R.I.P. The thread of death....celebrity or otherwise

[Max Peck]

David Lander (Squiggy) died in 2020. Michael McKean (Lenny) is still working -- among other things, he's Chuck on Better Call Saul. Both of them have pretty lengthy filmographies, so they seem to have done well enough for themselves after Laverne and Shirley ended.

[A nonny mouse]

I dimly remember Laverne & Shirley -- I didn't watch it regularly, but I saw it a few times -- but I do remember the characters. What really blindsided me is that Michael McKean was Lenny.

I'm sure I watched them all. Most of the cast is dead now...is Lenny still alive? He was demoted to daytime TV after that show ended.

Plus Michael McKean was David st. Hubbins in "This is Spinal Tap.' So I don't think he was 'demoted to daytime tv.'

[Unagi]

I dimly remember Laverne & Shirley -- I didn't watch it regularly, but I saw it a few times -- but I do remember the characters. What really blindsided me is that Michael McKean was Lenny.

I'm sure I watched them all. Most of the cast is dead now...is Lenny still alive? He was demoted to daytime TV after that show ended.

Plus Michael McKean was David st. Hubbins in "This is Spinal Tap.' So I don't think he was 'demoted to daytime tv.'

I can only assume Jeff V meant to say Squiggy.

As anyone should know McKean was in Spinal Tap (A Mighty Wind, etc) and also had a major role in Better Call Saul.


But it’s also weird to say someone made famous by L&S being demoted to daytime TV.

But this is Jeff V.

I’m told his entire schtick is being wrong, and it’s the fool that points it out.

[LordMortis]

There was a time in 90s around when he was a regular on SNL that you couldn't get away from him. He was like one of those touring celebrity guests on every non serialized show. Then, in the aughts, he was doing the Christopher Guest mockumentary circuit inspired by Spinal Tap. If he then moved on to Better Call Saul, that suggests he's pretty much been working in front of the camera non stop since 90s.

[Hrdina]

David L Lander did the voice of Henry the Penguin on Oswald, a cartoon my kids used to watch.

Plus Michael McKean was David st. Hubbins in "This is Spinal Tap.' So I don't think he was 'demoted to daytime tv.'

Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls from Spinal Tap) devoted some time on his weekly program LeShow to David when he passed. Lander, McKean, and Shearer were all part of The Credibility Gap in the 1970s.

[Daehawk]

Burt Bacharach, writer of such classic pop hits as ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,’ dies at 94

Lost a great there today.

Burt Bacharach, the acclaimed composer and songwriter behind dozens of mellow pop hits from the 1950s to the 1980s, including “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “(They Long to Be) Close to You” and the theme from the movie “Arthur,” has died, a family member of Bacharach confirmed to CNN.

He was 94.

A major figure in 20th century pop music, Bacharach scored major hits in a variety of genres, from Top 40 to country to rhythm and blues and film scores. He wrote hit songs for a wide range of artists, including Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, the Carpenters and Christopher Cross.

[stimpy]

I remember being in grade school and having to learn Raindrops for a show.
The music teacher had us embellish the song with "pitter patter" after each time Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head was sung.
So it was "Raindrops keep fallin on my head (pitter patter pitter patter).

The best part was this teacher had the biggest breasts I had ever seen at that point and would excitedly bounce at each "pitter patter".

Dear Penthouse Forum......

[Daehawk]

Ahhh the mammaries.

[McNutt]

So many hits. My favorite was This Guy's in Love with You.

[Alefroth]

One of the rare times Herb sang.

[Jeff V]

I remember being in grade school and having to learn Raindrops for a show.
The music teacher had us embellish the song with "pitter patter" after each time Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head was sung.
So it was "Raindrops keep fallin on my head (pitter patter pitter patter).

The best part was this teacher had the biggest breasts I had ever seen at that point and would excitedly bounce at each "pitter patter".

Dear Penthouse Forum......

I had a similar experience except Mr. Chester's moobs weren't so captivating.

[stimpy]

Trugot the Dove of De La Soul

I got into them via their collaboration with one of my favorite bands, Teenage Fanclub, and that led me into their wonderful spin in the world of Hip-Hop.

[Smoove_B]

Way too young. I have very clear and vivid memories of seeing/hearing this on the MTV back in 1989; they were unique at the time.



He also provided vocals on this song:

[Skinypupy]

I got into them via their collaboration with one of my favorite bands, Teenage Fanclub, and that led me into their wonderful spin in the world of Hip-Hop.

I’ve never been a hip-hop fan, but man, I loved that song.

Judgement Night was a wholly forgettable movie, but an amazing soundtrack.

[hitbyambulance]

i had that cassette. i think my favorite was Slayer and Ice-T covering The Exploited, followed by the Helmet/House of Pain one. i was a huge Therapy? fan but i didn't think their entry was that great (and probably why it was put at the very end)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgment_ ... oundtrack)

"A collaboration between Tool and Rage Against the Machine on the song "Can't Kill the Revolution" was attempted for the album, but neither band was happy with the results. The song has never been officially released, but has spread through fan bootleg networks."

[Smoove_B]

I totally forgot they were on that soundtrack too. I saw that movie in the theaters and absolutely remember the soundtrack - it was indeed epic at the time it was released. "Missing Link" by Dinosaur Jr. and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien sounds like it could have been released today.

[Smoove_B]

I'm guessing a dedicated thread will be started by someone, but news is now reporting Raquel Welch has died at the age of 82.

[stimpy]

I shall tug one out tonight in her honor.

