On Friday, the sudden death of former child star Gary Coleman at 42, who was best known as Arnold on "Diff'rent Strokes" where he coined the show's catchphrase "Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?" Coleman died after suffering from a brain hemorrhage for a couple days at his home outside Salt Lake City and was taken off life support at a nearby hospital.
Besides "Diff'rent Strokes", which lasted a total of eight seasons on NBC and later ABC, Coleman also had his own Saturday morning cartoon show that ran for one season. But after his hit show left the air, Gary fell into the same doldrums of other child stars: going from the A-list to D-list with guest roles on other shows while attempting to reclaim the luster he lost. He even worked as a security guard and in 2003, he tried to follow in the footsteps of Jesse Ventura by running for California governor; that didn't work.
And just like his fellow co-stars Todd Bridges and Dana Plato (the latter died in 1999), Coleman was also plagued with a series of other problems including filing for bankruptcy in 1999 and even suicide attempts. He wed Shannon Price in 2007, but that marriage was kept a secret until the two went on "Divorce Court" the following year.
Now I definitely remember "Diff'rent Strokes", and let me tell you...that show had "troubled youth" written all over it. But if it wasn't for Gary Coleman's character, we wouldn't have had Jaleel White's Steve Urkel cementing its place in pop culture lore. At least the two will live on as long as we're still living.
And on Saturday, we've also learned that actor Dennis Hopper ("Easy Rider", "Hoosiers", "Colors", "Speed") has died from complications of prostate cancer; he was 74.
By the way...hours after the sad news of Coleman's passing came the happy news that Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag splitting up. But let's move on to more serious news, like...
The latest on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill as President Obama made his second visit to the Louisiana coast on Friday; it has now eclipsed the Exxon Valdez in 1989 as the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
For over 40 days now, BP has been doing everything in their power to end the spill as hurricane season is about to be underway. But the aftereffects are already being felt, with the seafood industry the hardest hit as costs are expected to be its highest ever and fishing season up and down the coasts canceled.
This week was finale week for two of television's top-rated shows: "Dancing With The Stars" and "American Idol." First, "Idol" as 24 million viewers cared less about Lee DeWyze taking the crown (in an upset over favorite Crystal Bowersox, who broke up with her boyfriend before the finale) and more about saying farewell to Simon Cowell after being part of the show since day one. Among those who helped in the goodbye: Paula Abdul -- who's returning to television this fall fronting a new dance competition show for CBS -- and almost all the past "Idol" winners including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Kris Allen; David Cook was doing a charity event in Kansas City. By the way, 24 million viewers was the lowest-rated finale in the show's history, a tell-tale sign that we don't care anymore. Despite that, "American Idol" for the sixth season in a row now remains television's #1 program.
Meanwhile, it was Doll domination as Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough took the mirror ball trophy on "Dancing With The Stars." That finale also brought back all of this season's contestants including the most talked about of all, Kate Gosselin. Around 18 million viewers tuned in for all that, and next season, it and "NCIS" may be one of the two shows out for "Idol's" blood now that Simon's gone.
And last but not least: The two hosts of those shows, Ryan Seacrest and Tom Bergeron, have been watched by more viewers than ever before, though they are already broadcasting veterans. But there are times we hate one show and prefer the other, so who's really the host with the most? Let's settle the score right now with my fourth...
Yes, after doing the ladies three times before (Kirsten Dunst vs. Natalie Portman in 2002, Amanda Bynes vs. Hilary Duff in 2004, and Megan Fox vs. Angelina Jolie last year) it's the guys' turn now!
Where they got their starts:
Tom Bergeron: WHAV in Haverhill, Mass.
Ryan Seacrest: WSTR in Atlanta, Ga.
Advantage: Draw; it all began for them at their hometowns
First television gigs:
Bergeron: WBZ-TV in Boston where he hosted "Lottery Live" and "People Are Talking"
Seacrest: "Radical Outdoor Challenge" on ESPN and the syndicated "Gladiators 2000"
Advantage: Bergeron
Biggest national break:
Bergeron: The FX cable channel with "Breakfast Time" (it later moved to the main Fox network and became "Fox After Breakfast")
Seacrest: The game show "Click" created and produced by the late Merv Griffin
Advantage: Bergeron, because he had a show on Fox before Seacrest!
