Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Just for fun, I decided to use my cloudy setting to see how the late afternoon, late winter sun would look. Rather than try it on just any bust or statue, I decided to stay with Johnny Carson. Most of the people who are immortalized in bronze (or bas relief) were more than just TV stars; they were institutions. Johnny wasn't always on his own program; various guest hosts, ranging from Bill Cosby to (yes) Jay Leno and David Letterman, and more. But no matter who sat behind the desk, people wouldn't tune in to watch "The Tonight Show," they tuned in to watch "Johnny Carson." "Heeeeere's Johnny!" was such an iconic phrase that even Jack Nicholson used it in "The Shining," talking Stanley Kubrick into letting him say it. (And I'll get more into that when I post my photos from "The Shining" gallery at the Stanley Kubrick Exhibit at LACMA.)

I've always wanted to capture a good shot of the Walt Disney bust, and I finally got one that I like this previous trip! Plus, as an added bonus, it was with a fisheye!

The lighting was perfect when we entered the park in the evening. I had a few moments while my parents caught an American Idol show, and managed to get this one. It took a while to get the courtyard clear of people, but worth it to me!

Hope everyone is having a great Friday! Thanks for looking!

Past Fisheye Fridays | #34 Sunny Day at the Pool | #35 Fireworks in the Garden | #36 Romance in Italy |

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Matthew Grey Gubler from “Criminal Minds” and Beth Riesgraf from “Leverage” at the 2012 College Television Awards hosted by the Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences Foundation.

Mary Tyler Moore scares me.

Mary Tyler Moore first gained fame as Dick Van Dyke's wife in "The Dick Van Dyke Show," created by Carl Reiner. Moore held her own as a good foil for Van Dyke for the home scenes, but she didn't have a job or profession to call her own. That changed with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 1970s. Moore's company, MTM Enterprises, produced the show, and, apart from Moore, many of the other cast members became famous: Cloris Leachman, Valerie Harper, Ted Knight, Gavin MacLeod, Betty White (of course), and Ed Asner. Moore worked briefly in movies; in the 1960s she appeared in "Thoroughly Modern Mille," along with Julie Andrews, and "Change of Habit," with Elvis Presley. After her own show went off the air she got one good film role: playing Timothy Hutton's mother in "Ordinary People," Robert Redford's directorial debut. But her work on TV is where people remember her best, especially when her show racked up a number of Emmy nominations and wins. It also provided an odd spinoff: "Lou Grant," with Ed Asner reprising his role, this time as a hard-as-nails newspaper editor. Not your run-of-the-mill spinoffs (like "Rhoda" and "Phyllis" were), "Lou Grant" was an hour long single camera drama that was one of the best programs of its kind. And Moore's company, MTM Enterprises, produced it.

Matthew Grey Gubler from “Criminal Minds” and Beth Riesgraf from “Leverage” at the 2012 College Television Awards hosted by the Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences Foundation.

Walt Disney himself at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza in Disney Hollywood Studios

Please do not use without permission

See more at Makin' Memories Photoblog

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Television created a great many iconic images that are forever etched into our collective psyche. None was more indelible than Archie Bunker, a blue collar right-wing bigot, played by O'Connor in the classic series "All in the Family." Stapleton played Archie's wife, Edith, a dim bulb that was nevertheless good-hearted. Sally Struthers played their daughter, Gloria, and Carl Reiner's son Rob played Gloria's husband, Michael Stivic, the liberal foil to Archie's staunch conservatism. Norman Lear took a British sitcom and reworked it to take place in the working class Queens district of New York City. The series created such spinoffs as "The Jeffersons" and "Maude." Another "spinoff," in a manner of speaking, was "Archie Bunker's Place," created by Lear to keep Archie's character going once steam had run out on "All in the Family." The series had Archie running a bar in Queens. Gloria and Michael were long gone from the house, and Edith had died of cancer. Now, this last bit of information is interesting. In Paddy Chayefsky's classic film "Network" (directed by Sidney Lumet), TV pundit Howard Beale (Peter Finch) tells his audience how much bullshit television is. "No one ever gets cancer in Archie Bunker's house," is among the many things he points out to both his studio and TV audience. So, Lear took fellow TV writer Chayefsky up on that matter and had Edith pass away from cancer. After "Archie Bunker's Place" dropped out of sight (due to poor ratings) O'Connor starred in (and executive produced) a TV series version of the classic film "In the Heat of the Night," taking on the role of Gillespie, which Rod Steiger played in the film and won an Oscar for. Stapleton returned to the stage, making the occasional TV and film appearance; Struthers would do public service spots for various social causes; and Reiner would embark on a successful career as a film director, making such classics as "Stand by Me," "When Harry Met Sally," "This is Spinal Tap," and, of course, "The Princess Bride." Those were the days, indeed.

