40 years ago to the day, July 7, 1977 ( 7/7/77) was one of the luckiest days of my life. Let me explain.
We had tickets to the old Mike Douglas show in Philly. First time I had ever been to a TV taping. Mom and my aunt and uncle joined me.
I remember wearing a really stupid powder blue leisure suit. Someone should've told me it was a bad look, even back then.
I remember the lead guest was a soap opera actress named Denise Alexander. I think she was on "Days of Our Lives." She was hot.
Looking back on it, it's hard to believe the under card of the show was the under card.
Next up was actor Robert Duvall. He had made numerous movies by 1977, including Godfather and Godfather II. However, I wasn't too familiar with Duvall at the time.
The musical group Southside Johnny and the Asbury Juxes played live, and they were popular in 1977, especially locally.
The best was saved for last. John Ritter, the iconic comic and an unknown back then, wrapped up the 90-minute show.
Three's Company, the comedy which would make Ritter a household name, was just beginning. Hardly anyone knew who John Ritter was. I didn't to be honest.
After the show we mingled in front of the KYW- Channel 3 studios for a bit. Everyone had split- Douglas, Duvall. But John Ritter hung around, meeting fans, taking pictures with groups of girls and signing autographs.
His manager saw me and called John over. We shook hands and he signed my ticket stub. He said that he hoped I could understand his chicken-scratch. He was friendly and funny.
As I watched him hop into a taxi who knew he would become a legend, maybe the best physical comic on the planet.
Going to the car, who comes strolling down Market Street with his suit jacket flung over his shoulder but the local sportscaster Big Al Meltzer.
Big Al not only did the sports on Channel 3, he was the voice of Big Five basketball. I watched the Palestra doubleheaders as a kid with a passion, so it topped off the day to say hi to Big Al.
Truly a lucky day, 40 years ago today.
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