Blast From The Past For January 15th: Mark Harmon

I have not seen Mark Harmon in much recently. Don't hate me, but I have not seen an entire episode of NCIS ever. For some reason I equate with Matlock or any other show my parents always have on, volume blaring loudly when I visit.

I still however love Mark Harmon. I think I first saw Harmon as bad boy doctor on St. Elsewhere. (See my previous posts featuring The Men From St. Elsewhere HERE:) I think the first time I sat up and paid attention when when I was about 11 or 12 and say Mark on screen and caught a brief glimpse of butt as he got it on with Meg Ryan in The Presidio.

I went on to lust after Harmon, and his great furry chest, in various television shows and movies but I think my favorite Harmon role to date was in Stealing Home. This film is one of Jodie Foster's (See next page) most underrated movies, and never ceases to make me think every time I watch. Harmon is at his movie star best in the movie and watching Jodie Foster at The Golden Globes last night had me want to see yet again one of my favorite of her films.

Harmon may not have been able to maintain his presence on the big screen, but he is undeniable one of the televisions biggest, and most popular stars. Harman has a gigantic fan base, mostly of women, of ages. There are few actors who reach some levels of fame on television not because of talent and the characters they play. Harmon never found a character quite like Larry Hagman did with J.R or Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker. Instead, he reached the icon standing because of what he represents to his fans. There is a likability that Harmon exudes, much like actors Richard Dean Anderson and Nathan Fillion, that resonates with those who watch that makes them want to follow him from role to role and show to show.

Many people watch certain shows because they like the mode of storytelling, many people watch Mark Harmon shows because they simply like Mark Harmon.

St. Elsewhere (1983-1986)

Saturday Night Live (1987)

Sweet Bird Of Youth (1989)

The Presidio (1988)

Fourth Story (1991)

The Battle of The Bluge: Mark Harmon

Although sadly I never got to see Mark Harmon or any of the other speedo clad television starts from the 70's on 80's on the old Battle Of The Network Stars when they aired, thanks to e-bay, I have been able to watch a few old recordings.

Although most of the copies you can buy are old VHS and even beta recordings converted to DVD, (you can often see the squiggly lines in need of tracking at the bottom) the ones I purchased were decent enough to enjoy the red and blue swimsuit bulges, and the bodies of not only Mark Harman but John Schneider, Gregory Harrison, Andrew Stevens, William R. Moses and many of my other favorite hunks from the shows heydays.

Usually when I mention the old Battle shows, I lament that today's TV stars would never pull up a speedo to participate in such a show. The ones who have steady jobs on television would not, but as I was flicking channels last night I did stop briefly on FOX and Antonio Sabato-Jr and a few other former celebrities on some high diving show, in yes speedos. I did not stay on it long, but good to see the old tradition is being kept alive as well. Just not sure there will ever be another stable of thoroughbreds like Harmon, the Duke and Hardy Boys and company who will be jumping into the pool for our television enjoyment!

With Marc Singer

With Michael J. Fox

With William Devane and Parker Stevenson

St. Elsewhere Men: Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon played Dr. Bobby Caldwell whose character died of aids.

12 Days: Richard Harmon in Heaven Down Here

'Inspired by Mickey Guyton's song of the same name, "Heaven Down Here" tells the story of four disparate people who find themselves stranded in a local diner on Christmas Eve when a snowstorm hits the town.'

Some long time readers might remember that I began my 12 Days holiday hunks theme, not with a Hallmark hottie, but a slew of lookers on Lifetime.   It was back in 2009 after seeing an ad for the Kristin Chenoweth Lifetime movie, the 12 Men of Christmas.   Up until then, I don't think I'd even ever seen a Hallmark movie.  

After reading about subject matter however, the making of a calendar featuring shirtless search and rescue workers, I had to take a look.  It also featured a corral of cuties including; Josh Hopkins, Jefferson Brown, Stephen Huszar and Jessie Pavelka.  Although the theme was started, it wasn't until a few years later in 2014 that I really started counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with my 12 Days theme on the site.

In some ways, this post comes full circle.  One of those 12 holiday hunks I featured back in 2014 was actor Richard Harmon and his role in the Hallmark holiday film, The Wishing Tree.  The movie was actually made in 2012, but because back then, Hallmark wasn't making as many original new movies each year, the ones they did have were repeated over and over.

Tower Prep

I wasn't sure what to anticipate from a film titled, Heaven Down Here, and was really expecting much.  I thought it would be a like a sappy episode of Touched By An Angel, and in some ways it was.  At the same time, I think... and don't quote me on this, it's been my favorite Hallmark holiday film so far this season.

Judas Kiss (2011)

There is no real romance in the film, the drama and tear jerking moments come from family relationships.  Although the 'twist' was expected, it still hit the mark, mostly due to the talented cast.  In addition to Harmon, Heaven Down Here featured actors;  Krystal Joy Brown, Tina Lifford, Juan Riedinger and Phylicia Rashad in a small but pivotal role.

I instantly recognized Harmon's face, but had to check IMDB to confirm that I wasn't only familiar with the face, but the actor.   Although there has been 11 years since the two Christmas movies that I featured, Harmon looks virtually the same.  Many of you know Richard from his television appearances on shows including; The 100, The Night Agent, Bates Motel, The Killing and Tower Prep.  You may also know him from film roles in I Will See You, The Age of Adaline and 2011's Judas Kiss.   Although the actor has appeared shirtless on many TV shows, I believe Judas Kiss is the actors only nude scene. 

Richard Harmon on Instagram

Happy Birthday today September 2nd

Happy 65th to actor Mark Harmon

Check out more of Mark on FH  HERE & HERE

& More of Today's Birthday's HERE:

Below: Harmon in Summer School (1987)  A dumb silly movie, that despite Kirstie Alley, is a guilty pleasure

Thanks Carl Reiner

'Once a guy hits 18, it's all downhill.'

Larry Kazamias

When the great Carl Reiner died last month, many wrote about his incredible contributions to the entertainment industry.  Most, left off a movie very familiar to us gay boys growing up in the eighties...  Yes, Reiner, was directed many award winning projects, but he also directed a booty shakin Ken Olandt in 1987's Summer School.

'My audition for Carl was about as short as it could be. After I read my lines Carl had me do some dance moves. I did the one move Tony Fields showed me, to which Carl yelled "THAT'S ENOUGH!!" . On the set he was our Grandfather, pal, and best friend. His warmth and caring for people is unique. Not long ago, he was being honored and I got the opportunity to see him and thank him for what he made happen in my life. Onward Carl!'

Ken Olandt

I remember seeing Summer School on VHS when I was a kid, and I certainly remember Ken's caboose and rewinding the strip club club scene far too many times...  I also remember, at the time, thinking Mark Harmon was old, and hairy, and saw nothing appealing about him.  Age certainly has a way of changing perspective, as when I recently went back to check out the film, I was certainly h ot for Harmon!

The image above is a recent shot off Ken.  As you can see, now at 62, he hasn't lost any of his charm or sex appeal. 

Another butt bites the dust, 

Another butt bites the dust,

And another one gone, and another one gone

Another butt bites the dust

VHS

And the VHS to DVD transfer rears it's ugly head again...  I thought I remembered Olandt's g-string revealing a bit more than it did in the HD version of the film I recently watch.  Low and behold, thanks to SOMS, and a clip from the VHS release, you can see a bit more of Ken than in the current available version of the film.  Carl Reiner's directing (and Olandt's ass)  deserved more respect! ;)

DVD