Commonly known as "America's Oldest Teenager," Dick Clark was a popular radio deejay with boyish good looks and a natural charm. That led him to hosting "American Bandstand," one of the most popular TV shows of the late 1950s and '60s. While he never got Elvis or the Beatles to appear (they were just too hot and expensive for the show's budget), he did introduce a lot of acts that went on to greater fame. He also had a segment where he'd play a new record from an up-and-coming artist or band and get the feedback from the kids (teenagers) in the audience. "I like the beat," was the most common remark, almost like a mantra. Why was the beat so important? Because "American Bandstand" featured the teenagers in the audience dancing to the songs played on the show, with Clark still being the deejay, only dressed in a suit and appearing on camera. Because of the teenage demographics, "American Bandstand" would have sponsors like Clearasyl, the most popular pimple cream on the market (though they used the term "acne blemishes," like calling toilet paper "bathroom tissue"), due to Clark's hawking it on his show. Brylcreem was another product that benefitted from "American Bandstand -- that is, until teenage boys changed their hairstyles and went with the long, dry look the Beatles and other British bands would sport.

Clark would go on to other TV programs, most of them forgettable ("Greatest Bloopers on TV," "Greatest Commercials on TV," etc.) and often with him sharing the stage with Ed McMahon. Clark also hosted "Rockin' New Year's Eve," where he'd do his "American Bandstand" schtick at Times Square, becoming more associated with bringing in the new year than Guy Lombardo and his orchestra. Clark died in his 70s, not looking a day older than his "American Bandstand" appearances. He was either blessed with perennial good looks, or he was this generation's version of Dorian Gray.

Bill Cosby's bust at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza in Disney Hollywood Studios

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See more at Makin' Memories Photoblog

Oprah Winfrey was probably one of those young African American women who may have been inspired by shows like Cosby's and Carroll's. Winfrey was born in Mississippi and moved from there to Chicago, where she got her break on radio. She eventually had her own TV show, which got high ratings and went into syndication. She also made the leap to movie stardom when Steven Spielberg cast her in "The Color Purple." It wasn't long afterwards that Winfrey became a powerhouse in broadcasting and films, being both a producer of feature films such as "Beloved" (and starring in it as well), and moving on from her syndicated show to starting up her own cable TV network. She can currently be seen in the hit film "The Butler," playing the wife of the title character, played by Forrest Whittaker. With a network, a production company and a book club, Oprah Winfrey is not about to slow down or retire.

Aaron Paul from "Breaking Bad" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Where we were conducting interviews on behalf of the Archive of American Television.

Photo by Amy and Nancy Harrington, Pop Culture Passionistas.

To request permission to use, please contact us at popculturepassionistas@gmail.com

Aaron Paul from "Breaking Bad" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Where we were conducting interviews on behalf of the Archive of American Television.

Photo by Amy and Nancy Harrington, Pop Culture Passionistas.

