RIP 2010

[Kevy Baby]

Jeff Bridges is most definitely alive, and probably still enjoying the glow of his Oscar win.

Todd Bridges is also still alive.DOH!

[sleepyjeff]

Oddly I happened to see Todd Bridges on a terrible new show yesterday (one of the zillions of shows that show videos and then have H-list celebrities comment on/make jokes about them).

The one with Tanya Harding?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah. It was painful, I couldn't watch more than a couple minutes.

[Alex]

He had the bad taste to do it while I was traveling and not paying much attention to the news, but I note that Martin Gardner died over the weekend.

A major influence on me as a teenager and into my early 20s. A more scholarly replacement (to me) for Isaac Asimov.

[Tref]

Gary Coleman (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/05/actor-gary-coleman-reported-dead-of-brain-hemorrhage/1)

How tragic that Gary Coleman died without ever knowing what Willis was talking about.

(Pic unrelated)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/1274811873771.jpg

[RStar]

How tragic that Gary Coleman died without ever knowing what Willis was talking about.

(Pic unrelated)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/1274811873771.jpg

Is that the Jason Voorhees family??

[Alex]

Not exactly a surprise but Dennis Hopper died today.

[innerSpaceman]

I was surprised.



Did he have some illness I was unaware of? (I don't follow celebrity news.) or was it just his hard living that eventually did him in?

[Ghoulish Delight]

He's had advanced prostate cancer for some time.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Ok? So thats three then?

RIP

[CoasterMatt]

RIP Rue McClanahan (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20390844,00.html) :(

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/coastermatt/images/golden-girls-tattoo.jpg

[Strangler Lewis]

Who would have thought that the men of Maude would outlive the women?

[cirquelover]

So Betty White is the only one left, sad.

[Alex]

Apparently there's an episode of Golden Girls where they're all talking about getting old and retirement homes and they agree to all go to one together. Then at the end Betty White asks "but what about when there's just one of us left?"

Now that's good TV writing.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Spoke too soon... RiP

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Who would have thought that the men of Maude would outlive the women?

Thot Bea Authur died last year?

[Strangler Lewis]

God will get for you that, Walter.

[Kevy Baby]

Who would have thought that the men of Maude would outlive the women?

Thought Bea Arthur died last year?
I think SL is referring to the two main men in the series "Maude"


Bill Macy (not to be confused with William H. Macy) who played Maude's husband is still alive.
Conrad Bain who played the next door neighbor (and probably a little better know for playing Philip Drummond (the father) on Diff'rent Strokes) is still alive
And yes, Bea Arthur died last year.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I think SL is referring to the two main men in the series "Maude"And I think B:FL is referring to the joke that Bee Arthur is a man.

[Kevy Baby]

Does that mean I did all that research for nothing?

[JWBear]

Does that mean I did all that research for nothing?

Yes.

[Alex]

Sorry, could you repeat that? I couldn't hear anything over the whooshing noise.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Does that mean I did all that research for nothing?

"I wouldn't f**k her with Bea Authur's dick." :cheers:

[Kevy Baby]

As many may know, John Wooden is in "grave" condition at UCLA (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/paper-trail/2010/06/04/reports-say-john-wooden-in-grave-condition.html). Sadly, we'll probably be seeing his name (again) in this thread soon.

I just heard from someone that the Washington Post had announced that he HAD died, but they quickly retracted it. They were probably confused with:

John R. Wooden Award founder dies at 93 (http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/John-Wooden-Award-founder-Duke-Llewellyn-dies-at-93-060410)

[Gemini Cricket]

lol!

[Gemini Cricket]

lol

[JWBear]

VGCM!!!

[Kevy Baby]

As many may know, John Wooden is in "grave" condition at UCLA (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/paper-trail/2010/06/04/reports-say-john-wooden-in-grave-condition.html). Sadly, we'll probably be seeing his name (again) in this thread soon.Too soon:

John Wooden dies at 99 (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-john-woodenlong-20100605,0,409375.story)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

lolHilarious, and whoever did that gets ultimate kudos for fantastic photoshoppin'!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Too soon:

John Wooden dies at 99 (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-john-woodenlong-20100605,0,409375.story)

And now only the female players are left.... rip

[lashbear]

I have to put in a personal Sad Cheese for Rue. :(

I am going to start rewatching all the GG episodes again. (I have the whole series on DVD)

[scaeagles]

Too soon:

John Wooden dies at 99 (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-john-woodenlong-20100605,0,409375.story)

Someone I had the pleasure of meeting just once, but considered a mentor. The entire world of basketball fans mourns him.

The classiest of classy men.

[Morrigoon]

Hilarious, and whoever did that gets ultimate kudos for fantastic photoshoppin'!

Although Rue's probably should've had a low neckline. Just sayin'.

[Kevy Baby]

Someone I had the pleasure of meeting just once, but considered a mentor. The entire world of basketball fans mourns him.

The classiest of classy men.Not just basketball fans. Not into B-Ball myself, but I had a lot of admiration for Coach.

[Not Afraid]

The fact that I (a non-sporting type) know who he is, his philosophy and many of "his" players says a lot about him.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

There was a nice tribute to John Wooden right before tonights Dodger game. Was nice.

[Tref]

Walt "Disney" Whitman (http://kontraband.se/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/clapping.gif) RIP 1819-2010

This was unexpected, I thought he had died a long time ago.

I read his most famous poem in college, an ode to to marijuana, called, Leave the Grass.

I still can recall a bit of it:

"O won't ye leave the grass
Do you need to take it with?
You see, this pipe is cash
And I need only a bidth."

(Pic related -- It's Walt Whitman)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/485px-Walt_Whitman_edit_2.jpg

[scaeagles]

Not just basketball fans. Not into B-Ball myself, but I had a lot of admiration for Coach.

Indeed, and I certainly did not mean to limit his influence to simply the world of basketball afficianados. Some of his wisdom was simply amazing and I quote him regularly.

One of my favorites recently -

"Talent is God-given - be humble. Fame is man-given - be grateful. Conceit is self-given - be careful."

His dedication to and love for his late wife was moving. I once read a story about how 5 years after her death he had agreed to write a book with a co-author about his relationship with her. The day of the first appointment between the two arrived and he met the man at his door, and while crying he backed out saying "it's just too soon....too soon.".

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Andreas Voutsinas

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0903867/

Was HYSTERICAL in the Producers...

http://kpitalrisk.free.fr/images/stars/23000/s_andreas.png

[JWBear]

Jimmy Dean (http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/06/14/jimmy-dean-country-singer-and-sausage-maker-dies-at-81/)

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

One of the great comic artist - Al Williamson

Flash Gordon - Star Wars - EC Horror Comics

Some of his work
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/20/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-110/

Amazing artist - huge loss. :(

[CoasterMatt]

Oh man. This one hurts.

Will Koch - Owner of Holiday World (http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=12643268)

He was one of the brightest lights of the amusement industry, as well as an all around excellent guy.

:( doesn't quite express it.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Garry "Starchild" Shider (http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/06/17/garry-shider-obituary/), longtime guitarist and musical director for George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic.

Garry was a wonderful guy and talented musician. We were lucky enough to get him to record a few guitar and vocal tracks on our new Naked Funk CD a few months ago. The stuff he added was truly magical. Thanks for everything Garry, it was a pleasure to get to know you and work with you.

[Snowflake]

Ronald Neame 1911-2010

RIP

[Strangler Lewis]

Ronald Neame 1911-2010

RIP

As a kid, I had two big fights with my parents about movies they wouldn't let me see. One was Steve McQueen's "The Getway," which, in retrospect, I can sort of understand. The other was "The Poseidon Adventure," which came out when I was 10 and which Ronald Neame directed. I remember my father said he thought there was too much human suffering involved. Given some of the other things he took me to when I was young--"Butch Cassidy," "Judge Roy Bean," "Three Days of the Condor," "Cabaret," "Great Gatsby," "The Seven Ups," etc.--I found this an odd line in the sand.

