Charley Pride wins American Music Award 1977

Charley Pride won an American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Artist January 31, 1977.  It was his third AMA.  

"Up" wins two Grammy Awards 2010

Disney's and Pixar's computer-animated masterpiece Up won the Grammy for the Best Original Score at the 52nd annual ceremony January 31, 2010. Composer Michael Giacchino was also nominated for his score for Star Trek.  

His song from Up Married Life won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition.  His Up with End Credits was nominated for Best Instrumental Arrangement.

Def Leppard wins two American Music Awards 1989

Def Leppard won two American Music Awards at the 16th annual ceremony January 30, 1989.  They won for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist.  Their album Hysteria won Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album.

They were nominated for two more AMAs.  One for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group and Hysteria was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Album.

Ruth Buzzi wins Golden Globe 1973

The wonderful, hilarious Ruth Buzzi won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her performance on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In at the 30th awards ceremony January 28, 1973.  She was nominated five times for an Primetime Emmy for her work.

The Pointer Sisters win two American Music Awards 1985

My girls the Pointer Sisters won two American Music Awards at the 12th annual ceremony held January 28, 1985.  They won Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group and for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Video Artist.  The video of the ceremony shows the Pointer Sisters winning for Favorite Black Group, so maybe the record has been updated to remove racist overtones.  

Cyndi Lauper won two awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Video Artist.  Darryl Hall & John Oates won for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group.  Alabama won for Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group.

Remembering Cloris Leachman (1926-2021)

So sad tonight.  One of my favorite actresses/comediennes Cloris Leachman has passed away in her sleep from natural causes.  She has made me laugh for most of my life and I am heartbroken.  

She has almost 300 acting credits.  She appeared in the Twilight Zone episode It's a Good Life and reprised her role with Bill Mumy in the reboot in 2003.  She appeared in The Last Picture Show, which won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  One of my favorite roles, she was Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein.  She played Queen Hippolyta in the pilot movie for Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter.  She played Phyllis Lindstrom in the Mary Tyler Moore Show and then in her own series.

She starred in High Anxiety and The North Avenue Irregulars.  Too many to count.  She's won a BAFTA (British Academy Award), a Daytime Emmy, a Golden Globe and eight Primetime Emmys.  

She will be sorely missed.

Angela Lansbury her third Golden Globe 1985

Angela Lansbury won her third Golden Globe For Best Actress in a Drama Television Series at the 42nd awards ceremony January 26, 1985 for her performance as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote.  It was her third Golden Globe win.

The same night Murder, She Wrote won for Best Television Series Drama. It was the first of two Golden Globes for the series.

"Amadeus" wins four Golden Globes 1985

Amadeus, the movie about the conflict between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, won three Golden Globe awards at the 42nd ceremony, January 26, 1985.

It won Best Motion Picture - Drama.  F. Murray Abraham won Best Actor Performance in a Motion Picture - Drama.  Milos Forman won Best Director and Peter Shaffer won for Best Screenplay.

Tom Hulce was also nominated for Best Actor for his role as Mozart and Jeffrey Jones was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Emperor Joseph II.

Happy birthday, Dark Shadows actress Kathryn Leigh Scott!

Kathryn Leigh Scott, born January 26, 1943 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, is best known for her role as Maggie Evans on the cult classic Dark Shadows.  Since the series ended, she has appeared in Space:1999, Hawaii Five-O, The Incredible Hulk, and Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Who Watches the Watchers.

Cloris Leachman wins Golden Globe 1976

Amazing actress Cloris Leachman won a Golden Globe for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical Series for her performance in the television series Phyllis, at the 33rd awards ceremony, January 24, 1976.  She had been nominated three times before so this was her first win.

Remembering Mira Furlan (1955-2021)

Mira Furlan, Babylon 5 and Lost actress, passed away January 20, 2021.  I remember her best for her role as Ambassador Delenn on Babylon 5.  She provided the voice of Silver Sable in the animated Spider-Man series in 1997.  She won a Universe Reader's Choice Award from Sci-Fi Universe Magazine for her work in Babylon 5.  She won awards for her acting in her home country, the former Yugoslavia.

She passed away from complications from the West Nile Virus.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode "Bride of the Monster" airs 1993

Joel and the bots roasted Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster on the 23rd episode of the 5th season of Mystery Science Theater 3000.  First they had to suffer through a short film, Hired! where a guy tries to sell Chevrolets door-to-door.

They notice the front door of Bela Lugosi's house changing colors.  From the outside it's dark, but when it is opened, it turns white!

The obviously fake octopus attacks.  

Lobo got back!

"Casablanca" released 1943

Casablanca, released January 23, 1943, is considered to be one of the best films of all time.  The black and white movie starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Peter Lorre.  It won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director for Michael Curtiz, and Best Writing, Screenplay.  It was nominated for five more: Best Actor for Bogart, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Claude Rains, Best Cinematography for Black and White, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score.

