09/26/2005 Entry: "Rue McClanahan in... The Wickedest Witch!"

Got a good one for you tonight. In 1989, Rue McClanahan fulfilled the naughtiest clause in her Golden Girls contract by starring in NBC's The Wickedest Witch, a very rare Halloween special that only aired once, maybe twice. It's thirty minutes of Blanche dressed as a bitch witch hag, fiddling around with little reptilian Muppets as she quests to take over the universe. The silly but inoffensive special is a must for Rue fans, and since you've got no chance of seeing the thing if you haven't already, the review includes several video clips. Enjoy.

Chestnuts roasted by WonKa @ 09/26/2005 08:45 PM EST

Wow, those clips were pretty good quality, considering. I wonder if this still sits in NBC's vaults, locked up Animaniacs-style?

Chestnuts roasted by Jeff Mack @ 09/26/2005 08:49 PM EST

I remember this, barely, it's in the fuzzy part of my memory. The pic's n the review remind me of the Fraggle Rock halloween special from the 80's.

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 09/26/2005 09:14 PM EST

Good 'ol Rue.

You know, she played the biology teacher in Starship Troopers, one of my all-time favorite movies.

God, I've seen it so many times... lol

Chestnuts roasted by Chilipeppers @ 09/26/2005 09:18 PM EST

I have to admit, when I saw the article on the front page, I kinda hoped the article was about a previously unheralded sequel to "The Worst Witch." But then I felt terrible, because wishing for a sequel to such a bad, awful movie is against all common decency and sense. Much like "The Worst Witch."

Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 09/26/2005 09:25 PM EST

Seeing that little Grievel get turned to stone made me cry. Why couldn't you just let this special be forgotten by humanity? Poor little Grievel. Poor poor little Grievel.

Chestnuts roasted by Darth Poop @ 09/26/2005 09:31 PM EST

Wowee. That looks like one shitty movie, but prob. better than The Hogan Family by far!!

I too am a big Rue mark, so this is a great article!! As cool, if not more so, than Bea doing the Urkel!!

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 09/26/2005 09:56 PM EST

Cool. Being three years old when that came out there's no way I'd remember it even if I did watch it. But i'm glad that I now know about it. Thanks! And that kid looked like a jack-ass in the last clip. Hahaha, I can't stop the laughter... Good Stuff.

Chestnuts roasted by Mattman @ 09/26/2005 10:02 PM EST

I wish they would've found a way to insert this into Golden Girls continuity.

Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 09/26/2005 10:08 PM EST

I can't believe with my love of muppets and Golden Girls and holiday specials in general during the late 80s, I didn't see this one... Frig!
Musn't have been carried by the US station the local cable provider carried.
I do remember seeing that stupid one with Judd Hirsh far too many times.

Chestnuts roasted by AlphaCentaurian @ 09/26/2005 10:09 PM EST

OK, it wasn't that stupid, but seeing something 12 times in one season dulls things

Chestnuts roasted by AlphaCentaurian @ 09/26/2005 10:10 PM EST

Gotta chime in and say, this has been a great countdown so far. I can't believe how much great stuff has been tackled, and it's not even October.

Chestnuts roasted by James @ 09/26/2005 10:19 PM EST

man...rue looks totally hot with her hair down like that...

Chestnuts roasted by gerv @ 09/26/2005 10:20 PM EST

I'm waiting for the day to arrive when that whole trend of making real-world references in fantasy movies will be funny again. "Create and destroy matter... buy anything wholesale." What? No.

Was it just me, or did Rue's underground lair look like a warped version of Beast's castle in the Disney movie?

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 09/26/2005 10:37 PM EST

Rue tried so hard with the "wholesale" line, too. She really wanted to make it work.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 09/26/2005 10:38 PM EST

I would have prefered a Hogan Family Halloween Special where good old Val comes back from the dead to slaughter her annoying family...including Miss Pool!

