On this day in television history - Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss (2023)

 

Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss

documentary directed by Niharika Desai,

written by Eric Weiner,

based on the book by Eric Weiner,

was released in the United States on May 18, 2023.

Cast:

Rainn Wilson, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Ari Meyers, Jón Gnarr, Georgi Gospodinov, Ivo Dimchev, Hreimur Örn Heimisson, Margaret Liefsdóttir, Tinna Thorlacius, Jewells Chambers.

I'd been unfamiliar with Rainn Wilson's work -- had never seen him on The Office but had seen his appearances on Six Feet Under and found his dry, self-deprecating style endearing.

After watching Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, and even more so after reading his book Soul Boom, I'm a fan.

In this series, based on Eric Weiner's book The Geography of Bliss, Rainn explores areas around the world and engages with the people and communities in which they live, learning their stories, and sharing his, all in a quest to find happiness.

Rainn's openness, curiosity, and authenticity are so heartfelt, it makes the series worth watching time and time again. 

#RainnWilson #SoulBoom #TheGeographyOfBliss 

R. A. Salvatore, on writing:

 

If you can quit, then quit.

If you can't quit, you're a writer.
- R. A. Salvatore.

Born on this day – Mary Charleson:

 

Mary Charleson

Actress

May 18, 1890 – December 3, 1961

Credits:

A Bit of Blue Ribbon (1913); A Corner in Crooks (1913); A Matter of Matrimony (1913); A Sentimental Burglar (1914); After the Honeymoon (1913); Bedelia Becomes a Lady (1913); Bill Wilson's Gal (1912); Burning the Candle (1917); Cutting Down Expenses (1915); Doctor Smith's Baby (1914); Etta of the Footlights (1914); Fate and Three (1913); Four Days (1913); Her Great Scoop (1914); His Lordship Billy Smoke (1913); His Robe of Honor (1918); His Weakness Conquered (1913); Human Stuff (1920); Humdrum Brown (1918); In Love's Own Way (1915); Iron and Steel (1914); Love the Clairvoyant (1914); Matrimonial Manoeuvres (1913); Mr. Barnes of New York (1914); Natoosa (1912); No Other Way (1915); Northern Hearts (1912); Out of the Shadows (1912); Passers By (1916); Polly of the Pots and Pans (1915); Satan's Private Door (1917); Sealed Lips (1915); Silent Trails (1914); The Acid Test (1914); The Actor (1913); The Ancient Bow (1912); The Call of Motherhood (1915); The Country That God Forgot (1916); The Courage of the Commonplace (1913); The Crisis (1916); The Deceivers (1913); The Education of Aunt Georgiana (1913); The Girl Who Waited (1912); The Golden Pathway (1913); The Hat (1912); The Heart of a Heathen (1913); The Honeymooners (1914); The Intruder (1913); The Little Shoes (1917); The Long Lane's Turning (1919); The Mystery of the Silver Skull (1913); The Prince Chap (1916); The Reckoning (1912); The Road o' Strife (1915); The Road to Yesterday; or, Memories of Patio Days (1912); The Saint's Adventure (1917); The Sale of a Heart (1913); The Sea Maiden (1913); The Silent Accuser (1915); The Smoke from Lone Bill's Cabin (1913); The Spell (1913); The Spirit of the Range (1912); The Strange Story of Sylvia Gray (1914); The Transition (1913); The Troubled Trail (1912); The Truant Soul (1916); The Two Brothers (1913); The Warmakers (1913); The Whispered Word (1913); The Winning Hand (1913); The Woman in Black (1914); The Wrong Pair (1913); Think Mothers (1915); Timid May (1912); Tony and Marie (1915); Una of the Sierras (1912); Upstairs and Down (1919); What Happened to Jones (1915); When California Was Young (1912); When Men Love (1912); When the Desert Was Kind (1913); When Youth Is Ambitious (1915); With Hoops of Steel (1918); Without Hope (1914).

Born on this day – Frank Capra:

Frank Capra

Director

Producer

Writer

May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991

Born on this day – Meredith Willson:

Meredith Willson

Flutist

Composer

Conductor

Musical arranger

Bandleader

Writer

May 18, 1902 – June 15, 1984

Credits:

Books:

And There I Stood with My Piccolo (1948); But He Doesn’t Know the Territory (1959); Eggs I Have Laid (1955).

