2003-09-16 - 12:24 p.m. I've noticed a disturbing trend in the way the deaths of Johnny Cash and John Ritter are being observed in the media. And by media I mean everything except Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. The trend is basically: "Johnny Cash..legend...noble...so sad...John Ritter...[insert joke]..." Now I love Johnny Cash's music, and by all accounts the guy was cool, sincere, a real mensch. His contribution to the popular canon is important and he will certainly be missed. But, as self-appointed Mourning Police, I think Ritter's death is the more tragic (sudden and unexpected, at too young an age, leaving behind a young wife and kids), and it's sad that people think Ritter's career was some kind of joke. OK, yeah, there was Three's Company. But there was also his great turn as the preacher on The Waltons...his memorable performance in Sling Blade, and all the funny and inspired comic guest appearances on various shows. Remember him as the tennis-playing minister who married Ted & Georgette on The Mary Tyler Moore Show? OK, I'm finished. Back to more important topics, like, um... thoughts? (0 comments so far) previous - next blog archive contact