I don't know what's happening now, but for me, this morning, that prompt — "What's happening" — unlocked an old memory, the 60s catchphrase, "It's what's happening, baby."
"It's what's happening, baby" was, if I remember correctly, specifically associated with the dj Murray the K. It was also the name of that June 1965 TV special. Wikipedia explains:
The special featured performances by many of the popular artists of the day like Jan & Dean, Mary Wells, the Dave Clark Five, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Supremes, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, The Drifters, The Miracles, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, The Ronettes, Chuck Jackson, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Righteous Brothers and Little Anthony & the Imperials occasionally interspersed with Murray the K's public announcements urging the youth of America to pursue education and summer employment (due to the show being co-produced by the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity).
The U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity! That makes sense, weirdly.
Anyway, "What's happening?" and "It's what's happening" and "That's really happening" — that was a 60s way to speak. The word "happening" suggested that something exciting was happening. To call something "a happening" was to suggest that we ought to get over to that place right away.
These days, "What's happening?," Twitter asks, and it usually seems to be that some famous person said something that can be interpreted — uncharitably — as stupid. Like, right now, I'm being prodded to take a look at this:
This is awkward. pic.twitter.com/cTjtcYfgHt
— AG 🔥 (@Yolo304741) July 12, 2022
So dull!
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27 comments:
What it is, mane. What it is.
Waz up?!
Another part of the 60s:
Allan Kaprow - How to Make a Happening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iCM-YIjyHE
I think of this. Which, TIL, was written by Henry Mancini; who knew?
So dull!
I thought you wanted boring?
Que pasa?
Don't forget Flip Wilson and the Church of What's Happening Now.
Evidently PBS showed the special last year. I'll have to keep an eye open for it.
Joe Biden is not what’s happening.
What's the buzz?
What's the buzz, tell me what's a-happening?
What's the buzz, tell me what's a-happening?
What's the buzz, tell me what's a-happening?…
I think of the TV show from the 1970s. It was a bunch of Kids from Watts. That was when kids could still watch broadcast TV.
What's the drizzle, Shizzle?
and then by the early 70's had morphed into, "heywatap?"
Can't forget the classic Lumbergh "Whaaat's happening?" circa 1999.
Dy-no-mite!
Wow - what a time capsule that was!
Biden was even worse this morning over in Israel... making comments about "honoring" the Holocaust. " "...to keep alive the truth and honor of the Holocaust...horror of the Holocaust..." He can't even read his preprinted notes (no doubt in very large font) correctly.
There was talk here recently about ads on Twitter...
I think the 'What's happening' sidebar is the place where Twitter places promotional stories (paid) or pushes their left-wing agenda.
Not a day goes by that I don't see a story about either the WNBA (with 120 known fans) or something gay- or trans-related...
Looking at the acts featured in Murray the K’s “It’s What’s Happening, Baby”, I would have loved to have seen it back in 1965. However, I was too young to know what was on TV outside of “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Beverly Hillbillies”.
According to IMDB, this show’s sponsor was the US Government and thus the US taxpayers: This special was a co-production between CBS and the US government Office of Economic Opportunity. CBS donated the airtime and production costs. The artists were paid only union scale.
I couldn’t find the show in its entirety on Youtube or Amazon (either Prime streaming or on a DVD). If anyone knows where I can find this show in its entirety, please share!
"I don't know what's happening now, but for me, this morning, that prompt — "What's happening" — unlocked an old memory, the 60s catchphrase, "It's what's happening, baby.""
My immediate memory was the Sitcom of the same name from the mid to late 70's.
That CNN doosh says, ‘He swept his grandchildren’. Ha. Is that merely a reference to the one the Biden’s refuse to publicly acknowledge or perhaps some political strategist taking a stab at pr manipulation?
Whasss Up. What's going on. What's the happs. 'sup. Dude!
What's Happening!
What's Happening?
Fred Berry is dead.
Shirley Hemphill is dead.
Time to lose weight.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gHYWY2jvszE
Long. Duck. Dong.
It's where it's at, Daddy
Besides the obvious response to what's happening, this also made me think of the 1967 movie The Happening. The Supremes sang the theme(?) song.
Murray the Keyizzay: 1010 WINS
Music for submarine race watchers!
Aaah-BEY (Uhh); Aaah-BEY (Uhh) -- Kuwa-zowwa-zowwa—UUUUH!
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