Showing posts with label Fast Fiction and Other Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fast Fiction and Other Stuff. Show all posts

Friday, July 11, 2014

The Waltons Revisited: 5 Interesting Facts



*This feature remains among the most popular in the Insight's nearly four-year history. It's being re-posted for all new reader's to enjoy. :-)

The Waltons' was one of my favorite shows when I was growing up in the 1970s for a variety of reasons. Tens of millions of people joined my family and me every Thursday night at 8 p.m. to watch the latest episode. Today, the iconic television show can still be seen in reruns, or online, which has helped to create a new generation of fans. 

Here are 5 surprising facts about this timeless TV show:

1. Earl Hamner is widely known as the author, whose book Spencer's Mountain inspired a movie and the subsequent television show. 

But, that marvelous writer also developed the idea for the 1981-1990 CBS nighttime soap opera 'Falcon Crest'.

2. 'Spencer's Mountain' was released in theaters in 1963. Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara portrayed John and Olivia Walton. 

3. 'The Homecoming' was a Christmas special that served as the series pilot. Andrew Duggan and Patricia Neal portrayed Clay and Olivia Spencer. Edgar Bergen (a famous ventriloquist, whose radio show included his most popular pupped 'Charlie McCarthy) portrayed Grandpa Walton.

Each of the actors who portrayed the Walton children (Richard Thomas, as John-boy, etc.) remained in the cast when the pilot was greenlighted for a regular television series.

4. 'The Waltons' ran on CBS from 1971 through 1981. CBS believed that the show wouldn't succeed, so it slotted it on Thursday night at 8 p.m. against 'The Flip Wilson' Show (NBC) and 'The Mod Squad' (ABC). 

'The Waltons' not only beat those two popular series, it went on to become television's most highly-rated show for many years.

5. After 221 episodes, the series was canceled in 1981. However, NBC picked up 'The Waltons', releasing three 2-hour TV movies in 1982. The show returned to CBS for an additional three TV movies (1993, 1995 and 1997). 

According to current information, none of the major networks have interest in creating any further reunion movies. 

Goodnight John-boy and good morning

'Hollywood' believed that a show based upon so-called 'traditional values' wouldn't be accepted by the public. But, 'The Waltons' proved that flawed ideology to be wrong. 

More importantly, Earl Hamner's message (based upon his family life in Virginia during the 'Great Depression') has been, is and will always be lived by good families across the globe.

(Photo courtesy of tvtroupes.org)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2014.

This amazing real-life story remains within Amazon's Top 100 rankings this month (April, 2014). The book previously appeared within Amazon's Top 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 illustrated children's books during the past five months. 

I couldn't be more pleased at the worldwide response to this story. Every connection helps to raise awareness about an important children's cause. 


Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. 

I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Visit my Examiner Contributor Page, or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn.


Feel free to click on any of my interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...

Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls

Vince Papale: Former Philadelphia Eagle/Subject of the Movie "Invincible"
Kevin Turner: Former Philadelphia Eagle Discusses ALS-Concussion Link

Ron Meyer: Blessed2Play Sports Talk Show Has Global Reach
Allison Baver: US Olympian Facing Every Challenge



Here's a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Philadelphia Flyers' Dilemma Remains


I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook. 
Let's connect on LinkedIn and on Twitter @SeanyOB.
(Feel free to be in touch if you feel that I can help you, your family or friends.) 

Philadelphia Flyers Dilemma Remains

 The Flyers slow start is deeply troubling for many reasons. Chief (not a Berube reference, yet) among them is the fact that no scoring solutions appear to be anywhere in sight. 

 Last year the Flyers weren't a good team. But, at least they were ranked among the Top 10 offensive teams in the NHL. 

 Mason's magic

 The goal crease has been stabilized this season, due to the continued great play of Steve Mason. His youthful performance, which dates back to last season, should earn him a multi-year extension before the off-season. 

 There is work to do on the defense. But, ongoing enhancements are possible with a solid goaltender in place.

 The loss of a number of key offensive players during the past few seasons has taken a big toll. Yes, free agent Vincent Lecavalier is leading the team in scoring. However, that veteran forward only has seven points and shouldn't be counted on to front this team's offensive game all season long. 

 Claude Giroux has zero goals through the first 14 games. Scott Hartnell and Jake Voracek aren't skating above the ice either in the early going, which has cost the Flyers a number of wins so far this season.

 Hexy will rise again

 Continued losses will certainly lead to a variety of trades in the not-too-distant future.

 A dramatic turnaround seems highly unlikely due to existing obligations, which will put Paul Holmgren and possibly even Craig Berube's jobs in jeopardy by season's end...which is when the next Ron Hextall era will begin.

Links to my new illustrated children's book ...

Use this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a free preview of the Amazon eBook edition. 

