Thanks to Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.
Saturday 9: California Nights (1967)
Unfamiliar with this week’s tune? Hear it here.
1) Lesley Gore premiered this song on an episode of Batman. She played Pussycat, the protegee of Catwoman. (That explains her outfit in the video.) How many of Batman’s nemeses can you name? Trivia Pursuit hits Sat-9. I’ll go with four. You can read the names on everyone else’s question one response.
2) At least five actors have played The Caped Crusader already (Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale) and Ben Affleck will play him in 2016’s Batman vs. Superman. Who is your favorite Batman? (If any Batmen were inadvertently omitted, Sam apologizes.) Adam West. The lack of one actor doing a series of films makes no one stand out. Other than Oceans 11, 12, 13, what hit movies had Clooney had? Check it out. From the New York Post: “From “One Fine Day” (1996) to “Batman & Robin” (1997) to “Solaris” (2002) to “Intolerable Cruelty” (2003) to “The Good German” (2006) to “Leatherheads” (2008) to “The Men Who Stare at Goats” (2009) to “The Ides of March” (2011) to “The Monuments Men” (2014), if Clooney was the main attraction, the movie was somewhere between a disappointment and a flop.” The only other hit he had was “Perfect Storm”. His best work was in “E.R.”
3) Unlike most superheroes, Batman doesn’t have any superpowers. This Saturday, you’re more fortunate. We’re bestowing any superpower on you that you want. Which would you like? When I was a kid I wanted X-Ray vision to be able to see girls naked. Now that I’m older and more mature I’ll stick with that answer.
4) Though she’s singing of warm California nights, Lesley Gore was a New Yorker, born in Brooklyn and, in February of this year, dying in Manhattan. Which coast have you spent more time on, the West Coast or the East Coast? East. The only time I was in California was in 1995 when a rock station flew me out to offer me a job. I saw San Francisco in a “whirlwind 48 hour tour”. My son James has been in San Diego since 2006. We have yet to arrange a visit. It still will happen. I’ve been to Vegas a few times.
5) Not many people know that while she was making records, Lesley was also a student at Sarah Lawrence and graduated with her BA in 1968. What’s something we would be surprised to know about you? I am about to be single again.
6) In 1967, when this song was popular, the best selling new camera in the United States was the new Polaroid Swinger. Think about the most recent photo you took. Did you use a camera, a tablet, or a phone? In my job I use both an iPhone & iPad to take pictures of displays. I used both yesterday.
7) The big fashion trend of 1967 was bright tights, in shades like Hot Pink, Shock Orange and Grass Green. Tell us about something you wore when it was trendy but now you look back and think, “Oh, God, that was awful!” I don’t think “awful”. I think it’s a neat nostalgia. I hated Austin Powers but loved the clothes.
8) In 1967, drivers complained about “gas wars.” The price was unpredictable and would rise and fall, day by day, as much as 30¢ per gallon. How much does it cost you to fill up your tank today? You are way off on gas wars. You are SO young. In the 60s the price was under 40 cents a gallon. It was the Summer of Love. Jefferson Airplane. The Loving Spoonful. The Stones. And as Johnny Rivers sang, “All summer long we spent dancin’ in the sand, and the jukebox kept on playin’ “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. The gas wars started during Gerald Ford and then Jimmy Carter’s days in the White House. It costs me about $40 now.
9) Random question: Are there dishes in your kitchen sink right now? I have no idea. My soon to be ex just brought me pancakes. My guess is that there is shit in the sink.
I’ve certainly had an interesting ride in the last six months. I lost my dad. My best friend who has recorded at WTIT since 1968 is moving to Colorado. And now to make it more interesting, we are divorcing. No arguments. No other people involved. My accountant has left the firm and doesn’t return my calls. He fucked up both my state taxes in Massachusetts and Connecticut. He’s been with me since the late 70s. It’s a first. Other than this, it’s been pretty boring. As far as this blog goes, I will enjoy bringing back “bad boy Bud”. I now have to meet my neighbors so I can sleep with the wife. Keep it tuned. We’ll return. Same time. Same place. I’m fine. Peace & love!
The gas war of 1967 was a consequence of the Six Day War and the resulting Arab oil embargo. I know this shit because I’m Crazy Sam’s researcher.
Let’s get this out of the way before Kwizgiver gets here: “Michael Clayton” is Clooney’s best work and he’s deft and lovely in it. Both “Up in the Air” and “The Descendants” were profitable, too. I know because I’m a geek with Google.
I’m so sorry about your news. You have had such a rough go of it lately and it breaks my heart because you’re a good guy. I know because I’m an excellent judge of character.
I owned a car in 1967. While I’m sure you are right, it really did not effect prices until 1973. I know this because I had to choose between 45 cents in a line or go to Getty and pay 59 cents. I was working at WILI at the time and chose 59 cents so I would not be late.
I’m glad you straightened me out. Allison, I really like him too. I stand by my point on ER and say that I was quoting a newspaper. But you gotta admit that even with your additions it’s a small list.
Thanks. Sometimes being a “good guy” doesn’t help…
Bud’s right. I remember driving to college in Rochester in 1973 & early ’74 and having to do it on an even numbered day so I could buy gas on the way.
Sorry, Bud and Diana, but there was a gas war in 1967. It was considered a top news story of 1967 on news sites like Time and National Geographic. It didn’t last as long as the ones during the Ford/Carter years, but it was real and it had an impact because it was the first. And it makes sense. The Six Day War was a big ass deal and something like that is just going to have wide ramifications.
Now Bud… be nice about George. You forgot “Out of Sight” “Good Night And Good Luck” and “O Brother, whereart Thou”
I wish both of you the best in this transition. I’m sorry.
I know. We’re adults who’ve been here before. I expect no troubles…
Just think all the money you could make from the geriatric crowd with X-Ray vision you could undercut all the labs.
Very good. I’d rather make money!!
Best wishes on the Split going down as amicability as expected. You’ve had a hell of a time these past two years.
Also, just because I’m so old, I can remember gas costing only 30 cents a gallon when I was a teen. And that was California where it’s always been more.
About George. “Syriana”, an excellent film, and also the hilarious, “Burn after reading”.
Chin up! And if you can stand a HUG, there is one for ya.
That’s sweet. Thanks!
Remember those dorky x-ray glasses sold in magazines way back when? I wonder how much money someone made on that one. fyi- your were my superhero this week 🙂
I am sorry about your news. You’ve had some tough times of late. I hope it doesn’t leave too big of a mark. (And I don’t remember any gas wars before the 1970s, either, so that 1967 thing was a surprise to me.)
Wishing you all the best – and a couple of good days and nights.