Anyway, RIP Ronald Neame.

[Ghoulish Delight]

This one slipped past us.

Jimmy Dean (http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/scs/news/national/article/public_farewell_set_for_jimmy_dean/59390/)

[Morrigoon]

JW Bear caught it

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oops, missed that post.

[Kevy Baby]

Manute Bol (http://sports.excite.com/news/06192010/v1254.html), a lithe 7-foot-7 shot-blocker from Sudan who spent 10 seasons in the NBA and was dedicated to humanitarian work in Africa, died Saturday. He was 47.

[scaeagles]

I believe he is (was) the only player in NBA history with more blocked shots than points.

[Snowflake]

Peter Quaife from The Kinks :(

[Kevy Baby]

Bummer

[Alex]

Have no idea who he is nor heard of The Kinks, but I actually recognize a couple songs by title. So in his honor I'll be sad today.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Have no idea who he is nor heard of The Kinks

I feel old

[Ghoulish Delight]

To be fair, Alex has established that he is musically ignorant, so it's not really a function of age.

[JWBear]

I sometimes suspect that Alex is an android. It would explain a lot.

[Alex]

Correct. I'm equally ignorant (and in fact probably more so since "oldies" were my primary form of musical "white noise" consumption when I was a teenager) of the music of the '90s.

And while I generally recognize popular music when I hear it, I almost never know who's singing (and when it is a band who is in the band unless the band is named after them).

After all, I was probably the only college student in Seattle who first learned of Kirk Cobain's existence when he killed himself and everyone else went into convulsive shock.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Correct? So you ARE an android?

[Alex]

Yes, it is the only explanation for why JWBear's disdain doesn't hurt my feelings. I have none. And as Oliver Sachs has written well on, it is musical wiring that makes us human. Since I apparently have none there are limited logical conclusions to be drawn.

[Ghoulish Delight]

And thus, yet another contender fails the Turing test.

[JWBear]

Yes, it is the only explanation for why JWBear's disdain doesn't hurt my feelings. I have none. And as Oliver Sachs has written well on, it is musical wiring that makes us human. Since I apparently have none there are limited logical conclusions to be drawn.

It wasn't disdain, it was a joke.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Yes, it is the only explanation for why JWBear's disdain doesn't hurt my feelings. I have none.Or you're Dexter.

1st season

[Alex]

It wasn't disdain, it was a joke.

As if the two are somehow exclusive.

Or you're Dexter.

1st season

I've considered it. But I don't have a code. Guess I lacked in a strong father figure.

[JWBear]

As if the two are somehow exclusive.

Actually. it is quite common for people to poke fun at other people they know without being disdainful.

But I suppose an android wouldn't know that.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

At least we know Alex isn't Data because Alex uses contractions.

[Kevy Baby]

At least we know Alex isn't Data because Alex uses contractions.Life forms
You tiny little life forms
You precious little life forms
Where. Are. You
Budabum da bumbumbum





One of my favorite moments on TNG

[Alex]

Actually. it is quite common for people to poke fun at other people they know without being disdainful.

But I suppose an android wouldn't know that.

An android would. Venn Diagrams are easy. Lack of exclusivity does not require complete overlap. After all, I did not say that disdain and jokes about someone are synonomous, just not exclusive. You're the one who appears to have suggested that since you were joking it couldn't be disdain. So if lack of understanding is a sign of androidosity then we have to look at you with a cocked brow.

[Kevy Baby]

[juvenile mode] Hee hee... he said "cocked" [/juvenile mode]

[Gemini Cricket]

[juvenile mode] Hee hee... he said "cocked" [/juvenile mode]
Waitaminute.
You have another mode besides that one?






:D

[Ghoulish Delight]

At least we know Alex isn't Data because Alex uses contractions.Except for the fact that Data used contractions (mostly in the first season, before the script ever said he couldn't could not. But several times afterwards as well)

[SzczerbiakManiac]

SSSHHHH! You're not supposed to notice that!

[JWBear]

An android would. Venn Diagrams are easy. Lack of exclusivity does not require complete overlap. After all, I did not say that disdain and jokes about someone are synonomous, just not exclusive. You're the one who appears to have suggested that since you were joking it couldn't be disdain. So if lack of understanding is a sign of androidosity then we have to look at you with a cocked brow.

I've changed my mind. You're not an android. You're a Vulcan. You sound just like one.

(And if I really had disdain for you I'd fill up this post with emoticons and sparkly-happy pictures of unicorns and rainbows.)

[Alex]

That's fine. I suppose my not being hurt by your disdain is similar evidence of that. Of course, every month when I menstruate it comes out red, which does suggest error in your hypothesis.

And a threat of smileys is misguided, as somehow the myth has taken hold that smileys offend me. That like garlic for a vampire they send me scurrying for cover. Au contraire, I just think that most of their time their use makes the user look less intelligent than they likely are. So go ahead, and use them to your content.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

After all, I was probably the only college student in Seattle who first learned of Kirk Cobain's existence when he killed himself and everyone else went into convulsive shock.Just when I think I fully understand the depths of your pop culture separation I get surprised, again.

[Alex]

I do not have pop culture separation except insofar as you define pop culture as "music." I define it as much broader than that and think I'm perfectly well connected to most of those other areas.

And I was familiar with the music of Nirvana (it would have been impossible not to be), I just didn't know or care who it was making the music. The existence of Nirvana wasn't news to me, the existence of Kurt Cobain was. Courtney Love remains, to me, first and foremost a actress of some reasonable skill as demonstrated during a short window in the mid-'90s.

[JWBear]

And a threat of smileys is misguided, as somehow the myth has taken hold that smileys offend me. That like garlic for a vampire they send me scurrying for cover. Au contraire, I just think that most of their time their use makes the user look less intelligent than they likely are. So go ahead, and use them to your content.

Ok. But what about the unicorns and rainbows?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I do not have pop culture separation except insofar as you define pop culture as "music." I define it as much broader than that and think I'm perfectly well connected to most of those other areas. Complete separation, no, but you've got to admit it's a significant blind spot. While I am now fairly versed in popular music, I was late to the game and very much out of the loop in 1994, but even I knew who Kurt Cobain was (having knowingly heard a Nirvana song maybe twice at the point of his death). I wasn't involved in that aspect of pop culture, but I was definitely aware of the handful of things that were getting mega-attention. To say, "Yeah I'd heard of Nirvana but didn't know the name Kurt Cobain," is kinda like saying, "Sure I've heard of the Lakers, but had never heard of this Kobe Bryant guy." It doesn't make you an anti social freak, but it does kinda make you a surprising and notable anomaly.

[Alex]

Ok. But what about the unicorns and rainbows?

Yes; on Tuesdays during summer months, every other Monday during winter months.

Complete separation, no, but you've got to admit it's a significant blind spot.

Sure, and I have no problem saying a musically retarded. I just havee issues for when that gets expanded to an assumption that I've in no way partaken in the cultural zeitgeist of my time. I'm guessing I know far more about TV, books, movies, Saturday morning cartoons of the '80s, and sugared cereal mascots than the average person.

But when I run into someone who doesn't watch movies I just treat them like someone who doesn't watch movies, not express amazement and how hard it must be to live without a culture (not saying that CP did that, but she did expand it a lot from just being stupid about music).

