James Komack speaks out - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

croiter · 05-12-2001, 03:40 PM

I've posted a short article from a 1978 magazine interview where James Komack, exec. producer of CATM, blames Freddie for his own death.

It's at www.prinze-sr.cityslide.com under Komack: Hollywood not responsible.

I'd be interested in your feedback. Please post your thoughts on my message board.

Peace,
Tony aka Croiter

Cheryl Harrell · 05-12-2001, 04:27 PM

Good job reporting. Liked the pic too! Interesting take on Freddie...

chicosladyfair · 05-12-2001, 04:40 PM

I just finished reading the article and I have to say that I'm saddened by Mr. Komack's response. Hollywood may not have a reponsibility to police the activities of it's stars, but I think it has to accept part of the blame for being "the machine" that it is. Certainly, Freddie's friends should have cared enough about him to see he was in trouble. From everything that I have learned about him, he brought his problems with him, he made no bones about his drug use, and he made very definite cries for help. If Freddie was talking about death from day one, at the age of 19 no less, that should have been one damned BIG red flag! My only consolation in this is knowing that some day these so-called friends will have to answer for their silence and indifference. Someday they will have to face Freddie again. I wonder what they'll have to say to him then?

Peko · 05-12-2001, 06:27 PM

Well said, ChicosfairLady!!! I totally agree with you!! When people say that they took action and "did all they could", maybe they did, but didn't take the "right" action! Mr. Komack tells it like Freddie was a hopeless case and that he caused it all himself. Did anyone ever ask Freddie why he felt the way he did? There's always something else you can do, even if the person is resisting getting help. It also depends on how far you want to take your "help" or involvement in the situation. I could not have stood by and watched Freddie do that to himself.

Vicki39 · 05-13-2001, 03:27 PM

I was taken back by Jimmy Komack's statement as well. I have a friend who years ago told me he was going to kill himself. I taked to him, cheered him up the best way I knew how, I told him people loved him, etc, etc....When I got off the phone, I call suicide prevention to learn how to help my friend. The funny and only bad part of this is that suicide prevention that I was referring to myself during our whole conversation. After I ensured them that I enjoyed life and wanted to continue to live, they probably told me more on how I could help me friend. And he is alive today! When people make threats, you must take them seriously. You do what ever you can do. You tell them you love them, they can't leave you or whatever. I am begining to think now that Freddie probably did have a mental disorder, and God knows that does not make him a bad person. We all need help from time to time. Maybe if this all took place in this day and age, Freddie would still be with us...

05-12-2001, 03:40 PM	#1
croiter Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 26, 2001 Posts: 232	James Komack speaks out I've posted a short article from a 1978 magazine interview where James Komack, exec. producer of CATM, blames Freddie for his own death. It's at www.prinze-sr.cityslide.com under Komack: Hollywood not responsible. I'd be interested in your feedback. Please post your thoughts on my message board. Peace, Tony aka Croiter

05-12-2001, 04:27 PM	#2
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	Good job reporting. Liked the pic too! Interesting take on Freddie...

05-12-2001, 04:40 PM	#3
chicosladyfair Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 10, 2001 Location: Sunny California Posts: 770	I just finished reading the article and I have to say that I'm saddened by Mr. Komack's response. Hollywood may not have a reponsibility to police the activities of it's stars, but I think it has to accept part of the blame for being "the machine" that it is. Certainly, Freddie's friends should have cared enough about him to see he was in trouble. From everything that I have learned about him, he brought his problems with him, he made no bones about his drug use, and he made very definite cries for help. If Freddie was talking about death from day one, at the age of 19 no less, that should have been one damned BIG red flag! My only consolation in this is knowing that some day these so-called friends will have to answer for their silence and indifference. Someday they will have to face Freddie again. I wonder what they'll have to say to him then?

05-12-2001, 06:27 PM	#4
Peko Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 03, 2001 Posts: 181	Well said, ChicosfairLady!!! I totally agree with you!! When people say that they took action and "did all they could", maybe they did, but didn't take the "right" action! Mr. Komack tells it like Freddie was a hopeless case and that he caused it all himself. Did anyone ever ask Freddie why he felt the way he did? There's always something else you can do, even if the person is resisting getting help. It also depends on how far you want to take your "help" or involvement in the situation. I could not have stood by and watched Freddie do that to himself.

05-13-2001, 03:27 PM	#5
Vicki39 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2001 Location: Springfield, OH, USA Posts: 108	I was taken back by Jimmy Komack's statement as well. I have a friend who years ago told me he was going to kill himself. I taked to him, cheered him up the best way I knew how, I told him people loved him, etc, etc....When I got off the phone, I call suicide prevention to learn how to help my friend. The funny and only bad part of this is that suicide prevention that I was referring to myself during our whole conversation. After I ensured them that I enjoyed life and wanted to continue to live, they probably told me more on how I could help me friend. And he is alive today! When people make threats, you must take them seriously. You do what ever you can do. You tell them you love them, they can't leave you or whatever. I am begining to think now that Freddie probably did have a mental disorder, and God knows that does not make him a bad person. We all need help from time to time. Maybe if this all took place in this day and age, Freddie would still be with us...