Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 07:37 AM PST

Congrats, BK!

"You'll Never Walk Alone" gets me every time. Especially since I'm sitting here listening to kids read off the names of their parents, siblings and friends who lost their lives two years ago. I'm not sure how many more "We miss you, daddy"s I can handle. Its a good thing I have to go to work now.

I sent an email to a dinner theatre that's about 15 min. from my parents house to inquire about their audition date. The response was terse. Oh, yes...it was quite terse. Maybe its just the way I'm reading it. Anyway, I emailed them my headshot and resume and am waiting to hear if they're going to see me next Thursday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Posted by Jason @ 09/11/2003 07:54 AM PST

Jason, we have something in common. At my first musical audition, I chose "Giants in the Sky". I had practiced it with my wife (who, in addition to being an accomplished harpist, also plays a pretty mean piano...), and she suggested that it might be a good idea to bring in a song that was easier for the acccompanist to sight-read. I figured that was good advice, so I chose "Maria", from WEST SIDE STORY.

I got to the audition, and approached the accompanist. I showed her my copy of "Giants in the Sky", and she nodded and said it should be no problem.

Well, we started off fine, but it soon became obvious that we were in different keys, and it wasn't because of me. I kept plugging away, with the pianist struggling to follow. It was pretty painful, so we stopped. The director realized the problem, and said it was okay, and she could tell I could sing. I sat down, feeling pretty lousy. After a few more people had auditioned, the director asked if I would like to try it again, a cappella. I jumped at the chance, and launched into the song again. To my surprise and dismay, the accompanist decided to try her luck again, and joined in with me. Well, we got a little further along this time, but I never reached the end of the song.

It would have been my first and last audition, except that the director offered me the part in spite of everything, and I've been hooked ever since.

I don't have a stock audition song, and I try to choose something that is appropriate to the show that I am auditioning for. My rules are: showcase the strengths of the voice, and show the director what you can bring to the show. And be familiar with the show you are auditioning for, in case you are called upon to sing something from the score.

As a director, I don't like it when performers bring in the "stock" audition songs, and have been known to cut people off and ask for something else. In one instance, an actor that I had performed with before auditioned with a song from the show we did together. What is the point of that? I already know what he sounds like singing that song (and he sang it exactly the same way as he did in our show). When I asked him to sing another song from the show we were auditioning, he told me he hadn't learned it. Needless to say, he did not get the part.

Posted by Dave @ 09/11/2003 07:56 AM PST

For the BB4 people (who don't like to post about it anymore :(

ERIKA IS GONE! :(

I can't believe Ally cried.
What a complete liar.

IF anyone wants to know who won HOH part 1 just ask.

Btw, apparently HOH part 3 will be live on next wednesday's show.

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/11/2003 07:56 AM PST

When can we pre-order Kritzer 3?

Songs of hope and inspiration: "Gee I Hope I Get It" from A CHORUS LINE

J-Lo and Ben have "postponed" again allegedly because it would be too hard to marry with all the media attention. They even had three "decoy brides" hired. Why not just elope?

And Tab Hunter is writing an autobiography and has just "come out". The only people who were surprised were Ellen Degeneris, Richard Chamberlain and Rosie O'Donnell.

Posted by William E Lurie @ 09/11/2003 08:19 AM PST

Hi Jennifer,
I was sad to see Erika leave! And I so agree with you about Allison...what a phoney! I just can't stand her, and everytime they show Nate back at the Jury house pining away for her I just want to barf! Uhg.

Don't spill the beans about the HOH, I like to be surprised!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/11/2003 08:19 AM PST

My big song of hope and inspiration is, don't laugh, "Stand up and Cheer" from the Shirley Temple film STAND UP AND CHEER. I can't think of any others, but that song always makes me feel so good and so emotional and so good about humankind.

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/11/2003 08:21 AM PST

As a director, I like to hear something from the show...I know some people don't.

As an auditioner, I always take something from the show (the character if it's a leading role, and yes some of us don't get to audition for leading musical roles every time), and something I have prepared. And I am always ready to go without the piano just in case. Where is Jose when you need him?

For the general chorus audition I use THE FARMER AND THE COWMAN; for comedy LOVELY, Hysterium's part; and for more serious stuff SORRY GRATEFUL.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 08:24 AM PST

Well, WEL, I've got about two to three months of the fixing process (correcting grammar, punctuation, doing little fixes and additions and stuff), then I'll get it to the publishers, probably in December, then the book will come out in April, I'm hoping. So, hang tight and save your rubles.

I love Climb Ev'ry Mountain. I can't help it - I love the music, I love the lyric.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 08:33 AM PST

I understand what you mean by "stock" audition songs, Dave.

But if someone brings in something you haven't heard or don't know very well...how can you tell that he is even singing it correctly?

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 08:34 AM PST

MR BK have you heard the "CLimb Ev'ry Mountain" disco remix on the Welcome to Woop Woop soundtrack?

Peggy Wood really gets down!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 08:40 AM PST

MBarnum wrote:
Hi Jennifer,
I was sad to see Erika leave! And I so agree with you about Allison...what a phoney! I just can't stand her,

I'm glad I re-read what you wrote. I thought you said you were GLAD Erika left. Do you think Alison only cried because she knows the jury will see it?

She makes me mad. In some ways she has played the game well. But lying is not one of them. You cannot promise every side that you will keep them. I would have been fine if she had just told Erika she was torn. But to promise her that she would keep her was disgusting.

It makes me sick the way Jun and Ally talk about the others behind their backs.

and everytime they show Nate back at the Jury house pining away for her I just want to barf! Uhg.

Well I'm not sure Nate is as dumb as he's acting. It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't vote for Alison in the end.

But if Nate makes you sick, I find Justin and Dana a thousand times worse. Do they keep having to remind us that they are having sex every day? YUCK!!!

Don't spill the beans about the HOH, I like to be surprised!

Okay I won't. But you'll have to wait until Tuesday to find out who won part 1. Like I said we won't find out the real HOH until wednesday's live show.

I can't believe that there are people who like to be surprised. Even though i wanted until this morning to find out who won part 1 of the HOH, I WANTED TO LOG ON RIGHT AWAY AND FIND OUT. There is absolutely no way I could wait 6 days.

Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/11/2003 08:48 AM PST

Jrand53, by "stock" audition songs, I'm talking about people who sing the same song at every audition.

For professionals who are auditioning for different people all the time, it makes sense to have a portfolio of songs that one can pull out and perform. But in a local market (or community theatre), when many people are familiar with each other, performing the same song all the time is self-defeating.

And I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen anybody audition with a song that I was not familiar with. ;-)

But to your question, I don't need to be familiar with the song to judge range, pitch, tone, volume, diction, expression, etc. That's all any director should need.

Being too acquainted with the song can be a handicap. Those who are too familiar with Ethel Merman's "Mama Rose" seem unable to imagine anyone else in the role. That is a fault, in my opinion.

Posted by Dave @ 09/11/2003 08:50 AM PST

Ah...."stock" audition performances, not "stock" audition songs. Okay.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 09:04 AM PST

So, what do you mean by "stock" audition songs?

Posted by Dave @ 09/11/2003 09:13 AM PST

Hi all.

Am I the only person that forgot
that today was September
11th?

I wonder how much of today's
media coverage will bring up
the 15000-20000 civilian
casualties massacred during
the Afghan and Iraqi wars
post-9/11? **Why is it that
tragedy always begets tragedy
in this world?**

Let us spend today
remembering all victims of
September 11th, as well as
victims of our own fear
mongering following its
events.

Lest we forget includes
everyone.

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 09:15 AM PST

CONGRATULATIONS, DW (Dear Writer) BK! Pointy party hats, cheese slices, ham chunks, the Freddie and the Hully Gully are in order, yes they are in order.

Several years ago my Joe was involved in a protracted product liability suite against a mega-corporation (SHOWA DENKO! WE NAME NAMES HERE!) which went on about five years. His attorney had promised him pie in the sky, as attorneys always do before you sign the contract. Eventually we spent a horrible day in Manhattan with all the lawyers and an arbitrator and reluctantly agreed to settle for something like a cupcake a little lower than the sky.

When Joe and I and his health aide got home, he was full of, "Maybe I shouldn't have settled. We could go to court--another five years [almost a JRB reference], and appeals... But maybe I should have..."

I told him to just sit down, try to calm down, and listen to some music. I put on the OCR of Sunday in the Park with George, "Move On!"

One of the most moving and inspirational songs ever written in my book. And it always brings tears

Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/11/2003 09:20 AM PST

WFO,

I agree about "Move On". One of the great ones. I would also list "Children Will Listen" and "No One is Alone" as being very moving and inspirational, too.

Posted by Dave @ 09/11/2003 09:27 AM PST

Songs of inspiration - "You'll Never
Walk Alone", "Climb Every
Mountain" and David Freidmans
"We Can Be Kind."

NEVER NEVER EVER EVER bring
a Sondheim song to a non-
Sondheim show audition. And if it's
for a Sondheim show and the pianist
can't play it, hope to God he/she is
not the MD or the accompanist!!

Posted by Matthew @ 09/11/2003 09:29 AM PST

Having been involved in a little
legal contretemps myself, that
is always the decision - I
believe I would have won my
little legal contretemps, in fact,
I don't think there was any
doubt about it. But, as the
mediator said to me, "Yes,
you'll probably win, but do you
want this in your life for
another two or three years,
and do you want to spend
double what you've already
spent?" Since the law seems
to allow the wealthy to abuse
it, and since I did not care to
spend yet another six figures
in legal fees, and since I did
not want that sort of negativity
in my life anymore, I walked
away. Because even though I
most likely would have
prevailed (I think my
opponents pretty well knew
this after my deposition had
been taken - the mediation
took place the day afterwards),
who needs to have that kind of
weight and negativity on their
shoulders for two or three
years? Some things just
aren't worth it. In my opinion,
the law in this country needs to
take a serious look at the way
rich people can take
advantage - it's a bad situation
and one that has caused
people in the right to not
pursue their true and just legal
rights.

Whew!

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 09:31 AM PST

A big hardy to congrats to BK on finishing the third Kritzer book! I've never written a novel, but I know what it's like to toil and sweat over a piece of writing, so much so that it becomes an extension of yourself almost. I can't wait to read the final installment of Benjamin's adventures! BK, do you plan to keep writing novels even though you've now finished the trilogy?

Move On is a great inspirational song...I also like You'll Never Walk Alone, No One is Alone, Smile, What a Wonderful World, Get Happy, Being Alive and a million others. Why is it everyone thinks of Sondheim as being such a cynical downbeat composer yet he has written some of the most humane, hope-filled songs ever?

I have a few audition songs that work effectively for me, among them On the Other Side of the Tracks, Broadway Baby and Wherever He Ain't. Ya know, just the standard medium range belter stuff. :)

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 09:35 AM PST

DR Jennifer: Sorry I stopped posting about BB4. I was utterly amazed that Ali decided to cry when she evicted Erika. She's so fake! She, however, made the best decision for herself, as usual. I mean, she could never win against Erika. I hope she gets out next.

To all: Please take time today to remember those we lost and to thank God for the blessings we have. Our nation and others around the world have grown a lot since that tragic day two years ago, but we still have a long way to go.

Posted by Laura II @ 09/11/2003 09:39 AM PST

songs of hope and inspiration (in addition to those above): If You Believe and Somewhere

Posted by Laura II @ 09/11/2003 09:41 AM PST

Laura II reminded me of SMILE...another song...
TURN AROUND from that score (and one I first heard on a BK CD).

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 09:54 AM PST

Laura II wrote:
DR Jennifer: Sorry I stopped posting about BB4. I was utterly amazed that Ali decided to cry when she evicted Erika. She's so fake!

While I agree that Ally is fake, I wonder if some of those tears were real. I do think that she did it for the jury. But I also think that the pressure of having to do that live must have taken its toll on her. I mean she promised both sides. And she had to face up to it ON LIVE TV.

She, however, made the best decision for herself, as usual. I mean, she could never win against Erika. I hope she gets out next

I don't think anyone would fault her for doing what was best for herself. It's just the way she goes about it. She shouldn't have promised Erika she would keep her if she wasn't going to do that.

