Why should I be different than other online magazines, newspapers and any other other media outfit and provide a look back at the year that was 2005?
Before I continue, go check out eLarceny to see RFO's compilation of all things musical in 2005. I suggest you run out and buy/steal what RFO lists, because he knows his tunes.
So, though it may be quite macabre to some, I always like to see which celebrities died over the past year, it always shocks me who kicked the bucket, seems always part of my youth dies too. Anyway, here goes...
Michael Vale, the actor known for his portrayal of a sleepy-eyed Dunkin' Donuts baker who said "Time to make the doughnuts," died Dec. 24. He was 83. Sad. I fondly remember those commercials as a youngster. They didn't make me want donuts, but just seeing the donut fella on TV made me feel good.
Guess who else got their wings? Pat Morita of "Karate Kid" fame, but not before receiving the 2,032nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - nice work sunsei. Len Dresslar, known nationally for singing just three little words: "Ho Ho Ho," oh yeah, the Jolly Green Giant character, died of cancer in a Palm Springs, California. Talk about fond memories, that commercial almost made me want to eat my veggies and it was like watching a 30-second cartoon. Loved that damn giant.
"Get Smart" star Don Adams also didn't make it to 2006. I loved the show when I was little, though I have to admit that the beginning and end theme music with him walking through a million types of sliding doors was my favorite part. That and I had a crush on Agent 99. Matthew McGrory, the deep-voiced 7-foot-plus actor best known for his role as a gentle giant in the movie "Big Fish," also died Aug. 9 of natural causes. He was 32. Great movie - go see it.
Peter Jennings, who became the sole anchor of ABC News beginning in 1988, died Aug. 7 at age 67. Jennings brought the news into my house for a long time and I liked him way better than Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw. Plus, I learned on a special after he died that he was very involved in charity work, most often helping those less-privileged attain their education. You were a hell of a guy, Pete, even if you were Canadian.
Last, but certainly not least, Hunter S. Thompson committed suicide on Sunday, Feb. 20. He was 67. What other way would our favorite "gonzo" journalist cash out?
So, that's the list y'all. Thanks for reading and all the visitation and especially participation this year. c101 thanks you and the eLarceny family thanks you. May your 2006 be lovely.
Oh yeah, how do I close out the year musically? Hmmmm. How about two classics from my lifetime best-song list - Astrud Gilberto's "Arunda" and Groove Armada's "At The River."
Arunda
At The River
Such dualism of theme vs song, C$. You just blew my mind with those songs (and Good Vibrations is sweet). (I'm one of the 10 people who actually came to work today out of ~150. I want to go to Arunda, and walk on sand dunes and feel the salty air...wherever that is).
Thanks for making my days sound much better... Happy New Year.
R.I.P., doughnut guy.
goooooooodbye Johnny.
Your welcome, Jules. Have a great 2006. And Ed, yes, Johnny did cash in his chips as well, but Johnny and I did not have any sort of relationship, thus my neglect.
I am a little disappointed that you missed Richard Pryor. I have fond memories of growing up and watching The Toy and Superman 3. Hear No Evil, See No Evil was funny too, but I think I was six when it came out and I liked hearing all the "cuss" words.
Happy New Year, C$.
Didn't mean to miss him, I really did love "The Toy". Sorry, thanks for the holiday well-wishes - back at ya.