“Forgotten Hollywood”- An Odd Couple…
“`Within the second half of the twentieth century, Neil Simon is American theater’s most successful and prolific playwright who chronicled mundane middle class issues and fears with humor and pathos. His list of credits is staggering. The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park, and his Brighton Beach Trilogy were just a few of his productions dominating Broadway for decades. Neil was just as busy in film and television. Walter Matthau was a frequent actor who embodied the angst of a suburban life penned by Neil Simon (right).
“`Even before he launched his theater career, Neil was one of the famed stable of writers on Your Show of Shows for comedian Sid Caesar that also included Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner. He later wrote for The Phil Silvers Show in which the comedian portrayed the conniving Sgt. Bilko.
“`Simon grew dissatisfied with television writing and the network restrictions. He turned to Broadway as an attractive alternative. His first assignment was Come Blow Your Horn in 1961. The comedy ran for more than a year on Broadway.
“`His other memorable work included Sweet Charity, Plaza Suite, Promises Promises, The Star-Spangled Girl, The Sunshine Boys, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Biloxi Blues, Lost in Yonkers, and The Goodbye Girl. At one time, Simon had four productions simultaneously running in Broadway theaters. Many of the productions were adapted to the screen. His film-only work include Murder by Death, The Cheap Detective, Seems Like Old Times, and The Slugger’s Wife. On television, The Odd Couple was a smash.
“`Neil won Emmys (Your Show of Shows, The Phil Silvers Show); Tonys (The Odd Couple, Biloxi Blues, Lost in Yonkers); Golden Globe (The Goodbye Girl); Pulitzer Prize (Lost in Yonkers); and many Writer’s Guild Awards. Simon is a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame and a Kennedy Center Honoree. His most recent accolade included his Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
“`Neil Simon was 91.
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“`John McCain was the maverick of the senate for over three decades. His ability to reach across the aisle made him a throwback senator, and his pet projects were campaign finance reform and foreign policy. Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden were among his closest friends in politics. Two unsuccessful campaigns for president only netted a rise and the subsequent fall of Sarah Palin. One final courageous act was to defy a sitting president by upholding his vote to protect the Affordable Care Act.
“`A veteran, McCain was also a POW during the Vietnam war for six years. This experience shaped his patriotism throughout his life and career.
“`John McCain (right) was 81.
Until next time> “never forget”
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