[Unagi]

Allow me to be the first to say it, she was attractive.


Edit: nope. Wasn’t quick enough. TBH. I thought it would be Daehawk.

[dbt1949]

Another one of my heart throbs. RIP my love.

[Daehawk]

She was a beauty. A small illness. I wonder what though. She seemed in good health all her life. Its a loss. Wow. Raquel gone. Sad day it is. Happens to us all unfortunately. Cant beat time. Still a punch to the face. What a woman. Smart talented and not overly struck on herself. Go with God my dear Raquel. Will miss you here with us Walks Far Woman.

[McNutt]

I have never seen one of her films, unless you count The Shawshank Redemption.

Edit - NM. I did see Fantastic Voyage.

[RM2]

When I was a young guy in the sixties one million years BC was a favorite, everyone in my peer group loved Raquel

[Kraken]

When I was 9 years old Raquel planted the notion in my mind that girls aren't necessarily icky...a position that I still hold today.

[A nonny mouse]

Munch has bit the big one

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/19/enterta ... index.html

R.I.P Richard Belzer. Perfect in his Homicide: life on the street and law and order roles, and was a real life conspiracy person. I always loved listening to him on Gilbert Gottfried’s amazing colossal podcast.

[Jaymann]

I loved his standup routine before he hit the big time. I Also bought his book UFO's, JFK, and Elvis. A tremendous talent. RIP.

[McNutt]

I remember when he sued Hulk Hogan. That really pissed me off because Belzer kept asking to be placed in a sleeper hold. When Hogan finally did it, Belzer passed out (as expected) and hit his head, requiring a few stitches.

Maybe there is more to the story than that, but that's what I remember. Other than that, I liked Belzer. But that suit did not sit right with me at all.

[Daehawk]

Liked him in Law & Order SVU. Wife loved him in that. She was a big fan of Munch. RIP to a fine actor. All me and my wife's entertainment heroes or dying off. Reminds me Im in the final age generation to be going next.

[Isgrimnur]

Meanwhile, Sam Waterston is still ticking along at age 82.

[dbt1949]

Richard was my favorite in Law&Order SVU.

[Jeff V]

I loved his standup routine before he hit the big time. I Also bought his book UFO's, JFK, and Elvis. A tremendous talent. RIP.

Same here. Never watched that TV show, but I loved his standup when he was doing HBO specials.

[Rumpy]

Canadian acting legend Gordon Pinsent passed away at the age of 92. R.I.P, Gord!

https://variety.com/2023/film/obituarie ... 235536273/

[The Meal]

"...or otherwise"

I've shared lots of stories about growing up, and I'm in no mood to rehash. It wouldn't take much in the way of poking around (or recollecting for most of you) to know the depth of this loss.

It was a week ago today that my father passed away at 84. He and his wife were snowbirds in the FL panhandle. Earlier in February he was golfing. Then he thought he had a UTI. Antibiotics didn't touch it. Discomfort and lack of urination led to a hospitalization where it was discovered that his bladder had protruded into a known hernia. They wanted to perform surgery but only after the bladder infection could be dealt with. They never did get that under control. MHS purchased one-way flights for us on the 20th to arrive on the 22nd. Later that evening he entered hospice with an anticipated 72 hours. He lasted 7. At 4am on Tuesday 2/21 I got a phone call from his wife, sobbing, addressing me by one of my brother's names. She dealt with so much that last week, very little of which was pleasant.

I left nothing unresolved. I last saw my Pops at Thanksgiving, and earlier in 2022 MHS and I road-tripped to MI for an extended visit around his birthday. I'm filled with overwhelming sadness. The loss is tough because it felt like he had so much left to do. He got around well and he had lots of friends with which to be active. But as MHS pointed out, the tipping point has a sharp tip when one reaches their mid-80s.

I probably think fifteen times a day about something I want to tell him before I realize that it's not going to be a phone call any more.

My oldest brother (now retired himself) will help bring my step-mom and their dog back to MI in about a month, and the celebration of life will be in early June. I love you Dad.

[gbasden]

I'm so sorry. My father is four years gone, but it was similarly sudden. I still think of him a lot. If there's anything I can do, even if it's just arranging for dinner to be delivered to the family or listening I'm happy to help.

[Skinypupy]

I’m so sorry Meal. It’s always shocking how quickly things can turn.

I wish I had some words of wisdom, but I don’t. I’ve found that it’s simply getting through one day at a time while learning to manage the grief. Some days will be better than others (I still feel the urge to call my dad, and he’s been gone 5 years now) and know that you (and MHS) have support here if you guys need it.

[Lassr]

I'm so sorry.

[McNutt]

My deepest condolences.

[Daehawk]

Im sorry to hear that meal. Been there. Used to call my dad's number when I knew my step mom wouldn't be there just so I could hear my dad's voice on the answering machine.

[Unagi]

I probably think fifteen times a day about something I want to tell him before I realize that it's not going to be a phone call any more.

I'm really sorry to read about your loss.
I lost my father overnight, 20 years ago now (that is just shocking for me to think). It was a total shock to everyone and all I can say is that I still miss him, dearly. I still need him. I wasn't remotely done needing his wisdom and company. I would never have been done. Time helps you learn how to avoid some of the deepest grief, but you will probably find that you'll be able to find it again as soon as you go looking for it. My brain has been kind enough to let him visit me from time to time in my dreams, which can just be wonderful moments - but oh how I wish I could still have his ear and watch him do his thing - have him meet my kids - and them him. Man, that hurts.

[Rumpy]

Sorry about your loss, Meal.