Archive for September, 2017

Dead Pool 24th September 2017

More points to be awarded, Debbie, Shan, Martin and Doug all score 55 points with the death of the boxer Jake LaMotta, which has caused something I can’t recall happening before. A tie at the top of the leader board! Both Laura and Martin now have 521 points each. If this happens to be the final score we have no rules to decide the winner! So as we are a democratic dictatorship here, we at Dead Pool Towers will let the masses decide how such an occurrence will be decided should it happen, then ignore it all and make up another rule. So, what do you think?

Look Who You Could Have Had:

  • Suzan Farmer, 75, British actress (The Scarlet Blade, Doctor in Clover, Coronation Street).
  • Bobby Heenan, 72, American professional wrestler, manager and commentator (WWF, AWA, WCW), organ failure.
  • Ben Hammer, 92, American actor (The Beastmaster, Law & Order, Sleepers).
  • Bernie Casey, 78, American actor (Revenge of the Nerds, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure) and football player (San Francisco 49ers).
  • Jake LaMotta, 95, American Hall of Fame boxer and comedian, inspiration for Raging Bull, complications from pneumonia.
  • Liliane Bettencourt, 94, French cosmetics businesswoman (L’Oréal) and socialite.
  • William G. Stewart, 84, British game show host (Fifteen to One) and television producer.

In Other News

Former Olympics Minister Dame Tessa Jowell has been diagnosed with brain cancer, her family have revealed. Her daughter-in-law Ella Woodward posted on social media that the Labour peer was diagnosed in May. Writing on Dame Tessa’s 70th birthday, she described the last few months as “some of the hardest of our lives”. The politician, who stood down as an MP in 2015, responded by tweeting her thanks for the “love and support” she had been shown. Ms Woodward, a food blogger who is married to the politician’s son Matt Mills, wrote on Instagram: “Matt’s Mum was suddenly diagnosed with brain cancer in May. “Her bravery, optimism, love and support for others during this process has inspired us both so much, and today we’re all pledging to try and do everything we can to make people’s lives with cancer better for longer.”

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has appeared in court and admitted drink-driving. He was arrested when police stopped a car in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in the early hours on 1 st September. The 31-year-old was banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order. Rooney was also ordered to pay £170 when he appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ Court. The court heard Rooney was almost three times the legal limit when he was stopped by police at 02:00 BST. A breathalyser test showed his alcohol level was 104 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. In a statement issued after the hearing, the Everton footballer said: “I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong. “I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career. “Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.” Are these his first steps as a possible Gazza replacement??

Robbie Williams has been forced to cancel the remaining dates of his European tour due to a mystery illness. The 43-year-old had been due to perform two concerts in Russia this week, with gigs scheduled for St Petersburg and Moscow, and was also set to appear at the closing ceremony of the New Wave singing contest in Sochi. Now though he’s had to pull out because of his health and won’t be resuming his tour until he heads to New Zealand and Australia in February next year. A statement from his publicist reads: ‘Due to illness, the final two dates of the European leg of The Heavy Entertainment Show Tour, St Petersburg and Moscow, have been cancelled. It comes just days after Robbie had opened up about his health struggles with conditions including arthritis and depression. The Take That star also spoke in depth of his mental health issues and confessed he didn’t think he’d have suffered quite as much if he hadn’t have become famous. In July the singer revealed that he’d been suffering from a rare condition called Nocturnal Sleep-Related Eating Disorder, which causes him to eat in the middle of the night whilst totally unaware he’s doing so. Many of us poolers can surely sympathise with this, I know I certainly can..

On This Day

  • 1960 – USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.
  • 1979 – CompuServe launches the first consumer internet service, which features the first public electronic mail service.
  • 2015 – At least 1,100 people are killed and another 934 wounded after a stampede during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Deaths

  • 1863 – William Debenham, English businessman, founded Debenhams (b. 1794)
  • 1945 – Hans Geiger, German physicist & academic, co-invented the Geiger counter (b. 1882)
  • 1991 – Dr. Seuss, American children’s book writer, poet, and illustrator (b. 1904)

