We all have em’

Tunes we secretly love – but are too embarrassed to admit to in mixed company.

Hidden amongst the shelves of our album or CD collections they remain musical recluses to anyone other than you – finding freedom only occassionally – and then no doubt through the sanctity of the ipod.

Sandwiched between Spiderbait and Empire of the Sun pehaps there’s a Michael Bolton classic that you never freely admit to.

Maybe Boy George or Wham have infiltrated your ‘dirty musical secrets list’ or if the thought of a Flock of Seagulls/Roger Voudouris is too much to bear testimony to – perhaps you’d rather post your guiltiest pleasure anonymously.

But remember – when you’re with with good Doc Pop – there is always patient – doctor confidentially – trust me – I’m a xxxxxxxxx

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OK – so perhaps I’m not totally up to date with some of the outrageous names celebs have decided to dish out to their baby’s – but c’mon guys – who geninenly calls their kids Sage Moonblood or Zuma Nesta Rock?

How about  Kal-el Coppola  or Diva Muffin?

Now as tragic as is seems let’s hope that Paula Yates fell in love with the name Tiger Lily Heavenly Hirani – because poor old Michael won’t be there to explain this away.

But personally I place the blame squarely with David Bowie and his off the cuff Christening of young Master Bowie.

For the record, his  given name is Duncan Zowie Bowie.

For a while when he was younger, he was known as Joe or Joey. He now goes by Duncan.

He also uses his father’s real last name, Jones.

Joey Bowie?

Zowie Bowie?

Any wonder Duncan Jones sounds remarkably good.

Anyone able to add to the list?

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“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations — to boldly go where no man has gone before.”

This is where it all began. The Original Star Trek Series running roughly from 1966 through 1969, for a total of three seasons and 78 episodes – but my how we’ve grown.

The show was only a minor hit and was threatened with cancellation after its second year, but a strong letter-writing campaign from fans convinced the network to keep the show.

But with even less spectacular ratings Star Trek was terminated with little hope of any future. 

Or so they thought!

Fortunately, after three years enough episodes were produced that the show could enter syndication, and it was in the after-school market during the early 1970′s that the show found its audience.

Fan conventions sprang up, merchandising blossomed, an animated series with the original cast was produced, and it became apparent that Star Trek was a force that would refuse to die.

Today, the franchise first conceived by Gene Roddenberry over 40 years ago has spawned four more television series, 10 theatrical movies, hundreds of books and magazines, and innumerable Internet fan sites.

So – open the pandora’s box  . . . who is your favourite Star Trek character?

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Last night, while getting my daily dose the Simpson’s – I found my mind wandering at right angles to the rest of the family – before proudly announcing that despite his bumbling nature – Homer was right up there with other TV dads as far as affording us advice about life.

From Mike Brady with his groovy clothes and fortune cookie advice to Howard Cunningham of Happy Days fame – everybody loves TV dads.

After all don’t we all wish we could solve our kids’ problems in 30 minutes or less?

A prerequisite of course is wisdom and sage advice.

From Don Porter who played Sally Field’s father in Gidget to Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster, Brian Keith in “A Family Affair” to Fred McMurray in “My 3 Sons” – TV dads (in the most part) have taught us that with a positive attitude anything is possible.

It wasn’t until I started to think about just how many TV dads there were – that the notion of a “Best Of” almost became too much.

Enter – Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie, Tony Soprano from “The Soprano’s”  Andy Taylor from The Andy Griffith Show, Ward Cleaver from “Leave It to Beaver”, Jed Clampett from “The Beverly Hillbillies”, Ben Cartwright (Bonanza), Tim Taylor (Home Improvement), Gomez Addams (The Addams Family), George Jetson (The Jetsons) – the list goes on and on and on.

So just who is the best TV dad of all time?

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Go on – face it – the 80s was a scary place to be, especially as far as kids TV was concerned.

It probably didn’t occur to you then – but sit back now and check it out and the cringeworthiness of what was on offer is Oscar winning.

From ALF to Greatest American Hero, Mork and Mindy to The Wonder Years – the delicacies served up to those dining at the all you can eat TV bar – were a bit like cold pizza – you either loved it or couldn’t bare the thought of having to digest it.

Care Bears, Danger Mouse, He Man and Masters of the Universe, Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, Transformers – not to mention Webster, The Love Boat – or dare I say it – Punky Brewster  . . . ouch!

So – are you a cold pizza addict – was there a program you couldn’t get enough of?

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While in earnest discussion with a near and dear friend the subject of movies came to the fore.

From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly he cited five movies he’s seriously learned life lessons from.

Not necessarily noted for their cinamatic brilliance – his choices floored me – most importantly because of the effect they’d had on him – all positive and all having gone to make him part of the man he is today.

It got me thinking?

Has there been any movies that you have learned life lessons from?

Would love to hear from you.

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You’ve been given a mandate by Rolling Stone Magazine to induct five (yes only five) rock n’ roll legends into a hall of fame.

You do the homework, you agonise over the plethora of artists and finally you’ve narrowed it down to eight or nine – the question is who do you leave out?

Would love to hear your what you’ve got to say.

And just to help you get started why not check out http://www.rockhall.com//

Rock On . . .

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Behind every guy with hair is a bald man screaming to be let out!

OK – perhaps not – but lets take a look at just a few of the ‘baldies’ that have captured our hearts and minds.

Afterall why spend between 7 and 15 days every year combing your hair when there’s such much more to do!

Can you imagine Michael Jordan or Yul Brynner with hair?

How about Star Trek’s Patrick Stewart?

Chris Judd, Vin Diesel, Sean Connery, Andre Agassi, Samuel L Jackson – the list goes on and on and . . . 

So who are our best loved ‘baldies’?

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While the 50′s and 60′s saw the birth of sitcoms such as I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners and Mr Ed – the 70′s certainly took television comedy to new highs (and lows).

From programmes as diverse as Laugh-In and Love American Style right through to more traditional shows such as Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple and M.A.S.H – they all went into making 70′s television what was either classic or cringeworthy viewing.

Of course the potpourie of programmes goes on like a class roll call – The Jeffersons, Mork and Mindy, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Partridge Family, Bob Newhart, Rhoda.

But what are your favs?

Does The Mary Tyler Moore show work for you – or perhaps was it Happy Days?

WRKP or Good Times?

Welcome Back Kotter or . . . . 

So many to choose from – so short is our memory – so let’s take a stroll!

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Recently Posh Spice was voted ‘The World’s Sexiest Mom” by a panel of esteemed judges.

Sure Victoria Beckham has the package (and husband) that would make most couples feel . . . well . . . a little underdone.

But who is the world’s sexiest mom?

For instance, how does Katie Holmes stack up against Madonna?

Uma Thurman or Brittney Spears?

Maybe  Gwyneth Paltrow or Elisabeth Hasselbeck?

Salma Hayek or  . . . . . ?

Would love to hear who you think should wear the crown!

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Every hero needs a helper,  every serious guy needs a sidekick and every bad guy needs a henchman.

As life would have it – they are the unsung heroes - the second bananas essential to hundreds of movies and TV shows.

And they deserve our praise!

But who have been the best?

Lou Costello from Abbott and Costello? Perhaps Karate from Batfink and Karate? Maybe even Cato – Inspector Clauseau’s right hand man from the Pink Panther Series.

The names abound – only the votes need to be tallied.

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