Chestnuts roasted by Kevin @ 09/26/2005 11:08 PM EST

Matt, you never cease to amaze me. You are able to reconstruct every piece of my holiday memories. Growing up, my family was big into recording every holiday special that ever aired, and watching them year after year. This one was in heavy Halloween rotation. I had forgotten it even existed until I clicked onto X-E tonight.

Amazing job at bringing everyone back to a time when holidays made us even more giddy than they do now (if that's possible)!

Incidentally, I'd give up a testicle for one of those wishing rocks

Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Boligarky @ 09/26/2005 11:08 PM EST

Oh man poor Rue. This thing sounds terrible.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 09/26/2005 11:18 PM EST

Since this subject has *however tenuous) ties to the word Muppet, I thought I would share that I just discovered that they're making a new Fraggle Rock movie to be released in 2006.

Or perhaps everyone already knew this, and I'm a Johnny Come Lately.

But I refuse to be one of those.

Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 09/27/2005 12:21 AM EST

FRAGGLE ROCK MOVIE!!! OMFG!!

Seriously, I didn't know that, and it is cool. That is one cool ass show, I remember when we first got cable, and watching it on HBO was one of the first shows my family got into! I also remember the little cars from Happy Meals with the Fraggle Rock characters.

I might be jaded, but Skinemax just doesn't do it for me anymore.

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 09/27/2005 12:26 AM EST

Ima kinda ghosted :0 arr

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 09/27/2005 12:29 AM EST

I don't remember this one, but I have vauge memories of a show that was on probably 1990-1992. It was a sitcom and only aired on halloween or a day or two before. I remember a family, a house...a haunted house and bats, skeletons...etc. I thought it would become a regular show, but sadly it was just a one time show. I have been haunted by the name of this show. HELP ME INTERWEB!!!

Chestnuts roasted by tikihunter @ 09/27/2005 12:48 AM EST

Great to see you did an article on this 'un, Matt! It is truly one of the oddest made-for-T.V. Halloween specials I've ever seen. Excellent article!

Chestnuts roasted by EtHM @ 09/27/2005 12:59 AM EST

Wow.

Those clips were amazing.

I think it's possible Rue paid someone to destroy all copies of that video. She acted her ass off but... those clips prove it would have been a wise investment on her part.

Chestnuts roasted by Night_Trekker @ 09/27/2005 01:21 AM EST

I'm torn between being kind of glad I don't really remember that, and wishing I'd seen it in it's entirety.

Chestnuts roasted by Diana @ 09/27/2005 03:22 AM EST

I have to admit, when I saw the article on the front page, I kinda hoped the article was about a previously unheralded sequel to "The Worst Witch." But then I felt terrible, because wishing for a sequel to such a bad, awful movie is against all common decency and sense. Much like "The Worst Witch."

Did you know there was a "Worst Witch" TV SERIES?? Matt hasn't gotten to that yet, I guess.....

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 09/27/2005 03:28 AM EST

HOLY CRAP...I remember this TV special! O_O!

I saw it, like once when I was a kid & remembered it years after but didn't know the name of it.

Thanks for finally shedding light on that mystery for me duder. :-D

-Boglin

Chestnuts roasted by Boglin @ 09/27/2005 03:55 AM EST

Yup, I saw this, had to been right after my first highschool dance. Return of the Living Dead showed after this and I swear Rue was beggin for brains!

Chestnuts roasted by Dragula @ 09/27/2005 04:24 AM EST

best clip: the hogan's family one. And no I don't remember this special. And why do they think it's amusing when they take a clip out of a show to go with what the narrator is talking about. It's like trying to get a celebrity to endorse your product by filling in holes with words taken from the person's mouth. Very tacky. It's not amusing at all.

Chestnuts roasted by Goob @ 09/27/2005 04:38 AM EST

The review is just wonderful. I just love this!!!

