Newsday TV Book, May 22-28, 1977.

I've had this issue for ages now, like twenty years give or take, and it just occurred to me recently that it is from the very week Star Wars was released (on Wednesday, 5/25/77). I doubt I saw SW immediately--in fact, I'm not even sure it came out on the Island, as I've read it only hit 30-something screens that day--but it wouldn't be long before it dominated my thoughts. (And toys and sheets and curtains and every other damn thing you could slap a Wookiee on.)

Anyway, just as everyone was meeting Leia of Alderaan, Lee Grant was meeting Grace of Monaco.
(Click pics to blow them u---Oh, sorry, Princess Leia.)

The TV Line features a question about Foster Brooks that definitely sounds like it came from a Long Islander. So, Fosta Brooks hadda cast on, 'ebustisleggawhat?

Kinda cool that as the Lucas Era dawned, Metropolis was flickering on your domicile's picture tube.

Let's take a look at Monday morning and afternoon, always interesting to see in general, but these listings also deliver one of my favorites on the WABC 4:30 Movie: Bad Ronald!

Here are the Tuesday afternoon/evening listings, accompanied by the first of several Viskupic illustrations in this issue.

On Wednesday, Viskupic depicts a bubble-headed Nixon.

Viskupic lends a chilling sketch to Thursday's ABC Special Report on rape.

Star Wars opened in more theaters for the weekend, so here are the Friday night/Saturday programs you were planning a trip to the movies around.

Finally, here's the Quick Guide, with all the movies, sports and specials for the week.

Not so many ads this time out, they just didn't hit the nostalgia spot for me. However, if you feel you can't go on without seeing the hair transplant ad with spokesman Chico Resch, let me know. (It's not the "before and after" version, so I skipped it.)

Smell ya later, Darth Vader!

The Island Ear, Issue 93E, May 10-26, 1982.

I've already taken a look at an Island Ear from 1982, but since that one was published late in the year (and the nearest earlier one was from Christmas 1981), this in-between May issue offers enough differences that it doesn't feel overly redundant.

As if there's a rational human being on earth who cares, I'll note that the issue number, as printed, appears to be "93F," but since pretty much every other issue I have has an "E" appended to the number for mysterious reasons, we'll just go with that.

This time out, the matrimonial Mael brothers of Sparks grace the cover.

I had recently lumbered into teenagehood when this issue occurred, and The Island Ear Record Report reflects nicely my crossover period from the light rock radio of WPIX-FM (which had recently changed formats from the heavier stuff) to the new wave now crashing on WLIR.

The cover couple appeared at My Father's Place in Roslyn Village (or Village of Old Roslyn, I never got that straight) while this issue was on news racks, along with other noteworthy performers. February's of Elmont spotlighted an Island Ear night, hosted by their subpar puzzler Pizan.

Speaking of Pizan, here's his or her crossword, mostly (and mostly correctly) filled in by some Long Islander with too much time on their hands, along with an ad for Pastime in Amityville.

United Skates of America Inc. was featuring music by Chas Jankel (among other A&M artists), so you could get your roller boogie on (in either Centereach or Seaford) and possibly score a mint Huffy.

Part one of Scott Schinder's interview with Jools Holland.

Ads for Island Sound in Merrick, Northstage Concert Hall and Dance Club in Glen Cove, and L.I. Record Collector in Hempstead.

Hot Flashes, for your luke-warm music news.

Solomon Grundys Pub in Rockville Centre had "Grease Band," which I suspect may have been defecting members of Sha Na Na, judging from this vague promotion.

Ear Rings album reviews.

Jimmy Byrnes in Flushing, Slipped Disc Records in Valley Stream, and J.J.'s Place Dance Club in East Meadow.

"Fa Fa Fa Fa Fashion" has nothing to do with Baba Booey's Atlantic Records t-shirt--it's a look at hip bowling alley attire by Tanya Indiana and friends. These cool cats are seen rolling balls at Royal Lanes in West Hempstead.

Ads for Mods & Rockers in Hicksville, Futuri and Sharp Hair in Valley Stream, Capital Screening in Wantagh, and What Not Shop in Baldwin.

Hometown Pride told what local bands were up to, and the L.I. Club Report (rock edition) detailed the "hot stuff making noise" in your favorite joints.

Here's an ad for Navigators Pub (why did half of these places never use an apostrophe in their name? Is plurality really that much cooler sounding?) in Wantagh, along with Sam Ash's anniversary, and promotions for Richard and Linda Thompson (TSS/Record World), and Krokus and A Flock of Seagulls on Arista.

The Sparks interview by Alvin Eng, part one.

More teenybopper jitterbugging courtesy of Legz in Flushing, in this doodled-upon ad (wudn me!).

An answerless (but easily Googleable) IE Quiz, and part two with Jools.

Part three with Jools is buried among ads for Cheerful Earful in Lake Grove, Monkey's Rock Dance Club in Lynbrook, Faces in Copiague, and The Next Whiskey Bar in Bellmore.

An ad for Zig Zag Records zig-zaggily borders Larry Kleinman's less-than-scathing Hallmark parody.

Rumrunner of Oyster Bay and February's again, this time non-IE related.

Hand-farting Toots (sans Maytals) and a purple tee.

McHebe's Depot in Hempstead, Dublin Pub in New Hyde Park, and Master Sound Productions of Franklin Square.

Whoops--judging from the radio station rundown, WLIR was not quite into full-blown new waviness yet, as I implied earlier. WBAB, WPLJ, WNEW-FM, WNYU, and WVHC (???) shared their top tracks, plus upcoming TV appearances by relevant rockers were listed (Sparks on SNL!), and the notable imports of the day were, uh, noted.

Part two of the Ron and Russell Q&A appropriately crowds out Kleinman's last vapid verse.

Conan the Barbarian hit UA theaters on Friday the 14th.

Finally, Heckle & Jeckles of Massapequa Park copyright-infringed on the back cover (and hosted modest members of Billy Joel's band as "The Long Island All-Stars").

I've only got a few more of these to scan--back to scouring eBay, I guess...