Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Who was Estelle Scher?

Who was Estelle Scher?The world knew her by her stage name of Estelle Getty. Estelle Scher was born July 25, 1923 in New York City. She was the daughter of Sarah and Charles Scher, Jewish immigrants from Poland who worked in the glass business.[2] Getty got her start in the Yiddish theater and also as a comedienne in the Catskills borscht belt resorts, and among her most notable stage roles was as Harvey Fierstein's mother in Torch Song Trilogy during its original Broadway run. She is best known for her role as Sophia Petrillo on the popular 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls. Her character was the wise-cracking Sicilian mother of Dorothy Zbornak, played by Beatrice Arthur (the other main characters being played by Betty White and Rue McClanahan); in real life, Getty was in fact one year younger than Arthur.
Toward the end of her career, she wrote an autobiography, with Steve Delsohn, titled If I Knew Then, What I Know Now... So What? (Contemporary Books, 1988).[2]



Getty was married to Arthur Gettleman (from whose name she adapted into her stage name) from 1947 until his death in 2004. Getty had two sons: Carl Gettleman, who lives in California, and Barry Gettleman, who lives in Florida.[3]
In 1991, as later reported in Star magazine, Getty helped to nurse her 29-year-old nephew Steven Scher, who was near death and suffering from the final stages of AIDS.[citation needed] Because Scher's parents lived in England and his friends were no longer able to care for him in Greensboro, North Carolina, Getty had him flown to California and admitted to hospice care. He died in January 1992.
In 2000, Getty stopped making public appearances after revealing she had Parkinson's disease and osteoporosis. In 2002, media reports claimed she was also suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Doctors later discovered she actually had Lewy body dementia; both the Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diagnoses were incorrect.[3] In 2003, Lifetime television hosted a Golden Girls reunion, but Getty did not appear due to her failing health.

American actress Estelle Getty died at age 84 On July 22, 2008, at approximately 5:30 a.m. PDT, Getty died in her Hollywood Boulevard home in Los Angeles from natural causes (according to her manager), three days before her 85th birthday.[4][5][6]
Each of Getty's former Golden Girls co-stars did not attend Getty's funeral, but did reflect upon her death: Rue McClanahan told the Associated Press, "Don't feel sad about her passing. She will always be with us in her crowning achievement, Sophia." Bea Arthur said in a statement, "Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her." Betty White remarked, "The only comfort at this moment is that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us."[6]
In honor of Getty, Lifetime TV – which airs The Golden Girls – aired ten episodes of the series featuring the best of Sophia on Friday, July 25. Fans voted for their favorite episode on Lifetime's website. The episode "Old Friends" received the most votes and was aired last during the marathon.

Getty had won 2 Emmy Awards, although she was nominated 10 times.

The handprints of Estelle Getty in front of The Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
1986 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)

1987 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)
1988 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Won)
1989 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)
1990 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)
1991 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)
1992 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)

Golden Globe Awards
1985 – Actress in a Leading Role – Musical or Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)
1986 – Actress in a Leading Role – Musical or Comedy Series – The Golden Girls – (Won)
1991 – Actress in a Supporting Role – Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie – The Golden Girls – (Nominated)

Golden Raspberry Awards
1992 - Worst Supporting Actress - Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (Won)

Filmography
Tootsie (1982)
Mask (1985)
Mannequin (1987)
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
Stuart Little (1999)

Television
Copacabana (1985)
The Golden Girls (173 episodes, 1985–1992)
Empty Nest (2 episodes, 1988–1991; regular, 1993-1995)
The Golden Palace (24 episodes, 1992–1993)

American actress Estelle Getty died
at age 84 from advance stages of dementia July 22, 2008, at approximately 5:30 a.m. PDT, Getty died in her Hollywood Boulevard home in Los Angeles from natural causes (according to her manager), three days before her 85th birthday.



Each of Getty's former Golden Girls co-stars did not attend Getty's funeral, but did reflect upon her death: Rue McClanahan told the Associated Press, "Don't feel sad about her passing. ."She will always be with us in her crowning achievement, Sophia." Bea Arthur said in a statement, "Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her." Betty White remarked, "The only comfort at this moment is that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us.








She was nominated eight times for the emmy ward and she won it twice.
















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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Bob Kevoian & TomGriswold




Genre
comedy, talk
Running time
6 A.M.-10:00 A.M. (10:15 locally) EST
Country
United States
Home station
WFBQ Indianapolis, Indiana
Starring
Bob Kevoian, Tom Griswold,Kristi LeeChick McGee
Executive producers
Marty Bender
Air dates
March 7, 1983 to date (local)
Websitebobandtom.com
Podcast.../gen3/podcast_main.htm
The Bob & Tom Show is a syndicated US radio program established by Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold at radio station WFBQ in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1983, and syndicated nationally since 1995.
Being owned by Clear Channel Communications, a media conglomerate which owns more than a thousand radio stations, the program enjoys extensive penetration. The program has frequently received recognition by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) as an exemplar in American radio.[1]

The show is hosted by Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold; they are joined by Chick McGee who acts as sports commentator as well as comic foil, and Kristi Lee, the shows news anchor and occasional target of the show's humor. The show is a comedy variety show with significant interaction with their listeners. Each day, there are usually several guests on the show, including many comedians seeking a national fan base, but also sports stars, rich debutantes and other celebrities and pseudo-celebrities. During the show, pre-recorded comic songs and skits are often played, including many from a large library of archived pieces. The show airs 6 A.M.-10 A.M. EST on all the affiliate stations. There is another 15 minute segment that ends at 10:15 EST, only on home station WFBQ. They organize and support the Bob and Tom Radio: The Comedy Tour shows. They are well known for their charitable work. The 50+ albums they have produced since 1986 have generated millions of dollars, of which a large portion has been donated to various charities. The Bob and Tom Show sponsors a Bob and Tom monster truck.
In October it has become tradition for Chick to get a prostate exam on the air to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Bob and Tom promote this exam as "Proctober". The on-air exam was missed in 2006 and 2007. Another butt check scheduled for 2008 [3] In August Kenny Tarmac received multiple taser shots for a fund raising event called "Tase the Tar" to raise fund for local police department and to raise the awareness for slower witted criminals of the effects of being tased multiple times. Hundreds of people turned out who contributed thousands of dollars to have the Tar Tased. Bob and Tom have sponsored numerous donations of their CDs and other items to military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan in conjunction a large sponsor of Bob's Discount Furniture [4] Bob and Tom sponsored, in conjunction with the VFW, a June fireworks fundraiser. Over $34,000 were raised by the sale of fireworks to help the Iraqi solders [5].
Common characters and parodies
Many fictional characters and parodies of real-life people have sprung up during the show's history, some voiced by Bob Kevoian, Tom Griswold, Chick McGee and producer Dean Metcalf. Their website also lists Steve Salge and Ron Sexton. [2]

