KEN Y. ON THE DEATH OF LORD CHARTERIS (12/26/99)
JOHN:
Out of curiosity, do you know Lord Charteris is any relation to British author Leslie Charteris, creator of The Saint (and, unlike Leni Riefenstahl, a guy.)
O.B.E.
Not sure. And unlike Leni Riefenstahl, not a Nazi.
JOHN M. SENDS E-MAIL OF THE YEAR!!! (12/24/99)
JOHN:
It is maybe going to be a nice Christmas after all...
I talked my wife into playing the OBE for 2000 and paying for my "gift" as well. We will be mailing it from my in-laws house in Edison, NJ since we have to travel tomorrow and she is too busy wrapping gifts to be planning death lists. She knew she was hooked when we went to St. Patricks Cathedral last week and the only thing she could think of was that I had him on my list.
O.B.E.
In one little e-mail you summed up the entire spirit of the game. People may call it sick, they may think its depraved, but each and every time you talk about it they can't help but say, "Hey what about........"
BRYAN F. MAKES A FUNNY (12/23/99)
BRYAN:
Desmond Llewelyn is dead?! Didn't Bauhaus have a song about that?
O.B.E.
Desmond Llewelyn, Bela Lugosi they all sound the same.
MIKE C. AND JOHN M. ON REX ALLEN (12/21/99)
MIKE:
Took a look at your site, and figured you might like to know, if you already didn't, that this weekend saw the deaths of Desmond Llewelyn (The actor who played Q in the James Bond movies) and Rex Allen (actor in over 30 B-Movie westerns between 19499 and 1976).
JOHN M.
Thought you may want to add to the pix page: Rex Allen Sr died 12/18/99 big cowboy star in 1950's and the voice of the Disney documentaries, as well as the narrator of "Charlotte's Web."
O.B.E.
We noted the death of Rex Allen in the Weekly Wrap-up. The guy just didn't rate in our book for the main page!
TOM ON DESMOND LLEWELYN (12/19/99)
Tom:
Well that sucks
O.B.E.
Esecially for Desmond.
RON HAS A QUESTION (12/15/99)
RON:
If the person chosen death gets an ap mention it counts no matter how obscure the celeb?
O.B.E.
In short, yes. If the person is on a list and their name is in the AP they meet the defininition in our rules. However, from a posting of obituaries standpoint, we do not mention every obsure death outlined in the AP. We only mention big names, funny names, and names that are on at least one list.
THOMAS ON KENNY BAKER (12/11/99)
THOMAS:
I work at a radio station in Connecticut and received word back on Thursday from the Associated Press that jazz trumpeter Kenny Baker died at the age of 78. In the story, it reads that Baker died Tuesday (12-7) in a hospital in Southern England.
Besides being featured on the Muppet Show and James Bond soundtracks, Baker also was a session musician for Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett and you guessed it...Frank Sinatra! Baker supposedly was a big deal back in the 1950's when he used to play to sell out audiences in Britain.
I have no idea if you guys knew about Baker and his connection with Sinatra.
Keep up the bulletins and the great work!
O.B.E.
We noted the death of Kenny Baker in the Weekly Wrap-up. However, we did not feel that Kenny had the name recognition (or humor) that we try to inject into the Death Watch. Thus, he was a no poster. Oh no, they killed Kenny.
STU ON SHIRELY HEMPHILL (12/11/99)
STU:
I'm sorry. I didn't get the last message regarding Shirley Hemphill. Could you..................................RERUN IT---HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh, I slay me.
O.B.E.
P U
LOUIS COMMENTS ON SHIRLEY HEMPHILL'S DEMISE (12/9/99)
LOUIS:
To borrow the title of the series Hemphill herself headlined, this occurrence must be "One in a Million".
DAVID G. SAYS SOME SWELL STUFF ABOUT THE O.B.E. (11/21/99)
DAVID:
Guys: Excellent write-up on the old queen. Crisp, not Bowles, that is. Although they were both old and queenly, Bowles was hugely talented and married to a lesbian. Seems like a lot of red tape just so he could watch. I guess they didn't have Rex Borsky flicks in his day.....Anyway, I continue to be amazed at how PC you guys are. Keep up the good work!
O.B.E.:
Thanks David!
RICHARD B. ON WINNIE PALMER (11/21/99)
RICHARD:
Richard sent a copy of the obituary for the wife of golf great Arnold Palmer.
O.B.E.:
Wife of a celebrity don't make ya a celebrity. Just ask Winne Palmer.
MARVIN ON ABE VIGODA (11/19/99)
MARVIN:
Did anybody else see Abe Vigoda comment about the "roller coaster" plane ride he was on the other day? Looks like he couldn't wait to get out of the airport and hit a restroom so he could change his drawers.
O.B.E.:
Abe Va-gotta-go-da
STU HITS THE BOTTLE (11/18/99)
STU:
I found out around 9:17 PM Eastern standard Time from a reliable TV Station that lovable radio personality Frasier Crane has passed on.
Oh crap, it's a TV show.
Gotta stop drinkin rum.
Sorry.....................
O.B.E.:
Uh, doctor, it's time for Stu's medicine.
EVE ON PAYTON ET AL. (11/1/99)
EVE.:
Notice an abundance of dead jocks lately? Hmmmmm...
O.B.E.:
Maybe some Viagra would help.
PAUL N. THINKS HE KNOWS HOW TO RUN THE SHOW (11/1/99)
PAUL N.:
Hey guys, I think it would be prudent to include at least the age of our fallen stars should the AP provide it for you, or just the year they were born (I can do the math).
O.B.E.:
Join the mailing list and check out the "Weekly Wrap-up". This feature of the O.B.E., emailed every Sunday, indicates dead persons listed in the AP for the week, their celebrity status, their age of death, and the cause of death.
Just another swell service from your pals at the O.B.E.
COMMENTS ON NATHALIE SARRAUTE (10/31/99)
ROBERT Y.:
Nathalie Sarraute, a contemporary of Jean-Paul Sarte, was considered to be the greatest living French novelist (said by French president Jacques Chirac) when she died Oct. 19 at 99 (though she's dead now). Born July 18, 1900 in Russia, emigrated to France.
Also, Rafael Alberti, Spanish poet, died Oct. 28 at 96 (Born Dec. 16, 1902).
HUBERT H.:
French novelist Nathalie Sarraute died Oct. 19 at 99. A contemporary of Jean-Paul Sarte, she was considered France's greatest living novelist (though she's dead now). Born in Russia July 18, 1900. See more at "nonagenarians and centenarians" website.
O.B.E.:
We at the O.B.E. did report Ms. Sarraute's death in our weekly wrap up last week. We did not, and will not be listing her in a bulletin or on the Dead Folks Page.
