8/13/2009 5:19:31 AM

Greg;

Enjoy your well earned vacation, we will hold the fort down, and will be awaiting your return.

Bob Conrad

8/13/2009 5:22:19 AM

Hello, Craig and Kenny! Glad both of ya' will fill in the Bell's chair.

Hobo1964

8/13/2009 5:52:15 PM

Hi, Gang! OMG!!!!! I'm glad I'm sitting down --- I just read Greg is taking some time off. That's like saying there will be NO sunshine for a week or so. I know Greg deserves his time off. I hope he and his family are going somewhere or at least I hope he just hangs out with his girls. BUT at the same time, and most selfishly, I add, I shall miss him. But let me be positive. I look forward to hearing the interview with Craig and I look forward to hearing Kenny and Craig ... Craig is SCOTTISH (at least in ancestry if not in fact .. Ferguson is a SCOTTISH name). We welcome you to the fold, Kenny and Craig! We hope you will enjoy being hosts of Old Time (Classic) Radio and that you'll get to know some of us on the blog.
I'm SO looking forward to the Ray Bradbury special (he'll be 89 8/22/09 ... same age as my uncle if my uncle had lived. Uncle Warren died 12/22/06 from prostate cancer) and the Johnny Dollar and Superman marathons. It looks like a real good week next week, Greg ... except YOU won't be there... :-(((

ROSEMARY

8/14/2009 4:35:48 AM

Craig Ferguson is, in fact, Scottish-born, but I think I heard him say he is a US citizen now. The accent is still there, though.

20 years ago I was at a small luncheon with Ray Bradbury, along with about 50 other people. He is quite a character...doesn't drive a car and never got a license, and he likes to wear white shorts with suspenders (red I think). It was a great treat to be within a few feet of this great writer for a couple of hours.

Don

8/14/2009 4:47:02 AM

Time for another road trip to Waukegan to honor Ray Bradbury, its "other" native son!!!

Pam D.

8/14/2009 4:29:46 PM

Don - Oh, I do envy you getting to meet and be in the aura of the GREAT Ray Bradbury!!! I'm so happy for YOU.
You are right, also, about Craig - he is from Scotland but now is a US citizen. Hopefully, h e'll NEVER lose that wonderful Scottish "burr" - it's so charming.
I had the pleasure of going to Scotland TWICE and I LOVED it. I spent a fortune and I fell in love with ... HAGGIS. I'm the only person I know who actually likes it. No, I don't like it, I LOVE it. Scotland is rich in history, culture and beauty and the people are absolutely delightful. If you ever get a chance to go, then by all means, DO SO. I can't wait till I can go again.
I also love Iceland but that's grist for another missive.

ROSEMARY

8/14/2009 5:29:20 PM

It about time you take a vacation ! ENJOY !!

Lana

8/14/2009 6:33:01 PM

Craig you ROCK

Bill

8/17/2009 10:59:59 AM

Fromm what I've heard so far, Kenny Curtis seems to be holding down the fort pretty well..Craig has made some interesting observations thus far..Hoping the hear Craig's half-hour interview later this week..Onw show I hadnt heard much before getting XM-The 1952 Tarzan Syndicated series with Lamont Johnston..Very well done I think..

Tim Lones

8/17/2009 3:16:12 PM

I agree, Gang - Craig and Kenny are holding their own though there is only ONE Greg! I like the Tarza episode, too, and, as always, GUNSMOKE. And I'm looking forward to a 2 hour mini marathon for one of my 3 Golden Throated ones, namely, William Conrad.
I hope Greg and his family are having a great time and that he's taken a visit to the SHRINE --- Jack Benny's hometown of Waukegan, Ill.
Later, later, Alligators! - Rosemary.

ROSEMARY

8/18/2009 3:09:59 AM

I'll probably be shot at sunrise, but can you just let Craig and Kenny do the show from now on? Greg has great info about the shows, but his voice is like fingernails on a blackboard. He's one of the few people that can say the word "blog" as two syllables.

