I'm pretty sure the circus will be taking place in a tent in the parking lot, not inside Staples Center. They might be using the building to house some of the animals, but I doubt it would preclude any stage production from going on on the actual venue floor.

Damn. The LAPD closed the entire 101 freeway all the way to Forest lawn for the procession.

Man, I'd be ticked if I was trying to get to work....

Eh... crews are used to this kind of load-out. The sets are designed for quick strikes.

They've actually had hockey and basketball in Staples on the same day.

A funeral procession on the 101? That freeway hasn't seen those kinds of speeds during a weekday in at least a decade.

Naw, they were only doing about 40mph.

Err, oh, ummm, yeah, what he said.

The Staples Center Website will have a live Webcast of the Michael Jackson Public Memorial on Tuesday, July 7 starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time:

http://staplescenter.com/memorial/mjmemorial.html

Anyone know how much the bankrupt state and local governments are shelling out for this fiasco?

$26.34

It won't be clear until after the event (when the numbers will dramatically inflate across the board) but CNN estimates costs at up to $4,000,000.

What a crock of shyt.

A pittance from the cd/download sales would cover this, and more.

What's really ludicrous is the idea that it would take 1,400 police officers to control crowds. I believe we invaded Iraq with fewer people than that.

That is outragous. Money that could be used for so many things - including on people that are alive. Any profit from the event should pay for that. Anything left over after that they can keep.

Wow, that's amazing turn around time! Especially when you consider hockey needs ice. I don't think I'd want to be on that crew!

Well yeah, but to be fair they are dealing with emotionally unstable Jackson fans rather than just a hostile country.

The ice is, I believe always there (during hockey season anyway). They just put a floor over it for other events.

I believe I also read that the have to replace the entire court for switching between Clippers and Lakers games and that they have played at home on the same day as well.

Correct on both accounts.

I also found out it only takes 2-1/2 hours to switch from hockey to basketball.

Oh, uh... who else has died?

No profit on free tickets.

I heard this morning that the City is asking for donations from the fans. I'm not sure if the Jackson estate has paid for any of it. I don't think I'd see any fans sending the city money. It will be interesting to see what happens....

ETA:

Oops, just noticed this was in the MJ Memorial thread......

Over in the MJ thread it says they received quite a bit in donations.

Someone just pointed out the following to me:

The same date when Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson both died on June 25, 2009:
6-25-09
62 50

Farrah Fawcett was 62 years old.
Michael Jackson was 50 years old.

Simple coincidence I say.

Numerology-type find almost always are. Especially when you get to apparently remove one number that doesn't fit.

Too bad Jackson didn't die a month earlier when the 50-9 could have meant he was 50 and 9 months. Sadly he was 50 and nearly 11 months old.

Stupid mysterious cosmic forces, always doing things half-assed.

You probably know this, but numerical coincidences have nothing to do with the psuedo-science of Numerology.


By the way, in just a few minutes and seconds, it will be 12:34:56, 7/8/9.

It does, by the way, when people take numerical coincidences and read into them spiritual (or other) significance. Which is all that Numerology is.

Noting that my birth date appears in my phone number is a coincidence. Feeling that this means it is a sign god wanted me to have this phone number is numerology.

So yeah, as long as everybody agrees that what DP posted is just a coincidence then it isn't numerology. However, since the first person who mentioned that to me today did so in context of how it reflected divine intervention in their deaths I'm going to stick with labeling it a "numerology-type find."

I already celebrated that one at 1:23:45 June 6, 89 so it's passe.

Why a day early?

Because it was a three day celebration.

George Fullerton dies at 86; musician helped Leo Fender create his unique guitars

obit here

Bring the weiner-shaped hearse for Oscar Mayer the third.

I officially declare this sad occasion a terrific excuse for me to go get a corn dog.

Are his surname & the name of that city by chance related?

I wouldn't be suprised. The city founder was also named George, and I know the family was still around in the area at least as late as the 1970's.

The city is named for someone named George Fullerton. And the Fender plant was in Fullerton. But Wikipedia says it is unknown if they are the same person, or if they're even related. Curious.

Oscar Mayer .... dead at 95.




Now I can't get the song out of my head. I hope they play it at his funeral. But I guess getting Steve Wonder to sing it is a long shot.

Oh I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Heiress
That is what I truly want to be
'Cause if I was an Oscar Meyer Heiress
Everyone would be in love with me.

Just think of the NYE parties you could throw!

A Bologna Heiress.


I'd rather be a Weiner Heir!

Herr Weiner?

My Bologna has a first name, it's S-T-E-V-E
My Bologna has a second name it Z-L-I-C-K
I'd love to eat him every day
and if you ask my why I'd say
'Cause Innerspaceman has a way with Bologna.

Lisa... Whatever you're taking, can I have some?

I'll get the mustard and relish.

Between this and pie, I'm STARVING!

Yeah, but what are you starving for most?

Pie, Steve, or Bologna?

I think Pie is going to win that contest.

NA is definitely on a jingle roll, those were very good by the way!

Yep, even I got a chuckle out of those! Potential undercurrent and all. That woman's got a future in marketing!








oh.

You should be flattered! She compared you to a large meat schlong packed full of snout and anus.

Actually, now that I think of it.... that might not be so flattering. ;)

Sung to the tune of the Fluffernutter song:

"Oh, you need large meat schlong that's packed full of snout and anus."

Suddenly everyone wants a piece of Steve and his meat...

What else is new?

Maybe we're mourning the loss of your meat since this is the RIP thread. (The thought of Steve's meat ever resting in peace is quite funny!)

And not likely any time soon.











oh, it's resting alright. Has been for too long.




... but not in peace. oh no.

*snort* *giggle*

From a friend:

Walter Cronkite died.
:(

Yeah, I saw that today.

My grandma died yesterday. :(

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}

Sorry to hear that. My sympathy to you and your family.

Our condolences to you and your family, Erica. So sorry to hear this.

So sorry, Erica.

My deepest condolences Erica, it's so hard to lose a loved one.

I'm so sorry. :(

I never read one of his books (way outside the realm of what I like to read), but Frank McCourt of Angela's Ashes and 'Tis died today.

Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon passed away on July 16.

Oh No! Yo Quiero no more Taco Bell! Sad chihuaha :(

I guarantee that his coffin lid won't squeak when opened and closed.

They say he just slipped away.

Since WD-40 is an aerosol product, any coincidence he died

Did you know there are over 2000 uses for wd-40? Get's gum out of hair and carpet! Pretty nifty.

It might be coincidence but since he died so young you have to strongly consider something like that.

Touche!

Though I was thinking that if his exposure to WD-40 killed him at 84 then my exposure must mean I'll live to 230 at least.

FYI - he didn't invent wd-40. He came to company and marketed it to the public.

It seems to be the year of losing great choreographers.

Merce Cunningham dies at 90.

And great boxers.

Alexis Arguello
Arturo Gatti
Vernon Forrest

None of them "good" deaths, or even head-shaking boxing-related deaths. A strange month.

Director John Hughes at 59 of a heart attack.

John Hughes?! Sad.
:(

John Hughes made the movies that I spent my teen years watching - and obsessing over. I've lost track of how many times I've seen The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Oof, that one hit me out of left field. :(

And John Hughes made the movies I was honestly perplexed to discover my friends liked.

Shocking! (not)

Some of the films Hughes wrote:

I've been meaning to post this for a few days now. I had missed that the great photographer Julius Shulman had passed in mid-July at the age of 98.

If you don't know the name, I'm sure you are familiar with this famous photograph of a Case Study House:


Here's a link to his Times obit.

Planes Trains and Automobiles is my favorite Hughes script. I liked The Breakfast Club for a short while, until it became everyone's "oh, I can so relate" movie. Vacation is lots of fun, but alas, I'm afraid Hughes is responsible for one of my least favorite genres - the Home Alone formula movie. (And the fact that he turned 101 Dalmatians into a "crooks fall into traps" HA clone really boiled my blood at the time.)

Case Study House #22 - The Stahl House - Pierre Koenig Architect (1959) To be precise...

Here's the same shot in color!



And the same view today

Budd Schulberg

Would he have made it without the family connections?

Apparently John Hughes had a teenage pen pal many years ago named Alison. Alison grew up and wrote this blog post after John died. I found it an interesting and amusing read. And how sad that he died early - just what he was trying to avoid by quitting "Hollywood" so he wouldn't end up like John Candy.

<giggles quietly>

I just found out, BDB... Wow.

Wow, Les Paul. It's a sad sad day for the music world today.

[bowing head] He was awesome

For the skateboarders, linkie here, pioneer Andy Kessler RIP

Makes a GREAT flamethrower (when used in conjunction with a lighter)!

Virginia Davis (Walt's original "Alice"), died Saturday. She was 90 years old.

The Spanish Inquisition got him. He wasn't expecting it.

Franco is still dead?

Looking at your resume, you might want to get a doctor to give you a second opinion on that.

Excerpt from D23 Website:

IN MEMORIUM: VIRGINIA DAVIS

Virginia Davis McGhee, Walt Disney's first star and the lead child actress in his landmark silent "Alice Comedies," passed away at her home in Corona, California from natural age-related causes on Saturday, August 15. She was 90 years old.

Virginia made a total of 13 "Alice" films for Disney (with such intriguing titles as Alice Hunting in Africa, Alice's Spooky Adventure, Alice's Wild West Show, Alice Cans the Cannibals and Alice Gets Stung) and went on to appear in other roles as a child and supporting actress (including Three on a Match and The Harvey Girls).

She frequently participated in a variety of Disney fan celebrations, including a recent Disney historical gathering in Kansas City, Missouri, in May 2009 and an event in Anaheim in July 2009, hosted by the National Fantasy Fan Club. In 1998, The Walt Disney Company honored McGhee for her contributions to the Studio by naming her a Disney Legend.

You grew up in Corona? I'm sorry.

Virginia Davis lived in Corona? Where I grew up? Why did I not know this?

Oops. NewsHour mentioned they'd be doing a retrospective on the career of Don Hewitt and I though "August really is a slow news month if there doing that a year later."

I'd honestly have sworn he died last year. I guess he'll never make a food of me again.

Either Lisa logged in as Alex or Don Hewitt has Jeffrey Dahmer's palate.

Ted Kennedy

The Irish Bar in Heaven is rocking today with a big Kennedy-style reunion. RIP Teddy. You will be missed.

oh, this was hardly unexpected, but is hitting me with great sadness.

(and matching gladness that my friend with a brain tumor seems to have dodged that particular death sentence.)


I recently read that John Kerry is stepping up as a major negotiator, dealmaker, reconciler, player as ... well, now, the senior senator from Massachusetts. Quite a pair of shoes to fill.

Waaa, I have such a soft spot for Teddy. Ya know, stuff and all.

Attachment 1171

I expect a few of the family will show up NA. ;)

Godspeed to the "caboose" of the family train. RIP Teddy.

Does Ted get to drink in heaven? Has the family forgiven Kick and does Rosemary have her brain back?

I find it odd that the press refers to Ted as the last surviving brother, since he held that title for 41 years under unusual circumstances. You want a last surviving brother? One word: Zeppo.

That said, despite the fact that my first hard-to-shake childhood impression of him from 1969 was that he was a bad man, it's very sad.

thank you. I was trying hard to find a diplomatic, respectful of the dead way to put that.

R.I.P. TK

Sadie Corré, the Little Person Transylvanian from RHPS. Obit as Cosmo's

Ellie Greenwich. Sad.

Dominick Dunne, too.

Aw, I will miss his diary and stories in Vanity Fair.

The Kopechne family has raised their flag from half staff

Completely uncalled for.

Not to the Kopechne family.

So... years from now, when Laura Bush dies, we can make snide and tasteless comments about the Douglas family celebrating her death?

Dredging up 40 year old history to attempt to trivialize the death of one of the greatest figures in the history of the US Senate for partisan reasons is, imo, disgusting. Try and have some class like Nancy Reagan, Michael Steele, Mitch McConnell, and George Bush Sr. (among many). They all praised Kennedy’s nearly 50 year record of service to this country and dedication to making the lives of his fellow Americans better; and rightly so.