Many great persons die who do not make it to the Dead Folks page. We will always list any stiff on a persons entry form. In addition, we list major deaths (one's you hear on the radio and talk about around the coffee pot at work (not as literature professors mind you)). Finally, we list deaths that Matt or Steve feel have some humorous element or which mean something to The Guys. Granted, this is somewhat subjective, but no matter what, we're bound to let somebody down.
We'll leave you guys with this. We did not post the death of Nathalie Sarraute however, we considered it in a quick flash of thought that we would presume Ms. Sarraute would call a tropism. Consider it the "Anti-Obituary." She would have wanted it that way.
SOME DEATH WATCHER FEEDBACK ON THE STAR-LEDGER ARTICLE (10/28/99)
KEN Y.:
Despite the recent press for our first-place friends at the O.B.E., located HERE, I am sorry to say that they are not eligible to be picked as dying celebrities next year. I mean, that rag didn't even mention *me*, *I'm* in that pool... If they had chosen Stacey the Stalker to talk to because of the cool nickname, that I could understand. But they didn't even mention it, the amateurs...
DAVID G.:
Thanks guys. Not a bad article re dead pools. I've seen much worse in big time papers. Should generate more interest. I sent an FYI to Zach Love. A fairly large NYC dead pool is now kaput, so you may pick up some of those poolsters.
STACEY THE STALKER:
WOOHOO! Star Ledger! I feel very honored that i was interviewed.... I'd like to thank the academy.... She, (Carrie) wanted to know where I got the moniker Stacey the Stalker.... does anyone recall exactly how that came about?
Lots of people are interested in the pool now.... (I guess my word just wasn't enough DAMNIT!)
DAVE T. SOUNDS A BIT MIFFED (10/16/99)
DAVE:
How can you say Jean Shepherd doesn't count for the list? You include people like Jules Glazer (Accountant who handled finances for entertainers) - who the hell has ever heard of him?
O.B.E.:
You misunderstand. Jean Shepherd merits a Weekly Wrap-up mention, just not a web page obit. Note that Jules Glazer didn't get a web page obit either. The likes of Wilt the Stilt get a web page metnion, the rest of us are damned to Weekly Wrap-ups.
JOHN M. THINKS WE MISSED ONE (10/16/99)
JOHN:
Hey you guys missed out on Lena Zavaroni, some child star singing chick who was a Brit and did all the shows 20 years ago...felled by one of all our favorites....anorexia nervosa/heart attack at the age of 35...check out BBC.com to find out more.
O.B.E.:
She must have turned sideways.
AMBERLOCK ON WILT THE STILT (10/12/99)
AMBERLOCK:
Hey Guys........My Dad........Daniel Gallagher played with Wilt........and scrimmaged with him for many years........My Dad, won two Villanova state championships and was signed with the NY Nicks for one season.......I saw Wilt when I was four........his hand was bigger than my head and I will never forget I couldn't look over his kneecaps for the lighting......
May they both rest in peace as my Dad died at a very very young age, but my Son will make basketball history............
O.B.E.:
Neat tale regarding your pop. And good luck to your son. Remember, making basketball history now-a-days can mean not showing up for practice and never telling the team where you are or better yet, smacking the coach in the face a few times.
Maybe the boy should take up rugby.
SAM ON BASEBALL(9/28/99)
SAM:
Is it just me, or is 1999 a bad year for baseball players? DiMaggio, Wynn, Ripkin Sr., Reese and Hunter...... Well, I wouldn't want to be the Splendid Splinter these days.
O.B.E.:
"He had a tumor the size of a Strawberry" Dig?
EVE HAS A LITTLE TALE TO SHARE REGARDING "CATFISH" HUNTER(9/16/99)
EVE:
I know this is a late reaction, but I went to a babseball game the night after ol' lou got ol' cat. Durng the "MOMENT OF SILENCE" that they had for him, I whispered to Craig "Onefish twofish catfish louish." and burst into a wee giggling fit. He just looked at me, smiled sadly, shook his head and said, "Oh, you're goin' to hell."
I think I really am going to like that place.
O.B.E.:
See ya down there.
JACKIE TEACHES US FRENCH AFTER A LITTLE QUIP IN OUR WEEKLY WRAP-UP(9/13/99)
JACKIE:
It's "Je ne sais quoi"
O.B.E.:
Damn French.
KEVIN MISSED THE GAG (9/10/99)
KEVIN:
Louish?? What the Hell is Louish???? Come on, your losing your edge......
O.B.E.:
Think about the line.....One fish, two fish, Catfish (all fish you see), Louish (he died from Lou Gehrig's disease). So, the Louish comment not only makes sense, it's f**king funny you silly bastard.
STU P. LOVED OUR RAPIER WIT ON CATFISH HUNTER(9/9/99)
STU:
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!Oh that was fabooo babay YEAH.
STACEY THE STALKER STUMPED BY TRIVIA (9/5/99)
STALKER:
Well, for right now I am Stumped.... I must go ponder the answers to these trivia questions..... Starbucks should be able to help.... I SHALL remain victorious .... (if I can't be virtuous)....
O.B.E.:
Can't be virtuous... well that's a virtue in itself...
STU IS ANXIOUS (9/3/99)
STU:
Who won the song parody you bastiches???? Fargin Iceholes!!!
O.B.E.:
That little tidbit, dear Stu, will be released on Sunday September 12, 1999 when the new song parody is posted.
Patience young Skywalker.
STU:
Unable to process. Need Instant Gratification. Message Returned.
MARVIN ON OUR TERRIBLE TYPOS (8/31/99)
MARVIN:
Was he involved in "fottball"? Squeezing a pig comes to mind. I always thought you were republican pig squeezers.
O.B.E.:
Two points:
First, only one of us is a Rebuplican.
Second, as much as we'd love grab ya like a roll of Charmin, we've never done so.
BRETT ON FRITZ SHURMUR (8/31/99)
BRETT:
Just a couple comments on the Fritz Shurmur paragraph. First off, it's on the page twice. Secondly, he lead the 1996 Packers to victory in the Super Bowl(in 1997). The 1997 Packers lost in the Super Bowl(in 1998).
O.B.E.:
Not to mention that we said he was involved in "fottball" in our e-mail bulletin. Man, we really gotta stop drinking all that mouth wash in the morning. You will find our errors have been corrected.
FRANK ASKS ABOUT MARY JANE CROFT LEWIS (8/26/99)
FRANK:
Is this the same lady who played the nosy neighbor in Bewitched? Did you already report her? I think I heard she died in July or early August. Help.
P.S. Neighborhood is oneword.
O.B.E.:
Nope, the neighbor from bewetiched was SANDRA GOULD. See our Dead Folk page.
We failed English in high school.
