Scott A. Johnson, PhD
@scottajohnsonphd.bsky.social
retired prof and dean, active learner and educator, engaged global citizen. IDIC. Proudly Portland-born.
22 addresses across 6 states and UK, highlights SF + London.
now apparently full circle back to Fresno (but circles never end)
22 addresses across 6 states and UK, highlights SF + London.
now apparently full circle back to Fresno (but circles never end)
Happy Hanukkah to Benjamin Kubelsky, aka Jack Benny. Violin virtuoso who underplayed, icon of 30s/40s radio & early tv, influential through the 60s until his death in 1974 at 80. Jack was slated to be in the Sunshine Boys until illness required best friend George Burns to step in (& win an Oscar).
December 15, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Happy Hanukkah to Benjamin Kubelsky, aka Jack Benny. Violin virtuoso who underplayed, icon of 30s/40s radio & early tv, influential through the 60s until his death in 1974 at 80. Jack was slated to be in the Sunshine Boys until illness required best friend George Burns to step in (& win an Oscar).
Deep dive for that celeb line-up - although Buddy was on the #1 TV show at the time. 2-3 years before Governor Reagan! Philip Ahn went on to portray Master Po in Kung Fu. Raymond Massey was Abe Lincoln & John Brown! If only my autograph-seeking preteen self had known/cared at that time (early 70s).
December 12, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Deep dive for that celeb line-up - although Buddy was on the #1 TV show at the time. 2-3 years before Governor Reagan! Philip Ahn went on to portray Master Po in Kung Fu. Raymond Massey was Abe Lincoln & John Brown! If only my autograph-seeking preteen self had known/cared at that time (early 70s).
At the height of his fame & recognition, Ted came to Fresno with the 1973 UCP Telethon hosted by Dennis James. I called in a small pledge ONLY if I could talk to him - he was warm & gracious. At the end I mumbled “OK, Bye” - he probably heard “OK, Buddy” so that’s how he signed off…called me Buddy!
December 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
At the height of his fame & recognition, Ted came to Fresno with the 1973 UCP Telethon hosted by Dennis James. I called in a small pledge ONLY if I could talk to him - he was warm & gracious. At the end I mumbled “OK, Bye” - he probably heard “OK, Buddy” so that’s how he signed off…called me Buddy!
Belated 87th birthday wishes to Rich Little, an impressive impressionist. His artform was at its peak in the 60s and 70s, when he helped to make Nixon seem foolish pre-Watergate. Sadly, Rich’s connection to POTUS 45/47 is no laughing matter. He’s on record as a 2020 election denying Trump supporter.
December 1, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Belated 87th birthday wishes to Rich Little, an impressive impressionist. His artform was at its peak in the 60s and 70s, when he helped to make Nixon seem foolish pre-Watergate. Sadly, Rich’s connection to POTUS 45/47 is no laughing matter. He’s on record as a 2020 election denying Trump supporter.
Celebrating Geraldine Page & her 101st birthday yesterday November 22! An extraordinary talent recognized with multiple nominations (4 Tonys, 8 Oscars, 9 Golden Globes, 2 BAFTAS, 3 Emmys) she did win one of each (2 Emmys) but unbelievably no Tony. (1979 induction to American Theatre Hall of Fame).
November 23, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Celebrating Geraldine Page & her 101st birthday yesterday November 22! An extraordinary talent recognized with multiple nominations (4 Tonys, 8 Oscars, 9 Golden Globes, 2 BAFTAS, 3 Emmys) she did win one of each (2 Emmys) but unbelievably no Tony. (1979 induction to American Theatre Hall of Fame).
Rest well, Roy Scherer: commemorating Rock Hudson's 100th birthday November 17. Larger than life in many ways, a true "Giant" (Oscar-nom 1956). I knew him first as Commissioner McMillan (1971-77), then his charming romcoms with Doris Day. His tragic 1985 death challenged and changed AIDS awareness.
