Show Toppers: ‘Lou Grant’ (1977)

'Lou Grant' TV title, 1977

‘Lou Grant’ TV title, 1977

Lou Grant, a spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, originally ran on CBS from September, 1977 to September, 1982.

The show stars Ed Asner, reprising his Lou Grant role from Mary Tyler Moore, but this time moving from a half-hour sitcom to a one-hour drama. Grant uproots to Los Angeles to work at the Tribune newspaper as City Editor. Many stories involved Grant’s mentoring of the younger staff reporters and episodes dealt with a wide range of L.A. topics such as murder, mental illness and earthquakes.

Ed Asner as the lovable grouch, Lou Grant (1977)

Ed Asner as the lovable grouch, Lou Grant (1977)

The Lou Grant cast included Robert Walden (Joe Rossi), Daryl Anderson (Animal), Linda Kelsey (Billie Newman), Mason Adams (Charlie Hume), Jack Bannon (Art Donovan) and Nancy Marchand as the Tribune‘s publisher, Margaret Jones Pynchon.

Lou Grant Season One TV Intro, 1977

Lou Grant Wiki, IMDb

Previously on Show Toppers: ‘Baretta’ (1975)

Daily 70s Spot: Firestone Tires ‘Dangerous Ice’ (1970)

Some of those 70s polyester outfits really went a bit too far (Firestone commercial, 1970)

Some of those 70s polyester outfits really went a bit too far (Firestone commercial, 1970)

“You go through ice, mud or snow or we pay the tow.”

Time to scrape the frost off of our Daily 70s Spot. Today we have a commercial for Firestone Tires featuring “Asymmetrical Town & Country Studded Winter Tires” for ice driving. Spot aired in November of 1970. Kinda makes you miss driving on dangerously icy roads in wintertime, doesn’t it?

Daily 70s Spot #167: Firestone Tires ‘Dangerous Ice’ Commercial, 1970

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: General Electric ‘Best Products’ (1975)

A Johnny Carson Moment: Burt Reynolds’ whipped cream incident (1974)

The highpoint of 1974.

The highpoint of 1974.

You’ll enjoy hitting play on this installment of A Johnny Carson Moment. Watch a minute and 30 seconds of whipped cream frivolity with Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Ed McMahon and Johnny. The original Tonight Show airdate was September 26, 1974.

Burt Reynolds On ‘The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson,’ 1974

Previously on A Johnny Carson Moment: Surprise dance with Ginger Rogers (1976)

Daily 70s Spot: General Electric ‘Best Products’ (1975)

An AM/FM radio for only $25.87? That's something like $4,500 in today's money. Give or take.

An AM/FM radio for only $25.87? That’s something like $4,500 in today’s money. Give or take.

“When America loves value – America knows Best.”

Time to set the dial to our Daily 70s Spot. Here’s a GE (General Electric) commercial featuring their ‘Best Products’ line. Watch as a ballerina shops for a digital clock radio with snooze alarm for only $37.84. Spot aired in November of 1975.

Daily 70s Spot #166: General Electric ‘Best Products’ Commercial, 1975

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Joy liquid starring Bob from ‘Sesame Street’ (1977)

Daily 70s Spot: Joy liquid starring Bob from ‘Sesame Street’ (1977)

Bob 'Sesame Street' McGrath keeping things clean for Joy liquid, 1977

Bob ‘Sesame Street’ McGrath keeping things clean for Joy liquid, 1977

“Lemon-fresh Joy cleans down to the shine. What a nice reflection on you.”

The People in Your Neighborhood” are going to like our new Daily 70s Spot; a Joy dishwashing liquid commercial starring Bob McGrath of Sesame Street fame. Spot aired on Christmas Eve, 1977.

Daily 70s Spot #165: Joy Commercial Starring Bob From ‘Sesame Street,’ 1977

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Fram oil filter ‘Junkyard’ (1977)

Music for Monday: Donny & Marie Osmond, ‘I’m Leaving It (All) Up To You’ (1974)

'I've got my heart in my hand...' (Donny & Marie, 1974)

‘I’ve got my heart in my hand…’ (Donny & Marie, 1974)

Donny and Marie Osmond’s “I’m Leaving It (All) Up To You,” from the L.P. of the same name, hit the airwaves in the summer of 1974. The tune made it to #4 on Billboard’s US “Hot 100” chart.

You’ll remember this song well, as the brother and sister duo sang it (I’m guessing 175 times) on their hit TV series. Here they are performing on the UK’s Top of the Pops in ’74. I’ll leave it (all) up to you to hit play.

*Note: The original YouTube video has been removed. Here’s a replacement.

Donny & Marie Osmond, ‘Leaving it (All) Up to You,’ ToTP, 1974

Previously on Music for Monday: Paul McCartney & Wings, ‘Silly Love Songs’ (1976)