By Rich Watson

By Rich Watson

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#popculture84: Soap Opera Star Gets Facelift—And So Does Her Character
When Jeanne Cooper had work done on her face, the procedure was incorporated into her TV character.
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Rich Watson
4
“Quacky’s Will:” a flash fiction story
Nothing else to be done. He might as well write it.
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Rich Watson
2
#popculture84: Whose House? Run-DMC Debuts, Straight Outta Hollis
The good news is that there is a crew. Not five, not four, not three, just two.
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Rich Watson

June 2025

#popculture27: “Sunrise” and the Rise of German Expressionism in Film
This Hollywood silent film was the product of a unique cinematic movement in Germany.
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Rich Watson
3
“Fires and Sparks:” a flash fiction story
When she sees him, it’ll be just like in the video…
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Rich Watson
#popculture27: The Gershwins Make the Musical “Funny Face,” Starring Fred & Adele Astaire
The songwriting brothers—and the dancing siblings—teamed up for a Broadway production, with songs that endured in future shows.
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Rich Watson
7

May 2025

#popculture27: W. Somerset Maugham Writes the Play “The Letter”
A real-life murder inspired the short story and play by this celebrated writer.
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Rich Watson
3
“Marianne’s Cruise:” a flash fiction story
If only her daughter would let her enjoy it…
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Rich Watson
#popculture27: Louis Armstrong Turns His Hot Five Into a Hot Seven
The future Jazz superstar, when he first headlined his own band, and the woman who helped him along the way.
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Rich Watson
2

April 2025

#popculture27: Helen Wills Moody Dominates the Tennis World, Inspires Art
The Michael Jordan of tennis in the early twentieth century was this unassuming Californian who also had ties to the art world.
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Rich Watson
1
“Too Damn Loud:” a flash fiction story
If only he could make him turn it down…
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Rich Watson
#popculture27: Walt Disney Creates Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
The animation master’s first successful character, made for a different studio—and how his own studio acquired him.
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Rich Watson
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© 2025 Rich Watson
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