Frequent callers
Donnie Baker (Ron Sexton)
Floyd the Truck Driver (Ron Sexton)
Jumbo the Elephant (Dean Metcalf)
Jack Bauer ("24" -- TV Series) (Steve Salge)
Kenny Tarmac (Ron Sexton)
Oprah (Ron Sexton)
Larry King (Steve Salge)
President Bush (both of them) (Steve Salge)
Al Gore (Steve Salge)
Barack Obama (Steve Salge)
Former President Bill Clinton (Steve Salge)
Hillary Clinton (Ron Sexton)
Other callers
Ernie Furglar (owner of Furglar's Hardware Store) (Steve Salge)
Sir Charles (Charles Barkley) (Ron Sexton)
Dr. Phil (Ron Sexton)
Morgan Freeman (from The Shawshank Redemption) (Ron Sexton)
Abraham Lincoln (Ron Sexton)
Senator Kennedy (Steve Salge)
Jerry Jones (Ron Sexton)
The Pope (always in a stereotypical Italian accent) (Dean Metcalf)
Herm Johnson (St. Petersburg snowbird) (Steve Salge)
Fleegal (Ron Sexton)
The Barrytones (Dean Metcalf and others)
James Gandolfini (As Tony Soprano) (Ron Sexton)
Chevy Chase (Ron Sexton)
The Voice of God (As George Burns) (Steve Salge)
Vadimar Putin (Dean Metcalf)
Kim Jong Il (Steve Salge)
Currently Featured:
Kenny Tarmac Kenny Tarmac embodies that annoying person on your flight with an over-inflated sense of self-worth who feels the need to demonstrate to everyone how important he is by loudly calling someone just as the plane lands. He always uses airport abbreviations while referring to his locations to further illustrate just how busy and important he is. He always calls Bob & Tom when he lands, and he always gets another call while talking to them. Notable Quotes "Hey shooter!" "We just landed at ATL." "Hang on, I got a call on my other phone." "I know...I know" "I wouldn't snort that..." "Whoa, whoa, WHOA!" "Bitch" "I'd hit that" "Surfs up" "Gyalwang Drukpa" "Like the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" "Bazooka Joe!"
Donnie Baker Baker regularly makes topical calls to the show. He relates anecdotes involving a good friend who had a semi-relevant experience, usually ending in a lewd or scatological punch-line. Most of his calls are punctuated by a tagline like, "I swear to God," or "Look it up..." Sometimes, Donnie is corrected, or told to get off the phone by Randy, his work supervisor, after which he always yells "Shut up Randy!". His calls usually end abruptly, and always by him saying, "...I gotta go.". Notable Quotes " I swear to God..." "They have to, it's a state law" "...look it up." "Hey do you know (random name)?" "NO, IT AIN'T!" "Shut up Randy!" "Shut up Bob!" "Shut up Tom!" "Shut up Donnie!" "Shut yo mouth!" "Gosh Darn it" "Whaaaa?" "What you talk'n about!" "Fried pickles and turnips" "Everybody knows it!" "I had Tommy Johns surgery on both knees!"

Discography
My Job Sucks! Donnie Baker (Summer 2008)
We Just Landed (Fall 2007)
State Law (Fall 2007 - part of WJL package)
Radio Rations (Fall 2007 through USO to deployed military personnel)
Man Boobs (Fall 2006)
Shut Up Randy
Operation Radio (Second recent troop-only release)
Donkey Show
Fuzzy Clams
Happy Hour
Coke Whores
Boat For Sale Donnie Baker (Fall 2005)
The Mr. Obvious Show (Fall 2005)
A Radio Institution (Summer 2005 troop release that went public)
Side Show (Fall 2004)
Odd Balls (Fall 2004)
Free Beer For All(Spring 2004)
Mistletoe (Fall 2003)
Camel Toe (Fall 2003)
Wild About Harry (Fall 2003)
Uncensored (Fall 2003)
Trampstamps and Piece of Ass (Spring 2003)
Bob & Tom Gone Wild (Fall 2002)
Piggly Wiggly's Butt Floss Store (Spring 2002)
Red, White and Blue Balls (Spring 2002)
Radiogram (Fall 2001)
We’re Still Standing Tall (Fall 2001)
The Election Collection (Fall 2000)
You Guys Rock (Fall 2000)
Indiana Rocks (Spring 2000)
Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (Fall 1999)
Phon' It In (Fall 1999)
Back in '98 (Fall 1998)
They Get Paid For That? (Fall 1997)
Gimme an "F" (Fall 1997)
Fun House (Summer 1997)
It's A Wonderful Laugh (Fall 1996)
Factory Air (Spring 1996)
Planet Bob & Tom (Fall 1995)
Are you F*ing Kidding? (Spring 1995)
Checkered Past (Spring 1995)
Canned Laughter (Fall 1994)
Good Ol’ Boys (Summer 1994)
Air Bags (Spring 1994)
Hot Wings Are Yummy (Spring 1994)
Lollapaloozers (Fall 1993)
Laugh In The Fast Lane (Spring 1993)
Indiana...More Interesting than Ohio (Spring 1993)
We Three Kings (Fall 1992)
Smell The Finger (Fall 1992)
Motordickheads (Spring 1992)
Airheads (Fall 1991)
Not Boring (Fall 1991)
Just Skiddin’ (Spring 1991)
Twin Geeks (Fall 1990)
Blow Me Fast and Hard (Fall 1990)
Farting for Fun and Pleasure (Spring 1990)
Find My Keys & We’ll Drive Out (Spring 1990)
With A Little Help From My Friends (Fall 1989)
Rollin' With Strawberry Fields (Fall 1989)
Bigger than God (Spring 1989)
It’s A New Track Record (Spring 1989)
Last Train To Whiskeyville (Fall 1988)
Dick'n the Bush (Fall 1988)
At The Race (Spring 1988)
The Blue Album (Fall 1987)
Shabbey Road (Fall 1987)
Booze Haze (Spring 1987)
Why Drug are Fun (Fall 1986)
The White Album (Fall 1986)



