Fare thee Well

When I was a small child, I used to watch this show. It scared the crap out of me with monsters and werewolves and mummies. It featured a guy who yelled a lot, and it seemed to me he was always in trouble with his boss. Who REALLY yelled a lot.

I always felt cheated because it was such a good show but it seemed like there were never enough episodes. I was always seeing the same ones. But I watched them. They scared me less and less, but were still worth watching.

When I 'grew up', I found out that there were only a couple episodes of the show ever made. And they were cheesy as hell. But still entertaining. Every once in awhile, I still catch them.

Kolchak the Night Stalker. With Darren McGavin as Kolchak and Simon Oakland as his yelling boss.



In writing the blog today, I see where all the Kolchak shows are on DVD and are for sale. Cool. Maybe one night I'll have a Kolchak film festival.

Another great role Darren McGavin played was Ralphies father on A Christmas Story. How many times have you watched that movie? TONS I bet. I know I have. And I laugh every blessed time too.



I am channeling him when I'm working on my furnace at home:

Mr. Parker: It's a clinker! That blasted stupid furnace dadgummit! [he walks down a few stairs and falls the rest of the way down]

Mr. Parker: Damn skates! [coughing]

Mr. Parker: Oh for cripes sake open up the damper will ya? Who the hell turned it all the way down? AGAIN! Oh blasted!

Narrator: In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan



And I am so familiar with that tapestry of obscenities. "Farkin' Flarnin! Gadblamit! Filthing Flarnin, Jezzuspeezusshitgoddamittohell" Yup. Just another night working on the furnace.

Rest In Peace, Mr. McGavin. You done good. I'll string up a couple cusses tonight for Mr. Parker.