“Best Series of the Decade: Numbers 11 through 25. - San Francisco Chronicle” plus 4 more |
- Best Series of the Decade: Numbers 11 through 25. - San Francisco Chronicle
- Not forgotten: A roll call of those in the arts and culture who passed ... - Cleveland Plain Dealer
- An in-depth look at Penguins’ decade - PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
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| Best Series of the Decade: Numbers 11 through 25. - San Francisco Chronicle Posted: 25 Dec 2009 07:03 PM PST Best Series of the Decade: Numbers 11 through 25.The Top 10 of my Best Series of the Decade will be published in The Chronicle on January 1. If you want to see what had no chance of making this list and another list of excellent shows that were the hardest and cruelest cuts to make, click the link. Most important, as we head into argument territory, if you want to know what the rules were for this selection process, here's the link. Enough about the rules. Here are No.'s 11 through 25 of the Best Series of the Decade.  25. "South Park," Comedy Central. Arguably the funniest, most searing and wildly original animated series on television. What's not arguable is that "South Park" is taken for granted. Many people who loved it in the early years eventually moved on. They don't know what they're missing, because unlike "The Simpsons," another beloved, taken-for-granted animated series, this one is still relevant. 24. "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" FX. Fearless in the pursuit of funny and never apologetic about being politically incorrect, the Gang continues to swing for the creative fences every episode. Sure, they miss sometimes. But few series have their pulse on what the college crowd truly finds hilarious as this one does. Beyond that, the "Sunny" actors and writers may eventually go down in history as one of this country's most original comedy troupes. 23. "The Office," NBC. The first distinction due this series is that it overcame the longest of all odds by successfully turning a legendary British import into an American hit with its own sensibilities while still holding true to the original's intent. That alone would merit inclusion here. But "The Office," despite some recent ups and downs with consistency, has been one of the most clever and funny sitcoms on these shores since it debuted. 22. "Dexter," Showtime. Yes, he's America's favorite serial killer. And that hints at how smartly the series was able to make a likable anti-hero out of a cold-blooded killer (the man has a code - kill only those who deserve it). Michael C. Hall carried the series nearly alone in Season 1, but since then the cast has been fleshed out nicely, making this a multi-dimensional drama. Perhaps most impressively in 2009, the show is still going strong when many people thought the novelty/conceit would wear off. I'd like another slice, please. 21. "Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO. Sure, a little bit of Larry David can go a long way and somewhere in the latter run of the series the premise began to grate more than it entertained. But funny? Like no other. The whole point of the series was to ratchet up the painfully humorous situations Larry got himself into. And those have been some of the most memorable scenes on television during the run of "Curb." 20. "Extras," HBO. Ricky Gervais' glorious second act as a king of comedy, "Extras" shared with the original "Office" (and "Curb") that same sense of laughter spun from confrontational, inappropriate and angst-ridden situations. The guest stars were always brilliant and, in an act that is incredibly hard to pull off, "Extras" wrapped up its run with a near-movie-length finale that was dramatic, touching, searing in its indictment of fame and fatuousness, plus kept the laughs shooting into our sides. One of the best exits in TV history.  19. "King of the Hill," Fox. There are only two animated series out of the 25 series on this list. The antithesis of "South Park" (and "Family Guy," too), the brilliance here - unbelievably under-appreciated by the masses - was that the series told fully formed stories. It made laughter from intricate characters. So much animation relies on rapid-fire sight gags, ridiculous flashbacks and censor-challenging dialogue. But "King of the Hill" was a real rarity in that the writing (and phenomenal voice work) created a universe that could tell a linear, traditional story. It could have worked even if it wasn't animated. Hit the link for the rest of the list:  18. "Sex and the City," HBO. A game-changer not only for HBO but for how cable channels would later attempt to differentiate their sitcoms from those of a network. Beyond the fact that "Sex and the City" stirred debate about feminism, what women really want, modern-day friendships, shopping obsession and the shortcomings of love, it was a warm, funny, insightful series. 17. "30 Rock," NBC. Here's a series that traffics in a specific genre - extremely clever dialogue that veers radically from the intellectual to the absurd and back and forth from classic one-liners to non sequiturs inanity. A show-within-a-show that has been the funniest sitcom on television for most of its run. 16. "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," WB/UPN. Joss Whedon's masterpiece, this series deftly combined teens and vampires in a metaphor about the specific emotional struggles of that group (and later the nascent development of real world dilemmas in college students). Also, hey, it worked as a series about killing vamps and demons. Crackling pop-culture laden dialogue and endearing performances made the series so much more than its title suggested. 15. "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Comedy Central. This is the only non-fiction series to make this list. And an argument could be made that it should be a lot higher. What's so amazing about this series is how consistently magnificent it has been from day to day. Stewart is one of the funniest people on the planet. His writing staff is exceptional. And this faux-news series quickly expanded, intellectually, beyond those confines and became its own unique kind of journalism. Spoofing the news is easy comedic prey for this show. What it does best is play media critic and searing political satirist. Daily. That's pretty damned impressive. 