KIRSTEN GIVES US A SPELLING LESSON (8/23/99)
KIRSTEN:
FYI....it's limerick, not limmerick. I checked the dictionary.
O.B.E.:
It's E G G H E A D.
BRYAN LIKES "BLADE RUNNER" (8/19/99)
BRYAN:
Brion James, one of the greatest character actors of our time, succumbed to heart problems yesterday at the age of 54. Brion appeared in a hundred movies during his career including "The Player", "Nemesis", "Cabin Boy", and "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park". He'll most likely be remembered for his haunting performance as the angst-ridden existential bonehead in "Blade Runner". His contribution to the art of film, especially to the Killer Cyborg genre, will surely be missed. I hope you will all find the time in your busy lives to observe a moment of silence in honor of Mr. James.
O.B.E.:
Hey Brion James......."Wake up, time to die"
GINGER IS A "MORPHINE" FAN (8/18/99)
GINGER:
Did you guys post that Mark Sandman, the singer from Morphine died on July 3rd? He was 46, and died onstage of a heart attack. I had no idea till this past weekend. They were really great.
O.B.E.:
He was posted in the Weekly Wrap-up. "Really great"? Sinatra was "really great". This guy was ok. Dig?
BRYAN SETS US STRAIGHT ON PEE WEE (8/16/99)
BRYAN:
Hi guys - just thought I'd correct your brief obituary... Harold "Pee Wee" Reese was a Hall of Fame SHORTSTOP, not a pitcher. One of the greatest shortstops ever, as a matter of fact. He was very much beloved here in Louisville, KY, where he grew up, first played professional baseball, and where he lived after retiring. His funeral is this Wednesday at one of the biggest churches in the South, which no doubt will be filled to overflowing (it seats around 10,000 or so)...
And I usually laugh at your death bulletins, but in this case, I didn't really appreciate the "Pee Wee Herman" reference. We'll let it slide this time, though...
O.B.E.:
Sorry about the Pee Wee Reese slip up. We ain't the biggest sports fans in the world. As for the Pee Wee gag, hey, you can't love 'em all. As for you "letting it slide," was that some baseball pun?
BRYAN:
Uhh... sure. Actually, I wish I were smart enough to notice that pun!
THE WONDERFUL, HORRIBLE WORLD OF PEE WEE REESE (8/14-15/99)
STACEY:
just listening to the game on TV, I heard Pee wee Reese is dead.... didn't find anything in reuters yet. thought I'd let ya know
DAVID G.:
Pee Wee Reese has stepped up to the plate and knocked one out of the park. You're da man Pee Wee!
JOHN M.:
and I thought he was the guy who made those chocolate peanut butter cups
GINGER ON THE SPICE GIRLS CREATOR (8/10/99)
GINGER:
The music exec who, with his son, placed the 1993 newspaper ad that led to the formation of the Spice Girls killed Monday in a car crash in England. Bob Herbert was 57.
The remaining members of the pop group say they are "shocked and saddened" by their ex-manager's death.
I just wanted to hear you guys make a dead spice girl joke.
O.B.E.:
I know you and the girls are all worked up about Bob Herbert's death. But really girl, there is a difference between a celebrity and a celebrity maker. So, please tell Sporty, Baby, and the rest of the girls that we send our condolences. Oh yeah, also tell 'em this could have easily been avoided if those damn Brits drove on the correct side of the street.
P.S. Here's a quote from the AP regarding Bob and his son's discovery of the spice girls. You would think the AP would have edited it a bit better.
"They chose and drilled the five young women, who went on to international pop stardom."
And you thought being a spice girl was all peaches and cream.
AN ARLENE FRANCIS QUESTION (8/10/99)
PATTI:
What about Arlene Francis? Best known as a panelist on What's My Line? Is she alive or what? I've heard she is - but according to sources, she was born in 1908. That's pretty old. Do you have any answers? If she is alive, where is she, and what is she doing?
O.B.E.:
As far as we know (and we know this stuff pretty good) Arlene Francis' line is not flat yet. Dig?
PATTI:
I dig - with two shovels.
SOME DEATH WATCHERS ON MRS. SHATNER (8/10/99)
EVE:
I know she is not a celeb--but thought you may want to know, William Shatner came home and found his wife dead last night.
And she had taken the last beer, too. Boy was he pissed.
KEVIN:
What about Shatner? Did he do it? Now we just need Bones resurrected to say " She's dead Jim".
STU:
She's dead Jim!!!
ROBERTA ASKS HOW TO PLAY (8/5/99)
ROBERTA:
Just how do you play this game? I'd like to play!
O.B.E.
Well......It's like this.....The official Death Watch begins at the start of each calender year. You may enter in November and December. So, you're outta luck this year. But by all means, play the pool next year. Check out our rules page.
In the interim (that's the meantime), play the monthly contests. Also, join the mailing list, you'll be glad you did.
DAVID G. HAS A SERIOUS GRIPE (8/5/99)
DAVID:
Estella Jones just isn't or wasn't famous according to the definition you've spelled out in section 8.0. Unless she made the UPI, Reuters, or AP she just doesn't cut it. Also, I can't find any reference to her via infoseek which is a good sign that someone isn't known nationally. I agree that the Augusta rag isn't a "major paper", but "major paper" isn't part of your definition. I don't think the list she's on is going anywhere, but that's irrelevant. You have as good as definition of fame as any deadpool, so please stick with it. Otherwise, you're doing a great job.
O.B.E.
It has been brought to our attention that we broke our own rules. See, we were thinking that a celebrity death had to be "reported in the major media for example, the AP, UPI, or Reuters." In fact, to qualify, the death MUST be reported in one of those media services. So, sorry Jody & John 1, although Estella Jones may be dead as Robert Downey Jr's career, but she don't count worth a crap towards the pool. We have adjusted the standings accordingly.
We recognize that the posting of Estella's demise may have brought a flutter to a few players hearts (ahem, David G.), and rightfully so. We have an obligation to be fair and follow the rules here, and so we shall.
Now that all that mumbo jumbo is outta the way, on with the deaths.....
DAVID:
Thanks for taking care of business, guys. Now, you're going to tell me that Jody is a major babe who can suck a golf ball through a garden hose. Win some, lose some.
O.B.E.
Actually David, Jody is a guy. And it's a basketball (sorry Jody). STEVE MAX ASKS HOW THIS DARN THING WORKS (8/4/99)
STEVE:
Maybe I missed something. How does this 'death watch' game work. I see people getting points and stuff, yet I get nothing. Do I have to kill someone? Please tell me what's going on.
O.B.E.
