OCTOBER 18, 1979

Full News Archive

• Headline: Oklahoma Murders and Nebraska Acquittal. Impact: The acquittal of Erwin Simants by reason of insanity sparked a nationwide debate on mental health in the legal system. Fast forward a few decades, and you have modern-day courtroom dramas where every defendant suddenly thinks they're a misunderstood genius. Who knew insanity was the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card?. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'not guilty by reason of insanity' is often used in sitcoms, leading to a rise in 'insane' characters in pop culture? Because nothing says comedy like serious legal loopholes!.
• Headline: Exploring George S Kaufman's Legacy. Impact: The review of George S. Kaufman's life by John Russell might have inspired a wave of playwrights to think they could also write great theater. Spoiler alert: they couldn't. The theater scene soon flooded with pretentious scripts about existential crises and lost socks.. Fact: Did you know that Kaufman once said, 'Satire is what closes Saturday night'? Clearly, he hadn't met the myriad of bad plays that have graced the stage since then!.
• Headline: Conflict Over P.L.O. Concerns Black Leaders. Impact: The concerns voiced by Black leaders regarding the P.L.O. conflict led to a more unified front in civil rights discussions, ironically making every debate about international politics suddenly relevant to local issues. Because nothing says 'community engagement' like an international crisis.. Fact: Did you know that the P.L.O. has been debated more than pineapple on pizza? At least one of them has a clear divide in public opinion!.
• Headline: GERMANS BID DUTCH ACCEPT NATO MISSILE. Impact: Germany's push for nuclear missiles in the Netherlands opened a Pandora's box of Cold War tensions that sent ripples through Europe. Jump ahead a few years and you have the entire continent playing a game of nuclear chess—just what every post-war country needed!. Fact: Did you know the NATO missile crisis led to more cocktail parties about geopolitics than any other event? Because nothing says 'let's get together' like the threat of mutually assured destruction!.
• Headline: For the Assistant D.A., It's Nothing Like TV. Impact: The profile of Assistant D.A. Steven Samuel highlighted the drudgery of real-life lawyering, which led aspiring attorneys to either pursue their dreams or run screaming into the night. Real-life courtroom drama? Yawn. Give me the TV version any day.. Fact: Did you know that becoming a lawyer is often considered a safe bet? But if you factor in the coffee consumption, it's a risky game of caffeine and legal jargon!.
• Headline: S. J. Perelman, Humorist, Is Dead. Impact: The passing of humorist S.J. Perelman marked the end of an era where wit could save you from the absurdities of life. Now, we just have social media influencers trying to fill that void, and let’s just say they’re not quite cutting it.. Fact: Did you know S.J. Perelman once declared that 'A man without a woman is like a fish without a bicycle'? Too bad he didn’t see the rise of Tinder coming!.
• Headline: CREDIT MARKETS. Impact: The rise in interest rates triggered a bond-buying frenzy that led to a speculative bubble. Fast forward, and everyone is suddenly a financial guru, trying to explain how bonds work at dinner parties. Spoiler: no one cares.. Fact: Did you know that discussing interest rates at parties is the adult equivalent of talking about your cat? Both will clear a room faster than a fire alarm!.
• Headline: Art: Portraits By Sargent. Impact: Sargent's portrait exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Art made people rethink how they perceive art, leading to a wave of hipster interpretations of classic works. Now, every coffee shop has a 'modern art' section that confuses more than it enlightens.. Fact: Did you know John Singer Sargent was known for his portraiture that could practically talk? Too bad the same can’t be said for today’s abstract art—it’s more like a silent film!.
• Headline: Piano: Miss Yablonskaya. Impact: The extension of the Yablonskaya piano exhibit due to public demand proves that people will flock to anything labeled 'popular.' Fast forward and every mediocre artist is now convinced they’re the next big thing, thanks to one happy audience.. Fact: Did you know that 'public demand' in the arts often means three people on social media said they liked it? Ah, the power of the internet!.