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and eBook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

Feel free to use, or share, this link--->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A recent post ...

Interest surged in my Twitter account just a few hours after I had written a feature about Michael Muhney of CBS' 'The Young and The Restless'. 

More than just a talented, hard-working thespian, Muhney is also a family man who chooses to be involved in important charity work. One of those causes is: The LA Cancer Challenge, which benefits pancreatic cancer research. Click on that link when you get a chance. It's worthwhile.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Every social media connection has helped my online features to generate millions (yes, millions) of internet hits since Labor Day weekend 2010. I remain deeply grateful to everyone for the attention that's been given to these sports, news and interview articles. I never expected this embrace, but am genuinely humbled by it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to click on a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Visit my Examiner Contributor Page, 
or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, November 4, 2013

Use free will to express your talent


I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook. 
Let's connect on LinkedIn and on Twitter @SeanyOB.
(Feel free to be in touch if you feel that I can help you, your family or friends.) 

Use free will to express your talent

Developing the idea for, preparing to write, writing, editing, working through the publishing process for, and now marketing my illustrated children's book was hardly easy. This process also didn't happen by random chance and didn't result through good timing. 

 I chose to collaborate with a number of individuals (most importantly the Woytovich family and my illustrator Melissa Lascala) to create what has become an important entry into the children's book world. 

 I have no qualms about using the word 'important' in my last statement because alopecia (the disease at the center of the story) has been undistinguished for too long. Children like Madison Woytovich haven't had their story fully told in the manner in which this book reveals it until now. 

 Thank you to everyone across North America, in Europe, Asia, India and in other places across the globe who have been strongly supporting the cause that this book promotes. This effort, which took more than two years to bring to fruition, clearly represents one of the most meaningful parts of my entire professional career, which covers nearly one-quarter century. 

 I always try to encourage all of my students and now, all of my readers, to use their free will to express their God-given talents every single day of their lives. That ideological advice is based upon the idea that human beings aren't at the top of the chain, but are also simultaneously unique and important.

 The last two sentences underscore an underlying message of the book.

 Links to my new illustrated children's book ...

 Use this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a free preview of the Amazon eBook edition. 

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and eBook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

Feel free to use, or share, this link--->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A recent post ...

Interest surged in my Twitter account just a few hours after I had written a feature about Michael Muhney of CBS' 'The Young and The Restless'. 

More than just a talented, hard-working thespian, Muhney is also a family man who chooses to be involved in important charity work. One of those causes is: The LA Cancer Challenge, which benefits pancreatic cancer research. Click on that link when you get a chance. It's worthwhile.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Every social media connection has helped my online features to generate millions (yes, millions) of internet hits since Labor Day weekend 2010. I remain deeply grateful to everyone for the attention that's been given to these sports, news and interview articles. I never expected this embrace, but am genuinely humbled by it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to click on a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...

 Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Visit my Examiner Contributor Page, 
or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Philadelphia 76ers: Current and Compelling



I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook. 
Let's connect on LinkedIn and on Twitter @SeanyOB.
(Feel free to be in touch if you feel that I can help you, your family or friends.) 

Philadelphia 76ers' team is current and compelling

 The media eviscerated the Philadelphia 76ers new ownership group for appearing to 'tank' this (and potentially future) seasons. The 'learned' were all over the new guys for not hiring a head coach until August. Now, the masses must believe (or are hoping) that the fast start (3-0) is a fluke.   

 Could it be that the energy this young team possesses will last through the season? 

Might Michael Carter-Williams be the specific player who leads the franchise back from oblivion? 

 In the same week that one of the best 'little man' of all-time (Allen Iverson) officially put his sneakers away at the Wells Fargo Center, the fan base that he electrified all those years ago has reason to hope again. 

 Yes, there are 79 games left to play. Experience, the maturation process and injuries will surely appear on the 2013-14 horizon. But, it's clearly a time to be open to a genuine group of mostly young men who obviously love the game. 

 Tear down and then rebuild. Exactly.

 Links to my new illustrated children's book ...

Use this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a free preview of the Amazon eBook edition. 

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and eBook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

Feel free to use, or share, this link--->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A recent post ...

Interest surged in my Twitter account just a few hours after I had written a feature about Michael Muhney of CBS' 'The Young and The Restless'. 

More than just a talented, hard-working thespian, Muhney is also a family man who chooses to be involved in important charity work. One of those causes is: The LA Cancer Challenge, which benefits pancreatic cancer research. Click on that link when you get a chance. It's worthwhile.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Every social media connection has helped my online features to generate millions (yes, millions) of internet hits since Labor Day weekend 2010. I remain deeply grateful to everyone for the attention that's been given to these sports, news and interview articles. I never expected this embrace, but am genuinely humbled by it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to click on a selection of my interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Visit my Examiner Contributor Page, 
or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Blog Archive

Labels