The internet informed that the great director, Peter Bogdanovich died at age 82.
I start with an excellent lead paragraph from “The Hollywood Reporter” and will add a few comments of my own.
From the obituary written by Gregg Kilday and Duane Byrge:
“Peter Bogdanovich, the Oscar-nominated writer-director of The Last Picture Show whose career, which also included hits like What’s Up, Doc? and Paper Moon, put him on a path toward living up to the example of those like Orson Welles and John Ford he so lionized, has died. He was 82.”
Think of it, on a path toward Welles and Ford!!
I think Mr. Bogdanovich proceeded far down that path, toward those greats Ford and Welles, especially with “The Last Picture Show.”
Peter had similarities to Welles, who became a friend. “Nada” is “Kane,” Orson did that brilliant work at age 26. I think it was Billy Rose, who told him, “you will never top it.”
One could say that about Bogdanovich, but also about Babe Ruth (he never topped 60 home runs, but so what, he was the greatest player).
“Paper Moon,” especially, was another Bogdanovich masterpiece.
Regarding John Ford, who just kept going, it was once asked who are the three greatest U.S. movie directors? The answer John Ford, John Ford and John Ford.
Mr. Bogdanovich kept the legends and the beauty of old time classic Hollywood going.
Check out his podcast with another “keeper of the flame, ” Ben Mankiewicz.
Many of you will remember his role on the seminal television show, “The Sopranos.”
It was at a party for that show, that I sat at a table, joining Peter, who was sitting alone. He was classy, friendly, asked about me and marveled at the greatness and the unique quality of “The Sopranos.”
Somewhere in some parking garage, James Gandolfini is walking and Peter Bogdanovich is driving a bit too fast. Now they talk, there is no violence, no gangsters, maybe, hopefully, no greed.
What endures is the great work each did.
Today and for all time, about Peter. He was an historian, with a brilliant, creative mind who gave us so much. He suffered horrible loss, but endured.
Maybe, just maybe his Dorothy (Stratten) and he can go over the rainbow, after all.
The Hollywood Reporter obituary of the great, Peter Bogdanovich
www.hollywoodreporter.com › movies › movie-newsPeter Bogdanovich Dead: Last Picture Show, Paper Moon
Peter Bogdanovich, pictured above.
In the extended 18 week NFL season with all games within the division, there are 5 Conference Title game reduxes in the week ahead.
The two most important games, the (9-7) L.A. Chargers visiting the (9-7) Las Vegas Raiders in an almost certain ‘offs qualification game and the (12-4) Rams hosting the (9-7) S.F. 49ers in a 2 to 5 seeding tilt for the Rams and likely qualification or not for the Niners, are title game rematches.
Both of those Bay Area title game winners, the then Oakland Raiders in ’80 after they won the title tilt at the Chargers’ then San Diego home and the Niners after easing vs the Rams in the ’89 NFC title game, went on to ease to Super Bowl wins. (Oakland won (27-10) vs the Philly Eagles while the Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, led/George Seifert coached, Niners ripped Denver, (then (0-4) in Supes, now (3-5), by a (55-10) count.
One meaningless (out of it “Wash” at “Hack” (Giants) and one near meaningless tilt (Steelers at Ravens), (did I not say for years that after the ’08 crown, the Steelers were “sinked” as far as getting another title. I really liked Big Ben Roethlisberger, but knew/called, but rarely cashed the strong opinion he was not allowed to win a third.) are conference title tilt rematches).
In ’86 the Giants made it (3-0) vs “Wash” that season with a (17-0) title tilt win. My father had a great day as “his” Giants won the conference and my letter to the New York Times, pointing out two great Wilt Chamberlain led teams and not the also great ’86 Boston Celtics had the best winning percentage in any season, was published.
My letter corrected the fine writer, Dave Anderson, who advised Nancy Dunne and her graduating class to be a “polite pest” in seeking employment.
In ’08 the Steelers, as was the case after 3 of the other 4 title game rematches, eventual Supe winners, beat the Ravens in the “semi”/AFC title game.
The Dallas at Philadelphia Saturday night tilt is a redux of the ’80 NFC Title game when an early Wilbert Montgomery TD burst ignited an easy Eagles win. However, unlike the other 4 “this week” title game reduxes, the Eagles lost the subsequent Supe to the Tom Flores’ coached Raiders.
The Tennessee Titans, nee Houston Oilers journey to Houston, where as 10 plus point(s) favorites, they can wrap up their third AFC top seed perch, with a victory over the hometown Texans. The game will commence at 1 P.M. Eastern Time on Sunday.