Last Week’s Birthdays

Kevin Sorbo (59), Brad Bird (60), Sven-Ole Thorsen (73), Karl Pilkington (45), Bruce Springsteen (68), Tom Felton (30), Billie Piper (35), John Woo (71), Ruth Jones (51), Joan Jett (59), Sue Perkins (48), Nick Cave (60), Stephen King (70), David Wenham (52), Bill Murray (67), Ricki Lake (49), Alfonso Ribeiro (46), Faith Hill (50), Sophia Loren (83), Asia Argento (42), Moon Bloodgood (42), George R.R. Martin (69), Jeremy Irons (69), David McCallum (84), Jimmy Fallon (43), Victoria Silvstedt (43), Twiggy (68), Jada Pinkett Smith (46), Tim McInnerny (61), Paul Feig (55), Neill Blomkamp (38), Bruce Spence (72) and Baz Luhrmann (55).

24th September 2017 | Categories: 2017 | Leave A Comment »

Dead Pool 17th September 2017

Welcome all, another week passes, more celebrity bucket kicking occurs. An odd one this week, all of us missed Harry Dean Stanton, which was a surprise, however he has now begun a rather tenuous thread online as he is the second cast member from Ridley Scott’s Alien to have died this year. But get this, they have died in sequence. John Hurt who was the first to die in the film by a baby alien bursting through his chest died in January this year, now it’s Harry Dean Stanton who played Brett, was the second to die by being bludgeoned by an alien tentacle. This does not bode well for the actor who played Dallas, Tom Skerritt, who at the age of 84 is not a spring chicken, is due to be eaten by the alien offscreen… Let’s see what happens..

So, onwards we go. Points!!! Yes, with the tragic demise of supercentenarian Violet Brown, the following have scored: Paul C & Sarai both get 133 as she was their Woman, Dave gets 33 as she was listed as a Norm. Well done all, slight shift in the league table, but Laura is still tipped to be the Angel of Death for 2017.

Look Who You Could Have Had:

  • Len Wein, 69, American comic book writer and editor (Swamp Thing, Watchmen), co-creator of Wolverine.
  • Sir Peter Hall, 86, British theatre, opera and film director, director of the National Theatre (1973–1988).
  • Basi, 37, Chinese panda, world’s oldest living, cirrhosis and renal failure.
  • Gary Otte, 45, American murderer and robber, execution by lethal injection.
  • Frank Vincent, 80, American actor (The Sopranos, Goodfellas, Casino), complications during heart surgery.
  • Violet Brown, 117, Jamaican supercentenarian, world’s oldest living person, dehydration.
  • Harry Dean Stanton, 91, American actor (Alien, The Green Mile, Big Love).

In Other News

Selena Gomez has revealed that she had a kidney transplant operation this summer linked to her lupus. In an Instagram post, the singer says that her friend Francia Raisa donated an organ to her and says she wanted to explain why fans hadn’t heard much from her despite having new music out. “So I found out I  needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering,” she writes. “It was what I needed to do for my overall health.” Selena Gomez also thanked her friend, The Secret Life of the American Teenager actress Francia Raisa, in her Instagram post. “There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa,” she writes. “She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.” The pair first met at a Disney and ABC charity event at a children’s hospital in 2007. Her first public appearance after recovering from the surgery was in New York with boyfriend The Weeknd last Friday night. She also took time off social media last year to deal with panic attacks, anxiety and depression. The 25-year-old says her ongoing mental health problems are a side-effect of her lupus diagnosis last year. Lupus affects the body’s immune system. The symptoms of the disease include extreme tiredness, rashes (especially on the face, wrists and hands), joint pain and swelling.

Lady Gaga has been taken to hospital, and says she’s suffering with “severe physical pain”. The Bad Romance singer has cancelled her performance at the festival Rock In Rio in Brazil because of it. “I would do anything 4 u but I have to take care of my body right now,” she wrote to fans on Instagram. The 31-year-old recently revealed she’s suffering with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes intense discomfort all over the body. “Lady Gaga is suffering from severe physical pain that has impacted her ability to perform,” a statement on her Instagram page said. “As a result, she sadly must withdraw from this Friday’s Rock In Rio performance.” The singer also posted a picture of her arm with a drip in it. “Brazil, I’m devastated that I’m not well enough to come to Rock In Rio. “I ask for your grace and understanding, and promise that I will come back and perform for you soon. I’m so sorry, and I love you so much.” The musician cancelled a show in Montreal, Canada, earlier this month after falling ill. She’s due to tour the UK in October, and has recently been promoting the documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two.

