zed?

FITZ!

SPARKS!

Like many others, i was saddened by news of CNR’s passing. what saddened me further was the headline on AOL the following day “game show fixture passes”. no mention of his career as an actor, dancer, acting teacher etc.

I first saw him on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir way back when!

I liked him long before I knew what his mannerisms meant. RIP.

Edit: Never heard of the film but it looks really good! I’m gonna have to watch it.

He was a real legend in the old school sense of the term. He’s now joined the great cocktail party in the sky in progress, drink up! TING!

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

i started as a CNR fan in grade school- match game, mrs. muir, lidsville- but, of course i wasn’t clued into the whole gay thing. i thought that the funniest show on TV would have been anything with him and paul lynde, a veritable fagapalooza

I’ll never forget him and Dody Goodman spoofing Nelson and Happy Rockfeller in a number caleld “We’re Just Plain Folks” in Parade — a musical review Jerry Herman wrote long before Hello Dolly!

Back in the day there were two flamboyant gay men on TV: Paul Lynde and Charles Nelson Riley. America took both of them to its collective hearts. But backstage Lynde had one of the worst repuations in show business — nasty, resentful and self-loathing. Charles Nelson Riley on the other hand was utterly adored by one and all. If he ever had an enemy I’d surely love to hear from them.

Many years ago Riley and Robert Morse put out an album called “A Jolly Theatrical Season” where they sang novelty numbers from a host of shows, both famous and obscure.

David Ehrenstein @ 7

I’ll never forget him and Dody Goodman spoofing Nelson and Happy Rockfeller in a number caleld “We’re Just Plain Folks” in Parade — a musical review Jerry Herman wrote long before Hello Dolly!

Back in the day there were two flamboyant gay men on TV: Paul Lynde and Charles Nelson Riley. America took both of them to its collective hearts. But backstage Lynde had one of the worst repuations in show business — nasty, resentful and self-loathing. Charles Nelson Riley on the other hand was utterly adored by one and all. If he ever had an enemy I’d surely love to hear from them.

Many years ago Riley and Robert Morse put out an album called “A Jolly Theatrical Season” where they sang novelty numbers from a host of shows, both famous and obscure.

Actually Liberace was on TV enough to be the third flamboyantly gay star.

I just learned that Booman, the proprietor of Booman Tribune is in the hospital. You can light a virtual candle for him here.

You’re given the option to include a message, or, if you’re like me and your brain is kind of fried at the end of the work day, you can just light a virtual candle to let Booman know you’re thinking of him.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 5

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

Public service announcement for readers in Florida: Tropical Storm Barry

Bionic @ 3

I first saw him on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir way back when!

I liked him long before I knew what his mannerisms meant. RIP.

Edit: Never heard of the film but it looks really good! I’m gonna have to watch it.

Don’t get frustrated if you don’t find the film. It doesn’t have distribution yet. I think it plays this weekend or next at the Seattle Film Festival.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 5

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

Tornadoes, OKK? Stay safe.

like reilly, lynde had a hard life. he was a fatty as a child and, as a result, was horribly insecure. he lost the weight, but was horribly insecure for the rest of his life. every line from hollywood squares had to be written for him. his insecurity fueled his alcoholism, which led to his death at 55. his autopsy revealed that he had the liver of an 85-year-old man

Hi, Donitaaa!!!
Good luck with the film!
Donita, I posted a photo in your homage in my fotolog! Take a look!
http://ubbibr.fotolog.com/l7girl
Good weekend for you!!
You rock!

actually, theres a notice on reilly’s myspace page that talks of his final days, his passing etc. that mentions a fall release for the film

Oklahoma kiddo @ 5

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

Dan Hicks! Love it, thanks OKK.

Donitra,

Did you know Charles worked with Harry Nilsson on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir? (It was around the time — I think — Harry scored Skidoo.) Probably should have shown the outtakes of Charles and Harry and junked the filmed script.

I first saw CNR on Broadway in How To Succeed… then Hello Dolly!… and when he returned to New York to direct, a lot of us found our way to The Belle of Amherst, The Last of Lincoln and The Gin Game… all starring Julie Harris with whom he made his debut in Skyscraper.

I’ve read so much about this film and the play in the past few days. Thank you for your work in it. I’m hoping it develops a wonderful website and plenty of YouTube presence.

(One of the best of those sites is the one for “Who Is Harry Nilsson And Why Is Everyone Talking About Him?” — which despite great buzz, lots of hits and respected filmmakers still HASN’T found its distributor either as far as I know.)

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 10

Oklahoma kiddo @ 5

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

Public service announcement for readers in Florida: Tropical Storm Barry

Spent a lotta time in FLA and deep in the Caribbean. One thing that grabs my attention more than twisters is hurricanes.

9/11 survivor (sort of) @ 17

Donitra,

Did you know Charles worked with Harry Nilsson on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir? (It was around the time — I think — Harry scored Skidoo.) Probably should have shown the outtakes of Charles and Harry and junked the filmed script.

