Isaac Hayes Dead at 65, My Mother Faces Her Own Mortality

Isaac Hayes' voice dripped sex and his comedic stylings on South Park made him one of my favorite voice actors of all time. Hayes died yesterday of unknown causes.

My mother came down the stairs this morning and realized two of her favorites (Hayes and Bernie Mac) died way too soon. She commiserated over coffee.

"Isaac gone, Barry gone, Luther gone...there's no crooner's left."

She means Black ones. We're still rooting for you Tony Bennett.

Hayes was 65.


Photo: BMI.com

Bernie Mac Loses Battle With Pneumonia

Original King of Comedy Bernie Mac passed away yesterday after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was 50-years-old.

Most people know him from his popular Fox sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show, which ended it's 5-year run in 2006. But his stand-up appearances put him on the map. I miss his booming voice and wide smile already.





Forget rock and roll heaven, TV Heaven is filling up way too fast this year. Way too fast.

Photo. Gawker.com

Why So Serious?

I am back from my self-imposed blogging vacation early to report on some pretty serious news that I just couldn't stay mum about much longer.

• Christina Applegate has breast cancer. She caught it very early and her chances of recovery are darn near 100% but the fact remains the same. I'm still very young, (despite the near fit I had when midnight struck on my birthday) but Christina Applegate is only 36. These celebrity diagnoses start hitting home as the folks get closer and closer to me in age. Christina Applegate? You mean Sue Ellen Crandall? Kelly Bundy? She's got cancer? It's a tough pill to swallow.
  

• And in other "why is everyone getting grave illnesses?" news, Bernie Mac is suffering from pneumonia in Chicago hospital and he is in extremely critical condition. However, his publicist also mentioned that he is responding well to the treatment. I haven't seen much of Bernie Mac recently but his sitcom was original and always good for a few laughs. His shining wit and creativity would be missed.
  

Let's hope for a speedy recovery for both stars. We can't lose anymore this year.