It Was November 1982

Lets look back to Novemeber of 1982, Howard Cosell calls his last fight of his career, Micheal Jackson's Thriller album hit the charts, NASA Space Shuttle Mission became the first "operational" space shuttle, Pirates of Penzance ends after 772 shows, USSR performs a nuclear test, Yuri Andropov takes over after Lenoid Brezhnev passes away, George Harrison releases his tenth solo album called "Gone Troppo"and the movie Ghandi premiers in New Delhi.

In the music world Micheal Jackson release the album "Thriller". "Thriller" would launch seven out of the nine songs of the album would reach the top ten on the Billboard charts, while "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" hit number one on the Billboard charts. The "Thriller" album would also release one of the greatest videos of all-time called "Thriller" which would be the most popular video of 1982. According to MTV, VH1, and Rolling Stone readers, place "Thriller" as the number one video of all-time. Thriller is a 17 minute video which was directed by John Landis with a voice cameo by the great horror movie actor Vincent Price . The classic zombie dance was filmed at Union Pacific Avenue. in Los Angeles Billie Jean was ranked number 1 for seven weeks while "Beat It" took the top spot for three weeks. The" Beat It" video was filmed mostly at East 5th Street inn the Skid Row section of L.A. " On the "TrueMichaelJackson website Bob Giradi said this about getting gang members to agree to be part of the video "It was Michael. He went out and he got 'em through, I guess, the LAPD's gang squad and he convinced them that, with enough police presence, this would be a smart and charitable thing to do; get them there to like each other and hang with each other for two days doing the video. I didn't like the idea because it was hard enough to direct actors and dancers, let alone hoods." you can read more about this interview at https://truemichaeljackson.webnode.cz/true-stories/bob-giraldi-on-directing-beat-it/.

Gandhi the movie is released in New Delhi, November 30th 1982. Gandhi would

reach American cinemas on December 6th 1982. Ben Kingsley portrayed

Mahatma Gandhi . Gandhi's wife (Kastruba Gandhi ) was played by Rohini

Hattangadi, Roshan Seth portrayed Jawaharlal, Vallabhbhai Patel was played

by Saeed Jaffrey, representing the British Lord Irwin was played by John Gielgud

and Edward Fox was General Reginald Dyer.The movie began filming November 26, 1980 and wrapped upon May 10th 1981. The movie was predominantly filmed in the India cities Porbandar, Patna, Aga Kahn Palace The movie garnered eight Academy Awards: Best Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design. It won five Golden Globes: Best New Actor, Director of a Motion Picture, Actor in a Drama Motion Picture, Foreign Language Film, Screen Play of a Motion Picture

The Pirates of Penzance opened at the Uris Theatre on January 8th 1981 then moved to the Minskoff Theatre on August 12th and ran till November 28, 1982 , when the final curtain came down for the last time on The Pirates of Penzance.

Pirates of Penzance had many big name stars to perform in the play such as Pirate King Kevin Kline and Barry Bostwick Ruth was played by Estelle Parsons and Jo Anne Worley Mabel was portrayed by Linda Ronstadt and Pam Dawber Frederic was played by Rex Smith and Andy Gibb

Pirates of Penzance was nominated for one Tony Award in the category of Best Musical Revival, however the award went to On Your Toes.

Other top Broadway plays of 1982 was: A Taste of Honey, Agnes of God, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby and Othello to name a few.

On FridayNovember 26th 1982 marked the last time Howard Cosell would call his last fight. The bout was between World Champion Larry Holmes and Randall "Tex" Cobb, the fight was a mismatch such as mismatch Cosell said it was “as brutal a mismatch I think I’ve ever seen”Cosell was so angry about the fight between Holmes and Cobb he said he would nev er cover boxing ever again, Cosell was true to his word and never covered another boxing match again.

Cosell broadcasted fights that included Suar Ray Leonard, Muhammad ALi, Larry Holmes, George Foreman and Smokin Joe Frazier. Howard along with Keith Jackson and "Dandy" Don Meredith broadcasted the first Monday Night Football game between the between the New York Jets vs the Cleveland Browns with the Browns sent the home fans home with a 31-21 victoryCosell was one of three in the ABC booth along with Frank Gifford and "Dandy" Don Meredith from 1970-83

The day Howard stepped away from the microphone was the day the sports world lost one of the best boxing announcer in history.

Perhaps boxing fans will recall the relationship between him and Ali is noted for their playful banter between each other.

This weeks person in the spotlight is Otis Birdsong . Birdsong joined the NBA in 1977 after being selected the number two overall draft pic out of the University of Houston by the Kansas City Kings, the number one pick was Kent Benson from the University of Indiana.

Birdsong was a first team All American in 1977 out of the University of Houston, a First team ALl-SWC in 1976,77 Otis was a four time NBA All-Star from the years 1979-81, and 84 season, in the 81 season he finished 17th in MVP voting. His number 10 jersey was retired by the University of Houston Cougars

Birdsong's best season was the Kings in the 80-81 season when he averaged 24.6, 3.6 boards and 3.3 assist . After the 81 season the Kings matched the Cleveland Cavaliers contract offer, with Birdsong still being a King the Kansas City squad traded Otis to the Nets for Clifford Robinson. Birdsong would play for the Nets from 81-82 season until the end of the 87-88 season, after the 87-88 season Birdsong would suit up for the Boston Celtics.

I asked Otis what was the toughest teams he faced to which he replied "The toughest teams were always the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers." During this time Otis teams were combined 84 wins 98 loses. By team Birdsongs teams facing the Celtics was 17-30, with Bird on the Celtics his teams were 11-33, facing the Lakers his team posted a 9-23 record the Lakers team with Magic thier record was 5-18, against the Bull's he was 35-21 when the Bulls had Jordan they were 12-11 when the squared off against the 76ers they were 27-32 when the faced Dr. J they were 27-30.

What was your best game? Otis replied "My best game was when I scored 49 points at Denver" In that game Birdsong couldn't miss from the field as he sank 20 of his 25 shots he attempted added another nine from the free throw line, he grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assist, added three steals and a blocked shot.

When Otis ended his career with the Boston Celtics he averaged 18.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds 3.2 assist shot 50.6% from the field and the charity stripe he was 65.5%

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