A judge has ordered the jailing of ex-pharmaceutical chief executive Martin “Pharma Bro” Shkreli while he awaits sentencing for securities fraud. Judge Kiyo Matsumoto said a Facebook post in which Shkreli offered $5,000 for a strand of Hillary Clinton’s hair showed he was a danger to the public. The former CEO, 34, had been free on $5m (£4m) bail since his 2015 arrest. Shkreli rocketed to notoriety in 2015 – and earned the nickname “Pharma Bro” – after raising the price of a lifesaving anti-parasite drug called Daraprim by 5,000% upon acquiring rights to the medication. Overnight, the price of the drug soared from $13.50 to $750 per dose. On Wednesday, Judge Matsumoto ruled that Shkreli’s post on 4th September – made shortly before Mrs Clinton began a book tour – showed he posed a danger, rejecting arguments his words were protected by US free speech laws. Shkreli – who has clashed frequently with critics on social media – had argued that the since-deleted post amounted to satire, and had been a reference to DNA sequencing. “This is a solicitation of assault in exchange for money,” the judge said. “That is not protected by the First Amendment.” Let’s see how long he lasts in prison. As “the most hated man in America” we’re pretty sure here in Dead Pool Towers that he’ll beaten by the officers a couple of times at least, ironically offered some overly-priced drugs to commit suicide with before finally succumbing to Big Hairy Brenda’s Analphylactic Shock!

On This Day

  • 1908 – The Wright Flyer flown by Orville Wright, with Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge as passenger, crashes, killing Selfridge, who becomes the first airplane fatality.
  • 1928 – The Okeechobee hurricane strikes southeastern Florida, killing more than 2,500 people. It is the third deadliest natural disaster in United States history, behind the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
  • 1976 – The first Space Shuttle, Enterprise, is unveiled by NASA.

Deaths

  • 1868 – Roman Nose, Native American warrior (b. circa 1823)
  • 1985 – Laura Ashley, Welsh fashion designer, founded Laura Ashley plc (b. 1925)
  • 1999 – Frankie Vaughan, English singer and actor (b. 1928)

Last Week’s Birthdays

Jennifer Tilly (59), Mickey Rourke (65), Danny John-Jules (57), Tom Hardy (40), Tommy Lee Jones (71), Oliver Stone (71), Prince Harry Windsor (33), Brendan O’Carroll (62), Jimmy Carr (45), Sam Neill (70), Andrew Lincoln (44), Walter Koenig (81), Jacqueline Bisset (73), Alfie Allen (31), Ian Holm (86), Linda Gray (77), Virginia Madsen (56), Brian De Palma (77), Johnny Vegas (47), Guy Ritchie (49), Colin Firth (57), Chris Columbus (59), and Amy Irving (64).

17th September 2017 | Categories: 2017 | Leave A Comment »

Dead Pool 10th September 2017

Not the best week to be a Country & Western singer, however nobody had either of them on their lists, so another pointless week. With little over three months left, perhaps now is a good time to start researching your list for 2018!!!

Look Who You Could Have Had:

  • Walter Becker, 67, American Hall of Fame musician (Steely Dan), songwriter and producer, Grammy winner (2001).
  • Kate Millett, 82, American feminist writer (Sexual Politics).
  • Mike Neville, 80, British television presenter (BBC North East and Cumbria, ITV Tyne Tees).
  • Don Williams, 78, American Hall of Fame country music singer (“Tulsa Time”, “I Believe in You”, “You’re My Best Friend”) and songwriter, emphysema.
  • Troy Gentry, 50, American country music singer (Montgomery Gentry), helicopter crash.
  • Blake Heron, 35, American actor (Shiloh, We Were Soldiers, Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher).