And to a certain extent a big part of things is that I am horrible at remembering proper nouns. Though I'm sure I've been told the real names for everybody here many times, I wouldn't be able to give them for more than a dozen of the posters here. I'm horrible at remembering book titles and author names and that's in a realm I'm hugely interested. I"m sure that I had heard the name "Kurt Cobain" many, many times before he died. It just had not implanted and the fact that he was from a realm of culture I had no interest in made it even less likely it would happen. Some people suffer from face blindness (Oliver Sachs rears his head again), I sometimes wonder if I suffer from capitalized noun blindness.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

But when I run into someone who doesn't watch movies I just treat them like someone who doesn't watch movies, not express amazement and how hard it must be to live without a culture (not saying that CP did that, but she did expand it a lot from just being stupid about music).I was about to post that I should have said "music" instead of "pop culture" but in thinking about it more, I think I stand by my statement, not in any way to contradict what you're saying about your areas of expertise. I'm certain you know more than I do on all those topics.

Knowing who Kurt Cobain was in the early 90's didn't mean you knew anything about music. GD mentioned Kobe Bryant - I agree. If you weren't a)in college at the time AND b)in Seattle at the time I might even give you a pass for not being close enough to the affected demographic.

I think what we're talking about is two different meanings to the phrase "knowing pop culture". Knowing the various changes made to Sugar Bear as Sugar Crisp became Golden Crisp means you are a pop culture geek. Debating whether you liked Fruity Pebbles or Cocoa Pebbles better as a kid makes you a part of the pop culture of the time.

I like that I used the phrase "pop culture separation" because I think that embodies the latter definition. If you were an expert on bands of the early 90's and could discuss the rise and fall of grunge endlessly but couldn't remember that it was Quentin Tarantino who directed Pulp Fiction, I would still say you had pop culture separation.

I'm not picking on you, just exploring the concept.

[Not Afraid]

As someone who has equally significant blind spots, I am not surprised that Alex didn't know of Kurt Cobain. I couldn't, without a doubt, name a Nirvana song without getting it confused with the other grunge bands that sound mostly the same to me.

I was at P&P and listening to a song that "stole" (ie "sampled) from the Tom Tom Club. I mentioned that this was a TomTom Club song and I got blank stares. When I was told this was "so and so" doing this song I said "never heard of her". They tried further clarifying by saying that the woman was in "BellBivDevo" (or whoever it is correctly spelled). When I said I had never heard of that group I got more looks of disbelief. My response was that, if they didn't know the TomTom Club, Tina Weymouth, Chris Franz and the Talking Heads connection I should be the one with the look of disbelief on my face.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I disagree, CP. He's separated from one particular aspect of pop culture, not pop culture in general. No one can be completely aware of every name out there.

[Not Afraid]

Define Pop Culture. I don't think it's a term that can be CLEARLY defined.

And, maybe a Mod should move this discussion into it's own thread. ;)

[Kevy Baby]

My response was that, if they didn't know the TomTom Club, Tina Weymouth, Chris Franz and the Talking Heads connection I should be the one with the look of disbelief on my face.Are you implying that their lack of knowledge of the artists you mention is somehow more important than your lack of knowledge of BBD? I don't understand that. Sure, I would probably agree that your choice has more taste/musical talent, but that doesn't lessen someone's own personal choice.

When I was told this was "so and so" doing this song I said "never heard of her". They tried further clarifying by saying that the woman was in "BellBivDevo" (or whoever it is correctly spelled).To further your musical education, the group is Bell Biv DeVoe, made up of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe - all previously in New Edition (the group that Bobby Brown was originally in). While I wasn't into their music (though I did play at at the club I worked at), they actually had some singing talent.

Not that I expect you to rush out to buy their records any time soon ;)

[Kevy Baby]

And, maybe a Mod should move this discussion into it's own thread. ;)Maybe eventually we will will kill the topic and which would earn it a place in this thread :)

[Not Afraid]

Are you implying that their lack of knowledge of the artists you mention is somehow more important than your lack of knowledge of BBD? I don't understand that. Sure, I would probably agree that your choice has more taste/musical talent, but that doesn't lessen someone's own personal choice.



Well, i do think I have better taste in music, but that isn't why I said that. My response comes from the fact that music is often sampled without the original source being credited or know about in any way. It's a pet irritation of mine. (Wanna see me go ballistic? Play a TomTom Club song and have someone say they stole the music from BelBivDeVoe.)

[Alex]

Knowing who Kurt Cobain was in the early 90's didn't mean you knew anything about music. GD mentioned Kobe Bryant - I agree. If you weren't a)in college at the time AND b)in Seattle at the time I might even give you a pass for not being close enough to the affected demographic.

I think you over estimate how pervasive such things are when you're not involved to the geek level. After all, I was a college student. A college student living in dorms. A college student who almost flunked out because I was spending all of my time screwing around with college students and consuming an awful lot of pop culture. None of them were particularly bothered by my cluelessness. It seems only in the hindsight of future years that people are shocked that some icon of culture was unknown. Kind of like all the kids in the '60s who didn't care for Rock and Roll or the other kids in the '70s who never heard about Woodstock until well after it was history.

Yes, it was a gap in my caring that lead to me not particularly knowing who Kurt Cobain was (though I'm sure I would have recognized any Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Soundgarden (who were much more prominent to me due to their regular appearances on Almost Live) song as one I'd heard before). But up until the moment he died, I think it would have been much more shocking to my peers that I lived in Seattle and didn't drink coffee than that I didn't know who Kurt Cobain was.

It was when he killed himself that everybody -- to my experience -- started acting like he was the central gravitational force of their emotional/spiritual lives. A bigger version of that thing from high school where some kid gets hit by a car and suddenly everybody was his closest friend.

This isn't to say he wasn't an important figure, just that he wasn't an important figure unless you were already steeped in the relatively limited arena in which he was so important.

And this all completely ignores the fact that by 1993 the general sentiment in Seattle was that Grunge was past its time and wouldn't the rest of the country kindly shut up because most of us weren't wearing flannel and knitwear. We even shaved sometimes.

[Alex]

They tried further clarifying by saying that the woman was in "BellBivDevo" (or whoever it is correctly spelled).

Just to show that my musical knowledge is not universal, I do know that BellBivDevo is a band that wore silly red terraced hats.

[Gemini Cricket]

BelBivDeVoe
I guess I never, ever thought I'd see NA type the name of this group.
Like ever!
:D

[Kevy Baby]

Well, i do think I have better taste in music, but that isn't why I said that.While you have confirmed that you didn't say what I was worried you were saying (long story), can anyone truly have better taste than someone else (in any given topic, but we can focus on music for now)? When you get down to it, it is all about opinion and no one's opinion isn't any more or less valid than another person's. Yes, I believe that the T-Heads, et. al. are better than BBD, but that is simply based on what I enjoy. One could argue that the T-Heads have more complex rhythms, interesting lyrics, and blend styles/influences into a more original sound than BBD, but who is to say that these factors make music better? Yes, you and I do (and many others), but there are some people who have heard the T-Heads and decided that they prefer the sound of BBD - that to them, BBD is better. Sure my opinion differs from theirs and I could make all sorts of logical arguments as to why my opinion was "more right", but ultimately, the enjoyment of art is up to the individual.

My response comes from the fact that music is often sampled without the original source being credited or know about in any way. It's a pet irritation of mine. (Wanna see me go ballistic? Play a TomTom Club song and have someone say they stole the music from BelBivDeVoe.)For the most part, I don't have any issue with sampling. A situation that you describe above doesn't irritate me, it just me the amusing opportunity to point out what an idiot the person is. I get amusement from belittling others who deserve it.

