Not much illustrates the disjointed nature of my thought processes over the last few weeks like driving down the freeway the other day, seeing all the flags at half-staff, and thinking, "Gee, they sure are making a big deal out of Bob Denver's death."
I don't fault Denver for Gilligan's Island, which gave everyone of my generation the cultural touchstone it so sorely needed. It was an awful show, really, but we watched it because - unlike "kids these days" - we had a bare handful of channels to choose from. It was either the entertainment trifecta of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gilligan, and The Brady Bunch on those indolent summer afternoons, or soap operas. VCRs didn't exist, and one could only play Pong for so long before grabbing a steak knife and attacking the TV.
So it isn't Denver's fault that half the obituaries ran under the headline "Gilligan dead" (even though most did mention Dobie Gillis as well). I'm sure it was never the guy's intention to be famous for one role and nothing else, but such are the vagaries of entertainment, and he seemed to find peace with the idea in recent years. Perhaps a hundred media outlets saying, "So long, little buddy" wouldn't have upset him.
No word on how Jerry Mathers, Adam West, Leonard Nimoy, and Jaleel White are taking the news.
I just read your blog about Jessica Willey, she happens to be my sister in law and I don't appreciate your article. Jessica is extremely professional and cares about her work. The next time you want to dog her, remember she is a person and she has a family and we are proud of her...
I guess I don't see the problem with creating a character that's so embraced that you're known for it 40 years later, and it becomes your epitaph. Especially if you get residuals from reruns and merchandising.
If any of those thespians want to trade places, I'll gladly suffer 40 years of hearing "Holy double-edged sword of fame, Batman!" in exchange for the monthly paycheck from TBS or Nick at Nite.
Shame on you, Pete, for mildly dogging Jessica Willey while at the same time proclaiming her a "APCB favorite." Her feelings, and more importantly the feelings of her in-laws, are far more important than your 1st Amendment right to free speech. What country exactly do you think you're in, such that you can make anything less than 100% vanilla complementary comments on public figures? Especially on a blog, the most hallowed sanctuary of civility and manners.
You think that's crazy, I got something from Tommy Vu's teenaged daughter claiming that his English is much better than I made it out to be.
I didn't respond, because for all I know he could sound like Sir John Gielgud when the cameras weren't on.
I don't read yer stuff as often nor as closely as I'd like to or as others may - I have other things to do my good friend - but who is Jessica Willey? Is she the mayor of New Orleans? or Biloxi? Is she the newest "Rocket"? Is she the big chested chick who chases Baseball players? Presidents? No really, I don't mean any harm, but I don't know.
Willey is a rather attractive Houston TV reporter, Mac.
I guess I don't see the problem with creating a character that's so embraced that you're known for it 40 years later
I don't see the problem either, I just don't think that was what he had in mind for his career.
I just read your blog about Jessica Willey, she happens to be my sister in law and I don't appreciate your article.
Then don't read it.
I'm sure you're proud of her, but you're digging pretty deep to accuse me of "dogging her." As Denny pointed out, she is an "APCB favorite," and not only because KTRK sees fit to trot her out to the coast to cover incoming storms wearing nothing but a white blouse.
Then again, maybe I've been focusing too much on Channel 13. I'll have to start writing shit about the reporters from 2 and 11 as well.
You think that's crazy, I got something from Tommy Vu's teenaged daughter claiming that his English is much better than I made it out to be.
Well, it couldn't be worse.
To those wondering what the hell is going on, I previously talked about Jessica Willey here and here. Her "reporter's notebook" can be found here.
Curmudgeon:
The cast of Gilligan's Island famously does not get residuals from reruns. Residuals didn't start until the mid-70s, largely because SAG was inspired by cases like GI and other widely-syndicated shows to renegotiate their basic contract to demand residuals.
Greg -
Okay, well maybe then I'd be a little bitter. ;-)
Just wait until Wayne Dolcefino's third grade teacher finds this thing, lord you're gonna get a talkin' to then.
I'm looking forward to the "An Enraged Ty Lookwell Kills Beloved Singer of 'The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins'" headline.