14. "Six Feet Under," HBO. Dealing with life and death is hard enough for a dramatist because its both well-trodden and never fully illuminated. How about a family that runs a mortuary and sees dead people? It was either going to go sideways quickly, or race toward greatness. It did the latter, even though there were periods in the attempt when the drama was either soapy or outlandishly dark. Mostly though, "Six Feet Under" was a drama for adults who were trying to lead an examined life before it ended. As a bonus, one of the all-time great television finales wrapped up the series run.  13. "Freaks and Geeks," NBC. It didn't live long enough, but it got everything right about high school, the students who frequent it through the ages (are we not all of a type?), the era, the families, the youth issues and, best of all, the humor and the angst. It's a testament to this series that "Freaks and Geeks" the youngest on the list - one season, 18 episodes. Saying you saw the first 12 that aired is like saying you were at a historic concert or sporting event years later. 12. "Battlestar Galactica," Syfy. The science fiction series that not only pulled in non-sci-fi fans, but helped redefine genre television (by proving that story mattered - all the cool, trippy, special effects needed to be in second position). In fact, a rival programmer once had the highest compliment to what "BSG" accomplished when he said, "If they'd had another million dollars an episode, it would have been awful." This is a series that was emotional in an antiseptic storytelling genre. It had twists, turns, a brilliant end-around on the censors for one particular swear word and mythology that was intriguing until the end (even if some of the die-hards were disappointed in what it all meant). 11. "Lost," ABC. In an era when network television must take fewer chances to reach the big tent audience, "Lost" broke the mold with complex, serialized story lines that not only challenged the audience, it gave them nose-bleeds. There is so much to love in the ambition of "Lost" it's hard to pinpoint the essential elements. But here are two: For a massive ensemble cast, it has one of the most nuanced and deeply complex character developments any series has attempted. Plus, by having its producers listen to the audience - resulting in a decision to find an end date to the series and work backward from there -- the storytelling was strengthened, adding cohesion, plausibility and believability. Drama, humor, mythology, mind-bending paranormal activity - what's not to like? And if we get half the answers we're all seeking when it's over, won't that just be a bonus to the thrill-ride? Oh, did I mention it was entertaining? | December 25 2009 at 04:32 PM Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Not forgotten: A roll call of those in the arts and culture who passed ... - Cleveland Plain Dealer Posted: 25 Dec 2009 08:58 PM PST By Associated PressDecember 25, 2009, 11:59PM View full sizeMichael Jackson died on June 25, age 50. Polly Anderson/Associated Press It was only a rehearsal, and he was twice the age of the dancers accompanying him. But the video doesn't lie: Michael Jackson was looking ahead to a smash opening in London -- and giving it his all. And then he was gone. With his thrilling music and dance, enigmatic personality and worldwide reach, Jackson led the list of notables in the worlds of art, entertainment and popular culture who died in 2009. Some, like Jackson, Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein and British actress Natasha Richardson, departed without warning. Some, like actor Patrick Swayze, waged a public struggle with illness. But others were active in their 80s and 90s, including choreographer Merce Cunningham, painter Andrew Wyeth and legendary guitarist-inventor Les Paul. We also said goodbye to writers John Updike, Irish-born Frank McCourt and Hugh Leonard, Britain's J.G. Ballard and John Mortimer, Uruguay's Mario Benedetti, Israel's Amos Elon, the Arab world's Al-Tayeb Saleh, Spain's Francisco Ayala and Austrian-born Johannes Mario Simmel, as well as Americans John Hope Franklin, Marilyn French and Hortense Calisher. TV fans mourned "Prisoner" star Patrick McGoohan, delightfully sharp-tongued Bea Arthur, "Kung Fu" star David Carradine and the decorative Farrah Fawcett. Jade Goody represented a 21st-century celebrity, making a name for herself on British reality TV, then garnering sympathy around the world as she battled cancer. The music world lost Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa; Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary; jazz singer Blossom Dearie; Gordon Waller of British duo Peter and Gordon; Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha; punk rocker Lux Interior of the Cramps; and Liam Clancy, the last of the Irish folk troubadors the Clancy Brothers. The visual arts lost photographer Irving Penn, cinematographer Jack Cardiff and two women who collaborated with their husbands on famous public-art projects, Coosje van Bruggen and Jeanne-Claude. We also lost French intellectual Claude Levi-Strauss, the centenarian pioneer of modern anthropology. Here, a roll call of some of the notable people in art, entertainment and pop culture who died in 2009. (Cause of death cited for younger people if available.) A longer list is on cleveland.com/entertainment. JANUARY Johannes Mario Simmel, 84. Austrian-born author; topped German-language best-seller lists. Jan. 1. Jett Travolta, 16. John Travolta's son. Jan. 2. Seizure. Betty Freeman, 87. Modern-art collector, music patron. Jan. 3. Olga San Juan, 81. Actress, dancer known as "Puerto Rican Pepperpot." Jan. 3. Pat Hingle, 84. Tony-nominated stage actor; Commissioner Gordon in "Batman" movies. Jan. 3. Ned Tanen, 77. As Paramount and Universal chairman, he greenlighted a string of hits ("Top Gun," "E.T."). Jan. 5. Ron Asheton, 60. Guitarist for the Stooges, whose raw sound helped inspire punk rock. Jan. 6. Cheryl Holdridge, 64. Mouseketeer on "The Mickey Mouse Club." Jan. 6. Jon Hager, 67. One of the Hager Twins on TV's "Hee-Haw." Jan. 9 Coosje van Bruggen, 66. Artist; collaborated with husband Claes Oldenburg on his giant sculptures. Jan. 10. Tom O'Horgan, 84. Directed "Hair," "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Broadway. Jan. 11. Claude Berri, 74. French actor, director. Jan. 12. W.D. Snodgrass, 83. Pulitzer-winning poet ("Heart's Needle"). Jan. 13. Pedro "Cuban Pete" Aguilar, 81. Star mambo dancer in 1950s. Jan. 13. Patrick McGoohan, 80. Emmy-winning actor; starred as British spy in TV classic "The Prisoner." Jan. 13. Hortense Calisher, 97. Fiction writer known for dense prose ("False Entry"). Jan. 13. Ricardo Montalban, 88. Actor in splashy MGM musicals; Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island." Jan. 14. Andrew Wyeth, 91. Acclaimed artist whose portraits and landscapes combined traditional realism, modern melancholy. Jan. 16. John Mortimer, 85. British writer; created curmudgeonly lawyer Rumpole of the Bailey. Jan. 16. Grigore Vieru, 73. Poet who courageously promoted Romanian language in Soviet republic of Moldova. Jan. 18. David "Fathead" Newman, 75. Jazz saxophonist; played with range of luminaries, including Ray Charles. Jan. 20. James Brady, 80. Author, Parade magazine celebrity columnist. Jan. 26. John Updike, 76. Pulitzer-winning novelist, essayist. Jan. 27. Billy Powell 56. Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player ("Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird"). Jan. 28. John Martyn, 60. British singer-songwriter, guitarist ("May You Never"). Jan. 29. Hans Beck, 79. Created colorful Playmobil toy figures. Jan. 30. Milton Parker, 90. Owned New York City's Carnegie Deli, known for gargantuan sandwiches. Jan. 30. FEBRUARY Lukas Foss, 86. Avant-garde composer. Feb. 1. Dewey Martin, 68. Drummer with influential band Buffalo Springfield ("For What It's Worth"). Feb. 1. Lux Interior, 62. Lead singer of horror-punk band the Cramps. Feb. 4. James Whitmore, 87. Many-faceted actor; did one-man shows on Harry Truman, Will Rogers. Feb. 6. Philip Carey, 83. Played tycoon Asa Buchanan in "One Life to Live." Feb. 6. Molly Bee, 69. Country singer; teamed with Tennessee Ernie Ford ("Don't Go Courtin' in a Hot Rod Ford"). Feb. 7. Blossom Dearie, 84. Jazz singer with unique baby-doll voice. Feb. 7. Robert Anderson, 91. Broadway playwright ("Tea and Sympathy"). Feb. 9. Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, 76. Bassist for Cuba's Buena Vista Social Club. Feb. 9. Estelle Bennett, 67. One of the Ronettes, '60s girl group ("Be My Baby"). Feb. 11. Hugh Leonard, 82. Irish playwright; won Tony for father-son drama "Da." Feb. 12. Gerry Niewood, 64, and Coleman Mellett, 34. Members of Chuck Mangione's band. Feb. 12. Buffalo, New York, plane crash. Alfred A. Knopf Jr., 90. Influential publisher; son of publishing legends. Feb. 14. Louie Bellson, 84. Jazz drummer; performed with Duke Ellington, wife Pearl Bailey. Feb. 14. Al-Tayeb Saleh, 80. One of the Arab world's top novelists. Feb. 18. Snooks Eaglin, 72. New Orleans R&B singer, guitarist. Feb. 18. Kelly Groucutt, 63. Bass player with Electric Light Orchestra. Feb. 19. Howard Zieff, 81. Directed films ("Private Benjamin"), TV ads (Alka-Seltzer's "Spicy Meatballs." ) Feb. 22. Sverre Fehn, 84. Norwegian architect; won prestigious Pritzker award. Feb. 23. Philip Jose Farmer, 91. Celebrated science-fiction and fantasy writer. Feb. 25. Wendy Richard, 65. British actress; working-class matriarch of "EastEnders." Feb. 26. Paul Harvey, 90. Radio news and talk pioneer; one of the nation's most familiar voices. Feb. 28.  View full sizeEnglish actress Natasha Richardson won a Tony Award for best actress (musical) in 1998 for "Cabaret." The gifted heiress to British acting royalty died March 18 after a skiing accident. She was 45. MARCH Ernie Ashworth, 80. Grand Ole Opry singer ("Talk Back Trembling Lips"). March 2. Sydney Chaplin, 82. Tony-winning actor; son of Charlie Chaplin ("Bells Are Ringing"). March 3. Horton Foote 92. Playwright ("The Trip to Bountiful") and screenwriter ("To Kill a Mockingbird"). March 4. Schuyler Chapin, 86. Arts champion; was Metropolitan Opera general manager. March 7. Jimmy Boyd, 70. Child actor, singer ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"). March 7. Ernest Trova, 82. Artist known for "Falling Man" series. March 8. Hank Locklin, 91. Smooth-voiced country singer ("Send Me the Pillow You Dream On"). March 8. James Purdy, 94. Author of underground classics ("Cabot Wright Begins"). March 13. Anne Wiggins Brown, 96. Soprano; the original Bess in Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." March 13. Betsy Blair, 85. Actress, Oscar-nominated for role as shy woman courted by homely Ernest Borgnine in "Marty." March 13. Millard Kaufman, 92. Oscar-nominated screenwriter ("Bad Day at Black Rock"). March 14. Ron Silver, 62. Won Tony as tough Hollywood producer in David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow;" ex-president of Actors Equity Association, the stage-actors union. March 15. Jack Lawrence, 96. Lyricist for Frank Sinatra's first hit, "All or Nothing at All." March 15. Eddie Bo, 79. New Orleans blues singer-pianist; worked with greats such as Irma Thomas. March 18. Jade Goody, 27. British reality-TV star, hailed in final months for her courage. March 22. Cancer. Uriel Jones, 74. Drummer whose passionate beat fueled Motown hits. March 24. Dan Seals, 61. Half of duo England Dan and John Ford Coley; later, top country singer. March 25. John Hope Franklin, 94. Towering scholar of black studies. March 25. Steven Bach, 70. Movie executive who oversaw the debacle "Heaven's Gate"; later wrote memoir about it. March 25. Irving R. Levine, 86. Bow-tied NBC newsman who explained the fine points of economics. March 27. Helen Levitt, 95. Photographer famed for scenes of New York street life. March 29. Maurice Jarre, 84. Oscar-winning film composer ("Lawrence of Arabia," "Doctor Zhivago"). March 28. Andy Hallett, 33. Good-guy demon Lorne in TV series "Angel." March 29. Heart disease.  