[Kevy Baby]

Just to show that my musical knowledge is not universal, I do know that BellBivDevo is a band that wore silly red terraced hats.See, you're wrong again. When Devo joined forces with Archie Bell (after he broke up with the Drells) and Beverly Bivens (previously of We Five), they changed their terraced hats to blue.

[Alex]

can anyone truly have better taste than someone else

I vote yes. My taste in music is clearly superior to everybody else's.

I know a person who thinks that honestly thinks that the first Jackass movie is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time. That person is objectively wrong.

[Alex]

See, you're wrong again. When Devo joined forces with Archie Bell (after he broke up with the Drells) and Beverly Bivens (previously of We Five), they changed their terraced hats to blue.

You had to ruin it. I've heard of Devo (though I exhausted my knowledge of them with the hat thing; well that and Kevin Yee is very proud of the time he did some Disney CM event wearing the hats). No idea on the others.

Oh, and Devo endorsed huffing canned whip cream.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Michael Jackson died.... :(

[flippyshark]

Michael Jackson died.... :(

I almost wish somebody would, so we can get this thread back on track.

[Tref]

I almost wish somebody would, so we can get this thread back on track.

Worldwide, approx. 155,000 people died to-day, surely we can find one to post.

(Pic related)
And all these people in the photo below -- dead.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/912-1.jpg

[Morrigoon]

The interesting thing about that picture is that it was taken in that small sliver of time when women still hovered in distant doorways wearing long skirts, yet there is electricity in the town.

edit: Ah... actually, I can narrow it down better. I'm gonna say early 19-teens, somewhere between 1905 and 1915-ish, because there's a woman in the crowd on the right hand side and her hem is at least 8 inches off the ground.

[Not Afraid]

While you have confirmed that you didn't say what I was worried you were saying (long story), can anyone truly have better taste than someone else (in any given topic, but we can focus on music for now)? When you get down to it, it is all about opinion and no one's opinion isn't any more or less valid than another person's.

I disagree. Just like in fashion, there is good taste and no taste or just bad taste. It doesn't have to do with a statement such as "if you like the Talking Heads, you have good taste, and if you don't, you have terrible taste" but more to do with the breadth of music knowledge and the ability to see what is just simply awful music. I'm not saying that I have the ultimate taste in music because there are plenty of people who have a broad range of music knowledge and have explored a lot of genres and prefer completely different music than I do.

As with fashion or art, I appreciate people MORE when they have a decent knowledge of the art form. If they have that and continue to prefer schlocky crap, well, maybe they just have no taste.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah, I'm okay with people who have different music tastes, as long as they can articulate why.

[Morrigoon]

What if you appreciate tacky in its own right. Is there such a thing as unintentional art? (Eg: the art of tacky?)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

What if you appreciate tacky in its own right. Is there such a thing as unintentional art? (Eg: the art of tacky?)If you could articulate why, I would most appreciate it, since this is a blindspot of mine.

I do appreciate movies that are so bad they are unintentionally funny. To me there is a huge difference between the relatively short experience of watching such a film and the eternal experience of owning and/or wearing something that is so ugly it's funny. The funny wears off for me...almost instantly, in fact.

[€uroMeinke]

What if you appreciate tacky in its own right. Is there such a thing as unintentional art? (Eg: the art of tacky?)

I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but there is the whole concept of Shabby Chic, or an appreciation of kitsch - usually those have a bit of tongue in cheek irony in their celebration, or an exploration of a specific sub-genre - e.g. pulp novel covers.

As for unintentional art there is certainly "found art" but these are usually non-art objects intended to be viewed as art, and there is art in nature, an appreciation of the aesthetics of a landscape, which unless you believe in God as creator, would be unintentional.

[RStar]

I disagree. Just like in fashion, there is good taste and no taste or just bad taste. It doesn't have to do with a statement such as "if you like the Talking Heads, you have good taste, and if you don't, you have terrible taste" but more to do with the breadth of music knowledge and the ability to see what is just simply awful music. I'm not saying that I have the ultimate taste in music because there are plenty of people who have a broad range of music knowledge and have explored a lot of genres and prefer completely different music than I do.

As with fashion or art, I appreciate people MORE when they have a decent knowledge of the art form. If they have that and continue to prefer schlocky crap, well, maybe they just have no taste.

I think clowns taste funny. So there....

[scaeagles]

Senator Robert Byrd, former member of the KKK.

[flippyshark]

Yes, sca, everybody knows. There was plenty of ugliness in the Dixiecrat worldview of the 40s. It hasn't disappeared entirely yet, I've learned, among some older white Dems here in the South. Racism is a disease without demographic or party boundaries, though Byrd was at least smart enough to know he had made a bad choice. Whether he ever repented in his true heart of hearts, I can't know.

[Alex]

I assume that in certain circles the death of Robert Byrd will be gleefully taken as an opportunity for vengeance for how many people gleefully greeted Jesse Helms's death.

[flippyshark]

I assume that in certain circles the death of Robert Byrd will be gleefully taken as an opportunity for vengeance for how many people gleefully greeted Jesse Helms's death.

I'm sure that's so, and it will do nothing to make this a better world. I didn't jump for joy then, and I'm not weeping now. (If some of the ensuing discussion accidentally becomes introspective and constructive, though, then yay.)

[Chernabog]

With Helms it was easy to gravedance because he never made bones about turning around. He was evil and intolerant until the end.

It may have only been for political reasons, but Byrd did, in some small degree. He voted for the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, for instance. Granted, he also said a lot of hateful, ignorant, stupid stuff about minorities and gays too.

I think I'm trying to say that I don't recally Helms having much by way of mitigating factors. (It's hard to think before morning coffee... must make cup now)

[scaeagles]

I always doubted his true repentance. He was using the N word in interviews....how along ago? Maybe 5-6 years? I forget exactly how long ago. He also has said he primary reason for joining the KKK in 1943 was their anti-communist stance.....I find that unlikely because at that point the commies were our allies in WWII. Even though he said he lost interest in it a year or so later, he was in leadership, and still voted agains the 1964 civil rights act.

Definitely political motivations. I personally believe the man was a racist through and through and never could quite understand why he was held in such high regard.

[Alex]

I have no reason to doubt Byrd's reversal on race issues (in the famous "******" quote he was to a fair extent making the same point Chris Rock used to in his act, just using language that won't fly from a senator). Plus the fact that it is difficult to change ingrained vocabulary, especially with words that were socially common until midlife. But if his reversal was calculating and true then I still don't really care if it can't be pointed out where his internal belief was allowed to have public impact.

My issue with Byrd is that it is insane that he was in office and if dying was the only way to resolve that, I'm ok with it. He could have had the good grace to wait a week though so the people of West Virginia wouldn't have to deal with what will be a huge amount of kerfuffle over the rules on how to replace him (his death is just six days short of a deadline after which the governor would just get to pick a replacement for the rest of his term).

[flippyshark]

I always doubted his true repentance. He was using the N word in interviews....how along ago? Maybe 5-6 years? I forget exactly how long ago. He also has said he primary reason for joining the KKK in 1943 was their anti-communist stance.....I find that unlikely because at that point the commies were our allies in WWII. Even though he said he lost interest in it a year or so later, he was in leadership, and still voted agains the 1964 civil rights act.

Definitely political motivations. I personally believe the man was a racist through and through and never could quite understand why he was held in such high regard.

There is no question that he was motivated by fear and racism back in the day, and I share your doubts about his motivations for joining up with the Klan. He recanted repeatedly, and honestly, it doesn't much matter whether he meant it or not. He got in it for bad reasons and said and wrote things that rightly plagued him the rest of his days. His more recent comments, as Alex mentioned, were apparently meant to raise consciousness, but they were clumsy and probably a bad idea. I have never met anyone who thought Byrd blameless and totally wonderful. His history has always caused deep misgivings for me.