To request permission to use, please contact us at popculturepassionistas@gmail.com

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnaz produced one of the most successful sitcoms in the history of TV, "I Love Lucy." Arnaz, along with German cinematographer Karl Freund, established the three camera setups that are still used today in sitcoms, enabling the actors to play out a scene in real time while being covered from wide, medium and close camera angles, and sometimes from a different perspective. Lucy and Desi also established Desilu productions and bought out the old RKO Studios in both Hollywood and Culver City. They invited other producers to create shows under their umbrella and to be shot at their facilities. Two of the most famous examples are "Star Trek" and "Mission: Impossible." By the late 60s Paramount bought Desilu, thus obtaining the rights to the two shows and eventually turning them both into motion picture franchises. But Lucy and Desi were there first, and without them it is likely that these two shows might never have gotten off the ground.

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Betty White is one of those comediennes who gets better with age. Not physical or outrageous like Lucille Ball, White was more subtle, going more for verbal comedy. She was a regular on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and even "The Golden Girls." Though seen here in a bronze bust, White is still gold, going strong with commercial appearances, showing the younger generation just what real comedy is and how it should be delivered.

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Another comic genius who saw the potential of television as something more than selling soap. Kovacs' "Nairobi Trio" remains one of the all-time classic sketches ever put on television. He experimented with the new medium in the same way Picasso experimented with form, or how Dali experimented with objects, or how Pollock experimented with colors. It was more than just radio with pictures for Kovacs. More avant-garde than Caesar, Kovacs was ahead of his time, finding his real audience with the Baby Boomers and flower children of the '60s, inspiring future TV programs like "Laugh-In" and comics like Chevy Chase and the other SNL Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time-Players. Tragically, Kovacs' life and career was cut short when he died in a car crash in 1962. He was cast by Stanley Kramer to appear with his wife Edie Adams in Kramer's classic comedy epic, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." Adams almost dropped out of the movie, but was persuaded by Kramer and others to stay in, both as a form of therapy in dealing with her husband's untimely death, and in the spirit of "Ernie would have wanted that way." Kovacs' role was taken over by... Sid Caesar, playing Adams' husband.

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

George Burns was yet another Vaudeville performer who went to radio, then to the movies, back to radio, and then to television. His only prop was his cigar and he played straight man to his wife, Gracie Allen. They were popular on both radio and TV for years with their simple banter routine. Burns became a reluctant movie star when he took the role in Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys" after Jack Benny, who was slated for the film, died before production began. He played opposite Walter Matthau and won an Oscar. Burns went on to play God in two films, "Oh, God!" and "Oh, God, Book 2." His manner was low-key; he was just himself in everything he did. And he died at the ripe old age of 101. Gracie, unfortunately, preceded him years before. Goodnight, George. Goodnight, Gracie.

Director Whit Stillman, and stars Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, and Adam Brody answered audience questions at the March 20, 2012 screening of "Damsels in Distress." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'Damsels in Distress,' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Geena Davis at the 2012 College Television Awards hosted by the Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences Foundation.

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Sid Caesar was one of the true comic geniuses of the early days of television. His program "Your Show of Shows" boasted comic talents such as Imogene Coca, Howard Morris and Carl Reiner. Reiner was also a writer for the show, as were two other young writers who would go on to great fame: Neil Simon and Mel Brooks. Reiner would later create "The Dick Van Dyke Show," about a group of comedy writers working on a show similar to Caesar's, with Reiner playing the Caesar character. In 1982 Brooks would produce the film "My Favorite Year," which co-starred Joe Bolongna as a Sid Caesar type, named "King Kaiser." "Kaiser," of course, is the German word for "Caesar." One of the most memorable sketches Caesar ever did was a spoof of the love scene on the beach in "From Here to Eternity," where he and Imogene Coca kept getting splashed with water, literally putting a damper on their lovemaking.

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/

Actors Shailene Woodley, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer and producer Jim Burke answered audience questions at the November 1, 2011 screening of "The Descendants." The screening was held at the Academy of Television of Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood by the KCET Cinema Series. It was hosted by movie critic Pete Hammond.

For more on 'The Descendants' and other films in this screening series, visit www.kcet.org/socal/cinema_series/