Paul Newman: The King of Cool

Paul Newman passed away last night at the age of 83. He was a legendary actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He'll be remembered for his beautiful work on and off screen and for a member of the Cool Old Guys Club which now consists of Robert Redford, Anthony Hopkins and Clint Eastwood.

Though Newman is best known for his work on the silver screen, few know about his career in television. The Remote Island compiled some of his better moments in a fitting tribute to the star.

Newman is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward, and their five children.

Photo: http://www.lashonhara.net

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

Estelle Getty Died. Let's Laugh Through The Darkness.

Estelle Getty died today. She was 84 and very sick. She had a rare form of Alzheimer's Disease and had been sick for some time. Because she'd been out of the limelight so long, most people probably thought she was already gone.

But instead of feeling sad for losing another great actor this year (seriously 2008! Why?!) let's just laugh for awhile okay?

Tony Snow Dies

Former Fox News Correspondent and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow passed away today after a second battle with colon cancer.

Snow worked for the elder President Bush as a speech writer and in other roles in the media affairs department.

He hosted his own show on Fox in the early '90s before joining Fox News in 1996. He anchored Fox News Sunday and hosted The Tony Snow Show, a syndicated program on Fox news radio.

He faced his first bout with colon cancer in February 2005 but it went into remission after six months of treatment.

Snow replaced former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan in the spring of 2006. He combined his skills as a journalist and politico and seemed to excel at the position.
When the cancer returned in spring 2007, Snow stayed positive. He continued to work until September when he left the White House to find a new position.

Tony Snow is survived by his wife and three children. He was 53-years-old.


Photo: ChicagoTribune.com

George Carlin, Dead At 71

George Carlin, passed away last night at the age of 71. He was an iconic comedian, rebel rouser, and resident smart ass.

I was too young to appreciate his seven words debacle, his stint as the first-ever SNL host, or his early stand-up. My introduction to George Carlin came in 1994 during the run of his short lived Fox sitcom, The George Carlin Show. It only had 12 episodes but it was raunchy and crass...especially since I was only 8.

A few years later I discovered that Carlin was the narrator and Mr. Conductor on one of my favorite shows, Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends. Who knew such an old rowdy guy could find a place among a whole new generation of fans?

He'll certainly be missed.


Photo: Associated Press

Tim Russert, Dead at 58

I shouldn't have to write this. I don't want to write it. Not now. Not ever.

Tim Russert, moderator of Meet The Press, died today of an apparent heart attack. He was 58-years-old. He is survived by his wife, Maureen Orth, and son Luke.

He was a compelling journalist, political whiz and a master conversationalist. He made current events surprisingly accessible and more importantly, interesting.

Slide shows, video collages, essays, testimonials and the like will pour in over the next week. Russert's books will fly off the shelf and we'll sit through hours of tributes and maybe a special or two. Anchors will face their own mortality and wonder just what the headlines will read when their time here is done.

So before all of that happens and before we lose sight of this, let's just stop for a second and remember Tim Russert. He was a talented journalist, but better yet, he seemed like a really genuine and wonderful person.


Photo: Daily Galaxy

Roloff Family Friend Dies

Mike Detjen the business partner, craftsman, family friend and soccer enthusiast on Little People Big World, died Thursday. If you're familiar with the show, Detjen was the one seriously injured almost two years ago when the trebuchet on Roloff Farms misfired.

Detjen collapsed during a soccer club meeting. He was taken to the hospital to repair a torn aorta and didn't survive. The Roloff's broke the news on their family web site.

"It was a shock," Matt Roloff told The Oregonian. "He was like a family member."

Detjen was 60.

Whistling A Legacy

If you can whistle the theme to The Andy Griffith Show or bop along to jazzy swing of the Dick Van Dyke theme then you have Earle Hagen to thank. Hagen was one of the most prolific composers for TV themes and scores in 1960s and 70s. He passed away yesterday at 88.

About his prolific career and love for composing, Hagen said, " I was addicted to the ultimate narcosis in music, which is the rush you get when you give a downbeat and wonderful players breathe life into the notes you have put on paper."

Sweeter words were never spoken. Here's to you in Mr. Hagen.

And a one, and a two:

RIP Dick Martin

Dick Martin of Rowan & Martin's Laugh In passed away at the age of 86.

Dan Rowan and Martin were a popular stand-up comedy duo in the 1950s and made several appearances on popular television shows before getting one of their own.

Laugh In was immensely popular and launched the careers of Lily Tomlin and Goldie Hawn. More than that, it set the stage for the golden age of TV comedy in the 1960s.

After Laugh In ended, Martin went on to be a successful television director, helming episodes of Family Ties and The Bob Newhart Show.

He was one of the last television living legends.

I told you we're going to lose some good ones this year.

Happy Birthday Hugh

Just a few thoughts on Hugh Hefner:

The publishing magnate is turning 82-years-old on Wednesday. Ridiculous.

He is keeping himself young with work, a beautiful home, and presumably copious amounts of sex.

