M&Ms Get a Makeover
Oh no, they’re changing the M&M’s characters. Here’s what the old ones looked like and what the new ones will look like.
To quote the company’s press release, the changes are to give them “more nuanced personalities to underscore the importance of self-expression and power of community through storytelling,” and give them “an updated tone of voice that is more inclusive, welcoming, and unifying.” So the green M&M, a female who was known as the sexy M&M because she wore high heels and flirted with others, will be given more comfortable sneakers and be less sexual. The orange M&M will embrace his anxiety and worries, and all of the candies will be given different shapes and sizes, to reflect society.
Please note, we are talking about candy here.
I’ll still eat them because I like them, but I really hope this is the last time I have to type sexy M&M.
New Music? What’s That?
This article by Ted Gioia has been getting a lot of attention. It shows how old music — which includes music that came out when I became an adult, making me feel ancient — is outselling new music at such a rate that maybe new bands shouldn’t even bother.
It’s not really surprising to me. I think older people don’t want to take the time to get into new music; younger people hear about older bands and get into them; new technology and streaming allows for the quick purchase of individual songs we like without having to buy entire albums; and we’re all looking for a little comfort and nostalgia, in all ways.
I don’t buy a lot of new music, unless it’s new music by older artists I like. I’m not watching a lot of new TV either. I usually watch the older shows.
How Much Is This 1926 Post Cover Worth?
It’s always great to see the Post mentioned on TV. This woman brought to Antiques Roadshow a painting by J.C. Leyendecker (the subject of the new documentary Coded) that has been in her family for decades.
Uploaded to YouTube by Antiques Roadshow PBS.
A Christmas Story Christmas
Have you wondered whatever became of Ralphie, the boy from the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story? Now you’ll find out, as a sequel set in the 1970s and featuring an adult Ralphie and his kids is in the works. Original star Peter Billingsley will once again play Ralphie. He’s been behind the scenes, producing such movies as Iron Man and Made and TV shows like F Is for Family, 30 for 30, and Dinner for Five.
Jeopardy! Is One of the Funniest Shows on TV
I really don’t mean to mention Jeopardy! in every column, but some weeks something so funny or bizarre happens that I want to mention it. Something happened last week, and now again this past Monday, with a moment that made me laugh out loud for five minutes. The question (well, answer) was “In the film version of this TV show, Crockett & Tubbs left the Sunshine State for a bit to go to Cuba & Haiti.” The contestant said “What is The Beverly Hillbillies?”
I’m trying to figure out how she came up with that. I think she was in her 20s but obviously knows what The Beverly Hillbillies is, so how does she get that from something that references Crockett and Tubbs and the Sunshine State? Honestly, she could have said The Bachelor, Meet the Press, or Star Trek and it would have made just as much sense.
But now I do want to see a Crockett and Tubbs version of Star Trek, where they fly around the universe encountering aliens and getting into adventures, without socks.
RIP Thich Nhat Hanh, Peter Robbins, Michael Jackson, Sharyn Moffett, Beegie Adair, Don Wilson, Clark Gillies, Kathryn Kates, Marty Roberts, Gloria McMillan, and Laurel Cutler
Thich Nhat Hanh was a Buddhist monk, activist, and writer whom Martin Luther King Jr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. He died Saturday at the age of 95.
Peter Robbins voiced Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Boy Named Charlie Brown, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, along with other Peanuts specials and episodes of other TV shows. He played Alexander on the ’60s version of Blondie. He died last week at the age of 65.
Michael Jackson was a radio host for 50 years, including a three-decade stint at L.A.’s KABC. He died last week at the age of 87.
Sharyn Moffett played the daughter of Cary Grant and Myrna Loy in Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, and appeared in The Body Snatcher, Child of Divorce, My Pal Wolf, and other movies. She later became a minister. She died in December at the age of 85.
Beegie Adair was an acclaimed jazz pianist who released many of her own albums with her trio but also played on albums by Henry Mancini, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and many others. She died Sunday at the age of 84.
Don Wilson played rhythm guitar for The Ventures, known for such surf rock hits as the theme song to Hawaii Five-0 and “Walk, Don’t Run.” He died Saturday at the age of 88.