I don't think it's unfair to make mention of what he did 40 years ago. It was a tragic thing that he was responsible for and no amount of good he did afterward can change the fact that he was responsible for a young woman's death.

That said, I do find Kevy's comment a tad bit in bad taste if only because it paints a rather unflattering picture of the Kopechne family as petty and spiteful. I can't put myself in the shoes of someone who's had to suffer such a tragedy, but I would hope for their sake that they've been able to move over the last 40 years such that they haven't spent it wishing death on someone.

I don't see any problem with mentioning Chappaquiddick at this time. It was a significant blight on his life and career and says some ugly things about abuses of power. Does that necessarily diminish what he did as a politician? No.

But then what he did as a politician should also not burnish what he did as a drunk driver.

As for whether Laura Bush's fatal car accident is at all equivalent (nobody was under the influence, no criminal charges were filed, no serious allegations of abuse of power to cover it up, and she was 17 and not 37 so sheer youthful stupidity\inexperience is a much stronger defense than for the 37 year old Kennedy).

I'll agree that it was crudely put, though.

There was no indication that he was drunk; that's complete hearsay. People who spoke to him immediately after the accident did report that he was disoriented, but this is consistent with the concussion that he suffered.
Yes, there is no proof that he wasn't drunk; but that doesn't automatically prove he was. The only thing he was convicted of was leaving the scene of an accident.

Second point... What abuse of power? He submitted to a criminal trial and, by all accounts, was completely cooperative with the authorities. He offered to resign his seat but was convinced otherwise by the overwhelming support he received from the residents of Massachusetts. If you are referring to the suit brought by the Kopechne family that was settled out of court... well, most lawsuits are. It proves nothing.

Yes, ultimately he was responsible for the death of Miss Kopechne. And he paid a steep price, both politically and personally for it. He wasn't the drunken, evil, rampaging, irresponsible monster that the right wing likes to portray him as. His long and distinguished career in the Senate proves that. The accident is ancient history. Honor the great service the man has given to this country, and let the past go.

The man just died. Have the decency to give him (and his loved ones) just that little bit of respect.

I'm not trying to pile on, but why should there be a moratorium on dark humor when someone dies? Sometimes, the jokes are most apt amid the flood of tributes.

I have. I just don't consider pretending it didn't happen and expunging it from the record through some moral statute of limitations to be a necessary element of such respect.

And apparently nobody has any respect for him and his loved ones, every single career recap/obituary I've seen in the last 24 hours has included mention of the black mark on his career that Chappaquiddick was.

You obviously disagree but personally I see it as quite obvious that a lot of how the aftermath went down was more a result of his last name, not the merits of the situation. If she had been driving him I somehow doubt she'd have just been off with a leaving the scene charge.

Though I'm a bit curious if Kevy Baby was intentionally turning the tables on the thread that happened when Jesse Helms died and everybody was quite clear that being dead was no reason to ignore the bad things a person had done (I believe the suggestion was made that simple respect for the people who loved him could warrant restraint, and this was rejected), regardless of how long ago. He may have suspected that this is a sentiment that isn't necessarily truly universal. Just supposition on my part, though.

I'm no enemy of dark humor, I just found Kevy's entry a little lame as all it did was drag the Kopechne family's name into it just to take a pot shot at Ted.

It took a whole day and a half for this discussion to begin. I'm impressed!

I never said that it shouldn't be mentioned. But neither should his entire life be summoned up by the name "Kopechne".

If everything had otherwise been equal, then why not? Leaving the scene was the only illegal thing he did. The actual driving off the bridge was an accident; it could have happened to anybody. We can not know what was going through his head afterwards. Concussion, panic, fear, guilt, horror... these all can make you do things you wouldn't otherwise. We all do things that we later regret. No one is immune, not even US Senators. He reacted like a Human; how horrible of him. But all these irresponsible actions were after the accident. Even if he had done everything correctly and properly, Mary Jo Kopechne would still be dead.

I did not, and I still do not agree that making light of Helms’s death was ok. I can not give Kevy a pass just because others made light of it.

Agreed.

My God, that's just incredibly awful. :D

On a news report I was watching last evening, someone (and I can't remember who) recalled that one of his best memories was hanging with Ted Kennedy until the wee hours belting out show tunes. Who knew he was a showtune queen? Of course, he sure as hell was not a sweet Irish Tenor based on Mousepod's youtube link. :D Somehow imagining Ted Kennedy belting out tunes from Wicked or Spamalot makes me smile a little more.

I agree. I disagree that anybody did so.

Though I will admit to an urge to throw dirt a bit. But I always feel that way when our society is in one of its paroxysms of posthumous fellatio.

Regardless of how good a person the fellatee is. And Kennedy was a good politician, I have no strong reaction either way to his death.

Everything couldn't be equal, she wasn't a Kennedy. Like I said, obviously you disagree and we can never know who's right. Though I am.


You didn't make light of it, but you hardly showed any respect to him or his family and did express your happiness that he was dead and hoped he was enjoying his first night in hell. It doesn't strike me as such an extension to assume that those actually harmed by the deceased (if you believe there was harm) might have a similar feeling.

(Though I find it as pointless to suppose their reaction as it is for you to assume insult to Kennedy and his family.)

Now everybody get back to the posthumous fellatio! As a collective nation, it is what we do best.

In terms of making light, I suppose this would be a really bad time to break out the Ted Kennedy Volkswagen commercial?

??

A classic National Lampoon parody ad. They were sued by VW and razored it out of almost every copy of the book.


BTW, Alex. I think "paroxysms of posthumous fellatio" would be a great name for a band.

Well, since you ask (should have said ad not commercial).

From an early '70s issue of National Lampoon (I won't actually embed the picture since I'm sure it will upset some)

My favorite memory of Ted Kennedy was nothing he said...it was something said by Robert Byrd, I believe. There was a picture on the tabloids of Ted on his Yacht in the Atlantic surrounded by several bikini clad females. Upon seeing it, Byrd said "I thought Kennedy was against off shore drillin'. ".

