George Segal (1934-2021)

Posted on March 24, 2021 by AverageAndy

Wonder why some actors make you think of a particular movie just by  hearing there name.  When I think of George Segal, I immediacy think of the movie “Rollercoaster”.    I must have watched if 50 times on  HBO as a kid.  Its one  of those moves that just pops into my mind once in a while, and then I check to see if its available somewhere on-demand.   I might have to check today as George Segal has passed away at the age of 87     

George Segal (1934-2021)

I had just seen him in a small roll in the John Cusack movie “2012”.   Would have probably ended up watching Rollercoaster in the coming weeks.   Now I most defiantly will

RIP George Segal.  You will  be missed

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Another sad day – RIP Yaphet Kotto

Posted on March 16, 2021 by AverageAndy

Sad to see the passing of actor Yaphet Kotto. Liked him in “Alien” and in the James Bond Movie “Live and Let Die”. Once of those recognizable actors who played great characters over the years

He did sign a few cards for Rittenhouse including one for James Bonds “Live and Let Die”. Mad I never picked up one of his auto cards. Will defiantly look for one at the next card show I attend (Hopefully in the fall as more people get vaccinated and venues start opening up. Until then RIP Yaphet Kotto. You will be missed.

I have some free time, and should be able to update my blog more in the future

Andy

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RIP Dustin Diamond

Posted on February 1, 2021 by AverageAndy

Dustin Diamond who played screech in “Saved By The Bell” has passed away of cancer. It’s much to young for him to pass and it makes me sad. RIP Dustin Diamond, you will be be missed.

Dustin Diamond (1977 – 2021)

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The Brady Bunch

Posted on January 21, 2021 by AverageAndy

Just came across this as I was going down the youtube rabbit hole

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Out with 2020 and in with 2021

Posted on December 24, 2020 by AverageAndy

Here are some quick thought to close out 2020

We lost another part of the Star Wars family as Jeremy Bulloch, who played Boba Fett, died on December 18th at the age of 75. One of the few Star Wars actors I met at convention years ago. Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett) has become an iconic part of the Star Wars Universe and will be missed

Jeremy Bulloch (1945 -2020)

Congratulations to Will Jardell and James Wallington as the winners of The Amazing Race Season 32. It was a really good season, and I am happy for them to be the winners. Although the tight alliance between the top 3 team did eliminate some of the excitement and drama, the team played within the rules and it got them to the final 3.

The Amazing Race 32 Winners

Sad to see that Singer Leslie West passed away at age 75. Best know to me for the song “Mississippi Queen”, I actually saw him play with the band Mountain as part of a triple bill (Triumph / Loudness / Mountain

2020-12-24 12.07.46

Triumph / Mountain / Loudness

Watched the H Natural Live stream last week on You Tube. Was great to see some live music from the lead singer of Marillion (Steve Hogarth (H)). The Band is in the studio working on their next album which should be out sometime in early 2021. Looking forward to this and then the possibility of a US Tour some time in 2022


Going to try and find some time in the next few weeks to catch up on some reading (New books by John Grisham, Ernest Cline, James Patterson) and some music (continue listening to Pink Floyd) and some TV (Going to finish the Mandalorian)

Its been a tough, strange, and very interesting 2020. Hoping things return to some kind of normal in 2021.

Hope everybody is wearing their masks and staying safe,

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Joyful New Year

Andy



Average Andy will return in 2021 with more thoughts and observations in 2021


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Sad News, Happy Days and Music

Posted on December 1, 2020 by AverageAndy

Been a while since I wrote, and unfortunately we have lost a few more people.

Alex Trebek, longtime host of Jeopardy passed away on November 8th after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeopardy was always a constant in my life, something that could be counted on day after day. Whether it was watching it with friends in college, with my in-laws all the time, or at home with my wife and daughter, Alex Trebek had a way of making you feel comfortable, engaged, and smart while making learning interesting. He touched many people over he 35 plus years of hosting and had a great career as a game show host. He will be missed.

