Tom Magliozzi – one of public radio’s most beloved figures – passed away today at 77. From 1977 to 2012, Magliozzi and his brother Ray hosted the peabody Award-winning Car Talk on NPR. Much more than a simple auto repair call-in show, Car Talk was enlivened by Ray and Tom’s razor-sharp banter and incredible wit. Tom worked as an engineer after graduating from MIT in 1958 before a near-fatal car accident during his lengthy commute prompted him to choose a new career. He described the incident during a 1999 commencement speech at his alma mater: “I quit my job,” Magliozzi said. “I became a bum. I spent two years sitting in Harvard Square drinking coffee. I invented the concept of the do-it-yourself auto repair shop, and I met my lovely wife.” That period led to the creation of Car Talk, which started off on local Boston radio, and soon became a favorite amongst gear-heads and casual NPR listeners alike. Tom and Ray retired from the show in 2012 after Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Magliozzi is the second beloved son that the city of Boston has lost in les than a week, following the death of Thomas Menino last week this past Thursday. Celebrities We Lost in 2014 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014). He will forever be missed!
NYC Construction Worker Killed By Tape Measure That Fell 50 Stories via Gawker In a freak accident that does nothing to calm your fears of objects falling from the sky and killing you, a construction worker in Jersey City died this morning after a one-pound tape measure fell 50 stories and hit him in the head. According to the Associated Press, the 50-year-old man, who has not yet been identified, was apparently not wearing a hardhat when the tape measure fell, ricocheting off construction equipment below and hitting him in the head. From NBC New York: “As he walked over, a 1-pound tape measure fell off the belt of a contractor working on the 50th floor, bounced off a piece of metal construction equipment about 10 feet off the ground and hit him in the head, police said. He was knocked unconscious and later died at the hospital.” The Jersey Journal reports that the man was delivering sheet rock to the construction site for two 50-story buildings attached to a hotel. Shutterstock
The (not at all) stunning and abrupt breakup of Juan Pablo Galavis and girlfriend Nikki Ferrell absolutely floored fans of The Bachelor and Couples Therapy . We know. We’re shocked … that it took almost a whole year. Why did Juan Pablo and Nikki Ferrell break up , though? Who did the dumping and for what reason? We’ll give you one guess, because it’s pretty obvious … Nikki kicked Juan to the curb at long, LONG last. Ess okay. Insiders say there had been trouble in paradise for some time (ya think?) but their rift intensified after The Bachelor stars appeared on VH1’s Couples Therapy. If you watch Couples Therapy online , it’s clear that therapy didn’t take for the two, especially Nikki, who reached a point where she couldn’t take it anymore. In a sense, maybe the show did work , just not as planned. “Juan and Nikki have been fighting,” an insider says, and the 27-year-old Ferrell was the one who pulled the plug the source adds, noting: “It was not mutual.” Another source says the two just wanted different things. “Everything Nikki wanted, he didn’t,” the source notes. “She wanted to settle down and he didn’t.” This, evidently, was not as obvious to Nikki as it was to EVERY TV VIEWER AND CELEBRITY NEWS READER IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Juan Pablo and Nikki Ferrell Photos: True Love? 1. Juan Pablo and Nikki Ferrell Kiss Juan Pablo Galavis and Nikki Ferrell kiss in a cute photo. “They were not seeing eye to eye on anything,” the insider claims. “Juan wanted Nikki in Miami. Nikki didn’t want to leave her family, friends, or job.” “Meanwhile, Juan wouldn’t even consider going to Kansas.” “Nikki felt like she was doing all the work in the relationship, and that Juan expected her to join his life … she couldn’t get him to compromise at all.” The same source adds that the notorious douchebag “stopped putting any effort in the relationship” after seeking Dr. Jenn Berman’s help on Couples Therapy . “I don’t think he ever said ‘I love you’ to her,” the insider says, which had been an issue from the start, but ultimately caused Ferrell to break down. “He didn’t put Nikki’s priorities first and she had enough.” On the show(s), Galavis routinely played the culture/language barrier card, saying Ferrell had a “word issue” because “she wants to hear, ‘I love you.'” He added, “If I say it, I mean it.” Guess he didn’t. I Like You a Lot: The Bachelor Season Finale Pics 1. Juan Pablo and Clare Crawley Juan Pablo and Clare Crawley in their final face to face moment ever. It was not pretty. You didn’t need The Bachelor spoilers to give this breakup away ahead of time, or to tell you that Chris Soules has the bar set very, very low for him in 2015. Seriously. He can’t possibly be worse.
