Day Tripping: November 22
There goes the neighborhood
Jacob Rodney Cohen was born in 1921, the son of a vaudeville comedian who spent most of his time away from home. Jacob’s mother never showed the least bit of affection toward her son.
At the age of fifteen, Jacob started writing jokes for standup comedians. Then, he legally changed his name to Jack Roy four years later. Jack struggled to create a stage presence for nine years and eventually gave up show business to become an aluminum siding salesman.
“I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous — everyone hasn’t met me yet.”
That lack of respect and recognition inspired the young comedian to use his dark cloud as a persona. When he was cast as a fake cowboy on the Jack Benny Show in 1941, his character was named Rodney Dangerfield.
In 1968, Dangerfield appeared on Ed Sullivan as a last-minute replacement and became an instant hit. His self-deprecating humor and famous tagline earned Rodney Dangerfield respect from the entire comedy community.
The subtitle fittingly marks Rodney’s gravestone. Still getting laughs long after he’s gone.
Today is:
National Stop The Violence Day — make it a decade and then we have something to talk about.
Musical Ride
In an attempt to reform the Doors with The Cult’s lead singer Ian Astbury and drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police, original members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger were forced to tour as Riders On The Storm in 2002. A lawsuit by original drummer John Densmore prevented them from using the Doors name.
Interesting Notes
Plato’s Stepchildren was the title of the Star Trek episode that shook the broadcasting world in 1968. William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura shared the first interracial kiss in TV history.
Gone But Not Forgotten
No matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on, John F. Kennedy’s was an atrocity on humanity. John F. Kennedy had his detractors. He was like any human, imperfect.
In 1963, his life was taken in a cowardly fashion. He was 46 years old with three young children.
In an odd twist of irony, Aldous Huxley died on the very same day. He was 69.
Notable Births
1943 — Billie Jean King: “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.”
1984 — Scarlett Johansson: “I still eat a burger at a counter with ketchup dripping down my face.”
K. Barrett Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, Ph.D. 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 Lucy Dan Dave Logan
All previous Day Tripping entries are available at the following links:
The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present
A comprehensive directory for Day Tripping