fett on 17/12/2010 at 07:20
Hmmm...not sure anyone was getting soppy much. Just expressing appreciation for some of his roles and possible disappointment that he's gone. I'd prefer sadness over someone's death (even a strangers) to "So what? They were old" if I had to choose. I think most of the responses were somewhere in the middle.
Edit: On second thought, I think it's just fine to get soppy when an entertainer dies, especially if something they did touched you in some way. I was especially saddened when George Harrison, Michael Jackson, and Layne Staley died, as they all had a profound effect on me as a young musician. In this case, Naked Gun was the first comedy movie I loved as a kid and watched repeatedly that my parents hated. It distinguished for me a whole style of humor that I didn't know existed before, and helped me appreciate writers like Pratchett and Adams who have conversely helped me find my own voice as a writer. So it actually means a great deal to me that we've lost Leslie Nielsen - his roles and humor were important to me and it doesn't matter a whit that I didn't know him personally.
Entertainers do what they do because they want to affect people. Hopefully they do that by expressing themselves through their talents and through good art. Pretending they don't have that effect on us or that their role in our lives and society is irrelevant is both dishonest and unnecessarily stoic.
Queue on 17/12/2010 at 15:15
Quote Posted by fett
... and helped me appreciate writers like Pratchett and Adams who have conversely helped me find my own voice as a writer.
Pratchett, Adams, Vonnegut and Kafka, here. :thumb:
The first celebrity death that truly saddened me was Groucho Marx, and it was also the first time I really took notice of this whole "death" thing. After that, it seemed like everyone was suddenly dying.
Paying tribute to those who have influenced us, made us take notice, or touched our lives in any sort of way is the human thing to do. It doesn't have to be rational. It's reverence. Since death is a part of life, we are all allowed to deal with someone's demise in our own way--be it through moments of remembrance or thoughts of who gives a shit. Being human (by having this lump of cells in our heads that trick us into using thoughts and emotion, instead of just foraging and fucking) requires that we deal with death, and acknowledge the death of others. How each of us reacts to death (be it a loved one, a public figure, or just some bum on the street) is just a reflection of our personality, state of mind, or our connectivity with those around us on this sometimes loathsome, yet wondrous rock.
When I finally shuffle off, I hope someone will have fond memories to mull over -- that somehow I will have left behind an impression -- instead of that the annoying son of a bitch is finally gone. But even then, that'd be appreciated.
Tocky on 19/12/2010 at 03:28
For what it's worth, I'll miss you. I'll laugh and piss on your grave because I lived longer but it's done in a loving way and not just because I hate death and would fuck it up the ass because of all the interesting people it has taken from me. I like some of you assholes. Maybe you need to know it before you kick off but kiss my ass if you do eh?
One for me and one for my homies. Hell, two for me.
Rug Burn Junky on 19/12/2010 at 04:50
Quote Posted by theBlackman
Belushi and John Candy at thier own hand.
I didn't really want that image. Thankfully, Chris Farley had the sense to hire hookers instead.
theBlackman on 19/12/2010 at 05:14
Like Tocky said. But instead of moaning about the lose of XYZ, why not tell the stars you admire now, how you enjoy thier performances. Send them a note, an Email, write a letter. You may not hear back, but tell them while they live. Not after they are dead.
Notes of sympathy and admiration are useless to the dead, but may just bring pleasure to those still living whose efforts you appreciate.
Tocky on 19/12/2010 at 05:43
I just wish I could meet Jack Nicholson in an elevator and ask him to pull my finger.
Renault on 19/12/2010 at 06:02
Getting a good laugh out of The Blackman ITT. What, should we abolish all the "death threads" in the forum and and then just send out hundreds of "thank you" notes to our favorite actors, musicians, and random other famous people on what...a monthly basis? Yeah, good plan there.
Btw, no one said they were shocked or surprised that he died. Only disappointed and saddened.
And there's nothing wrong with a little tribute thread once someone has finally kicked the bucket. It's more of a reminder to people who are still alive, maybe even to people who aren't completely aware of the accomplishments and successes of these fine individuals so they can be discovered again for the first time.
Queue on 19/12/2010 at 14:45
Quote Posted by Tocky
I'll laugh and piss on your grave....
I'll make sure they leave my mouth open for you, sugar.
