Ballet or Basketball?

 Peter Harris is a basketball star with a secret ... and he's afraid to tell anyone!

Click pic to enlarge. "A Special Gift." 1979 American after-school TV special.

Peter's a top basketball player - and secretly a brilliant ballet dancer! The only problem is his father and friends think ballet is for "sissies." Can Peter stand up to the pressure once his secret is revealed?

Stuff on Top of TVs

Recently, Normadesmond published a photo (click here) of her family's living room during the holiday season in 1959, back in the days of yore. Atop their Zenith television set was a clock, a vase of flowers, and a menorah - with room to spare.

If you're une femme d'un certain âge, you'll recall that all television sets of that era were the size of tanks. The wide, flat surfaces on top simply begged for knick-knacks and tchotchkes.

Let's time-travel to see how other folks made use of their TV tops.

The household below managed to fit their Christmas tree atop their telly! ...

One of the most common "objet d'art" in mid-century North American homes was the ceramic panther; usually in black or green. The panther might take the form of a lamp (with glowing eyes), a planter, or a simple standalone figurine, as seen below  ...

 

Panthers weren't the only animal-themed ornaments at that time. Pink flamingoes were ubiquitous ...

This lady will take no bull from you, aside from the one she's placed atop her telly ...

 

Like Norma's family, this woman has chosen a clock, with the addition of some framed photographs ...

This household's gone full-on with pink flamingoes and a clock! ...

 

This couple chose a clock too, as well as a big-ass floral arrangement to complement their tabletop big-ass floral arrangement ...

Speaking of floral arrangements, it appears that flowers atop the TV still held sway in the 1970s ...

Here we see the trifecta of animal ornaments (deer), a framed photograph, and a plant ...

For those not old enough to remember, the device on the far right of the TV top is an antenna, used to improve the TV's picture reception. They were known as "rabbit ears" because of the long, pointy bits that stuck up from the base.

We here at Infomaniac leave you with this parting shot. We are unsure what is atop this lady's television set but we hope it puts you in the mood ...

The Food Network and HGTV and Thee

HGTV (Home and Garden Television) helps you transform your home with inspiration for interior design, home decor, landscape design, remodeling and entertaining ideas while the Food Network connects viewers to the joy of food.

Now, imagine that HGTV and the Food Network are looking for fresh ideas for new shows.

Now, suppose that you have complete control over creating new content for HGTV or the Food Network. What would be the premise of your TV show?

Victoria Reminder

VICTORIA. Tonight on PBS.



If you've forgotten what I'm talking about, click here.

Don't ask me what time. Consult a TV Guide, Bitches.

And don't blame me if you don't enjoy it as much as Downton Abbey but it's all we've got until the next Downton Abbey comes along. Having said that, it's good viewing pleasure, nonetheless.

Remote Control Revolution

1955: Eugene J. Polley invented the first wireless TV remote control:  
The Flash-Matic.


Mr. Polley with his Flash-Matic.

This ray-gun remote control came on the market just as television sets were becoming popular in North American households.

Mr. Polley's invention wasn't the first TV remote control. In 1950, Zenith released the Lazy Bones, a device tethered to the television by a long cord. The Lazy Bones allowed viewers to change channels and turn the set on and off from their seats, but the cord proved dangerous and inelegant.

The Flash-Matic used a light beam to send signals to four receptors in the corners of the TV set. The top corners received signals to change channels; the bottom corners received signals to mute or turn off the set.



The Flash-Matic was not without problems. People couldn't remember which corner of the screen controlled what. And worse...the light sensors sometimes mistook changes in light, including sunsets and ill-placed floor lamps, for commands. 

“Absolutely harmless to humans!” Flash-Matic advertisements promised. “You can even shut off annoying commercials while the picture remains on the screen!”



Looking back on his invention, Mr. Polley had mixed emotions...

“It makes me think maybe my life wasn’t wasted. Maybe I did something for humanity — like the guy who invented the flush toilet.”

“Everything has to be done remotely now or forget it. Nobody wants to get off their fat and flabby to control these electronic devices.”

2016: The Mistress test-drives the Flash-Matic and discovers she can make cocktails magically appear...



Anyone care to join me?

Victoria

Missing Downton Abbey? Ready for a new period piece? Try VICTORIA...



Series One focuses on the early life of Queen Victoria, from her accession to the throne at the tender age of 18 through to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert.

The series has done well in the ratings in the U.K., and has been renewed for a second season.

For you American Bitches, Victoria will be broadcast Sunday nights, starting January 15, 2017 on PBS.

Trailer...



Beautiful titles music written by Martin Phipps with vocals by The Mediaeval Baebes...



Not convinced this show is for you? Check out the men and of course,
click to enlarge...





Yes, we thought so.

How Big is YOURS?

It has been said that The Mistress has a big one.



A big telly, that is...



It's a 42 inch screen.

How big is YOURS?

Use this guide on how to measure your TV screen, if you don't already know.

Book or Telly?

Do you ever have trouble deciding?



A reminder that on Sunday, May 1st, we invite you Bitches to discuss the books you've been reading during the months of March and April for the 2016 Infomaniac Book Challenge.

The Mistress will post her own personal book list a few days before that.

FAIL!

Perhaps I shouldn't have binge-watched TV series on Netflix when I was meant to be studying...


[via]



To cheer myself up after this crushing blow, I shall be 'round to visit you all sometime this weekend. I'm especially intrigued by such blog post titles as "Not the Hats of Barbara Cartland" by our Mr. DeVice.

A Date With Don Draper

I have a date with Don Draper this evening for the seventh and final season of "Mad Men."


Disturb me at your peril.

Remote Control Overload

Back in Mr. Peenee's day, your television set had two knobs: one knob to turn the TV off and on, and to adjust the volume; the other knob to change channels.


[via]

What happened? Why do we have so many remote controls? And why can't you ever find one when you need it?


Above: Norma looks confused.


Below: Cookie thinks she has the answer...


How many remote control devices do you have, Bitches?

Filthy Friday - BONEanza Edition

Bonanza's Hoss Cartwright...


[via]
Photoshopped

Little Joe Cartwright...


Not Photoshopped.

Sometimes we here at Infomaniac like to imagine what went on behind closed doors at the Ponderosa.

Don't you?

Don Draper Day

Has it really been 3 1/2 years since our last "Don Draper Day" here on Infomaniac?

With the sixth season of Mad Men about to get underway tonight, we here at Infomaniac think it's high time we brought you more photos of Jon Hamm, the actor who portrays lead character Don Draper.

Specifically, photos of Don Draper's dong or Jon Hamm's johnson aka
 THE HAMMACONDA.

Here's Jon taking THE HAMMACONDA for a walk...



Let's take a closer look, shall we?



It's straining to be free! FREE THE HAMMACONDA!

If you find yourself distracted by Jon Hamm's bulge, you're not alone.

Apparently, the Hammaconda created problems on the set of Mad Men.

According to an AMC insider, "The season takes place in the 1960s, where the pants are very tight and leave little to the imagination. John's impressive anatomy is so distracting that they politely insisted on underwear."

Jon is not amused by the publicity his monstrous member is receiving. But how can you not help but smile at a Tumblr site devoted to Jon Hamm's Wang?

Let's roll a few more shots, shall we?...







How big is it, Don?...



You can always count on Infomaniac to ask the pressing questions of the day.

Where The Hammaconda goes, we will follow.

Mr. Selfridge

In the mood for a department store drama?

Look no further than the new series "Mr. Selfridge" on PBS.



Mr Selfridge is a British period television drama series about Harry Gordon Selfridge and his London department store Selfridge & Co, produced by ITV Studios for ITV and PBS. It began airing on 6 January 2013 in the United Kingdom and March 31, 2013 in the United States.

Mistress MJ watched the first two episodes last night and wonders if any of you Bitches caught it.

There are 10 episodes in the first series and season 2 has been given the green light.

PBS has been promoting “Mr. Selfridge” as the antidote for “Downton Abbey” withdrawal. And we know many of you who could use a fix.

Beautiful People: "Perhaps the gayest sitcom ever"

You probably know about Simon Doonan : author, fashion commentator, and creative ambassador for Barneys New York...



But did you know there’s a BBC TV series (Beautiful People) based on his memoirs ?



This show wasn’t even on my radar until British Jon mentioned it in this post. The same post in which Jon describes his meeting with the talented Jonathan Harvey: writer of Beautiful People and so much more.

And Mitzi posted this comment on my blog, leaving me to wonder WTF she was talking about…until I saw the show, that is…

Gin Gin where do I begin
Having you inside me
Is like an old friend popping in.
--Debbie Doonan, Beautiful People.

