Remembering Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain
Photo Courtesy Of:
Maresa Wickham

While I never had the pleasure of meeting Anthony Bourdain, by all accounts he was a great guy who seemingly had it all. I could address depression and suicide, yet I am hardly qualified to do so. Having been through a clinical depression myself, all I can say is it's a beast. 

I thought it would be nice to serve Anthony's memory by reprinting a first hand experience from someone who knew and adored him. My friend Maresa Wickham worked with him in 2006 here is what she had to say about the man:

This one hits a little harder... one of my inspirational idols... I was honored to work with him in 2006 and was so impressed at how nice and how real he was. Such an interesting guy who seemed to have it all. My dream.

"Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s OK. The journey changes you; it should change you... You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind." RIP Anthony Bourdain

Here's a handsome shot of him from our Travel Channel promos video shoot.  

R.I.P: Dick Van Patten

R.I.P: Dick Van Patten

8 is Enough was my seminal family show that I grew up with. The Brady Bunch was in reruns by the time I could actually watch TV.

Dick Van Patten was the best TV Dad ever! Sorry Mike Brady.

You will always be one of my fondest memories growing up.

I salute you sir with grace, gratitude and my first introduction to Betty Buckley.

Remember Dick on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0887694/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

Be Fearless: Joan Rivers

I enjoy life when things are happening. I don't care if it's good things or bad things. That means you're alive. Things are happening - Joan Rivers


This is and will always be my favorite Joan Rivers quote as I believe it best exemplifies who she was and really captures her spirit and zest for living.

Joan was a comedian who mattered. Not only did she pave the way for females in comedy today, she was flat out ballsy.

She wasn't afraid to call out anyone or anything, including herself.

If something can be learned from her death it is to bend it like Joan: live, love, laugh, cry and above all be fearless.

R.I.P. Dear Lady, you will be missed

Always remember: http://joanrivers.com/

Lauren Bacall's Passing Ends The "Vogue" Era

Lauren Bacall

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly" - Lauren Bacall

With the passing of the last of the great Hollywood Broads, Lauren Bacall, this now marks the end of an era for the Madonna mega hit Vogue.

Yes, every amazing star named in the the monster 1990 smash Vogue has now passed away.

Wow! But what a great homage to all of those unique and singular talents of yesteryear this song is and shall ever remain.

As much as I loathe Madonna's recent output this is and will remain a song for the ages and in honor of Ms. Bacall's passing and all the other legends in it, let's have a moment and -

"Come on, vogue
Let your body move to the music"...

                                                                     "Vogue"

Lauren Bacall on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000002/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

Le Jazz Hot: James Garner

James Garner 

I know James Garner was known as Bret Maverick on the hit TV show Maverick long before he was known as Jim Rockford on the even bigger hit, The Rockford Files, but that is the show I know him from as a youngster.

Yes, James Garner was the epitome of cool, classy, handsome and sexy, he also made acting look downright effortless, which means he was great at it!

I can see why my Mom had a crush on this guy , he was a man's man who could also charm the pants off of any woman.

Among the many things he did other than The Rockford Files, the other personal stand out for me, although there are many great performances from this guys, guy - was his turn as King Marchand in Victor/Victoria.

James Garner & Julie Andrews: Victor/Victoria 

James was simply the best as the sexually confused gangster in this wonderful commentary on what makes a man or a woman in society. It is one of the late great Director Blake Edwards best!

The story stars Julie Andrews alongside Garner as: A woman, pretending to be a man, pretending to be a woman...say that three times fast.

He was always a class act and kept it real among all of the Hollywood glitz & BS.

R.I.P. Mr. James Garner and thanks for a lot of amazing memories. 

James Garner on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001258/?ref_=tt_cl_t2

True Blood: R.I.P. Alcide

Joe Manganiello as Alcide

Yes, True Blood fans our favorite Werewolf hunk, Alcide met his demise in last night's episode of the series final season.

Were any of you shocked? I for one wasn't, after Tara met the true death in the season premiere and knowing this is the last season my instinct immediately kicked in and said to me: They are going to be killing off a lot of characters this year.

Mark my words this is not the end of other loved characters dying...

Let's face it even though Alcide was a real stand up Werewolf sort of guy and great eye candy, he really was not necessary to the story line.

Joe Manganiello who played the too cool for school Alcide had this to say about his character's death:

I called it pretty early on. As soon as Sookie and Alcide got together, I remember turning to a friend and saying, “I’m dead.” You can’t go anywhere from that; she needs to settle up with Bill and Eric. You can’t have her break Alcide’s heart, because then the audience is going to be angry with her for breaking the nice guy’s heart. I told my friend, “I bet you everything I own that I’m dead.” The other side of it is, if you look at all the other characters, Alcide no longer has anything to do with the story. If you talk about characters that you could kill and make an impact with, I was probably No. 1 on that list. Why would you keep me around? All Alcide ever did was get in the way. I had dinner with [showrunner] Brian Buckner and he cited all the same reasons I just told you.

