Video find: Steve Wonder performs "Superstition" on Sesame Street, 1971


It was 50 years ago today: The Beatles make first visit to U.S., Feb. 7, 1964






Today's best picture ever: Laurel and Hardy


Pop culture roundup: Karen Gillan! World's Greatest Superheroes! Beatles!

Check out Karen Gillan's Dalek impersonation.


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Via Jon's Random Acts of Geekery: Several installments of DC Comics' 1970s newspaper strip "The World's Greatest Superheroes."

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Everyone's reminiscing about the Beatles as we approach the 50th anniversary (Feb. 9) of their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Here's a piece by Peter Brown, billed inexplicably as the Beatles' "manager" when he actually was an assistant to their actual manager Brian Epstein. And here's a tribute from their manager, George Martin:
“I am amazed how quickly time passes and that the Beatles appeared in New York for the first time 50 years ago. Hard to believe – I feel like Rumpelstiltskin! The first record I produced with them – 'Love Me Do' was merely a warm up. 'Please Please Me' was the biggie that swept Britain in 1964 and paved the way for their debut in the USA. And when that happened it was like an exploding keg of dynamite.

The wonderful people of America took the Beatles into their hearts and never let go. They were crazy days, and I remember being in New York and listening to the radio, and no matter where you turned the dial you would hear the Beatles singing. It was complete saturation, never before heard and never since. The Boys loved the USA and they loved performing there, but the world now demanded their attention, so they began an exhausting round of Europe and the States in an effort to satisfy the demand for their attention.

The people of America have always been generous to those that they like, and the Beatles will always be grateful for that wonderful display of love and support they received back in the Sixties. Me too!”.
--Sir George Martin.

Video find: Fred Astaire plays the drums


Today's best picture ever: Keith Richards


DVD and Blu-ray new releases Feb. 4, 2014: Game of Thrones; Beware the Batman; Six Million Dollar Man!

Click the links to order discounted DVDs or Blu-rays from Amazon.


Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season


Beware the Batman: Shadows of Gotham Season 1 Part 1


The Six Million Dollar Man: Season 5


American Experience: 1964

Music new releases Feb. 4, 2014: Broken Bells: Pat Metheny; Small Faces; Otis Redding; Aretha Franklin; Mamas and Papas; Nilsson; Rachel Sweet; Doctor Who!

Click the links to order discounted CDs, vinyl and downloads from Amazon.


After the Disco by Broken Bells


Kin (<-->) by Pat Metheny


The Haden Triplets


Here Come the Nice (Amazon Exclusive Box Set) by the Small Faces


Toomorrow, From the Harry Saltzman, Don Kirshner Film Toomorrow, Original Soundtrack Recording


The King of Soul: Otis Redding


The Queen of Soul: Aretha Franklin


A Gathering of Flowers, The Anthology of the Mamas and the Papas


This Is The Town: A Tribute to Nilsson (Volume 1)


Baby: Complete Stiff Recordings 1978 - 1980 by Rachel Sweet


Doctor Who - The 50th Anniversary Collection