Death all around

These last two weeks have been an unusually busy time for the Grim Reaper. Interestingly, there seems to be a fetish lately for high profile people. I have been in total shock trying to process it all...and finally decided I have to take a moment to honor the memory of these individuals...and what each meant to me.

Ed McMahon 3/6/23-6/23/09-McMahon was perhaps the greatest sidekick in the history of television. His work alongside Johnny Carson is what I will remember most. 'Tonight' was a nightly ritual for me-it helped me shake off the day with a good laugh and get in bed in a good mood to wake up and face another day. Ed's "Heeeeeeeere's Johnny" will be reverberating in the heavenlies as he is reunited with Carson for their first show in eternity.

Farrah Fawcett 2/2/47-6/25/09-Its a cliche...but since I am a male of a certain age I could not escape Farrah Fawcett. Her role on 'Charlie's Angels' is enough by itself to give her television immortality. Her television roles coupled with that poster...ya know the one from '76! The men of heaven will all be at attention when their new sex symbol Farrah arrives.

Michael Jackson 8/29/58-6/25/09-Michael Jackson was the very first African-American megastar. Thriller remains the worldwide best seller of all time. Nothing that has transpired since Michael hit the pinnacle of success has erased the musical legacy of the KING of POP. His music is an inescapable part of my life.

Billy Mays-7/20/58-6/28/09-You couldn't turn on American TV for any length of time without being bombarded by the voice of Billy Mays. He was perhaps the last great 'pitch man' of the old school. He was buried in a shirt with the Oxi-Clean logo...this is fitting. Now he can pitch in heaven shilling Orange Glo products door to door on the streets of gold.