Bye Alcide you will be missed.

#TrueBlood : http://www.hbo.com/true-blood#/

Susan Olsen Remembers Ann B. Davis

Ann B. Davis aka Alice 

Ann B. Davis "Alice" the housekeeper from "The Brady Bunch" passed away today. Here with a statement from someone who knew her, and loved her, is Susan Olsen aka Cindy Brady...

I was waiting for it to reach the news before saying anything. Yes, it's true, our beloved Ann B. passed away this morning. I loved her work even before I knew and loved her. When I was five, I got the Hong Kong flu. I missed a lot of school and stayed in bed watching TV. I loved the Bob Cummings Show because I enjoyed Ann B. in the role of his secretary "Schultzy". I was overjoyed when I learned that I would be working with her on Brady Bunch. Already a fan, it was only icing on the cake to get to know her. She always treated us kids with respect and we knew we were working with greatness. I'm happy to know that she never lost her beautiful mind and razor sharp wit. She will be dearly missed by the many who knew her and the many more who felt like they did. I'm sure there is now a bright red sports car tearing up the clouds in heaven.

R.I.P. Ann B. Davis, another great childhood memory 

Ann B Davis: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002036/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

"Holiday" Celebrate, It's Christmas Day !

Warning: This Is Not The Virgin Mary

"If we took a holiday, Took some time to celebrate

Just one day out of life

It would be, it would be so nice"

In the wake of the group with the retro 80's sound Capital Cities recent performance of the Madonna classic on The Queen Latifah Show I thought I would wish everyone a Merry Christmas with a fond memory of my youth, Madonna's "Holiday" hey she never specified which one, or what kind, so it works in a universal sense.

When I was an impressionable 17 year old man I will never forget my first foray to Skoochie's (R.I.P.) a 16 and older club in Seattle, WA and seeing this woman with rubber bracelets and rosaries for days hanging off her bare midriff, it was really cool and an eye opener to the sheltered life I had been leading.

Since Christmas is a time of fond memories, and the 80's version of Madonna is one for me. Let's take a Holiday and celebrate, below...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

    "Holiday" Time

Celebrate The Season at: http://www.madonna.com/

R.I.P: Lisa Robin Kelly

Lisa Robin Kelly

Lisa Robin Kelly passed away from problems having to do with addiction today, although she had only copped to alcohol addiction in the past, judging by the recent photo I have seen of her, I suspect drugs might have been involved.

She will always be known best for her role as Laurie Forman - Eric Forman's older sister on "That 70's Show".

Creative people in general tend to be predisposed to alcohol and drug abuse and Lisa was no exception. The lucky ones are able to beat their demons, unfortunately her demons got hold of her before she tamed them.

Let's remember Lisa as the vibrant human being she was, someone who entertained us all as one of the best "Mean Girls" on TV.

The "That 70's Show" Gang

Thank You, Lisa Kelly for bringing Laurie Forman to life, the character and the show will live on in syndication and our memories forever.

Peace.








Lisa on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0446605/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

R.I.P: Karen Black

Karen Black was one of my favorite and Best Actresses that ever graced the silver screen.

She starred in many high profile films: "Easy Rider", "Airport 75", "Nashville", "Alfred Hitchcock's Family Plot" & one of the best horror movies ever "Trilogy of Terror" - "Yes" I am a horror fan!

However my personal favorite film Ms. Black was in was John Schlesinger's ode to Hollywood reality and it's desperate losers. 

"The Day of the Locust" is anything but a cheerful, light look at Hollywood in the '30s. It recreates both the town as well as the filmmaking world around which much of the town revolved with devastating accuracy. The movie tells the twin tales of talentless wannabe actress Faye Greener (Karen Black) and Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland), a lovelorn accountant who couldn't care less about movies. Around this framework, a huge and intricate social network is tellingly revealed, until the film'sgruesome and tragic ending. Not for those who prefer to hang onto their illusions about the glory days of Hollywood, "The Day of the Locust", is based on the novel by Nathanael West"

Karen Black was great in all of her films, this movie however to me was the best performance of her career, it was that rare moment where every element of a project gels and is total perfection, I have seen "The Day of the Locust" five times and love it every single viewing.

Ms. Black passed away today from pancreatic cancer, so sad she had to die in such an awful manner.

R.I.P. Sweet lady, you had an amazing life and career, thanks for the memories.