We’re not doctors here at The Hollywood Gossip. Are Kylie Jenner’s lips real… or the result of some plastic surgery? We don’t know for sure. Was Tori Spelling hospitalized last week due to a panic attack… or as a headline-generating move to garner ratings for her nauseating reality show? We can’t say for certain (even though she totally faked it.) Are the following famous females expecting a baby in 2015? Don’t bet your home on it. However, based on our research (i.e. they’re pregnancy announcements), our investigative resources (i.e. a calendar) and a few very basic math skills, it’s safe to assume the Palace will have major news to break in a few months, while Kim Kardashian will have another relative to pay an assistant to Tweet about. From royalty to reality to pure beauty, here’s a look at various celebrities babies who will enter the world in early 2015: Celebrities Who Are Expecting a Baby in 2015 1. Kate Middleton Another royal baby is on the way! Kate Middleton and Prince William will welcome it into the world in April 2015.
House of Cards actress Elizabeth Norment has passed away at the age of 61. She died October 13 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, according to her family. Further details about her death are not yet known. Norment’s character Nancy worked under Frank Underwood, the dynamic main character played by Kevin Spacey on the acclaimed political drama. Nancy remained loyal to Underwood and his right-hand man Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly), following Frank from the U.S. House to the West Wing. House of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon mourned Norment’s loss. He said that he and the cast ” deeply saddened by Elizabeth’s passing .” Willimon added: “She was a talented actress, a warm soul and good friend to us all.” Norment’s career as an actress spanned over three decades. The Washington D.C. native studied at the Yale School of Drama, and appeared on TV shows like ER and Mad About You . Elizabeth also had roles in movies like The Woman in Red (1984) and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) and Robert Kennedy and His Times (1985). The actress is survived by her mom Nancy, her three sisters Kate, Sarah and Martha, her brother Clarence, as well as six nieces and nephews. R.I.P. 23 Shocking Celebrity Deaths 1. Paul Walker Paul Walker died in a car accident on November 30, 2013. He left behind a daughter and a burgeoning film career.
Marcia Strassman, a veteran actress best known for roles on M*A*S*H and Welcome Back, Kotter, died today after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. She was 66 years old. Curb Your Enthusiasm director Bob Weide confirmed Strassman’s passing on Twitter, writing: “So sad that a sweet friend, kind person & wonderful actress Marcia Strassman lost her brave battle with cancer today.” Best known for her lead roles in the TV series Welcome Back, Kotter and the comedy film Honey I Shrunk the Kids (along with its sequel, Honey I Blew Up the Kids), Strassman also served on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild. “She was the funniest, smartest person I ever met,” said Julie Strassman of her sister. “And talented. She knew everything. Now I won’t be able to call her and ask her questions. Strassman was born New York City, and grew up in New Jersey. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 18 years old. “Wanted U2 No,a Funny,Talented Friend Died.Not 4U 2feel sorry 4me,but she died alone, &Energy from U is powerful &Sends (love) ‘Marsha (sic) Strassman,” Tweeted Cher in response to the sad news. Celebrities We Lost in 2014 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014). He will forever be missed!
