You have probably noticed how good ideas can pop up in the most unexpected ways, at the most unexpected times. Take for instance a few days ago when, in the course of my online rambles, I came across a video of Susan Boyle performing It’s a Wonderful World. I played it once, then again.
Before I was done I had spent half an hour glued to my computer, listening to and watching a dozen or more of her videos. Needless to say, I liked what I heard. Finally I had an idea, what seemed to me a good one. I downloaded three of my Susan Boyle favorites to share with my email friends and sent them off.
With that I set Susan aside and moved on to other things. But then, to my surprise, over the next few days I received several replies commenting on how much they enjoyed the lady’s videos.
I suppose it was about then the seeds of today’s post were sown. I realize that for many of you what follows may be old hat……ideas you have been exploring for years. For those folks I will be preaching to the choir. However, I’m guessing that some of you, who are computer-literate enough to be reading emails and October Years blogs, have yet to learn about the magic of YouTube. If that describes you, I hope you will read on.
Let me begin by admitting up front there is much about YouTube that I don’t know or understand. They say the vast majority of the site’s users are several generations younger than old geezers like me. Those young folks watch videos and follow stories that are not necessarily intended for an elder audience. Yet, at the same time you can find YouTube material to suit the tastes of just about any niche audience……even tech-illiterate October and November types who are dipping their toes in YouTube water for the first time.
Like lots of folks I first turned to YouTube looking for music, especially the ‘ancient’ sounds I knew in the 50s and 60s. Those are there in force......modern videos and vintage television footage. Just follow your personal taste, whether it be Ella, Don McLean, Bee Gees, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, or any other performer. Your favorites are probably there on video or as part of hour-long audio recordings of old-time favorites. On the other hand, if you prefer opera or symphony music you will find those there too. There is literally something for everyone.
Better yet, YouTube has so much more than simply music, even for we late-lifers. We know, of course, that spending all our hours living in the past is not a healthy thing. We need to be part in today’s world too. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take time now and then to revisit what entertained or amused us in the ‘old days.’ In an era when modern entertainment does not always entertain my generation, and comedy often strikes us as seriously ‘unfunny,’ why not let YouTube provide an occasional antidote?
For instance, I remember liking George Carlin back then. It was fun to see that his YouTube videos are as clever as ever. Johnny Carson, and Dean Martin too, are at their best there. I know that not everyone finds Foster Brooks in good taste, but I enjoy his humor. And how about Tim Conway playing dentist with Harvey Korman? Going way back, you will find complete TV programs of Jack Benny and Milton Berle doing their thing.
In a more current vein Bill Mahr and John Oliver add their irreverent spin on modern politics. If you are a travel junkie like me, Rick Steves will take you to most any country in Europe in half-hour segments. And Jeanne Robertson, a name you may not know, offers a woman’s take on life in the ‘October’ lane. Just fill in her name on the search line to see what I mean.
Finally, you may not be surprised to learn that some of us old timers have really never grown up. I know for sure this eighty-one year old simply doesn’t care who sees the youthful streak he has never outgrown.
You see, there are also movies on YouTube.com……lots of movies, including ones we aging youngsters remember from days past. For instance, early in our relationship I was a bit disappointed to learn that Roma’s favorite cowboy hero had been Hopalong Cassidy. Can you believe that? To make matters worse, she found it hard to accept my youthful allegiance to The Durango Kid. What was it that had us taking sides? You can see for yourself in the dozens of YouTube feature films starring Hoppy and the Kid. (Do I dare show the grandkids what Gramps used to watch?)
When it comes to 1950 & 60 films, the ones that really mattered to us back then, Youtube has us covered. Those were the days when everyone knew that George Reeves was Superman, and The Lone Ranger was bound to get the bad guys. There are dozens of full-length films to prove that. On a lighter note Shirley Temple and the Little Rascals are there in force, along with the multi-episode serials that every movie house played, hoping to draw us back for the next installment. Believe it or not, we can literally relive a complete 1950 Saturday matinee nearly seventy years later.
I know, of course, that perhaps I have been talking right over the heads of our younger readers. But that’s okay. Whether we’re talking about Hoppy, The Durango Kid, The Lone Ranger, or America’s Sweetheart, YouTube videos have the power to return some of us to another, we like to think, better time. We can’t live there, of course. But a brief visit from time to time feels rather therapeutic. And if your classic movie taste is more sophisticated than matinee westerns? (Could that be?) Well, you will probably find your own favorites there too.
Bottom line……if you’re not already on speaking terms with YouTube.com may I suggest you check it out. Once there use the ‘Search Line’ to call up whatever strikes your fancy. Let your imagination be your guide, taking you down the path that appeals to you. I believe you will have a good time.
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