New Year, New Podcast!

Here it is, 2013! This marks year 7 of the World of Wonder. I never thought I would make it this far! (though it did look like I wasn't going to make it through year 6) I have a bunch of items to post this coming year so don't worry, the World of Wonder is alive and well. That being said, I do think this will be the final year of the blog as my time is just getting less and less free. However, I will take this year to bring you lots of fun stuff. Starting off with the latest Podcast. Here is podcast #31. To be honest, I have no idea what is in this one as I made it way back in October. It's been sitting around waiting to be posted and I just lost track of all time with being on the road and being a dad. So, here it is. Enjoy!

Dartman's Wacky Podcast #31

Podcast 26 arrives!

I'm really enjoying doing these podcasts. It's becoming easier and easier to do them and the beauty of it is that I can work on them a little bit at a time and eventually, before I even realize it, I have a full one! This one features some great tracks from Barbi Benton, Black Sabbath, Dolly Parton, Fishbone, Barry Williams, the new Braodway cast of Evita, a live one from the Bangles, Monty Python, Cheap Trick, the Billy Nayer Show, Ween, Groucho Marx and many more. This one gets a little out there at times but hopefully manages to entertain. Also, as with the last one, this baby is ripped at 320 so the sound is huge! Here is podcast 26! Enjoy!

Dartman's Wacky Podcast #26

P.S. - If anyone remembers the David Bowie clip that I used to use in my podcasts of him announcing "Thursday's Child" and knows where I can get a hold of it I would love to know. I seem to have lost it somewhere and can't find it. I would love to have it and start using it again. Thanks.

McTrek

I remember the first Happy Meal. It came out in conjunction with Star Trek The Motion Picture and was called a Star Trek Meal. I remember being so excited to get one. Mine was the one that had the transporter on the box. I kept that box forever. I don't know whatever happened to it. I think my parents finally threw it away years later. It was the coolest thing ever. And then came the Happy Meal and the rest is history. Here's a commercial for that super cool meal from way back when. Enjoy!

Kenneth Johnson Is A Fan of "Tattered Clothing"

Received this e-mail a few days ago from Kenneth Johnson, the man behind such great television shows as the original V, the Bionic Woman and most importantly, The Incredible Hulk:

Dear Rich...
Recently I had the privlegde of hearing your song, Tattered Clothing. I thought it was both fun and poignant (not unlike our old show). It's wonderful to know that you were such a fan of The Hulk. We certainly labored to make each episode as meaningful and substantive as possible. Our largest audience was actually adults. Working with Bix and Lou was always a treat. We all cared a lot. I'm glad it impacted on you so favorably. And that it inspired you to write the cool song. It reminds me that in one of the episodes I wrote this line for Bix -- after he had awakened yet again in tattered clothing: "...I have got to get some shirts that stretch."
Thanks again for taking the time to write the song. It's great to hear that my work captured your imagination.

All the best...

Kenny

Needless to say, I am very flattered and pretty excited. If you have no idea what I am talking about then here's the scoop:



In January of last year I released the single, "Tattered Clothing". I wrote the song about 6 years ago and recorded it in various cities over the last year of the Avenue Q Tour. It features some great playing by some great players. It is an ode to the 70s television classic, "The Incredible Hulk". It is available on I-Tunes & Amazon All proceeds from the sale of this single will go to The Richard S Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship.

Eater Greetings From The King

Benefit Show

If anyone out there lives or will be in the Connecticut area this Friday night, I'm hosting a huge benefit concert at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall in Clinton, CT. All proceeds from the event will go to the Richard S Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund. This is a scholarship fund that my family and I started in my late father's name back in 2003. In addition to a few solo percussion pieces performed by yours truly, the concert will also feature Creamed Corn, The Great Giorgio, DW Ditty, The Shiny Lapel Trio and the mighty, Greg Piccolo. Plus the magic of Bob Hale! This is going to be a fun event! The festivities start at 7:30 PM. If you can't make it but would still like to donate to the scholarship fund, feel free to do so with the DONATE button on the right. Thanks!

Fast Food Tie-In From The 25th Century

Back in January I had a series of posts featuring the trading card and sticker set of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. When I was working on those posts, or any time I think about that great series, I always think of the poster that adorned my wall back when the series first debuted. It was given out at Burger King restaurants. I think it was free with a Coke or something like that. Anyway, I was on-line the other day and found the poster I loved so long ago. Here it is:



Interesting enough, the same artwork would reappear with a little bit more added to it in a TV Guide ad for the second episode of the series. Take a look:



I wish I still had that poster. I recently saw it on E-bay for $9.99. As cool as it was, I'm not willing to part with $10.00 for it. However, if anyone is interested in getting me a present . . .