If you go to the webpage (HERE) and read all the pages including the RULES page, then maybe you'll get a better idea of how the O.B.E. works. In short, we bet on who shall live and who shall die - a Yom Kippur type of thing. Of course there are certain regulations that need to be adhered to, such as they must be celebrities and the bets must be in by the preceding year. So in short, your shit outta luck for this year's O.B.E. big death squeeze, but you can (and should) be in for the O.B.E. Death Race 2000. See the page for all the rules and regulations and you can still partake in our monthly contests of skills. In any case, we here at the O.B.E. thank you for your interest and patronage and welcome you to the wonderful world of decay.
ROBERT Y. CHIDES US VIA ANOTHER DEATH WATCHER (8/3/99)
ROBERT:
Though I'm not sick enough to wager money on people's deaths (in fact I'm hoping that most of them live, that's why I celebrate their birthdays), I do occasionally run across certain deathpools when I'm searching for people. Actually, the sick jokes are quite humorous. I also noticed a certain Louis in the e-mail bag and I just know it is you. Since you have their e-mail address, can you e-mail them that Esteller Jones (Very Old Person) died as she is one of the persons listed in the pool. If not do you have their e-mail address? They don't even know why she was picked as a candidate, as they left that line blank. Also, the reason listed for the Queen Mother being famous is "not Sure." Try because she WAS the Queen of England, stupid! (Them, not you.) From 1936 to 1952 she was the Queen consort of England. When George VI died in 1952 Elizabeth (the daughter) became Queen in Her Own Right and so as not to confuse the two Queens Elizabeth, the subtitle "Mother" was added.
O.B.E.
We received your email via Louis. You are correct, we have no clue who the heck Esteller Jones is. The fact that the AP did not print an obit kinda indicates that they didn't know either. If you'd care to provide us with information on the Jones demise (with references), we'd be happy to research it.
As for the Queen Mother......no crap?, Queen? Really? It's a joke. A joke! Seesh, lighten up. We do this thing kinda tongue and cheek. Next thing ya know, you'll be telling us Henry Jones wasn't really Indiana's dad.
We, as you, do not wish people dead. In fact, the pool was modeled around one of our heroes, Frank Sinatra. A guy we both think is the cat's pajamas and one we certainly didn't want to see go. But, in spite of our best wishes, people die. So, why not poke a bit of fun and at the same time recognize achievement. Laughter, in the end, cures our pain. In any given situation, when given the choice to cry or laugh, we will laugh.......every damn time!
ROBERT:
I tried to e-mail you earlier but the computer crashed (died). The main reason why I e-mailed you is that one of your contestants, John and Jody 1, chose Esteller Jones as one of their entries. Esteller Jones was the oldest person in Georgia, born Nov. 10, 1881 in Waynesboro. On Mar. 1, 1998 she appeared on the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; it was claimed she was the Oldest Living American. She even was mentioned in a speech by Rep. Bill Archer of Houston (Apr. 1, 1998). Of course, Sarah Knauss was the oldest American, and became Guinness' World's Oldest Person on Apr. 16, 1998, when Marie-Louise Meilleur died. Esteller Jones died June 27, 1999 at 117. Her death can be found at
The Estella Jones Link
If that doesn't work, go to www.augustachronicle.com and search for "Estelle+Jones." Yeah, the name's spelled different, but the birthdate, son's name, town, and nursing home match in both stories. Either the AJC used a nickname or they goofed. Mrs. Jones said she wanted to live to 122. Guess she didn't make it.
As for the Queen Mother (who's 99 today), someone has to be the straight talker to your jokes. That was a hilarious response!
You may want to ask John and Jody 1 just who Harry Chaloner is. The only one I've heard of by that name died in 1984!
O.B.E.
Thanks for the info. Looks like we'll be updating that web page again! We'll be sure to give credit where it's due. You should see an update to the page within a day or so.
We noticed that team Jody & John really stretched the meaning of the word "celebrity". We'll need to consider that for next years rules. Hope to have you as a regular Death Watcher.
LEA CLOSES THE LOOP BY PROVIDING THE LAST PICTURE FOR "DEAD FOLK" (7/23/99)
LEA:
My deathly mission (to-date) is complete.
Here is a pic of Allan Carr.
I am soooooo pleased
O.B.E.
That's it... Steve is fired - your in.... hell, I'm firing myself too... sheesh... we look like novices next to you.... Take it!!! Take the whole damn page from us.... we don't deserve it anymore... look what you did you she-devil.... a pox upon your house.....
By the way... nice work.... it does us proud!
LEA:
Please don't go.
Hey, it wouldn't be any fun all alone.......
All I expect is the customary 50% bonus based on my salary. Oh yeah, and M&Ms with the brown ones picked out
O.B.E.:
We ain't going anywhere ('cept maybe to hell). As for a bonus...50% of zero, hold on, let us get the calculator, oh, yeah, it's zero. And another thing, we don't like the overtones of that "Brown M&M" comment. Sure, pick out the brown ones, then it'll be the red ones, next the yellow ones. What about diversity damnit, have you no social conscience?
Oh, by the way, thanks for the pics....You rule.
LEA:
How unPC of me.
I meant the bland tasting ones......
Anyway, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
As for the pics, it gave me great pleasure finding them.
An internet scavenger hunt.
But I must insist, you guys rule.
This site is great fun.
Keep up the good work.
LEA HELPS US OUT BY SENDING ALL BUT ONE OF THE MISSING PICTURES FOR "DEAD FOLKS" (7/23/99)
LEA:
I hope this is of help.
I was bored, so I went searching for pics.
Keep those updates coming.
O.B.E.
You are good... real good.
Wanna job? The pay is crap, the benefits are crap, and the recognition is crap - but you do get to hand out with the two Guys at the O.B.E.... and let me tell ya, we are fun!
LEA: Just happy to be of help. I thoroughly enjoy your site and your updates.
If you ever need a hand, drop me a line.
MARVIN M. GETS A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THE JFK JR. STUFF (7/23/99)
MARVIN:
I'm not a betting man, but, 10-1 odds say you must be Republicans.
O.B.E.
We're not betting men, but 10-1 odds say you must be a butt munch.
JOHN M. ADDS HIS TWO CENTS TO THE MIX (7/22/99)
JOHN M.:
May I make a suggestion for next year????maybe a death joke page/billboard for the timely ones only...we all remember the brinks truck load of Princess Di jokes and OJ /Nicole/ Ron jokes....by the way, I heard my first John-John Joke....What was the in-flight movie for the ride to Martha's Vinyard???? Hugh Grant's latest.. 3 Funerals and a Wedding....
O.B.E.:
May we make a suggestion? Don't go into stand-up comedy. By the way, JFK Jr. got it all wrong. The girls are supposed to die, he's supposed to leave the scene, deny any wrong doing, and become a senator. Guess the kid didn't spend enough time with Uncle Ted.
