praeceptrix

I have not watched the Netflix "documentary," nor do I intend to. I find that I can watch (some) fictional portrayals of horrible people doing horrible things to other people, but simply can't handle anything involving cruelty to animals (note to those who make shows about serial killers and psychopaths: yes, it's a documented fact that they often start by torturing animals, but I can't cope with seeing that). For those who are interested in the legitimate sanctuary which is mentioned in the "documentary," here's their website: https://bigcatrescue.org/?amp

Logan Williams, 16, has died. No cause of death was given. His fellow cast members on The Flash have posted some touching tributes. https://nypost.com/2020/04/03/the-flash-actor-logan-williams-dies-suddenly-at-age-16/amp/

Broadway director Gerald Freedman, 92, has died from kidney failure, not covid-19. He directed the original production of "Hair," and had worked with Joseph Papp, Jerome Robbins, and many other theater greats. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/theater/gerald-freedman-dead.html

Too true, and utterly heartbreaking. My friend just lost his mother and stepfather to covid-19 on the same day. He couldn't be with either of them, nor could they be together.

A lifetime ago, when Television Without Pity was still with us (sob!), before the sale to Bravo, I attended a TWOP event (in Brooklyn?) where various Recappers read aloud excerpts from some of their favorite Recaps. I think it was Sars who read from an episode of Seventh Heaven (a show I didn't watch) in which a character went into labor in an elevator (did her brother help deliver the baby?). It was hysterical! Damned near peed myself laughing! I do miss those days... (I love it here, but I miss the gloriously long and erudite recaps by some of the greats.)

Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr James T. Goodrich who, with his team, performed the 27 hour surgery to separate the conjoined McDonald twins in 2016, has died from covid-19. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/humble-ny-doctor-who-led-miracle-surgery-on-conjoined-twins-dies-of-covid-19-complications/2351569/

Thanks to the pandemic, both of my choruses have had to stop rehearsing (and I do hope we did so in time and don't have to go through what the Skagit Valley Chorale is dealing with https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-29/coronavirus-choir-outbreak). Members have been sharing all sorts of things to keep each others' spirits up. Our conductor had made a comment weeks ago about the episode of The Carol Burnett Show where Carol played a music teacher (and boy, did I feel old when a bunch of our younger members had no idea what he was talking about!), so an alto shared this clip. Carol is brilliant, of course (and almost cracks up). And the Jackson 6... so young!! Makes me sad, thinking about young, pre-pedophile Michael. Brings back memories...

A touching tribute to CBS news journalist Maria Mercader, 54, who died yesterday from covid-19.

Architect Michael Sorkin, 71, has died from covid-19. No relation to Aaron Sorkin, Michael saw architecture as a way to change society -- create sustainable, environmentally friendly urban spaces (though it seems many of his designs never made it past the drawings stage, which is a pity). https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/arts/michael-sorkin-dead.html

Composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki has died. He was 86. I've never sung any of his pieces (way too modern for my taste!), but his work was very influential and often used in movie scores. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/arts/music/krzysztof-penderecki-dead.html?action=click&module=moreIn&pgtype=Article&region=Footer&action=click&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=Article&region=Footer&contentCollection=Europe

Nashom Wooden, a celebrity in the NYC Drag scene who appeared in Flawless with Robert de Niro and Philip Seymour Hoffman, was found dead in his apartment on Monday. He was 50 and in good shape in spite of living with HIV. It's assumed that covid-19 was what killed him, but he wasn't tested so we don't know. I didn't know him, but I'm sure that many of my friends who are part of the drag scene did. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/style/nashom-wooden-mona-foot-death-coronavirus.html

I stopped watching years ago, but I am sure that those still paying attention with be distressed by the news that The Walking Dead won't be able to film the finale for a while. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52032461

Covid-19 claims another legend: saxophonist Manu Dibango, 86, of Cameroon. If you listened to Afrobeat, Herbie Hancock, or other jazz music in the last century, you heard his saxophone. Michael Jackson settled out of court when Dibango sued him for using part Soul Makossa in a couple of tracks on Thriller. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52017834

Reported here previously, but now official: The Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed a year. Shinzo Abe was dragging his feet, even as the seriousness of the pandemic became impossible to ignore (and the list of countries refusing to send teams grew). https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/52020134

I, too, thank you for sharing these. I wasn't familiar with Sandi Toksvig, but I think I adore her now! I'm a history professor, so I quite admire her skills as a raconteur. I particularly liked her references to Charlotte's French accent, as I often indulge in silly accents when lecturing. A woman after my own heart.

