The Rockford Files Pilot Episode Revisited

“Backlash of the Hunter” is the movie-length pilot for the TV serial, “The Rockford Files,” which ran for six seasons beginning in 1974. The pilot aired on Mar. 27 of that year, while the first season didn’t kick off until…

The Rockford Files, S2-E1, “The Aaron Ironwood School of Success.”

After a triumphal debut season, “The Rockford Files” kicks off its sophomore year with an action-packed thriller. There’s nothing fancy here, no romantic female lead for Jim to work with, no very special guest star, no two-parter. Instead, they double-down…

R.I.P. Alan O’Day (1940-2013), “Undercover Angel” Singer/Songwriter

It is with sadness that I learned of the death of musician, songwriter, and Southern California native, Alan O’Day from brain cancer this weekend. O’Day covered a lot of ground in the music industry, from playing in garage bands in…

Joyce Brothers (1927-2013)

In another indicator of the subtle but steady changing of the times, the death of Joyce Brothers earlier this week went by largely unnoticed. To anyone who watched a respectable amount of television in the Seventies, Joyce Brothers was instantly…

South Branch of Berkeley Public Library Open Again for Business

The big news in South Berkeley this past weekend was the grand reopening of the South Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, located at Russell and MLK. The ceremonies occurred Sat. May 11, with the first day of ordinary business…