I first saw CNR on Broadway in How To Succeed… then Hello Dolly!… and when he returned to New York to direct, a lot of us found our way to The Belle of Amherst, The Last of Lincoln and The Gin Game… all starring Julie Harris with whom he made his debut in Skyscraper.

I’ve read so much about this film and the play in the past few days. Thank you for your work in it. I’m hoping it develops a wonderful website and plenty of YouTube presence.

(One of the best of those sites is the one for “Who Is Harry Nilsson And Why Is Everyone Talking About Him?” — which despite great buzz, lots of hits and respected filmmakers still HASN’T found its distributor either as far as I know.)

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll check it out.

Hey Donita,
A friend of mine saw you at the opening in North Hollywod. She thought she saw you with Loretta Switt? true?

[raising a glass]

To Elegance!

Damn, we lost another one of the good ones. I’ll find solice in a couple Makers Manhattans tonight, while I listen to the spin.

nicelyput @ 20

Hey Donita,
A friend of mine saw you at the opening in North Hollywod. She thought she saw you with Loretta Switt? true?

Well I wasn’t with her, but she was there. I thought that we had similar hair.

pwrye @ 22

Damn, we lost another one of the good ones. I’ll find solice in a couple Makers Manhattans tonight, while I listen to the spin.

Manhattans were his fave.

FYI, It’s the 40th birthday of St. Pepper’s.

spurious @ 12

Oklahoma kiddo @ 5

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

Tornadoes, OKK? Stay safe.

;0)

Margot @ 16

Oklahoma kiddo @ 5

Here’s the spin I’m in, ’cause we got rotations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=

Dan Hicks! Love it, thanks OKK.

;0)

Liberace? Gay? Well, I never… I guess that explains the dancing fountains and the flaming candelabra and…

Donita Sparks @ 25

FYI, It’s the 40th birthday of St. Pepper’s.

That would be Sgt. Pepper’s, right?

That movie looks great, D.

Peterr @ 29

Donita Sparks @ 25

FYI, It’s the 40th birthday of St. Pepper’s.

That would be Sgt. Pepper’s, right?

Opps, I meant St. Chilli Pepper’s

Donita Sparks @ 25

FYI, It’s the 40th birthday of St. Pepper’s.

Didn’t know that.

Talking about release dates of albums: Has it already been set when your album will be out (in Europe)? I didn’t find information on your official website(s).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpFF0G-b_-g

Norman Wagner @ 32

Donita Sparks @ 25

FYI, It’s the 40th birthday of St. Pepper’s.

Didn’t know that.

Talking about release dates of albums: Has it already been set when your album will be out (in Europe)? I didn’t find information on your official website(s).

Not sure yet. Still looking at labels. I’ll post info when I have it.
Thanks for asking.

Thanks for replying :-)

hey, donita, speaking of the chili peppers, if mike patton were in the band, would he be wearing a christmas stocking onstage? wink!

or you could have mike do a show with nudist priest- a veritable Bonehenge

Lidsville is the koo koo kookiest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOyG9WN9udI

Frank Black and the Kinks???

Donita, I’m starting to think you posted this just for me.

in a Manu Chao groove this week. (repeat links from yesterday)

My favorite Charles Nelson Reilly moments come in two recent two pieces:
The 3rd season X-Files episode “Jose Chung’s ‘From Outer Space,’ probably the loopiest and funniest X-Files episode ever made (it was by Darin Morgan). Reilly plays the title character, sci-fi writer Jose Chung.

And then, on Millennium, Darin Morgan wrote *and* directed Reilly in “Jose Chung’s Doomsday Defense,” a wonderful hour of TV.

He also had a role specifically written for him in the play “It’s Only a Play,” in which he plays an actor who is outraged when his performance is compared to… Charles Nelson Reilly’s.

eric the great @ 36

hey, donita, speaking of the chili peppers, if mike patton were in the band, would he be wearing a christmas stocking onstage? wink!

pantyhose. wink wink

Clusterfuck’s surge is showing great results- he killed 131 this month- trouble is- he’s killin his OWN troops.

the latest New Yorker has a long interview/profile of Paul McCartney with some interesting not-too-Paul-centric discussion of the Lennon/McCartney dynamic, the formative years, and the break-up.

There’s a funeral procession in Torrance, CA, right now for that fallen soldier, Anzack. (Live video)

hey, donita, i’ve got a couple of jokes for you:

if donita sparks and mike patton started a band, what would you call it? Pants No More.

what do donita sparks and mike patton have in common? packing a rod.

I like this one of CNR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q98WrVhaTg

Hi, Donita and Fini! I keep forgetting you are on later now… sorry.

I loved Charles Nelson Reilly. Watched a lot of “Match Game” in my youth. He and Brett Somers really had a blast. Fun to see.

I have been continuing my Xanadu on Broadway obsession, and two gay guys in CT did a podcast review in their car after seeing the preview. Made me feel like I was there!

Big hug to Jacqrat!!! And that’s a funny clip she has a link to.

I loved CNR from the time I saw him on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

Good luck with the film Donita.

