Actor Gavin MacLeod and singer BJ Thomas died over the weekend.
If you look at MacLeod's resume on IMDB.com, you will see the history of American television comedy and drama.
Murray Slaughter, the news writer at Mary Tyler Moore's WJM was a great character. Trivia: MacLeod auditioned for the news director role, which went to Ed Asner. Murray was a consolation price and MacLeod hit it out of the park. The scenes where MacLeod and Betty White traded insults are classics. There is a MacLeod interview on YouTube. There is a great section on how he tried to bring "heart" to the Murray character. He succeeded.
"Love Boat" wasn't my cup of tea, but you cannot diminish the series' staying power-- nearly 250 episodes. A series like that needs and anchor, pardon the pun, and MacLeod was it.
Gavin MacLeod appeared in four "Hogan's Heroes" episodes, playing a different German officer in each one.
He was funny and funny isn't easy.
BJ Thomas had a smooth voice and he was a success on both the pop and country charts. Even though "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" was everywhere, all the time, on radio in 1970, it was a song what had staying power. You never got sick of it. "Raindrops" is one of those songs where you instantly recall the words, even if you haven't heard it in years.
There were several other hits, all easy on the ears, all can make you happy, and make you think a little.
Do the old man a favor. Listen to "Rock and Roll Lullaby" for me. Thank you.
MacLeod was 90. Thomas was 78. It was extra sad to lose both on the same weekend.
