Circle the Cat

Hey, let's all play Circle the Cat.

I was able to successfully corral "tabby" on the second attempt - but have yet to repeat this achievement.

Bob Hope

Here's a bizarre clip of Bob Hope being heckled (temporarily) off the stage during the 1970 Miss World pageant in London.

Bob makes a number of politically incorrect - and chauvinistic - jokes before a band of feminists in the crowd bombard old ski-nose with flour bombs and noise makers.

Stick around for the ending when Sherlock Bob deduces the obvious source of his tormentors' hostility.

Bonnie Tyler - "Here She Comes"

Here's another favorite from my youth.

I was already a fan of the 1927 silent classic Metropolis (above) when Giorgio Moroder released his restored version (with a modern electronic and rock n roll score) in 1984.

"Here She Comes" was part of the soundtrack - and probably the most successful song from an album that also included Pat Benatar, Freddie Mercury, Loverboy and such.

And - if you're so inclined - here's the non-Metropolis version.

Mego TV commercial

I've waxed nostalgic before about the great Mego action figures from my youth.

Well, here's an appropriately wacky '70s TV commercial featuring most of their great super-hero figures.

Just wait until you hear how they describe The Falcon - who was a fairly established Marvel character when this was broadcast.

Also, note how Mego was trying to pretend Mister Fantastic (who "stretches" in the Fantastic Four comics) has the same (easier to depict in an action figure) powers as The Invisible Girl.

They also seem to have confused Green Arrow with Robin Hood.

Tower of Bears

Here's an oldie but a goodie - the Toren van Beren (Tower of Bears).

Literally minutes of fun knocking down Dutch Teddy Bears. I've always been sufficiently threatened by the caption at the bottom - "De beren worden steeds slimmer" (The bears are getting smarter).

Good Lord...And then what??!

The Hollies - "Stewball"

It's that time of year again - when John and Yoko's Vietnam War protest song gets heavy rotation on B-101 as a beloved Christmas classic.

I have to admit I've always been touched by the scenes of the giant wrap-around "WAR IS OVER" billboards in New York City. I realize the war wasn't over and the billboards accomplished nothing - but it's the thought that counts.

Well, a little research (aka Wikipedia) reveals that the medley for "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" was swiped from a classic folk standard called "Stewball". I couldn't find the Peter, Paul and Mary version - so here are The Hollies doing it in 1969.

More on "Happy Xmas..." another time.

Stevie Riks - "Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth"

Here's the classic duet between Bing Crosby and David Bowie, as impersonated by Stevie Riks (doing both parts).

Riks will be on a U.K. TV special on Boxing Day (12/26) - so he might be hitting the big time shortly.