Oscar Taveras, one of the most promising young players in Major League Baseball, was killed today in a car accident in his native Puerto Rico. He was 22 years old. Taveras’ girlfriend also died in the accident, according to police in Puerto Plata. Taveras debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals this season and batted .239 in 80 games. He was scheduled to compete for a lot more playing time next year. The rising star was heading from Jameo to his hometown of Sosua, though few other details regarding the crash have been released. “We’re still investigating at the scene. We’ve had some heavy rainfall here lately. It might have contributed to the accident,” said Lieutenant Junior Lopez Reyes of the Puerto Plata police. Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak released a brief statement in which he expressed grief and shock, writing: “Obviously, we have deep condolences to his family. We are still waiting for more details before issuing a full statement.” 23 Shocking Celebrity Deaths 1. Paul Walker Paul Walker died in a car accident on November 30, 2013. He left behind a daughter and a burgeoning film career. Taveras started the 2014 season as number-three on MLB.com’s list of top 100 prospects. He hit a home run in his major league debut against the San Francisco Giants and hit a game-tying round-tripper against the Giants in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series this month. We send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones.
Joanne Borgella, a finalist on Season 7 of American Idol and the first-ever winner of Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance, died after a long battle with cancer on Saturday. She was 32 years old. Borgella’s family confirmed the tragic news via a brief message on Facebook that reads: “With heavy hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Joanne.” Borgella competed on the opening season of Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance as “Miss F.A.T.” She went on to advance to the final 12 women in 2008 on American Idol . Five years later, Joanne was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, updating fans about her condition in a series of Facebook videos.. Her last update came on September 23, as she prepared for more radiation and chemotherapy. “At an early age, Joanne made a choice to serve and trust the Lord; and since her diagnosis over a year ago, Joanne made a choice to also be a fighter and share her journey with the world,” her family wrote on Facebook, adding: “Her faith, courage and strength were unshaken throughout every obstacle she encountered,” continued Borgella’s family. “Although our family is suffering with this great loss, we find comfort in the closeness Joanne shared with the Lord. “We know her spirit still shines and will continue to live on in heaven.” Celebrities We Lost in 2014 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014). He will forever be missed!
That camel wasn’t taking that “share a Coke” slogan lightly! Angry Camel Kills Wildlife Park Owner Over Missing Coca-Cola The American owner of a wildlife park in Mexico was killed by one of his animals this Monday. Richard Mileski of Chicago died after being kicked, bitten and sat on by a camel at the wildlife park he owned in the Mexican resort town of Tulum. “The camel kicked and bit him practically to death, and when he was almost dead, he sat on him,” Tulum Civil Defense official Alberto Canto told the AP. “Between the blows and the weight of the camel on top of him, he was asphyxiated.” He said it was still unclear why the animal, which was in a kind of enclosure, attacked Mileski, and authorities were sorting through a number of versions, including one that the camel was angry not to get a soft drink. “One version is that he would always give him a Coca-Cola to drink, and apparently that day he didn’t give him the Coca-Cola,” Canto said. But, he added, “there are a lot of versions.” Rescuers used a rope tied to a pickup truck to pull the angry dromedary off of Mileski’s body. A statement posted by the sanctuary on its Facebook page said Mileski died Monday at age 60. “Richard lost his life caring for one of the animals that he has dedicated the last 15 year of his life to saving,” the statement said. “Richard founded the Tulum Monkey Sanctuary on his ranch in order to help rescue an endangered species, the spider monkey, from extinction,” it added. “But he did not limit himself to helping the monkeys for his compassion ran the entire range of species from dogs to ducks and horses to javali.” Poor guy. Following his death Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection said the camel, 13 spider monkeys, six deer, two emus, two llamas and a wild boar were placed under seizure orders, but were being kept at the sanctuary pending investigation. The office said the park did not have papers proving the legal ownership of the animals. The animals will continue to be cared for at the park by the manager of the facility. Dang. Who knew camels were so serious about soda? Shutterstock
