THE HAT SQUAD 2012 - THE PERSONALITIES

As is customary in a lot of entertainment sites (at least, I hope you find Inner Toob entertaining!), the end of the year leads us to look back at those whom we lost. I try to keep up to date with all of the departed who were involved in the expansion of the Toobworld Dynamic throughout the world, but I always somebody who deserved a tip of the hat from ye olde Caretaker. I'm sure this year will be no different.

But the blame can't be laid on those whose sites I depend on for this information. (Believe me, I've tried.) Besides major obituary sources like the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Guardian, I've come to depend on "A Shroud Of Thoughts", "Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine", "Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear", and especially "Boot Hill". Thanks to everyone concerned at those blogs and web sites.

Sadly there were far too many we lost in many fields, so I've divided up the list for several posts.......

First up: 

THE PERSONALITIES

• Bob Holness (host of Brit game shows 'Blockbusters' and 'Call My Bluff')
• Don Cornelius ('Soul Train')
• Professor Tristram P. Coffin ('Lyrics and Legends' on PBS)
• Whitney Houston (megastar singer, spoofed on 'Saturday Night Live')
• Russell Arms ('Your Hit Parade')
• Gary Carter ('86 Mets catcher, played himself in two episodes of 'Arli$$')
• Baykal Kent (Turkish comedian with many TV appearances)
• Frank Carson (Irish comedian, 'TisWas', 'The Comedians', 'The Melting Pot')
• Davy Jones (The Monkees)
• Steve Bridges (George W. Bush impersonator)
• Marisa Medina (Spanish presenter - 'Antena Infantile', Eurovision)
• Pete Fornatale (WNEW & WFUV deejay, 'Biography' - "Mamas & Papas")
• Adam Yauch (MCA of Beastie Boys, 'Futurama', music videos)
• Mitchell Guist ('Swamp People')
• Randy Paar (Jack Paar's daughter, appeared on his show)
• Dan Dorfman (on-air stock market analyst)
• Ben Davidson (Oakland Raider, Miller Lite commercials)
• Maria Cole (Nat King Cole's widow, co-hosted L.A. afternoon talk show)
• Kitty Wells (country singer queen)
• Ginny Tyler ("Casper The Friendly Ghost", Mickey Mouse club rerun host)
• Sally Ride (woman astronaut, "Touched By An Angel")
• David Barby ("Antiques Road Trip", "Flog It", "Bargain Hunt")
• Joey Kovar ("Real World: Hollywood", "Celebrity Rehab")
• Neil Armstrong (first man on the Moon)
• Terry Nutkins ('The Really Wild Show', 'Animal Magic')
• Max Bygraves ('Max', 'Side By Side', 'Family Fortunes')
• "Sahara Davenport" ('RuPaul's Drag Race')
• "Sheriff" John Rovick (L.A. kids' show host, 'Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade')
• Togus, weather mascot at WCSH-TV in Maine, a Maine coon cat
• Senator George McGovern ('Saturday Night Live', 'Newhart')
• Joe Melia ('Full House' arts show on BBC2)
• Wendell D. Garrett (Americana expert, 'Antiques Roadshow')
• Bonnie Lynn Fields (Mouseketeer)
• Art Ginsburg (Mr. Food on WFSB-TV)
• Sir Patrick Moore ('The Sky At Night', 'Doctor Who')
• Jenni Rivera ('Chiquis 'n' Control', 'I Love Jenni')
• Philip Coppens ('Ancient Aliens')
• Ian Humphries (BBC's 'Music Time')

Good night and may God bless......