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A tale of two Johns
Sep. 12th, 2003 12:40 pmCash and Ritter. Two people who couldn't have been more different, yet I am deeply affected by both their deaths. Cash was not unexpected... listen to his latest album, see that video... in fact, I'm listening to said album right now. This is a man who knew he was dying. It makes the songs all the more powerful.
But John Ritter? What? Where the hell did that come from? I remember, I went to the Shakespeare Theater for some show (Hamlet, I think) and in the lobby during intermission there was Ritter and Henry Winkler, obviously taking a break from performing in Neil Simon's latest play. I walked right past them. Shit, I wish I saw that show now. Ritter was just on Conan O'Brien, the man was hilarious! I had no idea he could be so funny! He was telling a story about a viewer who complained because in one episode, for a split second, one of Ritter's tesitcles can be spotted escaping from those too-short-shorts of his. Ritter suggested that Nick at Night run both an edited version and the original, because "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't."
I only learned about the wonder of Cash a mere three months ago, when I saw the video for "Hurt." If you haven't seen it yet, go here: http://www.markromanek.com/video/14.html or here: http://www.nme.com/features/104451.htm and watch. You might hate country music, I sure as hell did and still do. It doesn't matter. Pay tribute to a great man.
As for Ritter, when I get home I'm going to rent "Sling Blade" and "Panic", two of his greatest "staight" (pun) roles. See the latter, especially. A wonderful indie flick with William H. Macy, Donald Sutherland, Neve Campbell, and Tracy Ullman. Ritter was a greatly underappreciated, and I for one will miss him.
But John Ritter? What? Where the hell did that come from? I remember, I went to the Shakespeare Theater for some show (Hamlet, I think) and in the lobby during intermission there was Ritter and Henry Winkler, obviously taking a break from performing in Neil Simon's latest play. I walked right past them. Shit, I wish I saw that show now. Ritter was just on Conan O'Brien, the man was hilarious! I had no idea he could be so funny! He was telling a story about a viewer who complained because in one episode, for a split second, one of Ritter's tesitcles can be spotted escaping from those too-short-shorts of his. Ritter suggested that Nick at Night run both an edited version and the original, because "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't."
I only learned about the wonder of Cash a mere three months ago, when I saw the video for "Hurt." If you haven't seen it yet, go here: http://www.markromanek.com/video/14.html or here: http://www.nme.com/features/104451.htm and watch. You might hate country music, I sure as hell did and still do. It doesn't matter. Pay tribute to a great man.
As for Ritter, when I get home I'm going to rent "Sling Blade" and "Panic", two of his greatest "staight" (pun) roles. See the latter, especially. A wonderful indie flick with William H. Macy, Donald Sutherland, Neve Campbell, and Tracy Ullman. Ritter was a greatly underappreciated, and I for one will miss him.