JOHN M. COMMENTS ON JFK AND THE PARENTAGE OF THE GUYS AT THE O.B.E. (7/22/99)
JOHN M.:
On JOHN JOHN...no jokes yet? I did hear from a DC buddy of mine that he was sick of the news coverage of the poor guy living his life in a fish bowl.....though actually it prepared him for how he went....make what you want of it...
Yours in the Brotherhood of sick perverted bastards
O.B.E.:
We'd like to make something clear to you, we are not your brothers in being "sick perverted bastards". Granted, the Guys at the O.B.E. are sick and perverted, but only one of us is a bastard. So please, do your homework next time.
ROBERTA IS ON TOP OF THINGS! (7/22/99)
ROBERTA:
Could you tell me if Sandra Gould has died?
O.B.E.:
Holy shit Roberta... you are soooooo right!!!
With all this "A Nation Mourns" crap we lost sight of our job....
Bulletin to follow....
ROBERTA:
Thanks for the confirmation of her death. I wasn't sure couldn't find any listing in the newspapers or on any obituary sights. Thanks so much I've sent your link to several of my friends .
J. STEPHEN THINKS WE MISSED ONE (7/19/99)
J. STEPHEN:
You missed Peggy Cass - 3/10/99. Won a Tony Award and was nominated for an Oscar for playing Agnes Gooch in "Mame" (Broadway) and "Auntie Mame" (movie).She was in lots of Broadway shows and movies, but what I remember her most from is as a regular on "To Tell the Truth."
Of course, nobody picked Ms. Cass, so her omission doesn't mean anything to the game, but I just finished touting your site to my reporters (I'm a newspaper librarian), because you caught some celebrities our paper never ran obits on (like Bobby Troup, who wrote a song that mentioned our city's name!). So I was surprised to find one that we had that you missed.
O.B.E.:
Actually, we didn't miss her. We do not post all dead celebrities, only those on lists or ones we find particularly funny/relevant (a somewhat arbitrary selection criteria we confess). However, we send out a weekly wrap-up via our emailing list that reviews ALL the celebrity deaths we have tracked for that week. Ms. Cass was mentioned in that wrap-up. In retrospect, maybe we should have mentioned her, as the tag line...Peggy Cassket....would have been rather funny. Oh well, death goes on.
FILM ROBIN ON JFK (7/17/99)
ROBIN:
Nice to know that O.B.E. is on the case. Are you guys sending up a plane to help search??
O.B.E.:
Just a camera crew.
ROBIN:
Smart, Better to stay on ground today!!!
DAVID G. PROUDLY MAINTAINS THE LEAD (7/10/99)
DAVID G.:
Hey guys, looks like that old tour bus operator, James Farmer, ate at one too many Trailways cafeterias, you know the ones with all those nice folks setting off firecrackers. Old Jimmy sure helps that David G. separate from the pack a bit.
STU P. IS BUCKING FOR A WRITING JOB AT THE O.B.E. (7/10/99)
STU REGARDING THE DEATH OF PETE CONRAD:
It may have been one small step for Armstrong, but that's one helluva leap for Conrad!
THAT WARREN WAS ALWAYS SUCH A STRANGE BOY (7/9/99)
WARREN:
Is it true Keenan and Kal are dead?
O.B.E.:
Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope crap in the woods?
JOHN M. WITH A CLASSIC ON ALAN CARR (7/2/99)
JOHN:
Remember, before there was a Richard Simmons making a mockery of his "heterosexuality" there was Alan Carr....strutting his stuff on the Mike Douglas show while Mike kissed his fat ass
O.B.E.:
We gotta tell ya, that Mike Douglas comment was great!!!!!!!!!!
STU P. ON MARIO PUZO (7/2/99)
STU:
I guess you could say that Mario now will "Speak Softly,Love"
A FEW WATCHERS COMMENT ON OUR FAILURE TO POST THE DEATH OF ALAN CARR (7/2/99)
JOHN:
What happened to Alan Carr? Some thing against caffcans?!?!?!
K. G.:
Just viewed the 1999 Dead Folk, and it looks like you've overlooked that overweight producer of such cheesey classics as 'Can't Stop the Music' - Alan Carr!
O.B.E.:
Yeah, we saw that Alan Carr bit it and we suppose that we ought to post him. But, come on...GREASE? Just the thought of it gives us chills......They're multiplying.
NOT THAT LOUIS AGAIN? (7/1/99)
LOUIS REGARDING OUR MISSPELLING OF SYLVIA SIDNEY'S NAME:
Anyway, it's spelled "Sidney".
O.B.E.:
So it is. Our gross misspellings are just the tip of the gross iceberg.
LOUIS, THAT KNOW-IT-ALL (6/20/99)
LOUIS:
From the Weekly Wrap-up:
"Emma Lowery Massey
May have been the oldest person in the world
Allegedly 118
Unknown"
If her nursing home is correct and she was born January 15th 1881, she WASN'T the oldest person in the world, Sarah Knauss, still breathing in Allentown,was born September 24th 1880. Only if her guardian is correct and Massey was born in 1879 would Massey have been the oldest person in the world...
O.B.E.:
Note the use of the words "May have been" and the word "allegedly."
MARSHA SAYS A SWELLNESS ABOUT THE O.B.E.
MARSHA:
First of all, it's so cool that you maintain a personal contact system with your "death watcher" viewers. Secondly, as I may have told you before...I have a real problem with the finality of death.....BUT, have been able to put a lighter perspective on it since I hooked up with you guys. And I thank you for that.
O.B.E.:
See, we really do provide a public service (helping our public cope with the unpleasantness of the finite with laughter). And to think some people believe its just a sick, twisted passtime (well, maybe they're right too).
SOME DEATH WATCHERS FOLLOW-UP ON THE ENQUIRER TOPIC (6/17/99)
DAVID G.:
Guys, talking to the Enquirer is worse cause they'll misquote you and slant everything you say toward what they want to write. Zach Love is pissed as they misquoted him and didn't leave his url, which couda been good for bid'ness. What 's up with bat Boy?
EVE G.:
I used to subscribe to the Weekly World News, buster. I have more editions than I know what to do with. I have even gotten a letter into Dear Dotti. Don't tell ME about tabloids, bub. I am, after all, the Media Queen. But if you want to talk trash about the rag mags, fine. I stopped reading Weekly World News on a regular basis after they began to repeat stories two, three, sometimes as often as FOUR times in a span of about 6 months. Go figure.
KEVIN THINKS PRYOR IS A PRIOR (6/16/99)
KEVIN O.:
LISTENING TO STERN, AND A GUEST STATED THAT RICHARD PRYOR HAS BEEN DEAD FOR NEARLY A MONTH AND A HALF. YOU ARE MR. DEATH. WHAT DO YOU THINK? ANY RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES.