Karen Black on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000947/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

R.I.P. Cory Monteith Of "Glee"

Wow! Cory Monteith "Finn Hudson" of Ryan Murphy's "Glee" is gone....although I was not a fan of the show, I respected the Actor/Singers on it, they are/were major talents. He was only 31 years old.

Cory had a history of being in and out of rehab - something that thousands of Americans can relate to in this crazy world we live in.

While the final autopsy has yet to determine what The Amazing Cory passed away from, I suspect it has something to do with his addictions.

He had everything, success and talent, but sometimes that is not enough to fill the hole in someone's heart, and Cory had a lot of heart.....

Rest In Peace....Sweet Prince, despite what happened, I hope you truly enjoyed the ride...xoxo....

Enjoy "Glee's" signature song featuring Cory on Oprah covering Journey's: "Don't Stop Believin"

                                                      "Don't Stop Believen" On Oprah

R.I.P: James Gandolfini

The news that James Gandolfini had died of a heart attack yesterday in Italy caught everyone by surprise. Mainly because the Emmy Award winning actor for his signature role of Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" was only fifty-one years old.

Although I have never seen "The Sopranos" - I know, my friends tell me I should and that they are sure I would like it, so now I will. There are plenty of other things I have seen Mr. Gandolfini in, and he was always  one of the if not the only highlight.

I will never forget seeing him playing a gay Hit Man, Winston Baldry in the really lame Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts vehicle "The Mexican". The role was like Tony Soprano with a twist, James got to demonstrate a distinctive and sharp comedic flair.

So if you will excuse me I have a lot of catching up to do and am off to watch "The Sopranos" now...

Tony Soprano: Retarded? What if Jerry Lewis heard you talkin' like that?

James on IMDB:http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001254/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

R.I.P: Annette Funicello "Jamaica Ska"

"Do You Know How To Jamaica Ska"?

This quite urgent question was posed by Annette Funicello in the 80's revamp of her 1960's Beach Party Movies with Frankie Avalon, "Back to the Beach".

While too young for the originals, I was not too young for their repeated showings on weekend TV, the Beach Party Movies were something both my parents enjoyed and liked watching together.

Thus I was Beach Party Movie adjacent. I also was exposed to Ms. Funicello via old "Mickey Mouse Club" reruns, she was truly the most beautiful Mouseketeer and the one who, uh filled out quite nicely.

However my very personal memory of Annette will always remain "Back to the Beach" - My college friend Jenny DiMartino of the groovy band The Drews and myself decided to head out and see it one afternoon on a lark.

Settling into the theatre we hoped for the best. What a wonderful tongue in cheek treat we got, with a very game and fun loving Annette and her Co-Star Frankie.

My favorite musical Annette moment will always be her deadpan delivery of the line: "Do you girls know how to Jamaica Ska"? Like it was the most important thing anyone on earth could know, or say...

Now it's time to say goodbye....thanks for the memories my lovely Annette....xoxo

R.I.P: Roger Ebert - My Memories of Him & The Screening We Both Attended

When I was a kid one of my favorite programs was a movie review show called "Sneak Previews" on public access. It featured Gene Siskel and Pulitzer Prize winner for criticism, Roger Ebert....

I sat glued to the TV set every time it was on, well the show eventually evolved into the nationally syndicated network television hit "At The Movies" when Siskel passed away he was replaced with Richard Roeper, Ebert remained with it from the beginning until the end of it's run.

Roger Ebert's criticisms were some of my favorites, I always liked him more than Siskel, but sometimes Roeper gave him more a run for his money in my opinion.

Also I do have a personal story about Roger Ebert to share. I went to a screening of a movie titled: "White Sands" at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. starring, get this, Willem Dafoe, Mickey Rourke and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

When the movie ended and the lights went up, I saw Roger Ebert get up and try to walk down the aisle. Little did I realize how much sitting in a chair could hide just how overweight you are. Yep, Ebert's stomach was so huge he could not see his own feet let alone the ground, and he missed one of the stairs in the aisle, he stumbled, but did not fall. I laughed not out of any maliciousness, more about the absurdity of the situation.

Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert

He looked at no one in particular and said something about how he could not see the stairs. Well, uh....

Ebert was a class act who did not mince words in his reviews or in life, and he will always be a fond memory for me, he was part of the reason I love movies, his reviews not only criticized they would educate about the art of film.

R.I.P: Tony Scott

This writer is indeed sorry to hear of Director Tony Scott's recent suicide, it was revealed today that he took his life over an inoperable brain tumor.

Tony directed many prolific films such as "Top Gun" & "True Romance" - most people forget (since it is so different from the rest of his repertoire) That he directed the elegant and artsy vampire flick "The Hunger".