View full sizeBea Arthur brought a strong-willed character portrayal to TV with "Maude" in the 1970s and later with her role on "Golden Girls." Her sharp delivery also won a Tony for "Mame." She passed away April 25, at 86. APRIL Bud Shank, 82. Jazz saxophonist, flutist ("California Dreamin'"). April 2. Tom Braden, 92. Helped launch CNN's "Crossfire"; wrote memoir "Eight Is Enough," which inspired a TV show. April 3. Dave Arneson, 61. Co-creator of groundbreaking Dungeons & Dragons fantasy game. April 7. David "Pop" Winans Sr., 76. Grammy-nominated patriarch of gospel music family. April 8. Randy Cain, 63. Member of "Philadelphia sound" soul group the Delfonics. April 9. Marilyn Chambers, 56. She helped bring adult films into mainstream with "Behind the Green Door." April 12. Heart disease. Jack D. Hunter, 87. Wrote novel "The Blue Max," made into 1966 film. April 13. Peter Rogers, 95. Produced British "Carry On" films, hallmarks of lowbrow comedy. April 14. J.G. Ballard, 78. British author known for dark vision ("Empire of the Sun"). April 19. Tharon Musser, 84. Tony-winning lighting designer ("A Chorus Line," "Follies"). April 19. Jack Cardiff, 94. Oscar-winning cinematographer famed for innovative use of Technicolor ("The Red Shoes"). April 22. Ken Annakin, 94. Directed World War II epics "Battle of the Bulge," "The Longest Day." April 22. The Rev. Timothy Wright, 61. Grammy-nominated gospel singer, and composer ("Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"). April 23. Salamo Arouch, 86. Jewish boxer whose Auschwitz experiences inspired movie "Triumph of the Spirit." April 26. Vern Gosdin, 74. Country singer ("Chiseled in Stone"). April 28. MAY Danny Gans, 52. Singer-actor-impressionist; one of Las Vegas' most popular entertainers. May 1. Complications of medication use. Marilyn French, 79. Feminist writer; 1977 novel "The Women's Room" sold millions. May 2. Dom DeLuise, 75. Portly actor with offbeat style ("The Cannonball Run"). May 4. Sam Cohn, 79. Powerful agent for top actors (Paul Newman, Meryl Streep), directors and writers. May 6. Mickey Carroll, 89. One of last surviving Munchkins from "The Wizard of Oz." May 7. Bud Shrake, 77. Co-author of golf best seller "Harvey Penick's Little Red Book." May 8. John Furia Jr., 79. Prolific film, television writer ("Bonanza," "The Waltons"). Announced May 8. Stephen Bruton, 60. Guitarist, songwriter; worked with Kris Kristofferson. May 9. Throat cancer. Wayman Tisdale, 44. Accomplished jazzman; earlier, a college, NBA basketball star. May 15. Cancer. David Herbert Donald, 88. Pulitzer-winning Civil War historian; expert on Lincoln. May 17. Mario Benedetti, 88. Renowned Uruguayan author ("The Truce"). May 17. Lee Solters, 89. Hollywood publicist; clients included Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand. May 18. Jay Bennett, 45. Ex-member of rock band Wilco ("Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"). May 24. Painkiller overdose. Amos Elon, 82. Israeli author ("The Israelis: Founders and Sons"). May 25.  View full sizeFarrah Fawcett graced countless walls with her iconic poster. The '70s sex symbol also starred in "Charlie's Angels." She died on June 25, age 62. JUNE Koko Taylor, 80. Regal, powerful singer known as "Queen of the Blues." June 3. Sam Butera, 81. Las Vegas saxophonist; teamed with Louis Prima, Keely Smith. June 3. Shih Kien, 96. Veteran Hong Kong actor; Bruce Lee's archrival in 1973's "Enter the Dragon." June 3. David Carradine, 72. Actor ("Kung Fu," "Kill Bill"). June 4. Fleur Cowles, 101. Author; founded magazine "Flair." June 5. Kenny Rankin, 69. Pop vocalist, musician, songwriter. June 7. Norman Brinker, 78. Casual-restaurant mogul (Chili's Grill & Bar). June 9. Christian Albin, 61. He fed luminaries for decades as executive chef of New York City's Four Seasons. June 13. Cancer. Bob Bogle, 75. Guitarist, co-founded instrumental band the Ventures. June 14. Ed McMahon, 86. Ebullient "Tonight" show sidekick who bolstered Johnny Carson. June 23. Gale Storm, 87. Perky actress; one of early television's biggest stars ("My Little Margie"). June 27. Billy Mays, 50. Burly, bearded television pitchman. June 28. Heart disease. Fred Travalena, 66. Las Vegas impressionist. June 28. Pina Bausch, 68. German choreographer known for her pioneering work. June 30. Harve Presnell, 75. His booming baritone graced Broadway musicals. June 30.  View full sizeBest-selling author E. Lynn Harris, who pioneered gay black fiction ("Love of My Own"), died July 23 at age 54 of heart disease. JULY Karl Malden, 97. Oscar-winning actor; a star despite his plain looks. July 1. Allen Klein, 77. No-holds-barred music manager; worked with the Beatles, Rolling Stones. July 4. Vasily Aksyonov, 76. Prolific Russian writer ("Generations of Winter"); one of last dissidents exiled from Soviet Union. July 6. Sir Edward Downes, 85. One of Britain's most renowned conductors; longtime head of the BBC Philharmonic. July 10. Julius Shulman, 98. His photos of Modernist buildings were hailed as works of art. July 15. Walter Cronkite, 92. Premier TV anchorman of networks' golden age. July 17. Gordon Waller, 64. Half of the British Invasion pop duo Peter and Gordon. July 17. Frank McCourt, 78. Irish-born schoolteacher who enjoyed post-retirement fame, and a Pulitzer, for memoir "Angela's Ashes." July 19. Heinz Edelmann, 75. Graphic designer; art director of the 1968 Beatles film "Yellow Submarine." July 21. John "Marmaduke" Dawson, 64. Co-founded psychedelic country band New Riders of the Purple Sage. July 21. Merce Cunningham, 90. Avant-garde dancer and choreographer who revolutionized modern dance. July 26. George Russell, 86. Jazz composer; theories influenced greats like Miles Davis. July 27.  