To me the worst part was how Ally was so nice to Erika to her face. But then behind her back, she and Jun would belittle her. Pretending to be her little sister, while saying you despise someone behind their backs is awful.

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/11/2003 09:55 AM PST

Oh I don't know, Jennifer, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Posted by Scarlett O'Hara @ 09/11/2003 09:57 AM PST

The thing is Ally thinks she is such a smart player, but she's not. If she makes it to Final Two she will lose.

Btw, I think I am too obsessed :)

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/11/2003 10:14 AM PST

Jennifer: Yes, leave it to Alison to make Erikas' eviction all about A-l-i-s-o-n!

Robert and Jun have to get a grip and stop letting her psych them out. Robert could outlast Alison, even if Jun is basically a weakling who, despite her claims, has done NOTHING to merit being there.

9/11: Heartbreak of my lifetime!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/11/2003 10:24 AM PST

Congratulations on finishing the third book, BK! I have to admit, however, that I'm somewhat relieved that you're stopping with volume three; if you'd kept on with the series, the page counts could have given J. K. Rowling a run for her money! (Just kidding! But at least you're in good company!)

Now, let's see, inspirational songs. There have been two that I've played incessantly during times of crisis. The first, Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home," got me through the recovery period after I was attacked by a crew of gay-bashers about twenty-five years ago. Fortunately, they only managed to break my nose and shoulder, not my spirit. Unfortunately, it was my right shoulder, and I'm right handed, so setting the needle on the record while my arm was elevated in the cast was a little difficult. (Life is unexpectedly easier now that we have CDs.)

The second song, "I'd Rather Be Sailing" from A New Brain, got me through the time der Brucer was in the hospital with meningitis. I guess this means I've had inspirational songs to get me through both a crisis of my own and one of my partner's. Frankly, while I'd much rather be facing a crisis myself than have der Brucer at risk, his turn got the better song. (Sorry, Kenny.)

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/11/2003 10:31 AM PST

Happy belated birthday to Miss Fay Wray who turned 96 years old yesterday!

And when is King Kong coming out on DVD, darn it!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/11/2003 10:36 AM PST

Ron: When you say Robert could outlast Alison, do you mean he could beat her? Or are you talking about that he could last longer in the HOH? (which I know you must have peeked at by now!).

IMO Robert would win against either of the women, which is why they won't take him. He has guaranteed votes from Dana, Justin and Jee. That basically guarantees him the win.

As for Rob in HOH comps. He only won the last one over Erika by a fluke. To me he is not a strong competitor. Granted he had a migraine during the one where they had to stay in the jail. But he doesn't strike me as someone with much patience.

However in this instance (holding onto the key with snow being pelted at them), I would suspect some people would lose either by A)slipping and falling off the roof or B)accidently taking their hands off the key or C)being frozen.

It's hard to believe anyone would willingly leave the game.

And to me Ally is the fiercest competitor. For that reason she could perhaps deserve to win. Her and Justin (her ex) are actually quite similar in that way.

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/11/2003 10:38 AM PST

Emily, I did not favor the wars in either Afghanistan or Iraq. However, in both cases, the U.S. government made it clear what their intentions were, and what the consequences would be for every action and reaction. The government warned in advance what they were planning to do, and then let the entire world know when they were going to send troops in to those countries. Therefore, I find it offensive for you to compare the loss of life in those two countries to the illegal seizure of four commercial airliners, followed by the slaughter of almost three thousand innocent individuals in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the hills of Pennsylvania.

Posted by TCB @ 09/11/2003 10:47 AM PST

Please remember - everyone
has an opinion whether you
agree with it or not. I don't
really think it's necessary to
use words like "offensive"
when stating your differing
opinion. In my opinion (IMO, in
Internet lingo) anyway.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 11:03 AM PST

TCB, I think you may have misinterpreted what I meant.

My main point was not that the US' wars against the Taliban in Afghanistan and the Saddamites in Iraq were at ALL comparable to the intentional targetting of civilans as such happened on the events of two years ago.

I'm just trying to point out that the innocent victims of 9/11 did not only include the 3000 people killed in the WTC, Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. It also includes the 5000-10000 civilians murdered in Afghanistan and the 10000+ in Iraq.

I would never have the audacity to compare the US with Al Qua'eda in terms of its goals or the manner in which the goals were achieved. Al Qua'eda's methods were despicable, as are any military technique that involves the intentional killing of civilians.

I AM trying to compare the results of the 9/11 massacres with those of the Iraqi and Afghan wars.

To put it bluntly, murdered people are murdered people. Whether they were murdered with warning or not certainly gives no comfort to those who grieve for them.

In that vein, I belong to a group of people from around the world that argue that September 11th should become, not just a day for remembering the American victims of terrorism from that awful day, but a day of rememberance for all innocent people caught in military cross-fire of any sort.

I apologise if anything you understood from my posts offended you.

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 11:09 AM PST

Guys and Gals, do you know what I love about HHW?

The fact that it one day a group of incredibly unique and fabulous people can get together to talk about:

1) Audition Songs for Musical Theatre
2) Reality Television
and
4) The Intrinsic Immorality of War!

Wow... we all have ADD! :)

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 11:17 AM PST

More songs of inspiration:

As a sprig of a twig of a tad of
a lad of a youth I liked I
Believe. I also like No One is
Alone and most of the songs
we chose for Laurie
Beechman's final album.

Now, where in tarnation IS
everyone? It's a lighter day
than yesterday so I have much
more time to read excellent
posts so let's get to it, shall
we?

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 11:18 AM PST

I AM reality television.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 11:19 AM PST

In an earlier post, some one counted 1,2 and 4.

Please tune in SESAME STREET to learn what is missing.

Posted by The Count @ 09/11/2003 11:34 AM PST

Nancy LaMott had some great inspirational songs and two that I love are Ordinary Miracles and I'll Be Here With You. Also as BK just mentioned, Laurie Beechman had a whole CD of great work. No One Is Alone is a favorite.

