Thursday June 25, 2009.  Two iconic figures of pop culture; two tragic deaths.  One that will surely (and has already) overshadow the other.  Growing up, I did not really know Farrah Fawcett as her most famous role.  I remember her hyphenated moniker Fawcett-Majors.  I remember seeing reruns of the Six Million Dollar Man in which she co-starred with her then husband, Lee Majors.  I even believed that she was the actress who played the Bionic Woman.  I guess Charlie’s Angels was on after my bedtime.  Her bravery through suffering has been well documented and must have been heavy upon those who loved her.  She is definitely in a better place.

On the other hand, the weeks ahead will undoubtedly focus on the self-proclaimed King of Pop.  No matter what the last decade or so of Michael Jackson’s life may have brought the fact remains: the man had an extreme amount of talent musically, and performance wise.  I will not dwell on the tabloid details of his life but will say that I do remember his heyday in the early to mid 80s and was enthralled with his extreme talent.  I was with my family in Texas the summer of 1984 during the Jackson’s Victory tour and remember thinking how cool it would be to be able to get impossible tickets. I also remember the videos (when videos were actually shown on MTV) that were mini-movies.  Thriller is still a masterpiece aurally and visually.  Ironically, I just watched it via youtube earlier this week.  Nearly 15 minutes.  28 million copies of the album sold worldwide.  Experts are already speculating that the world will never again see the like.  His life may have been troublesome and strange.  I think being tossed into the spotlight at the age of 4 and continue for 4 decades would be difficult to say the least.

To say nothing of the passing of Johnny Carson’s second banana, Ed McMahon.  Not a good week for pop culture.  Peace and healing to all the families of these three icons.

My cousin and her small family moved to Alaska last November. Alaska?! Who goes to Alaska!  (HEHE… small inside joke).  Char’s husband was stationed there after his training in the U.S. Army.  In March, Rich was deployed to Afghanistan but he is allowed to communicate via phone or computer from time to time. He will be able to return for a week or so for the arrival of their second child (reportedly another little girl). I chatted with him a few weeks ago to discover that he is stationed in a relatively safe zone… in fact, he was bored.  I think I would rather be bored in Afghanistan than being in the heat of battle somewhere else..

My sister got a phone call this afternoon from Alaska.  It seems that Rich helped set up for a concert that will be taking place featuring a famous country star.  Both Char and Christi were upset that they could not be there, too because Rich got to meet him and got his autograph.  I told them… if you wanted to meet him so badly, you could both enlist and join him.  Don’t suppose that is very likely in their familial circumstances.  But I believe that they were both promised autographs.  Hopefully, some pictures as well.

I wonder what Christi would have done if instead of Toby Keith there were stars of the WWF or WWE or whatever the so called “professional wrestling” group calls themselves.  I belive it has been downgraded to “sports entertainment.” Honestly, it reminds me of a soap opera with all the convoluted story lines and obviously staged matches. .. good for a laugh.   However, somehow there is a number of members in my family  who enjoy it.  I still remember running outside on Saturday mornings when dad turned it on.  To each his own, I guess.  I would much rather see Toby Keith in person.  Of course, there are other celebrities I would like to meet.

I was feeling rather curious to tonight and I decided to check out celebrities who celebrate (or celebrated) their birthday the same day as I do.

• I have known for years that Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster from The Munsters and Judge Chamberlain Haller from the hilarious My Cousin Vinnie) was born on July 10th.
• Phyllis Smith who plays (ironically) Phyllis  on The Office.  Isn’t it curious that many of the supporting cast members share the first name as the actor playing them?  For instance, Oscar Nunez plays Oscar; Angela Kinsey plays Angela; and perhaps most ironic, Creed Bratton plays Creed Bratton (but has his last name on the show ever been established).
• Jake LaMotta the boxer who was the basis for the movie Raging Bull.
• Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Olsen from Little House on the Prarie who is the brother of Melissa”Laura” Gilbert and half brother of Sara “Darlene #1 from Roseanne“).

There were 3 pages full of celebrities who share my birthday.  Some I would call infamous and some I have no idea who they are.  Follow the link to see who shares your special day.