The Official Dartman's World of Wonder T-Shirt!!!

It's here! Just in time for 2011! The official Dartman's World of Wonder T-Shirt! You can purchase it here along with hats and stickers and even sizes for the little ones! Grab yours while they last! All proceeds will go towards the Richard S Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship! Thanks

Dartman's Advent Calendar 2010: Day 25

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DARTMAN'S WORLD OF WONDER! For the last day. Christmas Day, we pull back the flap to reveal celebrity goodness from Jim Backus, Jack Webb, Liberache and Barbara "99" Feldon. Enjoy! We'll see you next year!

Jim Backus - Why Don't You Go Home For Christmas

Barbara Feldon - Christmas Seals Capaign

Jack Webb - United States Postal Service Ad

Christmas Wishes From Liberache

Dartman's Advent Calendar 2010: Day 24

Well, it's Christmas Eve and as we pull open the flap on our Advent Calendar, we are treated to the great, Rosemary Clooney. This is a promo recording for the Ford Motor Company. It's from 1956 and features great holiday musical moments with Rosemary changing the words to sell cars. Here it is for your enjoyment! Merry Christmas Eve!

Rosemary Clooney - 1956 Christmas Ford Promo

We Interrupt This Advent Calendar To Bring You . . .

Just a reminder that Creamed Corn's classic Christmas album, "Santa Loves You" is up at I-Tunes. Originally released in 1998, this confection of rockabilly and comedy/novelty weirdness became an Internet cult hit. Dr. Demento featured two tracks on his 2000 Christmas show. But now, years later, "Santa Loves You" has been passed around so many times, it's hard to know what quality you'd be getting if you just downloaded this off a random blog. So, a few years back, we decided the time was right to re-master and re-release this time honored classic. If you have it, thanks. If not, head over to I-Tunes and grab it. You'll be thankful you did!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/creamed-corn/id294055948

PS -It's also up at Amazon, Napster and E-Music as well!

Podcast #16

The latest of the Podcasts for your listening pleasure! This time around we get to hear the likes of Tommy James, The Maggies, David Cassidy, Sugarloaf, Elsa Lanchester, They Might Be Giants, James Earl Jones and more! Enjoy!

Dartman's Wacky Podcast #16

A Song For All You Hulk Fans

Today marks the release of my new single, "Tattered Clothing". I wrote the song about 5 years ago and recorded it in various cities over the last year of the Avenue Q Tour. It features some great playing by some great players. It is an ode to the 70s television classic, "The Incredible Hulk". It is available on I-Tunes & Amazon and will soon be available on Rhapsody, Napster, emusic and Lime Wire. All proceeds from the sale of this single will go to The Richard S Dart Memorial Arts Scholarship.

A Month of Monkees: Much More Monkee Business!

More great items from around the world wide web! (click on the images to get the full size pic)

This was the board game put out to coincide with the television show. I have never played it. Judging by most board games based on television shows, it probably wasn't that much fun.




This one cracks me up! Davy Jones as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek! Hilarious!



Here's one of the many model kits for the Monkee Mobile. I have the most recent release of this that was put out about 6 years ago. I attempted to build it. Attempt is about as far as I got. It looks somewhat like the actual car but I don't think I'll be taking on any more model cars in the future. The cool thing about the one pictured here is that it comes complete with figures of the Monkees to put in the seats. Mine didn't have that. Even it they were included, mine still wouldn't have that.

This is an ad for a performance by a group of kids taking music lessons at a "School of Rock" type place. Apparently the concert featured music by The Monkees. That must have been pretty cool to hear. I'm sure it sounded great! These "schools of rock" are becoming more and more common. I think it's a great way to teach kids 1) how to play an instrument and 2) the history of rock and popular music.


This is a poker chip that was used as a promotion to tie in with the Monkees week long engagement at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2001. This is the same week long stay where the guys recorded "2001 Live in Las Vegas", the album sold on the summer leg of that same tour that we featured on yesterday's post.



And finally, the infamous four headed puppet from the 60s!