November 17, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Rest well, Roy Scherer: commemorating Rock Hudson's 100th birthday November 17. Larger than life in many ways, a true "Giant" (Oscar-nom 1956). I knew him first as Commissioner McMillan (1971-77), then his charming romcoms with Doris Day. His tragic 1985 death challenged and changed AIDS awareness.
Wonder if there is any relation - he has the intelligence and maturity level of Our Gang kids (e.g., Mickey Daniels)
November 14, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Wonder if there is any relation - he has the intelligence and maturity level of Our Gang kids (e.g., Mickey Daniels)
Stella! Zira! Two characters indelibly etched in our psyche by the inimitable Kim Hunter. Celebrating her 103rd birthday Nov 12. She won the Oscar and Golden Globe for A Streetcar Named Desire, but my gen remember her best as compassionate chimp Dr. Zira from the original Planet of the Apes series.
November 9, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Stella! Zira! Two characters indelibly etched in our psyche by the inimitable Kim Hunter. Celebrating her 103rd birthday Nov 12. She won the Oscar and Golden Globe for A Streetcar Named Desire, but my gen remember her best as compassionate chimp Dr. Zira from the original Planet of the Apes series.
Remember when we used to laugh at pompous, unaware military & political leaders? Buffoons like Col. Hall (Bilko), Mayor Shinn (The Music Man), vet Fendall Hawkins (The Russians Are Coming!), all preyed upon by conmen and connivers. And all played to a tee by Paul Ford. Happy 124th Birthday Paul!
November 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Remember when we used to laugh at pompous, unaware military & political leaders? Buffoons like Col. Hall (Bilko), Mayor Shinn (The Music Man), vet Fendall Hawkins (The Russians Are Coming!), all preyed upon by conmen and connivers. And all played to a tee by Paul Ford. Happy 124th Birthday Paul!
Halloween week Happy Birthday to the greatest Uncle Fester, Jackie Coogan! (Chris Lloyd & Fred Armisen always brilliant, but Jackie set a high bar, from which he hung upside down). A big photo for me in ‘73 – not only for The Addams Family (daily reruns) but also Brady Bunch & Partridge Family!
October 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Halloween week Happy Birthday to the greatest Uncle Fester, Jackie Coogan! (Chris Lloyd & Fred Armisen always brilliant, but Jackie set a high bar, from which he hung upside down). A big photo for me in ‘73 – not only for The Addams Family (daily reruns) but also Brady Bunch & Partridge Family!
More inspiring lessons IRL. Purple Heart in Korea (actually 2). Close friends with Republican supporters Tom Selleck and Clint Eastwood. Open about using marijuana, supported legalization. Interfaith marriage of nearly 58 years: "My wife would leave me if I played a Republican." Photo received 1974.
October 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
More inspiring lessons IRL. Purple Heart in Korea (actually 2). Close friends with Republican supporters Tom Selleck and Clint Eastwood. Open about using marijuana, supported legalization. Interfaith marriage of nearly 58 years: "My wife would leave me if I played a Republican." Photo received 1974.
Perhaps best-known to 1960’s TV audiences as Dr. Zorba in Ben Casey (1961-65), but that was not part of my preteen viewing schedule. I much preferred the sci-fi and action series. (He did guest in Batman!) He sent this photo in 1974 or 75.
Klaatu Barada Nikto, Shalom "Sam" Jaffe! (his real name)
Klaatu Barada Nikto, Shalom "Sam" Jaffe! (his real name)
October 12, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Perhaps best-known to 1960’s TV audiences as Dr. Zorba in Ben Casey (1961-65), but that was not part of my preteen viewing schedule. I much preferred the sci-fi and action series. (He did guest in Batman!) He sent this photo in 1974 or 75.