Jim

8/18/2009 11:17:14 AM

Wow Jim....I guess I am 'adjusted' to Greg. I have been with Radio Classics XM164 for about 6 years or so. I wouldn't change anything about the host but this is the first time I can remember guest hosts while Greg is on vacation.

I appeciate Greg's insight into the field. Keep going Greg. Maybe if we can get the Lone Ranger back he can handle Jim....just joking Jim...

Michael

8/18/2009 11:18:21 AM

I can't spell without my spell check...appreciate is the word I tried to type.

Michael

8/18/2009 12:39:15 PM

Kenny and Craig are doing great but neither one of them is Greg! Seriously, GB may not have the world's greatest radio voice (Sorry, GB) --- that distinction belongs to 2 guys who probably aren't even living anymore --- Harry Fleetwood and James Pinckney of the (late GREAT) former Classical Music station WNCN-FM 104.3, NY). But Greg gives me 2 things for which I am now living: GREAT radio shows and fantastic information about them, the stars, the medium, etc. So "scratch away," Greg - I'll be thrilled when you return "home." I hope you got to Waukegan and can tell us more about "The 39ers" and other such things ala Jack Benny.
Speaking of Jack Benny --- today's show featuring Isaac Stern was one of the best shows in the series. I love Ronald and Benita Colman, I love the Felix Mendelssohn (whose DIRECT DECENDANT is William Bendix) Violin Concerto in D-Minor. And the banter with Mr. Stern, the Colmans and even with Mary was even better than usual if that's possible.
Next time I "blog," I'll tell you how Jack Benny directly helped me "discover" classical music. It's a true story... bet you can't wait ...
Also, this week's episodes of "Gunsmoke" -- "The Juniper Tree" and "Squaw" -- are exceptional.

ROSEMARY

8/18/2009 12:57:20 PM

Personally, if there is another comedy on during tomorrow mornings commute I'm canceling my subscription. It’s been 10 days in a row now with nothing but comedies, and none of them Jack Benny, which is really the only comedy worth listening to. I know the schedule gets mixed up every day but its not getting mixed up enough.

Luke

8/19/2009 10:12:34 AM

I think Kenny is doing a great job so far with Radio Classics. He's only a couple days into it and sounds more and more comfortable each day. He does an amazing job down on XM 116 as the host of the Animal Farm on XM Kids. We've had something like 8 years to enjoy Greg. Brother, I'm happy he's finally found somebody to watch the store for him while he's out.
Hey Luke, I know what you mean about hitting stretches of shows that may not be my bag. That probably happens to all of us at some point. Have you looked at the schedule that Greg puts out there? Last week didn't look like it had too many comedies in the morning, this week looks pretty good, even with a couple Jack Benny shows, too. Maybe I'm off with your commute times. Until I started looking at Greg's schedule, I'd get frustrated sometimes as well. Now I can sort of plan some listening times.
I don't know if I'd cancel my subscription because there are too many comedies. I'm just so happy there's a channel with OTR on XM. I just find another channel to listen to at the time if I don't like the show.

Benjamin Kubelsky

8/19/2009 8:53:38 PM

Hi, Gang! Is Benjamin Kubelsky really your name or is it a nomme de plume to honor Jack Benny? I love it whatever the reality is!
I'm enjoying Kenny and Craig - they're both very, very good. This doesn't mean Greg can go on vacation anytime soon after this one but it's good to know Our Station is in good hands if the need should ever arise - maybe in the year 3,412...
I have an idea and I'd like to get feedback from "y'all." I'd like to develop a syllabus to teach a course on Old Time Radio as an Adult Evening Course at our local Community College. I have limited teaching experience ... I was an instructor for 3 years when I was in the Naval Reserve and I loved it. Now you all know I also love Old Time Radio. Why would I want to teach about it? Because it's so fascinating and I don't want to see this die when we're gone. I think I'd teach adults or college-age students, not children or adolescents. It's just a thought I had - what do you all think?