Chestnuts roasted by garry @ 09/27/2005 07:57 AM EST

I echo anyone's sentiments that this is the best countdown ever. Holiday anticipation is all about the camaraderie, so when I come here and know that everyone else is getting geeked about Jones Halloween soda and perhaps popping in their Halloween special tapes just a bit early, it makes the anticipation all that much juicier. I love it, Matt!

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 09/27/2005 08:58 AM EST

About that Worst Witch Tv series: They used to show that on YTV(Canada's Children's network) all the time. I remember because I was systemically tortured with forced watching of it. I hate my sister. I'm pretty sure that Tim Curry starred in the TV version as well. Or at least some poor bastard who looked like Tim Curry who was put under devious Britsh Government hypnosis, forced to star in the world's shittiest show ever......I need to lay off the drugs.

Chestnuts roasted by TheJuggalo @ 09/27/2005 08:58 AM EST

Did anyone ever see the computer animated Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow that was on about a decade ago? I always thought that it was good enough to be a yearly special. It was when CA was new and I thought it was so bad ass, now it probably looks like shit in a sugarcone.

Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo Berry the 70's Ghost @ 09/27/2005 09:16 AM EST

Great. Now I'm going to have Evil Blanche calling out "I-17!" in my head all damn day.

Chestnuts roasted by Mike Fireball @ 09/27/2005 09:24 AM EST

holy crap I totally remember watching this as a kid. What a way to bring back the past heh. Ill probably be reminising about this friggin show for the next 2 hours.

Chestnuts roasted by erik @ 09/27/2005 09:36 AM EST

I only wish I could've seen "The Wickedest Witch", even if it's only a half-assed attempt at a halloween special. My family would watch re-runs of the crappy "Saturday the 14th" movie, "Friday the 13th's" evil twin sister. My parents felt that the classics "Halloween", Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Friday The 13th", were way too violent for me and my brother to see. Oh well, I guess we all suffer in one form or the other.

Chestnuts roasted by Texican @ 09/27/2005 09:36 AM EST

That kid looks like someone I should know, but I checked him out on imdb and I don't see anything there that I would have recognized him from. One thing's for sure, that guy is doing something else to pay the bills. There is an updated picture, though, if anyone's interested.

I agree that, even at 26, the scene where she turns that sweet little Grievel to stone was really sad. At 10 I would have never made it to the end of the special. That would have been it for me.

Oh, and that music in the third clip wants SO badly to be "Phantom of the Opera".

Chestnuts roasted by Lori @ 09/27/2005 10:02 AM EST

I don't know much about this Rue , but in re: to a previous entry on Pitch Black II. . .ugh! Not a fan. I'm only halfway through my first bottle, though. Maybe it will grow on me.

Chestnuts roasted by Chris Martin @ 09/27/2005 10:34 AM EST

Excellent as always Matt! heh

I love the countdown, I love that you start absurdly early and hit it hard. Nice to know I aint the only one out early looking for new Halloween thrills. And your countdown is da thrillz baby. Da thrillz.

Chestnuts roasted by dj BC @ 09/27/2005 11:30 AM EST

-?-
I can't believe I know not of this special! Even if it aired only once, how could I have missed it? My Hallow-world is shattered. Where's my bucket of candy corn....

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/27/2005 11:54 AM EST

Not to nitpick (well, a little), but in the third paragraph, shouldn't it be members of her own coven, not cove?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry; I'm a copy editor and can't help myself!

Chestnuts roasted by purplegirl247 @ 09/27/2005 12:14 PM EST

If it's half as good as The Worst Witch than it can't be that bad.

Chestnuts roasted by Review the World @ 09/27/2005 12:40 PM EST

I remember that the Hogan Family did an Halloween episode that for some reason gave me nightmares.

I also remember there was a short-lived Jim Henson HBO show that was set in an haunted house or castle "The Ghost of" is all I remember.