The former president of Real Madrid, Lorenzo Sanz, has died from the coronavirus.He was 76. I've not paid attention to fútbol since I lived in Barcelona in the last century (and, of course rooted for Barça and against Real Madrid), but the fact that yet another family has lost a loved one to the pandemic is still sad. https://www.elperiodico.com/es/deportes/20200321/fallece-coronavirus-expresidente-madrid-lorenzo-sanz-7899767

An employee of MSNBC news, Larry Edgeworth, has died from covid-19. He was not an in front of the camera celebrity, but someone who made it possible for news broadcasts to happen. https://thehill.com/media/488617-nbc-news-employees-dies-following-coronavirus-infection?amp=1&amp_recirculation=1 From the article: MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle told viewers Friday morning about Edgeworth's death and spoke while photos of the technician were displayed: "Larry, he's the big guy you see right there on the left during a shoot in Namibia back in 2011. He spent most of his 25 years at NBC News as a skilled audio technician, traveling the world to bring you, our beloved viewers the news. Many of us here were fortunate to work with him." MSNBC correspondent Garrett Haake shared a photo of Edgeworth on Friday, tweeting "The man on the left is Larry Edgeworth. I met him as the sound tech on our team that covered the Romney campaign in 2012. He called me 'slim,' and helped me put together my first resume tape. He was SO proud of his kids. He was hilarious. Yesterday he lost his fight with COVID-19." It's worth reading the other tributes in the article.

Probably not considered a celebrity by most standards, but Dr. Catherine Hamlin, who died yesterday at the age of 96, was truly a great woman, hero, and role model. At its most basic level, the work she and her husband did in Ethiopia saved the lives of countless women who were suffering from obstetric fistulas. She did far more than save individual lives. She gave the women she helped back their dignity and self-esteem, helped them overcome the stigma of suffering from fistulas. Her foundation established five rural hospitals and a college of midwifery. May she rest in peace. May her memory be for a blessing. And may her work continue. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-51965688

One wonderful exception to this was Cordelia on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who had to work in that dress (formal wear?) store during their senior year. Other than that, yeah, money just miraculously appears and nobody has to go without. Unless there's a Very Special Episode (& it's all back to normal the next episode). Edited to add: Veronica Mars also had to work, as did the computer-genius character whose name I have forgotten. And some of the minor teen characters on Big Love.

I didn't really watch Boy Meets World. But I adore William Daniels! I liked him on St. Elsewhere, but my favorite of his roles is John Adams in the 1972 film 1776. Here's a favorite scene from the film: Had to add this lovely clip from the 1971 Tony Awards:

Truly a great woman. I am neither religious nor a member of her faith, but I clearly remember when she was ordained as Bishop; she was a double first: first woman, first African-American woman. She made history and inspired so many by her example. May she rest in peace.

Artist, musician, provocateur, and absolutely fascinating character, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge has died. She was 70. Her obituary makes for interesting reading! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/arts/music/genesis-breyer-p-orridge-dead.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage

Chef Michel Roux, OBE, has died. He was 79. He and his brother changed British gastronomy. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-51856312

Joyce Gordon, apparently the first woman to wear glasses in a TV ad, has died at the age of 90. Her obituary is quite interesting. I'd probably recognize her voice, but had no idea how important and groundbreaking she was as a labor leader. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/arts/television/joyce-gordon-dead.html?algo=als2_desk_filter&fellback=false&imp_id=643219108&imp_id=483833483&action=click&module=editorsPicks&pgtype=Article&region=Footer

Original Supremes member Barbara Martin has died. She was 76. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51766812