ROSEMARY

8/19/2009 9:22:35 PM

Hi, Luke! I appreciate your frustration over the spate of comedies this week. I prefer the dramas, plays, mysteries, detective stories and sci-fi. My favorite shows are "The Whistler," "Suspense," "Lights Out," "Dragnet," "Gunsmoke," "Frontier Gentleman," "Have Gun, Will Travel." I've also begun to appreciate "Pat Novak" and "Jeff Regan." There are some comedies I like - Jack Benny (of course), Bob Hope and Burns & ALlen are my top 3 favorites. I also like Judy Canova and Lum & Abner. I didn't like Phil Harris and Alice Faye at first but they've grown on me so now I like them. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE "Our Miss Brooks."
The comedies I do NOT like and turn off when they come on are "Baby Snooks" (stupid); "Meet the Meeks," (boring-dumb); "The Bickersons," (mean-spirited); Fred Allen (I don't get him), and Abbott & Costello (too loud and raucous).
I'm ambivalent about "My Favorite Husband," "Ozzie & Harriet" and "Father Knows Best." I think the men in O&H and FKB are either incredibly inept or totally misogynestic.
So what do you think, Luke ... and anyone else who wants to chime in? I'd better close - my computer phone line keeps cutting in and out.

ROSEMARY

8/19/2009 9:59:51 PM

Got a kick out of one of the subs, don't recall which. The Six Shooter was coming on and apparently he had never listened to it. He announced it kinda softly, like "The Six Shooter starring ---- Jimmy Stewart?" . When it was over he said something like "Yep, that was Jimmy Stewart". No denying that unmistakable voice. It's surprising to some that big stars of the day found the time to do radio. We are darn glad they did.

Sevenshooter

8/19/2009 10:38:18 PM

Kenny and Craig together are hilarious. I haven't laughed that much in a while and it was excellent. I've never left a comment here, but had to visit to see if the segment was available to download. It was great.

Shawn

8/20/2009 11:55:02 AM

Perhaps I'm missing something regarding the alternate hosts, but all I hear is the basic announcement of what is up next or what has just been aired. My work schedule is generally in the afternoon and, lucky for me, I get to listen all day at work.

I can say with certainty that I miss Greg a lot and am always impressed by his knowledge, i.e., "Who is still with us" as Greg likes to say, or the incredible amount of trivia he knows about the shows, personalities and even some of the music scores.

Frankly, I am missing Greg. At first I was hooked up with Sirius until the merger and that OTR show had a host named "Dave" and his voice was deep and radio friendly. I admit that at first I did not care for the change in voice, but now, Greg seems like an old friend to me and, I repeat from a previous post, he is probably one of the hardest working people in the business.

As far as comedies go, my sister-in-law is still undergoing cancer treatment and comedy to her is something that keeps her going, also well-wishers. If anyone wants to say something to her via E-mail, please click on my name and it will take you to our business page. There you will see a message about her and if you want to say "Get well" or anything at all, it would be appreciated.

Lastly, Rosemary, I think you and I would be able to drive across country listening to the same stations and shows. You strike me as a wonderful person - and on a dial-up connection? Wow, you must be patient as well!

Just my two fiat currency cents worth. Off to work,

Warmest regards all,

Dave

Dave

8/20/2009 1:09:52 PM

Personally, I can't wait for Greg's return!!! No disrespect to the other guys, but Greg IS SiriusXM Radio Classics!

G

8/20/2009 8:39:24 PM

I can't remember a show that Greg broadcasted a while back that I enjoyed. I've only heard it once. I believe it starred Dick Powell in the Pilot. I think the Characters name was Fred. He put up a sign that said something like He will do any job for money. He had a kid and his sister working with him. It was pretty good. Does anyone remember the name of this show?

Thanks

Bob Irish

8/20/2009 8:49:14 PM

Now we have two members of the channel we are missing. We get Greg back next week....WHEN will we get The Masked Man back...
my patience with our 'content provider' is running out.. I will tell them so when I see their table at the FOTR convention...

anyway HI everyone

john b

8/20/2009 8:49:54 PM

and since i didn't say it... Greg this is a WELLL deserved vacation. After how many years????

john b

8/20/2009 9:04:58 PM

We all miss Greg..But he is getting a well deserved rest..As far as Kenny, a lot of this is probably new to him..He is getting better as the week goes on..

