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Monday, February 27, 2006

Darren McGavin 1922-2006

I was saddened to hear of the death of yet another TV icon, Darren McGavin, on Saturday at the age of 83.

Looking at his obituary, I was astonished to see how varied his career had been with roles in film and TV and ranging from comedy to drama. Of course, he was wonderful as the grouchy father in "A Christmas Carol"...remember "Not a finger!"... I had forgotten his Emmy-winning role as Murphy Brown's dad.

As a sci fi fan, I thought his most memorable role was the Night Stalker, as the porkpie hat wearing, monster chasing reporter, Carl Kolchak. Night Stalker fans delighted in his X-Files appearance as Arthur Dales, an agent retired from the X-Files, but who we all saw as Kolchak.

*sigh*

All in all, it was a very sad weekend for TV fans everywhere

14 comments:

  1. Yeah, I agree. I loved Night Stalker. The new one just didnt do it for me(or anyone else I guess). It is a sobering thought that all my "heros" are dying off. Wathcing some of the old movies on TCM makes me wonder who will be next? At least we still have them in reruns somewhere.

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  2. With the advent of DVDs, we don't have to rely on reruns anymore. Thanks, technology.

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  3. Darren McGavin & Don Knotts... will be missed. : (

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  4. I'm so glad someone else remembers Kolchak, that's the first thing I thought of when I saw he'd passed. That was a neat old show.

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  5. jeez... just saw this...
    "Actor Dennis Weaver has died of cancer, his publicist says - More soon" : (

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  6. Just heard it myself. Another TV icon. Remember Gunsmoke & McCloud?

    Weaver was currently playing the wise grandfatherly type in a new series, Wildfire. I wonder if they'll work his death into the show?

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  7. Gunsmoke, yes!

    It's weird how they say things happen in threes, unsettling too, when it's close to home. : (

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  8. I second that, cube. He and Colleen Dewhurst (also taken from us far too soon) were incredible as the parents (on Murphy Brown)... RIP

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  9. Weaver was great in the movie "Duel", an early Spielberg opus.

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  10. His role as the dad in A Christnas Story was so funny.
    I love how the kid picked up cussing from his dad, and has to say that he heard that cuss word from a friend instead of ratting out his dad.
    That movie is a classic & his role is one reason it's so good.

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  11. I LOVED him in A Christmas Story!

    "Frageelei..."

    "Honey, I think that spells, Fragile."

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  12. I know what you mean. He was great as the Christmas Story dad, but with me, I think it's similar to the imprinting that occurs in nimals. I was exposed to McGavin as Kolchak first & I'll always see him as that first.

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  13. That's animals by the way. Sometimes my typing skills resemble the critical thinking skills of the Beck man ;-)

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  14. tlm: I remember. Colleen Dewhurst was wonderful as Murphy's mom. Great casting with both her parents, unlike that with the new Bond.

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