Tuesday, February 28, 2023

TV Titles: The Shulman File



"Look at you. You're a bunch of weirdos!"

So explained Dr Morton Shulman to his crowd of guests as he rocked back and forth in his comfy office chair. In that week's case his invited targets were into fetishes. One mustached guy in particular wore a half-face masquerade mask and would express himself by answering the show host's questions with a simple question: "In what context?"

"Morty" was not afraid to stick it to his special guests, be they politicians, labour union leaders, or an assortment of the offbeat.

The embedded video clip above is from a show titled: "UFO's and Psychics. Fact or Fraud?" (1983)

The Shulman File premiered in 1977, and from that point onward I watched on a regular basis. It did not matter to me what any given week's theme was. After all, there was that great theme tune to get one in the mood for some television fireworks.

Then Toronto-based CITY-TV was a great station at one time. In its mix of creative programming sat a controversial presenter. Morton Shulman, politician, physician and coroner, stirred things up, but did so from an intellectual platform ― not sensationalism for the sake of sensationalism, and ratings (as in Bill O'Reilly).

It would be nice to see complete episodes; there are bits and pieces to enjoy on YouTube.

We need a show like The Shulman File today to grill our surfeit of "weirdos".

Monday, February 27, 2023

A Forever Question: Placement

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. Should the last refuge of a scoundrel be first?



Sunday, February 26, 2023

Books: Sampling of War and Warfare



A gent I follow on Twitter is a historian and PhD candidate. James Jefferies puts up some interesting tweets, one recently was a snapshot of several WW2 aviation books in his library. This eventually inspired me to do the same, even if I was clumsy and included 'contaminating' books from the ground and sea.

Above is just a small sample of my collection. As an RCAF member in the RAF, my dad was aircrew on Lancaster bombers: hence my interest in the Allied bombing campaign.

On one of my trips to England I spoke with author Martin Middlebrook ― I just rang him up ― and he was very pleasant, and helpful in my research. When I eventually got back here to Canada I found a piece of airmail awaiting me from Mr Middlebrook. He supplied me with some additional information based on our conversation. What a nice bloke.

Monday, February 20, 2023

A Forever Question: This Little Pinky Says

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. Shouldn't David Vincent tell us that the Invaders are here, and that they have taken human form?



Friday, February 17, 2023

Me on Cat Value

"Cats are not boring... they provide hours of entertainment fun."

I know cats.



Monday, February 13, 2023

A Forever Question: Reverse Rolls

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. Is it possible to be a little downnity?



Sunday, February 12, 2023

CD: The Man-Machine (Kraftwerk)



The Man-Machine

Kraftwerk

Capital Records, Inc
1978

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Book: The Movie Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained (Green)



The Movie Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained -

by
Dan Green

DK, Illustrated Edition
2016

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

A Forever Question: Fluidity

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. Is there such a thing as "intellectual viscosity"?