Infomercial Pitchman Billy Mays Found Dead
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, Cable, Commercials, News, Video,
UPDATE #2: It appears that Mays’ death was actually related to heart disease.
UPDATE: Billy was reportedly not wearing a seat belt when he was hit in the head during the flight yesterday.
Billy Mays, the man who could sell just about anything, was found dead today in his Florida home. He was 50 years old.
According to officials, the infomercial guru was discovered by his wife Deborah. There are no indications to believe that any foul play was involved.
Just yesterday, Billy was onboard a US Airways flight that took a hard landing at the Tampa International Airport. Although several passengers did receive minor bumps and bruises, it’s not known whether Mays’ death could have been related to that incident.
The man who sold everything from Orange Glo to OxiClean had been appearing on the Discovery Channel with fellow marketer Anthony Sullivan. Pitchmen is next scheduled to air this Wednesday at 10:00.
Read More 
| FOX News
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BET Awards to Honor Jackson This Weekend
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, Music, Prime Time, Cable, Video,
Later this weekend, a large pre-arranged gathering will have the opportunity to public mourn Michael Jackson’s death.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the June 28th broadcast of the 2009 BET Awards will be devoted to the musical icon. Producer Stephen Hill reports a high interest from the participants to honor their idol. “I think what you’re going to find is that acceptance speeches for awards will have nothing to do about the artists themselves, but about the influence that Michael Jackson had on them,” Hill said.
Click to continue reading BET Awards to Honor Jackson This Weekend
Read More | Hollywood Reporter
Michael Jackson-Themed American Idol Gets Encore
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol,
If there was a way for FOX to jump in on national news while simultaneously promoting Idol, they would. And they will.
Next week, the network will honor Michael Jackson’s death by rebroadcasting two hours that were devoted to the legend’s music. It was just this past March when American Idol’s Top 13 contestants performed songs from the singer’s library.
Would you like to see Kris Allen whip out the guitar for ‘Remember the Time’? Eager to hear Adam Lambert rock out to ‘Black or White’? Trying to remember if Megan Joy’s version of ‘Rockin’ Robin’ was really that bad? Then tune in this Monday @ 8:00 to relive it all again.
Read More | Futon Critic
Farrah Fawcett Loses Battle with Cancer
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: News, Video,
Farrah Fawcett, the iconic blonde star with the never-to-be-forgotten poster, died today in a California hospital. She was 62.
The actress’ death comes after a nearly three-year long health battle. Despite being declared free of anal cancer in early 2007, the disease quickly returned. A recent NBC special documented the star’s quest for alternative treatments.
Although she will most likely be remembered as Jill Munroe, one of the original Charlie’s Angels, Fawcett actually chose to move on from that series after only 22 episodes. (A few more guest appearances followed.) After a few disappointing stabs at a film career, Farrah earned critical praise when she returned to the small screen. Memorable turns in several television projects - including The Burning Bed and Small Sacrifices - eventually earned Farrah a number of Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
Click to continue reading Farrah Fawcett Loses Battle with Cancer
Read More | USA Today
Fellow Golden Girls React to Bea Arthur’s Death
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy,
Less than a day after Bea Arthur’s death, the two surviving Golden Girls have offered kind words about their friend’s passing.
In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, Betty White said the anticipation didn’t help with the actual loss. “I knew it would hurt, I just didn’t know it would hurt this much.. I’m so happy that she received her Lifetime Achievement Award while she was still with us, so she could appreciate that. She was such a big part of my life.”
Click to continue reading Fellow Golden Girls React to Bea Arthur’s Death
Read More | Entertainment Weekly
Golden Girl Bea Arthur Dies of Cancer
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, News,
UPDATE: You can read statements from Betty White and Rue McClanahan here.
Bea Arthur, an award-winning actress of stage and television, died today in her Los Angeles home. She was 86.
Arthur, who was best known for her work on Maude and The Golden Girls, had been secretly diagnosed with cancer. Her death comes nine months after her former costar, Estelle Getty, passed away.
During her years on the small screen, the TV Academy Hall of Fame inductee collected two Emmys for her roles as Dorothy Zbornak and Maude Findlay. Her portrayal of Vera Charles in the 1966 production of Mame also earned Beatrice a Tony.
According to the star’s rep, Arthur was accompanied by family members at the time of her passing. The actress is survived by her sons and two grandchildren.
Read More | MSNBC
West Wing’s Ron Silver Dies of Cancer
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, West Wing, The, Video,
Ron Silver, an Emmy-nominated actor and Tony award winner, died Sunday after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. The 62-year-old was surrounded by family when he passed during his sleep yesterday morning.
Silver, who was featured on the big screen in such projects as Ali, Reversal of Fortune, Enemies: A Love Story and Silkwood, had been nominated twice for his work on the small screen. His first nod came in 1988 for the miniseries The Billionaire Boys Club. He was then recognized in 2002 for his role as Bruno Gianelli on The West Wing (see above).
Click to continue reading West Wing’s Ron Silver Dies of Cancer
Read More | Reuters
Silenced: Isaac Hayes
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Animation, Cable, Editorial,
Older generations know him as the smooth, deep-voiced singer who won countless awards for the Shaft theme song. Younger generations remember him as South Park’s Chef, that singing Lothario who dispensed earthy advice with cafeteria-created Salisbury steak. He was Isaac Hayes, and sadly he was silenced this past Sunday at the age of 65.
Hayes was pronounced dead in Memphis, TN after being found by a family member in his home. Hayes first gained attention in 1969 for his unique look and mellow tones in the album “Hot Buttered Soul.” Hayes even did some rapping on the album, long before the genre itself existed. But it was the Shaft theme song which helped rocket Hayes to lasting success in 1971. “That was like the shot heard round the world,” Hayes recalled during an interview conducted in 1999. Hayes performed the song, decked out in gold chains, for the 1972 Oscars ceremony (he received a standing ovation for the performance). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Click to continue reading Silenced: Isaac Hayes
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Remembering Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: ABC, Oprah Winfrey Show, Video,
While most may may know Randy Pausch for his extremely popular YouTube lecture, the Carnegie Mellon professor was a household name to many television viewers as well. Since delivering his September 2007 speech (‘Achieving Your Childhood Dreams’), Pausch, who had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, had also shared his uplifting messages on Oprah and an ABC special.
Today, the father of three died at his Virginia home. He was 47.
Those who haven’t haven’t already heard his ‘Last Lecture’ (or read his book), can listen to hilarious tales below:
Interestingly enough, Pausch, who expressed his love of Star Trek, was given a speaking cameo in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming movie. (The film will be released on May 8, 2009.) Until then, Randy will also be the focus of another ABC special airing next Tuesday @ 10:00.
ABC News
Golden Girl Estelle Getty Passes Away
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, NBC,
UPDATE: Lifetime will be airing Sophia-centric episodes of The Golden Girls this Friday from 12-5pm.
Estelle Getty, the Emmy-award winning star from The Golden Girls, died early Tuesday at her Hollywood home. She would have turned 85 this Friday.
The actress, who also had film roles in 1985’s Mask and 1992’s Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, will probably be best remembered for her role as Sophia Petrillo on the hit NBC comedy. The show, which also produced a spinoff (The Golden Palace), ran for seven seasons.
Although Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Bea Arthur have all been seen together at various Golden Girls functions, Estelle, who had been diagnosed with advanced dementia, had been absent from the spotlight in recent years.
In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, Arthur expressed her feelings about her former co-star. “Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her.”
Associated Press
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