With three of the most interesting leads in cinema history, the elegant and timeless Catherine Deneuve, the sexy and sensual Susan Sarandon & the enigmatic and never boring David Bowie.

This was a film that shaped me in my youth. Thanks to my late Father I have always had a thing for horror films. Cut to my first job ever in at the tender age of 16 in a movie theatre - and guess what film played in it, you guessed it "The Hunger"...

A modern take on vampire's it was the first time I had seen horror and eroticism blended so elegantly and artistically - this showed how horror could be adult and exciting. Since I got to see movies for free, I watched this at least 10 times! Sadly Hollywood does not make adult horror anymore and that's really a shame, and I think Scott's vampire yarn was pretty close to the last of this breed.

Tony Scott's "The Hunger" is one of the great modern horror films of American Cinema - and it really affected this writer, in fact one of my proudest possessions is the original lobby poster which I acquired on the job, I have it framed in my apt.

While there are many memories for everyone of this late great director of cinema, this is my personal and favorite one.

"Nothing Human Loves Forever"

R.I.P: Gore Vidal

OK, I know Gore Vidal was a great author and playwright, but what I will always remember him for is that he inspired one of the most awesome train wrecks of a movie based on his novel "Myra Breckinridge" I want to read the actual book one day, but until that time comes...

We have one of the best bad movies ever made, which brought many delights outside of the actual cinematic work itself, a very public cat fight between the ever gorgeous Raquel Welch and the late great Mae West... film critic Rex Reed's acting debut, not to mention the film debut of a young beautiful woman named Farrah Fawcett, may she too rest in peace.

Gore Vidal, was a literary and political trouble maker, something he was quite proud of...may his legacy live on.

R.I.P. - Ernest Borgnine

I was on the phone with my friend writer/photographer Jay Jorgensen when he told me the news: Ernest Borgnine had passed away. Jay is a huge "The Poseidon Adventure" fan along with many of his friends....who Ernest did many kind things for in the City of Angels.

Here is the official report: Ernest Borgnine, the beefy screen star known for blustery, often villainous roles, but who won the best-actor Oscar for playing against type as a lovesick butcher in "Marty" in 1955, died Sunday. He was 95.

My personal memories or Ernest? "Escape From New York" where he played "Cabbie" - one of the best low budget, not to mention John Carpenter movies ever. Oh, and "Deadly Blessing" with Sharon Stone (yes, I am a SS fan, big time) where he played a crazy Amish Dude.

Of course "Poseidon" and let's not forget this gem....

Yep dude, you ruled !

R.I.P. - My Personal Encounter With Susan Tyrrell

Oscar nominated for John Huston's "Fat City" Susan Tyrrell should have won...that being stated the cult actress who was never a household name, career was best described by her Mother to the LA Weekly where Susan recounted her statement: 


“The last thing my mother said to me was, ‘SuSu, your life is a celebration of everything that is cheap and tawdry,’” the actress recalled to writer Paul Cullum, who penned a 2000 profile of Tyrrell for the LA Weekly. “I’ve always liked that, and I’ve always tried to live up to it.”

And live up to it she did! With roles in John Water's "Crybaby" as Johnny Depp's Mother and my personal favorite as "Queen Doris of the Sixth Dimension/Ruth Henderson" in Oingo Boingo's "Forbidden Zone". 

SuSu was one of a kind. Oh, and "yes" I did have a personal encounter with this unique and passionate human being. SuSu was friends with Brian Grillo lead singer of the late great homo hardcore Los Angeles based punk/rock band, "Extra Fancy". 

One night my friend Brittney and myself strutted out to a now defunct club, "Temple" in Silverlake, CA to see our "Fancy" guys when what to our wandering eyes did appear standing next to us..."yeppers" Ms. Susan Tyrrell!


We were both bouncing around and loving on the music, when out of the blue, SuSu grabbed me by the collar and said, quite sincerely I might add: "I'm going to chain you down puppy" !


Susan was a lover of life and that will always be my memory of her, hey SuSu, I know you are somewhere amazing ..! 

R.I.P. - Donna Summer

I first stumbled upon Donna Summer's music when I was a teenager and Disco was hot! Although it was never my favorite type of music Donna elevated Disco to a whole new level with her powerful vocals and spot on song interpretations.

I will always remember the first Donna Summer album I was given as a Birthday present, "Bad Girls" - That was a very Happy Birthday indeed.

Donna thank you for some great memories, you will always be Disco to me.

R.I.P: Adam Yauch

I remember my first exposure to The Beastie Boys was when they opened for Madonna on her very first tour ever, aptly named: The Virgin Tour - I found "the boys" electrifying and riveting... in short, amazing!

Keep on rockin' and rappin' Adam...!