Awards
In 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2006, Bob & Tom were recipients of the Marconi Award from the NAB. Their show is the only five time Marconi Award winner.
From 1991 to 1998, Bob & Tom received The Billboard Magazine Radio Personality of the Year award.
In 1993, Bob & Tom received Regional Individual or Duo Radio Personality of Caucasian Persuasion (Mid-West market) of the Year award. [6]
In 1995, Bob Kevoian became a Master Mason
In 1994, Bob & Tom were named Sagamores of the Wabash, the state of Indiana's highest honor.
In 1996 and 2000, the show was awarded the National Chairman's Citation Award from the Leukemia Society of America.
In 2000, 2001, and 2003, Bob & Tom received the Radio & Records Classic Rock Personality of the Year Award.[7]
In 2003 awarded Canada's prestigious The Green Team Challenge from L'actualit Group for their work for raising funds to donate 5 hectacres in Grand Codroy Estuary Refuge [8]
In 2005 became Cultural Fellows in Ladakhi culture as presented by His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa[9]
In 2006 Bob & Tom were named honorary Kentucky Colonels for all their charity work. [10]

Friday, August 22, 2008

Who is Bruce Church?

Who is Bruce Church? The comedy world knows him by his stage name of Bruce Bruce.

Bruce Church was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but the date of his birth is a closely guarded secret. Bruce always knew he was funny, but he and his family never thought of it as something he could do professionally to make a living.

"That's why we have to start paying attention to our kids," Bruce said in an interview with Tavis Smiley on National Public Radio (NPR). Bruce developed his comedy skills as he watched his uncles. They also had the ability to keep the family in stitches. Bruce would joke about them around the house and emulate them and the comedians he saw on television.

He is an American actor/stand-up comedian from Atlanta, Georgia. He has performed stand-up on BET's Comic View, on various shows on Comedy Central and even performed on Comedy Central Presents in 2003. Bruce appeared as a guest on Nick Cannon's Wild 'N Out on MTV. Also played an important role in promoting Def Comedy Jam, a black stand up comedy in the all stars volume 11. He also had roles in the films XXX: State of the Union, The Wash, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector and most recently Outkast's new big screen debut Idlewild.

Bruce Bruce also appeared as the vicar for Teddy Long and Kristal Marshall's wedding on the September 21, 2007 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown He is well known to audiences from his two-year stint of the host of BET's "Comic View" as well as the host of BET's "Coming to the Stage." In addition to touring nationally with his standup and appearing in films, Bruce signed on as the national spokesperson for Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits . A well-known fan of the popular franchise, Bruce is the star of their "Stand-Up for Flavor" commercials. And now, Bruce Bruce can also add author to his list of credits. Bruce recently released his first book Baby James Brown from Penguin Publishing.




All comedians want to be funny, but few can be described as truly hilarious. Bruce Bruce can claim the elusive ability to make audiences break into laughter not only during his performances, but also for hours afterwards as they recall the things he says. Bruce is irreverent and lovable at the same time, with a girth to match his huge personality and stage presence. Bruce arrived on the comedy scene with a natural talent that eventually garnered the highest ratings ever as host for Black Entertainment Television (BET) on its tenth anniversary Comic View program. He is so good at comedy he makes it look effortless. With a passion for his craft, he infects his fans with laughter, leaving them wanting more.