In Other News

Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, is calling time on public appearances. A statement on the 82-year-old’s social media accounts said he would “no longer be doing any personal appearances or conventions due to health problems” from January 2018 onwards. If you were not aware, Prowse was the man behind Vader’s mask in Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He also played the Green Cross Code man in television road safety commercials. Born in Bristol in 1935, Prowse was a successful bodybuilder and weightlifter before landing his iconic Star Wars role. His face was never seen in the films though, while his voice was dubbed by US actor James Earl Jones. Prowse, a fixture on the convention circuit since Jedi’s release in 1983, announced last year “with great sadness” that he would no longer attend international events. In 2014 he revealed he had dementia, though this did not prevent him participating in the 2015 documentary I Am Your Father, or recently appearing in a music video for singer Jayce Lewis. Don’t worry, there’s still time to get that priceless collectors signed photograph.

Lil Wayne has reportedly been taken to hospital after suffering a seizure and being found unconscious in his hotel room in Chicago. Celebrity website TMZ says the 34-year-old rapper, who has epilepsy, suffered a number of fits and had another one after arriving at A&E. He had been due to perform in Las Vegas on Sunday night. The rap star, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, was treated a year ago after suffering two minor seizures. Four years ago Lil Wayne spent several days at a hospital in Los Angeles. After those seizures the rapper told radio station Power 106 that he was epileptic and prone to having fits. He told DJ Felli Fel: “This wasn’t my first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh…I have had a bunch of seizures, you just never hear about them.” Lil Wayne says he suffers seizures because of stress, lack of rest and overworking himself. God knows what he’d be like if he had a proper job!

Family and friends have said farewell to Sir Bruce Forsyth at a private funeral. The star’s manager confirmed that the service took place last Monday. A public memorial service will be held in due course for fans to pay their respects to the entertainer, with details released in the next few weeks. There was also a tribute on Strictly Come Dancing when it returned to BBC One on Saturday evening. Sir Bruce, who co-hosted the dance show until 2014, died on 18th August at the age of 89 and gave the Dead Poolers a grand total of 2486 points, totally eclipsing the previous top scorer, Margaret Thatcher with 1945 points. Sir Bruce’s TV career stretched back to the 1950s and he became one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers thanks to shows like Sunday Night at the London Palladium, The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right and The Price Is Right.

On This Day

  • 1961 – Italian Grand Prix, a crash causes the death of German Formula One driver Wolfgang von Trips and 13 spectators who are hit by his Ferrari.
  • 1977 – Hamida Djandoubi, convicted of torture and murder, is the last person to be executed by guillotine in France.
  • 2008 – The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, described as the biggest scientific experiment in history, is powered up in Geneva, Switzerland. We all survived.

Deaths

Last Week’s Birthdays

Adam Sandler (51), Hugh Grant (57), Henry Thomas (46), Eric Stonestreet (46), Jeffrey Combs (63), Julia Sawalha (49), Rachel Hunter (48), Martin Freeman (46), Pink (38), Heather Thomas (60), Evan Rachel Wood (30), Shannon Elizabeth (44), Toby Jones (51), Dario Argento (77), Julie Kavner (66), Doug Bradley (63), Chrissie Hynde (66), Gloria Gaynor (68), Idris Elba (45), Macy Gray (50), Carice van Houten (41), Rose McGowan (44), Michael Keaton (66), Raquel Welch (77), Werner Herzog (75), Paddy Considine (44), George Lazenby (78), Bob Newhart (88), Beyoncé Knowles (36), Charlie Sheen (52) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (64).

10th September 2017 | Categories: 2017 | Leave A Comment »

Dead Pool 3rd September 2017

Welcome all, to the  special 20th Anniversary Edition of Princess Diana’s Death Edition of The Dead Pool, where we will not be mentioning her again because nobody gives a fuck nor gave a fuck twenty years ago. No points to award this week, better luck next time!

Look Who You Could Have Had:

  • Melissa Bell, 53, English singer (Soul II Soul).
  • Richard Anderson, 91, American actor (The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Forbidden Planet).
  • Shelley Berman, 92, American comedian and actor (You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Meet the Fockers, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, 85, English Roman Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Arundel and Brighton (1977–2000) and Westminster (2000–2009).