Edited to add: OK, I was wrong....there's the exact quote, and it wasn't Byrd, it was Alabama Senator Howell Heflin.

"Well it does appear that the good Senator from Massachusetts has reversed his position on off-shore drillin'!"

That is a hilarious story. Admitting my ignorance, I had to go look up the good Senator from Alabama and wiki provided this funny anecdote:

Oh, okay, I do remember seeing this somewhere.

Wow, I learn new things every day. So "Three Caballeros" is not an original tune. (And I'm kind of impressed I recognized it from Ted's tortured rendition of it.)

Wasn't there an episode of some old Disney podcast that talked about this song? (cough, cough)

episode #24?

Okay, time to dig that one out of the archives and give it a re-listen. (Don't feel too bad, mp. I've forgotten practically everything I've ever known in the past six weeks. Florida summers are a beeyotch)

Thanks for that link Mousepod, that was funny!

Ok... That's funny. :)

Between Michael Jackson and Ted Kennedy, the RIP in 2009 thread is going to be longer than the Soooooo thread!

Famous people just need to stop dying.

Ted Kennedy:Committee for a Democratic Majority:Stanley Kaplan: _____

A) Kaplan Test Prep
B) Fleeing the scene of a crime
C) RIP

I will say this, I saw Kennedy at some event that I attended in Boston. I don't remember what it was now. But when I saw him the first thing I thought was, 'Man, he has a huge head.' And he did.

I'm sad he's gone and people can say whatever bad things they want about him. I really don't care. I liked the guy. He was the only one with balls to say he supported gay marriage while leaders like Kerry tried to play it safe during the whole fight in MA. I tapped danced on the grave of Strom Thurmond and Jerry Falwell. I'm getting my shoes shined for when Rupert Murdoch dies. People can tap away on Ted's grave. I care not.

Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein

How is he doing?

Not so good. He's dead.

Still?!?

Isn't there some medication he can take for that?

I'd say he's doing fine. I'm not hearing any complaints from him (though in this case I have no idea who the "him" is).

Yeah, me neither. I had to look him up after the MSM kept mentioning him.

Run, run, run, run. Pant, pant, pant, pant. Climb steps, climb steps, climb steps, climb steps. Burst through the door, and . . .

Damn! Too late again!

At least she got to hold the title for a while (252 days ain't bad in this game). I always feel bad for Emma Tillman who died in 1997 after officially being the oldest person in the world for only 4 days. She probably hadn't even got the new letterhead back from Kinko's yet.

Oh, not to worry. He's spinning in his grave.

"An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death."

Hmm, I'm gonna go with "old age".... :p

Holy crap that is funny.

Jim Carroll died on Friday. Apparently he had a heart attack while writing at home. Very sad. I consider myself lucky to have seen him play live as singer and then perform as a poet. RIP Jim.

:(

The news is reporting that Patrick Swayze has passed. Trying to find online corroboration (because nothing is true until it appears on the internet)


ETA: AP one liner: LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A publicist for Patrick Swayze says the "Dirty Dancing" actor has died.

Patrick Swayze. Very likeable guy, I thought. I didn't find Dirty Dancing or Ghost to be masterpieces, but Swayze is good in them, and certainly an iconic 90s star. Sad to lose him so early.

:(

Very few celebrity death's get any sort of reaction from me. Sure, there is a loss to their industry but I didn't know them, I don't feel one.

This announcement got an "oh my god" out of me. I think the last person who got a reaction was Steve Irwin.

My one favorite Swayze moment was his appearance on SNL - especially the Chippendales sketch with Chris Farley. Still makes me laugh.

Aww, that's sad. Poor guy.
:(

His ghost can come visit me any day, I tells ya.

And 80% of celebrity dead pool participants earn points today.

VMPM

BwaHahaha, I sense a line of comedy that will shine golden for many events to come.

Is this going to turn into the new RickRoll?

Kanye will never live this one down. What was he thinking?

"Being drunk is fun!"

I was thinking that boycotting his music and appearances (ie the Leno show last night) was good, but making him an eternal laughing stock? Priceless.

He wasn't: that was the problem

Can you boycott something you never did?

Anticipating something like this, I've been participating in a preemptive boycott for over 31 years.

Henry Gibson.

Goodnight, funnyman.

:-(

Flowers
(Flowers have always been the motivating force of my life)

They are not all flower children,
All those that use the name.
A lot are just imposters,
Playin' at the game.

Beware (beware),
Beware (beware)
Of artificial flowers,
They may be nice to look at,
But they're dead and can not grow.
Beware (beware),
Beware (beware)
Of artificial flowers.
They're plastic up on top,
And they're wire down below.

The real flower children
Are filled with love.
Phonies, they just scoff at love -
Their hearts are made of wood.

Beware (beware),
Beware (beware)
Of artificial flowers,
They may be nice to look at,
But they're dead and can not grow.
Beware (beware),
Beware (beware)
Of artificial flowers.
They're plastic up on top,
And they're wire down below.

True blue flower children
Do not act strange or queer.
They know the world has got to change,
And it must start right here.

Beware (beware),
Beware (beware)
Of artificial flowers,
They may be nice to look at,
But they're dead and can not grow.
Beware (beware),
Beware (beware)
Of artificial flowers.
They're plastic up on top,
And they're wire down below.

by Henry Gibson

:snap: That is a great "A Poem by Henry Gibson."

Really one of a kind, that Henry.

Those are my favorite boycotts. And they provide a great excuse "I'm sorry, I'd join you in my boycott but I already have an essentially infinite number of them going and just don't have time for one more."

I thought I didn't know who Henry Gibson was but I was wrong.

Thankfully, there are people out there to help those who are suffering from the condition that Henry Gibson finds himself with.

:cheers:

:( My mom is a big fan of PP&M, they were definitely a large part of my childhood soundtrack. They were nothing but happiness and friendliness.

Ditto.

Very Interesting

But not funny. (that's actually Arte Johnson's line).

Just sock it to me

Who is Kanye West?

Bye bye Mr. Gibson. You made my childhood a happy one.

Late to the party, but I knew there would be a post about him.

I'll always love him as Dalton in Road House.



