Tell It To Tim's Blog

And he's funny!

What a delight it was to have composer Marvin Hamlisch on the show today.  He's one of a handful of artists who has won the BIG 5 in entertainment: the Oscar (3 times), the Grammy (4), the Emmy (4), the Golden Globe (3) and the Tony.

You might remember him for writing "A Chorus Line,"  for the score of "The Way We Were," "Ice Castles," "Sophie's Choice," and more.

He's in town to be honored for his career achievements at the American Film Institute / Dallas International Film Festival. Part of the "honor" is being shuttled around town for public relations appearances to promote the festival.  Hence, his charming, funny and all-too-brief appearance on Good Day.

Okay, I have to admit that I have been waiting for radio stations to start playing Christmas music! But NEVER before Thanksgiving! Now it's okay to listen and enjoy the music of the season.

And it's time to dig through the Ryan family video collection or make a trip to the video rental store for Christmas movies.

The perennial favorite, of course, is Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life." A big reason is because for years the copyright had expired on the movie (due to an oversight by someone at the studio) and it did not cost TV stations anything to play it, over and over. Since then, however, the copyright has been "re-asserted" and you won't see it nearly as often.

My personal favorite: A Christmas Story. It's told from the viewpoint of a child, growing up in the 1940's. All he wants is a Red Rider BB gun. Hillarity, as they say, ensues.

Another: Home Alone. Let's face it: every boy has a secret fantasy of being a hero and outsmarting the bad guys. And at the end there is a sappy but heartwarming message about the love of family.

It's Christmas movie time, folks. I can smell the popcorn now! Your favorites?

Just how do the fabulously wealthy spend their money? Apparently quite easily.

Researchers surveyed people who own their very own JETS (that's probably the pinnacle of wealth) to find out how much they spend ... and on what. (It's to help advertisers target their ads for luxury products.)

- On average, they spend $30,000 a year on alcohol.
- How about $107,000 a year on spas?
- $147,000 a year on WATCHES!?

To see the completely decadent report, click http://www.hannahgrove.com/publications_whitepapers.ht
ml .

Mel Gibson's DWI arrest in California and hateful statements.
Party girl, Lindsay Lohan, fired by her record label for incessant partying.

What's with these folks?
Do they think they're immune from any responsibility for their own actions?

But it's interesting how quickly they bounce back: witness the redemption of model Kate Moss from her cocaine scandal and broadcaster Marv Albert from his little sex-capade.

Can you 'forgive and forget' what Mel said? Will he pay a price at the box office when his next movie comes out in December?