Editor’s Picks – May 1, 2023

The Ringer ran a piece a few years back about how ER was “prestige TV” before it became a term of art. The reason: Patients died. Like, all the time. Which, for prime-time television, was downright radical. Said exec producer John Wells: “I think it made for really good, exciting television that people hadn’t seen before.” Quite often ER’s patients died in here – in the County General operating room that survives in The Comisar Collection. Yes, it’s where Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle, Eriq La Salle and Julianna Margulies served their time. But it’s also where patients died while a revolution was born.

County General Hospital Operating Room Set Walls, Glass Entry Doors and Set Decoration from ER

NBC TV, 1994-2009

Auction: June 2-4

Frasier Crane’s returning – to television (Paramount+) and to Boston, where it all began for Kelsey Grammer 39 years after he first stepped into Cheers. James Comisar collected everything Frasier left behind in Seattle, including all that remained in the KACL booth from which Dr. Crane hosted his call-in psychiatry show. It’s quite the thorough setup, too, featuring a computer monitor with callers still on hold (“Feels compelled to buy a pickup truck,” “Fear of being married in pastel tuxedo,” “Recurring dream bottom of the 9th World Series”) and those old-timey racks of Fidelipac (or “carts”) labeled with newscasts, songs and other radio-show filler. Perfect for the longtime listener and first-time caller.

Kelsey Grammer ‘Dr. Frasier Crane’ Radio Show Studio Microphone, Computer, Call Control Box, On Air Sign, Phone and Other Items from Frasier   

NBC TV, 1993-2004

Auction: June 2-4

Lynda Carter remains the one and only Wonder Woman to a generation that watched her spin into action for three seasons in the 1970s. And these bullet-deflecting bracelets, worn during the first-season, World War II-set run on ABC, were an essential part of her star-spangled costume. Though they could “stop a bullet cold,” or so went the theme song, they’re not exactly made from “feminum,” which the series insisted was a metal found only on Paradise Island; painted rubber’s more like it. But they sure did go well with the matching tights she wore while fighting for her rights – you know, like the song said.

Lynda Carter ‘Wonder Woman’ Season 1 Metal Cuffs from Wonder Woman
Warner Bros. TV, 1975-1979

Auction: June 2-4