Dubious dubbing in the Twilight Zone
If you recognize the above screen cap, you’re either the kind of person I’d like to be friends with, or simply someone who’s about my age. Or maybe both.
The image is a still from “I of Newton”, which aired as part of Episode 12 of the 1985–86 season of The Twilight Zone. This first reboot of the original Rod Serling show ran for only two seasons on CBS (and an additional one in syndication).
It took me five years to understand the brilliance of the script and the clever word play presented in the punchline.
All because of a…
You might have eaten some poor-man’s saffron today
Today’s New York Times Spelling Bee letters:
December 9, 1932 — March 2, 2021
Why
Widely regarded as the founder of nautical archaeology.
He founded the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, a non-profit organization dedicated to underwater archaeological research. It’s main goal is to fund archaeological projects that meet high scientific, ethical, and anthropological standards, and disseminate the knowledge obtained.
Who
George Fletcher Bass was born December 9, 1932 in Columbia, South Carolina. His father was an English Literature professor and scholar of the American Revolutionary War, and his mother was a writer.
In 1940 Bass moved with his family to Annapolis, Maryland, where George became interested in both astronomy and sea exploration. …
A Hopi delicacy I hope to try one day
Today’s New York Times Spelling Bee letters:
July 10, 1940–June 24, 2020
Why
The date of Ms. Sekaquaptewa is not a typo. She passed away last year. Although I’ve been writing the daily obits of people who have died recently, I decided to write about Marlene Sekaquaptewa today in connection with today’s Silly Little Dictionary! entry, which is about piki, a traditional bread made by the Hopi.
While I was researching information about piki, I found a YouTube video in which Ms. Sekaquaptewa explains how to make it in the traditional Hopi way. When I then tried to find more information about her, I was deeply saddened she had passed away last year…
Size doesn’t matter… or does it?
Today’s New York Times Spelling Bee letters:
March 8, 1932–March 3, 2021
Why
I was looking through recent death notices and saw Medea Abrahamyan’s name. I knew nothing about her. After researching her life and work, I decided to write this obit while I listened to her playing the cello. She was a true virtuoso.
Who
Medea Abrahamyan was born on March 8, 1932 in Yerevan, Armenia, to a family of artists. Her father, Vardan Hakobyan, received his musical education at the Yerevan Conservatory, studying with the great Russian composer Alexander Spendiaryan. Later he attended the Leningrad Conservatory, after which he played the double bass for many years in the orchestra of the Kirov…
The New York Times has an identity crisis
Today’s New York Times Spelling Bee letters:
January 3, 1939 — February 17, 2021
Why
Old-school rockabilly guitar player and singer.
Twenty-ninth person inducted into the undervalued Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
Who
Gene Summers was born David Eugene Summers on January 3, 1939, in Dallas, Texas.
He graduated from Duncanville High School in 1957 and went to the University of Texas at Arlington, known then as Arlington State College. But music was calling Summers’ name. He ended up joining a band called The Rebels, consisting of James McClung (guitar), Gary Moon (drums) and Benny Williams (slap bass). The trio had started at the same Duncanville high school where Gene had studied.
The band’s performance on local…
Avi Kotzer
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” ― Albert Einstein ▹ My logophile column: https://medium.com/silly-little-dictionary
