Saturday 9 Espionage!

Secret Agent Man (1966)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

1) This is the theme of a TV show that ran on CBS from 1964-1967. The series was produced, and originally aired, in England. The BBC has shared many shows with American audiences over the years. Can you name another? The Avengers with Diana Rigg!

2) The show is about John Drake, a special agent dedicated to exposing plots that threaten world peace. A quick check of Netflix and Goodreads reveals that spy stories are just as popular today. Is espionage a genre you enjoy? Not so much. Do you read books, or watch shows and movies, about spies? Not really.

3) The lyrics tell us Drake travels from the Riviera to Bombay. Where were you when you last spent the night away from home? Why were you there (vacation, business, international intrigue)? We were in south central Texas visiting our daughter and grandsons. We had a grand time in spite of the brief time we had to be there. Saw Spider Man, played 42, Monopoly, ate at the Tokyo Steakhouse, and took them to the trampoline place.

Giving Porter a facelift!

In the foam pit at trampoline place

Wearing his birthday cross.

Outside the steakhouse

6) Born John Ramistella, this week's featured artist, Johnny Rivers, grew up in Louisiana. He took "Rivers" as his stage name because he grew up along the Mighty Mississippi. If you were to change your last name based on the geography of the area where you grew up, how would you be known? Oklahoma has a wide variety of terrain in its geography, and although I love Oklahoma hills, it also has some nice rivers, including the Arkansas River and the Red River! So I’m going with Connie Rivers and be like Johnny.

 7) In 1966, when this song was popular, Jacqueline Kennedy was the woman most Americans admired. What famous woman do you admire most? (She doesn't have to be American.) Although she is criticized for her past, I think she has been most admirable and gracious this past couple of years in light of the abuse on every side from the media, celebrities, feminists and politicians. I’m going to say Melania Trump. She has been treated disgracefully, yet she is always dignified.

8) 1966 also found another Jacqueline was in the news. Jacqueline Susann's first novel, Valley of the Dolls, was atop the best seller lists, even though it was savaged by the critics. What's your guilty pleasure? What book, movie, TV show, or song do you enjoy, even though you know it has little artistic merit? Haha! Absolutely NO artistic merit. Occasionally I think it’s fun to watch Judge Judy! She’s a hoot and most of the people on the show are so ridiculous.

4) The refrain states, "They've given you a number and taken away your name." In today's digital world, that could now be said of all of us. Are you good at remembering your computer passwords? I am with most of them, however, we have so many now and they are supposed to be different, so it’s better to keep a list on hand in a good hiding place.

5) Patrick McGoohan, who played Agent Drake, went from being a good guy to appearing as a murderer on Columbo four times. Were you a fan of Columbo? Not so much.

9) Random question: Imagine you've been stranded alone in the woods for 10 days. No companionship, no internet or phone or TV. You have been sleeping in the dirt, living on berries and river water. Your rescuers drive you to a hotel. Upon check-in, what's the first thing you do? Let my family know I’m all right. (Then a shower and ordering room service.)