Anyone else remember the short-lived Munsters revival "The Munsters Today" That was a fun show.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 09/27/2005 01:08 PM EST

I thought "The Munsters Today" was all right. Good casting picks for Herman, Lily, and Grandpa.
With long hair, Rue looks kinda like Susan Sarandon.
Matt, you ever review that Addams Family Hallowe'en special? The one about Cousin Shy?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/27/2005 01:15 PM EST

Matt,

Have you had any good encounters with Advertising Week in NY this week? I love the creepy looking Burger King character.

Chestnuts roasted by King Chachi @ 09/27/2005 02:14 PM EST

If I had a magic wishing rock I'd make Matt program director of holiday lineups for a major cable company.

Good article. Either I didn't watch this or forgot all about it. Maybe someday it will air again.

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 09/27/2005 02:24 PM EST

A Halloween special so breath taking, it brings a tear to Sandy Duncan's glass eye. Oh man, you gotta love the nerdy kid who mentioned something about "the secret body language of cats." It's strange becasue I remember watching The Hogan Family on a regular basis but i don't remember specific episodes except for one where Jason Bateman's character painted himself into a corner. And maybe I'm not remembering that one exactly either...Rue is always great no matter what she does. i always loved how in the opening sequence to The Golden Girls the synched up her shoulders swinging when she was walking towards the camera to the theme music for that split second. She was alright in Mama's Family but nothing will ever touch her work as Blanche Devereaux.

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 09/27/2005 02:36 PM EST

I've been watching snippets of Mama's Family lately (it's on before SBTB, gimme a break) but I've only caught occasional glimpses of Rue.
Never watched Hogan Family, but I'm actually interested in seeing it now. Hopefully it's not FOR BRITISH EYES ONLY. (Somewhere an Arrested Development fan just fell off their chair laughing if they're anything like me).

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 09/27/2005 02:58 PM EST

That the my worst hello ever. You have to admire a man you can keep going after something like that.

Chestnuts roasted by RAS @ 09/27/2005 03:12 PM EST

Once again, Matt get a mention on FARK! There someone mentioned the Paul Lynde Hallowe'en Special. How can you not admire a man who has Margaret Hamilton, Billie Hayes, and KISS star on his special?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/27/2005 03:23 PM EST

You know, I bet anyone who signed a contract for any NBC show in the 1980s probably had to do at least one of these specials, from "normal" to bizarre and outlandish. This likely falls into the bizarre and outlandish category. I liked that "Hogan Family will return next week" promo. I was 7 in October 1989, but I don't remember this special, though I DO remember "The Hogan Family." My boyfriend is attempting to find a tape with "Hogan Family" on it. He's also searching for "Growing Pains," another show I miss. They used to show reruns, but not anymore. Also, glad to see they were using the current NBC Peacock logo--I believe there was a different one in the earlier part of the 1980s.

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 09/27/2005 04:02 PM EST

King Chachi, I'm scared of the Burger King, he's so creepy. My boyfriend says he has an amazing resemblance to King Friday from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.

Blanche: I treat my body like a temple.
Sophia: Yeah. Open to anyone...day and night!

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 09/27/2005 04:06 PM EST

I remember an NBC Disney special that Bea Arthur and Betty White hosted in the 80's. Probably for Disney's birthday or something. It also featured Jim Varney, Emmanuelle Lewis, Harry Anderson, Dolly Parton, and the female supporting player from Moonlighting. Bea Arthur sang. Betty White basically acted like Rose.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 09/27/2005 04:16 PM EST

"I remember an NBC Disney special that Bea Arthur and Betty White hosted in the 80's. Probably for Disney's birthday or something. It also featured Jim Varney, Emmanuelle Lewis, Harry Anderson, Dolly Parton, and the female supporting player from Moonlighting. Bea Arthur sang. Betty White basically acted like Rose."

They should've given that a theatrical release and just called it Star Wars Episode 3.

Because that rocks.

Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 09/27/2005 04:25 PM EST

Those Burger King ads are horrifying!!! Especially where the guy wakes up and the King is in bed with him. WTF!!!! I don't know what the more disturbing image is: the King pitching or catching!?!

Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo Berry the 70's Ghost @ 09/27/2005 04:33 PM EST

What a treat for me today on XE! I hear about a horrible/excellent Halloween special starring Rue....and I learn about a potential Fraggle Rock MOVIE?? Excellent! "Dance your cares away, worries for another day, let the music play, down in Fraggle Rock" Yeah! I always used that song to de-stress in University, and looks like I still need it (perhaps even more so) for teaching. Fraggles make me happy.

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 09/27/2005 04:39 PM EST

For those longing to see the Hogan Family once again, they ran a few episodes on TVLand this summer.

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 09/27/2005 04:47 PM EST

Maybe I'm just strange but i really dig the "king" ad campaign. Yeah he's freaky but i think that's what makes it work. He may seem freaky but he just wants to provide you with a croissandwich to warm your heart. And now apparently he plays on defense for the Baltimore Ravens and offense for the Minnesota Vikings so I guess that'll distract him from staring in your window in the morning or ending up in your bed. I just know one night when I've had too many....hehehe ::shudders::

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 09/27/2005 04:48 PM EST

Those Burger King ads are really quite brilliant. They're hilarious but disturbing as all hell at the same time. I hope they do a Halloween-themed commercial with the "King."

Chestnuts roasted by Monte @ 09/27/2005 05:20 PM EST

One of my favorite ads was the one where the guy looks out the window to see the King standing in the yard, glances away for a moment, then turns around to find himself FACE TO BIG FIBERGLASS NOGGIN with the dude! AAAHHH!! The phone calls are coming from inside the head!

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/27/2005 06:20 PM EST

I'm digging the new one with the lumberjack cutting down a tree, only to find The King standing behind it and offering him artery blockage on a bun.

Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 09/27/2005 06:26 PM EST

What about the add when The King confronts Darth Vader and they just look at each other. After seeing that I had to have all of the Star Wars kids meal toys

Chestnuts roasted by Darth Poop @ 09/27/2005 06:36 PM EST

You are all off. "He did not come correct for breakfast!" with Bentley Farnsworth is the best new school BK commercial, followed by the one where Darth shows up at that dude's door. The King is interesting, but I don't find him as funny or unsettling as they seem to want me to. The Burger King, I mean. The Klash King is always funny and unsettling.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 09/27/2005 07:30 PM EST

Has anybody ever checked out the nutritional specs on that omelet-sandwich thing that Burger King peddles? Grab hold of your aorta and get a load of these figures:
-740 calories
-46 grams of fat
-16 grams of saturated fat
-330 milligrams of cholesterol
-1950 milligrams of sodium
YIKES! Needless to say, I'll be stopping by BK tomorrow morning on my way to work to scarf down one of these bad boys along with a handful of hash-browns and a stack of griddle-cakes, and then I'll chase it all down with a chocolate shake and four shots of bourbon.

Chestnuts roasted by The Yeti @ 09/27/2005 07:56 PM EST

The King confronts Darth Vader and they just look at each other.

Not to mention breathing through their respective masks. *jibblies*

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 09/27/2005 08:03 PM EST

ooo! Sister Act is on!! Righteous!

The Fraggle Rock theme song really does indeed rock. That's one pumpin' bass line, right up there with the bass from "Night Court"!@

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 09/27/2005 08:09 PM EST

Matt! Check out some of your countdown 2003 pages, there's things chucking shit at my computer. It was a banner ad at the top of the page having little javascript windows trying to get me to install something called "winfixer." Yeah, anyone else see that?

Chestnuts roasted by Tom No Like @ 09/27/2005 08:45 PM EST

It's adware/spyware. Run whatever adware remover you're using and see if that helps.

Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 09/27/2005 09:22 PM EST

It would be an ugly scene if i ever came face to face with someone who creates spy/ad ware for a living.....So much built up hatred...

Chestnuts roasted by D-Roc @ 09/27/2005 10:16 PM EST

I think I remember that some professional spammer got shot a while back.

Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 09/27/2005 11:04 PM EST

Allison: How in the HELL have they gotten away with not putitng Growing Pains on DVD yet? It's criminal...

phunqsauce: I love the King, he kicks ass

Chestnuts roasted by Night_Trekker @ 09/28/2005 01:35 AM EST

Dammit, should preview my posts before submitting

And I wanted to see that the Halloween "frown" was, also

Chestnuts roasted by Night_Trekker @ 09/28/2005 01:37 AM EST

I'm not the worlds biggest NFL fan, but if the Packers had the King as wide receiver, they might be better than 0-3!

One copy of Corey Haim: Me, Myself & I on Amazon, used for $39.99!! Holy sheeyat!@

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 09/28/2005 01:43 AM EST

Are you suprised at the Haim video's price or that one is available?

Sorry I haven't posted lately guys, volunteer coaching for high school football, a newborn son, college work, and an unhealthy Newgrounds Numa Numa fetish...I've been alittle preoccupied.

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 09/28/2005 05:15 AM EST

Are you surprised at the Haim video's price or that one is available?

Sorry I haven't posted lately guys, volunteer coaching for high school football, a newborn son, college work, and an unhealthy Newgrounds Numa Numa fetish...I've been alittle preoccupied.

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 09/28/2005 05:15 AM EST

Hey Matt and everyone else,
Thought you might find this interesting:

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050926/full/050926-7.html

In short, they have a picture of a 26'3" giant squid in the wild. Crytpozoologists unite!

Chestnuts roasted by the Danimal @ 09/28/2005 05:23 AM EST

I have traveled to 14 states this year and I am finding Burger King's increasingly rare, especially in Pittsburgh where there are literally like 2 left! Why is this do you think!?!? Its alarming that people choose McDonald's crap over the King! Even in Disney World all the fries are McD's, that's weak as hell!!!!! They need a BK commercial with a guy in a stall and he needs TP and the King's hand reaches under from the next stall with some TP and then reaches under again with a whopper and then the guy opens the stall door and the King is standing there with hands on hips. That'd be awesome.

Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo Berry the 70's Ghost @ 09/28/2005 09:30 AM EST

kidneyboy: I'm not the worlds biggest NFL fan, but if the Packers had the King as wide receiver, they might be better than 0-3!

Ugh - they're so bad this year. Oh well. At least the Badgers don't need the king - they're ranked #17 now! Maybe it's really Calhoun under the king costume....

Chestnuts roasted by Gozer @ 09/28/2005 10:41 AM EST

I remember an NBC Disney special that Bea Arthur and Betty White hosted in the 80's. Probably for Disney's birthday or something.

You're right! I had totally forgotten about that. I watched it a couple of times, so it's probably in my parents' video tape vault. It's times like these that I hate having them so far away.

You know, I bet anyone who signed a contract for any NBC show in the 1980s probably had to do at least one of these specials, from "normal" to bizarre and outlandish.

Personally, I miss those days. Remember all the cool stuff...Battle of the Network Stars (that new one with reality stars doesn't count. It misses the whole point.), Circus of the Stars (which I miss terribly)... Remember when it was commonplace to see any number of network personalities "singing" on a float at the Macy's parade? Nowadays you'd only get one if they were cross-promoting an album. The other day I was going through some of my tapes and I watched the NBC 60th anniversary special. All I could think when I watched the finale is that there's no way you could get the actors to do that these days. I made a RealVideo file if anyone wants to watch it. Just click on my name. Granted, it's a lot of "golden era" stars, but if you have patience (and can tolerate the buzzing), you can catch a glimpse of Estelle Getty (sans Sophia getup) as they roll the credits. For me, though, the money shot is Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. (Ahhh...80's NBC...THAT was TV.) I also enjoy seeing how many people don't know the words (and don't care.) Lastly, props to Carl Reiner for throwing his heart into everything he does.

