RIP

[Kobi]

"Professor" Irwin Corey, the classic comedian billed as the World's Foremost Authority, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. He was 102.

The centenarian funnyman was known for a decidedly weird routine. Dressed in the garb of an absent-minded professor – wild hair, a shabby suit, and sneakers – he'd wander onstage distractedly. He'd consult his notes, maybe laugh at something he saw there, pocket the notes, consult them again … finally, the first word of his routine, always the same: "However …" What followed was a masterpiece of doublespeak, improvised by Corey and thoroughly confusing and amusing his audience.

One oft-quoted snippet of a Corey routine started: "However ... we all know that protocol takes precedence over procedures. This Paul Lindsey point of order based on the state of inertia of developing a centrifugal force issued as a catalyst rather than as a catalytic agent, and hastens a change reaction and remains an indigenous brier to its inception. This is a focal point used as a tangent so the bile is excreted through the panaceas."

Corey sprinkled more recognizable aphorisms among the 50-cent words, and these quotable quotes were so perfect that some have entered the lexicon as clichéd phrases, with few who repeat them knowing who coined them. Here's how Corey turned a phrase:

"Wherever you go, there you are."

"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going."

"You can get further with a kind word and a gun that you do with just a kind word."

The distinctive routine came from the brain of a man who had an unconventional childhood and young adulthood. Born in Brooklyn July 29, 1914, Corey was one of six siblings who grew up in an orphanage despite not being orphans. Abandoned by her husband, Corey's mother struggled to support her children while working and also attempting to recover from tuberculosis. The Brooklyn Hebrew Orphan Asylum was a solution born out of desperation – she could work enough to send them money for the children's care while also recuperating from her illness.

It was Corey's home until he was 13, and it was where he started his long comedy career, performing to amuse the other children. But then the young teen joined the tide moving west, riding the rails to California in search of work. He returned to New York as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps, working his way across the country and, in his spare time, taking up boxing and becoming a featherweight champion.

Back east, Corey began performing as a comedian, working the Catskills circuit as well as New York City clubs. As his career burgeoned, World War II interrupted. Corey was determined not to serve, first seeking 4F status and then, when he was drafted nevertheless, convincing his superiors he was a homosexual and being discharged after six months.

Postwar, Corey honed his Professor persona and ramped up his path to fame, appearing on many of the hottest shows of TV's early days. He was a regular guest of talk show hosts including Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, and Ed Sullivan. Through his surreal stand-up routine, he influenced many of the next generation of comics as they got their start: Lenny Bruce, Jonathan Winters, and George Carlin were just a few of the stand-ups who looked up to him. He occasionally acted, too, as when he guest-starred on an episode of "The Phil Silvers Show" and, later, in movies such as "How To Commit Marriage" (1969) and "Car Wash" (1976).

Alongside his stage and screen career came a number of odd stunts, not least of which was his 1960 bid for the presidency of the United States as part of Hugh Hefner's "Playboy" ticket. His campaign slogans included, "Vote for Irwin and get on the dole" and, "Corey will run for any party, with a bottle in his hand."

In 1974, attendees of the National Book Award ceremony were perplexed as Corey arrived onstage to accept the award on behalf of its actual winner, Thomas Pynchon, author of "Gravity's Rainbow." His acceptance speech was much like one of his "professorial" comedy routines. Just as the audience was at its most bewildered, a streaker ran across the stage – not associated with Pynchon or Corey in any way; he was just a random sign of the times. Corey knew the more serious contingent of the literary world was annoyed by his appearance, but he didn't care: As he told interviewer Jim Knipfel, "I got paid $500 for it, and I had a good time."

In his 80s and 90s, Corey undertook an unusual mission. Walking the streets of New York City, he sold newspapers to drivers for a dollar or a handful of change. According to The New York Times, those papers were often free ones that he took from public newspaper boxes. Unkempt and repeating his mantra – "Help a guy out?" – Corey appeared like any other panhandler, though some recognized the comedian. What they didn't know was that he donated all his proceeds from these escapades to a charity that provides medical supplies for children in Cuba. He even had the autographed photo of Cuban President Fidel Castro on his apartment wall to prove it.

