Both Rafael Nadal (vs Daniil Medvedev) and Serena Williams (vs Bianca Andreescu)) are big favorites to complete their almost completely “paved roads” to U.S. Open Tennis crowns.
Somehow, Williams, who was the 8th seed, again avoided (see Wimbledon) the tougher opponents and today is a 3 to 1 favorite vs Andreescu in the 4 P.M. Eastern Time final.
Nadal, roughly a 5 to 1 favorite vs Medvedev in tomorrow’s 4 P.M. Eastern Time final and tournament second seed, was on the other side of the draw from Novak Djokovic, the top seed and Roger Federer, thus at worst would face one. It turns out he faces neither.
So often in sports and for that matter, life–some get the far easier road.
“Bat Out Of Hell” (currently playing at City Center), is a superb musical play with book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, a major cog in the success of such as “Meat Loaf” and Bonnie Tyler to name just two.
The great songs are cleverly placed into the story and a great cast makes this a most entertaining event.
Andrew Polec as “Strat,” Christina Bennington “Raven,” Bradley Dean (“Falco”) and Lena Hall “Sloane”) head the cast.
“You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth,” “Paradise By The Dashboard Lights,” staged brilliantly and “Bat Out Of Hell” are just three of the great songs that help make the play so enjoyable.
Click below for ticket information.
Bat Out Of Hell New York 2019 | New York City Center Tickets
Today a great episode of “What’s My Line?” that aired on January 9, 1955.
There were two mystery guests, one being Tony Curtis, the other tennis star player, Billy Trabert.
The panelists were Dorothy Kilgallen, Fred Allen, Janet Leigh (married to Mr. Curtis at the time) and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly celebrating his eighteenth wedding anniversary with his first wife Kit, was the show’s host.
Enjoy.
The drama builds and is set up nicely by broadcaster, Bob Elson on Mutual Radio as the Brooklyn Dodgers are one out then one strike from squaring the 1941 World Series vs the vaunted New York Yankees at two games apiece.
Tommy Henrich, who 8 years later and to be cited in a future post, did the unprecedented was the batter.
Hugh Casey, the day before not good in defeat, was brilliant to this point in relief.
In part two, the drama unfolds, a classic, meaningful and face it, a portent of things to come.
In an extreme rarity, as (Red Sox at Yankees) on September 20, 1959 commences, the Yankees are not going to be in post-season play. They had won 4 straight pennants and 9 of the 10 contested in the American League, from (1949-1959).
The 1958 Yankees’ hero, Bob Turley is facing Pumpsie Green, who is in his rookie season. Pete Runnels is “Pistol Pete,” bats third and singles. The great hitter, Ted Williams is over 41 years old and not playing.
Boston does not score, Bobby Richardson bats ahead of Tony Kubek (certainly in ’61 Kubek bats first, Bobby Richardson second on a truly great team) and after each is retired by Tom Brewer, Mickey Mantle singles.
The Chicago White Sox have all but wrapped up the pennant, however a race rages in the N.L. some 60 years ago. (Alas, to the present, as was the case in 1959, the Dodgers and Braves have the two best records in the N.L.)
All-time greats Henry Aaron and Ed Mathews have homered and the Braves are off to a (4-0) lead at Philadelphia vs the Phillies. Mathews is one behind Ernie Banks, 42 to 41 in the home run department. Rocky Colavito leads the American League with 41.
Above I noted some of the first inning of that game, nearly sixty years ago.
Pete Runnels, pictured above, early in his career, as a Washington Senators’ player, won American League batting crowns as a Red Sox player, in 1960 and 1962.
One way to measure the impact of the indomitable, talented Valerie Harper, who passed on days back at age 80, is to recall Howard Cosell’s words on the Steelers/Falcons October 28, 1974 football telecast.
It was a Monday night and Cosell cited that Valerie Harper’s “Rhoda’s” wedding was over and in effect welcomed many back, or so he and his network hoped, to football.
One thing is for sure Valerie Harper as “Rhoda” getting married had impact and that went well beyond the tremendous ratings the wedding show garnered.
“Rhoda” was a great character and Harper won multiple awards playing the role.
She went on to play great women, Golda Meir and Tallulah Bankhead.
I really liked her performance in “Chapter Two,” as her character in a really good supporting role has a surprising “affair” with Joe Bologna’s (his also a nice supporting role).
Her bravery knowing her days were numbered and her great spirit in living (“Don’t go to the funeral until the day of it”) stand out.
She was Rhoda and I felt much of Rhoda’s loneliness, the Saturday night time slot on the wonderful Mary Tyler Moore Show/watching alone, adding to that.
Yet Harper as “Rhoda,” citing (in those days before call waiting), that her phone line was “open” all weekend, save midnight Saturday into Sunday, (I believe that is correct, if not, at least this is not a parking sign) when she called the operator to see if her phone was working and that being the time boyfriend “Joe” (played by David Groh) called, (hence getting a busy signal) was brilliant and a lasting memory that soothes.
Laughter is, of course, “the best medicine” and Valerie Harper provided some really good remedies.
Valerie Harper, pictured above.
Is this the year that the New England Patriots do not win the AFC East?
I doubt it, however, I do see both the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills improving, perhaps a great deal.
Maybe one of those two will improve enough to contend.
The Miami Dolphins will not be as bad as expected but are not a threat.
So New England (11-5) again and at least AFC East champions again.
Josh Gordon, pictured above when with the Cleveland Browns, is back withthe Pats, whom he helped so much in last year’s regular season, en route to the team’s 6th title.
While watching some older television shows on MeTV, I noticed the work of some fine actors in different roles and compiled a few notes.
Nancy Gates, so moving as “Ellen Benton” in “Suddenly,” which was a thrilling 1954 film, starring Frank Sinatra, was seen “jilting” Lorne Greene’s “Ben Cartwright” on “Bonanza.”
Alas, it was not that she did not love “Ben.” Additionally, one can blame her “no good” brother, however, most pertinent seems to be, as the great comedian, Buddy Hackett noted and I paraphrase–there was a paucity of sex on “The Ponderosa,” it being the fictional Cartwright’s home.
Moving up to LOVE, two “angels” Jaclyn Smith’s “Kelly” and Cheryl Ladd’s “Cris” fall for the man who would be “Bobby Ewing” on “Dallas,” Patrick Duffy, in a “Charlie’s Angels” two part episode.
In the famed film, Love Story, based on Erich Segal’s best selling book, the great actor Ray Milland is told by son, “Oliver”/ Ryan O’Neal (he was with another “angel,” one who showed her acting chops that augmented her inner and outer beauty, namely Farrah Fawcett) “love means never having to say your sorry.”
In the above referenced “Charlie’s Angels” “One Love …. Two Angels” Mr. Milland plays a character named Oliver.
Jaclyn Smith, pictured above.
The Cleveland Browns are actually the top chpice to win the AFC North crown.
I believe I know better and think somehow that will not manifest.
However, I am not that confident in any AFC North team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are both good while the Cincinnati Bengals are not considered to be.
A wide open, mediocre record race goes to the Ravens.
Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson, pictured above.
Today, a truly classic episode of “What’s My Line?” that aired on October 18, 1959.
The immortal Gary Cooper is the guest star and spends some extra time talking with host John Charles Daly and the panel, about an upcoming trip to Moscow and having met Nikita Khrushchev.
It is great to see and hear and sixty years later, to still hope.
The panel included Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf and Anthony Perkins, who was told by all, how much his presence as a panelist, was a welcome addition.
Mr. Perkins enjoyed it and please enjoy this great episode with a great mystery guest, Gary Cooper.
Andy B Sports 