“Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!”
Every Baby Boomer can remember that catchphrase. You probably even said it once or twice yourself.
Here’s the true story behind America’s original reality TV show.
The premise of Candid Camera was simple: film ordinary people in unusual situations without their being aware that they are being filmed.
Alan Funt was the mastermind behind the show. He began the show during the waning days of network radio as Candid Microphone. What most of us don’t remember is that he made several attempts to bring the show to TV before it finally caught on.
The first television version aired on ABC in 1948. It moved to NBC for 1949. Then they tried to syndicate the show, with mixed results. In 1958, Candid Camera became a segment on The Jack Parr Show. In 1959, it was part of The Gary Moore Show.
Finally, in 1960 CBS tried it out as its own half-hour series again. This time it clicked and in a big way.
Candid Camera landed in the Top 10 TV shows in the U.S. in each of its first 4 seasons, peaking at # 2 in 1962-63. This version of the show lasted until 1967. It then went into syndication, but because most of the seasons had been shot in black & white, its commercial viability waned as color came to dominate TV Land.
During its 1960’s, Funt’s co-hosts included Arthur Godfrey, Durwood Kirby and Bess Myerson. A then-unknown Woody Allen was one of the show’s writers, who would also appear in some of the show's stunts.
Funt next brought his Candid Camera technique to the movies with a “naughty” version of his hidden camera stunts called What Do You Say to a Naked Lady (1970).
With the rise of cable there have been many attempts to revive the show, both in “naughty” and the more familiar family-friendly versions. The most recent revivals have been produced and hosted by Funt’s son, Peter.
Of course, Candid Camera is also the inspiration for many of the practical joke shows that pop up on television these days, especially Aston Kutcher’s Punked series.
Regardless of what the future holds, you would be wise to be on your guard. Someday, somewhere, someone may come up to you and say, “Smile! You’re on Candid Camera!”
Planning on hitting the road this summer? You may be able to save money on your transportation if you’re willing to a little searching.
There are companies that need to move vehicles (even RVs) from one location to another. Now, these are one-way trips, so you may have to find other ways to get yourself back home, but it’s worth investigating.
Some sites you may want to visit:
transfercarus.com
thriftynomads.com
imoova.com
Important legal stuff: BoomtownAmerica.com is not affiliated with nor does it endorse any of these websites. We advise you check things out for yourself and as always, make sure you read the fine print or consult with an expert before you enter into any agreement.
Summertime means tan-time!
As we move through our 50s and 60s, many of us are informed by our doctors tht we are prediabetic – meaning we run the risk of developing diabetes in the near future.
is there anything we can do to prevent that?
Actually, there is. Medical experts stress two things:
1.) Lose weight – If you’re overweight, bringing your weight back within normal guidelines reduces the chances of you becoming diabetic.
2.) Exercise – This really helps reduce your risk.
So don’t take that diagnosis lying down. Get active and get healthy!
We lost one of the real architects of rock this month. Songwriter Cynthia Weil passed away on June 1st, 2023 at the age of 82.
Weil teamed up with husband Barry Mann to write so many of the songs that made growing up in the 60s great, including “On Broadway,” “Kicks,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “Uptown,” “Walking in the Rain,” “Only in America” and, of course, “(You’ve Lost) That Lovin’ Feelin’.”
Often grouped with other husband-wife combos Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich, Weil became known as part of the “Brill Building” school that dominated rock between its original early rocker phase (Elvis, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, etc.) through the beginnings of the British Invasion.
While many of the rockers who followed in the wake of the Beatles wrote their own material Mann & Weill continued to crank out hits for those singers who relied on others for their material. In fact, the duo composed “Somewhere Out There” for the movie An American Tail, which became a huge hit for Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram and earned the couple two Grammy awards.
Along with her husband, Weil has been inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
She is survived by her husband, Barry Mann, and daughter, Jenn Mann.