I'm sure many of you can identify with that sentiment.

Thanks to our Mitzi for kindly sending Series One to me on DVD along with the soundtrack CD. I’ve since gone on to watch Series Two and now I want YOU Bitches to see it because I think you’ll enjoy it too. Mistress MJ was hooked from the first episode!

The show focuses on flamboyant 14-year-old Simon and his best friend Kyle (who prefers to be called Kylie); dreaming of the day they’ll escape the dreary suburbs of Reading, England and move to London to live amongst “the Beautiful People.”


Kylie and Simon

So if you Bitches need a pick-me-up on these dark winter nights, give “Beautiful People” a go.

Key word: CAMP!

Here’s the first episode from Season One. If you enjoy it, you can click here to see all the episodes from both series.



If you'd like to read a much more descriptive piece on Beautiful People, I found this post on Jon's blog.

Thank you Jon and Mitzi!

Weekend

Mistress MJ has everything she needs for the weekend here in this state of the art entertainment centre…

[via]

Will you be joining me?

I Dream of Jeannie’s Nipple

Do you dream of seeing Barbara Eden’s breasts?

If you’re one of the 3.5 straight men of a certain age who read this blog, we think you do.

[via]
Over here, big boy.

[via]

Ta-TA! Er, Ta-DA!

You probably also dreamed of seeing her navel.

[via]

"Censors allowed her (Barbara Eden’s character Jeannie) to be depicted living in a house with an unmarried man (because early episodes made it plain that she slept in her bottle), but would not permit Eden's navel to be seen."

Fellas: We here at Infomaniac hope you have enjoyed this little trip down Mammary Lane.

[via]

What's On Telly?

[via]

Anything good on tonight?

Mute Button Pressed on Remote Control Inventor’s Life

Robert Adler


The man who “helped make TV a truly sedentary pastime” has died.

The co-inventor of the TV remote control, Robert Adler, died Thursday, February 15th at age 93.

His widow Ingrid said the remote was not his favourite invention, that he rarely watched television and was "more of a reader".


I wonder, would Adler have predicted that one invention could cause so much spousal stress?



Al Bundy of “Married With Children”



One fed-up wife got revenge on eBay. “I'm Selling My Husband's Remote Control!” … with pics.



Now this story from Ananova.com…

A Malaysian man who sneaked out of bed to watch England’s Euro 2004 opener was assaulted by his wife who was armed with the TV remote control.

The man’s wife also took the smart card from their pay television service to prevent him from watching future live soccer, says the Malaysian Star.

The 46-year-old salesman, identified only as Yap, claimed his wife forced him to go to bed early because he had to take their two children to school the next day.

He said: “She refused to allow me to watch the game although I promised not oversleep or shun my responsibility of sending the children to school.”

Maybe she should have tried the remote control jammer instead.






You’ve got to ask yourself. Couldn’t folks like these just get 2 TV sets?…


MAN KILLED DURING FIGHT OVER TV REMOTE

MONTGOMERY (AP) — An apparent argument over a television remote control led to the fatal stabbing of a man who tried to break up the fight.

Police said the victim, Maurice Alexander Ford, 25, died at Thursday at Jackson Hospital following the dispute between his sister and her husband.

Police spokesman Lt. Huey Thornton said Wesley Jerome Braswell, 45, of Montgomery has been charged with murder.

Braswell remained in jail on $50,000 bond.

Thornton said Braswell and Debra Ford argued over a TV remote control in a bedroom of their home when Maurice Ford tried to break up the fight.

Ford was stabbed with a carving knife once in the upper chest, near his neck.

WIFE FATALLY SHOOTS HUBBY OVER REMOTE CONTROL

A lot of married couples bicker over who gets to wield the remote control, but Florida wife Caron Simmons took the argument too far.

Simmons, 46, shot and killed her husband after he hid the remote to their satellite television, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The 48-year-old man was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The two had been battling for channel-changing supremacy until the husband buried the TV remote, reportedly to annoy his wife.

While searching for it, the woman uncovered a gun in a dresser.

She aimed the gun at her husband and it went off, firing a bullet into his chest.

Simmons, who told investigators she did not mean to kill her husband of four years, has been charged with second-degree murder.

I’m thinking that whole scenario could have been avoided if Caron had this giant remote control. There’s no way her husband could have hid that sucker!


So what’s been the worst case scenario in your household with the remote control?