So much cheese... good, delicious cheese.

(If the image breaks, I'll fix it later.)

RIP Patrick Swayze

I, for one, shall remember Mr Swayze in his greatest roll ever....


Miss Vita Boheme

Red Dawn is my favorite movie in which Patrick Swayze appears. Though not so much because of him.

OMG, he was BRILLIANT in that role. I gained a lot of respect for him for how well he got in touch with his feminine side and nailed that part.

"Today is a 'say something' hat day."

I didn't know where else to post this...

Today we lost Charlie.

Charlie was 39 years old and the alpha male of our chimpanzee group. He was a character who recognized zoo staff and even some regular visitors, and had a strong bond with his keepers. Raised in a time when zoo animals were often involved with research, Charlie had a rudimentary sign language vocabulary, and would engage some of his favorite staff in conversation. He would often sign "chase" when he wanted to play his favorite game, which involved running from one end of the exhibit to the other.

The AZA annual conference was in Portland this week, and the keynote speaker on Tuesday was Jane Goodall, who has known Charlie all his life. Today was "zoo day", the final day of the conference, when the delegates visit the hosting zoo. 1500 zoo professionals were on grounds.

Charlie was active and engaged this morning, on exhibit and interacting with the rest of the group normally. Early in the afternoon, the chimps became very vocal and agitated. Charlie had simply died.

I spoke with Dave, Charlie's keeper and friend of 30 years, a short time later (in fact, he's the one who told me). He was holding it together, but this will be a tough time for him. This is the toughest part of a zookeeper's profession. Earlier this year, Dave had expressed concern over Charlie's reaction to his imminent retirement. A newspaper article about them described the two of them as "two old men, sitting together just enjoying each other's company."

Please keep Dave and the rest of the keeper staff in your thoughts. They are dedicated, caring professionals for whom love is a tool of the trade. And grief comes with the territory.

Goodbye, Charlie.

Goodnight Charlie.

:(

Dr. Goodall, one of my heros of all time. I met her once, thrilling.

Sleep well, sweet Charlie. :(

I've also had that honor.

Bye bye Charlie. You were a credit to all hominids. :(

Poor Charlie.
:(

I read he was the inspiration for Bingo in the Banana Splits.

Thanks! Now I have that fvcking theme song in my head. I hate you.

Goodnight sweet prince.

I have been joking that 2009 will be known as The Year Everybody Died.

It's not so funny any more.

--t

It's not?

Well, if you're right, then maybe I should splurge for the Beatles box set after all.

Finally I can eat carbs again.

Not that I would ever do anything to get a one-way trip ticket to prison, but I can't imagine spending my whole life in a cell. There's a good reason right there to not do horrible, messed up sh!t.

I have to say this.

I can't believe that tax dollars went to brain surgery for this murderer.

Had the same thought, and was also trying to imagine how it would feel to be the surgeon.

Once someone is made a ward of the state, what is the obligatory level of care? If she'd had pneumonia would it be upsetting to waste money on antibiotics because she'd been bad?

I'm not bothered by it. If we don't want to provide medical care then either they should be let go or executions should be performed at sentencing.

If I"m ever diagnosed with something, I think I'll go commit a crime so I can get free health care...

I hope those she murdered are resting better today...

The whole subject bothers me because I don't like feeling uncharitable, even toward people I believe have behaved badly.

Susan Atkins was not someone who'd just "been bad" and I am not suggesting that all prisoners are not deserving of medical care. Atkins' crime was particularly heinous, stabbing a pregnant woman as she begged for her life and the life of her unborn child. And she said (I believe it was on the witness stand?) that she did it because she was tired of listening to Tate's pleas for mercy.

When defense attorneys at capital trials argue in favor of mercy by saying things like "If Mr. Defendant were to have a seizure here or in prison, we'd do everything we could do to save his life," the D.A. gets up and responds, "Absolutely, we would, so that the state could visit the appropriate punishment on him, which is death." It follows that since a life sentence is punishment, the state has an interest in keeping people alive so they can punish them as much as possible.

But what happens when the original sentence was death, but that sentence was commuted to life imprisonment because the death penalty was briefly outlawed and you can't commute it back once the death penalty is reinstated?

(Not that I care, I just couldn't resist bringing up the point)

Then the only legal sentence is life, and the prior death sentence doesn't matter any more than a unanimous public opinion poll saying that we should still hang pickpockets.

Yes, but we were talking snarkily about health care and whether it's in the state's best interest to keep one alive to punish them for as long as possible.

I suppose the cheapest would be to abolish the death penalty and not provide LWOP prisoners any medical care. Of course, you'd have to have a medical system set up for the non-LWOP patients, so you wouldn't save much on medical expenses by withholding care, just perhaps on long-term living expenses.

I'm no expert on constitutional law, but I imagine that withholding medical care would be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Well, sure, but we're talking the best of all possible worlds here.

Sometimes medical intervention is required. For example, I believe the law is that the state may not execute someone who is insane at the time. Therefore, the state may may forcibly medicate the person to restore their temporary competence so that they can understand why they're being tortured during a botched lethal injection procedure.

Yes, but apparently only if you're guilty of a crime. Perfectly acceptable if you're the customer of a health insurance company.

DING DING DING!!!

Oooo - I'm gonna have to use that one.

William Safire is now bitching about word usage on another plane.

He's probably arguing with Ron Ziegler about "inoperative" in the Watergate circle of Hell between lava showers.

--t

Is Michael Jackson still dead?

No.

Yes.

Maybe

I'm not sure. I haven't heard anything about it on the news lately.

After three funerals don't they retire the trophy?

Saturn*

*The car company not the planet.

I'm glad you cleared that up! I was worried....

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

Good night sweet prince.

Sure you don't mean this dude?

He's just another part of me.




A-HEE-hee!

Wow, his quarterstaff has a flaccid penis.

.

Steven Gately: March 17th, 1976 - October 10th, 2009

He was not well known in the US, but he was part of the boy-band Boyzone which was huge in the UK. He came out as gay ten years ago while still in the band.

As of this writing, details are not yet know. As we know is that he was on vacation with his husband Andrew Cowles while on vacation in Mallorca.

