1. Joseph Bologna, 1934-2017, R.I.P.
Sad to hear that writer/director/actor Joseph Bologna, perhaps best known for his portrayal of "King Kaiser," a character based on Sid Caesar, in 1982's terrific My Favorite Year, has died at the age of eighty-two from pancreatic cancer.
In My Favorite Year, with John Welsh and Peter O'Toole.
With Valerie Harper, Michelle Johnson, Demi Moore, and Michael Caine in Blame It on Rio, 1984.
With wife Renee Taylor in 1974. Love his hair!
In Transylvania 6-5000 with John Byner and Carol Kane, 1985.
Another shot of Joe as King Kaiser in My Favorite Year, with villain Cameron Mitchell. Mitchell
played gangster Karl Rojeck, whom Kaiser was spoofing as "Boss Hijack" on his variety show.
played gangster Karl Rojeck, whom Kaiser was spoofing as "Boss Hijack" on his variety show.
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2. More on Glen Campbell
I wanted to post a few YouTube videos showcasing the late Glen Campbell's talent as a guitarist! The songs below are some of my all-time favorite tunes.
Let's start off subtly. Carl Jackson is really the "star" of this rendition of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," while Glen accompanies him.
Next, from a 1977 episode of the Donny & Marie show, here's Glen doing the "William Tell Overture," which makes the inevitable connection to its use as the theme for The Lone Ranger on movies, television, and radio. I don't know whose idea it was to include the idiotic clips making fun of TLR, but they only distract from Glen's incredible guitar work!
Finally: One of my most beloved songs -- I own at least seven or eight different versions, and I'm always open to buy more -- is "Ghost Riders in the Sky." Here's Glen doing it with living legend Roy Clark, and yes, I do mean "living!" Thankfully, Roy is still with us.
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Thanks for your time!