It was one of many ways in which Corey was politically and socially conscious. A far-left liberal, he loved relating his favorite example of his radicalism: "When I tried to join the Communist Party, they called me an anarchist," as he told The New York Times. He was blacklisted in Hollywood for his support of the party, a consequence that continued to affect his career for years after the end of the McCarthy era. But he remained active with his leftist views, supporting causes including the Mumia Abu-Jamal defense fund and Palestinian relief efforts.

Of his political activism, Corey told interviewer Kliph Nesteroff, "I was never aware that I was a political commentator. It just happens. You just do it. You breathe, but you're not conscious of breathing. When I did my act, I wasn't conscious that it was political."

[Kobi]

Al Jarreau, the legendary jazz singer who won seven Grammy awards, has died. He was 76.

Jarreau was born March 12, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father was a minister, and he started singing in church as a young boy. Jarreau told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel it was at Lincoln High School where "my love of music and singing really deepened. I began to have ideas of taking this as far as it could go. And I kept dreaming that dream and nourishing that dream."

After moving to San Francisco, he made a name for himself singing with acoustic guitarist Julio Martinez.

Jarreau moved on to Los Angeles and sang at clubs such as the Troubador. He appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and sang on “Saturday Night Live” during the show's inaugural season. Jarreau became known for his rhythmic scat singing.

He was signed to Warner Brothers Records and released his debut record titled “We Got By,” which led to international fame.

His most successful album, “Breakin’ Away,” came out in 1981 and featured his biggest song, “We’re in This Love Together,” a smooth jazz-pop track. Jarreau was also a vocalist on the all-star 1985 track, "We Are the World."

Jarreau released 20 albums during his career and is the only Grammy-winning singer to win in the jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues categories.

[*Anya*]

BILL PAXTON DEAD AT 61

2/26/2017 7:18 AM PST

We're told Paxton underwent heart surgery and had complications post-op and suffered a fatal stroke.

Bill Paxton has died ... TMZ has learned.

We're told the actor died suddenly Saturday due to complications from surgery.
Paxton had a string of hits, including "Twister," "Titanic" and "Aliens." He won an Emmy for "Hatfields and McCoys."

He was on a CBS series, "Training Day" at the time of his death. The 61-year-old actor had 2 children and was married to Louise Newbury for 30 years.

The family says, "It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery." The family accurately describes his "illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and flimmaker." The family adds, "Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/02/26/bill-paxton-dead-dies/

[*Anya*]

[Kobi]

Known to many as the "queen of carbon science" — for her foundational work uncovering the electrical properties of carbon and other semi-metals — Mildred Dresselhaus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), died on Monday, February 20, at the age of 86 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Dresselhaus was President of APS in 1984, and was involved in many research areas in the physics community. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience in 2012, the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize in 2008, the National Medal of Science in 1990, and numerous other scientific prizes, Dresselhaus was celebrated for her lifelong commitment to researching the electronic properties of two-dimensional materials. Her work included the exploration of ‘buckyballs’ — spherical, hollow molecules composed of carbon atoms — and graphene. Some of her best-known research focused on uncovering the electric properties of carbon nanotubes and enhancing thermoelectric properties of nanowires.

Beyond her scientific research, Dresselhaus was a champion of women in science and an active leader to her colleagues. She became the first woman at MIT to attain the rank of full, tenured professor, and was the first woman to win the National Medal of Science in Engineering. These primary achievements pushed her to lead by example for women following in her footsteps.

In 1971, Dresselhaus and a colleague organized the first Women’s Forum at MIT, and she later accepted a Carnegie Foundation grant to continue encouraging female students in the traditionally male-dominated field of physics research. Dresselhaus was also appointed the Abby Rockefeller Mauze chair, an Institute-wide chair, endowed in support of the scholarship of women in science and engineering. She was later awarded the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2007, and the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences in 2010.