Posted by Ben @ 09/11/2003 11:41 AM PST

DR's, without too much work, can
anyone link Phyliis Newman to a
Jerry Herman show? Her name is in
the opening number of the "Jerry's
Girls" CD and I'm doing research for
my first cast meeting on Sunday.
Any insight would help!!

Posted by Matthew @ 09/11/2003 11:49 AM PST

Emily,

I understood what you meant, and I agree. The loss of innocent lives is tragic, regardless of the circumstances. When blood is shed, and lives are lost because of fear, ignorance and hate, it is all the more tragic.

Posted by Dave @ 09/11/2003 11:52 AM PST

DR Matthew:

Phyllis Newman was married to Adolph Green, who worked on WONDERFUL TOWN, which starred Rosalind Russell, who also starred in the movie version of AUNTIE MAME, which was based on the same property that served as the source for a big musical theatre success for Jerry Herman.

(Why do I have this funny feeling that this--a game of six degrees of Jerry Herman--is NOT what you were looking for.)

Posted by Jay @ 09/11/2003 12:00 PM PST

Emily,

I agree with you; a human life
IS a human life...

We should ALSO remember
what happened in Chile
another September 11, 1973 --
30 years ago -- "thanks" to Mr
Nixon and Mr Kissinger...

One dead life is one too
many....

Posted by François @ 09/11/2003 12:03 PM PST

I honestly thought Tab was already out.

Posted by Lulu @ 09/11/2003 12:16 PM PST

This is from a comedy revue performed in New York in May of 2002. The show had a running gag that's a little difficult to explain: several scenes of different people visiting Ground Zero, which, at the time, was New York's biggest tourist attraction. So there were scenes of Hampton ladies telling how their shallow lives were affected by the tragedy, young women trying to attract the affection of the hard hat workers on the site, conspiracy theorists and an old couple from Florida who just want a place to sit down. All of this played for laughs. So, at the end of the show, everybody was expecting something funny when a father and a 6-year-old entered.

KID: It's like the world's biggest sandbox. But we can't play in it, can we?
DAD: No.
KID: Then why did we come here?

DAD:
There used to be a building here
On mornings when the skies were clear
You could see Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

And folks would come from miles away
To travel to the top and say:
"Now I've seen Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York"

It never meant that much to me
Something for the tourists
To draw them to the city
And sure, they were tall
But nobody thought them pretty
But you couldn't help being aware
Something was there.

(Spoken:) Oh, you would have liked this:

Once, a tightrope walker
Walked from tower to tower
On a line in the sky
One hundred and ten stories high
Man, he was brave. So brave...

(Spoken:) You know, the word "brave" - it means something different nowadays.

DAD and all the OTHER CHARACTERS:
You once looked up at skies of blue
And thought no harm could come to you
You could even imagine the world without war...
There used to be two buildings here.

DAD:
No more.

Posted by A Time For Heroes and Hoagies @ 09/11/2003 12:16 PM PST

Jennifer: During her time in the house, Alison bedded down with with David, Justin and Nathan.

Robert could beat Alison in HOH. He definitely wants to go with Alison to the final two. Jee, Justin, Dana, Nathan, Jack, Erika, and probably Jun, would vote for Robert over Alison. Nathan admits he'd like Alison in the jury house for snuggles -- she's free and easy. But would he vote for her after she duped him and trashed him and accused him of being gay? He's been the fool much too often, but I doubt he's that big a fool.

Jun's the only unsure vote I have -- she might show some loyalty to Ali for picking Erika for eviction over her.

I know Jack and Erika hate Alison and their votes with Jee, Justin and Dana are all that are needed to reward the remaining houseguest.

And I disagree she "deserves" it or "earned" it. She had some incredible luck manipulating Nathan, and her personal strength helped her save her own ass with the vetos.

But if Robert can rise to the occasion, Alison can be beaten.

Heck. I think Rob would win if Jun were left standing with him at the end, too.

Jee, Justin, Dana, Erika and Jack have NO USE WHATEVER for Jun.

That's where both she and Alison have outsmarted themselves.

If it comes down to those two, well...good for them. Then the jury has to decide which person they despise the least. Probably Jun over Alison.

I think Alison has a great shot at finishing 2nd. But I doubt she has any votes to win it all.

She's considered a big "Ho-Ho" by most everyone I know who watches.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/11/2003 12:18 PM PST

What IS going on here? Are
we asleep at the wheel? As
Donna and Babs would say,
Enough is Enough. Let's get
some postin' goin' on, shall
we?

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 12:40 PM PST

Well, Lulu, let's just say Tab didn't have to use dynamite to blast that closet door open.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 12:56 PM PST

Well, here I am at work. Yes, the beauty of getting paid to post on HHW! I could write an inspirational, happy song about that!

What's going on with all the lulls lately? Anyone for another game of Six Degrees of Jerry Herman, lol?

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 01:01 PM PST

BTW...some help would be much appreciated here! I have to start looking for topics for the first public speech in my speech class. The thing is, I need to cite 3 sources. What do you guys think about doing a speech on the insanity of the high ticket prices for Broadway shows?

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 01:05 PM PST

Maya, I have one piece of advice for you:

If you want to enumerate points, never accidentally forget a number.

It may seem like only idiots would do that, but in truth, it's as easy to mess up as 1, 2, 4!

:)

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 01:09 PM PST

Congrats on finishing the book, Bruce! We'll be running a review of the second book in Scarlet Street's 50th issue (coming up in December), #49 features the article on JEEPERS CREEPERS: GREAT SONGS FROM HORROR FILMS (including your interview), and JEEPERS CREEPERS itself will be out before the end of the month . . .

Richard Valley
www.scarletstreet.com

Posted by Richard Valley @ 09/11/2003 01:09 PM PST

Issue #49 also features interviews conducted by writer MBarnum and contributions by DR td, oh and ME!

Yes it's all about ME here at HHW as evidenced by today's notes. Whoever ME may be, even it's you!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 01:16 PM PST

Emily--lol! Yeah, that would be important in giving a speech about ticket prices! "Theatregoers have complained about paying $5 to see a performance of Mamma Mia!" :)

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 01:23 PM PST

BIG high five to BK! Congratulations on finishing the book, it must be quite the sense of accomplishment! You deserve a hip bump! *hip bumps BK*

I can't think of a single inspirational song at the moment, but I'll get back to you in a bit about it.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/11/2003 01:27 PM PST

COngratulations on finishing your book, bk!

