Day Tripping: June 29

Comedic Awareness

As a successful standup comedian from the 1970s and beyond, Richard Lewis understands the nature of his relationship with an audience.

“There’s a thin line between narcissism, even if it’s a healthy narcissism, and entertainment” — Richard Lewis

Born in 1947, Lewis has enjoyed a film acting career in films like Robin Hood: Men In Tights, and Leaving Las Vegas. Since 2000, Richard has appeared in a recurring role based on himself in the hugely popular Larry David vehicle, Curb Your Enthusiasm. His autobiography, The Other Great Depression discusses his struggles with alcoholism. Richard Lewis has remained sober since 1994.

Historic Coupling

The Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Mir Space Station for the first time in 1995. It was also the first time a crew was swapped out in orbit and the first docking to feature technologies from different space-faring nations.

Today is:

Camera Day — When considering the dramatic changes in the nature of photography over the last twenty-five years, the camera proper almost seems an outdated term. Though many rely on the compact and improved quality of images taken from mobile devices, the camera remains a preferred tool of professionals and serious amateurs worldwide. Either way, it’s always a good time to capture a moment.

Almond Buttercrunch Day — Caramelized sugar toffee, almonds, chocolate chips and butter. Now, what could possibly be wrong with that? This tasty treat has been popular since World War II because of its ability to remain crunchy and fresh for longer periods. Of course, when they’re set out for the taking, they won’t last long at all.

Musical Ride

Unhappy with a studio version of his new song, Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen decides to capture it live at a concert in St Paul, Minnesota in 1984. As the big man, Clarence Clemons goes into his sax solo, Bruce grabs a young female fan and invites her on stage to dance with him.

Even though the band plays the tune a second time to get the necessary footage, the video becomes the first professional gig for 19-year-old Courtney Cox, who later scores a pretty good run on TV with Friends.

Let’s make it our Moon Song for today. Courtney shows up at the 2:25 mark.

Interesting Notes

Steve Jobs and Apple released the first-generation iPhone in 2007. The mobile device featured the first storage capacity for music, about a hundred songs.

Gone But Not Forgotten

There are few comedians who have enjoyed as lengthy and varied careers as Carl Reiner. Starting as a writer for Sid Caesar in the 50s alongside Woody Allen and Neil Simon and Mel Brooks, Reiner and Brooks went on to create The 2000 Year Old Man. They worked together as a team for many years before Reiner created the Dick Van Dyke Show which originally had Carl cast as the lead in Head of the Family.

Carl Reiner has appeared in many successful films like Oh God, It’s Mad, Mad, Mad World, and the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. Carl Reiner passed away in 2020 at the age of 98. He was still working up until the time of his death.

Notable Births

1919—Louis Burton Lindley Jr is better known as Slim Pickens who starred in Dr Strangelove and Blazing Saddles.

1948 — Original drummer for Deep Purple, Ian Paice also played skins for Whitesnake and Gary Moore.

K. Barrett Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Holly Kellums Michael Burg, MD

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