His official web site
Wikipedia

You will not be forgotten Stephen, No Matter What.

Captain Lou Albano.

He was on his way out just when I was entering my very brief (maybe 2 years all in all) enjoyment of professional wrestling.

Doing the ultimate job. RIP, cheater.

When I first scanned this I thought it said, "He was on his way out just when I was entering my very brief (maybe 2 years all in all) employment in professional wrestling." And I thought to myself, "Huh."

I may have only been 12 but I was quite the showman.

Capt Lou! :( No one wore a rubber band in his facial hair quite like Lou. He was among the 80's superstars who ended up in the WWF animated series.

The link mentions his appearance in the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun video, but I also remember him from the Super Mario Bros Super Show, playing Mario.

My enjoyment of professional wrestling wasn't brief, though it ended a long time ago.

Most of my exposure to Albano wasn't so much from actual wrestling as the Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling. Of course, he didn't voice the character, but still.

And looking at that page I learn that Brad Garrett was the voice of Hulk Hogan.

At least the Iron Sheik and Jimmy Snuka are still with us.

Albano's 80s shtick was mildly amusing. His true contribution to the sport was as a heel manager of villainous tag team champions throughout the 70s.

I don't know about this Lou person, but I learned yesterday that Brenden Mullen - creator of LA's first punk club - The Masque - amazing talent booker at Club Lingerie died of a stroke. He was only 60. :( I saw many an amazing show that he organized - one of the most amazing being Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thorton and Eddie Cleanhead Vincent (on the same bill!).

I had the EXACT same experience

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b148...mdb_topstories

A personal entry - Another of my fellow actors in Orlando has left us. Peni Lotoza was wicked funny and wonderful to share a stage with. Unlike the surprise death of my friend and coworker Mark Priest last month, Peni's illness was well known and this sad event was expected. But I will cherish the (very bizarre) show we got to do together about six months ago at the Hard Rock Casino. She also did an amazing job in Die, Mommy Die less than a year ago, refusing to let her illness stop her from giving fantastic comedic performances that completely belied her condition. Terrific lady, and I wish you all could have seen her.

Taken from www.newsfromme.com

RIP - George Tuska - fantastic artist...

Me, too, Flippy. :-(

Vic Mizzy

da-da-da-dah :snap: :snap:
da-da-da-dah :snap: :snap:

Thank you for "ooky", one of the all-time best words, Mr. Mizzy. R.I.P.

One of the truly great TV theme songs. Along with his music for that dubious classic The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. RIP Vic.

I've not looked, did he ever do work for The House of Mouse?

I met him at a KROQ event, where he conducted a sing-a-long of the song; super cool guy.

RIP

Soupy Sales

I used to watch Soupy's show as a kid in New York. Now the plot to murder the TV stars of my childhood has ensnared him. Very sad.

Baxter, the 19 year-old therapy dog. youtube tribute to Baxter. Warning: you will tear up.

I loved Soupy Sales as a kid, he was a funny guy. It sure seems like a lot of people are dying but I guess it's the same every year. It just makes me feel old.

Tear up! I wept copious tears.

Which is why I haven't watched it yet. Maybe sometime...

Want to know how old Soupy Sales was?




Here's a clue: His name was Soupy.

Lou Jacobi
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0414279/

- My Favorite Year
- Everything You wanted To Know About Sex..But was Afraid to Ask.
- Diary of Ann Frank
- Amazon Women on the Moon

What a range. RIP

I'll have to wait until I'm not at work. I cry at Snoopy, Come Home, for Pete's sake, so I can't risk this until I'm safe at home.

born Milton Supman.

If I had been young Milton, I would have been so tempted to put an "e-r" into that last name.

Supmaner?

Cross posting from the Comi-Con thread

The founder of Comi-Con has passed away


:(

The writer who killed Chuckles the Clown has passed away. RIP David LLoyd. :(

Here's the episode of Mary Tyler Moore - "Chuckles Bites The Dust" in 3 parts - 1 2 3

RIP Edward Woodward :(

That makes my cheese sad... :(

ditto. I didnt recognize the name initially....but the face was unmistakeable.

:(

I really hate looking in this thread sometimes.

Breaker Morant is a terrific film.

Bye bye for real this time, Sgt. Howie. (I also enjoyed Woodward's recent role in Hot Fuzz.)

Ken Ober, host of MTV's Remote Control.

I think.

First he was dead, then it was reported that it was only a hoax and he's fine. Now he's dead again. It appears he'll remain dead, but you never know.

I thought Colin Quinn was host of Remote Control? I guess that was some other MTV game show.

Colin Quinn was a co-host of Remote Control along with Kari Wuherer (sp?).

I guess we could sing "Na na na na. Na na na na. Hey hey hey, goodbye" to Mr. Ober...

The Equalizer was such a great show. I thought he was dead until he pop'd up in Hot Fuzz.

RIP :(

Oral Roberts

So long.

Apparently the reward for reaching god's fundraising goals is another 21 years of life.

I feel a song comin' on!

Is your name Aunt Pearl Burass?

Such a waiste of a great porn name. Good luck in hell! :)

Does this bitter pill answer your question?

Apparently, he's survived by his brother Anal Roberts.

There's a drag queen in LA named Vaginal Davis, perhaps a cousin?

Yes! :D

I thought it was Vaginal Cream Davis.

That DQ has been around for a loooong time.

LA Times is reporting that Roy E. Disney has passed.

Here's the link here

Fascinating obit to read.

RIP Roy. Thank you for all you did!

One of my fellow vendors at the Larchmont mkt, the father of one of my store owners, and the brother of one of the guys who work for me all died last week. I'm officially worried.

Oral Roberts figured largely in my early teenage years. I recovered.

Roy Disney became a wonderful standard bearer for quality within the company that bears his family name. From some of the biographies I've read, he wasn't thought of too fondly by his uncle. I was impressed that he stepped up to the bat during the Eisner years.

Attachment 1305

RIP Roy.

:(

Holy cr@p!

Thank you Roy for stepping in (or down) when needed!