In the late Saturday afternoon Denver high altitude, with home state Chris Fowler there as lead announcer, the K.C. Chiefs, who titled as the AFC “2” seed in ’19, something they did not do as the AFC “1” last season although they won the awarded home tilts to get to the Supe where they encountered a home Tampa Bay Bucs team, that routed them, look to clinch that and maybe more if Houston upsets Tennessee less than 24 hours later, with a win as 10 point “faves” vs the Broncos.
On Sunday in a moved to later tilt, the Buffalo Bills are overwhelming 17 point “faves” vs the Jets, as they bid to clinch the AFC East and at least a home wild card round ‘offs tilt.
Cincinnati (Bengals) are the current AFC “3” and likely will get no higher and quite possibly be the “4” which still gets them a home wild card round game. In it or in the very unlikely event they get the “1” seed and their next ‘offs tilt is a home slots/div. round game, Cincy will be hoping to end a 9 game ‘offs loss skein, with a home victory.
(10-6) New England is hoping for a reverse of 1966 when the Joe Namath led Jets upset them (they were the Boston Patriots at that time) giving the Buffalo Bills the AFL East crown. N.E. needs a late start win at Miami and a Jets shocking win at Buffalo, to “reverse ’66” and get the East crown.
Current 6 seed Indianapolis (Colts) are 16 point “faves” at Jacksonville vs the Jaguars, needing a win to gain an ‘offs spot for the third time in four seasons.
Finally in “Alfalfa” Michaels presumed last NBC Sunday Night Telecast, it would seem to be winner in/losing team in the game out, as the Chargers are 3 point faves vs the Raiders whose home and thus the game site is Las Vegas. What were the ODDS (appropriate word) of such an event transpiring even 5 years ago?!!
The (13-3) Green Bay Packers, playing on the exact 56 year anniversary of their 1965 “all the way,” NFL Championship Game (23-12) victory, vs the Cleveland Browns, in the great Jim Brown’s last game with Cleveland, matched their 1961 title game score, (they shutout the fine offensive team, New York Giants in that tilt at City Stadium, which was subsequently named Lambeau Field, where both the ’65 title tilt and last night’s games were played), winning (37-10) vs the “out of it,” (7-9) Minnesota Vikings, to clinch a second straight NFC “1” seed.
Last season, as was the case in 2019 when they lost AT the S.F. 49ers, the Pack (title winners 85, 60, 55 and 25 years ago and also in “same calendar” years 1965 and 2010) also lost the title tilt, that time at home, vs Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Brady has 7 titles, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has 1).
The likelihood of a “slots”/div round Pack/Bucs tilt decreased greatly yesterday, as first (12-4) and over in reg. TB/Brady “found” Cyril Grayson in the last minute to (-14) (27-24) the (4-12) Jets and then 6 point underdog, (11-5) Arizona (Cardinals) outrighted the Cowboys of Dallas, in a late afternoon Buck game.
L.A. (Rams) becomes the two seed, if they beat the “battling for the ‘offs,” 49ers (oh Curt Menefee, the Saints ‘offs chances were not and are not slim. However, falls to the “5” seed, if they lose and Arizona wins at home vs Seattle (Seahawks), in what could be Pete Carroll and/or Russell Wilson’s “Sea” tilt.
‘Zona is at least a “5,” while the Philly Eagles are also in the ‘offs and certainly why Dallas (they need not only a win but Rams and Bucs losses, so why not Brady and T.B. Saturday or another game?!) at Philly in a “flexed” Saturday night tilt/!
The Niners surely will be underdogs at the Rams while the Saints will be favored vs the Falcons. Since wins by the Rams and Saints would yield New Orleans ‘offs qualification.
Do any of us realize how great and clutch Sam Jones was as a Boston Celtics’ player?!
Mr. Jones, who died on 2021’s penultimate day, (just over a year after another great “Celtic Jones,” K.C. passed on Christmas Day 2020), was a member of 10 Boston Celtics’ title teams and a great, largely under rated player, far closer to the pantheon of all-time players, than just being a member of the 25, 50 and this year’s 75 anniversary NBA team.
You essentially, (so often it was my Philly and L.A. teams that could not quite do so) could not keep up with the Joneses and the great Bill Russell/Arnold “Red” Auerbach led Celtics, who won an incredible 11 NBA crowns in 13 seasons, including 8 in a row from (1959-1966).
Sam Jones was the man, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot (I read he had 5 of the 10 Celtics’ overtime points in their game 7 win, vs the so often denied L.A. Lakers in the ’62 NBA final and know of so many others first hand).
