Media Alert

As I write this during a Pledge Break, PBS is airing a special called, Richard M. Sherman:  Songs of a Lifetime.  It a barebones, but charming production with Richard M. Sherman at the piano singing many of the wonderful songs that he wrote with his brother Robert B. Sherman for such productions (most for Walt Disney, though not all) as Mary Poppins, Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, The Happiest Millionaire, The Aristocats, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and several songs for Disneyland itself, most notably the endlessly-repeated "It's a Small World."

Most of the performances are by Sherman at the piano, though a few guests come in to help out on occasion, including Ashley Brown who played the role of 'Mary Poppin' on Broadway.

Given its 5:30 PM start in Los Angeles, I suspect that this 90 miinute show will air at different times around the country, so it may not have been on yet where you are as you read this.  And if you're in Los Angeles, it's repeated tonight (Sunday -- actually early Monday morning) at 12:30 AM.  So, set your DVR.

In fact, I missed the first half-hour, so I'll be recording the repeat.  I'm wondering if he includes the songs he and his brother wrote for the Broadway musical Over There, which was a reasonably successful hit and a generally nice, though not overly memorable score.

By the way, while you're at it, you might want to check out the terrific documentary, The Boys, about the Sherman brothers.  It's wonderful, but bittersweet, since they eventually got estranged later in life.  Though, without giving anything away, the film has a very positive ending.