Deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon

So sad about all, but especially Michael who was so devastating as a performer, entertainer and singer that even racism or race prejudice couldn't deny his gifts and place in history. I enjoyed conversations with white music lovers concerning how Michael stacked up with Elvis, Springstein and other great white musical entertainers. I said then and I'll say again that Michael had no peers unless you count Prince and he isn't really a peer although great, no doubt. I wanted to see Michael return and do one last great set of shows before moving on or retiring. Michael's talent was so awesome that he transcended all limitations set for people like him. Anyone who can do that is a friend and mentor to me, no matter their race, sex, flaws or gender identification.

Yes, Walt, it is sad when three icons are gone in a week. It reminds me of when Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes died because people knew about Bernie's health problems, but Isaac's death was unexpected. I wasn't surprised about Farrah because I already heard earlier in the day that she was in her final hours, and Ed's death was unexpected to me even if he was 86 because there was nothing in the news about him being ill, but Michael's death was a COMPLETE surprise. He was trying to make a comeback and never got past the rehearsals. I'm concerned about the three children he left behind, though.

Farrah- you lived on my wall for years, you will be missed.

Ed-Where's my money?

Michael- never cared much for your music, but you were talented.

Godspeed all

Bubba, I was pretty young when Charlie's Angels was on TV, so I actually remember Cheryl Tiegs more than Farrah on that show. However, I loved her performance on the TV movie "The Burning Bed." And yes, I never got my check either.

However, the death of Jackson is probably sending shockwaves among those of my generation. I remember when I was around eight and I watched him perform on Motown's 25th Anniversary Special. The song was "Billie Jean," and I was mesmerized when I saw him moonwalk and stand on the tips of his black loafers. The next day, a bunch of kids (including myself) were trying to duplicate those moves - emphasis on the word "trying".

Yet again I'm amazed how often celebrities seem to die in threes...

MJ's death is very shocking. He was truly an American and international icon. He was taken from us way too long.

I'm also saddened by Farrah Fawcett's passing, too.

Yet again I'm amazed how often celebrities seem to die in threes...

Jeff, that also creeps me out. Remind me to never become a celebrity.

I'm also saddened by Farrah Fawcett's passing, too.

I am too. She fought to the end, and I hate that she didn't get to marry Ryan O'Neill. He asked her recently, but she got too weak to go through with it. I also hate that her son was in jail during this ordeal.

I was also hoping that after Ed McMahon did that Superbowl ad with MC Hammer, he would have a few more years left in him to make a few bucks. Well, he doesn't have to worry about that any more.

You know, after Bea Arthur died a month or two ago, I still can't look at a Golden Girls rerun.

unclassy but funny!

That was chuckle worthy....but inappropriate...

I wasn't a Michael Jackson fan per se, especially anything after the blackness started to fad from him. But that Thriller album was and is the best album EVER made. So for that, he will always be the greatest. He shall be missed.

I always got Farrah mixed up with Cheryl Ladd. I did some research on her and she has really been ill for a long time and suffering. So I'm glad that she isn't suffering anymore.

Ed -- simply one of those people I thought would live forever. I'm still not use to the idea of him being gone yet.

RIP to these three fallen talents. If nothing else, they were REALLY good at what they did. Godspeed.

Some people have no class...but what are you going to do?

Personally, I try to refrain from joking about the recently departed out of respect for the family and mourners. But not everyone shares that viewpoint.

I admit, I probably would have laughed at that joke if it were told when he was alive...

I was 5 years old when "I Want You Back" was released (October 7, 1969, according to Wikipedia) and it's the first song of the Jackson 5 I remember. The other girls in my classes were either a-swoon over Michael Jackson or Donny Osmond. (Me? Thanks to a sci-fi loving grandma, my walls were covered with DeForest Kelley.) But Michael Jackson has been such a huge contributor to the music world and to my music listening history that I can't help but be saddened at his passing. I wonder what else he could have done.

Farrah Fawcett: Loved her on "Charlie's Angels", and she made such a huge impact in "The Burning Bed." She was extremely talented and had much more going for her than just the hair.

Ed McMahon: worth staying up for on The Tonight Show. I imagined Johnny up in heaven saying, "Heeeeerre's Eddie!" :) He had an awesome and wicked sense of humor. The tribute that Conan O'Brien did on The Tonight Show is well worth digging up on YouTube: it really showed the best of Ed McMahon.

I think I'm the only guy in the world who didn't have a crush on Farrah. She just didn't do it for me.

Ed? Well, I didn't watch Johnny Carson much.

Mikey? When he was making music, he was magic. Forget his personal life, which he never could control. His life is in his music.

My nieces were watching some of MJ's videos today, and they kept asking me how he moved backwards like that, how he stood on his tiptoes like that, or how did he lean over that far without falling. Brought back a lot of memories.

LH, is this the Tonight Show clip of Ed McMahon you were referring to? Funny stuff...

I found this YouTube video which is a video and photo montage of Farrah Fawcett. Go here to view it.

L.W., that's the one. The story on the Alpo commercial: when they were getting ready to do this in-show commercial, the regular dog wasn't there and the stand-in dog wasn't hungry. So Johnny came up and did the pooch. One of the best clips ever.

The best, of course, being the Johnny Carson and Ed Ames tomahawk incident. :)

LW, my kids have been asking similar questions as they've watched his videos. I'm always happy to present them with real music from a phenomenal artist like MJ, in contrast to the noisy crap they usually like to listen to playing on the radio these days.

they say it happens in threes, but I think now, it's fours. tv pitchman billy mays died today. i used to see his infomercials and think "what a clown." but after watching his Discovery Channel show Pitchmen, i realize he is a down-to-earth family man and seemed like and all round good guy. RIP, Billy. can't you hear it now? "hi, BILLY MAYS HERE WITH THE ALL NEW STREETS OF GOLD POLISH! IT SHINES, IT CLEANS, AND IT'S ONLY $19.95!"

2599, I just did a blog entry on Billy Mays. He was annoying to some people, but to me, I liked the fact that he enjoyed his work. He also owned every product he pitched, so he stood behind whatever he sold.

I also think the happens-in-threes rule had been broken. Remember David Carradine, Dom DeLuise, Bea Arthur...

LW,

He didn't own each product he pitched. Unless you mean "own" as in took full liability for their performance because his name was on the line. If you watch his show Pitchmen on Discovery, the products are owned by the inventors. If you get Billy and Sully (Anthony Sullivan) behind you, though, they take care of everything. Obviously, then, Billy would have gotten a cut. I did hear him say many times on this show that he would not put something out there that he didn't personally agree with or know that it worked.

Oops, wrong choice of words, 2599. I should have said he "used" the products. He actually used OxiClean, etc. in his own home. That shows that he had faith in what he was selling.

yes, when you put it that way, absolutely. i read somewhere yesterday that he actually gave guests to his home bottles of the different cleaners before they would leave!

Here are some pictures taken during Farrah Fawcett's memorial service. Be sure to look at the program cover, which I think captured the essence of who she was.