It Was 20 Years Ago Today

Monday, December 4, 2006.  The Chicago Tribune announced the winners of its first annual Holiday Cookie Contest twenty years ago today.  I share the names of the winning recipes, and talk a little about my memories of cooking and baking.

This podcast is guaranteed to be non-fattening!

Episode music is from "Overnighter," by Jeremiah Fleming.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Edit December 5, 2006:  I've reposted this episode with the correct audio file, this time!  No more Gotti, it's really time for cookies!

Sunday, December 3, 2006.  A key witness in the RICO trial of mob boss John Gotti began his testimony twenty years ago today.  I look at Gotti's history and how he went from being the Teflon Don in 1986 to the Velcro Don in 1992.

Today's episode music is "The Wood Between the Worlds," by Commander Yo.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006.  The story of the video game Shenmue opens twenty years ago today.  I look at that game, and the state of video console gaming in the time Shenmue is set.

Official site -- Shenmue.com
Shenmue Dojo on GameSpy

Episode music is from the Shenmue game.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006.  Twenty years ago today is the date of "Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1986" by William S. Burroughs.  The video clip of Burroughs reading the poem, directed by Gus Van Sant, can be found here.

Today's episode music is "El Coradobes," by Gringo Motel.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Monday, November 27, 2006.  Twenty years ago today was Thanksgiving Day, and an article in the St. Petersburg Times was the first to characterize the next day as "Black Friday."  I take a look at that name, whether it really fits, and Christmas shopping.

Today's episode music is "See You In Seattle," by the Scottish Guitar Quartet.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, November 24, 2006.  A meeting at the White House twenty years ago today set the tone for how the Reagan Administration would handle the scandal.  I look at some of the details of that meeting and the press conference that took place the next day.

Today's music is from "Warlock," by Scott Shannon.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, November 23, 2006 -- Happy Thanksgiving!  The new single from Weird Al Yankovic's album Polka Party made its debut on the Doctor Demento Show twenty years ago today.  I've been a fan of both Weird Al and Doctor Demento since before 1986, and I share some history about these two luminaries of the comedy music world.

Today's theme music is "Press YES to Start Demo," by Aaron Derington.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

November 22, 2006.  Twenty years ago tody, Mike Tyson beat Trevor Berbick to become the youngest heavyweight boxing champ ever.  I talk about Tyson, and his rise and fall.

Today's episode music is "Taking You There," by Jeremiah Fleming.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Twenty years ago today, there were a lot of documents being shredded in the offices of the NSA.  I take a look at who was doing the shredding, and why ... and exactly what I think of the whole idea.

Extra special thanks to Joe Medina of Ollin Productions for his help in getting the sound effects and editing done for this episode.

Theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, November 19, 2006.  Twenty years ago today, a missile silo complex in Arkansas was demolished.  I look at how this was done and about the last big chill before the Cold War came to an end.

Today's episode music is "Bella," by Patrick Gorman.  Theme music composed and conducted by Marc Rose.