I am the only one here who watched Desperate Housewives, but Kathryn Joosten, who played Mrs. McCluskey, passed away of lung cancer. Apparently she had it about 10 years ago, thought it was gone, and it came back.
What makes it interesting and, I think, more sad is, in the storyline, she had cancer and was on her last days. The series ended just 3 weeks ago with her character dying of cancer.
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#649706 06/03/1210:38 AM06/03/1210:38 AM
I never watched DH, but Kathryn Joosten played the president't secretary for a few seasons on West Wing, a show I did watch. I knew she was sick, but didn't realize how sick. Shame. She was a wonderful actress.
President Emeritus of the Neal Pulcawer Fan Club
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#649739 06/03/1202:34 PM06/03/1202:34 PM
The Mafia Is Not Primarily An Organisation Of Murderers. First And Foremost,The Mafia Is Made Up Of Thieves. It Is Driven By Greed And Controlled By Fear.
Between The Law And The Mafia, The Law Is Not The Most To Be Feared
"What if the Mafia were not an organization but a widespread Sicilian attitude of hostility towards the law?"
"Make Love Not War" John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#649794 06/03/1208:02 PM06/03/1208:02 PM
Former Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher and a valuable component of the Big Red Machine, Pedro Borbon, died of cancer. I believe he still holds the club record for pitching appearances as he was known to have a rubber arm and would often throw multiple innings on consecutive days.
He was a little whacky too. He was hated in Pittsburgh after trying to bite Richie Zisk's neck during a brawl. In the early 70s after an onfield incident at Shea he inadvertently picked up a Mets hat and placed it on his head. When he realized what he had done, he threw a fit and ate the hat.
He pitched in an era that when a reliever entered a game, he was expected to finish it. RIP, Pedro. You were good.
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: klydon1]
#650080 06/05/1212:46 PM06/05/1212:46 PM
Ray Bradbury, one of the best sci-fi authors ever, died yesterday at age 91. He wrote "The Martian Chronicles" and "Farhrenheit 451" among many other titles.
TIS and I had picked him on our lists.
R.I.P. Ray, and thanks for the countless hours of reading entertainment.
.
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: SC]
#650193 06/06/1210:51 AM06/06/1210:51 AM
I saw the banner headline on Yahoo website and I was just gonna post it. Too bad. I used to watch the Ray Bradbury Theater (I think that was the title) on tv. I think it was on like at 11:00 p.m. or something. He'd host the show.
TIS
Last edited by The Italian Stallionette; 06/06/1210:52 AM.
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
Yeah, TIS. One of the earliest works of sci-fi that I read as a kid was Bradbury's, "A Sound of Thunder" (about a time traveler who went back in time and hunted a tyrannosaur. He changed the course of history because he inadvertantly killed a moth at the same time).
The story and his wonderful style of writing blew me away, and that's how I'll remember him.
.
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: SC]
#650204 06/06/1211:40 AM06/06/1211:40 AM
Like SC, "A Sound of Thunder" was the first short story by Ray Bradbury that I read. I think it was back in 1967. I still have it somewhere.
The late Signora V. (a very literary type in her own right) had three favorite authors: Jame Austen, Terry Pratchett and Ray Bradbury. She was able to meet the latter two. (It would have been very difficult to meet Jane Austen!)
Actually, there's an amusing story here - it was at a huge sci-fi convention back in the summer of 1993. I'll post the story a little later, when I have time. But, somewhere, I have a photo of the two of them.
A few years later, as an anniversary present, a good friend gave us front row tickets to a lecture he gave in NYC. A truly memorable evening.
We taped every episode of Ray Bradbury Theater when it aired, years ago, on the USA network. Excellent series, particularly when you consider that so many authors have their works "adapted" by studios and the final product ends up unrecognizable when compared to the original novel or short story.
I remember his story "I Sing The Body Electric" was adapted for the Twilight Zone series, then, years later, made into a TV special called "The Electric Grandmother."
Even after a crippling stroke, he continued to write. I understand he would dictate the stories to his daughter via telephone.
An amazing, talented, brilliant man.
R.I.P.
Signor V.
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
"No. Saints and poets, maybe... they do some."
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#650213 06/06/1212:27 PM06/06/1212:27 PM
Wow, Signor V, your wife was a big fan of Jane Austen and Ray Bradbury. She must have had deep literary tastes.
I actually thought Ray Bradbury had died years ago. About a week ago while waiting for my wife in a mall, I started rereading Farenheit 451 in a book store, and had decided that I have to read it again this year.
I remember hearing once that he never had a driver's license, and he's a direct descendant from one of the convicted Salem witches. He'll be missed.