View full sizeLes Paul not only played guitar, he revolutionized the instrument. The virtuoso invented the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording. He died Aug. 13, age 94 AUGUST Naomi Sims, 61. Pioneering black model of the '60s. Aug. 1. Billy Lee Riley, 75. Rambunctious early rock performer ("Flyin' Saucers Rock & Roll"). Aug. 2. Charles Gwathmey, 71. New York architect known for influential Modernist home designs, famous clients. Aug. 3. Amos Kenan, 82. Israeli writer who helped modernize the Hebrew language. Aug. 4. Budd Schulberg, 95. Novelist ("What Makes Sammy Run?") and Oscar-winning screenwriter ("On the Waterfront"). Aug. 5. John Hughes, 59. Writer-director of hit youth-oriented comedies ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Home Alone"). Aug. 6. Heart attack. Willy DeVille, 58. Singer, songwriter; founded punk group Mink DeVille. Aug. 6. Pancreatic cancer. Mike Seeger, 75. Co-founded traditional folk group the New Lost City Ramblers. Aug. 7. John Quade, 71. Character actor; the heavy in several Clint Eastwood movies. Aug. 9. Andy Kessler, 48. Trailblazer of New York City's skateboarding scene; designed skate parks. Aug. 10. Heart attack after wasp sting. Rashied Ali, 76. Jazz drummer; worked with John Coltrane. Aug. 12. Virginia Davis, 90. As child actress, appeared in Walt Disney's "Alice" films in the '20s. Aug. 15. Robert Novak, 78. Combative TV and newspaper pundit who loved "making life miserable for hypocritical, posturing politicians." Aug. 18. Hildegard Behrens, 72. German-born soprano hailed as one of the finest Wagnerian performers of her generation. Aug. 18. Don Hewitt, 86. TV news pioneer who created "60 Minutes" and produced it for 36 years. Aug. 19. Larry Knechtel, 69. Grammy-winning arranger and keyboardist; accompanied Ray Charles, other big names. Aug. 20. Dudu Topaz, 62. Charismatic and handsome Israeli variety-show star whose late-career struggles led to criminal charges and suicide. Aug. 20. Elmer Kelton, 83. Acclaimed Western novelist ("The Good Old Boys"). Aug. 22. Ellie Greenwich, 68. Co-wrote some of the most enduring songs ("Be My Baby") of the '60s. Aug. 26. Dominick Dunne, 83. Best-selling author who told stories of shocking crimes among the rich and famous. Aug. 26. Sergei Mikhalkov, 96. Prolific Soviet author, a Stalin favorite but still admired by contemporary Russians. Aug. 27. Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein, 36. Celebrity disc jockey; also a reality-TV figure who attempted to help fellow drug addicts. Aug. 28. Overdose. Chris Connor, 81. Smoky-voiced jazz vocalist ("Trust in Me"). Aug. 29. Marie Knight, 84. Gospel music legend ("Beams of Heaven"). Aug. 30. Sheila Lukins, 66. Store owner (New York City's Silver Palate) and cookbook author, helped introduce Americans to new cuisines. Aug. 30.  View full sizeConductor Erich Kunzel gained world renown as longtime head of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. He died on Sept. 1, age 74 SEPTEMBER Wycliffe Johnson, 47. Keyboardist and producer; major figure in Jamaica music. Sept. 1. Heart attack. Bill Hefner, 79. 12-term North Carolina congressman; also a gospel singer. Sept. 2. Keith Waterhouse, 80. British playwright, novelist ("Billy Liar") and commentator. Sept. 4. Army Archerd, 87. His breezy Daily Variety column kept tabs on Hollywood doings for more than a half-century. Sept. 8. Frank Batten Sr., 82. He built media giant Landmark Communications, created the Weather Channel. Sept. 10. Jim Carroll, 60. Poet, punk rocker; wrote "The Basketball Diaries." Sept. 11. Heart attack. Larry Gelbart, 81. Slyly witty writer for stage and screen ("Tootsie," "M*A*S*H"). Sept. 11. Pierre Cossette, 85. Record label founder; turned Grammy Awards into a popular televised ceremony. Sept. 11. Zakes Mokae, 75. Tony-winning South African actor (Athol Fugard's "Master Harold . . . and the Boys"). Sept. 11. Crystal Lee Sutton, 68. Her fight to unionize Southern textile plants became the film "Norma Rae." Sept. 11. Willy Ronis, 99. Last of France's postwar photography greats; captured everyday life in Paris. Sept. 12. Paul Burke, 83. Two-time Emmy nominee for his role as Detective Adam Flint in the gritty crime drama "Naked City." Sept. 13. Patrick Swayze, 57. Dancer turned movie superstar for "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost." Sept. 14. Pancreatic cancer. Henry Gibson, 73. Comic character actor; recited offbeat poetry on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." Sept. 14. Trevor Rhone, 69. Jamaican playwright; co-wrote the reggae film "The Harder They Come." Sept. 15. Mary Travers, 72. One-third of the hugely popular '60s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary ("If I Had a Hammer"). Sept. 16. Linda C. Black, 65. Syndicated columnist and astrologer. Sept. 17. Art Ferrante, 88. Half of the piano duo Ferrante and Teicher ("Exodus"). Sept. 19. Timothy J. Russert, 85. Immortalized by his late son, Tim Russert, in "Big Russ & Me." Sept. 24. Alicia de Larrocha, 86. Spanish pianist who thrilled music listeners for decades. Sept. 25. William Safire, 79. Pulitzer-winning New York Times columnist and word warrior. Sept. 27. OCTOBER Peg Mullen, 92. Her fight to learn the truth about her son's death in Vietnam inspired book, movie "Friendly Fire." Oct. 2. Mercedes Sosa, 74. Argentine folk singer; the "Voice of Latin America" who inspired pro-democracy activists. Oct. 4. Ben Ali, 82. Founded Ben's Chili Bowl diner, a Washington landmark. Oct. 7. Irving Penn, 92. Photographer famed for stark simplicity in portraits, fashion shots. Oct. 7. Stephen Gately, 33. Singer with Irish boy band Boyzone ("All That I Need"). Oct. 10. Fluid in the lungs. Al Martino, 82. Singer ("Spanish Eyes"); played the Frank Sinatra-type role in "The Godfather." Oct. 13. Daniel Melnick, 77. Producer of acclaimed films "Straw Dogs," "Network." Oct. 13. Lou Albano, 76. Pro wrestler; appeared in Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" video. Oct. 14. Collin Wilcox-Paxton, 74. Portrayed the false accuser in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Oct. 14. Vic Mizzy, 93. Songwriter; did catchy sitcom themes ("The Addams Family"). Oct. 17. Joseph Wiseman, 91. Actor; played the sinister Dr. No in James Bond film of that name. Oct. 19. Soupy Sales, 83. Rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on