The man who taught us to keep reaching for the stars

The man who taught us to keep reaching for the stars

by MichelleMcHatton

I like to remember Ed McMahon as the large, boisterous guy who announced “Heeeeeeeere’s Johnny” every night.  He was the same guy who sat on Johnny Carson’s couch and yucked it up every time Johnny told a joke.  That’s the Ed I like to remember.

I like to remember the Ed who did Publisher’s Clearinghouse commercials or made us laugh with Dick Clark on the “Blooper” shows.  I like to remember Ed McMahon as the host of “Star Search” and one of the emcee’s for the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon.

What I don’t like to remember about Ed is how he managed to get into financial trouble and barely got out of it, even if he spoofed it in a Free Credit Report.com spot.

Ah, Ed, there will never be another one like you. 

RIP, EM

Remembering Farrah

Remembering Farrah

by MichelleMcHatton

Having seen my own loved ones suffer with and die from cancer, I can only sense what Farrah’s family and friends are feeling tonight–relief and peace.

It is difficult to say good-bye, especially after a long illness.  But it’s comforting to know that the one who has left us is no longer suffering and is really in a better place. 

I can only vaguely remember Farrah Fawcett from her days on “Charlie’s Angels” and I briefly saw bits and pieces of “The Burning Bed”.  But Farrah was more than just an actress or a pretty face on a poster.  She was a mother.  A lover.  A daughter.  A friend. 

In a way it’s sad that Michael Jackson’s untimely death overshadows her remembrance somewhat but I think Farrah was a private person and would’ve liked it this way–to be overshadowed in death but remembered always.

RIP, FF

He was like my generation’s Elvis…

He was like my generation’s Elvis…

by MichelleMcHatton

When I heard the news about Michael Jackson passing away on my way home from work tonight, the first thing I thought was “he was like my generation’s Elvis”.

Growing up in the 80’s the hippest radio station to listen to in the Boston area was WHTT 103.3.  And ninety percent of what they played on there was Michael Jackson.  It was usually “Billie Jean”; when it wasn’t “Billie Jean” it was “Beat It”.  Ironically I still listen to 103.3 but now it’s called Oldies 103.3.  And I was comforted tonight when I turned that station on and heard my two favorite radio personalities, Zito and Karen Blake, reminiscing along with the listeners about The King of Pop’s notorious life and music.  Thank you, Zito and KB, for being there tonight.

Would I consider myself a Michael Jackson fan?  Not really.  Although I will say I do own a lot of his music, including “Thriller” and I like a lot of his music.  I was not crazy about him as a person.  He was a bit too odd for me to like as a person, a bit too bizarre for me to understand, I guess.  But as a songwriter and performer, Michael Jackson was a class act in my eyes.  I will miss that part of him and that is the part I wish to remember.

Watching the news bits and seeing the crowds emerge on the hospital and just at various places throughout L.A. tonight really does make me believe he was like my generation’s Elvis.

RIP, MJ.

The ice cream is melting…melting!

The ice cream is melting…melting!

by MichelleMcHatton

In a country that consumes more ice cream than any other country in the world, what the hell do the ice cream manufacturers think they’re doing in decreasing the size of the half gallons of ice cream from 56 ounces to 48 ounces?  On top of that, they certainly have not decreased the price!

Breyer’s has even gone so far as to deceive their consumers by making their packaging taller but a little shorter, making it LOOK like they’re getting 56 ounces.  What a crock.

Locally Price Chopper is still offering their own brand Central Market Classics ice cream at 64 ounces; however, I have found their ice cream to be beyond edible and the one time I had it, I gagged.  You get what you pay for.

We should all revolt and stop buying ice cream.  Yeah, like THAT would ever happen!

“Angels and Demons”

“Angels and Demons”

by MichelleMcHatton

I figured since I’m planning to see the movie “Angels and Demons”, I’d better read the book.  All 700 pages of it.  Remarkably, it only took me three weeks.  Good thing Dan Brown is a fantastic author and his writing moves smoothly.  I have read many books in my time but I have to state right here that “Angels and Demons” is the best book I have ever read.  Better than “The DaVinci Code”.

I’m already expecting to be disappointed by the movie “Angels and Demons”.  That is only because the book was so damn good.  As great a director as Ron Howard is, it’s going to be interesting to see how he jams 700 pages into two hours.  I loved “The DaVinci Code” as well but came away disappointed by the movie.  So much from the book was missing in the movie and I’m afraid that’s going to happen with “Angels” also.  But I guess that’s Hollywood, right?

If you haven’t read the book, I suggest you do so before seeing the movie.  I will not do a review of the book here, as it is too long and detailed to give the kind of review it deserves.  All I will tell you is that it has to deal with the fight between science and religion.