1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #95: Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012).

(Google images)

("Cartoon" by R.A.M.'67...with apologies to Paddy Chayefsky.)

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #7: Whitney Houston (1963-2012).

(Google images)

Click here to remember her as she once was....

R.I.P.

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #84: Annette Funicello!

(R.A.M.'67 archive)

Brother Fang elaborates: "Wow, I nearly forgot I had this, but thanks to the recent acquisition of a scanner, I was lucky to find it again while undertaking the transfer of my massive collection of clippings (articles, pictures and artwork) from paper to digital form.

"This scan is a detail of an ad from the 1996 July-August issue of Modern Maturity. There aren't an excessive amount of photos taken of Annette Funicello after she began showing any visible signs of her multiple sclerosis (MS), but compared to those images readily found online, this one packs its own low-key punch. It's such a powerful picture, one needs to remind themselves this fragile-looking lady sitting on the scooter is the same person who looked like THIS thirty-some years earlier:

(Google images)

"Annette's official website states her MS (which she disclosed having in 1992) is chronic, 'the most serious and debilitating form of the disease', and 'she currently requires 24-hour care that is provided by a healthcare team and her [second] husband, Glen Holt.' Based on this, her current physical activity must be even more limited than it was in the '90s, though her mind is reported to still be sharp.

(AP)

"After appearing as herself at the end of the TV movie adaptation of her autobiography in 1995, Annette quietly retired from the spotlight that first embraced her forty years prior when she was part of The Mickey Mouse Club. She did manage a few public appearances for a short time afterward (here, Frankie Avalon watches Fabian kiss her in early '97), but by the end of the '90s, the crippling nature of her MS prevented her from going on anymore of these outings. In addition to briefly being a spokesperson for Pride Scooters (still in business), she's worked on a variety of projects (most notably, collectible teddy bears) and her charity, the non-profit Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases.

(Google images)

"Indeed, Annette's kept such a low profile that when news broke back in March 2011 the house she and Glen had in Encino, CA, caught fire, I know more than a few friends of mine said (to paraphrase), 'I thought she was already dead!' Fortunately, she was removed from the danger in time, suffering only some smoke inhalation, but the house (containing much memorabilia from her movie and TV career) was a total loss. Five months later, after living alternately at their ranch in Bakersfield and a Los Angeles apartment, Annette and Glen moved into a new residence near Bakersfield. As of this past October 22, she celebrated birthday number 69. May she have many more.

"There are many ways people react to others who ride around on those special scooters (or use wheelchairs), depending on the condition of the individuals they see riding them. Some are simply not nice about it, especially if whomever they happen to see are either overweight (which implies laziness) or elderly. The bottom line is for the vast majority of users, they use them due to legit health issues. Bearing that in mind, the next time you see anyone riding around on a scooter, think twice before passing any judgement on them. There's a good chance you may need to use one of those someday!"

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #36, #37, #38 & #39: The Ding-A-Lings!

(All images courtesy Time Life Video/NBCUniversal, Inc.)

Helen Funai.

Lynne Latham.

Jayne Kennedy.

Tara Leigh.

Brother Fang sez: "Four of the more notable reasons to invest your time (and money) on the recently-released 6-DVD collection The Best of The Dean Martin Variety Show from Time Life. However, the featured episodes are BUTCHERED (sometimes, real choppy editing is evident) because Time Life was at the mercy of NBCUniversal regarding the footage due to the inevitable "rights and clearances" of music and guest stars, so renting this set or watching YouTube videos of these sexy, talented singers and dancers may be your best bet.

"An offshoot of series regulars The Golddiggers, The Ding-A-Lings (a.k.a. The Dingaling Sisters) had a few personnel changes during the years they were on Dean's show; these fine ladies are a later lineup from 1972. The most familiar face belongs to Jayne Kennedy, who later hit big in the late '70s through early '80s by acting for TV and movies, as well as co-hosting The NFL Today on CBS."

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #545: The Ice Cream Bunny!

(Legend Films.)

Brother Fang sez: "Since the Easter Bunny is still making his rounds (he's not Santa, remember), his third cousin and I would like to wish all readers of this blog a Happy Easter, whether your day's boisterous or quiet!"

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #25: Elisabeth Sladen (1948-2011).

(BBC/Warner Home Video.)

Brother Fang sez: "RIP, Sarah Jane."

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... # 123: Matt Robinson (1937-2002)!

(Google Images.)

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #10: Doris Day!

(Virtual History.)

Brother Fang sez: "Though the year she was born in is disputed by several sources, it IS her birthday today! Whether she's 88, 89 or whatever, let's all wish this veteran of Hollywood a Happy Birthday!"

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

1001 Individuals More Memorable Than Charlie Sheen.... #17: Gene Gene, the Dancing Machine!

(Google Images.)

Brother Fang sez: "This pictorial essay is just beginning. Stay tuned for more!"

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.