Clark Gillies helped the New York Islanders win four Stanley Cups and was a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He died last week at the age of 67.
Kathryn Kates appeared in many TV shows, movies, and plays over the years. She was in two episodes of Seinfeld, playing the bakery owner who sells the marble rye and the black and white cookies, and appeared in the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark. She died Saturday at the age of 73.
Marty Roberts was the male half of the Marty and Elayne lounge act (Elayne was his wife) that played at L.A.’s Dresden Room for 40 years. They were also seen in the movie Swingers. He died last week at the age of 89.
Gloria McMillan played Harriet Conklin on both the radio and TV versions of Our Miss Brooks. She died last week at the age of 88.
Laurel Cutler was a mad woman during the Mad Men era of advertising. She came up with the name Prego for the spaghetti sauce (the company wanted to call it Campbell’s Very Own Spaghetti Sauce). She died in November at the age of 94.
This Week in History
Eskimo Pie First Patented (January 24, 1922)
In 2020, the name of the classic treat was changed to Edy’s Pie. Here’s why.
Apple Introduces the Macintosh (January 24, 1984)
Here’s video of Steve Jobs introducing the computer, two days after the company’s famous “1984” commercial aired during the Super Bowl.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Late for Party Due to Snow (January 27, 1962)
At first I wondered why there are no footprints leading from the sliding glass door to the car in this George Hughes scene, but then I noticed the door near the car. Sorry to get all Lt. Columbo on you.
They Melt in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand
Yes, M&M’s are now inclusive and unifying, but they’re also delicious! Buy a couple of bags and make …
Giant M&M’s Macaron Cookies and a Galaxy Glaze Caramel Cake from the official M&M’s site.
These Peanut Butter Pretzel Munchies from Bake. Love. Give. use peanut M&M’s.
Dinners, Dishes & Desserts has these Butterscotch M&M Bars.
And if you’re an adult, try an M&M Shooter from The Spruce Eats that replicates the taste of them (I think) with the help of amaretto and coffee liqueur.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Australian Open Finals (January 29 and 30)
The women’s final airs on ESPN Saturday at 3:30 a.m. ET. The men’s final airs at the same time and place on Sunday.
Still More NFL Playoff Games (January 30)
In the AFC Championship game, which airs at 3 p.m. on CBS and Paramount+, the Cincinnati Bengals face the Kansas City Chiefs. At 6:30 on Fox, the San Francisco 49ers meet the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC Championship.
Groundhog Day (February 2)
After last year’s crowdless declaration because of COVID-19, Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil is back in front of people to tell us how long winter is going to last. What a weird tradition this is.
Featured image: Shutterstock
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Comments
I think “Crockett” is close enough to “Clampett” to have confused the Jeopardy contestant. Like you. Bob, I find myself watching primarily older TV shows!
As far as the M&M’s go, I watched the links and (per the paragraphs) see a double benefit for the candy as being “sensitive” to these neurotic, psychotic times and giving themselves positive, free advertising in the bargain. It’s all about money (what else?), and hopefully this attention will mean a boost in sales. I figured fans of M&M’s are going to buy them no matter what, but even long established brands have to have new gimmicks to appear “new”.
The music article doesn’t surprise me at all. I was VERY pleased so see the graph of the Grammy’s ratings decline. I hope all the awards show ratings keep sinking so low they’ll be gone entirely sooner than later. They’ve BEEN over with for years (like SNL) for all intents and purposes anyway. May the forthcoming Oscars be cancelled, go down in flames, or up in smoke. Whichever helps hasten the end the quickest is best.
The prices for this (and other) Leyendecker covers is some pretty wild stuff. She is one lucky woman, that’s for sure. I wish David Weiss would have mentioned The Saturday Evening Post is still published today by the way. Just a mention. Is that asking too much? NO!!
LOVE this 1962 POST cover by George Hughes with that exclusive ’61-’62 only logo. While you were noticing the lack of footprints, I was noticing the car, and instantly knew it was a 1960-1962 Ford Falcon station wagon. My mom had a ’61 in light green all through the Soaring ’60s!