“They are not elegant, nor are they always comfortable. But neither are they mass-produced: they are individuals.” – Michael Woolf, Bastard Chairs     The hybrid, vernacular seats seen in Hong Kong’s backstreets and in mainland China are known as ‘Bastard Chairs’ . These improvised seats have been assembled and repaired by local residents using whatever materials were available. There are plastic backs grafted onto wooden stools, and metal legs bolted into mismatched frames.. German photojournalist Michael Wolf (1954-2019) spotted them.   “They are not elegant, nor are they always comfortable. But neither are they mass-produced: they are individuals. In China, the objects used for sitting are as manifold as the occasions for sitting. Each chair and stool has its own character, is a companion, a bastard, or a venerable elder. Their occupants sit close to the floor, introspective, watching the world go by, without the pressure of time.” – Michael Wolf, Sitting in China     “I actually collect these chairs – I’d buy them from the owner or trade them for a new chair – and at first it was just a gut thing, I found them beautiful. But later I realised they showed a transition point of China at the time: that the people are resourceful, thrifty and had time to sit, because the state-owned enterprises were going bankrupt and there was a lot of unemployment. So the chairs became a metaphor for China in the 1990s.” – Michael Wolf     Wolf was a photojournalist in the days when budgets were generous. But things changed. “From having unlimited resources and spending three months on a story, after 11 September 2001 and the dotcom bubble it all changed. My editor would say we’ll give you maximum 10 days, then it shrank to seven days, and the work became less interesting for me. So in 2003 I started to pursue my own projects, and I haven’t done any commissions since then.” Hong Kong became a rich place to explore. ‘”I think I know 95 per cent of Hong Kong’s back alleys now,” he said. “I’ll jump onto a bus and walk six hours in a day to find an interesting area.”     His artistic work includes 32 books and many photographic projects. The post Bastard Chairs: Homemade Seats On Hong Kong Streets appeared first on Flashbak.

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Few television shows left a cultural footprint as lasting as Gilligan’s Island, which premiered on CBS in September 1964. The lighthearted comedy followed Skipper Jonas Grumby, his accident-prone first mate Gilligan, and their fellow castaways struggling to survive on a deserted island. Viewers embraced its humor, catchy theme song, and unforgettable characters, but few realized how deeply real-world tragedy touched its beginnings. Behind the laughter lies an unexpected historical connection. The filming of the pilot in Hawaii unfolded at the same time as one of the most devastating moments in American history. Gilligan’s Island and the JFK assassination became linked before audiences ever saw the first episode, forever tying the cheerful sitcom to a day of national mourning. Kennedy’s Death Stops Filming in Its Tracks GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, Jim Backus, Russell Johnson, Natalie Schafer, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Alan Hale, Jr., Dawn Wells, 1964-1967/Everett Collection According to Vice, production faced many challenges from the beginning. Stormy weather and rough waves made filming difficult, but nothing compared to the shock of November 22, 1963. That morning, the cast and crew heard reports that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. Because they were far from the mainland, many struggled to believe the news at first. President John F. Kennedy, ca. 1961-63/Everett Collection As the day went on, radio reports confirmed the truth. The devastating reality changed the mood on set immediately. Work slowed as everyone tried to process what had happened. In that moment, Gilligan’s Island and the JFK assassination became permanently connected, as grief and disbelief replaced the excitement of creating a new television series. A Lasting Reminder Hidden in the Opening Scene GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, Russell Johnson, Dawn Wells, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Alan Hale, Jr., 1964-1967/Everett Collection The tragedy also disrupted their filming schedule. The crew had planned to shoot the harbor departure of the S.S. Minnow, but officials closed the harbor for mourning. This delay forced the production to remain on location longer than planned and increased costs. Despite the setbacks, the team pushed forward and completed the pilot. JFK few hours before his assassination/Everett Collection A quiet reminder of that time still appears in the finished show. In the opening sequence, a flag flies at half-mast in the background. Many viewers never noticed it, but it remains a powerful symbol. Decades later, Gilligan’s Island and the JFK assassination still share that connection, showing how even the brightest television moments can carry the weight of real history. Next up: ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert’ Bringing The King To IMAX Screens This Week – What We Know The post Why ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Will Always Be Somehow Tied To The JFK Assassination appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

'I always love actors that make it look easy.'

Morris and Beth Behrs cut a rug at the wrap party for 'The Neighborhood.'