In 1989, the Library of Congress selected Casablanca for preservation in the National Film Registry.  

Billy Joel releases "All for Leyna" 1980

My man Billy Joel released All for Leyna, a single from his album Glass Houses January 23, 1980 in the UK where it reached #40. 

Happy birthday, astronaut Jack Fischer!

Jack Fischer, born January 23, 1974 in Louisville, Colorado, went into space aboard Soyuz MS-04 to the International Space Station in April 2017.  He participated in Expeditions 51 and 52 and performed two EVAs for a total of almost 7 hours.

He returned to Earth in September 2017.

"The Lion King" wins three Golden Globe awards 1995

The Lion King, another Disney animated masterpiece, won three Golden Globes at the 52nd ceremony January 21, 1995.  It won for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.  Hans Zimmer won for Best Original Score and Elton John won Best Original Song for Can you Feel the Love Tonight.

Sting releases "The Soul Cages" 1991

Sting released his third studio album The Soul Cages January 21, 1991.  It spawned four singles: Mad About You,  All This Time, Why Should I Cry For You and The Soul Cages.  It became his second No. 1 in the United Kingdom.  It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The single The Soul Cages won Sting the first Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1992.  

"The Little Mermaid" wins two Golden Globe Awards 1990

Disney's break-out animated masterpiece, The Little Mermaid, won two Golden Globe Awards at the 47th ceremony on January 20, 1990.  Alan Menken won for Best Original Score.  Under the Sea, written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman won Best Original Song.

It was nominated for Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical but lost to Driving Miss Daisy.  

Happy birthday, Colossus!

Buff and beautiful Daniel Cudmore, born January 20, 1981 British Columbia, Canada, is best known for his role as Peter Rasputin or Colossus in X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past.  According to imdb.com, he appeared in a deleted scene in X-Men: Dark Phoenix.  

He has appeared in DC Comics television shows Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.  He will appear later this year in the television series Superman and Lois.

Happy birthday, Queen of the world Dolly Parton!

Dolly Parton, born January 19, 1946 in Pittman Center, Tennessee, is a singer, songwriter, actress, and humanitarian.  She is probably best known for her work in country music.    She started her career on the Porter Wagoner Show, which I remember watching.

She has won more country music awards and Hall of Fame honors than anybody else in history.  There was an opinion published on cnn.com, which said just make Dolly Queen of the World.  

I agree.

"Beauty And The Beast" wins three Golden Globes 1992

Disney's blockbuster animated film Beauty and the Beast won three Golden Globe Awards at the 49th ceremony held January 18, 1992.

The movie won Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score for Alan Menken, and Best Original Song for Beauty and the Beast performed by Peabo Byson and Celine Dion.  

Be Our Guest was also nominated for Best Original Song for Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orbach.

"Gosford Park" released 2002

Gosford Park, released January 18, 2002, is a star-studded murder mystery in the Agatha Christie style set in the 1930s.  It starred Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Michael Gambon, and Charles Dance.

It won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Julian Fellowes.  It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren were both nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

It won a Golden Globe for Best Director for Robert Altman.  Julian Fellowes was nominated for Best Screenplay.  Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren were again nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Meryl Streep wins Golden Globe 2010

Meryl Streep won her 7th Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy for her role as Julia Child in Julie & Julia.  She received the honor at the ceremony held January 17, 2010.  She was up for the same award for her role in It's Complicated.

Happy 99th birthday, Betty White!

Phenomenal actress Betty White, born January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois, celebrates her 99th birthday today!  She started her acting career in 1945 in a short film Time to Kill.  Since then she's gone on to have a stellar career in television, with roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, and Hot in Cleveland. 

She has won 5 Primetime Emmys, a Daytime Emmy and even a Grammy Award. 

She does not show signs of slowing down.

"Hello, Dolly!" opens on Broadway 1964

The original Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! opened on January 16, 1964, starring Carol Channing as Dolly Levi.  It also starred Charles Nelson Reilly and Eileen Brennan.  It won ten Tony Awards that year, winning in ten categories.

It debuted in Detroit in November 1963 before moving to Broadway the following January.

When Channing left the show, Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey and Ethel Merman all appeared in the title role.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Blaine Hammond!

Blaine Hammond, born January 16, 1952 in Savannah, Georgia, has been in space twice.  He became a pilot and an instructor in the US Air Force.

His first mission was aboard Discovery (STS-39) as pilot in April-May 1991.  Its main purpose was dedicated to the Department of Defense.

His second and last flight was aboard Discovery (STS-64) as pilot in September 1994.  The mission was the first untethered EVA in 10 years.

He spent over 19 days in space.

Maggie Smith wins Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe 2013

The amazing actress extraordinaire Dame Maggie Smith won a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey at the 70th awards ceremony January 13, 2013.  It is her third Golden Globe award win.