I actually owned this puppet, in its original box, no less, for many years before I decided to unload it on e-bay. How I came to own it is quite the story. I was in high school at the time and it was no secret that I was a huge Monkees fan. It was during the big resurgence of the band in the mid-80s and I don't think a day went by where I wasn't wearing a shirt that had some kind of Monkees reference on it. I even wrote a term paper on the band! Anyway, a girl that I knew and at one time dated had told me that her brother had the puppet and that it was currently being stored in her attic. Now, here is where it gets weird. Her brother had committed suicide some time back and the puppet in question was being stored in the attic with the rest of his possessions that his family kept in his memory. I, being the self indulgent jerk that I was, really wanted that puppet and tried every angle to get it, with no luck coming my way. Until . . . the girl asked me to her prom. I told her that I would go with her if, and only if, I could have the puppet. Obviously, I went to the prom and the puppet became mine. Looking back on it now, I realize that I was a gigantic ass for doing this but it still makes for a great story! Please do not think less of me . . . if it makes you feel better, the voice box didn't work.

A Month of Monkees: More Monkee Business

More items I have found floating about the inter-web (click on each pic to get the larger version).

First is a card for a bubblegum machine that featured paper action figures of the boys that you could mix and match. Has anyone ever seen one of these?



Next are two of the infamous Ben Cooper Halloween costumes. These are Micky and Davy.







Here are the four mini dolls that were made in the 60s. Each Monkee was represented. Each package also claims to have a "Groovy 331/3 Record" that tells all about each Monkee. Does anyone have these?


Here is a postcard that was sent to fan club members welcoming them to the club. I actually have this one!


Here is a mail-in offer to get what I am presuming to be a copy of "The Monkees Present" that came inside various boxes of Kellog's cereal. This ws in conjunction with the cardboard records that were put on the back of the boxes that featured various Monkees songs. One of them is below the ad.

Stay tuned for more Monkees' items right here on the World of Wonder!

A Month of Monkees: Random Monkee Business

Here are some random items that I have found floating around the internet that deal with The Monkees. Click on the pics for the full size versions.

First up are a few TV ads for the world premiere of the show back in 1966.


And here's one from when it went into syndication on Saturday mornings in 1975.


Followed by a synopisis from the episode "Monkees In Paris" and an ad for their all new special in 1997.




Here are some random teen magazine articles featuring the boys and a photo of Davy and his then wife and daughter from an early 70s issue of 16.













This one is pretty interesting. It appears to be an application to join a Davy Jones fanclub.
Here are some ads featuring the boys from their days doing Kool-Aid and Nerf commercials.








Here are some backstage passes from their various tours in the 80s and 90s. I own one from the 1997 tour when Creamed Corn was the opening act on the last show of the tour. But that's another story . . .














Here's an ad for a concert on their 1987 tour with opening act, "Weird Al" Yankovic. Many consider this tour to be their best. I know I do.

Speaking of ads, here are some more recent ones featuring Davy advertising some kind of investment company.


That's all for now. See you tomorrow when we continue with "A Month of Monkees"!

Did Anyone Buy These?

I know I was always hoping to get them but never did. I know many friends of mine who were always saying they were going to buy them but, again, they never did. I was just wondering if anyone sent in the money and actually purchased them?

Christmas In The World of Wonder: A Long TIme Ago, In A Wishbook Far, Far Away

Since the last wishbook post was all about Star Trek toys, I figured that it was only fair that this one be about Star Wars toys. Let's face it, the original Star Wars toys were the coolest toys ever. The best figures, the best playsets . . . just really cool toys! I still have my figures and have them prominently displayed in our "movie themed" room downstairs. Still have the super cool carrying case that's in this picture as well. I wish I still had the Millenium Falcon. I had the original release that came with a little tiny remote for Luke's lightsaber training. It wasn't long after that they stopped including that due to the fact that it was so small! Again, I wish I still had this. Unfortunately, my mom sold it at a tag sale. I think she made a clear profit of 50 cents on the deal. What a crime!

Sears had a weird deal with the Star Wars franchise where they would release cardboard playsets that featured a set of figures that came with it. Mine was the Mos Eisley Spaceport playset. It was basically just a piece of cardboard that stood as a backdrop for the figures to play in front of. I think it lasted about a week before it started to tear. The cool thing about this particular play set is that it featured a figure of Snaggletooth that was twice the size of the regular carded snaggletooth. At the time I felt like I was screwed out of the "real" Snaggletooth figure. Now, I realize that I had the cooler one.