It was 20 Years Ago Today... The Sopranos Debuted on HBO

Twenty years is a long time - back to the last millennium, actually.  On January 10, 1999 the first episode of The Sopranos was aired on HBO (during what would be the year of Y2K fears).  Who would have imagined it would become one of the greatest TV series of all-time (seriously)!

I must admit, I didn't become a fan until the season 5!  In what was something of an tradition back then, I would buy the complete (previous year) season box CD set for my brother as Christmas presents.  When I finally watched the show it was pretty funny asking him for those previous season boxed sets so I could binge watch them to catch up!  Long before the days of streaming - haha.

Anyway, as a lead-up to the anniversary, HBO has been airing a complete season, day by day, since the weekend.  They are up to season 6, part 2 (or, season 7, if you will) - the final year.

I'm decidedly in the camp that hates the fade to black finale.  But it doesn't detract from my overall love of the show. 

So celebrate the anniversary by watching a few episode today :D

jack klugman: r.i.p.

jack klugman died today - he was 90 years old.  for those of a certain generation he will forever be know as his t.v. alter ego - oscar madison - of the "odd couple" sitcom (and some may also see him as "quincy").  klugman's oscar madison, together with tony randall's felix unger, are ever present characters in the memories of my t.v. viewing past.

jack klugman's career was much bigger than the odd couple (though he did play oscar on stage before the t.v. series) - a role for which he won 2 of his 3 emmy awards.  he also had a long run with "quincy m.e." that ran from the late 70' into the early 1980's.  klugman had a pretty illustrious number of stage credits. there was also one non-comedic movie role he will forever be associated with - one of the "twelve angry men."  in fact, jack klugman was the last surviving actor of the 12 members of the jury from that film.

however you remember him, rest in peace jack klugman.

happy birthday chris noth!

chris noth - a/k/a detective mike logan for law and order fans - was born on november 13, 1954, and celebrates his 55th birthday today. i've been a fan of noth's since the (very) early days of law and order (before the colons appeared) when he partnered with jerry orbach (a/k/a lenny briscoe).

after a five year run, mike logan was exiled to staten island (which was made into a t.v. movie). noth wandered in the wilderness for a little while, only to turn up as "mister big"on "sex in the city" series (and its subsequent movie version) - for which we'll forgive him his trespasses ;D

noth then returned to law and order franchise, bypassing the original in favor of "criminal intent." what a high point that was for fans! but, unfortunately, last summer noth again left the law and order fold for greener pastures (and was replaced by jeff goldblum - who himself has injected new life into the "criminal intent" brand).

so here's wishing chris noth a happy birthday (and hoping he drops back in for the occasional guest spots on law and order)!

peter falk ("columbo") has alzheimer's disease

some really sad news has just been reported by the associated press. peter falk's daughter has filed a petition in los angeles county superior court seeking guardianship over her 81 year old father because he has alzheimer's disease.

it's a tragic development for the actor who played columbo, perhaps (imo) the greatest t.v. detective of all time. peter falk won 4 emmy awards for his portrayal of the seemingly clueless detective.

"just one more thing..." our prayers go out to peter falk and his family.
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update: the associated press has reported that peter falk's wife has filed paper in opposition to the daughter's petition for guardianship. a hearing is scheduled for next month (february).

final update: in june, 2009, the court appointed peter falk's wife, shera, as his legal guardian.
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book review: peter falk, "just one more thing: stories from my life"