Tim Lones

8/20/2009 9:35:53 PM

Craig Ferguson is the most natural and funniest man on TV - late night or otherwise. I even like the puppets.

Brian

8/20/2009 10:42:01 PM

I listened to Craig Ferguson comment on the Jack Benny Show. Ferguson made the statement that the Benny show was politically incorrect. Excuse me? I pay XM radio fees so I can listen to Old Time Radio and forget about politics. I am not interested in Ferguson's political opinions. Tell him to save that for talk radio. When I listed to 164 I want to hear the history and background of the shows and their actors. If Ferguson is so fond of old time entertainment then perhaps he will recall Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies who referred to certain people as "Goomers." Ferguson is precisely that. I hope Greg Bell will be back soon and continue is excellent format.

Greg

8/21/2009 8:48:34 AM

By today's standards there are a lot of politically incorrect shows on OTR. That's one of the great points about the channel. I don't want to listen to an editied version of a 70 year old show because something said in 1939 is offensive right now.

I remember a Batman serial show played on the channel some years ago that had every bad guy as an Asian...specifically Japanese. Robin, the boy wonder, would always jump out and use the word evil or damn or some other adjective along with the short form of Japanese so popular in the day. You see??? Even I am doing it.

Anyway, OTR gives us a glimse of the period, customs, speech patterns, and actions of the time. It's too bad when people put 21st century standards on early/mid 20th century issues.

I'm just glad we stopped talking like Jeff Regan......Great job with the channel Greg. Hurry home!

Michael

8/21/2009 9:16:36 AM

Craig Ferguson, himself, seems to be very politically incorrect. I think his comment about the Benny Show is about how some view the show today. If I call something politically incorrect it is not a criticism, but acknowledging that some people apply new standards to old things. I have always felt that Rochester gives better than he gets in his exchanges with Jack.

I love his comment about Abbott and Costello: "A drunk slapping a short, fat guy."

Don

8/21/2009 12:58:13 PM

Bob, the show you are thinking about is "Let George Do It." Bob Bailey played George in the series. It is a very fun series. A little like Alan Ladd's "Box 13."

G

8/21/2009 4:57:25 PM

Hi, Gang! I've heard "Zero Hour" a gazillion times and it still scares me every time. It's one of the best shows on radio and I absolutely adore Ray Bradbury. I tried reading "Fahrenheit 451" in the 7th grade but my imagination wasn't developed enough to understand what he was talking about. But one of my closest friends introduced me to RB's short stories in a book titled "Long After Midnight" and THIS is the RB I love. Then I watched the miniseries "The Martian Chronicles" from 1980. I must be the only person who actually liked that miniseries but I do - I LOVED it. The Martians were so spooky and the whole premise was incredibly excellent.
Dave, I'm sorry your sister-in-law is still undergoing cancer treatment; I'll remember her in my prayers. The comedies are wonderful when you're feeling down. I recommend Jack, B&A, Bob Hope and "Our Miss Brooks." I also recommend Phil Harris and Alice Faye. I know lots of folks like The Bickersons, Baby Snooks and Fred Allen but I don't so I can't recommend them (though maybe you should so she can make up her mown mind)
I also agree with you about Greg - his incredible amount of knowledge MAKES the programs and the station --- even for shows I don't like, I'll stick around long enough to hear the information.
If there are shows I don't like, I simply change the station or I take my baby girl (my dog, Daisy) for a walk.
Hey, gang - next weeks's sked looks pretty good but even if it has nothing I like, the one good thing is GREG WILL BE "HOME." I like Kenny and Craig, however, so if Greg wants to take off again, I'll let him (gee, how nice of me...)
About "political correctness" - You CANNOT listen to shows made in the 1930s, 1940s or 1950s and attribute today's values to them. I'm not saying those times were better or worse than today; they're just different and you cannot interchange the time periods. Most of those shows had all the things we now call "stereotypes" and though this may render me terminally politically incorrect, many of these were downright funny. I don't laugh to laugh AT someone but rather to laugh with someone. Lillian Randlph of "The Great Gildersleeve" is funny because she's funny, not because she's black. The same with Eddie "Rochester" Anderson of Jack Benny. Often, he's the funniest person on the show and, again, NOT because he's black but because he's just plain funny. I remember what Hattie McDaniel said when asked why she plays maids and servants: "It's better to play one than to be one!" You go, Girl! !
We'll talk again later, Gang. Meanwhile, Happy Lisening, Happy Trails, God Bless and Good Night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!