Chestnuts roasted by Lori @ 09/28/2005 11:38 AM EST

Gozer-
I am going to Madison again this weekend to visit my sis. I'll be the one without the red shirt on.
I now feel prepared having seen the craziness that occurs in Wisconsin when there is a foot ball present. You guys are amazing superfans.

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 09/28/2005 11:41 AM EST

FBBT70'sG:
Hands on hips, pantaloons around ankles, and Ronald bound and gagged in the next stall over. While "Driver's Seat" by Sniff N' The Tears plays. Then Jack in the Box, over drying his hands under one of those blowers, says, "My head's bigger."
Or is that just another one of my nightmares?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 09/28/2005 11:47 AM EST

Another NBC Disney special I remember was called "Totally Minnie" which had Robert Carradine doing his nerd thing, the cast of Cheers and Family Ties, Elton John, Phylisha Rashad, and Cheech Marin singing or reminiscing about Minnie Mouse.

A couple of years ago ABC and NBC did anniversary specials where they had cast members from various shows past and present in an auditorium setting doing reunions, clips, bloopers, etc. SNL did one too. They still do them, but their VERY rare.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 09/28/2005 12:13 PM EST

Thanks Lori, that NBC clip ruled!

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 09/28/2005 12:48 PM EST

what realy bugs me is when they show commercials for fast food places that don't even exist in my part of the world. i keep seeing commercials for Sonic, and there isn't one within a 200 mile radius of me! ok, maybe i'm exaggerating, but there aren't any in the greater Pittsburgh area and they look really tasty! you don't see eat n park advertising in Florida, do you??

Chestnuts roasted by bitchpants @ 09/28/2005 01:08 PM EST

HEY bitchpants where are all the BKs in Pgh going?

Chestnuts roasted by FBBT70G @ 09/28/2005 01:22 PM EST

FBBT70G--I honestly don't know. there are still a few around. there's one in the southside, one in Bridgeville and a couple in Robinson. i'm a little bummed that they are vanishing from all other parts though because i LOVE whoppers!

Chestnuts roasted by bitchpants @ 09/28/2005 02:18 PM EST

Lori-
That clip was the best. Kinda sad how many of those people have passed on though. It desn't seem like it could really be 20 years old.

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 09/28/2005 02:26 PM EST

FBBT70G, bitchpants -

The only one I can think of is on the Southside, that old-timey one that I love but have never visited. Where are the ones in Robinson?

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 09/28/2005 03:02 PM EST

The BK Pittsburgh mystery:

I was skeptical of this thread. I mean, BKs don't just abandon major cities, but you guys are totally on to something. Check out the BK restaurant finder for Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Cleveland. Those three cities should be comparable as far as BK numbers go. Buffalo and Cleveland have dozens of BKs which is normal while Pittsburgh has only five within a five mile radius.

What's going on Pittsburgh? Who's usurping the King's fast-food throne?

Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 09/28/2005 03:13 PM EST

Jessica Marie, the one in Robinson that I know of is at the Pointe all nestled in behind Petsmart by Best Buy. Where's the Southside one at? How many people on here are from the Burgh anyways?!

Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo Berry the 70's Ghost @ 09/28/2005 03:29 PM EST

If there was a BK commercial of the King playing for the Steelers he'd put his arm up for a fair catch and get drilled so hard he'd soil his majesty's britches and then get piled on and buried in Heinz field like Hoffa at Giant's stadium....that's what'd happen in that commercial.