Klaatu Barada Nikto, Shalom "Sam" Jaffe! (his real name)
Klaatu Barada Nikto, Shalom "Sam" Jaffe! (his real name)
Favorite Zero role: Max in the Producers or Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened… or The Spellbinder on Electric Company? I first saw him in The Hot Rock with Robert Redford (1972) & worked my way back. He sent this in 1974 -75 before The Front (1976), a role drawn from his blacklisting experience.
October 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Favorite Zero role: Max in the Producers or Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened… or The Spellbinder on Electric Company? I first saw him in The Hot Rock with Robert Redford (1972) & worked my way back. He sent this in 1974 -75 before The Front (1976), a role drawn from his blacklisting experience.
Still, he caused good trouble against the forces of fascism for a long time and gave generously to the cause. His was the first signed photo I received in 1972, before his last role in Soylent Green (1973). At that time I knew him best from Night Gallery, Laugh-In, and a Batman "window" cameo!
September 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Still, he caused good trouble against the forces of fascism for a long time and gave generously to the cause. His was the first signed photo I received in 1972, before his last role in Soylent Green (1973). At that time I knew him best from Night Gallery, Laugh-In, and a Batman "window" cameo!
Paramount Television 50 years ago sent out color postcards of their stars with preprinted autographs. Greg was the only one to add a personal inscription. (Then I defaced it with a Dymo label, but 14-yr old me thought It was cool.) Thanks for that extra touch, it was always special to see my name.
September 21, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Paramount Television 50 years ago sent out color postcards of their stars with preprinted autographs. Greg was the only one to add a personal inscription. (Then I defaced it with a Dymo label, but 14-yr old me thought It was cool.) Thanks for that extra touch, it was always special to see my name.
You just put your lips together and… blow! No one else could’ve told off Bogie in To Have And Have Not. Celebrating Lauren Bacall’s birthday September 16. More than just Bogart & Bacall, her unique style so memorable in 70 years of roles on film, tv, &s stage. Her personal integrity resonates today!
September 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
You just put your lips together and… blow! No one else could’ve told off Bogie in To Have And Have Not. Celebrating Lauren Bacall’s birthday September 16. More than just Bogart & Bacall, her unique style so memorable in 70 years of roles on film, tv, &s stage. Her personal integrity resonates today!
H-Hello?...Hold the phone for Bob Newhart’s September 5 birthday (he would have been 86, much too young.) Brilliantly underplaying Dr. Bob Hartley during my teens, trying to cope as Dick Loudon in my twenties, and harried by all sorts of quirky characters. (He sent this photo around 1973 or 74).
September 7, 2025 at 10:15 PM
H-Hello?...Hold the phone for Bob Newhart’s September 5 birthday (he would have been 86, much too young.) Brilliantly underplaying Dr. Bob Hartley during my teens, trying to cope as Dick Loudon in my twenties, and harried by all sorts of quirky characters. (He sent this photo around 1973 or 74).
Twofer today, from the sublime to the ridiculous: Happy Birthday William Saroyan & Buddy Hackett!
Mr. Saroyan inscribed my dad’s business card on a flight back to Fresno in 1973 (regular coach, by the way.)
Buddy sent his signed photo in 1974 or ‘75 (the only celeb to send one with postage due!)
Mr. Saroyan inscribed my dad’s business card on a flight back to Fresno in 1973 (regular coach, by the way.)
Buddy sent his signed photo in 1974 or ‘75 (the only celeb to send one with postage due!)
August 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Twofer today, from the sublime to the ridiculous: Happy Birthday William Saroyan & Buddy Hackett!
Mr. Saroyan inscribed my dad’s business card on a flight back to Fresno in 1973 (regular coach, by the way.)
Buddy sent his signed photo in 1974 or ‘75 (the only celeb to send one with postage due!)
Mr. Saroyan inscribed my dad’s business card on a flight back to Fresno in 1973 (regular coach, by the way.)
Buddy sent his signed photo in 1974 or ‘75 (the only celeb to send one with postage due!)