thousands of pies to the face. Oct. 22. Ray Browne, 87. Bowling Green State University professor credited with coining the phrase "popular culture." Oct. 22. Lou Jacobi, 95. Actor who excelled in comic, dramatic roles ("Arthur"). Oct. 23. Roy DeCarava, 89. Photographer who captured Harlem's everyday life and its jazz greats. Oct. 27. Claude Levi-Strauss, 100. French intellectual considered father of modern anthropology. Oct. 30. Michelle Triola Marvin, 76. She fought a landmark "palimony" case in the '70s against former lover Lee Marvin. Oct. 30. NOVEMBER Lou Filippo, 83. World Boxing Hall of Famer; had small roles in "Rocky" movies. Nov. 2. Francisco Ayala, 103. Spanish novelist, sociologist; went into exile during the country's Franco dictatorship. Nov. 3. Sheldon Dorf, 76. Founded Comic-Con International comic-book convention, which draws more than 100,000. Nov. 3. Carl Ballantine, 92. Actor-comedian. Nov. 3. Paul Wendkos, 84. TV, film director ("Gidget"). Nov. 12. Ken Ober, 52. Hosted '80s MTV game show "Remote Control." Nov. 15. Edward Woodward, 79. British actor. Nov. 16. Jeanne-Claude, 74. With her husband, Christo, she created large-scale, highly publicized art projects. Nov. 18. Elisabeth Soderstrom, 82. Swedish soprano who performed on world stages. Nov. 20. Bess Lomax Hawes, 88. Folk singer, songwriter ("M.T.A."), musicologist. Nov. 27. Al Alberts, 87. Member of singing Four Aces ("Love Is a Many Splendored Thing"). Nov. 27. DECEMBER Aaron Schroeder, 84. Songwriter (Elvis Presley's "It's Now or Never"). Dec. 1. Richard Todd, 90. Acclaimed British actor. Dec. 3. Vyacheslav Tikhonov, 81. Popular Russian actor; starred in Oscar-winning Soviet production of "War and Peace." Dec. 4. Liam Clancy, 74. Last of Clancy Brothers Irish folk-song troupe whose songs struck sentimental chord worldwide. Dec. 4. Thomas Hoving, 78. Former director of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art; championed the "blockbuster" exhibit. Dec. 10. Roy Disney, 79. Nephew of Walt Disney, 56-year company veteran who helped make such blockbusters as "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King." Dec. 16. Jennifer Jones, 90. Actress, won Academy Award for "Song of Bernadette." Dec. 17. Brittany Murphy, 32. Movie actress; her breakout film was 1995's "Clueless." Dec. 20. Heart failure. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| An in-depth look at Penguins’ decade - PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Posted: 25 Dec 2009 08:58 PM PST Sports writers Joe Starkey, Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe break down the best and worst moments of the decade for the Penguins: FIVE SIGNATURE MOMENTS 1. Dec. 7, 2000: Word leaks that team owner and Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux will end his 3 1/2 -year retirement and rejoin the Penguins. 2. June 12, 2009: Penguins defeat the Detroit Red Wings, 2-1, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, becoming the first pro sports team since the 1979 Pirates to win a championship Game 7 on the road. 3. July 27, 2005: Penguins win the draft lottery — on a 6.25-percent chance — and the right to select Canadian phenom Sidney Crosby. 4. July 11, 2001: GM Craig Patrick trades five-time NHL scoring champion and team captain Jaromir Jagr, in the prime of his career, to the Washington Capitals for three prospects and cash. 5. March 13, 2007: Before a game against Buffalo, Mario Lemieux addresses a sellout crowd, which erupts in cheers as he drops the final curtain on decade-long arena saga, saying, "Tonight, I am proud to announce that your Pittsburgh Penguins will remain right here in Pittsburgh, where they belong." TEAM OF THE DECADE Forward — Sidney Crosby (2005-present): Youngest captain ever to win the Stanley Cup Forward — Evgeni Malkin (2006-present): Reigning Art Ross and Conn Smythe winner. Forward — Mario Lemieux (2000-05): Two top seasons netted 167 points in 110 games. Defense — Sergei Gonchar (2005-present): That $25 million contract worth its weight in silver. Defense — Brooks Orpik (2003-present): Heart-and-soul hitter had one of great shifts in team history (ask Daniel Cleary). Goalie — Marc-Andre Fleury (2003-present): Former No. 1 overall pick became a savior after all (ask Nick Lidstrom and Alex Ovechkin). BEST PLAY Marc-Andre Fleury stones Nicklas Lidstrom: Fleury lunged to his right to reject the future Hall-of-Famer in the final seconds of Game 7 of the Cup Final. "I was scared they'd shoot again," Fleury said, "but then I saw (Jordan Staal) throwing his gloves up, and I thought, 'OK, I can do it too.'" BEST PLAYER Sidney Crosby — How do you choose between Crosby and Malkin? Maybe Malkin noted the key: "Sid is our leader." BEST GAME Penguins beat Red Wings, 2-1, in Game 6 of 2009 Stanley Cup Final — No, it didn't go three overtimes, like Game 5 the year before, but it was an epic battle that began with the crowd chanting "Fleury! Fleury!" — goalie Marc-Andre Fleury had been pulled from a lopsided loss in Game 5 — and ended with defenseman Rob Scuderi's incredible goal-line stand. BEST PLAYOFF SERIES Penguins-Capitals, '09 — Crosby, Ovechkin finally meet for higher stakes, combine for 27 points in Pens' 7-game win. CULT HEROES 1. Johan Hedberg 2. Gary Roberts 3. Jeff Jimmerson 4. The "Genos" 5. Colby Armstrong ALMOST OWNERS 1. William "Boots" Del Biaggio III 2. Sam Fingold 3. Jim Balsillie HEARTBREAKS 1. Losing '04 draft lottery and Alex Ovechkin (didn't turn out so bad) 2. Losing casino license in December of '06 (didn't turn out so bad) 3 Losing Game 6 of '08 Final (turned out real bad, when the Wings raised the Cup on Mellon Arena ice). PUNCHES TO THE GUT 1. Hossa leaves — for Detroit, no less 2. Jagr asks to be traded — twice, no less 3. Mario swaps a season for Olympics — and beats U.S. for gold medal, no less BEST MOVES 1. Trading up to draft Marc-Andre Fleury 2. Hiring Ray Shero as GM 3. Signing Sergei Gonchar 4. Drafting Jordan Staal 5. Hiring Dan Bylsma as coach MIRACLES ON ICE 1. Max Talbot ties Game 5 of '08 Cup Final with 34.3 seconds left in regulation. 