joe5472

If you appreciate Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Elke Sommer, the Beach Boys, et al, you will appreciate shows like this. One has to keep in mind that this show was aired on Nov 3rd, 1965 and a whole lot has changed since then. It's an entirely different world. The attitude and behavior towards women, the attitude and behavior towards all groups within this country, whatever hyphenated group, has changed to the point that this type of humor would never be attempted today unless done by a member of whatever group is being spoofed. Being of Italian ancestry, I actually appreciated the last comedy sketch, once your mind adjusts to the era and also knowing first hand the vast generalizations of Italians that are actually true, I found so much of this show that showed why the host and participants, all big names, and were the stars that they were. The Beach Boys segment, although the show butchered California Girls (the music itself is a masterpiece by Brian Wilson), it was interesting to see them in their heyday (Brian before breakdowns, Dennis and Carl before the various issues that led to both of their unfortunate passing way before their time, the band before the inner turmoil caused mainly by Love and self destruction) and interacting with Benny and Hope. Their live rendition of Barbara Ann is a treat. This is one of my least appreciated tunes by them (a "cover" off their Party album) but to see Carl take the opportunity to add some great Carl guitar licks was a surprise and benefit.

This show is a great example of an era - the heyday of the variety show. I was a small child when these shows were running with vague memories of them and I watch them now and appreciate the talent and time from the era that they were made.

Too bad a couple of comments before me don't know the facts of this case. It is based on actual events, a highly publicized disappearance and murder case taking place in the Wilmington, DE/Philadelphia PA region from '96 through 2000. I have to admit I was highly skeptical of how Hollywood would dramatize the actual history and events and was actually quite impressed on how close they stayed to what was constantly reported on local newscasts and Philadelphia Inquirer news stories throughout the time period. Of course I immediately pointed out that the actress (who I really like in Cold Case) who played Fahey looked nothing like her (Anne Marie was actually prettier). I have to admit though that Mark Harmon really nailed the type of personality that was revealed as Capano's and the behavior that Capano exhibited throughout this period. Details of the case were right on...no deviations of dramatic effect...even down to the carpet, gun, furniture, and cooler. In conclusion, I also wanted to add that I have met Tom Carper many times at various functions (a good man, despite being a politician) and I am so glad that he pulled the strings in the Federal realm necessary to solve this heinous crime. Guys like Capano are real and it was great to see him finally put behind bars.

As a former engineer with both GM and Ford, I have to thoroughly refute what a previous commenter has stated about likely explanations. With the technology of the powertrain/fuel source development that far along, that far advanced within a viable vehicle, crash-safety and equipment regulations would not have removed this from the marketplace. The "skin" and tub/framework of the vehicle would have been either reworked to comply or the powertrain/fuel source would have been adapted to fit existing car lines that meet crash-safety and equipment regulations. There are plenty of examples of "hurry up" retro-fits in Detroit/Dearborn's history. Unfortunately there is much documented history of technology being quashed, patents being bought and buried, innovations left by the wayside to discourage change, discourage having to retool, reinvent, reinvest...and if you don't think that auto/oil/gov are all complicit in this, how naive can one be? GM and the railroads, the Tucker, fuel injection, Wankel engine, anti-lock brakes...all quashed by powerful companies and people not wanting change no matter what the benefit would be in safety, society, or the environment.