Prior to his comedy circuit debut, Bruce worked as a barbeque chef for several years. He grilled rib bones as he tickled the funny bones of his customers. Next he worked for Frito-Lay, selling their products, stocking shelves, and performing at corporate meetings. He told Smiley that he "ate as much as he sold," but people laughed the whole time. During that period Bruce met a man at work that he once though to be racist. The man called Bruce into his office one day and urged him to try his comedy on stage. He had listened to Bruce's jokes for some time and was convinced Bruce could use his talents for profit. Bruce followed the man's advice and, from the first time he stepped on stage, he realized that comedy was the path his life should take.
In the early 1990s, Bruce landed a regular gig performing in Atlanta at the Comedy Act Theater. It was during this time that he caught the eye of talent scouts at BET. BET's Coast to Coast program's search for comedy talent found Bruce as he auditioned several times at various venues around Atlanta. He was determined to get the show's attention and make the cut. BET took notice and televised three of his routines. His next break came when he won a spot on HBO's popular Def Comedy Jam television show in 1992, a solid sign that his star was rising in the business of comedy. In 1994 Bruce appeared on Showtime at the Apollo, hosted by comedian Steve Harvey. Bruce was now appearing with big names in the business. His performance earned him two more invitations to return in 1995. At the same time his appearances on the comedy club circuit multiplied.


Bruce, who is sometimes referred to as the "mayor of comedy," cites Milton Berle, Rodney Dangerfield, Flip Wilson, and Cedric the Entertainer among his personal favorites. Describing his own style as "old-school" comedy, Bruce's honest humor and improvisational style have earned him lots of fans. Bruce's over-the-top ratings for his performance as host of BET's tenth anniversary Comic View show in 2001 scored him a return engagement to host the same show in 2002. His talent appeals to many. Although he can keep his comedy clean, eliminating profanity, and still make his audience laugh, Bruce is equally skilled at delivering adult humor. He just doesn't believe a comedian has to be risqué to be funny.

Bruce's talents have led him to work in television, music videos, and the movies. In 1996 he appeared in Quad City DJ's "Come On Ride the Train" music video. In 2001 he played the part of DeWayne, a rent-a-cop, in the feature film The Wash, alongside Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. The story follows the antics of a guy who gets a job washing cars to pay the rent and get the boot off his car. In 2003, Comedy Central showcased his talents on its Comedy Central Presents: Bruce Bruce Show. During that same year, he made the video Bruce Bruce Live and appeared with the popular singing group, OutKast, in their video So Fresh, So Clean. It was a very successful year for Bruce. He also played the role of Pastor Gregory in The Sunday Morning Stripper, a movie about a financially strapped church that finds unconventional ways to raise funds, and he performed in the Latham Entertainment Presents video. In 2004 Bruce played the role of Lime Pimp in the movie Hair Show, and the role of Maurice in xXx: State of the Union in 2005 with Willem Dafoe and Ice Cube.

Bruce is multi-dimensional and, as his popularity grows, he seems to appear just about everywhere. He took his live comedy to the Laffapalooza Festival in Atlanta from 1999–2002, the Black Film Festival in Acapulco in 2001, the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen in 2002, and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in both 2002 and 2003. Bruce continues to travel the comedy circuit with a multi-state tour in 2005, including a stop at Chicago's Arie Crown Theater. Well aware of his popularity, Popeye's Chicken tapped Bruce for its Popeye's Naked Chicken commercial and the group Ying Yang Twins sang about Bruce in their hit song "Salt Shaker." Bruce should be laughing louder than any of his fans … all the way to the bank. His autobiography, Baby James Brown, was published in 2005, detailing his life and dispensing hilarious observations about it. In addition he began a job as the regular host of a new show, BET's Coming to the Stage, in 2005. Bruce also designs clothing. A dapper dresser, Bruce creates his own wardrobe, from his suits to his shoes. In 2004, Bruce revealed the compassionate side of his personality by asking his audiences to donate teddy bears for later distribution at a children's hospital. The ladies in his audience loved it, and he doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.

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Who is Luigi "Geno" Auriemma?

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