2. Darius Kasparaitis beats future Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek in overtime to win Game 7 of '01 East semifinal. 3. Mario Lemieux converts a gift-from-the-hockey-gods pop-up to tie Game 6 of East semifinal vs. Sabres in final seconds. NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D SEE 1. Craig Patrick, Hall of Fame GM, fired. 2. Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh native, skating for anyone but the Penguins. 3. Jaromir Jagr in a Capitals jersey. 4. John LeClair in a Penguins jersey. 5. Penguins among biggest spenders in NHL. EXPERIMENTS GONE BAD 1. Ziggy Palffy 2. Eddie Olczyk 3. Alexandre Daigle 4. Brooks Orpik, left wing 5. Sidney Crosby, playoff beard NAMES WE FORGOT RIGHT QUICK 1. Konstantin Koltsov 2. Richard Lintner 3. Nils Ekman 4. Milan Kraft 5. Michel Therrien WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? 1. Marian Hossa saying, "I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit" upon leaving Pittsburgh. 2. Billy Tibbetts cross-checking Mario Lemieux — yeah, the team owner — in the back during a training-camp scrimmage in 2001. 3. Craig Patrick hiring a coach (Ivan Hlinka) who couldn't speak English. 4. Fans booing Sergei Gonchar upon his arrival in Pittsburgh. 5. NBC not allowing the Penguins to show games on outdoor video screen during '09 playoffs. WELCOME RETURNS 1. Mario Lemieux 2. Skating penguin 3. Stanley Cup FIVE FLYER MOMENTS 1. Broken teeth and all (thanks, Derian Hatcher), rookie Sidney Crosby beats the Flyers in overtime and rekindles a dormant rivalry. 2. Max Talbot picks a fight with ex-Penguin Daniel Carcillo in Game 6 of '09 series, then "Shhhhh's" the crowd. 3. Penguins humiliate visiting Flyers, 6-0, to win East final in '08 4. Gary Roberts, 41, buries Flyers "tough guy" Ben Eager with a barrage of left hands. 5. Crosby scores six points in 8-4 victory on Dec. 14, 2006, vaulting to a spot he would not relinquish — No. 1 in NHL scoring race. SAD GOODBYES Herb Brooks, Ivan Hlinka both killed in auto accidents, leaving behind incredible legacies — Brooks in the U.S., Hlinka in the Czech Republic. DECADE DATES Dec. 16, 2005: Mario Lemieux records his last NHL point in his final game, a 4-3 overtime loss to visiting Buffalo, which also marks Michel Therrien's first game behind the Penguins' bench. Nov. 10, 2005: Sidney Crosby roofs a backhander to beat the Montreal Canadiens and give the Penguins their first-ever shootout win; Mario Lemieux scores his final NHL goal. Oct. 18, 2006: Evgeni Malkin scores in his first NHL game, beating future all-time wins leader Martin Brodeur. Feb. 10, 2003: Penguins ship Alexei Kovalev to the New York Rangers, further dismantling a one-time Cup contender. May 4, 2008: Ex-Penguins star Jaromir Jagr plays his final NHL game, as Rangers lose in Pittsburgh in Game 5 of Eastern Conference semis (Marian Hossa's overtime goal wins it). April 17, 2006: Standing-room-only crowd of 17,048 roars in season-finale for bad team, as Sidney Crosby scores three points to become youngest player in NHL history to record 100 in a season. DECADE DIGITS 1 — Sellouts at Mellon Arena in 2003-04, the season before Sidney Crosby arrived. 136 — Penguins' current consecutive-sellout streak 6 — Men with Penguins ties inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame (Craig Patrick, Larry Murphy, Ron Francis, Herb Brooks, Paul Coffey, Joe Mullen) 46 — Saves for Marc-Andre Fleury in his NHL debut, a 3-0 loss to the L.A. Kings on Oct. 10, 2003. 55 — Fleury saves against Detroit in Game 5 of '08 Cup Final; Pens win in third overtime on Petr Sykora goal. 3 — Game 7 wins on the road for the Penguins this decade 18 — Games without victory in '04, a streak that finally ended in Phoenix. WE WROTE IT "Evgeni Malkin sits back in the lobby of his luxury beachfront hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He couldn't be farther from the life he left behind earlier last week, escaping from his Russian team and life in the tiny, Siberian industrial town of Magnitogorsk. He also couldn't be farther from his family, friends and culture. "Definitely, I never expected anything like that to ever happen to me," Malkin said, "but life is full of surprises, good and bad, and this is one of those times." — Penguins writer Karen Price, on Malkin fleeing his Russian team to join the Penguins. THEY SAID IT (OR TEXTED IT) "This is a chance of a lifetime to realize your childhood dream to win a Stanley Cup. Play without fear and you will be successful! See you at center ice." — Text message Mario Lemieux left on players' phones on morning of Game 7 of '09 Cup Final in Detroit. "I'm really starting to believe their goal is to be the worst defensive squad in the league. And they're doing such a great job at being the worst." — Coach Michel Therrien, after a 3-1 loss to Edmonton in his 11th game as coach. "Add to the Pittsburgh lineup, No. 66, Mario Lemieux." — Penguins P.A. man John Barbero, announcing to the crowd the return of un-retired star Mario Lemieux on Dec. 27, 2000. "We got great value in this deal. Time will show us that. But I can't convince people of that right now. All three of these guys are going to be big contributors here for a long time." — Then-GM Craig Patrick, on the players he acquired for Jaromir Jagr — Ross Lupaschuk, Kris Beech and Michal Sivek, none of whom is in the NHL. CATCHING UP WITH ... STEVE McKENNA If ever a hockey player could be called for traveling, it would be 6-foot-8 enforcer/comedian Steve McKenna. Since leaving the Penguins in 2004, McKenna has played and coached in Australia, England, China, South Korea and his latest stop, Russia, where he is a player-coach with the "Soviet Sports Club of the Air Force Samara" team in the Russian Supreme League. During the NHL lockout in 2004, McKenna got an invitation from a friend — now his wife — to visit in Australia. He stayed and wound up playing for a local team called the Adelaide Avalanche. Next thing he knew, he was coaching the Australian national team (yes, there is such a thing.) "There's a shortage of rinks there," McKenna said. "But they're really passionate about the sport." McKenna hopes to return to the states and coach college hockey. The NHL game he'll never forget occurred Feb. 8, 2003, in Boston, when he skated on a line with Alex Kovalev and Mario Lemieux. "I tell people about that one," McKenna said, laughing. "The Bruins pushed Kovalev around the previous game. We wanted to make sure it wasn't going to happen again, and I end up getting two goals!" It was the only two-goal game of McKenna's 373-game NHL career.