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#650240 06/06/1202:11 PM06/06/1202:11 PM
MD (née Daughtry; February 1, 1898 – April 1, 2012)[1] was an American pediatrician. She was the world's oldest practicing pediatrician until her retirement in May 2001 at the age of 103.[2] She was a supercentenarian, living to be 114. On December 10, 2011, at age 113 years 312 days, she became one of the 100 oldest people ever. At her death she was the 4th-oldest verified living person in the world and the 3rd-oldest verified living person in the United States.
The Mafia Is Not Primarily An Organisation Of Murderers. First And Foremost,The Mafia Is Made Up Of Thieves. It Is Driven By Greed And Controlled By Fear.
Between The Law And The Mafia, The Law Is Not The Most To Be Feared
"What if the Mafia were not an organization but a widespread Sicilian attitude of hostility towards the law?"
"Make Love Not War" John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#650286 06/06/1207:35 PM06/06/1207:35 PM
The Mafia Is Not Primarily An Organisation Of Murderers. First And Foremost,The Mafia Is Made Up Of Thieves. It Is Driven By Greed And Controlled By Fear.
Between The Law And The Mafia, The Law Is Not The Most To Be Feared
"What if the Mafia were not an organization but a widespread Sicilian attitude of hostility towards the law?"
"Make Love Not War" John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: DE NIRO]
#650365 06/07/1201:49 PM06/07/1201:49 PM
LOL, DeNiro, you have to talk loudly, SC is a little hard of hearing in his old age.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
LOL, DeNiro, you have to talk loudly, SC is a little hard of hearing in his old age.
Yeah, but at least I remember that it is Geoff who updates these lists.
Ha ha ha ha ha!!
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#650381 06/07/1205:50 PM06/07/1205:50 PM
The Mafia Is Not Primarily An Organisation Of Murderers. First And Foremost,The Mafia Is Made Up Of Thieves. It Is Driven By Greed And Controlled By Fear.
Between The Law And The Mafia, The Law Is Not The Most To Be Feared
"What if the Mafia were not an organization but a widespread Sicilian attitude of hostility towards the law?"
"Make Love Not War" John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#650386 06/07/1207:49 PM06/07/1207:49 PM
Herb Reed , last of The Platters, passed away. Herb Reed Obit
Quote:
Herb Reed, the last surviving member of the Platters, one of the first pop groups to break the color barrier in the 1950s with crossover hits like “Only You,” “The Great Pretender” and a soaring street-corner version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” died on Monday in Boston. He was 83.
The cause was lung disease, said his manager, Fred Balboni.
Mr. Reed was credited with naming the group in 1953 (“platters” was disc jockey lingo for vinyl records) when he and a group of friends in Los Angeles began singing a cappella in amateur contests. The core of the original group — Mr. Reed, David Lynch and the lead singer, Tony Williams — later joined with Paul Robi and a 15-year-old girl named Zola Taylor to form the quintet that recorded “Only You” in 1955, the first in a string of hits.
Mr. Reed became the group’s most enduring presence. As original members were replaced, he remained, singing bass on all of the 400 recordings the group made during its peak years, including four that reached No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart: “The Great Pretender” (1955), “My Prayer” (1956), “Twilight Time” (1958) and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” (1958). He continued performing until 2010, and a year later he won a court battle over the rights to the Platters name.
In the tradition of black singing groups like the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots, the Platters used highly polished harmonies and had a musical sophistication that helped their records gain acceptance on mainstream radio at a time when racial divisions, though loosening, were still being observed in the record business. The Platters’ early records, like those of many black artists, had color-coded labels — usually orange, sometimes purple — to alert D.J.’s that they were “race records,” something that effectively barred them from the air in parts of the South. (The term was later changed to “rhythm and blues.”) ...
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Winter is Coming Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: Lilo]
#650387 06/07/1207:59 PM06/07/1207:59 PM
That saddens me.... we lost a singing legend that I grew up listening to (thanks to having an older sister and brother). I also had the pleasure of drinking with him one night back in Massachusetts in 1970. He was appearing at a club and I started reminiscing with him after the show.... he was a real nice guy.
R.I.P. Herb, and thanks for the great music!
.
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: Lilo]
#650390 06/07/1208:16 PM06/07/1208:16 PM
I don't know all the Platters names that well other than the lead singer, but what a wonderful group they were. Sorry to hear about Herb's passing.
SC, how cool that you had a drink with him. What a great memory.
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: J Geoff]
#650395 06/07/1208:53 PM06/07/1208:53 PM
"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" is one of my favorite songs of all time. RIP Mr. Reed.
Same here along with "The Great Pretender."
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
Re: 2012 Dead Pool
[Re: DE NIRO]
#650408 06/07/1210:39 PM06/07/1210:39 PM
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Winter is Coming Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
.
