Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Big Star (1962)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Shelley Fabares sings that when she hears her lover's records on the radio, they bring back memories. Do you prefer familiar songs or do you seek out new music? My radio dial is set to the oldies.

2) Shelley introduced "Big Star" on an episode of The Donna Reed Show, where she played daughter Mary. She remembers the show's star and her TV mom, Donna Reed, as "an extraordinary woman." Who is your favorite TV mom? Lucy Ricardo. My favorite I Love Lucy episode is the one where Little Ricky has his tonsils out. The evening before, in his hospital room, as he dozes off she promises her little boy that she will be right there with him in the morning when he wakes up. Then she's informed by the hospital staff that visiting hours are over and she has to leave. BUT SHE PROMISED HIM! She pretends to leave but sneaks around the hospital to get back to her little boy. Of course it's silly and hijinks ensue. But when she makes it back to him and climbs into the crib with him, I well up. Sometimes (okay, usually) when Lucy does stupid things it's for selfish reasons. This time, she put all of her considerable will and creative zaniness into keeping her promise to her little boy. 

 

3) Speaking of big stars, Shelley made three movies with Elvis, who said she was his favorite leading lady. What qualities do you value in a coworker? I appreciate a coworker who is more focused on the task at hand than personal accomplishment/credit. I hope I am that coworker. I want to be.

4) Though best known for comedy, Shelley appeared as Cathy in a made-for-TV adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Have you ever read the Emily Bronte classic? Yes. I was disappointed. I enjoyed Jane Eyre so much and thought Wuthering Heights would be more of the same. That's what I get for assuming the Bronte sisters were alike. (I should know better. I have two sisters myself and we're very different women.) PS What was up with Heathcliff anyway? Way too Type A for me.
 
5) Shelley Fabares' aunt was Broadway, film and TV veteran Nanette Fabray. Do you have a favorite aunt or uncle? My favorite uncle brought magic into every room he entered. He was so funny, so imaginative. I guess he was just a big kid himself. I miss him.
 
6) In the 1990s she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award (Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy) for her work on Coach. She didn't win. Millions of viewers got to see her applaud graciously when Laurie (Roseanne) Metcalf's named was announced both times. If you were nominated for a major award and the ceremony was televised, would you get all dressed up and go? Or would you prefer to watch from home? I think I'd go just for the experience of it – the special dress, the professionally done hair and make up, sitting around celebrities. I went to a much (MUCH) smaller local awards ceremony where my team was nominated and we won. It was November 2000. I remember I wore a bouclé jacket over black slacks and when I was on the stage I couldn't see a thing. All I saw was the light in my eyes. It was disruptive and awkward to make our way back to our row in the dark. Not as glamorous as it was when I pretended to win an Oscar in my girlhood bedroom.
 
7) In 1962, when this song was first released, Jack Nicklaus launched his legendary golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf? Do you watch golf on TV? Nope. I think golf is boring. Though I bet it's not at all boring to those who play and are passionate about it.
 
8) Also in 1962, Marilyn Monroe bought her first home at the age of 36. Up until then she had always been a renter. Marilyn was residing there at the time of her death that August. How long have you lived at your current address? I moved in during 2001, not long after the awards ceremony referenced in #6. How weird that my mind keeps returning to that time this morning.
 
9) Random question – According to a survey, the average American will kiss 15 different partners over their lifetime. Do you estimate your personal total is more, less, or right on track?My guess is less, but to be honest, I have no idea. During my party girl days, I did a lot of kissing and it was inconsequential fun.