Showing posts with label cbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cbs. 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)

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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Visit my Examiner Contributor Pageor my Yahoo Contributor Page.

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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...

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. 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

The Waltons: Editoral Comments For My Audience



It wasn't surprising that a recent post I wrote about 'The Waltons' TV show generated a strong digital response. As noted, this iconic classic portrayed positive, timeless role models. 

Sacrifices

Everyone who understands the sacrifices that need to be made to create and sustain a family never dispute the overwhelming importance of solid, generational family members in their lives. 

People who believe that life is all about self-fulfillment have never been, aren't and won't be interested in the bedrock of what every viable society has always contained: THE FAMILY STRUCTURE. 

The Unenlightened 

People who believe that they are 'enlightened' have always been old-fashioned. They either can't, or won't pursue family stability because of a flaw within their personalities that they are too weak to confront. Appeasing that dysfunction doesn't help society to make 'progress' (a self-aggrandizing term if ever there was one) and always harms that person's mental stability. 

Deciding that whatever real, and/or emotionally exaggerated, 'horrible events' within your own past means that everyone else should destroy their families is infinitely selfish and childish. Grow up. 

Finally, those who think that they have 'read between the lines' of what has been written above are exactly the people who I'm referring to. 

Family

Family has been, is and will always continue to be one of the greatest creations on this earth. This point isn't rationally debatable.
(Photo courtesy of the-waltons.com)
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'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)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Maddie Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me recently about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. The feature will be shown on an upcoming newscast. 

Professional reporters and video journalists are vital in an ever-changing media world. Stacey and the Fox staff were first-rate. 

I will be donating one-half of all proceeds from the sale of my soon-to-be-released illustrated children's bookMaddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to the non-profit group: Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

More news about the book and the story behind it will be posted in this blog as the release date nears.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Waltons: 5 Interesting Facts About This Timeless TV Show


'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)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Maddie Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me recently about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. The feature will be shown on an upcoming newscast. 

Professional reporters and video journalists are vital in an ever-changing media world. Stacey and the Fox staff were first-rate. 

I will be donating one-half of all proceeds from the sale of my soon-to-be-released illustrated children's bookMaddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to the non-profit group: Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

More news about the book and the story behind it will be posted in this blog as the release date nears.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Waltons: 5 Interesting Facts About This Timeless TV Show



'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)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Maddie Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me recently about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. The feature will be shown on an upcoming newscast. 

Professional reporters and video journalists are vital in an ever-changing media world. Stacey and the Fox staff were first-rate. 

I will be donating one-half of all proceeds from the sale of my soon-to-be-released illustrated children's bookMaddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to the non-profit group: Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

More news about the book and the story behind it will be posted in this blog as the release date nears.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, May 9, 2013

In Memoriam: 'Katherine the Great' - Jeanne Cooper - CBS - Young and the Restless



All hail Katherine the Great!

Not only because of the strong response to yesterday's post, but also because of the greatness of this actor - the following information is being re-posted today. (An iconic black and white photograph was added today, courtesy of CBS. It shows Cooper in her prime.)

Jeanne Cooper became one of daytime television's greatest stars through her portrayal of 'Katherine Chancellor' on the iconic CBS' soap opera "The Young and the Restless", which remains one of my television favorites for very fond personal reasons. 

She first appeared on the show six months into it's initial season in 1973 and remained as a main cast member through this year (2013). 

Cooper's acting range was undeniable and her passing today marks the true end of an era. 
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Making connections with interesting people can happen by chance, but that's not what happened with each of the people whose stories are shown below. Read between the lines of each interview to learn how you can develop worthwhile social links of your own...

My interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...
Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey

My interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I intentionally used Amazon.com to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff  because that platform is the number 1 eBook publishing site in the world. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my Rant Sports Author Pagemy Examiner Contributor Pageor my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Jeanne Cooper: All Hail 'Katherine the Great' !



Jeanne Cooper became one of daytime television's greatest stars through her portrayal of 'Katherine Chancellor' on the iconic CBS' soap opera "The Young and the Restless", which remains one of my television favorites for very fond personal reasons. 

She first appeared on the show six months into it's initial season in 1973 and remained as a main cast member through this year (2013). 

Cooper's acting range was undeniable and her passing today marks the true end of an era. (Photo courtesy of CBS.)

All hail Katherine the Great!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Making connections with interesting people can happen by chance, but that's not what happened with each of the people whose stories are shown below. Read between the lines of each interview to learn how you can develop worthwhile social links of your own...

My interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...
Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey

My interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...
Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I intentionally used Amazon.com to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff  because that platform is the number 1 eBook publishing site in the world. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my Rant Sports Author Pagemy Examiner Contributor Pageor my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Sandusky scandal at Penn State: Costas, McQueary, & the facts as we know them

TY to over ---870,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Penn State: 


I earned a Communications degree from Penn State in 1990 and previously wrote professionally for more than a decade of my career.

The Mike McQueary interview on CBS revealed more about the media's rush to judgement.

More than a few in the 'the media' have no formal training and they have been 'trained' by people with no formal training.

As the internet age dawned and everything moved into permanent fast forward, fact checking and the desire to get it right was replaced by something different.

Rather than trying to get the story right, many who consider themselves to be media members simply want to get 'it'. It being a rumor, some gossip.

There are still good reporters in the world


Bob Costas interview Jerry Sandusky on NBC this week.

*The word 'interview' was hyperlinked, so you can obtain the direct facts yourself.

Costas is a great interviewer because he prepares well formulated initial questions and responds, in-the-moment, with relevant rebuttal commentary.

McQueary


As to McQueary - he wrote in an email, obtained by the Allentown Morning Call, that he did have discussions with the police and with a Penn State official who was in charge of the police about what he had witnessed Sandusky doing.

*The word 'wrote' was hyperlinked, so you can obtain the direct facts yourself.

My own personal opinion, as noted on this blog when the story first broke, is that we didn't know all the facts. With that being true, it was not logical to conclude that Sandusky should be spotlighted.

That was a simple, common sense, conclusion.

I learned that logic from family, friends and among others, my Penn State Communications professors.

Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB

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