Topic: Obituaries

Martial arts star and actor Chuck Norris has passed away at the age of 86. The segment reviews his career, from his time in the Air Force in Korea to his undefeated karate championships and Hollywood success in films like The Way of the Dragon. Norris was best known for his long-running television role in Walker, Texas Ranger and his status as a popular internet meme.

The hosts pay tribute to long-time listener and frequent emailer "Strokey" Bill Walsh, who passed away on December 19th. Known for his strong advocacy for the cryptocurrency XRP and his critical yet dedicated engagement with the show, Walsh is remembered as a significant member of the "Gitmo Nation" community.

Elwood Edwards, the man who recorded the iconic "You've got mail" greeting for AOL, passed away at the age of 74. Edwards recorded the lines in 1989 for $200 and became a staple of early internet culture. He worked for many years at a television station in Cleveland before his death following a long illness.

NPR CEO Katherine Maher's family background is examined following the discovery of her father's obituary. Gordon Roberts Maher, who worked for IBM in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, France, was rumored in family lore to have been a post-war spy. The obituary details his familiarity with the Port of Aden and his roles at Goldman Sachs and UBS, suggesting a lineage of intelligence-adjacent careers.

Following the death of Henry Kissinger, critics and political figures have renewed accusations that the former Secretary of State was a war criminal. The allegations center on his involvement in the secret bombing of Cambodia, support for brutal regimes in Pakistan and East Timor, and the prolongation of the Vietnam War. While some mourn him as a diplomatic giant, others highlight the millions of deaths associated with his "realpolitik" policies.

The death of actress Raquel Welch prompted a personal recollection of meeting her during an MTV promotion in the late 1980s. The anecdote describes Welch as quiet and docile, noting a specific physical trait shared with actress Christina Applegate. Applegate is also noted for her recent work on Netflix and her reputation as a sharp stock trader.

A study from ScienceAlert suggests that individuals with Type A blood may have a higher risk of early-onset strokes. The hosts then announce the sudden passing of Jeff Morgan, the 58-year-old founder of the No Agenda Tea Club. They clarify that Morgan was unvaccinated to counter immediate assumptions about the cause of death.

In her final writing before her death, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright described her early impressions of Vladimir Putin from the year 2000. She characterized him as "cold" and "almost reptilian," a description that is now being circulated in major newspapers following her passing.

An unusual obituary for Brian Joseph Tanzi of Edgewater, New Jersey, listed his "four-legged children"—his dogs—as survivors. The hosts discuss the trend of treating pets as human family members in public records.

The passing of author Tom Wolfe is noted, with a focus on his contributions to "New Journalism" and his famous works like "The Bonfire of the Vanities." The hosts reflect on his creative process and the eventual recognition of his genius by the literary establishment.

Former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski died at the age of 89. Brzezinski, who served under President Jimmy Carter and navigated the Iran hostage crisis, saw his passing somewhat overshadowed in the media by the simultaneous death of musician Greg Allman.

The hosts reflect on the death of "The Gong Show" creator Chuck Barris at age 87. They discuss his controversial claim of being a CIA assassin, which was the subject of his book and the film "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." They critique the CBS obituary for omitting his intelligence claims, which they view as a significant part of his public persona.

The PBS NewsHour is criticized for a perceived shift in objectivity following the 2016 election. A specific segment featuring an obituary for former Archer Daniels Midland CEO Dwayne Andreas is questioned, as Andreas had not been associated with the company for 20 years. The tribute is viewed as a favor to a long-time corporate underwriter.

Susanna Mushett Jones, recognized as the world's oldest person, has died in Brooklyn at the age of 116. Born in Alabama in 1899, Jones attributed her long life to never smoking or drinking, though she famously ate bacon every day. Her passing marks the end of an era for one of the last remaining individuals born in the 19th century.

The hosts offer their condolences following the sudden passing of Patrick "Pat" Fonda Elst, who provided high-end financial newsletters to the show through producer Trev Merkin. They express sympathy for his wife, Agnes, and acknowledge his role as a valuable information source for the program's financial analysis.

The widow of journalist Michael Hastings criticizes The New York Times for an obituary that questioned the accuracy of Hastings' reporting on General Stanley McChrystal. The hosts argue that the Times is "grossly mischaracterizing" the Inspector General's report to protect the military establishment. They suggest the Times' bitterness stems from a "punk" journalist like Hastings outshining their own reporting.

Media organizations and Time Magazine are reportedly preparing obituary packages as Nelson Mandela's health declines at age 94. The hosts compare the temperaments of President Barack Obama and Mandela, referencing a 2005 meeting between the two. They suggest the eventual news of Mandela's passing will be used as a media distraction from other geopolitical events.

Adam Curry reports the death of his friend and former colleague Arnold Langeberg at age 63. Langeberg was a news broadcaster who worked with Curry during a 2004 broadcast from Iraq and had recently battled cancer.

The hosts conduct a lengthy donation segment, knighting several new supporters and discussing the "Value-for-Value" model. They also reference a "30 Rock" episode about pre-taping celebrity disaster benefits, confirming that news networks maintain similar pre-produced packages for major events and obituaries.

William Pace died at the age of 103, holding the Guinness World Record for living the longest with a bullet in his head. Pace lived for 94 years with the projectile lodged in his skull before passing away in his sleep. The New York Times published a highlighted obituary for Pace on Saturday, April 28, 2012.