ITIWIMBN

If you’re a Nostrum reader (and who isn’t, aside from a few Republicans, and look at what they’re up to), you’ve been waiting for the real meat of the Free Willy story. The latest episode over at Nostrum Nation provides it, while also introducing the person who is most responsible for Willy’s problems in the first place, Tab Ularasa. I think I’ve mentioned Ularasa here before. I have to admit, it was a tossup between Tab Ularasa and Tabu LaRasa, and I only made the decision at the last minute, and I’m still not sure of it. If the story weren’t about debate, it would have been Tabu hands down. And let’s face it. Aside from Tab Hunter and TaB soda (the cap B is intentional), how many Tabs can you name offhand? But then again, the TH is actually 84-year-old Arthur Andrew Kelm, so there you are. The Tabs of life are few and far between. What venue better than Nostrum to put another one into the mix?

Looking up TH I got off on this thread of other far from classic actors of the period. Merle Johnson, Jr. (AKA Troy Donahue, deceased), a Columbia grad, was, for a while, married to Suzanne Pleshette, presumably before she settled down with Bob Newhart. 82-year Ed Breitenberger (AKA Edd “Kookie” Byrnes) was prohibited by his contract from taking roles in Oceans Eleven, Rio Bravo and The Longest Day, but he did replace Tab Hunter in the unforgettable Darby’s Rangers. Fabiano Forte, a young 72 today, dropped the Irish part of his name (O’Forte) back in the day, and nowadays does a oldies show with Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell (dreamily pictured over at the right). Frankie is the father of 8 children. Bobby’s last name is Ridarelli.

And there you are.