If you are really wondering why he was held in high esteem, well, go and read something other than the Washington Post. Even his Wikipedia entry will make clear why. He doggedly championed his views, which were sometimes conservative and sometimes liberal, so lots of people can say he was right some of the time.

[Alex]

However, his self appointed role as Windbag-in-Chief and bureaucratic scold was annoying. I reserve that position for me.

[CoasterMatt]

Paul Johnson (longtime NBC4 Morning Traffic Reporter) (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/station/about-us/Paul_Johnson.html) :(

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Ilene Woods (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ilene-woods-20100703,0,1808644.story), voice of Cinderella.

I had the LP song-and-storybook for Cinderella growing up and her voice is forever with me. When I first tried on my wedding gown, the song that burst out was "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". I sing "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" to Theo all the time. RIP to a very talented lady.

I suggest reading the article - some amazing tidbits in there!

[Snowflake]

Ilene Woods (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ilene-woods-20100703,0,1808644.story), voice of Cinderella.

I had the LP song-and-storybook for Cinderella growing up and her voice is forever with me. When I first tried on my wedding gown, the song that burst out was "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". I sing "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" to Theo all the time. RIP to a very talented lady.

I suggest reading the article - some amazing tidbits in there!

:(

[scaeagles]

My 16 year old, from the age of 2 until she was 5, would wake up every Saturday morning and watch Cinderella. :(

[tod]

I assume that in certain circles the death of Robert Byrd will be gleefully taken as an opportunity for vengeance for how many people gleefully greeted Jesse Helms's death.

Nah, the people who would be happy about a Democratic Senator's death will be upset about the death of a former member of the KKK.

--t

[Morrigoon]

Bob Probert (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5356462)

[I Heart Disneyland!]

Nah, the people who would be happy about a Democratic Senator's death will be upset about the death of a former member of the KKK.

--t

Hey Tod! Nice to see you! Did you hear Clinton's speech talking about the KKK business?

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Betty Kimball wife of Ward

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/betty-kimball-rip.html

RiP

[flippyshark]

Another great one gone. If there is an afterlife, Harvey Pekar (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/07/comics-author-harvey-pekar-has-died.html) is grousing and complaining about it like no one else ever could.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Some interesting comments about the death or Harry Pekar:

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2010_07_12.html#019250

I'll bet his work remains in print for a long time. And its standout weakness will be that, like I said, he never got to write that last installment.


http://www.comicsbeat.com/2010/07/12/harvey-pekar-1939-2010/

[Kevy Baby]

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner dies at 80 (http://apnews.excite.com/article/20100713/D9GU7LFG0.html)

NEW YORK (AP) - George Steinbrenner, who rebuilt the New York Yankees into a sports empire with a mix of bluster and big bucks that polarized fans all across America, died Tuesday. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday July 4.

Steinbrenner had a heart attack, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla., and died at about 6:30 a.m, a person close to the owner told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not disclosed those details.

[Ghoulish Delight]

There are a lot of people at Angels Stadium right now scrambling to alter whatever pre-game activities they had planned for tonight.

[Strangler Lewis]

"He changed baseball the way Hitler changed Europe."

[Alex]

Jesus that guy is a glamor hog. He couldn't even give Bob Sheppard more than a couple days in the limelight.

[CoasterMatt]

Never thought he'd be traded to the Angels...

[Ghoulish Delight]

NPR personality Daniel Schorr (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/07/23/2010-07-23_longtime_journalist_daniel_schorr_dies_at_age_9 3_.html)

[Strangler Lewis]

A couple of years ago, I thought to myself, "Daniel Schorr's starting to sound old." Exactly how old came as a shock to me. RIP.

[Not Afraid]

Oh! That makes me really sad. RIP Mr. Schorr.

[Alex]

I loved hearing the audio of him rushing out to report on the just received "enemies list" of Richard Nixon and reading through it on air only to find his own name.

I always found his analysis on Weekend Edition to be extremely bland and obvious but there was something nice about knowing he'd been doing it for so long.

[JWBear]

We missed this one:

Mitch Miller (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38525181/ns/today-entertainment/)

[Not Afraid]

I read this last night and sang "Must Be Santa" the rest of the night. RIP Mitch Miller.

[Strangler Lewis]

As a child, I used to follow the bouncing ball. Why? Who knows?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that now has passed the last host of all the various weird-assed shows of my childhood.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Tom Mankiewicz - Superman & Bond Screenwriter
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tom-mankiewicz-20100803,0,353048.story

Cartoonist John Callahan -
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-callahan-20100729,0,1581016.story

Actor - Maury Chaykin - Dances with Wolves & Unstrung Heroes

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-maury-chaykin-20100728,0,6730803.story

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Lorene Yarnell of Sheilds & Yarnell - If you remember the 70s.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-lorene-yarnell-jansson-20100806,0,888910.story

[flippyshark]

Lorene Yarnell of Sheilds & Yarnell - If you remember the 70s.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-lorene-yarnell-jansson-20100806,0,888910.story

But I thought she was a robot!

[Tref]

Lorene Yarnell of Sheilds & Yarnell - If you remember the 70s.

I do remember the 1970s and I also watched S&Y every week. I loved that show.

(Pic Related -- its The Clinkers!)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/055538b2.jpg

[Tref]

We missed this one:

Mitch Miller (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38525181/ns/today-entertainment/)

I used to hear ole Mitch on air during the KCRW pledge drives. He was still going strong as little a few months ago. I liked his style.

[Capt Jack]

Lorene Yarnell of Sheilds & Yarnell - If you remember the 70s.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-lorene-yarnell-jansson-20100806,0,888910.story

:(

always loved their work. I was talking about them not long ago with someone far too young to have seen it.

RIP

[Alex]

Today's unnecessarily unnecessary factoid:

With the passing of Patricia Neal, Michael Caine has now made the list 25 Oldest Acting Academy Award Winners. Congratulations Michael Caine.

[Snowflake]

Patricia Neal

Never on my top list, but whenever I see her in a film, I always loved her. Hud, Day the Earth Stood Still (I loathe The Fountainhead, UGH).

Helluva life and what a survivor she was. RIP. :(

[Strangler Lewis]

Yet another fine actress who I thought previously had died and who I remember thinking at the time was already dead.

She also pitched good "Maxwell House," an odd gig for a stroke survivor.

[Gemini Cricket]

A Face in the Crowd and Hud. Loved those two movies of hers.

[Morrigoon]

David Wolper, producer (Roots, Thorn Birds, LA Confidential, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory)

[Snowflake]

David Wolper, producer (Roots, Thorn Birds, LA Confidential, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory)

He was also a really fine documentary producer/maker.

[CoasterMatt]

He also produced the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics. Which totally ruled.

[Morrigoon]

Which is related to how I found out about his death. He was a friend of Dr. Bartner (and therefore the Trojan Marching Band)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Senator Ted Stevens of "series of tubes" fame.

You know, I never quite understood the level of ridicule leveled at him for that. Long before he ever said that, the term "pipe" was used to refer to one's connection to an ISP. The term "tunneling" is a technical term referring to a specific method of connecting between two devices on a network. As an analogy, a "series of tubes" is not a horrible one. I seriously doubt he literally thought it was tubes.

Not that there weren't other things said in that speech that were utterly wrong about how the internet works, and he clearly demonstrated that, even granting the tube analogy, he had no clue how data might flow through those hypothetical tubes. I've just always been surprised that "series of tubes" was what got latched onto, as opposed to, say, "an internet".