Alex Trebek – Wiki

We also lost David Prowse, the actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars movies. While unknown to many, he was well known among Star Wars fans and will be missed. As time goes by, and more and more of the original Star Wars actors get older and pass away, we need to remember the joy they brought so many. He will be missed

David Prowse – Wiki

Hard to believe we made it to December. Been a crazy year and hopefully December and the holiday season starts to bring peace and happiness and joy to everybody. I am feeling a little bit better each day as I get over my Lyme Disease and am looking forward to some Christmas cheer.

Here are a few You Tube Channels I have been watching that have helped perk me up over the past few months


Finally, I think its time to revisit when I pick a musical artist and then listen to there entire catalog in order (based on the bands Wikipedia discography). The artist I choose if Pink Floyd. I never really listened to there really early stuff so this should be interesting

Will be starting with The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and will let you know what I think as I proceed through the 15 studio albums

Still not 100% but hopefully the Christmas holiday season and some Pink Floyd help in getting me ready for a great 2021

Andy

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Sad days, and Big Brother All Star Winner

Posted on November 1, 2020 by AverageAndy

Been a sad few days.

First, the great Sean Connery passed away at the age of 90. Although he had been retired from acting for close to 20 years, he left his mark as one of the great actors of the time. From playing James Bond in the 1st James Bond movie “Dr. No”, to playing Harrison Fords father in “Indian Jones and the Last Crusade”, he starred in numerous great films as I was growing up. While most we big budget movies, he did show up in small films like “Time Bandit’s” and “The Highlander”. RIM Mr. Connery. Your craft will live forever and you will be missed

Here is a link to his IMDB Page:

Sean Connery – IMDB

Today I saw that Nikki McKibbin, who finished 3rd on the 1st season of American Idol passed away of a brain aneurism at the ages of 42. I was was an original fan of American Idol, starting with Season 1. I remember Nikki with here bright red hair and super outgoing personality. There are some people that you will always remember for whatever reason and she was one of them. RIP Nkki – You will always be remembered and will be missed

Nikki McKibbin (1978 – 2020)

Nikki McKibbin – Wiki

Big Brother All Stars ended last week with Cody Calafiorie being crowned the champion.   I really like this season and thought they did a great job of getting the show on the air during these tough times.   Cody was a deserving champion, but I am ready for an all new cast next  summer

Next is the Amazing Race, which started a  few  weeks back and is off to a good start.  Its really what I need to get my mind off of all the craziness going on

Staying away  for things, just a reminder that Tuesday is election day, and we will all watch and see what  happens and what direction the country goes going forward

I’m sure I will write something but may take a while

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Harry Chapin Documentary

Posted on October 21, 2020 by AverageAndy

Here is the trailer to the new Harry Chapin Documentary Film that was just released

In these crazy and messed up times, its a breath of fresh air that is needed

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Eddie Van Halen (1955 – 2020)

Posted on October 7, 2020 by AverageAndy

Very sad to see that Eddie Van Halen has passed away at the age of 65.   While not a super Van Halen fan, I did enjoy their music and his guitar playing.   He was a genius in his craft and will be missed.

As I was thinking about Eddie and Van Halen,  I realized how much they were part of the memories I have with my best friends over the past 40 years.  From hanging as friends houses watching the Van Halen videos “Jump” and “Panama” on MTV, to attending the Monsters of Rock Concert at the old Giants Stadium.  From watching the classic “Better off Dead” with friends and air guitaring to the claymation “Everybody Wants Some” to hearing new singer Sammy Hagar belt out “Why Can’t This Be Love” on the radio as we pulled up to my freshman dorm at Lehigh University.    I remember getting up early to pickup friends and going to the record store on release day to get in line for the new Van Halen Album.  All these great memories are related to Eddie and Van Halen

So thank you Eddie for being part of the background of my life.      

Here are some videos special to me from Van Halen


Plenty more to write about (Big Brother, Amazing Race, new AC/DC, Card Collecting

Hopefully soon

Andy

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Steve Hogarth. New singer since 1989.

Posted on August 19, 2020 by AverageAndy

Great article about Steve Hogarth – Lead singer of Marillion

30 Years of Steve Hogarth

Marillion – A Better way of life

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