Before turning in for the night, I like to periodically check the guide to see who is going to be on the late night gab fests.  Sometimes, they pique my interest (Jack Hanna on Letterman in which case I have to pass the word to tangent’s own animal lover, taylhis).  Last night, Jay Leno had the curiosity named Lisa Lampanelli.  I was introduced to this overtly shocking comedienne while on our trek to NYC and all I can say is WOW!  She stepped out and fondled band leader, Kevin Eubanks and was quick to make a heated quip about first guest, Vin Diesel (“tall hairless man, don’t know whether to nurse you or spank you”).  However, she kept to her goal of making it through her set without being bleeped, but came awfully close.

Before the guest came out, Jay’s “Headline” segment always is worth a view on Monday night.  One of the pieces was a playbill from a high school production of Kiss Me Kate. One of the things I like about some playbills is the shoutout/pat on the back spaces friends and relatives buy to give encouragement to the performers on stage (something that has been mentioned in our community theatre but…).  In any case, the playbill presented last night included the rather encouraging line:

Don’t bother coming home because you suck.

Love, Mom and Dad

OUCH… even if it was meant as a joke what a message to send a young person.  No wonder the country’s youth has self-esteem issues.

Why oh why?  Just a few short month ago, Michael Phelps was on top of the world, setting Olympic records, winning gold medals in every swimming event he competed in in Beijing (8 in total) and the world watched.  In 2004 in Athens, he won multiple gold and silver medals and a few months later was involved in a DUI incident.  Funny how this was never mentioned this season… not that I remember anyway.

Over the weekend the golden one was at a college party in which marijuana was present.  And of course Mr. Phelps was human and young enough that he admittedly partook as a photo most likely from one of the fellow partiers cell phones surfaced.

I’m not going to defend anyone in this post.  Not Phelps nor the person snappin the picture.  I will say that anyone living in any high profile position needs to be careful.  I’m not sure if Michael felt that he would be able to escape the limelight twice but apparently he was not being careful.  Human but not careful.  I think the people who are ultimately responsible are those who place these people on such a high pedestal that if they blink, or turn right when they should have turned left they are forever demonized when mere moments ago they were “heroes.”

At least one of us here at tangents have made posts about the odd names celebrities and everyday people have given their children.  I say if we find more, why not post those as well.  Unless you live under a rock, you know of the quartet of Frank Zappa’s offspring (Diva, Ahmet, Moon Unit, and Dweezil).  Those actually seem tame to some of these other monikers… of course, I think the novelty of those names has since worn off..  How about these:

• Jermajesty (son of Jermaine Jackson.  He must have high hopes for this one.  Or maybe the entire family has a thing for royalty.)
• Moxie Crimefighter (daughter of Penn Jilette.  I wonder if his name was bestowed upon him or he chose that as his stage name.)
• Pilot Inspektor (son of Jason Lee.  Perhaps foreshadowing a future position.)
• Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom, and Pixie (daughters of musician Bob Geldof.)
• Tu Morrow (Rob Morrow’s little beauty.  I see a young girl with huge, curly, red hair belting out the famous song from Annie.)
• God (Ok… rapper Lil’Mo REALLY has high aspirations for this one.)
• Messiah Yamajesty (yet another rapper Clifford T.I. Harris shooting for the stars).

Very unusual names that make Nicholas Cage’s choice of Kal-el for his son seem tame.