I just read about Roy- very sad news. :(

Oh no, that is very sad news indeed.

Sad to see a true "end of era" with Disney. He fought for us and he fought for what the name Disney meant. I hope, in some cinamatic way, Walt greets him, shakes his hand and thanks him for all he did.

RiP

Oh crap no! :(

I got to meet Roy a couple of times, and the in-person resemblance to his uncle Walt was astonishing.

Sad news indeed.

:(

Wow, sad to hear about Roy - I wonder who's left to protect the Disney brand, the end of an era indeed.

Very sad news. I had no idea he was ill. I really am disconnected from Disney these days.

I don't think anyone knew he was fighting cancer, he probably wanted it that way. He will be missed.

RIP Roy. I'll never forget your Save Disney campaign, and all the wonderful things you did to try be Walt for those of us who weren't around before 1966.

Jennifer Jones, RIP.

Song of Bernadette was my grandfather's favorite film. Then again, he only saw two films in in his 83 years of life. That one and The Ten Commandments.

The one upside is that now there never can be a sequel to Duel in the Sun. I hate that film! Whew! Just kidding. :D

Well, now Cliff Robertson (86) is the sixth oldest living Academy Award winning actor*.

Trailing Luise Rainer (99), Olivia de Havilland (93), Joan Fontaine (92), Celeste Holm (92), and Ernest Borgnine (92).

*Per a handy list I keep on hand for filling out my annual Low-Scoring Celebrity Death Pool Ballot. Also, less than a month until Luise Rainer becomes the second centenarian Oscar-winning actor (after George Burns).

Wow, Joan Fontaine is still alive. She's last cast member of The Women alive that Cherny, Snowflake, JW and I can hound for autographs. (I think Virginia Weilder, who played the kid in the movie died pretty young.)

Re: The Ten Commandments, which version? ;-)

For Anne Baxter, alone, one of my favorite films (Yul Brenner, too)

Duel in the Sun us such enormous fun, but Jones was never more charming than in Cluny Brown with Charles Boyer

Michael Jackson is still dead




I think

Re Olivia and Joan: that's a wonderful human interest story that two sisters can live so long and stay so estranged.

I'm trying to decide if I really want to contemplate whether their secret to longevity is the same as Ernest Borgnine's.

Yes, but if we dig him up decades later, his body will be gone, but his face will still look the same!

RIP Roy....

Huh?

I'll let Ernie tell you himself

That was awesome!
:D

LOL. Best thing ever said on FOx News.

Newest entry on the list of things I never would have guessed I'd ever use as search terms: "borgnine maturbate"

:blush: Oh, um thanks for clearing that up for me.

I had thought the answer was going to be that he uses the Tova Borgnine skin care products.

And perhaps he does.

The only side effect of his method is losing the ability to understand the concept of microphones.

Based on that, I am going to live to be 180!

Screenwriter Dan O'Bannon
Aliens vs Predator - Requiem
Alien vs. Predator
Alien: Resurrection
Alien³
Total Recall
Aliens
Invaders from Mars
Lifeforce
The Return of the Living Dead
Blue Thunder
Heavy Metal
Dead & Buried
Alien
Dark Star

Somebody actually wrote Heavy Metal?

Wow, I've not seen a single film listed.

If we turned the sound all the way down would you watch the first two Alien movies (those are the only two really good movies on the list)?

VAM

I think Return of the Living Dead is a great zombie flick.

And I have seen more of them than I like to admit.

In a related gripe, news organizations really need to be careful how they introduce non-death news pieces for people not generally in the news. NPR just did this:

Charles Gibson, 34-year veteran of ABC news, two-time host of Good Morning America and most recently anchor of World News...retired today.

Of course, up to the end there I assumed he'd died. That's happened to me a couple times recently. "Mel Brooks, who started his career as a writer on the Sid Caesar show and hit sitcoms and followed that up with a successful career making satirical movies today...received a Kennedy Center Honor."

The tip off with NPR is obits usually start with something along the lines of, "In sadder news today..."

I heard the first film was very good. I suppose I should Netflix it.

:-)

Ya know, I do watch those new-fangled movies, talkies.
I even watch color films, too.

Brittany Murphy died last night

Here is her IMDB page.

Wow. I've seen every single one of these and own most of them.

Dead and Buried is a particular favorite of mine - a low budget bit of nonsense that nevertheless really creeps me out.

Only 32 - that's very sad. Just a kid, really. I enjoyed her characterization of Luanne on King of the Hill quite a lot, but haven't seen much of her other work.

Wow!
WTF?
I thought she was pretty talented. Loved her in Clueless, Sin City and as Luann. Frick. I hope they don't find out it's drugs or some sh!t like that.
Bummer!

Rumors were she was anorexic.

I liked her work. Most people would know her as Luanne Platt in King of the Hill. I also enjoyed her work in 8 Mile.

God I hope she didn't die of anything related to anorexia. I don't think I could survive another societal bout of self-flagellation over eating disorders.

Alaina Reed Hall
:(

Aww I remember the Sesame Street lady, she was cool!

There sure seems like a lot of deaths lately but I guess it's part of growing older.

I have a feeling you're going to be let down.

I hope not. Otherwise I'll have to die just to prove a point. And I'm not even sure what the point is, which would make it even lamer.

Not many days left to die and make it into this thread - of course there's always the possibility of the RIP 2010 thread being created

No, does it really seem likely that people will die two years in a row?

make that two decades - kinda blows your mind huh?

Arnold Stang - RIP :(

Best line - "I think we're gonna have to kill him!:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/ar...tang.html?_r=1

I had to read the article to know who he was, but Mad Mad World is one of my fav movies ever.

This makes me wonder which of that film's major players is still alive...

Jonathan Winters
Mickey Rooney

....

Yeah, it was a long time ago. I learned everything I know about Hollywood stars from watching that movie as a kid.

I always liked Arnold Stang's cartoon voices.

Oh hell yes. I LOVE that movie.

So quotable!
"Neville, you know how much I hate explosions."

"...except you, lady. You can just DROP DEAD!"

"Everybody pays taxes!- Even businessmen, who rob and cheat and steal from people everyday, even they have to pay taxes!"

