Roman candy

A New Orleans fave – the Roman candy wagon (this one parked at the zoo, but keep an eye out for the mule-driven wagons):

memories of the ’80s – Wierd Science

A teen movie that focused more on the boys than girls – the lonely nerds who create the perfect woman came to the screen in Wierd Science.

Directed and written by John Hughes, the film starred Hughes’ fave Anthony Michael Hall as Gary and Ilan Mitchell Smith as Wyatt, two highschool boys who are trying to think up a way to attract the attention of any highschool girls.

Because they’re nerds, they’re targeted by the jocks and after a horrible prank, decide to create the perfect woman on Wyatt’s home computer.

Illegally accessing the government’s mainframe for more memory and attaching a Barbie doll to the computer, a freak electrical storm causes a lightning strike.

When the smoke clears, the perfect woman, Lisa, has arrived – in the form of actress/model Kelly LeBrock, whose first words are “So what would you little maniacs like to do first?“

Lisa helps Gary and Wyatt battle siblings, rivals and peers to become cooler at school, although nothing happens right away for the two nerds, who can’t handle the attention nor the ongoing meddling of Chet, Gary’s older brother, played by Bill Paxton, and the jock Ian, played by Robert Downey Jr.

I vividly remember seeing this movie – with its ridiculous storyline and nerd becomes the hero to save the day plot. But it had its moments of hilarity and because of the power of John Hughes, the one-liners and the musical soundtrack (with title track done by Oingo Boingo) this movie did very well in its release in 1985.

Although its not in the main teen movies as many other well-known John Hughes films such as The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles, Wierd Science was another explanation of teen life as only John Hughes could tell.

Zoo exhibit

At the New Orleans Zoo, the reptile exhibit had an additional host:

memories of the ’70s – Logan’s Run

In the early 1970s, science fiction fans were welcomed into the 23rd century with the story that wanted to make sure no one lived past the age of 30: Logan’s Run.

Based on a novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson, Logan’s Run was published in 1967 and in 1975, director Michael Anderson bought the option to bring it to the screen.

Starring Michael York and Richard Jordan, the film is based on a utopian society where a computer is the ruler. When the citizens, who live a lavish lifestyle reach 30, they are told they must ride the Carousel and then will be Renewed (but in reality they are vaporized).

Every citizen wears a Lifeclock crystal in the palm of their hand, showing the time until its their Last Day. The Sandmen (police) keep track of the citizens to make sure no one breaks the rules before their ride on the Carousel.

Michael York and Richard Jordan play Sandmen, Logan 5 and Francis 7. They realize the computer is trying to destroy them and become runners in order to live. Farrah Fawcett also is in the cast as a comely Holly who also wants to live, while Jenny Agutter plays Logan’s love Jessica.

Made for US$9 million and filmed mainly in Dallas, this film was deemed silly, irreverent and terrible, but was nominated for three Academy Awards (winning an Oscar for Special Achievement for Special Effects) and made an easy $25 million at the box office in 1976, with fans loving every minute of the futuristic thriller.

As a result of the popularity of the film, in 1977 a  television series was developed starring Gregory Harrison and Heather Menzies, but it only aired for one season on CBS before being cancelled.

I remember first seeing the tv series as a young child, but I didn’t quite get it and was confused by the storylines. By the time I saw the film as a teenager, the change in special effects made it look so dated and odd, yet it had a charm about it as the SF storyline still held up.

An iconic 1970s science fiction film, Logan’s Run set the standard for the latest in techno effects, and made science fiction a frontrunner of movie themes of this decade.

Random street art

Spotted on the street in front of the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans:

We sale….

Local New Orleans humour:

memories of the ’80s – BET (Black Entertainment Television)

As the rules of television started changing in the 1980s, breaking out the boundaries of the major networks, a new kid on the block was launched – BET: Black Entertainment Television.

Launched in January 1980 by Robert L. Johnson, this channel had a variety of programming from news to entertainment and its initial line-up of shows included Video Soul, Comic View, Jam Zone, BET News, BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley and one of its most popular shows, 106 & Park.

The channel aired a mix of entertainment, re-runs of African-American sitcoms and news during the weekday afternoons and evenings, while on Sunday mornings, focused on Christian programming and gospel shows.

But the one show that has been number one since the beginning is 106 & Park. Taped in front of a live audience, the show’s initial format was to countdown the popular music videos of the day, and often hosted musical guests who would introduce the videos along the hosts. The show was initially produced in Harlem, with the show name coming from the intersection where the studio was located.

I remember seeing the show for the first time, not understanding the slang used by the hosts or the references made by the performers or fans since I didn’t live in the United States, nor in the African-American community within one of the major cities. It felt like opening up into a new culture – and I was curious and wanted to study it – the language, the music and of course, the fashion.

The network initially succeeded with the African American community, focusing its programming on shows that reflected the community. Many prominent members of the African-American community including Spike Lee and Chuck D. of Public Enemy have criticized what BET has now become, with its focus on entertainment, dropping all other categories.

There is now too much celebrity hype and glamour associated with hip hop culture, its groundbreaking existence in 1980 has made it a channel with a distinct influence on television history.

Frosty root beer

A great old diner sign spotted outside New Orleans:

memories of the ’70s – Soul Train

Giving voice to the increasing popularity of soul, R&B, and disco, a local Chicago show was soon a national obsession – Soul Train.

Born out of a radio promotion by then news reader / disc jockey Don Cornelius, The Soul Train was a series of concerts promoting local talent in the African-American community at highschools.

Its popularity soon got the notice of his new employer WCIU TV, who wanted to bring the show to television.

In August 1970, after securing sponsorship from Sears Roebuck, Soul Train premiered on WCIU TV, with Don Cornelius as host, and special guests The Emotions, Jerry Butler and the Chi-lites. Airing weekday afternoons, the show’s popularity with teenagers soared, and picking up another sponsor, Johnson Products, the team decided to nationally syndicate the variety show with its unique mix of music, culture and dance.

Chosen in seven markets – Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco, Soul Train began to air weekly in these markets in October 1971. By the end of the season, 17 more cities were airing the variety show. Moving to WBBM in Chicago and later WGN, the show’s base moved from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Despite the move to California, Cornelius kept a local version of the show going in Chicago which he hosted simultaneously with the national show airing out of Los Angeles. Every major performer of the time appeared on Soul Train such as The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Elton John and David Bowie.

The show had two repeating elements each week: the Soul Train Scramble Board, where the two dancers are given a minute to unscramble the letters which spelled out a performer or significant African-American person, and the Soul Train Line, where the dancers lined up and showed off their moves.

The show wasn’t just the place to see performances by the musical acts of the day or see the dance moves that one wanted to know, but the self-named “hippest trip in America” was a place to pick up on fashion styles and see African-American culture in action. Later on the show reluctantly welcomed rap and hip hop into its family, and became the launching pad for several dancers, including Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel and Rosie Perez, as well as Prince, Run DMC and emerging hip hop performers.

Known for its unique theme songs, such as Soul Train Hot Potato, TSOP, Soul Train 75 and Up on Soul Train, the show was something that I only saw in the 1980s, but I was fascinated with the styles and dance moves, no matter if I saw old shows or the current shows.

As one of the longest running entertainment variety shows, that ended its run in the 21st century, Soul Train’s enduring legacy came be summed up with its end tagline – we wish you love, peace and SOUL!

Should be more than five dollars

A sign spotted at a gas station cafe in rural Louisiana: