wouldn't have mattered to me whether EK was mentioned or not. When he finally was it really hit me. Great writing and well worth your time. To learn more about the author, Jim Knipfel, visit his <a href="http://www.missioncreep.com/slackjaw/" title="Author Jim Knipfel" target="_blank">website</a>. Scroll down and you'll see a link to the book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585420271/missioncreeponli" title="Amazon" target="_blank">Amazon</a> along with a plot summary.<br /><br />Our fight to get EK listed as a past guest host of "The Tonight Show" continues. This <a href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/search/label/tonight%20show" title="The Ernie Kovacs Blog Tonight Show Posts" target="_blank">link</a> will bring you to both articles on the subject, one written by me and the other by Ben Model. There you'll find full instructions on how you can join the fight. Let's get EK on that list!! Our thanks go to both <a href="http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_04_19.html" target="_blank">Mark Evanier</a> and <a href="http://www.altrok.com/2009/04/there-are-six-hosts-kovacs-on-tonight.html" target="_blank">Altrok Radio</a> for writing great pieces on this subject regarding our campaign. <br /><br />I haven't done this in a while so a here's a "shout out" (EK used to call it "Yoo Hoo Time" on TTGR) to all the members of the <a title="Ernie On MySpace" href="http://www.myspace.com/kovacsland" target="_blank">Ernie Kovacs MySpace Fan Page</a>, which is currently up to 874 friends. I'd like to thank all those that have asked to be added. If you'd like to be a friend visit the page by clicking on the link above and put in a request!<br /><br />If you are a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/" title="Facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a> user there are two EK Groups on that site; one run by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=21490364768&ref=ts" title="Ernie Kovacs" target="_blank">Ron Evry</a> and the other by my fellow EK blogger <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=12778513935&ref=ts" title="Ernie Kovacs Fans" target="_blank">Ben Model</a>. You must be a member of Facebook to join the groups and participate but clicking either link will bring you to the page so you can see them. Definitely join if you can; Ben and I always use the groups to post EK updates.<br /><br />Another site to which we've added <a href="http://www.twitter.com/erniekovacs" title="Ernie Kovacs Twitter Updates" target="_blank">EK updates is Twitter</a>; you can always visit that link to see what we're up to. In addition, I've embedded the Twitter updates directly into the homepage of <a href="http://www.erniekovacs.net/" title="Ernie Kovacs Dot Net" target="_blank">www.erniekovacs.net</a>. If you're a member of <a href="http://www.twitter.com/" title="Twitter" target="_blank">Twitter</a> be sure to sign up as an EK follower; if not you can learn more about the service <a href="http://www.twitter.com/about#about" title="About Twitter" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br />Until next time my friends, "It's Been Real!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDITOR'S NOTE: After I posted this I contacted Jim Knipfel, author of "Quitting The Nairobi Trio" to tell him how much I enjoyed the book. He shared this anecdote with me:</span><br /><blockquote>Thank you, Al. I'm honored to have been recognized by the Kovacs cognescenti. Here's a story about the cover I think you'll appreciate.<br /><br />About 2 weeks before the book was set to be released, the publisher realized that they had never obtained the rights to use the Nairobi Trio still. This was Bad News, and led to much hair pulling.<br /><br />Finally, we contacted Edie Adams (who, as you know, controlled the estate) to get permission.<br /><br />First, she wanted to read all the scenes in the book in which Ernie was mentioned. Happily, she was okay with those. Then came the matter of payment.<br /><br />She asked how much people usually got for the rights to use an image on a book cover. "Usually anywhere between $200-$300," the publisher told her.<br /><br />She thought about it for a minute, then said, "All right. I'll take $350."<br /><br />God bless that woman.<br /><br />(And god bless the publisher for agreeing to pay her $350.)<br /><br />Many thanks again. I'm glad you liked the book.<br /><br />Jim<br /><br /></blockquote>Al Quagliatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263782786009068693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469620267466173380.post-54707117931206455162009-04-13T13:00:00.010-04:002010-07-14T19:39:01.626-04:00Tell NBC To Add Ernie Kovacs To Their "Tonight Show" Host List!!If everyone who reads this blog posts something on the Tonight Show forum at NBC's website, they may get the message that something is wrong with the pantheon of hosts on their "Tonight Show Experience" website, shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejKCjZ9WPhEbTNYY4hlE4zciUN6rYWwGcAdBRu_bMTQsfqJZyg-NtatOa3bNooEQnfD1WCDTXJgBKI_Q4LSdpwm4VvluaPgnqc_7y0Tp2peo01bgwFJ9pJ06y020sN27V_FPQxnssMGNV/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejKCjZ9WPhEbTNYY4hlE4zciUN6rYWwGcAdBRu_bMTQsfqJZyg-NtatOa3bNooEQnfD1WCDTXJgBKI_Q4LSdpwm4VvluaPgnqc_7y0Tp2peo01bgwFJ9pJ06y020sN27V_FPQxnssMGNV/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324014508767798402" border="0" /></a><br />Go to NBC's "Tonight Show Experience" website by <a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show-experience" title="The Tonight Show Experience" target="_blank">clicking here</a>, and then click on "Community" to go to the posting forum. You will need to sign up in order to post to the board, but it's pretty simple to do. You should see my post about Ernie there:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqc3fV2B_qom-rCSBC5Q5qV72Zcnb7Dv8Hfz_kqziPY9mqWGRhG4AMzkOdjUgFR_JL82Szz2kwsVTGqq9TGoOOE3DAQ-N3qAEZVVgXGrurncm-_ua_2A51KBQkjjKxAXca2r9r1Lp7bFd4/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"></a><a href="http://boards.nbc.com/nbc/index.php?showtopic=819951" title="Ben Model's Kovacs NBC Board Post" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqc3fV2B_qom-rCSBC5Q5qV72Zcnb7Dv8Hfz_kqziPY9mqWGRhG4AMzkOdjUgFR_JL82Szz2kwsVTGqq9TGoOOE3DAQ-N3qAEZVVgXGrurncm-_ua_2A51KBQkjjKxAXca2r9r1Lp7bFd4/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324015717865119042" border="0" /></a><br />Log in and post a reply (supporting this cause). Let's see if we can get NBC to take notice...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDITOR'S NOTE: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Ben; fantastic idea! I've already posted a reply on </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://boards.nbc.com/nbc/index.php?showtopic=819951" title="Ben Model's Kovacs NBC Board Post" target="_blank">Ben's post on the NBC board</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">. If you need more background on Ernie's "Tonight Show" tenure, I </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://erniekovacs.blogspot.com/2009/04/ernie-tonight-another-nairobi-trio-ek.html" title="Ernie & " another="" nairobi="" trio="" ek="" dvd="" box="" set="" on="" hold="" target="_blank">posted a piece last week</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> that discusses it.<br /><br />You can also send a message directly to NBC about without registering to post on the message board:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/" title="Contact NBC" target=" _blank=">http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/</a><br /><br />You'll see a pull down menu that says "Select Show." Choose "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and then a box will open where you can type in your message.<br /><br />Let's try to get Ernie on that list!- </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Al Quagliata</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1