Saluting Martha Raye ahead of her 109th birthday August 27! Outstanding musical comedy star over 50 years on stage, screen, radio, & TV, held her own alongside Bob Hope, W.C. Fields, Abbott & Costello, Charlie Chaplin. Those of us of a certain age may remember her as Benita Bizarre in The Bugaloos.
August 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Saluting Martha Raye ahead of her 109th birthday August 27! Outstanding musical comedy star over 50 years on stage, screen, radio, & TV, held her own alongside Bob Hope, W.C. Fields, Abbott & Costello, Charlie Chaplin. Those of us of a certain age may remember her as Benita Bizarre in The Bugaloos.
Happy 122nd Birthday to Mae West! Feminist powerhouse and early proponent of consensual sexual freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, drag, ant-racism, more. She fought government restrictions and censorship, although the Hays Code curtailed her film career. Still made an indelible, iconic multimedia impression
August 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Happy 122nd Birthday to Mae West! Feminist powerhouse and early proponent of consensual sexual freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, drag, ant-racism, more. She fought government restrictions and censorship, although the Hays Code curtailed her film career. Still made an indelible, iconic multimedia impression
Raising a glass - or an oil can - to celebrate the birthday of Jack Haley! (Getting oiled seems appropriate). Tin Man for the ages in Wizard of Oz (1939). Thanks for the enduring legacy despite arduous filming conditions and later studio system indignities. He took a stand & left the movie business.
August 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Raising a glass - or an oil can - to celebrate the birthday of Jack Haley! (Getting oiled seems appropriate). Tin Man for the ages in Wizard of Oz (1939). Thanks for the enduring legacy despite arduous filming conditions and later studio system indignities. He took a stand & left the movie business.
Remembering the great, groundbreaking Carroll O’Connor a day after his birthday (fittingly, Saturday.) All In The Family anchored an unsurpassed 70’s lineup with Mary, Bob, and Carol et al, & beget Lear’s lineage including The Jeffersons, Maude, & Good Times. Back when CBS had integrity & courage.
August 3, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Remembering the great, groundbreaking Carroll O’Connor a day after his birthday (fittingly, Saturday.) All In The Family anchored an unsurpassed 70’s lineup with Mary, Bob, and Carol et al, & beget Lear’s lineage including The Jeffersons, Maude, & Good Times. Back when CBS had integrity & courage.
If you’re under 65 you may only know Ed Sullivan from the Late Show intro for 30+ years. Plus his intro of the Beatles in many clips. But Ed was in Studio 50 from 1953-71 before he too was cancelled by CBS. Solidarity Stephen Colbert & Smothers Brothers!
July 27, 2025 at 6:35 PM
If you’re under 65 you may only know Ed Sullivan from the Late Show intro for 30+ years. Plus his intro of the Beatles in many clips. But Ed was in Studio 50 from 1953-71 before he too was cancelled by CBS. Solidarity Stephen Colbert & Smothers Brothers!
Mrs. Peel, We're Needed (now more than ever) - Celebrating Dame Diana's birthday. Multitalented, brilliant career 60+ years in theatre, tv, film. Considered a breakthrough feminist icon. Shakespearean legend & action legacy: The Avengers, James Bond, Doctor Who, & of course GOT etc. (1975 photo).
July 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Mrs. Peel, We're Needed (now more than ever) - Celebrating Dame Diana's birthday. Multitalented, brilliant career 60+ years in theatre, tv, film. Considered a breakthrough feminist icon. Shakespearean legend & action legacy: The Avengers, James Bond, Doctor Who, & of course GOT etc. (1975 photo).
Administration targeting American officials, who's next?
"So you've been harboring an undocumented woman from Basenji?*"
"So you've been harboring an undocumented woman from Basenji?*"
July 18, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Administration targeting American officials, who's next?
"So you've been harboring an undocumented woman from Basenji?*"
"So you've been harboring an undocumented woman from Basenji?*"