Feb082010

From Bill K – Mr. Pop – On the old Andy Griffith Show, Sheriff Taylor only allowed Barney Fife … what with his gun?

Mr. Pop History – He allowed his deputy to have just one bullet – which he kept in his shirt pocket. BarneyF

Feb052010

From Dan C – Jessica Simpson once pulled out of a show because she kept flubbing the words to a song. Is that correct?

Mr. Pop History – When The Kennedy Center Honors were paying tribute to Dolly Parton, Jessica Simpson flubbed the words to Parton’s “9 to 5.” She became so flustered, she fled the stage. She was given a second chance at the song by producers – but no go. This was in 2006.Jessica

Feb032010

From Britany L – When did the channel called “CW” debut?

Mr. Pop History – Combining the best of the old UPN and WB networks – “The CW” debuted in 2006. CBS – which was overseeing the conversion, had other names in mind such as “NOW,” “REV” and “JO.” Why CW?

Because the company took a poll and 48% of those between 18 and 34 liked “the sound” of the two-letter combination. Nothing more! CW

Feb022010

From Whit R – Mr. Pop – Simon Crowell once ranted on Kelly Clarkson – well after she won on “American Idol.” What was it for?

Mr. Pop History – Crowell was ticked off that Clarkson wouldn’t let new “Idol” contestants use any of her (second album) songs. Here’s the mention in an upcoming www.mrpopculture.com week.

And – all the weeks of the 2000’s should be up by February 21. Get ready for some excitement!

Music news –
“American Idol” judge Simon Cowell isn’t happy that winner Kelly Clarkson isn’t allowing songs from her “Breakaway” album – her second – to be used by new American Idol contestants. “No matter how talented Kelly Clarks is, she would not be n the position she’s in now without winning this show. It’s the public who bothered to pickup the phone to vote for her. If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it’s like saying to every person who voted for you, ‘You know what? thank you. I’m not interested in you anymore.’”
Kelly Clarkson

Feb022010

From William R – Mr. Pop, from all the coverage on your website, what Tops Your List as the most influential pop culture/history entity? What’s #1?

Mr. Pop History – Great question. After researching, compiling and documenting each week – from 1955 forward – I would have to say #1 is easily – MTV.

Although the channel borrowed from radio at first, it became a pop culture launching pad- for better or worse. MTV’s imprint is everywhere these days – from TV to commercials to movies.

What’s amazing is – it still continues to set trends. Just a few years ago (2006) – MTV did it again when it began the idea of presenting a pre-show before an event (The VMA’s).

Thanks www.mrpopculture.com

Feb022010

From Diana W – Mr. Pop – Can you give me a pop culture trend during the last decade? Thank you!

Mr. Pop History – Hard to believe we’re talking about the decade of the 2000’s. A big trend was, what I call the “sister act” where sisters of pop icons were getting into the pop news as up-and-comers.

Here’s my list: Ali Lohan, Solange Knowles, Jamie Lynn Spears, Ashlee Simpson and Haylie Duff.

Ashlee did prevail – becoming a pop star own her own. ashlee simpson

Jan302010

From Nicki A – Mr. Pop – So many reality shows are pitched, but many don’t get on the air. Can you share any crazy “reality” TV ideas?

Mr. Pop History – Anything that gets on the air – well, that’s not bad – that is, if you’re the producer.

But – I love this one. ABC-TV actually ordered a script and five episode outlines for “America’s Next Muppet.” OMG!

In it, viewers would have chosen the newest member of the Muppets. My warped mind says – “gotta love it.”

Jan262010

From Maureen H – David Letterman is benefiting from the Leno/O’Brien debacle. Can you tell me what David Letterman’s highest-ever ratings were for his late-night show?

Mr. Pop History – Nothing ever compared to the night of December 1, 2005. That’s when Oprah Winfrey appeared on David Letterman’s “Late Show” – her first-ever appearance on anything Dave for 16 years!

Only Oprah could do this… Dave’s ratings were 4X higher than normal – 13.4 million viewers!

No matter how you cut it, Oprah Winfrey is just a..maz..ing.

Jan252010

From Keven K – Mr. Pop – Can you give a little history about the holiday TV Yule Log? CHannel 9 here in Los Angeles has had it on for several years.

Mr. Pop History – No problem. WPIX-TV Channel 11 began the “Yule Log” – running it for three hours on Christmas Eve beginning in December of 1966. It remained a staple on channel 11 through 1990, when WPIX extinguished the log for 10 years. The station went back to tradition after the Sept. 11 attacks and never looked back. All the publicity created copycat yule logs of which – KCAL Los Angeles is just one of perhaps a dozen.

I’m told the original Yule Log on channel 11 was only 7 minutes of video, looped – and was shot at Gracie Mansion. It was originally created for NYC apartment dwellers with no fireplace. It was complete with background Christmas/holiday music.

Interestingly – when it returned – knockoff DVD’s came to market – the biggest being “The Happy Holiday Hearth.”

But it all started at New York’s channel 11 – a channel many of us as kids use to watch (after school kid’s shows and all). We all knew about the Yule Log. yule

Jan252010

From Lori J – Mr. Pop – Sly Stallone had a celebrity magazine, but I can’t remember when or how long it lasted?

Mr. Pop History – It was “Sly” – a magazine for middle-aged guys. First published in March of 2005, it only lasted four issues.

Interestingly at the same time – another magazine had the same name, but it was about shoes. I noticed today, that it has a facebook page. sly