Yet I do not feel all that bad about them (maybe the one in #4 of the ’69 Final, when after the great Elgin Baylor, who died in 2021 and essentially never won it all, failed to inbound with L.A. up 1 point and (2-1) in the series and that gave Sam and the Celts a chance. Sam did not miss!! The series was even, the Celts won on Sam’s day, an afternoon Wide World of Sports ABC #6 telecast and then 2 days later on Monday night) and told Mr. Jones that, when I interviewed him at a B’nai B’rith sports dinner, in the spring of 1988.
“Yes you do feel bad” Sam “argued” as you ought to. That was competition and also class, as Sam Jones was gracious, friendly and informative as we talked of the great Celtics.
I read about Bob Cousy, alone on New Year’s Eve, taking the call that informed him Sam was gone. He thought of the still alive Tom “Satch” Sanders and the 11 time title winning, Bill Russell.
Alone also, I thought of what these men accomplished, winning and winning and perhaps the winning/bottom line could shed light for the many bigots, still roaming this ravaged earth.
See the Celtics, with a Jewish coach (Auerbach) often had an all Black men starting five to go along with great players, not that it matters, but were white. The team had a great bond and even they, face loneliness and the end. Few do so, having accomplished so much.
Sam epitomized that and in a better place he and his arch rival, Wilt Chamberlain can play again. It was great on earth, though all but one time “my” Wilt teams lost to Dad’s Celtics, and now more for fun (no stools allowed) Sam can shoot, Wilt can choose whether to go out and guard him and I laud Sam Jones’ greatness.
Click to view a nice piece about Sam. Is that real play by play on Sam’s aforementioned game winning shot in #4/’69 NBA final? I hope so but ….
One of the all-time great players/great winners/great clutch players, comparable to one Yogi Berra, Sam Jones pictured above.
It will be Alabama vs Georgia, Nick Saban vs former assistant Kirby Smart as Alabama, seeking a 13th crown and 7th under Saban will meet Georgia, which won its only title for the1980 season.
The two teams will meet in the title game for the second time in 5 seasons.
I picked a drive in each game, first ‘Bama, a somewhat surprising 2 and a half point dog in the upcoming title tilt, going up (14-3) (Heisman winner, Bryce Young’s second of three TD passes, a 44 yard one to Brooks) at which point, which I declared them the winner and (6-1) in ‘offs semis and Georgia, going up (14-0) on a beautiful option pass touchdown (Kenny McIntosh to James Cook).
In similar fashion and I actually thought so at (7-0) ‘Dawgs, who were 7 plus point(s) faves, knew it was to be Ray Charles’ “Georgia’ and not Brook Benton’s “It’s A Rainy Night in Georgia.”
By the way, in the 2017 title tilt in which ‘Bama “no covered” Georgia on Tua’s OT TD to Devonta Smith, I called it first and great as did McDonough on radio for that and still hopefully for the upcoming one and with the radio delay, it is a rare recording I can play.
In the ‘Bama (13 half) (27-6) under (all 4 yesterday were “unders” as Owen survived), vs Cincinnati, ‘Bama running back, Brian Robinson ran for 200 plus yards.
Georgia was led by Stetson Bennett, who threw 3 touchdown passes.
The college football semi-final games are today with top ranked and defending champion, Alabama, which is seeking an amazing 7th crown under current coach Nick Saban, a near two touchdown favorite vs upstart Cincinnati, in the first game, commencing around 4 P.M. Eastern Time.
At night, Georgia is a little more than a touchdown “choice” vs Michigan.
Both ‘Bama, that being the first of 5 crowns they won under legendary coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant (by the way, both Bryant and Saban with their plethora of crowns, if any coach does, are among the few who might deserve the acclaim John Madden received upon his death. Madden won but one title and you would have thought the Pope died. He was a good coach, who lost so many big games and won but one crown. That year when his Raiders finally beat Pittsburgh under their exponentially under publicized, (4-0) in Super Bowls, coach, Chuck Noll, Madden and the Raiders did so vs a depleted Steelers’ team in the AFC title game. That followed a “div” game win vs the Patriots that was frankly largely gained by a truly questionable penalty on the Pats’ Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton) and Cincinnati, who did so in basketball, won crowns 60 years ago, in 1961.
Cincy did so, winning the first of two straight crowns under Ed Jucker, after their great player, Oscar Robertson had graduated and gone on to the NBA, where he had a great career.
Georgia’s lone football title was in 1980 while Michigan’s lone undisputed crown, was in “same calendar” 1948.