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Harrison "Buzz" Price (http://www.diszine.com/content/legend-in-disney-history-theme-park-pioneer-harrison-buzz-price-dies)

[Kevy Baby]

Something in the bathroom

At least it smells like it.

[Tref]

Something in the bathroom

At least it smells like it.

Sounds like a change of diet is in order.

[Strangler Lewis]

Bobby Thomson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrI7dVj90zs). Makes me smile every time I see it.

[Kevy Baby]

Kenny Edwards, Stone Poneys Founder and Linda Ronstadt Sideman (http://www.spinner.com/2010/08/20/kenny-edwards-stone-poneys-dead/)

[Not Afraid]

Laurent Fignon (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100831/ts_afp/cyclingfrafignondeath) one of my all time favorite cyclists. His near miss and loss of the TdF to Greg LeMond by a mere 8 seconds was my personal favorite year.

[Kevy Baby]

When is Zsa Zsa gonna kick it?

[Tref]

When is Zsa Zsa gonna kick it?

When Zsa Zsa is good and ready.

[CoasterMatt]

I think Zsa Zsa is gonna slap it one more time before she kicks it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Bonnie Blue Butler is dead. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obit_cammie_conlon;_ylt=AopKaqjggNcGq5A4feZakmO s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNwa3ZqN3NuBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwOTA zL3VzX29iaXRfY2FtbWllX2NvbmxvbgRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wd WxhcgRjcG9zAzgEcG9zAzUEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl9 oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNnb25ld2l0aHRoZXc-)
For reals this time.

[Kevy Baby]

Comedian Robert Schimmel (http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/06/comedian-robert-schimmel-dies-at-60/)

[CoasterMatt]

Glenn Shadix (http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/07/beetlejuice-actor-glen-shadix-dead/) :(

[Chernabog]

Glenn Shadix (http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/07/beetlejuice-actor-glen-shadix-dead/) :(

Oh noes!!! Plus lets not forget him as the fashion critic in Space Mountain circa 1995.

[Disneyphile]

Oh noes!!! Plus lets not forget him as the fashion critic in Space Mountain circa 1995.
And, as the voice of the mayor of Halloweentown in Nightmare Before Christmas. :(

[CoasterMatt]

Oh noes!!! Plus lets not forget him as the fashion critic in Space Mountain circa 1995.
Yup. Ray Cathode - here's the clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKuhRiAy7mw)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

He'll always be Otho to me.

[JWBear]

He'll always be Otho to me.

He's now viciously rearranging someone's environment in Heaven.

[Snowflake]

He's now viciously rearranging someone's environment in Heaven.

Do they have spray paint in heaven, I wonder?

He was great as Otho and like CP, that's how I will always remember him.

[Gn2Dlnd]

I knew Glenn, I hadn't seen him in a few years. Someone told me about his death last night, actually. Sad news.

One of my encounters with Glenn was the night of the "Sleepy Hollow" premiere party. I was working as a cater-waiter, and Glenn, three sheets to the wind, joyously recognized me, and introduced me to Jeffrey Jones as "one of the funniest guys" he'd ever worked with. He spent a large part of the conversation trying to remember the names of the shows we'd done back East in summer rep. All I could do was smile and agree with whatever he came up with, because, of course, we had never done a show together.

Fave role: the bartender in the John Larroquette show. He kept a fishbowl of AA chips behind the bar, collected from folks in exchange for a free drink. Eeeeevil. :evil:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I was working as a cater-waiter, and Glenn, three sheets to the wind, joyously recognized me, and introduced me to Jeffrey Jones as "one of the funniest guys" he'd ever worked with. How surreal is this?!

[Gn2Dlnd]

I have an even more bizarre Danny DeVito story I'll tell you some snowy night in front of a fire.

[Alex]

Any hints that Jeffrey Jones was about to implode his career and get his own web page (http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/cgi/prosoma.dll?searchby=offender&id=18603206I0621) provided by the State of California?

One suspects everybody who has ever been in his presence has a bizarre Danny DeVito story.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Re: JJ. No, In retrospect, I'm sure I was too old to pique his attention. As for DD, our moment was on the phone. He called me. Not a wrong number.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

RiP Kevin McCarthy - UHF & Invasion of the Body Snatchers. :(

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002994/

[Capt Jack]

RiP Kevin McCarthy - UHF & Invasion of the Body Snatchers. :(

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002994/

aww. always liked him
R.I.P. Mr McCarthy

[Alex]

Continuing to provide this useless information.

Kevin McCarthy was the 11 oldest living Academy Award nominee. His death makes room for Sid Ramin (Score, West Side Story) in the top 25.

He was also the 3rd oldest living acting nominee. Ruby Dee now makes it into the top 25. Kirk Douglas is now the oldest living male acting nominee.

Aren't you all glad I keep some stupid lists?

[Gemini Cricket]

Aren't you all glad I keep some stupid lists?
Yes.


imdb has 204 projects that he starred in under his name. That's not including multiple episodes of TV shows. Wow, busy guy.
:)

[Disneyphile]

Actor Harold Gould (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100914/ap_en_mo/us_obit_harold_gould)

[Gemini Cricket]

Actor Harold Gould (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100914/ap_en_mo/us_obit_harold_gould)
Aww. He played Arnie then later Miles, Rose's boyfriends, on "The Golden Girls".

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I just watched Love and Death (my favorite Woody Allen film) last week. :(

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Billie Mae Richards (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Mae_Richards), the voice of Rudolph in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

[Kevy Baby]

Leonard Skinner (http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2010/09/22/Skynyrd-name-inspiration-dies-at-77/UPI-99611285134008/), the high school gym coach who was the inspiration for the name of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd

[Kevy Baby]

Eddie Fisher (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/singer-eddie-fisher-dies-at-82-in-berkeley.html), singer and Carrie's Dad

[Snowflake]

Gloria Stuart (http://omg.yahoo.com/news/titanic-actress-gloria-stuart-dies-at-100/47908), Claude Rains' love interest in The Invisible Man and the older version of Kate Winslet in Titanic (and plenty of movies in between). She just passed her 100th birthday in July and was also feted at the Academy recently.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Greg Giraldo from an OD (http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/29/comedian-greg-giraldo-dies-overdose-prescription-pills/)

[Snowflake]

Arthur Penn (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/movies/30penn.html)

RIP

[Ghoulish Delight]

Greg Giraldo from an OD (http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/29/comedian-greg-giraldo-dies-overdose-prescription-pills/)
:eek:

[Snowflake]

1525

RIP Tony Curtis

[Capt Jack]

:(

[innerSpaceman]

Wow, lots of deaths of note (to me) recently. Certainly Arthur Penn. Gloria Stewart's passing almost led me to watch Titanic that night. Almost.

I'm probably the only one who has a big thing for one of Eddie Fisher's small hits, Dungaree Doll, but I was singing it all day the day he passed.


And Tony Curtis! Waaaaaaaaaa. I demand a screening of The Great Race at Casa Chihuahua! So many great roles. Wasn't he in Sparticus, or some other film or films where he played some Roman slave boy? Or was that several films? Um, lemme see, Harry Houdini, Cary Grant Knock-Off in Some Like It Hot, and of course, the sparkle-toothed Great Leslie!

R.I.P. all.

[Alex]

Stupid list update with the oldies kicking it.

Gloria Stuart (100.23) was the 20th nominee to make it to 100, and having lived about 5 weeks longer than George Burns (100.13) was the 19th oldest any has yet made it. Gordon Wellesley (screenwriter) remains the oldeset living nominee at 103.8. And George Abbott's overall record of 107.6 is safe for at least 4 years.

She was the 5th oldest living nominee, Grahame Tharp (documentary filmmaker) now fills that slot.