Jacqrat @ 48

Hi, Donita and Fini! I keep forgetting you are on later now… sorry.

I loved Charles Nelson Reilly. Watched a lot of “Match Game” in my youth. He and Brett Somers really had a blast. Fun to see.

I have been continuing my Xanadu on Broadway obsession, and two gay guys in CT did a podcast review in their car after seeing the preview. Made me feel like I was there!

Hi Jacqrat, Ok, fill me in on Xanadu on Broadway again?. I’ve only seen one clip from the movie where everyone is rollerskating chanting “Xanadu, Xanadu”. Looks totally up my alley. I love the song too.

OT on Fred Thompson:

The examination will also include a look at his career in the Senate.

A veteran lobbyist said: “He was viewed as a lazy son of gun who would say at two in the afternoon, ‘I’m done.’ Can you name one major piece of legislation he authored? I can’t.”

Another lobbyist said: “I like Fred. But I’m not sure he has the energy to wage a long presidential campaign.”

LINK

Hi Donita! Your new songs that are in MySpace, will be available for download in your official site? When your new album will be out, I’ll import it… When it’ll be released in the USA?

thanks for noting the passing of CNR, I saw him many times growing up, thanks to a family who loved B’Way and a great-aunt who had been a vaudeville performer and knew the stage hands and dressers all over town.

It often startles people who only know of actors thru their film or tv work, to discover that they were first actors on stage.

I saw “Hello Dolly” countless times, with Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey all playing Dolly Levi, over its long run. Jerry Orbach, who is Lenny from L&O who always had that world-weary NYer wisecrack at the top of the show, was an actor and singer fer Cohan’s sake, in ‘The Fantastiks’ and ‘Hello Dolly’ and countless other plays and musicals.

The most appropriate tribute one could make to actors like CNR and Orbach, imho, would be to go to a local theatre performance, and take a kid or teen to an age-appropriate show, there’s still nothing like the thrill and intimacy of live theater.

RIP CNR, I hope the martinis are dry and cold, the gossip hot and your best friends and lovers are waiting there for you when you arrive.

Hi Bedbug! %)

Loo Hoo. @ 54

Hi Bedbug! %)

you talkin’ to me ? that’s “Thumbtack” to you, pal. :~)

Lew Koch is upstairs with more on the Padilla trial. (Hah! I got the Zed!)

Bob in HI

FYI, new thread

Donita Sparks @ 50

Hi Jacqrat, Ok, fill me in on Xanadu on Broadway again?. I’ve only seen one clip from the movie where everyone is rollerskating chanting “Xanadu, Xanadu”. Looks totally up my alley. I love the song too.

They’ve done an “Homage” to that weird 1980’s roller disco movie , Xanadu (starring Olivia Newton John but even MORE importantly – directed by ROBERT GREENWALD! (Yes, that Robert Greenwald)

The movie bombed (it was supposed to be the next big hit for ONJ, after GREASE…) but the soundtrack went double-platinum, with songs by Jeff Lynne of ELO and that Farrar guy that wrote ONJ hits.

Read the New York Magazine piece and check out their myspace page. There are some serious Xanadu freaks out there!

HUGS back to Millinery Man. He is a true HERO.

Jandira Ferreira @ 52

Hi Donita! Your new songs that are in MySpace, will be available for download in your official site? When your new album will be out, I’ll import it… When it’ll be released in the USA?

Yeah, if those two songs are any indication I think we are talking MAJOR HIT. I LOVE them. (so much that I want a DRESS made of out of them!)

margot at 16

Dan Hicks! Love it, thanks OKK.

saw him last year at jorma kaukonen’s fur peace ranch, he was incredible…….and he made me laugh. repeatedly. and he’s kinda sexy in person.

drive by-just got back into town, missed the lake………SPLASSSSSSSHHHHHHHH.

Jacqrat @ 59

Jandira Ferreira @ 52

Hi Donita! Your new songs that are in MySpace, will be available for download in your official site? When your new album will be out, I’ll import it… When it’ll be released in the USA?

Yeah, if those two songs are any indication I think we are talking MAJOR HIT. I LOVE them. (so much that I want a DRESS made of out of them!)

I agree with you! A dress? You will send it for me also! Haha!! When the new album of Donita will be released, I’ll buy imported! Her new songs don’t leave my mind! =D

dmac @ 60,
I don’t live too awfully far from there (I’m in-state, anyway) and I’ve always wanted to go see a performance there.
Sounds like fun!

margot

you really should go there! great venue, i had a season ticket last year…..don’t know who’s there this year…well, knew of a few, but didn’t go…..if you do go, look me up!

that reminds me, i need to check the concert schedule……furpeacestation.com. need to do that, have been meaning to……….concerts started in april, the spring got away from me.

Sorry, bad link (I linked to the second page of the NY Mag article by mistake)

Springtime for Xanadu

Clang clang clang went the………? I think he should have replaced A. Rose in GnR. CNR GNR Now that would have been a sight to see or hear?

Is the rumor true? Are you playing with Pearl Jam this summer?

Sid