I also adore "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Move On." Bring me to tears, both of them, in their respective shows.

JRand53, I'm sure you know Peggy Wood's voice was not used in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. She was dubbed by Margery MacKay. She was the wife of the rehearsal pianist for the film.

Posted by Matt H. @ 09/11/2003 01:34 PM PST

I've just come back from the great outdoors of Encino where I went to pick up a paper. I forgot, DR's, how HOT it is in the San Fernando Valley. I've been living in a dry heat/cold for the past 8 years - and that's much more tolerable. But the Delis are ever so much better here, so it's a fair trade-off. Nobody seems to like dogs here, however. They tend to tolerate teeny dogs, which mine isn't. Each time I phone up about a rental and ask about a dog, ice hits the phone. A nice way to cool off, but not a way to find a place to live. Enough moanin' an' groanin'. Back to writing.

Posted by Panni @ 09/11/2003 01:41 PM PST

Where is everyone, you ask? Well, I have been out all morning escorting my 83-year-old mother on a whirlwind (to her) trip around town.

Posted by Old Laura @ 09/11/2003 01:53 PM PST

In 1962, Phyllis Newman won the Tony for best featured actress in a musical (Subways Are For Sleeping). Winning in the best featured actor category was Charles Nelson Reilly, who got his start in the Jerry Herman revue, Nightcap, and who later won acclaim in JH's Hello Dolly.

Phyllis Newman starred in and cowrote The Madwoman of Central Park West, taking the title from The Madwoman of Chaillot, on which Jerry Herman's Dear World is based. (Phyllis Newman's director (and cowriter) was Arthur Laurents, who directed Jerry Herman's Cage Aux Folles.)

And then there is The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, which no doubt Jerry Herman supports.

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/11/2003 01:55 PM PST

Jennifer: From what I recall, I saw the results of HOH last night. Of course, I'm in California and it was after 10 p.m. here when I looked. I recall reading it was over and I was surprised since it wasn't even 11 p.m. here. I don't know how long they stood out there, but it was daylight when it started, I believe.

Someone commented at the canoe site (where they offer summaries around the clock of what's going on in the house...enough to let you know how petty, bitchy and ugly Jun and Alison really area) that one of the CBS graphics last night -- which featured portraits of the jury members already known -- also showed two blank silhouettes for the remaining two jurors...one was in the shape of Erika's head and the other silhouette was male. Conspiracy theories abound that competitions are being designed -- and manipulated -- toward certain individuals winning. Alison has stated on more than one occasion that Big Brother has given her a statement they would like her to make and that she then makes it as though she really means it. CBS is totally staging some of it.

There are some who feel the silhouettes are just random and mean nothing. If Robert goes to the final two, that would seem to be the case. If he doesn't, most folks who saw the silhouette will say he was targeted for eviction before the competition ever got underway.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/11/2003 02:21 PM PST

I'm not sure that this is "very inspirational" (as Marcy wrote of Taylor) but my emotions always change in a positive direction singing The Lady Down the Hall by Annie Dinerman.

Posted by Noel @ 09/11/2003 02:35 PM PST

It's not exactly what I would put on the Victrola when I need some hope and inspiration in my own personal life, but one of my favorite moments in all of cinema happens to be the playing of a song that fires great hope and inspiration in the hearts of those singing it: "La Marseillaise" in Casablanca.

Posted by Jay @ 09/11/2003 03:01 PM PST

Plaid shirt, jeans, sneakers.

Old Laura, does you mother
know who Gregory Peck is?

David Wechter is back in the
office and we lunched today at
some Mexican jernt and now I
am VERY full, VERY
uncomfortable, and VERY
zoned. Perhaps I shall dance
around my office doing the
Texas Two-Step or the Boulder
Nine-Step or the Van Nuys
Twelve-Step.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 03:11 PM PST

Emily (and all DRs) -- Please accept my apologies for use of the word "offensive" in my earlier post. I was perhaps responding in anger to your choice of the word "massacred" to describe those souls lost in Afghanistan and Iraq. The dictionary defines massacre as cruel or wanton murder. However, I should have remembered that the taking of any life is, of course, murder. And, as such, can murder be anything but wanton or cruel?

Posted by TCB @ 09/11/2003 03:30 PM PST

Friendships rule!

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 09/11/2003 03:32 PM PST

Dear suave, stuffed, maxi-literate, and sated BK....

CONGRATULATIONS on the wrapping up of the first phase of Kritzer 3. I know the feeling of finally getting all of the material finished for a CD recording....and that's nothing like tackling a book project.

My favorite "hope and inspire" songs: You'll Never Walk Alone, the verse to God Bless America, and "Happiness" from Charlie Brown.

Gotta go start packing for Denver. Everybody, remember, play nice in Bruce's Living Room, wipe your feet at the door, always say please and thank you, and you know what NOT to do on the carpet.

MMWWWAAAAAHHHH !!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 09/11/2003 03:39 PM PST

Hey everyone....I've been listening to Jeepers Creepers all week (Bruce gave me an advance copy when we recorded the new radio show that will begin airing this Sunday)....it's one of Bruce's best CDs and a lot of fun....love the Tami Tappan, Rebecca Luker, Judy Kaye and Jason Graae tracks....I urge you all to get thee over to Scarlet Street and order it -- NOW!!!!

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 09/11/2003 03:52 PM PST

Blue jeans, white tanktop, red flip flops. Not red, white and blue on purpose, surprisingly enough, so it was a nice surprise when I remembered what today was.

BK: Mexican food is the BEST. And to all of you fast food junkies, Taco Bell does NOT count. Taco Bell is disgusting.

Theres a good question: Who here eats fast food? The closest I'll get is Subway.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/11/2003 03:52 PM PST

thank you, Donald Feltham.
And, I agree, hie you to the
scarlet street website.

I'm thinkin' we might get to
seventy posts?

Do we really have to go yet
another day without reaching
100? Yes or no?