She was the second oldest living nominated actor behind Luise Rainer (who is now again the only centenarian actor). Olivia de Havilland (94.2) is now second banana and Dorothy Malone (85.7) moves into the top 25. At the time of his death, Tony Curtis (85.3) was 29th on the list.

At 87.7 at the time of her nomination for Titanic, Stuart still holds the record for being oldest person receiving a first Oscar nomination.

[Not Afraid]

That's Boxer puppy Mr. Curtis is sporting is pretty damn cute.

RIP Tony.

[Kevy Baby]

At 87.7 at the time of her nomination for Titanic, Stuart still holds the record for being oldest person receiving a first Oscar nomination.I thought show was the oldest nominee period (not just first nomination)? I know IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001784/bio) lists it that way:

Oldest person ever to be nominated for an Academy Award, 2/10/98.

[Alex]

That's correct. 17 times nominations have gone to someone in their 80s, Stuart was the oldest (and Jessica Tandy did it twice).

Four people have actually won academy awards in their 80s, with Charles Chaplin being the oldest 83.9 years when he won Best Dramatic Score in 1973 for Limelight. Interestingly (using a very broad definition of that word), Limelight was released 20 years earlier in 1952 but was never released in Los Angeles until 1972 and, per the rules at the time, it qualified for consideration that year. The rules were then changed.

[CoasterMatt]

Stephen J Cannell (http://www.etonline.com/tv/101412_A_Team_21_Jump_Street_Producer_Stephen_J_Ca nnell_Passes_Away/) :(

[JWBear]

Stephen J Cannell (http://www.etonline.com/tv/101412_A_Team_21_Jump_Street_Producer_Stephen_J_Ca nnell_Passes_Away/) :(

You sure he just died? That picture makes him look like he's been mummified for years already!

[RStar]

You sure he just died? That picture makes him look like he's been mummified for years already!

Yes, but his teeth look pearly white!

[CoasterMatt]

Van Snowden (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i513cc43382b2c2e337c88e6014f4a2a2) - if you don't know the name, you probably know the work - H.R. Pufnstuf and just about every Krofftt Brothers production, Chucky in Child's Play, Cryptkeeper from the 'Tales from the Crypt' show. A master puppeteer is gone :(

[3894]

Solomon Burke, "the greatest soul singer", has gone Home. Well sung, good and faithful servant. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hv6sQXI1WY)

[flippyshark]

Solomon Burke, "the greatest soul singer", has gone Home. Well sung, good and faithful servant. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hv6sQXI1WY)

Very sad. There was no one quite like him. His "Don't Give Up On Me" album has been in constant rotation for me over the last several years. (It's a must - Burke performs songs written for him by Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and many more. It's one of the best psychic salves I've ever found.)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Benoit Mandelbrot (http://www.math.yale.edu/mandelbrot/)

[Gn2Dlnd]

Barbara Billingsley (http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/16/barbara-billingsley-dead-at-94-spokeswoman-says/), jive-talking, beaver bearing, pearl necklace wearing actress.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Benoit Mandelbrot (http://www.math.yale.edu/mandelbrot/)

That one made me sad.

[Ghoulish Delight]

That one made me sad.
And that sadness is composed of more sadness, and that sadness is also made of sadness, and that sadness is made of...

[alphabassettgrrl]

VGDM!

[Chernabog]

Barbara Billingsley (http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/16/barbara-billingsley-dead-at-94-spokeswoman-says/), jive-talking, beaver bearing, pearl necklace wearing actress.

Noooo I just read this. A huge long article (not the CNN one) and no reference to the "oh stewardess! I speak jive" reference?!??!? That's what she is KNOWN for.

[Alex]

Every radio obit I heard today (and I heard a lot of them, being in the car for 14 hours today), that clip was played (and frequently it was the only clip played).

[Gemini Cricket]

She no longer speaks jive.
Barbara Billingsley
:(

[wolfy999]

Tom Bosley

[Snowflake]

Tom Bosley

RIP Mr. C :(

[Ghoulish Delight]

I blame Kevin Smith.

[Strangler Lewis]

Until Harold Gould died, I had not realized that he had played the father in the earliest incarnations of "Happy Days." So it's a bad year to be Mr. C.

On the plus side, I guess my warped vinyl LP of Tom Bosley in "Fiorello" is now worth something.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Encountered Tom Bosley backstage at the Shubert when Beauty and the Beast was on it's first L.A. run. It was between shows and he was a tad grumpy that audience members were looking at him eat pizza. He didn't seem to enjoy having the audience look at him while onstage either.

Los Angeles has no Shubert Theater. I've never been to Los Angeles! That was a stupid lie, easy to expose, not worthy of me.

[Gemini Cricket]

Encountered Tom Bosley backstage at the Shubert when Beauty and the Beast was on it's first L.A. run. It was between shows and he was a tad grumpy that audience members were looking at him eat pizza. He didn't seem to enjoy having the audience look at him while onstage either.

Los Angeles has no Shubert Theater. I've never been to Los Angeles! That was a stupid lie, easy to expose, not worthy of me.
I knew someone who acted with him in 'Beauty' and everyone pretty much loathed him and his extreme diva attitude. Oh well.

VG2DM for the Eve quote.
:snap:

[€uroMeinke]

Ari Up of the Slits (http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2010/10/rip_ari_up_of_the_slits_dead.php). Glad I got to see her recently

[Strangler Lewis]

I never thought I'd be writing that Bob Guccione died.

[Gn2Dlnd]

But this is a true story.

[flippyshark]

Ari Up of the Slits (http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2010/10/rip_ari_up_of_the_slits_dead.php). Glad I got to see her recently

So Sad! Ari was awesome in both her early punk and later reggae modes.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Alexander Anderson Jr., creator of Rocky and Bullwinkle,' dies at 90

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/22/2344376/alexander-anderson-jr-creator.html#ixzz13Fo41g6s

[DreadPirateRoberts]

James MacArthur (http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/macarthur-273247-five-actor.html)

[Alex]

I guess he just couldn't take living in Scott Caan's shadow any longer.

[Gemini Cricket]

Ah, poor James MacArthur. When I was just a wee lad, I wondered why I liked the movie Swiss Family Robinson so much. Yeah, James helped me figure myself out.
;)

[Snowflake]

Ah, poor James MacArthur. When I was just a wee lad, I wondered why I liked the movie Swiss Family Robinson so much. Yeah, James helped me figure myself out.
;)

Heh, I had a major crush on him, too. Of course, same with Kurt Russell. :D

RIP James.

His Godmother was Lillian Gish. Dammit, I had him on my list of people to contact to see if he had any memories of Dorothy Gish.

[Gemini Cricket]

Of course, same with Kurt Russell. :D

I was so in love with Kurt Russell when I was a kid. In fact, I insisted that my parents change my name to "Dexter" after seeing The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. Tho, I'm glad I'm not a "Dexter" right now. Although, I hear the show of the same name is great.
:)

[flippyshark]

This is news from over two months ago, but I missed it. The innovative and unique anime director Satoshi Kon (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-24/award-winning-director-satoshi-kon-passes-away) died in August. Sometimes referred to as the anime director for people who don't like anime, he chose unconventional stories and genres to work in. Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress, Paprika, the series Paranoia Agent - they are all good cinema and worth seeking out.

[mousepod]

Satoshi Kon wrote a fairly long note when he knew he was dying.

It's translated here (http://www.makikoitoh.com/journal/satoshi-kons-last-words). Absolutely worth reading.

[Capt Jack]

Satoshi Kon wrote a fairly long note when he knew he was dying.

It's translated here (http://www.makikoitoh.com/journal/satoshi-kons-last-words). Absolutely worth reading.