"Ratatouille" wins Golden Globe for Best Animated Film 2008

Disney's and Pixar's culinary computer-animated comedy, Ratatouille, won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film at the 65th annual awards ceremony, January 13, 2008.  It has been voted one of the greatest motion pictures of the 21st century.

It was the second Golden Globe for director/producer/screenplay writer Brad Bird.

The Pointer Sisters release "Automatic" 1984

My girls the Pointer Sisters released Automatic, the second single from their album Break Out, January 13, 1984. Ruth provided the lead vocal, featuring her wonderful contralto voice.  June and Anita provided the backing vocals.  Automatic reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Billboard ranked it #94 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

"WALL-E" wins Golden Globe, Best Animated Film 2009

Wall-E, the animated feature film from Disney and Pixar, won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film at the 66th Awards January 11, 2009.  It was also nominated for Best Original Song for Down to Earth by Peter Gabriel, but that award went to Bruce Springsteen.

Wall-E won numerous other awards for animation and is considered the best film of 2008.

Graham Chapman, Monty Python actor, born 1941

Graham Chapman, born January 8, 1941 in Leicetershire, England, was a member of the Monty Python comedy group.  He studied medicine at Cambridge University but began writing with John Cleese.  They began to write professionally for the BBC.  

In 1969, they joined Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam to form Monty Python's Flying Circus.  

Chapman was openly gay and met his long-term partner David Sherlock in 1966.  He appeared as the lead in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Yellowbeard. 

He passed away in October 1989 of cancer.

"Coco" wins Golden Globe 2018

Coco, the animated feature from Disney and Pixar, won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film at the 75th ceremony January 7, 2018.  It was nominated for Best Original song.  It won two Academy Awards.  For me, it is one of the best movies ever, in the same company as Wall-E and Up. 

Happy birthday, Kazakh cosmonaut Talgat Musabayev!

Talgat Musabayev, born January 7, 1951 in present-day Kazakhstan, is a veteran of three space flights.  

His first trip was aboard Soyuz TM-19 as Flight Engineer to the space station Mir, in July 1994.  He participated in expedition Mir EO-16 and returned to Earth in November 1994.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TM-27 as Commander to Mir in January 1998.  He participated in expedition Mir EO-25 and returned to Earth in August 1998.

His third and final mission was aboard Soyuz TM-32 to the International Space Station in April 2001.  He participated in expedition ISS EP-1.  He returned to Earth on Soyuz TM-31 in May 2001.

He has spent over 341 days in space. 

"Coma" released 1978

Coma, the movie based on the novel by Robin Cook, was released on January 6, 1978.  It was directed by Michael Crichton, who wrote Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain.  The movie starred Genevieve Bujold, Michael Douglas, Richard Widmark and a young Tom Selleck.

I think it did for hospitals what Jaws did for the ocean.

Wonder Woman episode "Light Fingered Lady" airs 1978

Light-Fingered Lady, the thirteenth episode of the second season of Wonder Woman, aired January 6, 1978.  It's one of my favorite episodes, because it has a Mission: Impossible feel to it.  Diana Prince/Wonder Woman goes undercover to capture an elusive thief before he disappears forever.  The thief was played by Greg Morris, who starred in the television series Mission: Impossible. 

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Guy Gardner!

Guy Gardner, born January 6, 1948 in Altavista, Virginia, is a veteran of two space flights.  He has been a test pilot and pilot instructor for the US Air Force and attained the rank of colonel.

His first trip was aboard Atlantis (STS-27) as pilot in December 1988.  It was a mission for the Department of Defense.

His second and final trip was aboard Columbia (STS-35) as pilot in December 1990.  The mission was dedicated to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1.  

"Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" released 2006

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, released January 5, 2006, is a classic movie, set in 18th century France is an intoxicating movie about a man with an uncanny sense of smell.  Ben Whishaw plays the major role of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, who is in search of the perfect scent.

It was based upon Patrick Suskind's novel Perfume, published in 1985.  It also starred Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman. 

It was nominated for five Saturn Awards.

Happy birthday, astronaut Chris Cassidy!

Christopher Cassidy, born January 4, 1970 in Salem, Massachusetts, has been in space three times. He was a Navy Seal for ten years before being selected as an astronaut by NASA in May 2004.  

His first trip into space was aboard Endeavour (STS-127) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in July 2009.  He conducted three EVAs with fellow astronauts David Wolf and Thomas Marshburn for a total of over 18 hours.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-08M to the International Space Station in March 2013.  He participated in Expeditions 35 and 36.  He stayed aboard for over 166 days before returning to Earth in September 2013.

His third flight was aboard Soyuz MS-16 to the International Space Station in April 2020.  He participated in Expeditions 62 and 63.  He stayed aboard for almost 196 days before returning to Earth in October 2020.