O.B.E.:
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.....And in 1968 a bunch of kooks said paul McCartney was dead too. When will you people learn?
COUPLE OF DEATH WATCHERS ON AN ENQUIRER ARTICLE (6/15/99)
DAVID G.:
Check out the latest National Enquirer for article on Ghoul Pools. Zach Love from stiffs.com gets most of the ink and a picture, but much of the text comes from an interview with my alter ego, M. T. Graves. Good pics of Bob Hope, Ronny Raygun, and Kathy Lee.
EVE MEDIA QUEEN:
This issue of the Enquirer features a story about death watch Web sites. Unfortunately, they did not dig deep enough to get the best site--yours!! Ahhh, well. So it goes.
O.B.E.:
Allright damnit!!!!!! We don't know what's worse:
1) That a birdcage liner like the Enquirer would do an article on Celebrity Death Pools without talking to the Guys at the O.B.E.
or
2) That two of our loyal Death Watchers read the Enquirer to begin with.
We at the O.B.E. are strictly Weekly World News readers. If you're gonna read a tabloid, make it one with some basis in fact!!!! By the way, did you guys see what happened to Bat Boy?
MARSHA KNOWS A PAST TENSE CELEBRITY (6/14/99)
MARSHA:
I was impressed that you mentioned the death of Bill Macklin, from the New Ulm Daily Journal. New Ulm is a neighboring town of my own community, and I actually knew of this man. Nice to know the OBE has no boundaries in geography or population.
O.B.E.:
Hey, if the AP lists 'em, we report 'em Famous is famous. This is the second time we've had a player be familiar with a reported demise. That can make the whole Death Watch experience rather tough we suppose. Or, if you're like us (and we really wouldn't wish that on anyone), it can make the whole experience all the more tolerable.
Either way, the Watch goes on..........
STALKER ON THE POPE (6/13/99)
STACEY:
Pope falls down, cuts head.....Did you cause this?
O.B.E.:
".....Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said there were 'no neurological repercussions' or other effects on the 79-year-old pope's health from what he called a 'slight contusion.'......." If we were behind this, do you really think that the above would be the case?
MARVIN ON TED WILLIAMS (6/13/99)
MARVIN:
Shame about Deforest, was a favorite. Ted Williams threw out the first ball at the Met game last, there were three people triangulated around him as he wobbled and struggled to throw the ball 20 feet.
O.B.E.:
At Ted's age, it's a wonder he didn't throw out both balls..........
KEVIN O. GETS ALL PROUD (6/11/99)
KEVIN:
Guess what, I had ol' DeForest"tation" Kelley on my list. And from the looks of it, I was the only one.......Oh baby.....
O.B.E.:
Let's get a little quicker on the pick-up fella. The "Entries" page has already been updated reflecting your pick. We at the O.B.E. are well aware of who appears on the lists of each Death Watcher and are on top of such deaths like Romulans on top of the border of the Neutral Zone.
STEVEN L. IS THE SECOND TO CATCH OUR SCREW-UP (6/11/99)
STEVEN:
Just wondering why some obits appear and then vanish in the "Heaven Couldn't Wait" section (i.e., Charles "Buddy" Rogers)?
Kinda curious, and keep up the great work!
O.B.E.:
Because we f**ked up. Gotta go back and update the page. Damn.....
Looks like we fixed the problem. We run this damn pool off too many computers and end up overwriting stuff sometimes. Sorry about that. We gotta lay off the beer.
STU ON DEFOREST KELLEY (6/11/99)
STU:
NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
We are getting too f***ing old.
O.B.E.:
The passing of Mr. Kelley is indeed sad. Here's a guy who made it through Tribbles, The Doomsday Machine, and that jackass Mudd, not to mention living in the shadow of that arrogant prick Kirk. You know how much V.D. he probably treated that pud for? Thing is, the guy just couldn't beat the cancer. Where's that little air needle that cures everything when ya need it, huh?
As for getting old, what's with this "we" crap? The Guys at the O.B.E. presume you had a friend over when you wrote that.
MARVIN IS A VERY SICK MAN (6/8/99)
MARVIN:
You didn't mention anything about, unless i missed, Tina Sinatra's ex-hubby (millionaire), also ex-hubby of Cary Grant's former wife, who was choking on a piece of steak in a restaurant; was aided by a doctor in attendance by performing the Heimlich. The doctor broke his rib, causing it to puncture his lung. The man collapsed. The doctor then performed CPR. The man, and who would have known, was allergic to peanuts. The doctor, had just finished eating nuts and upon performing CPR blew a nut down his throat, causing him to go into an irreversible coma. This happened May 26, was in today's paper.
O.B.E.:
C-E-L-E-B-R-I-T-Y. Not pathetic ex-husband of stars who can't chew, have weak ribs, and can't eat peanuts.
JAMIE SPOTS OUR SCREW-UP FIRST (6/8/99)
JAMIE:
Why did you take Owen Hart off the list. Did the WWf fake his death?
O.B.E.:
Big boo-boo on our part. We run this thing off two different machines and our backup system hit a tiny glitch. In other words, we f**ked up. It's fixed now.
KEVIN O. NEEDS TO READ THE RULES (6/7/99)
KEVIN O.:
Just heard that they ID'ed the bassist for the Iron Butterfly this weekend. Seems he croaked about four years ago. Does that count for the OBE, since nobody knew???
O.B.E.:
No...see the rules.
STEVE P. ON MEL TORME (6/5/99)
STEVE P.:
It strikes me that the Velvet Fog is now the Velvet Underground.
O.B.E.:
Unless of course Mel is to be cremated in which case something along the lines of "Torme roasting on an open fire" would be more appropriate (or is that be inappropriate?). Well, you get our drift.
MARA GETS A BIT WEEPY ABOUT EDDIE GRANT (6/4/99)
MARA:
Is Eddie Grant dead? If so how did he die? Do you know what he did with his life/musical career after Electric Avenue?
O.B.E.:
Look, we screwed up. As far as we know Eddie Grant is alive. It's just his career that's dead. If we recall correctly, he's selling chili dogs around the corner from Matt...Or is that Eddie Blant? Whatever.
FILMROBIN ON CHARLES PIERCE (6/4/99)
FILMROBIN:
Oh Ms. Channing, fabulous reverence.
VARIOUS RESPONSES TO OUR EDDIE GRANT/PETER TOSH MIX UP (6/4/99)
GRANT:
I'm sure you've been deluged by this...but Peter Tosh did legalize it. Eddie Grant did electric avenue.
MARSHA:
Ya know.....as on top of things that you guys are, I can't believe that there are those who chose to doubt or call you on anything. And that's all I have to say about that.