Movies and television:

7th Heaven (2003); 9-1-1 (2018); A Christmas Story (1983); A Shoe Addict's Christmas (2018); A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011); Action (1999); All Quiet on the Western Front (1930); All Star Revue (1952–1953); Ally McBeal (1997–2000); Alvin and the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas (1981); AM HQ Weekend (2025); Arthur Godfrey Time (1958); Bandstand (1963); Bara du & jag (1994); BBC Proms (2012); Behind the Candelabra (2013); Being Erica (2010); Bernie (2011); Best of the Worst (2018); Bordertown (1989); Boston Legal (2005); Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016); Broadway on Broadway (2000); Bust Down (2022); Call the Midwife (2013); Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway (1969); Cavalcade of Books (1948–1974); Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas - Live from Dublin (2012); Christmas Carole (2022); Christmas Connection (2017); Christmas Evil (1980); Christmas Tree Lane (2020); Cinematic Excrement (2012); Conan (2011); Coup de Chance (2023); Czar of Broadway (1930); Dark Skies (1996); Day by Day (1988); De Mike Burstyn show (1980); Dear Santa (2024); Disneyland '59 (1959); Dollywood: A Memory Worth Repeating (1996); Doom Patrol (2022); Duplex (2003); Emily's First 100 Days of School (2006); Fame (1983); Family Guy (2006); First Man (2018); Flikken Maastricht (2010); Four Christmases (2008); Game Show Moments Gone Bananas (2005); George Jessel Show (1959); Girls on Top (1985); Godmothered (2020); Great Performances (2001–2014); Happy-Go-Lucky (1936); He Doesn't Know the Territory (2018); Here's Hollywood (1961); Here's Looking at You, Warner Bros. (1993); Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992); I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978); IT: Welcome to Derry (2025); I've Got a Secret (1958–1963); I've Got a Secret (1963); Kirstie's Crafty Christmas (2013); Kirstie's Handmade Britain (2011); Kirstie's Handmade Christmas (2018); Krampus (2015); Last Ounce of Courage (2012); Laverne & Shirley (1981); Leipzig Homicide (2023); Lipstick on Your Collar (1993); M*A*S*H (1978); Make the Connection (1955); Merry & Bright (2019); Michael Bublé: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (2021); Michael Buble's Christmas in the City (2021); Miracle on 34th Street (1994); Monsanto Presents Mancini (1971); Moonlighting (1986); Mr. Belvedere (1986–1988); Mr. Miracle (2014); MsMojo (2021); Murphy Brown (1998); My Gift: Piolo Pascual First Time in Concert (2004); Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1991–2022); Night of 100 Stars (1982); Noelle (2019); Nurses (1993); Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1991); Peacock Alley (1930); Perry Como's Christmas in Paris (1982); Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (1959–1960); Play Dirty (2025); Radio City Christmas Spectacular (2007); Radio Days (1987); Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997); Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show (2009); Sex and the City 2 (2010); Shotgun Red's Christmas Surprise (1986); Sister Swap: Christmas in the City (2021); Strictly Come Dancing (2012–2016); Sunday Showcase (1959); Ted Lasso (2021); The 25th Annual Tony Awards (1971); The 2nd Annual Grammy Awards (1959); The 41st Annual Tony Awards (1987); The 54th Annual Tony Awards (2000); The 68th Annual Tony Awards (2014); The American President (1995); The Andy Williams Show (1966); The Beatles Anthology (1995–1996); The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit (1964); The Bell Telephone Hour (1960); The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1977); The Carol Burnett Show (1967); The Cavalier (1928); The Christmas Club (2019); The Danny Kaye Show (1965); The Dean Martin Show (1966); The Dick Clark Show (1959); The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1961); The Ed Sullivan Show (1960–1964); The Ezio Pinza Show (1952); The Facts of Life (1986); The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1993); The Garry Moore Show (1951 / 1959); The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World (1971); The Great Dictator (1940); The Kelly Clarkson Show (2020); The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (2011); The King of Kings (1927); The Last Man on Earth (2018); The Lawrence Welk Show (1967–1982); The Little Foxes (1941); The Lost Zeppelin (1929); The Lux Show (1957); The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2019); The Meredith Willson Show (1949); The Merv Griffin Show (1971); The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996); The Morecambe & Wise Show (1970); The Muppet Show (1979); The Muppets. (2015); The Music Man (1962 / 2003); The Music Never Stopped (2011); The Name's the Same (1952–1953); The Other Sister (1999); The Perry Como Christmas Show (1974); The Polar Express (2004); The Project (2023); The Simpsons (2010–2014); The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (1958–1961); The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (1959); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1963 / 1981); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2010–2011); The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964); The Wedding Singer (1998); The West Wing (2001); The Wrong Mans (2014); This Is Your Life (1971); Till There Was You (1991 / 2003); Tinsel Town (2025); Ultraman: Rising (2024); Undersea Kingdom (1936); Veronica Mars (2006); Warehouse 13 (2010); Weekend Recharge (2025); WGN Morning News (2019); Whose Line Is It Anyway? (2004); Will & Grace (1999); You Bet Your Life (1956).