ROSEMARY

8/21/2009 5:24:04 PM

Wow. Who would have thought that Greg taking a vacation would be such a hot topic? Wow. I'll be listening all day tomorrow as I drive to Las Vegas but I'm sure it will be fine. Greg, congrats on your loyal viewers and Kenny and Craig, thanks for pitching in! ;)

Kristen

8/21/2009 6:01:19 PM

G,

That is the show I was thinking of, "Let George Do It" Thanks for giving me the info. My memory is going in my old age.

Bob Irish

8/22/2009 11:20:16 AM

I came on to see what folks are saying about Kenny and Craig Ferguson... You are all very kind. I am glad to know that no one is replacing Greg Bell (B.L.O.G.)... I love Craig Ferguson but he's been terribly unfunny here. I think he should listen to the channel for a year and come back. Kenny? Well let's say it's a good thing he hosts ? kid's place... I'm glad he already has a job because Greg is excellent and cannot be replaced by either of them. I am so relieved to know that someone with excellent knowledge and appreciation of these great classic radio programs is coming back to work. I don't understand why he couldn't tape the lead ins etc. before vacation. I don't think Kenny or Craig added anything to these past weeks (?)... Again, just glad to know that Sirius isn't thinking of replacing Greg and calling it a vacation. It seemed odd to me frankly. My husband and I are young people who fell in love with Classic Radio have subscribed to XM and Sirius both - XM since its inception - and we are relieved to know that Greg is still in charge of our favorite channel. What Greg does is very specialized and he continues to develop it in such a thorough way - I also think Craig Ferguson should have him on his show as a guest. Greg deserves a little recognition on a national level... If more people knew about classic radio I think they'd love it too! Ok - happy vacation - and I look forward to your return!

Kat

8/22/2009 1:06:26 PM

Thanks Kat, my sentiments excatly. I miss Greg and his knowledge about the programs and actors. Kenny seems liek a nice guy, but totally unknowledgeable about old time radio. Craig may be funny, but again out of place here. Greg show a great deal of love, knowledge, and respect for these programs.

Bob Conrad

8/22/2009 2:12:59 PM

Hi, Gang! For This week, B.L.O.G. stands for Being Lost (with)Out Greg. He'll be back Monday and all will be well with the world. And next week's sked looks good, too. As long as there is at least one episode of Dragnet, GUnsmoke and anything with William Conrad, John Dehner and Orson Welles, then I'm a happy camper.
Tomorrow (8/22/09) is the birthday of Ray Bradbury. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RB, and THANK YOU FOR SO MANY HOURS OF JOY BETWEEN YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR RADIO SHOWS, ESPECIALLY "ZERO HOUR," NARRATED, BY THE WAY, BY THE AFOREMENTIONED JOHN DEHNER, and "THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES.". I'll be listening!

ROSEMARY

8/23/2009 8:34:52 AM

I heard something weird that I guess no one will ever be able to explain why.

In the Bob Hope movie, "Ghost Breakers", 1940, there is a scene that is on Youtube that has been around, some call it the best movie scene ever. It's where he is in a hotel room with Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson comes in and starts describing Zombies. No minds, wanders aimlessly. Bob says "Like Democrats?"

Well I listened to the Radio version this week, made in 1949, and at that scene he changes it to "Like Republicans"?

Wish I knew the reason why? Unless he was just trying to balance things out, PC wise.

Sevenshooter

9/5/2009 11:12:58 PM

Hi Gregbell! It's nice to have a vacation after a busy schedule. Well,Craig Ferguson and Kenny Curtis are great man! Happy 89th Birthday also to Ray Bradbury.

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9/6/2009 9:37:42 AM

Hope you had a great time on vacation Greg. No one does it like you do. Glad you had others to fall back on though to keep the shows coming!

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