Let’s talk about some death. Some big deaths recently. The ones that hit me hardest are Loretta Swit and George Wendt. Swit I didn’t make the opportunity to meet when she came up to FanX a few years ago. I had big crush on her when I was younger. I watched a lot of M*A*S*H most of my childhood. Still among my favorite shows. I haven’t watched the finale in sometime. Last I checked it was ranked among if not the best series finales. I just double checked, for twenty-seven years was the most-watched single broadcast in television history and as of 2025 is still the most-watched single episode of any television series. According to the Wikipedia…also, this one episode of an eleven season series has a Wikipedia entry unto itself. So, there’s that.
Her character, Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Hoolihan was the head nurse at the 4077th. She was tough and took no shit. She definitely informed my concepts of ideal women. She’ll be missed. Another great loss recently is that of George Wendt. One of the funniest people, probably ever. I’ve watched Cheers, quite literally, my entire life. A few years ago I watched through all of Cheers, Frasier, and Will & Grace and I noticed that outside of a handful of key, specific moments and elements, Cheers held up the best and was the least dated. One of the greater reasons for this, I believe to be the storytelling and the sense of humor. In no small part because of Wendt’s character, Norm. With his witty quips introducing him into the scene, his dry reactions, and his cartoonish pavlovian response to beer. When I was watching it then, I noticed how each character represented fairly specific components of the human psyche. A paper I’m thinking I’ll write soon. I’ve been meaning to watch Cheers again for awhile.
I need to get in a nap before work. I’ll call it here and looking at a a relatively easy work day tomorrow, I’m thinking I’ll be able to get going on some things tomorrow.