Born on this day – Phoebe Atwood Taylor:

 

Phoebe Atwood Taylor

Writer

May 18, 1909 – January 9, 1976

Credits:

Banbury Bog (1938); Beginning with a Bash (1937); Cold Steal (1939); Dead Ernest (1944); Death Lights a Candle (1932); Deathblow Hill (1935); Diplomatic Corpse (1951); Figure Away (1937); File for Record (1943); Going, Going, Gone (1943); Murder and Mystery in Boston (1987); Murder At the New York World's Fair (1938); Octagon House (1937); Out of Order (1936); Proof of the Pudding (1945); Punch with Care (1946); Sandbar Sinister (1934); Spring Harrowing (1939); The Annulet of Gilt (1938); The Cape Cod Mystery (1931); The Criminal C. O. D (1940); The Crimson Patch (1936); The Cut Direct (1938); The Deadly Sunshade (1940); The Hollow Chest (1941); The Iron Clew / aka The Iron Hand (1947); The Left Leg (1940); The Mystery of the Cape Cod Players (1933); The Mystery of the Cape Cod Tavern (1934); The Perennial Boarder (1941); The Six Iron Spiders (1942); The Tinkling Symbol (1935).

Born on this day – Richard Brooks:

Richard Brooks

Director

Writer

Producer

May 18, 1912 – March 11, 1992

Born on this day – Joy Barlow:

Joy Barlow

Actress

May 18, 1923 – May 2, 1995

Credits:

Just Across the Street (1952); Look for the Silver Lining (1949); The Decision of Christopher Blake (1948); Two Guys from Texas (1948); Blackmail (1947); The Trespasser (1947); The Big Sleep (1946); Cinderella Jones (1946); Don't Fence Me In (1945); George White's Scandals (1945); Where Do We Go from Here? (1945); The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945); Earl Carroll Vanities (1945); To Have and Have Not (1944); Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys (1944); Destination Tokyo (1943); Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943); Call of the Canyon (1942); Louisiana Purchase (1941).

Born on this day – Priscilla Pointer:

 

Priscilla Pointer

Actress

May 18, 1924 – April 28, 2025

Credits:

A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story (1989); A Killing Affair (1977); A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987); A Show of Force (1990); ABC Afterschool Specials (1978); Acting 'Carrie' (2001); Adam-12 (1973); Alone (1997); Amazing Stories (1985–1987); Barnaby Jones (1974–1977); Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976); Blue Velvet (1986); Blue Velvet Lost Footage (2014); C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud (1989); Call to Glory (1984–1985); Camera Three (1973); Cannon (1975); Carrie (1976); Carried Away (1996); Cinema mil (2005); City of Angels (1976); Cold Case (2006); Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur (1976); Dallas (1981–1983); Death Takes a Holiday (1971); Disturbed (1990); Doc (1976); Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977); ER (1994); Family (1977–1979); From Here to Eternity (1980); From the Hip (1987); Generation (1985); Good-bye Cruel World (1982); Harry O (1976); Hemingway (1988); Honeysuckle Rose (1980); Inferno (1999); Intimate Portrait (1999); Judging Amy (2001); Judgment Day (1981); Kate McShane (1975); Knots Landing (1980); Kojak (1975); L.A. Law (1986–1988); Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977); Lou Grant (1981); Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977); Matt Lincoln (1970); McCloud (1971); McCoy (1975); Micki + Maude (1984); Mommie Dearest (1981); Mrs. Columbo (1979); My Life and Times (1991); Mysterious Two (1982); N.Y.P.D. (1969); Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010); Newhart (1987); Nickelodeon (1976); Phyllis (1976); Picket Fences (1995); Police Woman (1976); Quincy, M.E. (1978–1983); Rags to Riches (1987); Rumpelstiltskin (1987); Runaway Father (1991); School's Out: Self-taught Artists (2002); Sons and Daughters (1974); St. Elsewhere (1984); Still Frame (1988); Stone (1979); Sweet Nothing in My Ear (2008); The 3,000 Mile Chase (1977); The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire (1981); The A-Team (1983); The Competition (1980); The Failing of Raymond (1971); The Falcon and the Snowman (1985); The Flash (1990–1991); The Gift of Life (1982); The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (1976); The High Chaparral (1970); The Keegans (1976); The Name of the Game (1970); The New Adventures of China Smith (1954); The New Mike Hammer (1984); The Onion Field (1979); The Painted Desert (1993); The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999); The Rockford Files (1974); Too Close for Comfort (1984); Touched by an Angel (1996); Traveler's Rest (1993); Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics / Segment: The Theatre (1994); Twilight Zone: The Movie / Segment: Kick the Can (1983); Unbecoming Age (1992); Union Station (2007); What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (1977); Where the Heart Is (1973).

