Back to the grind
Posted by Maggie
August 6th, 2007 at 03:11pm
In Vintage
So, I’m not on a boat anymore. It’s sad. Especially for Kyle, for whom the floor has not yet ceased its perpetual swaying.
If you’re curious about the state of television while cruising the high seas, I’ll tell you: It’s not good. This is probably for the benefit of the passengers, who really should be eating or swimming or burning all the skin off their shoulders rather than watching the Daily Show. I did learn one thing, though — it’s physically impossible to watch more than 15 minutes of Ghostrider at one time. Unless you saw it in the theater, in which case, wow. I hope you were drunk.
There was a “classic TV” channel, where we happened to catch an episode of Sgt. Bilko while packing up on the last day. It was interesting, and not just in a historical sense — it was actually funny. Of course, it’s totally odd and old-fashioned, but they certainly knew how to write a joke. Here’s an audio clip of the show we watched, where “Elvin Pelvin” joins the Sergeant’s squad and he tries to trick him into making a record. Can’t find that one on YouTube, but here’s another one (picked at random) for your television history education and viewing pleasure. [kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/aS2EvmZVTyc" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
1 Comment Add your own
1. maggie's dad | August 7th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Aha! Finally my advanced age comes in handy, as I actually watched the Sargeant Bilko series 1st run as a first generation TV child born in 1949 (Yes children, I am fifty seven [or as I like to ruefully say 'fifty-fucking-seven') years old. (But very youthful, in decent shape, available and extremely cool [despite what Maggie will tell you] if you’re interested Ladies – Sorry Dan, although you sound like fun!).
You all must see the Sargeant Bilko episode when they actually enlist a chimpanzee into the outfit. Scene recreated from probably very flawed memory:
Standing in line to register with a corporal who never looks up but merely repeats “State your name. Last name first. First name last” and then repeats the name as he enters it. As the chimp reaches the front of the line the registrar remains absorbed in his ledger.
Corporal: “State your name. Last name first. First name last.”
(pause)
Corporal: “State your name. Last name first. First name last.”
Voice from the back of the line: ” Speak up, hairy”
Corporal: “Harry Speakup. Next!”
The show then delineates how the Harry is innoculated, outfitted, fed, integrated into the unit and awarded medals for bravery from a series of orderlies and noncoms who never quiet give him a look as they blindly follow their procedure.
As I remember, it was hilarious.
By the way, has anyone ever heard the rumor that Sarah Silverman is actually Phil Silvers’ granddaughter? I don’t think it is accurate, but seems truthy…
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