It's just emotional me again. I hope you all are not getting tired of my posts.
I just had to share this excerpt from another of David Brenner's books,soft pretzels with Mustard
Here is what D.B. has to say about Freddie in this book.
"Jack albertson was going to read my telegram during his eulogy of Freddie Prinze,but he broke down before he could.
I wasn't at the funeral because "they" said that unlessI flew into La a day before the funeral for a "reheearsal" I couldn't be a pallbearer.I knew that ment it was going to be a hollywood scene I didn;t show for the rehearsal and waited to visit the grave after the tinsel had been swept away...
But here is what my telegram said.
(this is what makes me mad!!)
I regret that I cannot be among the many who are honoring Freddie today,but I am glad to be among the very few who honored him in life
Freddie was a special person I'll always miss him.
I sure hope i didn't break any copyright rules here but I wanted to share this.
I was miffed at this because I think there were a lot of people who honored Freddie in his life and at his death not just D.b.
and second because I don;t think that it is truely honoring someone in life to help them with their addictions as David admitted to having done in his other book.
I;m sorry if I'm affending anyone here but i needed to vent.
I also say so what if they wanted a rehearsal before the funeral- I mean this was a tragic time lots of sorrow and with so many people there I'm sure they just wanted everything to go as smoothly for the family and friens as it could.
I think it would have honored freddie to have his good friend David help his family at that time and be there for them during the funeral.

Again, I must apologize for being so preachy and judgemental. If I've affended anyone I'm sorry. It's just that in Maria;s book she makes it sound like D.B. and Freddie were so close and to me D.B. just comes off sounding like a selfish, self centered show off.
that line about the "very few" after he couldn't even show up for the memorial really ticked me off.

The nerve of some people!!

I think if I was David, I would be ashamed and apologetic for sharing drugs with Freddie in light of the circumstances surrounding his death--not just spouting off about being on of the "very few" true friends!
PS. Joy-we're not getting tired of your posts! http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

Joy,
I have enjoyed your posts here and am never tired of reading them. I like the fact that you take these matters very seriously and to heart as we all do. I am not going to condone the actions of any person who shared drugs with Freddie or supplied them to him. But the one thing we must all remember is that Freddie was a grown man and if he hadn't gotten the drugs from those he knew then he would have gotten them from someone else. I did not walk in David Brenner's shoes but what I think he was trying to convey was that the death of a friend should not be a media spectacle nor should it be "rehearsed" to get it right. Emotions run high at a time like that...and they still do today. I think all the friends who saw the signs of a depressed man and chose to not do anything about it are to blame. Hollywood, in part, was also to blame as far as how he was treated and what was expected out of him. We have to face the fact that those around him failed him...because they looked the other way there was a funeral that needed to be rehearsed.

chicosfairlady, Very well put.

I don't understand David Brenner at all!! If he didn't agree with the rehearsal, fine, but should that have stopped him from being at the funeral and honoring his friend? No! Seems like an excuse for not being there. I hope I'm wrong. Instead of Jack Albertson reading Brenner's words, he should have been there and done it himself. Jack seemed to be one of the most genuine of all in his feelings, concerns and actions. He sounded like a very good man. Too bad Freddie didn't listen more to him. Thank you Joy for posting the parts of DB's book. You're right for being upset!

Joy, I agree with you and you are justified in your feelings. I enjoy hearing your views and thoughts. That is why we are here. I am in agreement with you and find all of this by D.B. very hurtful and surprising.
Chicosladyfair, you made some very insightful and moving statements and observations. As always, you got to the heart of the matter and conveyed such wisdom and sensitivity. I am enriched by you.

I agree that it shouldn't have been a Hollywood type of thing but at the same time, he should've gone to the service. They were friends & he should've gone. It bugs me that he would share drugs with Freddie & yet in the E- Story he acts like such a nice person... Not everyone is as they seem I guess. So sad...

[This message has been edited by Cheryl Harrell (edited 06-01-2001).]

Sad, but true.

Since when do you "rehearse" a funeral. This may sound morbid, but could Freddie have an open casket? I have always wondered about that. I am sure he had lots of things done to him at UCLA, and maybe he could not be shown. I guess it would all depend on what kind of damage he suffered. Back to topic, sorry. I think Jack Albertson's feelings were very sincere and geniune. There is no doubt in my mind that he and Freddie were very close. Sounds like Tony O was not much to write home about and now I am really beginning to wonder about David B. How many books did he write anyway. Joy, you keep posting girl. Don't ever think people get sick of you--THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE!!

I agree with ya Vicki. Since he had to have surgery & they had to shave his head, I'd assume it was closed casket. So sad...