Born on this day – Elizabeth Rogers:

Elizabeth Rogers

Actress

May 18, 1934 – November 6, 2004

Credits:

A Sensitive, Passionate Man (1977); Adventures of the Queen (1975); An Officer and a Gentleman (1982); Bewitched (1971); Bittersweet Love (1976); Bonanza (1965–1967); Dr. Kildare (1965); Dragnet 1966 (1969); Dragnet 1967 (1968); Falcon Crest (1984); Flood (1976); Goldie and the Boxer (1979); Grand Theft Auto (1977); Gunsmoke (1966); Hanging by a Thread (1979); Lacy and the Mississippi Queen (1978); Land of the Giants (1969); Little House on the Prairie (1981); Mannix (1969); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970); Medical Center (1970); Outrage! (1986); Slattery’s People (1965); Something Evil (1972); Star Trek (1967–1969); The Night the Bridge Fell Down (1980); The Poseidon Adventure (1972); The Swarm (1978); The Time Tunnel (1966); The Towering Inferno (1974); The Van (1977); The Waltons (1975); The Yellow Rose (1984).

Born on this day – Diane McBain:

Diane McBain

Actress

May 18, 1941 – December 21, 2022

Credits:

77 Sunset Strip (1959–1963); A Distant Trumpet (1964); Airwolf (1984); Arrest and Trial (1964); Barbary Coast (1975); Batman (1966–1967); Besotted (2001); Black Gold (1962); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1965); Bourbon Street Beat (1960); Burke's Law (1964–1965); Cab to Canada (1998); Charlie's Angels (1979–1981); Claudelle Inglish (1961); Crazy Like a Fox (1985); Dallas (1978); Dateline: Hollywood (1967); Days of Our Lives (1982–1984); Donner Pass: The Road to Survival (1978); Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1998); Eight Is Enough (1981); Five the Hard Way (1969); General Hospital (1988); Hawaii Five-O (1980); Hawaiian Eye (1962–1963); Here's Hollywood (1962); Huyendo del halcón (1973); I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew (1969); Ice Palace (1960); Invisible Mom II (1999); Jake and the Fatman (1990); Knight Rider (1985); Kraft Suspense Theatre (1964); Land of the Giants (1970); Lawman (1960); Legend of the Wild (1981); Love, American Style / Love and the Roommate (1969); Mannix (1970); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1976); Mary, Mary (1963); Maryjane (1968); Matt Houston (1983); Maverick (1959); Mod Squad (1971); Once Upon a Starry Night (1978); Parrish (1961); Police Story (1974); Puppet Master 5 (1994); Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996); Skip E. Lowe Looks at Hollywood (1978–2014); Spinout (1966); Strong Medicine (2001); Stu's Show (2014); Sugarfoot (1960); Surfside 6 (1960–1962); The 18th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1961); The 20th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1963); The 32nd Annual Academy Awards (1960); The Alaskans (1960); The Bob Hope Show (1959–1965); The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1966); The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000); The Caretakers (1963); The Christmas Path (1998); The Cross-Wits (1976); The Deathhead Virgin (1974); The Definitive Elvis: The Hollywood Years - Part II: 1962-1969 (2002); The Delta Factor (1970); The Karate Killers (1967); The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams (1978); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965–1967); The Mini-Skirt Mob (1968); The Red Fury (1984); The Streets of Beverly Hills (1992); The Unbeatable Bruce Lee (2001); The Wide World of Mystery (1974); The Wild Season (1971); The Wild Wild West (1965–1967); The Young and the Restless (1999); Thunder Alley (1967); To Rome with Love (1970); Vacation Playhouse (1965); Valentine's Day (1964); Wendy and Me (1964); Wicked, Wicked (1973); You Don't Say (1965).

On this day in movie history - French Connection II (1975)

 

French Connection II

directed by John Frankenheimer,

written by Alexander Jacobs, Robert Dillon, Laurie Dillon and Pete Hamill,

based on the story by Robert Dillon and Laurie Dillon,

was released in the United States on May 18, 1975.

Music by Don Ellis.