Chestnuts roasted by FBBt7G @ 09/28/2005 03:33 PM EST

let's not cut up on the Steelers...

i was thinking of the one at the pointe in Robinson. there was another one on steubenville pike near sheetz, but now that i think of it, that one might be gone too.
FBBt7G- the one in the southside is right on carson street, near fat head's i believe.

jessica marie--why do i get the feeling that i know you...

Chestnuts roasted by bitchpants @ 09/28/2005 04:08 PM EST

Here's an animalia sidenote: a giant squid has been photographed:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20050928/ca_pr_on_sc/japan_giant_squid

Chestnuts roasted by AlphaCentaurian @ 09/28/2005 04:13 PM EST

many of the burger king's in the dallas area have closed, and it saddens my soul

i don't eat carbs anymore but i still like those little flame broiled patties.. i'm sorry but mcdonald's tastes like alien meat

Chestnuts roasted by diamondzdigidul @ 09/28/2005 04:30 PM EST

speaking of burger king does anybody remember when they had those little white castle style burgers?

i used to luv those little flame broiled morsels of goodness

Chestnuts roasted by diamondzdigidul @ 09/28/2005 04:32 PM EST

I'm not cutting up the Steelers, I'm commenting on BKs failings as a company in the Pgh region in relation to their football ads where the King is making big plays....cause he ain't in Pgh., although I live in Greentree and will now be going to the Carson St. BK this weekend, I have a 2 for 1 triple whopper coupon and will revel in 6 patty flame broiled goodness and then promptly restart my heart a-beating with a jolt of electricity my wife will have standing by when I return home. and the little burgers were Burger Buddies.

Chestnuts roasted by FBBT7G @ 09/28/2005 04:42 PM EST

Night_Trekker--thank you! I share your sentiments!! Growing Pains not on DVD IS criminal!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 09/28/2005 04:43 PM EST

FBBT7G--I live in Mt Washington. drop me off a whopper on your way home!

Chestnuts roasted by bitchpants @ 09/28/2005 04:49 PM EST

Lori--LOVED the video clip!!! Is there anything about "Saturday Night Live" during the special? If so, what?

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 09/28/2005 04:59 PM EST

There is this meteorologist on WPVI-TV/ABC-6 in Philadelphia named David Murphy that bears an uncanny resemblance to Dana Carvey. Here's the link:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=bios&id=3301334

If you're questioning it, check around on the website to see if there are any video clips of him, and you could see what I'm talking about!!! ENJOY!

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 09/28/2005 05:02 PM EST

bitchpants - I don't know, do you know me? I just moved to Edgewood from Point Breeze. . . I had a job as a nanny out in Fox Chapel so I didn't have much time for socializing until now.

It's no wonder I didn't know about the one in Robinson, if it's hidden all the way out by Best Buy. I don't go out there much anymore since I'm so much closer to Monroeville.

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 09/28/2005 05:55 PM EST

"There is this meteorologist on WPVI-TV/ABC-6 in Philadelphia named David Murphy that bears an uncanny resemblance to Dana Carvey."

It probably is him. Had to move out of town and change his name after "Master of Disguise" was released.

Chestnuts roasted by Monte @ 09/28/2005 07:30 PM EST

Allison - I'm sure there is, but I'll have to check the tape again to see exactly what. Honestly, I skimmed through a lot.

Chestnuts roasted by Lori @ 09/29/2005 10:04 AM EST

...I see no goofs added! I feel betrayed

Chestnuts roasted by FangsFirst @ 09/30/2005 01:48 AM EST

Thanks Lori!

Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 09/30/2005 05:09 PM EST

Speaking of "The Hogan Family", anyone know if it is currently being aired anywhere? (Or "Valerie's Family" the original title), or I can get tapes or DVDs or torrents or whatever?

Chestnuts roasted by Destro @ 09/30/2005 08:04 PM EST

NO ONE WILL EVER READ THIS POST! AHAHAHAHAHA

Chestnuts roasted by me @ 10/05/2005 08:13 AM EST

I read it.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 10/05/2005 05:07 PM EST