Sun, January 18, 2015

Flopcast 141: Come Bounce With Me

In a "very special episode" (as they say in annoying network promos), Kevin, Kornflake, and the Mayor look back on those we lost in 2014 (including folks from movies, TV, radio, and comics — our usual favorite subjects). But instead of getting all miserable (which is more like our plan for 2015), we keep things light and fun, because that's how the Professor from Gilligan's Island would have wanted it. Discussed along the way: Saturday Night Live, The Electric Company, Mad magazine, The Partridge Family, the Ramones, Diff'rent Strokes, Rankin/Bass cartoons, The Brady Bunch, Car Talk, Starcade, Ghostbusters, Devo, Welcome Back, Kotter, American Top 40, WWF wrestling, and of course, Manimal. Also: Kornflake has her first trampoline update of 2015, and we're celebrating Dwight K. Schrute Day, which we just made up.

Show Notes

Rainn Wilson's birthday is January 20, which Kornflake has designated "Dwight K. Schrute Day" in honor of the character he played on The Office (US version).

In Memoriam, 2014

Russell Johnson, the Professor on Gilligan's Island

Dave Madden, Reuben Kincade on The Partridge Family

Arthur Rankin, Jr. of the oft-discussed Rankin/Bass Productions

Bob Casale, guitarist for Devo

Writer, director, and actor Harold Ramis, seen here in Ghostbusters

Geoff Edwards, journalist and game show host

Comedian John Pinette

Lifelong actor Mickey Rooney, our choice for the voice of Santa Claus

WWF wrestler The Ultimate Warrior, aka James Brian Hellwig

Mad magazine's Al Feldstein

Prolific British actor Bob Hoskins

The Electric Company's Lee Chamberlin, seen at far right

Beloved maid Alice on The Brady Bunch, Ann B. Davis

The incomparable Casey Kasem

Last surviving original member of The Ramones, Tommy Ramone (born Thomas Erdelyi)

Comedian and actor Robin Williams, who will always be Mork to us

Longtime SNL announcer Don Pardo

Groundbreaking comedian Joan Rivers

SNL veteran Jan Hooks

DJ and TV announcer Dale Dorman, aka "Uncle Dale"

Actress Marcia Strassman of Welcome Back, Kotter

Tom Magliozzi, the older brother on NPR's long-running Car Talk

Actress and onetime Miss America Mary Ann Mobley, seen at center with the cast of Diff'rent Strokes

Legendary singer Joe Cocker

TV producer extraordinaire, Glen A. Larson