Category Archives: Television

When I spoke to Wonder Woman, she had no clothes on …

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Lynda Carter, in her ‘Wonder Woman’ prime, stepped naked and wet from the shower as I said ‘hello’ to begin our interview about life after three seasons as TV’s top female superhero. Disappointingly for me, … Continue reading

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That time on set with Mickey Rooney and Jackie Cooper

By Ray Bennett In March 1981 I was at the CBS Studio Center on Radford Avenue in Studio City watching two legendary former child stars working together again. Mickey Rooney and Jackie Cooper had co-starred with Freddie Bartholomew in the … Continue reading

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Why Emma Samms took nude scenes on TV in stride

By Ray Bennett Emma Samms, who turns 65 today, was one of the hottest young actresses on American television in 1985 when she segued from playing Holly Sutton on the daytime soap opera ‘General Hospital’ to replacing Pamela Sue Martin … Continue reading

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Jill St. John wanted to share recipes but not Robert Wagner

By Ray Bennett Jill St. John, who turns 85 today, has brightened big and small screens in countless TV shows and movies including her big splash as the first American James Bond girl, Tiffany Case, in ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ opposite … Continue reading

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TV broadcaster Bill Moyers regarded the elite as the enemy

By Ray Bennett Veteran TV newsman Bill Moyers,  former New York Newsday publisher and press secretary to President Lyndon Johnson, has died aged 91. As a broadcaster, he often spun off bestselling books from his TV productions and in 1989 … Continue reading

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The look on Anne Murray’s face was one of sheer terror

By Ray Bennett LONDON – One of Canada’s most successful singers, Anne Murray, who turns 80 today, became a huge international entertainer but she told me two things had made her nervous – performing in Las Vegas and at the … Continue reading

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When US TV censored hip-swinging Tom Jones

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Fans of “The Voice” might not suspect that the venerable Sir Tom Jones, who turns  85  today, was censored on American television when he was younger. His show “This is Tom Jones” aired on the … Continue reading

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Life wasn’t always easy for Loretta Swit on ‘M*A*S*H’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Loretta Swit, who has died aged 87, is remembered fondly for playing ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan in ‘M*A*S*H’ on TV for eleven years but life on that show wasn’t always easy for her. It was a … Continue reading

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Bernard Slade: From ‘Bewitched’ to Broadway

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Bernard Slade, who was born on this day in 1930, created TV shows such as “The Flying Nun” and “The Partridge Family” but he had his greatest success with the smash hit Broadway play “Same … Continue reading

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When Canadian actress Alberta Watson was just Susan

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I knew Canadian actress Alberta Watson, whose birthday was today, a long time ago when she went by her first name, Susan. To meet Susan Watson in 1977 was to fall in love. She was … Continue reading

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