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 03:55 PM PST

All right, fine, we will simply not
be the most popular site on all
the Internet because we have
become a victim of the
dreaded lull. I'm jiggy with
seventy-one posts so no
reason to have any more.

I shall now go pout and then I
shall eat some sour gummy
bears.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 04:14 PM PST

*takes sour gummy bears away from BK*

*hands him carrot sticks*

I'm sure those aren't on your diet, and I'm sure there will be more posts, as it's only 7:16 EST and 4:15 PMT! PLENTY of hours left in the day, don't pout. :)

Posted by Sarah @ 09/11/2003 04:17 PM PST

BK:

A hearty MT (that's Mazel Tov in internet lingo).

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/11/2003 04:40 PM PST

BK: Sorry about the fullness brought on by the gobbling down of Mexican foodstuffs.

Dancing may be the ticket to getting unfull....just be glad the dancing isn't to "Montezuma's Revenge."

Oy!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/11/2003 04:42 PM PST

Congratulations on the novel task completion, BK. I, too, ate Mexican for lunch. A spicy pork taco off a truck that's parked across the street from a welfare hotel. The commercial space, once the Evita coffee shop, has been closed for years. (They got no boom in business from the Evita movie, because it was all boarded up then.) Now, at last, the welfare hotel has two new stores in it. And what, you may ask: Hot & Crusty and Ben & Jerry's. Food that's not nutritionally sound at prices the residents can't afford.

I feel some sense of pride of accomplishment by having tinkered with the bridesmaids song of advice enough that it's now being sent to said bridesmaids for comments. The bride (currently e & t) felt the first draft to be embarrassingly dirty, so I've been called upon to create a clean song in which the bridesmaids give the bride wedding night advice. Well, at least it's catchy.

Posted by Noel @ 09/11/2003 04:43 PM PST

Mmmmmmmmmmm...Taco Bell...

*slurp*
*gargle*
*drool*

Posted by Homer Simpson @ 09/11/2003 04:49 PM PST

Like the little engine that could
- I think I can, I think I can, I
think I think I think I can...

I must confess to the
occasional fast-food craving.
Don't think less of me, Swishy,
but I'm rather fond of Taco Bell
classic crunchy tacos. I also
like the Filet o' Fish at
MacDonald's, I've been
enjoying the Chicken Club
salad at Jack in the Box, I love
In and Out burgers, I like the
Subway Club, etc.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 05:07 PM PST

I am definitely a fan of fast food...hence my figure. ;-) I particularly enjoy KFC original recipe chicken breasts with biscuits and mashed potatoes with gravy. LOTS of gravy. I really like the new chicken strips at McDonalds, and I love Wendy's hamburgers and fries. Chik-Fil-A is my very favorite, though.

More inspirational music: Having been in choirs through my whole college career, there are many, many wonderful choral pieces that move me more than I ever imagined possible. Some of them are:

*Salvation is Created by P. Tschesnokoff
*Ave Maria by F. Biebl (particularly when sung by Chanticleer)
*O magnum mysterium by M. Lauridsen
*Super flumina babylonis by G. da Palestrina
*Water Night by E. Whitacre
*Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen (How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place) from Brahm's German Requiem, which we sang at my friend Erin's funeral...
and
*Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

I really would love to sing in a choir again someday. I truly enjoyed it. Oh! and I can't forget "Make Our Garden Grow" from CANDIDE. Gets me every time.

Posted by Jason @ 09/11/2003 05:28 PM PST

Today I learned a whole lot about "Jerry's Girls". If you are at all familiar with the CD, it's nothing like the actual licensed show and the big thing that's "missing" is the opening number called "Jerry's Girls" - a list of women and female charactors from JH shows set to the lovely tune of "It's Today" from "Mame" (or "Showtune" if you are familiar with that also) I can definately see how the song is flawed because it mixes charactor names with actual people, it's still a great opener. While I was transcribing the words (or names, whatever) from the CD, I spent time looking up names I did not know and how they were associated with JH. It was quite fascinating. Tonight, we preview "The Fantasticks" in Palo Alto Players in Palo Alto, Calif. It's going to be a good run (after finally negotiating some of the notes in Harvey Schmit's score!) Thanks for listening.

Posted by Matthew @ 09/11/2003 05:37 PM PST

I don't think less of you at all BK, fast food isn't a BAD thing, I just choose not to eat it. Subway doesn't count though, because they serve food that I would make for myself. And I don't think KFC counts either because it's semi-real food. And it tastes REALLY good :)

Oh, I remembered an insprational song: The Prayer, any arrangement, any performers. It always gets me misty.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/11/2003 05:42 PM PST

BK - congrats on #3! Hopefully we can get together in NY and celebrate with cheese and ham chunks before the year is out!

Now.....I would LOVE to hear the songs on "Jeepers Creepers", especially "Song of the New Wine" (which features Jason, Jose and your truly in the rowdy dowdy chorus) - if only Richard would send me my copy :)

Posted by Phil @ 09/11/2003 05:48 PM PST

Phil, forgive my faulty memory...do you live in NYC? I really want to meet as many DR's as possible when I come up to NYC around Thanksgiving!

Subway subs are the best--I like turkey and swiss cheese clubs best with spicy mustard. And I definitely like some fast food--I wish I didn't! I especially love Chicken Santa Fe Gorditas from Taco Bell, the quarter pounder with cheese from McDonalds and the chicken and biscuits (as well as the amazing cajun rice) at Popeye's. Sorry Sarah--IMHO, Popeye's kicks Colonel Sanders' arse. ;)

Now where are WEL and his pom-poms to get some serious posting going on?

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 06:03 PM PST

Rah Rah Rah
Sis Boom Bah
Let's all post more
Rah Rah Rah

(Maya - When you know the dates you are going to be here contact Den Mother Susan and she'll set something up)

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/11/2003 06:24 PM PST

I have been most errant and truant these last several days for no particular reason. Today I was supposed to go to the Puyallup (it’s pronounced “pyoo-al-up” not “poo-yal-up” in spite of the spelling) Fair, but that didn’t happen…and I took the day off, too. So instead I had a “me” day. There were a lot of things that I could have done and even more that I should have done, but I didn't. It was nice to just be by myself and think about things.

