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High-profile deaths boggled the mind

BY MARK SCHANTZ

SUNCOAST NEWS COLUMNIST

Published: July 4, 2009

Last week just boggled the mind. Viewers of cable television news networks might have thought only His Holy Eminence, the Archbishop of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away, but there were so many others who touched our hearts.

Ed McMahon, who died last week, came into our homes every night as Johnny Carson's sidekick on the "Tonight Show." His demeanor, as the neighbor who always offered a laugh imitating W.C. Fields, during a bygone era when television was part of the family, made him a national friend of millions.

A few days later locally based TV pitchman Billy Mays suddenly passed away, making one wonder, with Mays and McMahon, what crazy shopping network is planned in heaven.

Farrah Fawcett, the All-American poster supermodel, who many of us also grew up with and dreamed about, also died last week.

A modern-day Marilyn Monroe, she proved true beauty, spirit, talent, passion, strength and resilience never fades, even when battling cancer.

Of course, if one watched the endless coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, especially on CNN and Fox News, one would think we only lost one national treasure in the so-called King of Pop.

Admittedly I was never a Jackson fan. I could never relate to his shrill voice, dance music that all sounds alike and doesn't seem to have any depth or real meaning. Can you really compare his "Billy Jean" or "Thriller" to songs by Elton John, Bruce Springsteen or even Elvis? I don't think so.

The Pop King's dance moves also seemed very predictable; arms out, arms down, grab your...um...zipper, turn your head, squeal and grab your zipper again.

Then there was his little problem at Jackson's Neverland Ranch, allegedly helping little boys earn some sort of merit badge? I don't want to know.

But yet to watch CNN the entertainment industry might as well give it up.

It just goes to show how the power of the popular culture media orchestrates our lives and decides who should be our daily icons.

It also reminds us to cherish each day because you never know which will be the last.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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