I do not think THEY want an all S.E.C. final between Alabama and Georgia for the second time in 5 seasons (Tua Tagovailoa’s heroics led Bama’s 2017 season, comeback title game win), thus since I believe, as most do, that Alabama will win vs Cincinnati, I predict an upset victory by Michigan, vs Georgia.
However, if Cincy somehow upsets ‘Bama, which would surprise, but not completely shock me, I then say Georgia wins and maybe even “covers” vs Michigan.
Optimum nee Cablevision, a 41 years plus “way more negative than positive,” (Yet I keep paying. The move is to switch, not by much, but it is the “move.” Ode to the late Mitchell “Moves” Baum, not the Seinfeld episode) “noted” it would “tv” the exponentially more important (football wise) Bills/Pats, rather than contracted, Jax/Jets. It was Jax/Jets (Howard said Jets “as”) and Buffalo is now (-800) to “div” (they once were -2300 and plus 280, as it fluctuates) after beating “Belichick’s Bunch.” Each team is (9-6) but Buffalo with home tilts vs Atlanta and the Jets remaining also has the tiebreaker if they win vs the Jets, in a game they could be as high as 17 point favorites.
Next, as for the second straight season I did not pay for “Red Zone,” NFL Network has well behind updates showing the action. That is bad enough, as they are way behind. Far worse, a la ESPN/AKA Frankenstein/The Monolith, they put up Raiders TD (7-0), even as they were showing each play in the drive.
All day I avoided sound, save the Cowboys/Wash opening, in which Cris Collinsworth said “If Dak (Dallas QB- Prescott) gets hot they could win it all.” What does that mean?!! What insight from a man, who is as phony as a $3.62 bill.
Now Moss just said re Dallas–“when they put it all together, they can win the whole thing.” Come on Mitch, you are an odds guy and a winner in betting, a true rarity. You can do better than that.
No Supe for given everything Joe Buck, however, he gets the penultimate game as it has alternated between AFC and NFC since the NFC had the later conference title tilt from ’88-’95. It is the NFC’s turn to have that tilt.
First and their magic number for the coveted 1 seed is 2, “vs” current “2” seed Dallas, Green Bay won the NFL crown in 4 previous 5/10 years. (Cue Butler’s on Tuckahoe Road a 5 and 10 store. Now dollar stores, that as of rip off 2022 times, ought to be called 1.69 stores). “G.B.”won it all 60 years ago (’61), 85 (Max McGee, I rooted vs those great Pack teams, but years later, love them. With Rodgers, a great, albeit with just 1 crown, I doubt I will ever feel fondly regarding them, despite Kenny and Walter “Mac” rooting for them) years ago in ’36, 55 years ago in ’66 and 25 years ago in ’96.
As GB’s survival/no cover at Baltimore ended, “Bucky Boo” talked of the first and upcoming Supes being in L.A. He cited the first Supe matched current and still current Conference 1’s, Green Bay and Kansas City.
Green Bay is (12-3), Dallas is (11-4) but the latter has the better conference record and thus would have the the 2 team and maybe any seeding tiebreaker advantage.
K.C. (they have won 8 straight and the “over K.C. 12 and a half wins, guy or gal” can win it, needing 10 straight wins. Beano would have had the under and then one win away, would have “gone the other way” and won big. Not so me and Beano, looking down from above, would repeat, perhaps to my father, called such a kind man, as the fact so many people were at his funeral attests, “he never learns.” Remember I bet small, so I am just letting off proverbial “steam.”).
Thus GB/KC in an L.A. based Supe, 55 years later? Certainly it is the lowest “odds vs” choice, however, those odds are still against it. Much more on this c-ap down the road, a place conference top seeds avoid.
Exactly 50 years ago, on Saturday December 25, 1971 there were two NFL division round games played. After that occurred, I believe it being the first Christmas Day NFL ACTION, (remember as Arnold Wexler of Gambler’s Anonymous asserted “without gambling, football would be soccer, in terms of popularity, which is not much in this country, so different in most of the rest of the planet) the NFL, I believe correctly, (and I am Jewish) decided not to have any more Christmas Day tilts.
Of course that has changed.
I have recalled the famed double overtime Miami Dolphins’ win at Kansas City in the later game exactly 50 years ago.
Sadly, an audio cassette of some of that day’s games including my father “calling” a play involving the Chiefs’ Wendell Hayes is gone.
My dad stated he believed it would finally be the Dallas Cowboys’ year after a play that all but wrapped up their earlier game victory at Minnesota vs the Vikings that day.
Then we had Jack Whitaker as the game announcer. Now it has all turned to an “s” word. SLUSH! You did not think I would …..
Andy B Sports 