Newsday TV Book, November 19-25, 1972.

Alright, we're really kicking off the season here with the Thanksgiving issue, and a Bob Newman drawing of some Macy's balloons, hovering untethered over bricks of Velveeta standing on end. 

A four-page spread on holiday specials not only gives us sneak peeks of "The Muppet Musicians of Bremen," Ray Heatherton's Merry Mailman, Laurel and Hardy, the Grinch and Jenny Agutter with her goose, but it also details the movie offerings and specials for the grown-ups.

The TV Line brings us the lowdown on Lupus and Lindley, whether some movies are the same, the posterlessness of The Duke, and the utter futility of Gilligan's Island.

On Sunday afternoon, there was The Bishop's Wife on WPIX, always a favorite--I remember the commercial promo they showed for ages, with the scene of Cary Grant magically decorating the tree. On Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, Nosey the skunk cuddles up to a little girl who looks an awful lot like Ed McMahon.

That same night, ABC kept you up until half past midnight with their premiere of Patton, here heralded with a Viskupic drawing.

Sam Ash gets in on the Pre-Christmas hawking with this ad for (as the true musicians call them) a drum outfit and a fine classic guitar.

Morning programs always seemed so boring back in the day, but now, peering back from the future, they look fascinating. These Tuesday listings are accompanied by the second Hicks ad of the season, a reminder to head over to the Westbury nursery to check out their animated displays.

West Side Story filled NBC's primetime schedule that night, with a close-up picturing Richard Beymer (its "only weakness," according to reviewer John Cashman).

Wait, it was on against Brian's Song? And Gargoyles?!? Not fair, networks!

Here's the close-up for Wednesday's "Julie Andrews Thanksgiving Eve Show," with Mickey worriedly holding his mouse-sized bladder, looking like he needs to Unzip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.

Look at that beauty! I'm talking the side, not the bride!

I love the drawing for this ad. "ALL banks are Chanukah Clubs!" sneered a young Steve Bannon.

Also on Wednesday, Medical Center, Shelby Grant (Mrs. Chad Everett) plays a Catholic plagued by guilt. Whaaat? That's not the religion I remember. At 11:30, those who enjoyed comedy-variety specials and weren't picky about details could tune in to whatever "Let's Celebrate" was. (As best as I can figure, this was ABC testing out their late-night programming, aka the Wide World of Entertainment specials. This one apparently involved Tony Roberts and Steve Landesberg.)

Here are the listings for the big day, with parades, movies and specials galore.

Now on to Friday, with that morning's close-up show, "Jerry Lucas Super Kids Day Magic Jamboree." That's quite a Japanified title for something hosted by a basketball player who I have no recollection of. Mental gymnastics?

 Here's the rest of Friday, minus the late night listings because I just realized I botched the scan and can't redo it now. Refunds to follow.

There's no Joseph Lombardi, longtime Eldee commercial pitchman, to be seen in this ad. However, Irv Abraham, Ken Rosenblum, Alex Ogman, and Mike DeGregorio are on hand to give you the blue ribbon treatment.

Now the full Saturday sched, with "The Banana Splits in Hocus-Pocus Park" (here's some of it en Espanol!) March of the Wooden Soldiers, a Vonnegut "Space Fantasy," Frankenstein's kid, World Wide Wickets, and Mary Colleen Fitzpatrick turning over the Miss Teenage America crown. (The link is a pic of MCF winning the previous year--can you guess which one is her?)

I haven't presented the full Quick Guide before, and I figured this week is about as good a week as any to show what the back of every TV Book looked like, with all movies, sporting events, specials and children's programming encapsulated for convenience.

This last page also features an ad that teaches us that the Spanish word for furniture is "Spaniture." Also, in Spain they don't have love seats, they have "love benches," and from the look of it I'd guess the Inquisition sometimes used them instead of the rack.

A somewhat more comfortable-looking set is proffered by Macy's on this week's back cover. Sturdy oak and Herculon, huh? Maybe I'll just sprawl out on the floor in the den after demolishing the turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving, faithful Non-Paraders! I'll see you next week, along with Bridget and Bernie!