television – Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman https://behindtheblack.com Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:13:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Gilligan’s Island, if done today https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/gilligans-island-if-done-today/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/gilligans-island-if-done-today/#comments Tue, 05 May 2026 01:01:38 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=123341 An evening pause: As expected, this silly 1960s comedy has to become a predictable formula horror vehicle, filled with lots of AI and CGI slop. Quite funny, until you think about it for awhile.

Hat tip Wayne DeVette.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/gilligans-island-if-done-today/feed/ 22 Lorne Greene – Describes working on Bonanza https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/lorne-greene-describes-working-on-bonanza/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/lorne-greene-describes-working-on-bonanza/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2026 01:01:34 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=123226 An evening pause: Recorded 1963. It was a very different world.

Hat tip Cotour.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/lorne-greene-describes-working-on-bonanza/feed/ 3 Patricia Neway – Climb Every Mountain https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/patricia-neway-climb-every-mountain/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/patricia-neway-climb-every-mountain/#respond Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:01:56 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=121926 An evening pause: The Rodgers and Hammenstein song from The Sound of Music, performed live on the Ed Sullivan Show, 1959.

Makes an interesting contrast with yesterday’s pause.

Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/patricia-neway-climb-every-mountain/feed/ 0 Ethel Merman – Anything Goes https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/ethel-merman-anything-goes/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/ethel-merman-anything-goes/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2026 01:01:03 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=121634 An evening pause: From a 1954 television production.

Hat tip Judd Clark.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/ethel-merman-anything-goes/feed/ 4 The Pied Piper of Hamelin https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-pied-piper-of-hamelin/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-pied-piper-of-hamelin/#comments Thu, 25 Dec 2025 22:01:11 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=120219 An afternoon pause: This TV movie, the first ever, was produced by NBC and first aired in 1957. It subsequently played every Christmas season for most of the next decade. It has been forgotten in the ensuing years, something I think must be rectified, especially for the children of today. It is clever, sophisticated, innocent, entertaining, and above all, firmly American in every way.

Thus, I will now renew that past tradition.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-pied-piper-of-hamelin/feed/ 2 The Addams Family – The Wednesday Dance https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-addams-family-the-wednesday-dance/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-addams-family-the-wednesday-dance/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:01:10 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=116687 An evening pause: From the original 1960s television show, which was actually quite funny and original (unlike the turgid 1991 movie).

Hat tip Mike Nelson.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-addams-family-the-wednesday-dance/feed/ 3 Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra -Peter Gunn TV show theme https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/qatar-philharmonic-orchestra-peter-gunn-tv-show-theme/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/qatar-philharmonic-orchestra-peter-gunn-tv-show-theme/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2025 01:01:17 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=116209 An evening pause: Performed live c2016. The Peter Gunn showed aired in the late 1950s.

Hat tip Don Carrera.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/qatar-philharmonic-orchestra-peter-gunn-tv-show-theme/feed/ 6 Judy Garland – Old Man River https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/judy-garland-old-man-river/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/judy-garland-old-man-river/#respond Wed, 12 Feb 2025 01:01:25 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=111934 An evening pause: From the first episode of The Judy Garland Show, taped in June 1964 and aired December 1964.

Hat tip Doug Johnson.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/judy-garland-old-man-river/feed/ 0 Katherine Jenkins – Abigail’s Song https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/katherine-jenkins-abigails-song/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/katherine-jenkins-abigails-song/#comments Wed, 15 Jan 2025 01:01:05 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=111397 An evening pause: The song apparently is from the Doctor Who television series, but as I have never been a fan, I do not know the context.

Hat tip James Street.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/katherine-jenkins-abigails-song/feed/ 1 Jayne Mansfield – Concerto No. 6 in A Minor https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jayne-mansfield-concerto-no-6-in-a-minor/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jayne-mansfield-concerto-no-6-in-a-minor/#comments Sat, 05 Oct 2024 01:01:45 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=108771 An evening pause: By Vivaldi, and performed on the Ed Sullivan Show 1957.

Hat tip Judd Clark.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jayne-mansfield-concerto-no-6-in-a-minor/feed/ 5 Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy – Judy Garland & Barbra Streisand https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/happy-days-are-here-again-get-happy-judy-garland-barbra-streisand/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/happy-days-are-here-again-get-happy-judy-garland-barbra-streisand/#comments Fri, 02 Aug 2024 01:01:06 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=107060 An evening pause: This isn’t piano-centered, but it definitely is an example of another great genre of great music sung by two great performers. Performed live 1963 on the Judy Garland Show for television.

Hat tip Doug Johnson.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/happy-days-are-here-again-get-happy-judy-garland-barbra-streisand/feed/ 1 Chad & Jeremy – A Summer Song https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/chad-jeremy-a-summer-song/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/chad-jeremy-a-summer-song/#comments Tue, 02 Jul 2024 01:01:20 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=106165 An evening pause: Performed live on American Bandstand on November 28, 1964, though the music is almost certainly lip synched.

Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/chad-jeremy-a-summer-song/feed/ 1 Susan Boyle – I Dreamed a Dream https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/susan-boyle-i-dreamed-a-dream/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/susan-boyle-i-dreamed-a-dream/#comments Fri, 28 Jun 2024 01:01:38 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=106157 An evening pause: This was her first appearance as a singer, on the television show Britain’s Got Talent, airing on April 11, 2009. It is a glorious TV moment. Much of it I think was planned, at least by the producers, though the judges and audience almost certainly had no idea what they were about to hear. Enjoy. Fun to watch over and over.

Hat tip James Street.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/susan-boyle-i-dreamed-a-dream/feed/ 3 Jess Erskine – The Prisoner Intro, re-visited https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jess-erskine-the-prisoner-intro-re-visited/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jess-erskine-the-prisoner-intro-re-visited/#comments Sat, 01 Jun 2024 01:01:44 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=105548 An evening pause: Those familiar with the original series, The Prisoner, will find this quite amusing. As the filmmaker notes on the youtube webpage, “And yes, this is cheesy as crap. I made it that way on purpose. Be seeing you!”

And if you aren’t familiar with the original, which was a truly unique and very surreal spy TV show of the 1960s, watch the original opening first. It is amazing how close this new version matches, in a ridiculous way, the shot angles and action of the actual opening sequence.

Hat tip Wayne DeVette.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jess-erskine-the-prisoner-intro-re-visited/feed/ 10 Little Eva – The LocoMotion https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/little-eva-the-locomotion/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/little-eva-the-locomotion/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2024 01:01:56 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=103803 An evening pause: Clearly from early 1960s television.

Hat tip Judd Clark.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/little-eva-the-locomotion/feed/ 4 Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby – Jingle Bells https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/frank-sinatra-bing-crosby-jingle-bells/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/frank-sinatra-bing-crosby-jingle-bells/#comments Thu, 14 Dec 2023 01:01:06 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=100573 An evening pause: Two professionals show how to make a song fresh that unfortunately has become too familiar.

Hat tip Alton Blevins for the song suggestion for this holiday season.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/frank-sinatra-bing-crosby-jingle-bells/feed/ 3 Jerry Granelli Trio – Linus and Lucy https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jerry-granelli-trio-linus-and-lucy/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jerry-granelli-trio-linus-and-lucy/#comments Wed, 06 Dec 2023 01:01:21 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=100539 An evening pause: The music from the soundtrack of the Charlie Brown television specials, with sections from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The man playing the drums, Jerry Granelli, is the last surviving member of the original group that played Vince Guaraldi’s music for the television show itself.

Hat tip Wayne DeVette.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jerry-granelli-trio-linus-and-lucy/feed/ 2 Irwin Allen – The Time Tunnel https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/irwin-allen-the-time-tunnel/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/irwin-allen-the-time-tunnel/#comments Sat, 11 Nov 2023 01:01:14 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=100024 An evening pause: For those like myself who as a kid watched all of Irwin Allen’s sometimes good, often boringly predictable, but always truly cheesy sci-fi television shows, this documentary will bring back memories. Allen’s shows also explain why Star Trek became the phenomenon it did, as it was so much better.

And can you guess the name of the documentary’s narrator/anchor?

Hat tip Robert Pratt.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/irwin-allen-the-time-tunnel/feed/ 13 Armstrong and Miller – The Art Historian’s Most Clumsiest Moments https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/armstrong-and-miller-the-art-historians-most-clumsiest-moments/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/armstrong-and-miller-the-art-historians-most-clumsiest-moments/#respond Wed, 04 Oct 2023 01:01:43 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=98655 An evening pause: Ben Miller of the Armstrong and Miller show does a series of wonderful send-ups of the typical narrator/anchor of public television documentaries. This short skit appears to have been a regular running gag on their show. More funny routines here.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/armstrong-and-miller-the-art-historians-most-clumsiest-moments/feed/ 0 Don Rickles, Ruth Buzzi, and Arte Johnson – bloopers from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/don-rickles-ruth-buzzi-and-arte-johnson-bloopers-from-rowan-martins-laugh-in/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/don-rickles-ruth-buzzi-and-arte-johnson-bloopers-from-rowan-martins-laugh-in/#respond Sat, 16 Sep 2023 01:01:26 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=98233 An evening pause: This sequence shows the almost vain attempt to shoot a series of quick jokes using the running gag of Buzzi playing her character “Gladys” on a park bench being “accosted” by Arte Johnson, playing his character “Tyrone”. Rickles adds another element. It shows again that humor is at its heart silliness. If you can’t be silly you can’t be funny, and these three comedians certainly understood that.

Hat tip Cotour.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/don-rickles-ruth-buzzi-and-arte-johnson-bloopers-from-rowan-martins-laugh-in/feed/ 0 Jools Holland and the Playboys – Highwire https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jools-holland-and-the-playboys-highwire/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jools-holland-and-the-playboys-highwire/#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:01:32 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=98225 An evening pause: For those familiar with the 1960s British television show, Danger Man (which in the U.S. was titled Secret Agent) starring Patrick McGoohan (more famous for the later spy series The Prisoner), this music will be very familiar. It was written by Edwin Astley, was the theme music for the second iteration of the British release. In the American release it was used as background music throughout the show. You can watch the entire series here. It has what I call muscle, and is well worth your time.