GINGER:
doesn't matter. 'the one heart, one love, one bullet' line was fucking hilarious.
FILMROBIN:
Yeah, you made a mistake alright, but hey great poetry!!!
MARVIN ON NORM ROSSINGTON (5/23/99)
Marvin:
Was Norman the Beatles "Uncle" in "A Hard Day's Night"?
O.B.E.:
No you silly weasel, he played Paul. Haven't you heard, Paul's long dead.
GRANT THANKS US FOR RECOGNIZING A WRESTLER, FINALLY (5/23/99)
Well, well, well...
And I thought wrestling was for sissys?
Thanks for finally reporting a death that matters!
Kidding.
O.B.E.:
By the way it ain't the wrestlers who are the sissys, it's the fans Grant, the fans.
MIKE FINDS A CLASSIC IN THE TABLOIDS (5/20/99)
MIKE:
Saw this in Tabloid yesterday. Yes, I guess I'm that bored. Poor, poor Oliver!
Do you think he knows he's expired yet??
JENNIFER THINKS WE FORGOT THE SMART GUY - PLUS SHE HAS A WEAK BLADDER (5/18/99)
JENNIFER:
I don't know if this was included in the weekly death postings, but to me, this guy was pretty important and OBE-worthy.
Arthur Schawlow, 77 - Nobel lauerate in Physics, co-inventor of the laser. In 1960 he worked with Charles Townes and produced the first laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) which was dubbed as the answer waiting for a problem since no one knew what the heck to do with it.
I'd think of something cute to do with Schawlow, but I really have to pee.
O.B.E.
Directly from the weekly wrap-up of two weeks ago.....
APRIL 28, 1999
Arthur Schawlow
Co-inventor of the laser
77 Pneumonia and congestive heart failure after a long battle with leukemia (Damn!)
We remembered this guy for just the reason you mentioned. We figured he'd be a name in the circles you run with.
ANTOINETTE PONDERS ROBERT DOWNEY JR.'S PROBLEM (5/15/99)
ANTOINETTE:
If you could find the time, could you please tell me why people think Robert Downey Jr. will die.
O.B.E.
It may have something to do with his insatiable appetite for illegal narcotics. Just a guess though. Maybe they're all thinking water skiing accident.
STEVE'S UNCLE DISCOVERS STEVE'S SICK OBSESSION (5/13/99)
STEVE'S UNCLE:
As your uncle I feel obligated to warn that the Federal Authorities are probably waiting in the wings to arrest you and Mat for this " game of chance". Of course I will send you cake, files, and reading material during the term of you incarnation. During that period I will of course be drinking you beer, driving you car, spending you money, and in general having a great time. Your wife will be taking your first born to Disney World, meeting men who have a brain, and who are not so stupid as to get themselves in jail.
I await your reply.
O.B.E.
Indeed life is the ultimate "game of chance." As for the authorities coming after us, we looked into that a bit before we undertook this little thing. Though there is a good deal of case law out there on internet "casinos" where a "house" wins money, there is none we could find on internet "pools" where the operators win nothing. In fact, the operators do not even participate and stand to gain nothing form the "pool's" operation other than a few chuckles.
There are far larger such pools out on the net and several operate on a for profit basis. This makes them far more likely candidates to be targets if the "authorities" are looking to set an example. We figure we should survive. And if we don't, hell, Matt looks great in stripes.
You are welcome to drive Steve's car and drink his beer any time you please. However, you should be aware the Matt has a much nicer car. You may want to reconsider.
As for Steve's wife, she's stuck with the idiot we're afraid. She knew what she was getting into and did it anyway. Now if that ain't love, what is?
KEVIN G. O. IS A BIT SLOW TODAY (5/12/99)
KEVIN:
Kevin G.O.
1. Bob Hope
2. Joe Piscopo (SNL cast)
3. Holly Hunter
4. The Queen Mother
5. Sarah Knauss
6. Boris Yelstin
7. Madame Chiang Kai Sehek
8. Johnny Cash
9. Greg Louganis
10. Walter Payton (Bears Rule)
11. Tom Landry (Ex Cowboys couch and George Bush look alike)
12. Dr Jack Kevorkian
13. Strom Thrurmond
O.B.E.
We think ya better take a look at the rules for the Old Blue Eyes Memorial Celebrity Death Watch. See, you sent us a list WAY after the deadline (pun intended). Sorry dude, you'll have to wait for the Y2K pool. In the interim you can play the monthlies and enjoy the webpage.
EVE ON SHEL SILVERSTEIN (5/11/99)
BILL:
As a matter of fact, I do indeed have issues over Uncle Shelby's death. He is the one who made me fall in love with reading. He made me laugh and giggle when things were rough. He was an incentive to get my homework done. After getting through college with a degree in English, he was still my favorite, even though I had read countless other "greats."
When I was in the third grade, my teacher brought in "Where the Sidewalk Ends." She used it as bait for us--whoever finished her work first with the most answers correct, got to curl up on the carpet and read the book without having to share it with the others. That book was a great commodity in our class--we all loved it, and had many a squabble over it.
In three months time, the book was in tatters. It was covered with grimy little fingerprints and its pages were dog eared and torn. It had a split in the binding on pages 160-161, on the class's favorite poem, "Hungry Mungry". My teacher sent to book back to Shel with a letter saying that although the book was three months old, we loved it so much it looked like it had been through a war.
Shel Silverstein mailed the book back to my teacher with a poem written just for our class inside of it. I will never forget that.
He cared about what he did, but I wonder if he had any idea how much he was loved, and exactly how much he will be missed.
"Let us leave where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends."
--Shel Silverstein "Where the Sidewalk Ends"
BILL N. ADDS TO OUR OBIT ON SHEL SILVERSTEIN (5/11/99)
BILL:
AND the Dr. Hook classic "Cover of the Rolling Stone"...and a charted Top-40 hit in '72 "Sara Stout would not take the Garbage Out"
He also holds the record for the SHORTEST song length on a 45 RPM record: "The 26 Second Song" was the flip of his novelty entitled: "Front Row Seat to hear Ole Johnny Sing" on Columbia records in 1971.
GINGER VITIS ON SHEL SILVERSTEIN (5/11/99)
GINGER:
MAN!
Shel Silverstein AND Senor Wences????
damn. that sucks.
O.B.E.:
Sorry Ms. Vitis. The lord giveth and the lord taketh away. Ya know?
STU P. ON DANA PLATO (5/10/99)
STU:
Wouldn't Plato's retreat have been more appropo'????
O.B.E.:
Or blue Plato special
ERIK S. ON TOM LANDRY (5/10/99)
ERIK:
Put Tom Landry on your lists. He has cancer.
O.B.E.:
Yeah, yeah.....cancer-schmazer. Ya know how many people beat that crap?
