Russ Johnson of Canon City, Colo., noticed something familiar between Nelson Riddle's "Route 66" theme for the original 1960s television show and Danny Elfman's main theme for "The Simpsons." So he created a mashup of the two. It's a bit disorienting at times, but it does contain a few striking similarities in its melody and … Continue reading “Route 66” meets The Simpsons
Category: Television
A visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
There's no shortage of videos about Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, an honest-to-goodness landmark in St. Louis and Route 66 for about 80 years. But this one, produced by All About Business, is the best I've seen. It delves into the custard stand's history and includes an interview with Mr. Drewes himself. And the Ted Drewes … Continue reading A visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Waylan’s Ku-Ku will appear on Travel Channel
Waylan's Ku-Ku Burger, a mainstay restaurant on Route 66 in Miami, Okla., will appear on the Travel Channel's "Food Paradise" show this fall, reported KODE / KSN-TV in nearby Joplin, Mo. Crews filmed the restaurant this weekend. Waylan's KU KU Burger has been around for nearly 50 years. Owners say they see customers from all over the … Continue reading Waylan’s Ku-Ku will appear on Travel Channel
Cozy Dog will be subject of Food Network program
The Cozy Dog Drive-In, a fixture along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., for six decades, soon will host a camera crew from the Food Channel to show how the restaurant's cozy dogs are prepared, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register in a story about tourism in the city. According to the newspaper, filming will take place on … Continue reading Cozy Dog will be subject of Food Network program
TV ad denigrates Wigwam motels
A new television commercial by the Microtel motel chain conveys an unflattering light on the three surviving Frank Redford-designed wigwam-style motels, including two on Route 66, says at least one of their owners. The manager of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, Calif., is considering a defamation suit or other legal action against the chain, and … Continue reading TV ad denigrates Wigwam motels
Vancouver tourism chief writes book about Route 66
Stumbled onto this today ... Rick Antonson, president and CEO of Vancouver Tourism, talks about his new book, "Route 66 Still Kicks," on the "Urban Rush" television show in Canada: https://youtu.be/aTfIEKr7l-U According to Amazon, the book won't be available until September. However, it appears you can order it direct from the publisher, Dundurn Press, or … Continue reading Vancouver tourism chief writes book about Route 66
New reality series takes a Route 66 road trip
Jeff Schroeder and Jordan Lloyd, who starred in the reality series "The Amazing Race" and "Big Brother," are starring in a new CBS.com web-only series, "Jeff & Jordan Do America," where they drive Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles to begin a new life. Here's a preview of the show, which begins July 18: … Continue reading New reality series takes a Route 66 road trip
Aussies will get a dose of “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
After encountering much success in England, the television series "Billy Connolly's Route 66" will air starting tonight on the Seven Network in Australia. This video was posted on The Age, an Australian publication. It includes some footage from the program: Connolly, a well-known Scottish comedian and actor, and his film crew traveled Route 66 for … Continue reading Aussies will get a dose of “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
DVD review: “Route 66: The Complete Series”
https://youtu.be/VaT4pQDSWZw No more piecemeal releases. No more half-baked formatting. Shout! Factory has released all four seasons of the acclaimed "Route 66" television drama of the early 1960s, and they all come in one well-conceived package, in stores tomorrow. The guts of "Route 66: The Complete Series": It's a box set of 24 DVDs, inside four … Continue reading DVD review: “Route 66: The Complete Series”
One from the BBC vault
This is a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by an apparently long-gone band called Freak UK. The video was broadcast by the BBC in 1991. I suspect this was influenced by Depeche Mode's version from 1987. https://youtu.be/fLgS9_GTumg Freak UK's frontman was Mik Scarlet, who found later fame as a TV and radio broadcaster, journalist, and actor. … Continue reading One from the BBC vault