News of the Week: Rocket Ads, Clark Bars Are Back, and Cynthia Nixon Has a Bagel Problem

NASA, Brought to You by Budweiser

Imagine a giant Doritos logo on the side of the International Space Station, or the Geico gecko on the next NASA satellite. Imagine that creepy Burger King guy as the co-pilot on one of the space agency’s future missions.

Those things could actually happen. Okay, maybe we won’t see the Burger King mascot at the controls of a ship, but we could see a Whopper involved with various space projects. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine recently said that the agency is going to hold meetings to discuss whether or not they should sell naming rights to rockets and other craft that NASA sends off into space. Visa: It’s Everywhere You Want to Be, Even If Where You Want to Be Is Space.

This would certainly be one step beyond Tang ads.

It could work, though. Maybe the first mission to Mars could be sponsored by the Mars Bar.

Help Save the Sky Bar!

Speaking of candy bars, how would you like to own the rights to one?

We told you recently about how Necco (the New England Confectionary Company) suddenly went out of business, leaving 230 workers out of a job and many fans of candy like Sweethearts Conversation Hearts, the Sky Bar, Mary Janes, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mighty Malts Malted Milk Balls, and Haviland Thin Mints out of luck. It seems that the still-unidentified buyer of the company has no intention of bringing them back, so they’re auctioning off the brands and the production equipment at a public auction on September 26 and 27 in Revere, Massachusetts. This is the perfect time for a Post reader to jump in and save some of those candies.

Here’s a related story. Necco made the Clark Bar for many years until it was discontinued in the recent sale. But there’s good news! Boyer Candy in Pennsylvania has purchased the rights and recipe for the candy bar, which was actually created in Pittsburgh.

They also make Mallo Cups.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?

The new season of Jeopardy! started this week, and not only does host Alex Trebek have his mustache back, he has a full white beard (which seems to be a popular thing this season).

Of course, Alex and the show aren’t sure if he should keep it or not, so they’re turning to fans on social media. Beard or no beard? Vote today! Make Alex Trebek’s Face Great Again!

To beard, or not to beard: that is the question. Vote now! #AlexTrebeard

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) September 10, 2018

 

40 Years

We love CBS Sunday Morning here at the Post, and this year they’re celebrating their 40th anniversary. Tonight the network is airing a special titled “Sunday’s Best.” The hour, hosted by Jane Pauley, will look back at some of the stories they’ve covered over the years, present some new stories, and show clips of former hosts Charles Kuralt and Charles Osgood. It starts at 8 p.m.

On a related note, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Bill Geist (father of The Today Show’s Willie) is retiring this year, and he’ll be profiled on this Sunday’s edition of the show.

RIP Bill Daily, Mac Miller, Christopher Lawford, Adam Clymer, and Will Jordan

Bill Daily got his start as a director and performer on various shows in Chicago and then later on The Mike Douglas Show. After working on Steve Allen’s show, he went on to be cast as the comedy sidekick on two classic sitcoms, I Dream of Jeannie and The Bob Newhart Show. He died last week at the age of 91.

Mac Miller was a rapper and musician. He performed as recently as a few weeks ago on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and had just released a new album. He was found dead last Friday at the age of 26.

Christopher Lawford was an actor and the son of actor Peter Lawford and nephew of John F. Kennedy. He died last week at the age of 63.

Adam Clymer was a veteran political reporter and editor for various newspapers, most notably The New York Times. He died Monday at the age of 81.

Will Jordan was an impressionist and comic famous for his impersonations of Ed Sullivan, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, and other celebrities. He died last week at the age of 91.

Quote of the Week

“Don’t yuck my yum.”

—New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon, after she was criticized for ordering a cinnamon-raisin bagel topped with lox, capers, red onions, tomato, and cream cheese.

This Week in History

9/11 Attacks (Sept. 11, 2001)

Firefighters in Minnesota got a surprise visitor during a commemoration ceremony this week.

Lassie Debuts (Sept. 12, 1954)

The first owner of Lassie was Jeff, played by Tommy Rettig. His family eventually moved away and the dog was given to Timmy, played by Jon Provost. After he left the show, the collie went through various owners.

This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Stealing Cake at Grownups Party (Sept. 10, 1960)

This Thornton Utz cover apparently shows MacGyver as a little kid, coming up with a clever way to get cake for himself and his siblings. By the way, what is that on the left, a coffee pot or a giant trophy?

More Cake

In honor of the inventive kid in Utz’s painting, let’s talk cake.

Here’s a recipe for Sour Cream Poppy Seed Cake, and here’s one for Zion Canyon Lavender Pound Cake. If you like whiskey, you can make Aunt Mary Ann’s Four-Layer Whiskey Cake, and if you like Abe Lincoln, you can try his favorite cake.

What, that’s not enough cake? Here are 30 more recipes featuring vintage cakes that grandma used to make, including Red Velvet Cake, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, German Black Forest Cake, a Moist Lazy Daisy Cake, and a 7 Up Pound Cake.

Next Week’s Holidays and Events

National Play-Doh Day (September 16)

I played with Play-Doh when I was a kid, but I never knew it was originally marketed as wallpaper cleaner.

Emmy Awards (September 17)

It’s the 70th presentation of the awards. Here’s a complete list of the nominees so you can keep score. The show airs on NBC at 8 p.m. It’s on Monday for some reason, after years of being on Sunday, and some of the awards were handed out last weekend.