TOASTY ON OLIVER REED (5/9/99)
TOASTY:
What about actor Oliver Reed dying in a bar at 61? Did you miss that news? It happened last week some time. Great Site!!!!
O.B.E.:
You need to sign up for our mailing list. Oliver Reed was mentioned in our "Weekly Wrap-up" emailed earlier today. His limited notarity and lack of being on anyone's list precluded him from getting posted on our page.
You can join the mailing list by going here.
ROBIN ON DANA PLATO (5/9/99)
ROBIN:
Oh my God!!! This has got to be a joke.
O.B.E.:
It's the truth.
JOHN M. ON OLIVER REED (5/2/99)
JOHN M.:
As we bid adieu to one of the best bad actors of all time...star of such classics as Burnt Offerings, Curse of the Werewolf, The 3 Musketeers (with Michael York) and Oliver The Musical....you know the worms are singing "Food Glorious Food....."
O.B.E.:
Oliver Reed helps feed the weeds.
KEN Y. SENDS DAVID G. A THANK YOU (5/2/99)
KEN Y.:
I was busy recovering from an 8-day boardgame convention or I might have sent a not-quite-so-gentle one myself. Thanks David, for keeping an eye on my interests. :) (I was feeling mighty proud of myself that week, what with two dead in two days.)
20 hours of erotic dance a day?? No wonder his movie career's been so quiet lately. No time to spare...
And of the trivia: Howdy Doody? (Slaps forehead in disgust) I was so blinded by thoughts of Jerry Mahoney that I never even thought of that block of wood...
O.B.E.:
Regarding board games: "You can learn about death when you play the O.B.E."
Just a thought.
THANKS TO DAVID G. FOR A HEAD'S UP (OR IS THAT DOWN?) (4/22/99)
DAVID:
Looks like my lead has shrunk a bit with Ken Y. bagging Buddy Rogers. He also has Dudley Moore, who's now one of my favorites. His ex-wife sued him for divorce as, she claimed, he was smacking her around and making her dance erotically for 20 hrs. a day. Guess a guy's got to sleep sometime. Little dudes, they're always the biggest hornpuppies.
O.B.E.:
Thanks for the gentle reminder on Charles "Buddy" Rogers. We completely missed that Ken Y. had Charles on his list. Man, we gotta stop drinking. We're sure we speak for Ken Y. when we say, "You Rule." Furthermore, we're sure we speak for Charles Rogers when we say, " ".
WALLY'S DAD GETS A BIT FULL OF HIMSELF (4/22/99)
WALLY'S DAD:
Just got back into town and I am catching up on my e-mail. Yes, I would love to contribute! Tell me what you would like from me, and I will be glad to assist in any way that I can.
O.B.E.:
The line "Want a job writing for a little death pool?" was intended to be a pithy comment, not a sincere offer. We'll stick to the writing, you stick to the watching........."A wet Newleydie", that really is a pisser.
A WRESTLING SPEECH BY GRANT (4/22/99)
GRANT:
Once again I know that you aren't big on the World Of Pro Wrestling (or at least if the wrestler isn't covered on the A.P. wire AND no one had this guy on his list), but "Ravishing" Rick Rude (Rick Wood) died yesterday of a heart-attack. His claim to fame (if you'd call it that) was he used to have a picture of the wrestler he faced or the wrestler's wife or other female family member airbrushed onto his trunks in very inappropriate (but just appropriate enough to get the other guy mad) places. He was 39.
As far a wrestling icons who WOULD have been on my list. My guess is that it may not be long until "Classy" Freddy Blassie is stomping on "pencil Necked Geeks" in the afterlife, but we'll have to see.
O.B.E.:
Wrestling is for sissies (please don't hit us).
BEAM US UP ERIK (4/21/99)
ERIK:
Just wondering who the favorites to go within the next month.
O.B.E.:
We can tell ya one thing Erik, not Bill Shatner. No friggin' way man.
ERIK:
Put me down for William Shatner.
FOLLOW-UP FROM WALLY'S DAD (4/17/99)
WALLY'S DAD:
Sorry about that folks. I should have looked at your web page first. 1,000 lashes with a wet Newleydie.(sic)
O.B.E.:
That, dear sir, is a classic. Want a job writing for a little death pool?
WALLY'S DAD REGARDING OUR BULLETIN FOR ANTHONY NEWLEY (4/15/99)
WALLY'S DAD:
How about "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off", which I believe that Tony won a Tony for?
O.B.E.:
If you were to check out www.webspan.net/pokey/deadnow.html, the home of the O.B.E. Memorial Celebrity Death Watch "Dead Folks" page, you'd see that not only did we mention the Play "Stop the World I want to Get Off," We also made the witty quip, "Well you're off now Newley so quit bitching."
We try to include a teaser in the O.B.E. Bulletins and a more meaty obit on the web page. Or is that a dead meaty obit on the web page? Hmmm, well, you get the idea.
MARC ON WONKA (4/15/99)
MARC:
Willy Wonka was way cool.
O.B.E.:
You're damn right Willy Wonka was way cool!
HOG ON THAT GUY FROM THE LOST BOYZ (4/12/99)
HOG:
One of the black guys in the band lost boyz got shot and he died
O.B.E.:
Regarding the Lost Boyz: Yeah, one of the guys died. But how much of a celebrity was he really if we all just know him as "one of those guys from the lost boys?"
LOUIS REALIZE WE REPORTED A THE DEATH OF CARDINAL HENRIQUEZ INCORRECTLY (4/11/99)
O.B.E.:
APRIL 2, 1999
Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez
Outspoken defender of human rights during Chile's military dictatorship
91
Unknown
LOUIS:
No,he died April 9.
O.B.E.:
You are correct Louis. A misplacement on our part. That's what we get for staying out late and trying to squeeze in death duties as an after thought.
BARON CLARIFIES JURASSIC PARK OWNER (4/9/99)
BARON:
I believe the character who was responsible for the island in Jurrassic Park was played by Richard Attenborough.
DAVE AND THE DEAD (4/6/99)
DAVE:
I met Early Wynn when I was 7 years old, if I can dig up the picture of the two of us i will send it for posting. It is a sad day.
O.B.E.:
FYI: You won't be meeting him again.
AMBERLOCK IS LA-LA LAND (4/2/99)
AMBERLOCK:
I JUST PRESSED MY FIRST CD
WILL SEND YOU A SIGNED COPY
IT IS HOT
Attached is a picture of girlfriend smiling.
O.B.E.:
Please do forward the CD to our P.O. Box. We look forward to giving it a whirl. As for your girlfriend smiling, the picture was not attached to the e-mail. We just used our imaginations!
AMBERLOCK:
MAYBE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD HER NOW...............