His empire has grown from humble nightclubs to a very popular television show. But when is it just time to step down?

Charlton Heston died over the weekend at 84. Even though he was kind of a dick in his old age, it's always sad to lose an icon.

I want Hugh's twilight years to be enjoyable. Take a vay-cay buddy.

Barking Bling

Zoe, beloved dog of fashion mogul and Life In The Fab Lane star Kimora Lee Simmons, died recently. It's awful to lose a pet but Kimora is turning lemons into lemonade...or rather diamonds.

She told People magazine:

"There is a company that makes diamonds out of your loved ones," she said. "[They] make diamonds from a little of the carbon from the ash, so I might do that. I might turn her into a diamond."

I knew these companies existed but hearing about someone actually using their services kind of weirds me out. But a diamond is definitely not as disturbing as this.

Those are almost "unbearable." Pun intended.

Now Who Will Cut The Porkchops?

Allan Melvin, better knwon as Sam the Butcher on Brady Bunch, died Thursday. Melvin also played the role of Archie Bunker's bestie on All In The Family. In his latter years, he stuck to voiceover work. Melvin reached children everywhere as the voice of Bluto on Popeye and Magilla Gorilla. He had an incredibly long career and his contribution to the television industry is too significant to express...especially in this blog.

He was 84, but it seems so all of the sudden.

And its not just Melvin either. Suzanne Pleshette of the Bob Newhart Show passed away today. She was one classy dame, and a great comedian. 2008 has been such a sad year already where celebrity deaths are concerned.

People I'm worried about this year? Hugh Hefner and James Earl Jones. Stay strong fellas.

...In A Van Down By The River

Chris Farly died 10 years ago yesterday. Like 9/11, I can tell you exactly what I was doing when I heard the news. I was doing a mapping project on the floor and my brother threw a newspaper at the back of my head and said,

"There goes Black Sheep 2."

His callous response to the tragic death of one of the best physical comedians in the past 25 years stuck with me. My next thought went out to his family. The Farleys are long-time Madison residents and this town crumbled a little bit that week. It was hard for a lot of people to grasp the fact that the brightest light to come out of this town was extinguished a bit too soon.

But enough sad stuff. Let's remember Chris Farley the best way possible, with copious laughter.

Week In Review

Amazing Race
The teams are in Holland doing a sport called ditch vaulting. Nothing maks me smile more than skinny blond bitches trying something and failing miserably. Especially when failing means they end up covered in mud. Thank you for making my Sunday AR.

***SPOILER ALERT***
I miss Kate & Pat already. One thing I noticed tonight. Doesn't Pat look a little like Dr. Harry Weston (Richard Mulligan) from Empty Nest? They could be brother and sister.

Christmas Specials
The classic cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas was on TBS twice this weekend. Some may say it's too early. I say these things can't start soon enough. My favorite special is The Little Drummer Boy. Who knew a crappy song on a snare was better than gold or myrrh. Not at the top of my wishlist. If you're looking for an exhaustive list of when all of these things are coming on, especially on ABC Family, then peep this. I just made your day.

Dr. Donda West
Kanye's mom unexpectedly passed away yesterday. She has nothing to do with TV, but I have an inkling she was a classy lady. In this interview on WGN, she discusses her book, Raising Kanye, and her parenting style. The best part? You can tell she secretly hates those ignorant, annoying anchors. She was brilliant English scholar and she raised a musical genius. It's a true tragedy.

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Nothing much to say except it's been really funny this season. I like that Larry and Cheryl are separated. I appreciate it when art imitates life. Plus, with how annoying he is on the show, it's amazing she never left him earlier. And Vivica A. Fox is superb as the matriarch of the Black family. I never saw her as a comedian, but I am not too proud to admit I was wrong.

Goodbye Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer died today of acute renal failure at the age of 84. When he wasn't drinking, doing drugs, stabbing his wife, serving in the military or dealing with one of his nine kids, Mailer was writing some of the best literature of the 20th century. Oh, and when he wasn't doing all of those things, he was doing a guest spot on Gilmore Girls.

Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) said it best, in this episode titled, Norman Mailer, I'm Pregnant:

"He takes up space, he drinks iced tea, he scares the other people off."

America just lost one of the last great rebels. There aren't too many people left willing to just stick it to people. Goodbye Norman Mailer.

Goulet: That's A Wrap

Last night, Robert Goulet died while waiting for a lung transplant He was 73-years-old.

What does most of our generation know about Goulet? Will Ferrel doing a bad-ass impression of him on SNL. Or that Emerald Nuts commerical where the man himself is sneaking around an office, messing with people's stuff.

But he was a lot more than that. Ed Sullivan once called Goulet, " The American Baritone from Canada." He was the last of the great crooners; suave, debonaire and hansome. He had a TV, thatere resume a mile long. And if I were alive 50 years ago, or if I were suddenly 70, I wouldn't kick him out of bed.

He was classy all the way through. According to CNN, the last words he said before the doctor's put in his breathing tube were, " Just watch my vocal cords."

Goulet. Badass. Now and forever.