This is the End of Garry’s Show

Garry Shandling, best remembered for defending the Avenger-riddled world of Marvel Comics films as Senator Stern, has died of a heart attack at the age of 66. Shandling wrote scripts for Sanford & Son and Welcome Back, Kotter before trying to find something more creatively fulfilling. Unable to find a good needlepoint class, he opted for stand-up comedy, updating Woody Allen’s angsty, whiny, neurotic Jew schtick for an ‘80s audience. He charted the traditional path to stand-up success from clubs to guest on The Tonight Show to guest host on The Tonight Show, and was one of several candidates as a permanent replacement for Johnny Carson. Shandling gave up waiting on Johnny’s retirement and opted for the deconstructed, fourth wall-breaking Showtime sitcom It’s Gary Shandling’s Show, then broke new ground with the behind-the-late night show scenes of The Larry Sanders Show. 

Paar for the Corpse

Props to Don for sharing my epitaphany
Or
Another Interruption 
 
Or
Six Feet Under Paar(Kudos for Greg)
Jack Paar, former host of the Tonight Show who brought intelligence and wit to late night television has died at the age of 85. Paar blended a unique combination of news and entertainment and politics, and the many highlights of his tenure included one of the first interviews by an American with Fidel Castro after the Cuban revolution, John F. Kennedy on the campaign trail, Robert F. Kennedy’s first interview after his brother’s assassination, recently-defeated presidential candidate Richard Nixon playing the piano and Cassius Clay singing, with piano accompaniment by Liberace. One of Paar’s most celebrated incidents came after NBC cut gag about a water closet, the ‘60s version of toilet humor, leading Paar to emotionally storm off the set in the middle of a show. He returned 5 weeks later after the network apologized. He strode on stage to thunderous applause, and as it ebbed, with perfect timing began, “As I was saying before I was interrupted." The one bright note is that at least Paar will no longer need to watch how far Jay Leno has lowered the standards for late night wit.

Props to Paar pickers newby Warren, ’03 bridesmaid Greg’s Team Quincy and perennial also-ran Joan-Marie. All of us who now are looking up in the standings at Joan-Marie should feel a deep, deep shame.

The return of the leaderboard:
1st Jennifer
1 hit, 20 points
2nd Warren
1 hit, 6.666667 points
(tie) Greg – Team Quincy
1 hit, 6.666667 points
(tie) Joan-Marie
1 hit, 6.666667 points
5th Everybody else