 
Cast:

Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Bernard Fresson, Philippe Léotard, Ed Lauter, Charles Millot, Jean-Pierre Castaldi, Cathleen Nesbitt, Samantha Llorens, André Penvern, Reine Prat, Raoul Delfosse, Ham Chau Luong, Jacques Dynam, Malek Kateb, Pierre Collet, Alexandre Fabre, Jean-Pierre Zola, Manu Pluton, Daniel Vérité, Jean-Marc Allègre, Roland Blanche, Patrick Bouchitey, Philippe Brizard, Marie-Christine Descouard, Paul Mercey, Hal Needham, Ambroise Perrin.

On this day in movie and book history - Travis McGee (1983)

Travis McGee

directed by Andrew V. McLaglen,

written by Stirling Silliphant,

based on the novel The Empty Copper Sea by John D. MacDonald,

was released in the United States on May 18, 1983.

Music by Jerrold Immel.

Cast:

Sam Elliott, Gene Evans, Barry Corbin, Richard Farnsworth, Geoffrey Lewis, Amy Madigan, Vera Miles, Katharine Ross, Marshall R. Teague, Walter Olkewicz, Jack Murdock, Greta Blackburn, Owen Orr, Pilar Del Rey.

Recommended reading:

The Empty Copper Sea

by John D. MacDonald.

Introduction by Lee Child.

Filmed as Travis McGee (1983), directed by Andrew V. McLaglen.
# 17 in the Travis McGee series.

Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks.
First published 1978.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0812984080
ISBN-13: 978-0812984088
 
Description:

“John D. MacDonald is a shining example for all us in the field. Talk about the best.” - Mary Higgins Clark.

From a beloved master of crime fiction, The Empty Copper Sea is one of many classic novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled detective who lives on a houseboat.

Asking for help is something a proud man like Van Harder would never do. So when he shows up at the Busted Flush, Travis McGee knows that he must be the man’s last resort. What Harder wants salvaged is his reputation. After a long career as a seaman, he was piloting a boat the night his employer fell overboard. Harder is certain he’s been set up, but to help him, McGee must prove that a dead man is actually alive.

The fateful ride started with Harder at the helm of Hubbard Lawless’s luxury cruiser. 

It ends with him coming to, fuzzy and disoriented, and Hub lost to the water. Now everyone is saying that Harder got drunk, passed out, and is negligent in his boss’s death. The thing is, Van’s not a drinker . . . at least, not anymore.

Who would want to frame the good captain, and to what end? Dead or alive, Lawless is worth a lot of money. People are always eager to get a piece of that action – including some, as McGee soon finds, who are willing to take a piece out of anyone who gets in their way.

Features a new Introduction by Lee Child.

On this day in television history - Justified (2010)

Justified
Season 1. Episode 10.

Episode entitled: The Hammer.

Released May 18, 2010.

Directed by John Dahl.

Written by Graham Yost, Fred Golan, Wendy Calhoun and Chris Provenzano.

Based on the short story Fire in the Hole by Elmore Leonard.

Music by Steve Porcaro.
 
Cast:

Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Natalie Zea, Stephen Root, Doug E. Doug, Jenni Blong, Sean Bridgers, Brad Carter, Darin Heames, David Meunier, Walton Goggins, John Ainsworth, Jackson Bridgers, Gary Cairns, Dean Chekvala, Mel Fair, Pilar Holland, Peggy Stewart, Josh Wingate, David Dossett, David Hill.

On this day in music history - Lee Aaron, 2002, Kerani, Majestica:

Project by Lee Aaron (1984)

Wings by 2002 (1999)

Equilibrium by Kerani (2015)

Auriga to Orion by Majestica / aka Sherry Finzer & Cass Anawaty (2018)

Project

Album by Lee Aaron,

released May 18, 1984.

Track list: Under Your Spell; Lonely for You Love; Night Riders; Texas Outlaw; I Like My Rock Hard; I Just Wanna Make Love to You; Runnin’ from His Love; Should Have Known; Took Your Heart Away; Under the Stars [Live].

Wings

Album by 2002,

released May 18, 1999.

Track list: Once In Ancient Greece; A Year And A Day; The Sands Of Crete; Icarus; Athens Memories; The Tower Of Monos; Wings; Feathers; Templo Of Apollo.

Equilibrium

Album by Kerani,

released May 18, 2015.

Track list: Equilibrium; Fragrant Mountain; Anchoress; Bouddica, Heart on Fire; Hypatia’s Universe; O, Aeterne Deus; Lady’s Grace; Avane; The Wyse Wytch.

Auriga to Orion

Album by Majestica,

a.k.a. Sherry Finzer & Cass Anawaty,

released May 18, 2018.

Track list: Alpha Orionis; Kesil’s Light; Monte Alban; Auriga To Orion; Dark Years Away; Chasing The Leonids; Flaming Star.