Joey Bishop and A Return

The photo above is a still from an episode of "The Joey Bishop Show" (1961-1965; NBC and CBS) that featured actor Peter Lupus (who was a regular cast member on"Mission: Impossible") as a boxer.  Bishop's character had took over as the boxer's trainer, and he hoped to make tons of money from his fights.

In a previous post, I had written about another boxing-themed episode of Bishop's show.  The plot was about a comedic charity match that he and another comic, Jan Murray, were doing to raise money for a boys' club.  Due to a misunderstanding, both show up to the charity match ready to fight for real.  That episode was shown again recently on Antenna TV.  I kept noticing how easily Bishop was ducking Murray's wild hay maker punches as well as Bishop's footwork.  I did a little more research on Bishop and learned that yes, he had been a champion welterweight boxer while he was in Army during World War II.  I love finding out about celebrities who had participated in the sweet science.

I still keep wishing for the kids in the gym to show some enthusiasm for the sport.  James returned to the gym after his parents kept him out for a while due to poor grades.  Unfortunately, James doesn't seem to have learned his lesson, as his focus is still stuck on video games and game hack videos on the Internet.  That's the kid's main conversation every time he's in the gym, and I suspect that is James' conversation all the time.  I can't get him to focus on training.  Report cards will be given out again soon, and I'm afraid James' grades will not be any better.  I would not be surprised if his parents take him out of boxing again.

Tyler has been missing from the gym for two days.  I have no idea what's up with him.  Barry wants me to weigh Tyler so he could perhaps match him up with one of his fighters who wants to spar.  But I'm not going to close down the gym for one kid to have a sparring session elsewhere, especially if they don't feel the need to show up for it like Tyler did.  It would have been different if James hadn't been kept home by his parents before the session took place, as well if the other kids were showing up at LaFollette on a regular basis.  I could have had several participate, but I did not.  

I was sick earlier in the week (again) so I didn't go up to Loyola Park.  The Golden Gloves registration took place over the past weekend; several people at Loyola planned to compete.  I'll find out next week who's in.  During the break between the winter and spring sessions at LaFollette, I want to attend the Gloves to support those at Loyola who may be competing.  

Slow Sign Ups

On New Year's Day, Antenna TV ran a marathon of "The Joey Bishop Show" (1961-1965).  I watched Bishop's late night talk show when I was a kid, but I didn't remember ever seeing his sitcom, which was on TV several years before the talk show.  One episode featured comedian Jan Murray.  Murray and Bishop had agreed to put on a "comedic" boxing match to raise funds for a boys' club.  Bishop's manager tells him that he saw Murray working out in New York's Central Park.  Actually, Murray had been running after his dog who had slipped off of a leash.  Bishop, concerned that Murray actually wants a real fight, decides that he is going to train for real, too.  The two end up showboating for each other in a local boxing gym.

When the fight happens, Murray throws wild haymakers that miss Bishop by miles.  But Bishop actually got some convincing-looking punches in, leading me to think that maybe the late comedian knew a little about the sport.  Finally, both men realize there has been a misunderstanding.  "Who told you that I was out training?" Murray asks.  Bishop points to his manager, Larry (Corbett Monica).  Both men throw punches at Larry, who runs out of the ring to avoid being punished.

This is the beginning of another week where I will not have much to do other than help watch the front desk (which I'm not crazy about).  All the signs have been put up in the boxing gym, the equipment has been cleaned and checked.  As of right now, I have six kids in the youth class.  Three of the kids, a girl, her brother, and a male cousin of theirs signed up late last week.  However, only Maz and Donovan are on the list for the teen class.  Despite reminders to their parents and guardians, James, Summer, and Ariel have yet to re-sign up.  

I've learned that most parents and guardians in the area let things slip by during the holidays.  I'm not going to be surprised at people waiting three and four weeks to sign up for the class.  But I'm going to be clear from now on about consequences (no sparring, no competing, for example) that will happen due to lack of attendance as well as lack of interest.  I also have a good response for those pushing their kids into the class for self-defense purposes.  "I'm not teaching anyone's kid how to beat up another parent's kid.  Talk to your kid's teacher and principal to solve the bullying problem, teach them how to fight at home, or put them in a proper self-defense class, because this is not it."