---------------------------

In celebration of Millie Dresselhaus:

Last week, the world lost a pioneer. Millie Dresselhaus, known as the "Queen of Carbon" for her trailblazing research into the element, was the first woman to win the National Medal Of Science in Engineering, and the first woman to attain the rank of tenured MIT professor. Millie's unmatched enthusiasm, mentoring spirit, and commitment to promoting the roles of women in science and engineering are things worth celebrating today and everyday.

We at General Electric were so inspired by Millie's achievements in science and gender equality, that we created a goal for our company to employ 20,000 women in tech roles by 2020. Thank you Millie for inspiring us all.

From your friends at GE....via a full page ad in today's Boston Globe.

[Soft*Silver]

Judge Wapner of the people's court died yesterday

[Jesse]

I just wrote a post about trans woman Keke Collier being killed in Chicago earlier this week, and now I'm having to announce that we have lost another trans sister in Chyna Gibson

New Orleans Police responded to a call Saturday night around 8:26 PM CST in the 4300 block of Downman Road and found the body of the 31 year old Gibson lying in the parking lot of the Bella Plaza shopping center in New Orleans East between two vehicles in front of a clothing store.

And as usual, at least one NOLA news station, WWL-TV misgendered her.

She had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead on the scene. Gibson is now the fifth US trans woman murdered in 2017, all women of color...
http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2017/...na-gibson.html

[Gemme]

Don Rickles, comedian, dies at age 90.


Don Rickles, one of the most influential comedians in history, has died at the age of 90.

Rickles passed away from kidney failure on Thursday morning in his Los Angeles home, his longtime publicist confirmed. He would have turned 91 on May 8.

His wife of 52 years, Barbara, was by his side at the time of his death.

The icon, whose career spanned more than seven decades, is known as the best "insult comic" ever. His first big break came in 1965 when he appeared on "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson." Soon after, he reached headliner status in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe.

He was also a regular on Dean Martin's "Celebrity Roast," which perfectly showcased his no-mercy stand-up comedy style that earned him the nickname "The Merchant of Venom." The comedian's roast of then-president Ronald Reagan (which you can watch here) during his inaugural ball in 1985 is one of Rickles' most noteworthy performances.

Don found the most success in his TV guest appearances throughout the years, appearing in a variety of shows like "The Lucy Show," "Get Smart" and "Hot In Cleveland." He also had his own show, "The Don Rickles Show," which only lasted one season in 1972.

Later in his career, he became the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the "Toy Story" films. According to IMDb, he was set to reprise his role in "Toy Story 4," which is expected to premiere in 2019.

The industry icon has remained out of the spotlight in recent years.

The day after Johnny Carson's death in 2005, Don appeared with Bob Newhart, whom he considered his best friend, on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" to honor the longtime host. In 2014, the funnyman was honored by the likes of David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Stewart in the Spike TV special "One Night Only: An All-Star Comedy Tribute to Don Rickles."

He also penned a memoir, "Rickles' Book," that was published in 2007. A documentary about his career, "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project," debuted on HBO later that year -- his performance in the special earned him an Emmy for individual performance in a variety or music program.

The legend was born in Manhattan in 1926 and studied acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City after serving in the Navy during World War II.

[RockOn]

I am very sorry Rickles died. Thanks for posting, Gemme.

I have to say I never cared for Don Rickles' brand of humor. "Sacrifice one person so the whole group gets a laugh." Mean-spirited type humor. I have seen people sincerely hurt or humiliated by him. Just not funny to me! (only my opinion)

Anyway, like I said, I hate to hear of anyone losing their life.

Thanks, again!

[Jesse]

He did a great voice for Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story! I wonder who will replace him in that roll?

[Kobi]

Former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell Wednesday morning in an apparent suicide, Massachusetts corrections officials said.

The 27-year-old was serving a life sentence for murder. Just last week he was acquitted in a double homicide case.

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Man had so much talent and potential. Thought he would be greater than Gronk. Hope he finds the peace in death that eluded him in life.