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| Bed tax should support island's cultural offerings - Island Packet Online Posted: 25 Dec 2009 08:58 PM PST As we settled into our seats recently for another great performance ("Six Dance Lessons in Six Days") at the South Carolina Repertory Company, the audience was told that it was unlikely the company would receive any funds from Hilton Head Island's accommodations tax collections in 2010. Not just a cut, but nothing. After nine years of support, nada. That's what we think of culture around here. This is ridiculous. The recession certainly has caused cutbacks; the town only has half the funds that were available to it last year. Even so, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and the Concours d'Elegance car show managed to get recommendations for their usual healthy allocations, while the island's only two live theaters -- the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and the Repertory Company -- suffered serious cuts. In the case of the Repertory Company, it could be fatal. The people who distribute accommodations tax money should remember that Hilton Head is more than golf and beaches. We also offer cultural events. Starving them of funds, even modest ones, is tantamount to cutting off our nose to spite our face. Joseph Scheines Hilton Head Island Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over - Island Packet Online Posted: 25 Dec 2009 08:58 PM PST NEW YORK -- Four years ago, Evita Broughton celebrated Kwanzaa for the first time with her family -- lighting a candle each night and discussing the respective principle. But she hasn't celebrated the holiday since. "It felt like a school project that lasted seven nights," said Broughton, 27, of Marietta, Ga. "I didn't feel like I had that connection. I tried to share my experiences with others but no one else was celebrating it." Kwanzaa, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, may be a mainstream holiday with greeting cards, postage stamps and public celebrations, but experts say its popularity is receding. It will not be getting a boost from the first family. The Obamas do not personally celebrate Kwanzaa, according to White House aides, though a written message from the president is likely, in keeping with the practice of his most recent predecessors, Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach, who is also executive director of the African American Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The holiday was a way for blacks to honor their culture, but it was also part of the black power movement of the era. The big boom in Kwanzaa came during its first two decades, according to Keith Mayes, author of "Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition." But he said participation has leveled off. Based on his research, he estimates a half million to 2 million people in the U.S. celebrate Kwanzaa, out of about 40 million Americans identified by the U.S. Census as black, including those who are multiracial. Mayes, an assistant professor of African American & African Studies at the University of Minnesota, says the black power movement was the "engine" for Kwanzaa, and the holiday faded as the movement receded. It started amid talk of revolution, black power and community control, but "in the '90s and in the 21st century, it's no longer referenced that way," said Mayes, adding that white institutions celebrate it as part of a broader diversity initiative. Although Kwanzaa started here, it has become a Pan-African holiday. The African American Cultural Center places the number of those who observe Kwanzaa worldwide at 30 million. The word comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits." It is not a religious holiday so it can be celebrated in conjunction with Christmas and Hanukkah. The weeklong observance is based on seven principles -- one for each day -- known as the Nguzo Saba: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). Camille Zeigler, president of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, said many of the girls who are first-timers at the black sorority's annual Kwanzaa celebration know very little about the holiday. "When you start talking about Kwanzaa and the history of it and what it truly means for African American people, this is something that is new and mind-boggling for some of our students," she said. Broughton said when she told black friends she was observing Kwanzaa, she had to give them a lesson on its meaning. They had heard of it, but didn't know anyone who celebrated it. Yvette Braswell, 37, of Studio City, Calif., who celebrated Kwanzaa a couple of times with her family, struggled to find others in her inner circle who did. "I think it's the culture in L.A.," said Braswell, who owns an online vintage store. She hasn't observed Kwanzaa in years. "People's cultural values aren't that strong here, in my opinion." Some blacks, though, rejected the concept of Kwanzaa all along, considering it a pagan holiday and taking issue with its founder, a black nationalist and ex-con -- he was convicted of torturing two women. Nicole Duncan-Smith, 36, of Brooklyn, N.Y., considers Kwanzaa a distraction from Christmas and says it doesn't make sense to honor the holiday's seven principles only during Kwanzaa as opposed to all year. "I think I have a strong connection to my African heritage," she said, adding that she has issues with the background of the founder, Karenga. "But I don't think this particular holiday is of African derivative." Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
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