MISSING THEM BY SO MUCH

With the death of Don Adams, it's occurred to me that the registrar of Toobworld citizenry has suffered a heavy toll this year. We have lost truly great characters when these actors have died, as well as legends from the League of Themselves and even a few giants behind the scenes.

Sure, the roles can be recast. ABC hopes to prove that with their new version of 'The Night Stalker' this year. But as we've always known since the beginning of the medium, there can never be anyone to take the place in our hearts quite like the original.

The following is not a comprehensive list; perhaps I may run one for the end of the year. But look over these names and give thanks that Toobworld exists in a medium where they all can live again for us exactly as we remembered them. (Minus those moments edited for commercial breaks.)

Phoebe Wallingford - 'All My Children'

Dean Vernon Wormer - 'Delta House'

Ponder Blue - 'Evening Shade'
[Corrected thanks to Brent McKee]

Ranger Porter Ricks - 'Flipper'

Morty Seinfeld - 'Seinfeld'

Cathy Shumway - 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'

Charlie Hume - 'Lou Grant'

The Riddler - 'Batman'

Chief Peter B. Clifford - 'McCloud'

Ernest T. Bass - 'The Andy Griffith Show'

"Ollievar" Wendell Douglas - 'Green Acres'

General Burkhaldter - 'Hogan's Heroes'

Pete Thornton - 'MacGyver'

Perry White - 'Lois & Clark'

Mr. Peterson - 'The Bob Newhart Show'

SCOTTY! - 'Star Trek'

Miss Ellie - 'Dallas'

Gilligan - 'Gilligan's Island'

Maynard G. Krebs - 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis'

Maxwell Smart - 'Get Smart'

From the League of Themselves:

Johnny Carson

Paul Winchell

Peter Jennings

Pat McCormick

And behind the scenes:

Perry Lafferty

Paul Henning

Plus the voices for:

Tennessee Tuxedo

Inspector Gadget

Fred Flintstone

Tony The Tiger

As I stated, this is not the full list. But even so, I can't be the only one who feels the enormous sense of loss......

BCnU....

Tele-Toby