I'll 2nd that. I would hope to meet my end with such a clear bit of mind left.

[Kevy Baby]

James MacArthur (http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/macarthur-273247-five-actor.html)Danno got booked

[sleepyjeff]

http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/10/31/1786099/quick-maurice-lucas-has-passed-away


Former Blazers center and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton recently called Lucas "the greatest Portland Trail Blazer of all time," and he named his son, Luke Walton, after Lucas.



Lucas began his career in the ABA, but was drafted by Portland when the league folded. After a four-year stint in Portland, Lucas went on to play for the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Seattle SuperSonics. He then closed his career in Portland in 1988, and shifted into an assistant coaching role the following season.

More recently, Lucas served as an assistant coach under Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, starting in 2005. He primarily focused on developing Portland's big men both physically and mentally, calling on his playing experience to tutor players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. Cancer forced him from the bench multiple times, and Lucas was unable to return for the 2010-2011 season.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/25603846

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9lHM6h40Zo&feature=player_embedded

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Jerry Bock (http://broadwayworld.com/article/FIDDLER_Composer_Jerry_Bock_Dies_at_81_20101103), composer of Fiorello! and Fiddler On The Roof

[wolfy999]

Sparky Anderson....at his "field of dreams".

[blueerica]

Awww... I remember Sparky from when I was growing up in the 80s. (in Michigan)

[Gemini Cricket]

Jill Clayburgh
Actress from Silver Streak.

[flippyshark]

I saw Jill Clayburgh in Pippin when I was just a kid, and loved both her and it. I asked my Mom to take me to An Unmarried Woman, just because I had a crush on Jill, even though it wasn't the kind of movie an 11 year old would get much out of. I kind of liked it anyway. (Haven't revisited it since.)

[flippyshark]

Correction to above, I was thirteen when I saw an Unmarried Woman. Also, I don't remember how old I was when I saw Bertolucci's La Luna, and I am not going to mention how I reacted to it. :blush:

[Kevy Baby]

Dino De Laurentiis (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-dino-delaurentiis-20101112,0,3294161.story)

[Snowflake]

RIP Peter Fernandez voice of Speed Racer (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-peter-fernandez-20100726,0,4354205.story)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson (http://www.boingboing.net/2010/11/25/peter-sleazy-christo.html) of Throbbing Gristle fame.

[JWBear]

Leslie Nielsen (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jRepPOC3ZfejXJIEP-k0eUcG4pOQ?docId=cbf45ca25ee344b0981c0ce89e7ad173)

[innerSpaceman]

Irvin Kershner (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2010/11/irvin_kershner_director_of_emp.html)

[CoasterMatt]

In honor of Irvin Kershner - I give you, Empire Strikes Back in 1009 frames (http://members.dslextreme.com/users/pantsonfire/images/Empire1009frames.gif)

It may take a moment to load (It's a just under 1 meg animated GIF file)

Enjoy!

[Kevy Baby]

"Dandy" Don Meredith (http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/news/story?id=5890812) - Quarterback for Dallas and color commentator for Monday Night Football

[Gemini Cricket]

Cool Leslie Nielsen pic.

[JWBear]

He kinda looks like Beau Bridges there.

[Kevy Baby]

I was surprised to learn a few years ago that he played a lot of "bad guy" heavy roles early in his career. I want to find some of those to watch some day.

[Alex]

Watch TV dramas from the '60s and '70s. He was in every third episode.

For example, he appeared in The Virginian five times...as five different characters.

[Kevy Baby]

For example, he appeared in The Virginian five times...as five different characters.That happened a lot:

The Streets of San Francisco (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068135/) (TV series)
Big Jake Wilson / Inspector John T. Connor / Off. Joe Landers – One Last Shot (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0711558/) (1974) … Off. Joe Landers
– Before I Die (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0779690/) (1973) … Inspector John T. Connor
– Legion of the Lost (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0711541/) (1973) … Big Jake Wilson

The Evil Touch (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069580/) (TV series)
Captain Andrew Palmer / Willie Tremaine – The Voyage (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1584591/) (1974) … Captain Andrew Palmer
– The Obituary (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1584594/) (1973) … Willie Tremaine

The F.B.I. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058801/) (TV series)
Craig Fletcher / Hudson – Fools Gold (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0574798/) (1973) … Hudson
– Pound of Flesh (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0574819/) (1965) … Craig Fletcher

"Studio One in Hollywood" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040051/) (13 episodes )
... aka "Studio One" - USA (original title)
... aka "Studio One Summer Theatre" - USA (summer title)
... aka "Summer Theatre" - USA (summer title)
... aka "Westinghouse Studio One" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "Westinghouse Summer Theatre" - USA (summer title)
Battleship Bismark (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712216/) (24 October 1949) - Actor
The Survivors (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712577/) (20 March 1950) - Actor
Zone Four (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712626/) (12 June 1950) - Actor
Zone Four (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712627/) (28 August 1950) - Actor
Spectre of Alexander Wolff (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712410/) (9 October 1950) - Actor
The Last Cruise (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712495/) (13 November 1950) - Engineer
The Case of Karen Smith (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712433/) (26 March 1951) - Actor
The Hospital (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712480/) (8 December 1952) - Actor
Dark Possession (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712249/) (15 February 1954) - Dr. Waring
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712223/) (8 March 1954) - Fred Lawson
Castle in Spain (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712236/) (17 May 1954) - Mac
A Guest at the Embassy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712184/) (12 July 1954) - Edmund
The Man Who Owned the Town (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0712515/) (1 November 1954) - Tallman

And I see that the episode of M*A*S*H that he was in is on later this week (I am going to record it out of curiosity):

M*A*S*H (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068098/)
The Ringbanger (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638455/) (#1.16)
Thur. Dec. 9 (http://www.imdb.com/tvgrid/2010-12-09/0530#TVLAND) 5:30 AM (http://www.imdb.com/tvgrid/2010-12-09/0530#TVLAND) on TVLAND (http://www.imdb.com/tvgrid/2010-12-09/TVLAND)

M*A*S*H (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068098/)
The Ringbanger (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638455/) (#1.16)
Fri. Dec. 10 (http://www.imdb.com/tvgrid/2010-12-10/0430#TVLAND) 4:30 AM (http://www.imdb.com/tvgrid/2010-12-10/0430#TVLAND) on TVLAND (http://www.imdb.com/tvgrid/2010-12-10/TVLAND)

[Alex]

Well, I would hope he was a different person every time on Studio One since that was an anthology show doing a different story every episode.

[Kevy Baby]

I figured you would square that one away - I had never heard of that show.

[Ghoulish Delight]

A sad day for Julie Andrews: Blake Edwards (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/blake-edwards-prolific-comedy-director-has-died/) has passed away.

[Chernabog]

Probably four or five years ago I saw Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards walking arm in arm at the LA Music Center. It was a strange experience for LA, simply because unless you're a tourist, seeing a famous person is no big deal. Life goes on, and oh look, there's a celebrity, lets continue our conversation.

But for Julie and Blake, as they passed by, people stopped what they were doing to look at them. The volume level dropped. They were real Hollywood Royalty!

[Moonliner]

Probably four or five years ago I saw Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards walking arm in arm at the LA Music Center. It was a strange experience for LA, simply because unless you're a tourist, seeing a famous person is no big deal. Life goes on, and oh look, there's a celebrity, lets continue our conversation.

But for Julie and Blake, as they passed by, people stopped what they were doing to look at them. The volume level dropped. They were real Hollywood Royalty!

I never met Blake Edwards, but I did hobnob with Julie Andrews at a White House reception. Even there everyone stopped to look and the volume level dropped. Royalty indeed.