Accolades:
Bergeron: An Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy for "Hollywood Squares" in 2000 (tying with Bob Barker), though he was nominated five times
Seacrest: None, though he hosted the 2007 Primetime Emmys (which became a fast-forward fest)
Advantage: Bergeron
When they're not doing their prime jobs:
Bergeron: "America's Funniest Home Videos" (now on five times a week), the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and kicking back at his East Coast home in Connecticut
Seacrest: "American Top 40", "E! News", "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest", and "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" on the radio (the television version was short-lived. Oh, he's also a television producer.
Advantage: Seacrest, though he has yet to pen a book like Bergeron did
Sign-off phrases:
Bergeron: None, though he always begins "Dancing With The Stars" with "LIIIIIIVVVEE!!! This is Dancing...With The STARS!!!!"
Seacrest: "Seacrest...out!"
Advantage: Draw
Shameless self-promotion:
Bergeron: None
Seacrest: Scope mouthwash commercials
Advantage: Bergeron, he would never stoop low to pushing dental hygiene products!
Tom Bergeron: WHAV in Haverhill, Mass.
Ryan Seacrest: WSTR in Atlanta, Ga.
Advantage: Draw; it all began for them at their hometowns
First television gigs:
Bergeron: WBZ-TV in Boston where he hosted "Lottery Live" and "People Are Talking"
Seacrest: "Radical Outdoor Challenge" on ESPN and the syndicated "Gladiators 2000"
Advantage: Bergeron
Biggest national break:
Bergeron: The FX cable channel with "Breakfast Time" (it later moved to the main Fox network and became "Fox After Breakfast")
Seacrest: The game show "Click" created and produced by the late Merv Griffin
Advantage: Bergeron, because he had a show on Fox before Seacrest!
Accolades:
Bergeron: An Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy for "Hollywood Squares" in 2000 (tying with Bob Barker), though he was nominated five times
Seacrest: None, though he hosted the 2007 Primetime Emmys (which became a fast-forward fest)
Advantage: Bergeron
When they're not doing their prime jobs:
Bergeron: "America's Funniest Home Videos" (now on five times a week), the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and kicking back at his East Coast home in Connecticut
Seacrest: "American Top 40", "E! News", "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest", and "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" on the radio (the television version was short-lived. Oh, he's also a television producer.
Advantage: Seacrest, though he has yet to pen a book like Bergeron did
Sign-off phrases:
Bergeron: None, though he always begins "Dancing With The Stars" with "LIIIIIIVVVEE!!! This is Dancing...With The STARS!!!!"
Seacrest: "Seacrest...out!"
Advantage: Draw
Shameless self-promotion:
Bergeron: None
Seacrest: Scope mouthwash commercials
Advantage: Bergeron, he would never stoop low to pushing dental hygiene products!
In the end, I have my score: Tom Bergeron 6, Ryan Seacrest 1.
It's the decades of experience that makes you the true king of all media (sorry, Howard Stern), and Tom Bergeron has triumphed Ryan Seacrest over that. I am too old for "American Idol", and I have a feeling that with Simon Cowell now gone, it won't be the #1 TV show for long. And besides, Bergeron's suaveness is more tolerable and camera-friendly than Seacrest's smugness, which explains why he's been at the game longer than him. But then again, Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli are "Dancing With The Stars'" answer to Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson respectively, and as they remain one of the top-rated shows, it will prove to a point that judging always comes in threes...though Carrie Ann is quite a looker, and I would give her a "10!" And yes, guys, she's single.
So long, stay strong, and enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day Weekend.
It's the decades of experience that makes you the true king of all media (sorry, Howard Stern), and Tom Bergeron has triumphed Ryan Seacrest over that. I am too old for "American Idol", and I have a feeling that with Simon Cowell now gone, it won't be the #1 TV show for long. And besides, Bergeron's suaveness is more tolerable and camera-friendly than Seacrest's smugness, which explains why he's been at the game longer than him. But then again, Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli are "Dancing With The Stars'" answer to Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson respectively, and as they remain one of the top-rated shows, it will prove to a point that judging always comes in threes...though Carrie Ann is quite a looker, and I would give her a "10!" And yes, guys, she's single.
So long, stay strong, and enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day Weekend.
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