"Nobody's gonna get me up in the air! "

""Where did you get that funny accent? Are you from Harvard or something"

I was 100% certain that Winters is dead. But he's not. Wonder who I was thinking of.

Sid Caesar is still alive. As is Dorothy Provine.

Smaller cameo parts but Peter Falk and Carl Reiner are still around.

And Jerry Lewis (uncredited)

Hell, not only had I thought that Jennifer Jones was dead, I thought that her death had previously been reported and that at that time I had thought she was dead.

I hope she sticks with it this time.

Hell, not only had I thought that Jennifer Jones was dead, I thought that her death had previously been reported and that at that time I had thought she was dead.

I hope she sticks with it this time.

I'm thinking that kid who leads Phil Silvers down the river might still be alive. But who knows. I tried to look him up on imdb like Alex would and I couldn't find him. Barrie Chase is still alive... I forgot that Zasu Pitts was in this one, too. Her last film apparently...
:D

Shelley Winters? She died back in 2006

And on the subject of Shelley Winters, I was glancing through her IMDb bio when I found this jem:

I would like to see that clip.


ETA: And I found it
Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3

Can't watch YouTube from work so can't confirm these embedded videos work, but this blog post appears to include the incident in question (though it says 1975).

http://thehollywoodinterview.blogspo...y-winters.html

Ask and you shall receive

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Most of the action is in part 3. The ice dumping is at ~5:30 in the 3rd clip, and it was a small coffee cup, not a champagne bucket.

That link includes the same three You Tube links. I noticed the 1972 vs. 1975 discrepancy.

----------------------

Unfortunately, I cannot listen to the videos here at work. But I scanned through them. At about the 5:30 mark on part 3, I see Shelly coming back and dumping a cup of water on Olly's head, but certainly not "a champagne bucket of ice and water." Further, Reed does not lose his cool; rather, he continues to sit and talk to Johnny for a couple more minutes. I will need to look into this further when I can actually listen.

He doesn't lose his cool on screen, though who knows what happened backstage.

Oh, and in case anyone missed it, here are the links:


Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Only a few days left to appear in this thread. Hurry up and die. Don't delay, act today!

The National Enquirer is reporting on Loretta Lynn's brave last days. They're often right about such things.

Her daughter disagrees

And apparently it was filled with whisky.

Those clips remind me of the days when guests on talk shows had quite a lot more time to talk. These days, it's two minutes, during which the host usually does most of the talking.

I love both Shelley and Oliver on screen. Winters seems like she would have been annoying as hell in real life, and I would never have been able to keep up with Reed, who probably drank more before breakfast than I will in my entire life.

FWIW, Reed's observations about women's liberation sound almost w2ord for word like my own dad at that time. :rolleyes:

I was thinking the same thing. That was definitely from the 90 minute days.

Of course, the show truly went to sh*t when it left New York.

That's one reason Craig Ferguson is the only one I watch anymore. He's still mostly constrained by the 8 minute spot but he actually converses with his guests much of the time rather than just setting up the clip or pre-coordinated joke.

Plus, an entire show using puppets for everything but the guests (it was very much a mixed bag but I'm glad they tried it).

The great reminder is a show that is (or what) on Hulu of an old New York late night show (can't remember the name and can't get to Hulu at work) where the host and guest just went until they ran out of things to talk about and then the channel went off the air for the night.

I love Craig Ferguson!

Winters vs. Reed

Hmm. Awkward clip to watch.

1. Reed was a pompous but eloquent windbag.

2. Winters was being rude and a spotlight stealer.

3. I like her acting most of the time.

4. He has a special place in my heart for a certain scene in Women in Love. ;)

5. I never understood the 'sit and wait on the couch while the next guest talks' concept of the Carson show.

6. His reaction made her look silly but on the whole they both were being dildos.

7. You can tell it took Carson by surprise too because it took him awhile to think of something witty to say.

Joel Franklin?
David Susskind?

David Susskind was the man.

Only nine episodes on Hulu but I found all the ones I watched pretty interesting, particularly Jerry Lewis. This one with Mary Tyler Moore in the first segment was interesting because a psychic was brought on while she was still on stage and MTM was obviously uncomfortable with the whole thing. But it was fun to watch almost everything the psychic said (mostly about the upcoming 1966 presidential election) was completely wrong (unless I've forgotten about Mitt Romney's dad getting the Republican nomination and Robert Kennedy being president).

And looking at Wikipedia I see it was only in his first few years that he was able to go as long as he wanted, then they started syndicating.

I hate scanning this thread. There was about 30 seconds where I thought Wait, Craig Ferguson's dead?

R.I.P.

The dignity of the Oregon State Beavers football team.

Quick aside on talk shows - Kevin Pollak's Chat Show video podcast (on iTunes and YouTube) is him and a guest for two hours just talking about the guest's careers. I got addicted to these and quickly went through the ones involving actors and comedians that I like. Highly recommended for those that hate the standard talk show BS.

Ain't that the truth!!

So I'm guessing they lost a big game?

Oh

Aside to the aside... Follow him on Twitter.

I watched one and half of the Kevin Pollack interviews (thanks for the tip, I like long interviews). Adam Carrola and half of Felicia Day.

Unfortunately I'm finding Pollack to be a very poor interviewer. Both of these are from early on, though. Does he get better as time goes on?

Vic Chesnutt :(

Rowland S. Howard. Always felt his more subdued personality was lost in the shadow of Nick Cave's boisterous character.

I just checked again and he is still dead

I thought this thread was dead.....

Michelle Triola

I learned this today upon reading about Dick Van Dyke's marriage. I had not known that he had lived with her for 33 years. While that's a good run, somehow this brings him down a notch in my mind.

Apparently not

I had never heard of her before. I can see why she might leave a bad impression, but 33 years of commitment overrides pretty much anything else in my book. If anything, I'm really glad Dick Van Dyke had that happiness. At least I assume it was happy.

Moved the last 3 posts to the correct thread...

But she died in 2009

Oh...whoops. I guess I'll move it back then.

Okay, remedied. I will cease my meddling.

Are people STILL dying in 2009?