Of Rock and Roll?  Today would have been Elvis Presley’s 74th birthday (althogh some still claim he still is among us… whatever).  My sister was born on January 8, 1977 so the family is sure to make mention of both events.  To be quite honest, I’m not sure that it was really good to be in his Blue Suede Shoes, particularly after becoming involved with his scheming manager Col. Tom Parker.  from what I understand, Elvis was pretty much held back in his potential by playing it safe. Most of the thirty-three movies he made (sometimes as many as three a year) were lackluster at best and seemed to be the same film over and over.  Although audiences flocked to the cinemas to see them, Presley was reported as being unfulfilled and unhappy with them.  Many offers were given to branch out of the sappy, one-dimensional musical extravaganzas into more dramatic roles, but Parker was always there driving him away from them.  One has to wonder why Elvis kept with him through most of his career (giving his manager 50% of all his earnings).  It also seemed that following his stint in the Army, the king’s music was same old same old and safe.  But I guess if audiences still bought the records… why mess with a good thing?  However, Elvis’ impact is still felt today nearly 32 years after his death.  He has been named the highest grossing deceased celebrity at least 5 times by Forbes magazine.  His music has become the basis of the musical All Shook Up. Plus, millions worldwide still flock to his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee year after year.  I guess it is true that one is not truly gone as long as he is remembered.  One bit of trivia I still find intriguing, Elvis had a twin brother named Jesse Garon who was stillborn. [poll id=”9″]

After nearly 4 days, I believe Uncle Larry N. Gitis has finally left… THANK YOU SO MUCH 😀 !!!  I tell you, it seems like the four longest days I have had in some time.  Tuesday late afternoon while baking cookies for a New Years gathering, I noticed that my voice was getting scratchy and I was starting to think that I was going to be coming down with a cold.  However, throughout the ordeal I felt fine… just kept getting less and less of a voice which to me is quite frustrating and scary.  There is just so much that I do with my voice… it has long been a my instrument of choice.  I could probably pick up a trumpet or tuba and play and I can play a little piano, but I have always, ALWAYS LOVED to sing.  Even more than the other three instruments.  Makes me wonder (there’s that word again) how people like Julie Andrews and I am sure many other performers endure when they lose their singing voices permantely.  Of course, Ms. Andrews has endured with other projects such as writing children’s books as well as doing the occasional movie.  I’m actually glad that my voice has recovered just in case it needs to be used in a meeting tomorrow evening. [poll id=”6″]

Friday night I again ventured to an evening of games and fun at our wonderful friend’s house.  In the early morning hours, I began to venture to my car when another game partier made it known that it was very foggy and offered me to stay over at her house.  I gladly accepted and while following the car in front of me to our destination, I was really glad I did not attempt to drive home.  Even this morning driving home at 10AM, it toook 30 minutes as opposed to the 10 it usually takes.

While the title of this post has only a slight connection to the topic, I wanted to post on the loss of a Catwoman who used up her nine lives.  Eartha Kitt played the feline pur-r-r-lunderer during the final season of the Batman tv series. In my opinion, she was not as captivating as Julie Newmar in the role.  Ms. Newmar and Adam West had wonderful on-screen chemistry that seemed to lack when Eartha put on the catsuit.  Aside from her stage and film credits, Ms. Kitt was also a famous singer whose rendition of “Santa Baby” graces the airwaves every hoilday season.  Most recently, she appeared on stage in National Touring Productions of The Wizard of Oz and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Perhaps the most enduring fixture in the world of Star Trek was Majel Barrett-Roddenberry.  She was in every incarnation of the universe.  She played the role of Number One in the original pilot entitled “The Cage.”  However, the role was scrapped when television censors first viewed the show as the role was too progressive for a woman (this was the mid 1960s after all).  When the series was relaunched, the wife of series creator Gene Roddenberry was given the part of Nurse Christene Chapel who had an unrequited attraction to a certain Vulcan first officer.  After the series ended, Mrs. Roddenberry would be heard in the animated series as Lt. M’ress as well as the voice of the computer in all future Star Trek series and later films including the new movie coming this summer.

However, my favorite role portrayed by the actress was as Lwaxana Troi who was the mother of Enterprise councellor Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  Mrs. Troi would make periodic appearances not only to the Enterprise but also on space station Deep Space Nine.  Part of the fun of this character was her hilarious flirtatious advances toward Captain Jean-Luc Picard.  Unfortunately for the captain, Lwaxana is a full telepath able to read the thoughts of others.

On December 18, 2008 Mrs. Roddenberry lost her short battle with leukemia a disease I know all too well this year.  May the great bird of the galaxy watch over her and those she left behind.  Total coincidence that two postings in a row have a common theme.