In Other News

Veteran singer Tom Jones announced Saturday that he was reluctantly postponing a U.S. concert tour scheduled to kick off next week because of health issues. The 77-year-old Welsh crooner said on Twitter that his Autumn tour would be delayed “following medical advice. He did not reveal the state of his health or provide further details. Jones sent his “sincere apologies” to U.S. fans planning to attend the shows. A statement on his website said the rescheduled tour would take place in May and June of next year and that tickets for the postponed shows would be honoured. The surprise postponement of his tour dates prompted numerous concerned comments from fans who wished him well on Twitter. Jones’ wife of 59 years, Linda, died last year of cancer.

An Aberdeen footballer has been rescued from a river after a night out in Glasgow. Gary Mackay-Steven, 26, was suffering from the effects of hypothermia when he  was pulled from the River Kelvin by firefighters early on Sunday morning. The former Celtic winger was then taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by paramedics. Aberdeen FC confirmed the player was treated for hypothermia and was now “recovering well” at home. A club statement said: “On behalf of Gary, the club extends its thanks to the emergency services involved. “The club will not be commenting further on the matter.”

Yet another matador suffered severe injuries after he was gored by a bull and dragged around the ring on its horn. Experienced bullfighter Sergio Flores, 26, was speared in the armpit and tossed in the air by the rampaging animal during a performance in the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He was carried around the ring for nine seconds as helpers frantically tried to rescue him after the 500kg bull’s horn became lodged under his arm. The audience feared the worst as Mr Flores was left motionless and bleeding heavily on the bullring floor. He was eventually carried from the ring to the stadium’s medical centre before being taken to hospital, where he was said to be in a serious but stable condition. Medics later said he had suffered two puncture wounds between his arm and chest, as well as head injuries. It was not clear if the bull was injured. Mr Flores has been bullfighting since 2007, according to Mexican newspaper El Sol de Tlaxcala.

And finally, staff and guests were forced to flee after two “out of control” pensioners rampaged through a Highland Perthshire resort hotel, a court heard. Robert Fergus, 72, ran naked with a pair of scissors in the public reception of the MacDonald Loch Rannoch Hotel and smashed a glass pane. His wife Ruth, 69, threatened to shoot a staff member after “reacting badly” to the alcohol she consumed earlier. The couple were fined £4,100 at Perth Sheriff Court. Mr Fergus, from Troon, was also ordered to pay the hotel £800 compensation to cover the cost of the damage from the incident. He had admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards four staff members, wilfully destroying property, and drink driving. Sheriff Gillian Wade told Mr Fergus: “I don’t think I need to tell you it’s a very sorry state of affairs. I have no doubt you will regret it for the rest of your life.”

On This Day

  • 301 – San Marino, one of the smallest nations in the world and the world’s oldest republic still in existence, is founded by Saint Marinus.
  • 1189 – Richard I of England (a.k.a. Richard “the Lionheart”) is crowned at Westminster.
  • 1666 – The Royal Exchange burns down in the Great Fire of London.
  • 1878 – Over 640 die when the crowded pleasure boat Princess Alice collides with the Bywell Castle in the River Thames.

Deaths

  • 1658 – Oliver Cromwell, English general and politician (b. 1599)
  • 1991 – Frank Capra, Italian-American director, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1897)
  • 2012 – Michael Clarke Duncan, American actor (b. 1957)
  • 2012 – Sun Myung Moon, Korean religious leader and businessman, founded the Unification Church (b. 1920)

Last Week’s Birthdays

Keanu Reeves (53), Salma Hayek (51), Keith Allen (64), Burn Gorman (43), Lily Tomlin (78), Craig McLachlan (52), Steve Pemberton (50), Barry Gibb (71), Richard Gere (68), Chris Tucker (46), Jessica Henwick (25), Cameron Diaz (45), Peggy Lipton (71), Michael Chiklis (54), Carla Gugino (46), Rebecca De Mornay (58), Elliott Gould (79), Joel Schumacher (78), William Friedkin (82), Lenny Henry (59), David Fincher (55), Jack Black (48), Jason Priestley (48), Brian Thompson (58), Shania Twain (52), Ai Weiwei (60), Billy Boyd (49), LeAnn Rimes (35), David Soul (74), Aaron Paul (38), Peter Stormare (64), Barbara Bach (70), Paul Reubens (65) and Reece Shearsmith (48),

3rd September 2017 | Categories: 2017 | Leave A Comment »