Hat tip Wayne DeVette.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jools-holland-and-the-playboys-highwire/feed/ 1 Smothers Brothers – Hippie Chick Clip https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/smothers-brothers-hippie-chick-clip/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/smothers-brothers-hippie-chick-clip/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2023 01:01:46 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=97235 An evening pause: A wonderful moment from the 1960s, performed brilliantly by actress Leigh French and resulting in some wonderful and gentle satire of the hippie culture of the time. Context is also important, because the Smothers Brothers were constantly having problems with their television censors.

Hat tip Judd Clark.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/smothers-brothers-hippie-chick-clip/feed/ 0 The Turtles – Happy Together https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-turtles-happy-together/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-turtles-happy-together/#comments Fri, 14 Jul 2023 01:01:44 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=96510 An evening pause: Performed live on the Ed Sullivan Show, 1967.

Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-turtles-happy-together/feed/ 2 Tiny Tim’s first appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/tiny-tims-first-appearance-on-the-tonight-show-with-johnny-carson/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/tiny-tims-first-appearance-on-the-tonight-show-with-johnny-carson/#comments Sat, 24 Jun 2023 01:01:46 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=95813 An evening pause: Aired live April 4, 1968. This important moment in time not only illustrates the incredible tolerant and eccentric nature of 1960s culture, it shows us Johnny Carson at his best. He recognizes the eccentricity of his guest, uses it for humor, but then is also sincerely willing to interview Tim and let him express himself. As always, Carson is kind to his guest, which is one of the reasons his audience loved him so much.

Carson also recognized that Tiny Tim’s eccentricity was great entertainment (something Tim recognized himself quite clearly), which is why Carson allowed the appearance to go so long. It was good show business.

Hat tip Judd Clark.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/tiny-tims-first-appearance-on-the-tonight-show-with-johnny-carson/feed/ 9 Dean Martin – That’s Amore https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/dean-martin-thats-amore/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/dean-martin-thats-amore/#comments Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:01:27 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=95425 An evening pause: Performed live on television 1965. A great song to start the week.

Hat tip Judd Clark.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/dean-martin-thats-amore/feed/ 7 Julie Andrews segment during of Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday Special https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/julie-andrews-segment-during-of-carol-burnetts-90th-birthday-special/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/julie-andrews-segment-during-of-carol-burnetts-90th-birthday-special/#comments Tue, 16 May 2023 01:01:04 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=95037 An evening pause: Aired in 2023. The best part is the short film providing sample moments from the three television specials they did together.

Hat tip Phil Berardelli.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/julie-andrews-segment-during-of-carol-burnetts-90th-birthday-special/feed/ 2 Raquel Welch – Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/raquel-welch-aquarius-let-the-sunshine-in/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/raquel-welch-aquarius-let-the-sunshine-in/#comments Tue, 04 Apr 2023 01:01:20 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=93802 An evening pause: From the 1970 television special, Raquel!, with this song a perfect illustration of the naive silliness of that time. The costumes however are truly magnificent.

Hat tip Mike Nelson.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/raquel-welch-aquarius-let-the-sunshine-in/feed/ 4 Betsy Palmer, Robert Goulet, & Bess Myerson – “I’ve got a secret” https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/betsy-palmer-robert-goulet-bess-myerson-ive-got-a-secret/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/betsy-palmer-robert-goulet-bess-myerson-ive-got-a-secret/#comments Wed, 22 Mar 2023 01:01:43 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=93310 An evening pause: A slightly different pause tonight from a 1964 episode of the quiz show “I’ve got a secret.” Can you guess where the dialogue comes from that they perform at the opening of this segment, before they tell you? Also keep watching for a more accurate rendition, all done in a bit of silly good-natured fun.

Hat tip Diane Zimmerman, who recognized it instantly.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/betsy-palmer-robert-goulet-bess-myerson-ive-got-a-secret/feed/ 1 Jonathan Winters Tells Drinking Stories https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jonathan-winters-tells-drinking-stories/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jonathan-winters-tells-drinking-stories/#comments Sat, 25 Feb 2023 01:01:04 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=92746 An evening pause: Seems appropriate to usher in the weekend. From the Johnny Carson Show, 1976.

Hat tip Gene Shipp.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/jonathan-winters-tells-drinking-stories/feed/ 1 Petula Clark – Sign Of The Times https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/petula-clark-sign-of-the-times/ https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/petula-clark-sign-of-the-times/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2023 01:01:08 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=92165 A evening pause: This performance, almost certainly lip-synced, is from the Ed Sullivan Show in 1966. It is absolutely worth watching, not only because the song is good, but the set, costumes, and dance choreography will give those too young to have lived in the 1960s a real sense of the crazy no-holds-barred culture of that time. People were willing and free to try anything.

Hat tip Diane Zimmerman.

]]> https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/petula-clark-sign-of-the-times/feed/ 3