The fourth night of Hanukkah brings a tinge of sadness for the entire world.
Leslie Nielsen left us a few days ago. Even at age 84, it was still too soon.
Despite having a name that sounds Jewish, the internet offered conflicting information. To the best of my knowledge, Leslie Nielsen was not Jewish. Yet the fact that many people think he is…that is good enough for me. Either way, he will be missed.
For those who want to read a hilarious book, Leslie Nielsen’s “autobiography” is a riot. As he says on the cover in the subtitle, his life story is “amazing, fictional, and totally untrue.”
Who else would write a fake autobiography for laughs?
I actually met Leslie Nielsen once. He was every bit as nice as one would expect.
I was at LAX airport in the terminal on my way to catch a flight. He was just coming off of a flight. This was probably over a decade ago, most likely 15 years ago.
It was very late at night, perhaps even after midnight. I did not want to bother him given how late it was, but I was young and inconsiderate, so I did. I really liked the guy.
“Mr. Nielsen, I know it’s late, but I just wanted you to know that I really like your work. I have always been a fan of yours.”
He could not have been more gracious. I asked for his autograph, and took out a blank piece of paper. He wrote a few sentences on a note and signed it. I am sure somewhere in my closet I have it. Some people just scribble stuff. He really took the time.
I even tried to be funny with him, and he was nice about it although in retrospect my questions were stupid.
“Mr. Nielsen, are you the guy that the Nielsen Ratings are based on?”
He laughed and replied, “No, but I would sure like those residuals. It sounds like a good gig to have.”
I then asked him if there would be another Naked Gun movie. Now I remember that it had to be 1995 or 1996 when I met him because the O.J. Simpson trial really meant another movie would be doubtful. Simpson played Officer Nordberg, and another Naked Gun movie would have been way too soon and been marred by the horrible events involving Mr. Simpson.
Yet Leslie Nielsen just deadpanned the question in his great style.
“I doubt we will have another movie. There have been problems with one of the characters.”
While many people remembered him as a comedic actor, he did serious roles for so long. That allowed him to play the “straight man” so perfectly.
From “Airplane” to “Naked Gun” to others such as “Dracula: Dead and Loving It,” Leslie Nielsen made us laugh until we cried.
He even played a key role in a couple of the final episodes of the “Golden Girls,” proposing to Bea Arthur’s character in…what else…bizarre fashion that confused her and everyone else.
Right now many lovers of comedy have tears in their eyes, and they are not tears of joy. We have truly lost a comedic genius who brought joy to audiences of several generations.
Perhaps the next time it rains, it will be because God is crying tears of laughter. Most people are not brave enough to joke with God, but Leslie Nielsen is probably playing it with such a straight face that even God needs a few minutes to truly appreciate the multiple layers of the jokes.
Rest in peace Mr. Nielsen, and may God bless your family.
You truly were one of the very best.
For those who think my words are too much and say that surely i can’t be serious, what else can I say?
I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.
eric
New Orleans Saints @ Cincinnati Bengals
(Saints by 6 1/2, they win but fail to cover)
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Falcons by 2 1/2, they cover)
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
(Bears by 5, they win but fail to cover)
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
(Packers by 9 1/2, they cover)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans
(Titans by 3, they cover)
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
(Chiefs by 6 1/2, they cover)
Cleveland Browns @ Miami Dolphins
(Dolphins by 5 1/2, they win but fail to cover)
Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings
(Vikings by 6 1/2, they win but fail to cover)
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
(Giants by 8, they win but fail to cover)
Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers
(Chargers by 12 1/2, they win but fail to cover)
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
(Seahawks by 6 1/2, they cover)
Dallas Cowboys @ Indianapolis Colts
(Colts by 5, they cover)
St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
(Rams by 3, Cardinals win outright)
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
(Ravens by 3, they cover)
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
(Patriots by 3, they cover)
eric
The GTL’s NFL Picks — Week 13, 2010…
Previous Week (Week 12): 9-7 Year To Date: 102-74 All Time (2006 Through 2010 Combined Record To Date): 435-268 Wow, look at the NFC West and tell me parity isn’t a major factor this year. My friends who know I’m a Niners fan have been aski…
When I first saw “Airplane,” it was the funniest movie I’d ever seen. I practically stroked-out laughing. What made the movie so different and new was the really dark, sordid humor. There was the homosexual pedophilia, and the jokes about a dying child, making the whole terror-spoof theme seem benign. No comedy had ever dared go that far. Thanks to Leslie Nielson and Peter Graves, that insanely dark, sordid humor played off without any edginess at all. It was just plain funny. For years after, Nielson continued that new comedic style, and it was always fresh and funny.
Nielson’s greatest legacy was his ability to strip us of our insecurities and hang-ups, with a metaphorical wink and nod that never actually showed itself. His humor was directed straight at our squeamishness without ever making us squeamish. Quite a legacy. The man was a genius. He will always be one of my few all-time favorite actors.
JMJ