[Editor’s note: Since Tangent Online will be in the middle of a new look changeover occurring sometime this week, with the slight possibility it will be offline for some indeterminate time (though hopefully not) I have decided to post this Saturday’s OTR episode early (Wednesday). And since I will be in Chattanooga for Libertycon this …

Continue reading “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar — “The Midnight Sun Matter””

Ripley’s Believe It or Not (1930-1948) aired “Lightning Brings Girl to Life” on October 28, 1947. One would think that after 18 years of weekly, and at times bi-weekly, broadcasts that more than a miniscule few would have survived, but alas, unless others have been discovered in recent times, only a scant 25 remain, some of the 15 minute variety and others at a full-blown 30 minute length. More’s the pity, for tens of millions of fans over nearly 100 years have been fascinated by the oddities Leroy Robert Riley (December 25, 1890-May 27, 1949) brought into their homes, via the original newspaper comic strip (Ripley was foremost a cartoonist), short films, many a book collecting his curiosities, or later the television shows.

This is but the second episode of this program we have showcased, the only other from almost a year ago, on August 11, 2018. We therefore repeat the fascinating introductory highlights of Robert Ripley’s life and the various incarnations of his life’s work that have made him famous to this day. And please note that his legacy continues, for on June 9, 2019 the Travel Channel debuted the first in a new hour-long series of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! shows hosted by none other than Bruce Campbell. The shows are scheduled for 9 PM Eastern on Sunday nights with repeats during the week at various times.