Anyway, about today’s topic. I don’t think that I have a song on my list that hasn’t been mentioned:

Being Alive
Make Our Garden Grow
Move On
No One is Alone
One Hand, One Heart
Our Time
Somewhere

And a Most Hearty Congratulations to Bruce for the finishing of the Benjamin Kritzer trilogy!

Only 15 more posts to get to 100!

Posted by George @ 09/11/2003 06:26 PM PST

Here's another push to 100:

A couple of days ago I found my niece’s Super Nintendo (my player no longer works) and rediscovered the joy of the “Super Mario World” game. I love this game. I spent HOURS learning it and, even though I haven’t played it in years, I got pretty far. At one point had accumulated 82 lives but I had to leave and turn off the player. I hate it when the games don’t save the number of lives that you accumulate. When you turn it on and get to the place where you left off, you start with only five lives. Otherwise, I’m almost completely through the whole game.

14 to go!

Posted by George @ 09/11/2003 06:32 PM PST

LOL--thanks WEL, will do!

George, I grew up in front of my Nintendo and then my SuperNES! I miss the original Mario games with the primitive graffics...they were SO much fun! I wish I had never thrown away our Nintendo with the original Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt, which I was atrocious at! And yes, not being able to save at the right place is soo frustrating!

To what Dear Readers it may concern--what are your favorite video or PC games? Mine right now are Final Fantasy 9, the Tekken and Soul Caliber games, the Broken Sword games and Crazy Taxi!

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 06:44 PM PST

I can't believe we're still so far away from 100 posts....

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 09/11/2003 07:00 PM PST

I can't believe we're still so far away from 100 posts....

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 09/11/2003 07:00 PM PST

I can't believe we're still so far away from 100 posts....

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 09/11/2003 07:01 PM PST

well, now we're 4 closer :-)

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 09/11/2003 07:02 PM PST

Donald, those don't count! We have to have posts with more than one sentence, with actual substance! We need to be intellectual and stimulate the brains of our fellow dear readers so that we can all benefit from the knowledge of our peers.

We need paragraphs full of BS like what I just wrote :)

Super Mario Brothers is sitting on my TV in my room right now. Its definetly a classic. I'd pick it over the newer games like N64 and PS2 anyday. And yes, it has Duckhunt on it too :)

Posted by Sarah @ 09/11/2003 07:16 PM PST

Well, if you are only counting posts with "substance" I guess you'd better not count any of mine.

Posted by Old Laura @ 09/11/2003 07:33 PM PST

Not-Old-Just-Not-the-Most-Recent Laura, ALL of your posts are counted. I only meant that lots of one sentence posts with the mere purpose of getting to 100 don't count!

(:

Posted by Sarah @ 09/11/2003 07:39 PM PST

Come on everybody! Five more posts! PUUUSH!

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 08:00 PM PST

Maya, have you played the Grand Theft Auto games on PC or Playstation?

They are so wonderfully cathartic. Who'd had even thought it would be so much fun to run around working for the mafia and shooting prostitutes?

:)

(please don't tell my gun control employers that my video game alterego hasa flame thrower!)

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 08:03 PM PST

Was I the only person who ever cheated at duckhunt by pressing the "gun" up against the television screen?

I am evil... bwah ha ha! :)

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 08:04 PM PST

PUSH!!!

Don't make me get there on my own people!

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 08:05 PM PST

I went to work today at the performing arts academy. The two children who are the most interesting are those of the headmaster. The older one decided to stick his hand down his throat in an attempt to "touch [his] brain." The younger one wanted me to smell his shoes. Before he brought them to me, his mother yelled, "No, don't smell them! He peed in them!" I was disgusted, but could I show it? Nooooo. That has no relevance, but we need more posts!

Posted by Laura II @ 09/11/2003 08:06 PM PST

The only question that remains Laura II is this:

did the kid actually touch his brain!?!

jk (please... tell me you knew I was kidding)

:)

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 08:07 PM PST

hahahaha Emily! Thanks for the laugh! I needed it!

Posted by Laura II @ 09/11/2003 08:08 PM PST

And there you are buoys and gulls.

The only thing that remains is the now world famous:

100 posts dance

DANCE-DANCE-DANCE-SPIRIT FINGERS-DANCE-DANCE-HIGH KICK-DANCE-BOOTY SHAKING

Posted by Emily @ 09/11/2003 08:10 PM PST

Emily---haha, you crack me up! I've never played Grand Theft Auto but I could seriously use a good stress relief game so maybe I should look into it! Have you played House of the Dead? You just shoot all the evil zombies on the screen...it's more satisfying than popping a sheet of bubble wrap :)

Posted by Maya @ 09/11/2003 08:14 PM PST

Another inspirational song that moves me is Irving Berlin's (and Emma Lazarus's) "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor," from Miss Liberty.

Also, I quite like "He Can Do It" from Purlie.

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/11/2003 08:21 PM PST

Well, finally! Hoo and ray! But why is it suddenly like pulling teeth? We must have giddy and plentiful postings or I will simply have to say KISS MY ASS.

My friend Margaret, my muse, has pronounced the last pages of Kritzer 3 a success and NOW I feel like most of the work is behind me.

Posted by bk @ 09/11/2003 09:06 PM PST

When it comes to Mexican food, in my opinion there are two types that don't count. The first is the stuff found at chain purveyors, like Acapulco or El Torito. The atrocities served there may be inspired by Mexican food, but it is a pallid copy printed on cardboard. Taco Bell simply pushes this to an extreme, to the point that what they serve becomes something else again. Calling what is served at Taco Bell "Mexican food" is akin to calling what Sylvester Stallone does "acting." (But what can you say for a conglomerate that also produces Pizza Hut "pizza" and KFC "chicken.")

The second type that doesn't count, in my opinion, is the stuff served from roach coaches... unless that is all that roach coach serves. If Mexican food is the only cuisine being dished out, you can be fairly sure that it is authentic.

For my money, the best bet for getting a decent Mexican meal is to go to a mom and pop operation, where the tortillas are hand-made fresh and the staff is even fresher. Der Brucer and I have been going to such a place here in Long Beach for years, and will sorely miss it when we move east. The family matriarch still keeps a hand in the kitchen, making sure what they serve is what she learned to make before moving to this country.

Interestingly, the best city for Mexican food in the USA these days is Chicago. The Windy City not only has a substantial immigrant population from south of the border, but now has several upscale eateries that consider Mexican food much more than peasant food. The most important factor is the growth of interest in Mexican regional cuisine. The food of the coastal regions is quite different from that of the high desert.

And who knows, maybe if we here in the United States learn that there are different areas in Mexico, we'll also learn that not everyone with an Hispanic accent is from that country, and start to recognize the rest of Central and South America as places of interest.

Or maybe not. I've a hunch Taco Bell is going to be around for a long, long time.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/11/2003 09:25 PM PST

I should like to point out that the truck I tried today, the spicy pork taco, only served Mexican food. Gra¢ias

Posted by Noel @ 09/11/2003 10:06 PM PST

I'm wearing my usual Khaki shorts and a white t-shirt. The shirt has an American flag on it, but instead of stars on a blue field are white paws. On the stripes are listed the names and breeds of the some of the first dogs to the rescue at the World Trade Center. There were hundreds from all over the country. Besides being rescue dogs, a number of them were (and still are) used as therapy dogs for the survivors and the fire and policeman who worked through those months.
To my knowledge only one dog was lost during the collapse of the buildingw, and it was a rescue dog who had gone up in the first building with his crew before anyone knew exactly what was going on. They later actually found the remains of the dog (a Golden retriever ir Yellow Lab, I think) and buried his remains and erected a lovely tribute. THAT is my inspiration for the day.

Posted by Kerry @ 09/11/2003 10:23 PM PST

Kerry: You make me happy. I just wanted to tell you that. Thanks for sharing the background of your t-shirt design.

Posted by Jason @ 09/11/2003 10:38 PM PST

Donald Feltham writes: "I urge you all to get thee over to Scarlet Street and order it -- NOW!!!!"

Donald Feltham is right. Let's keep Mr. Kimmel in the recording studio where he belongs. You can get right to the JEEPERS CREEPERS page by going to http://www.mycottage.com/SCARLET/CDjeepers.htm

Richard Valley
www.scarletstreet.com

Posted by Richard Valley @ 09/12/2003 01:10 AM PST

I'm feeling very strange, having just heard about the passing of Johnny Cash and John Ritter. The world feels emptier again.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/12/2003 03:32 AM PST

Jay: I forgot about that scene in Casablanca until you mentioned it. You're right, it's an amazing scence, full of hope and inspiration. I still remember the first time I saw the movie and that scence came on. I cried it was so beautiful.

Jason: I also love Make Our Garden Grow from Candide It's a lovely, touching piece. I was in a college revue my first year and we used that for the closing. That soaring moment when everyone joins in with all those amazing harmonies still gives me goosebumps.

S. Woody: I logged in to my computer at the office and was immediately greeted with news of the passing of Johnny Cash and John Ritter. Johnny Cash had just been released from the hospital a day or two ago and John Ritter seemed to be in fine health but he had an undetected heart ailment. I was't a fan of Three's Company but I always enjoyed his work and I love one of his little movies, They All Laughed with Ben Gazzara and Audrey Hepburn. It was in 1981 and I was going through tough times on the Upper West Side of New York. I saw that movie and just fell in love with it. IMHO (In My Humble Opinion in Internet lingo) it just drips with romance, and Ben Gazzara and Audrey Hepburn and John Ritter and Dorothy Stratten all do wonderful work as romantic couples.

Posted by Ben @ 09/12/2003 04:17 AM PST

Good grief, this was the first I heard of both deaths; I just googled them to find out more. So sad. We pretty much knew that poor Johnny Cash was not long for this earth (he's been sick for a long time, and was heartbroken over losing June earlier this year), but John Ritter's death is a shock. He was only 54.

Posted by Lulu @ 09/12/2003 04:20 AM PST

MattH - yes I knew that, but had forgotten...it is Ms McKay grooving and getting down on the WOOP WOOP soundtrack!

Two gone....isn't it ironic that the older was professionally known as Johnny and the younger as John?

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/12/2003 05:42 AM PST

Dear Reader Noel:

Perhaps you should produce two versions of Our Wedding. There could be "The Director's Cut--Ucensored".

And oh yes, Inspirational Songs. No one has yet mentioned "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" in the OCR version. I know the irony is palpable (although not heavy-handed as in the movie), but it is such a damn beautiful song. Of course that was the point: Evil is seductive.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/12/2003 06:01 AM PST

Although it was early in his career, I will always remember John Ritter as the Minister who married Ted and Georgette (dressed in tennis shorts no less) on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Encores 2004:
Cole Porter's CAN CAN
George & Ira Gershwin's PARDON MY ENGLISH
Adams & Strouse's BYE BYE BIRDIE

I love BIRDIE, but I don't think it's a show waiting to be rediscovered like the others.

Latest NINE replacement casting:
Eartha Kitt replaces Chita the same day John Stamos replaces Antonio and Jenna Elfman replaces Jane. Rebecca Luker has already replaced Laura.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/12/2003 06:28 AM PST

John Ritter was very good in a supporting role in SLING BLADE, too.

I think I saw him first on THE WALTONS, I think.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/12/2003 07:09 AM PST

Along with John Ritter and Johnny Cash, Larry Hovis from HOGAN'S HEROS died this week also.

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/12/2003 07:20 AM PST

How sad to hear of the two John's passing. I'm not overly surprised at the passing of Johnny Cash, but I'm shocked to hear that John Ritter is gone. He was so great in "Noises Off." May they both rest in peace.

I may be mistaken, but I seems to me that Mr. Ritter, Ms. Carter, Mr. Hines, and Ms. Thigpen all passed at the age of 54. Strange coincidence, I suppose.

Posted by Jason @ 09/12/2003 07:48 AM PST

I had almost forgotten about John Ritter as the minister on Mary Tyler Moore. The recollection brought a big smile to my face. Thanks.

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/12/2003 08:36 AM PST