A Christmas message from Mando - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 12-27-2002, 06:36 PM

Sorry, I didn't post this sooner - I am way behind on e-mails and he sent this on the 24th.

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Hi to everyone on line, and a very Merry Christmas...

Please forgive my laziness, for not greeting you all sooner, as I have no excuse. Yes, I have been busy, but aren't we all? I have just been flat-out lazy, and I refuse to excuse myself!

I just wanted to share a moment with you all, about me and Freddie...Though he would try and hide it, Freddie was a real "sentamentalist" and loved the holidays. He, like most big stars, would have his secretary buy gifts for him for certain friends and co-workers, but I can honestly say...whatever Freddie gave me...it was from him personally, and from his heart!

When we first started the show, in our first Christmas together in 1974...Freddie had given all the cast members of "Chico" gifts, except me. I thought it was just an oversight, and didn't think much about it. But everyone else noticed, and they felt bad for me. They all thought maybe Freddie was mad at me or upset with m,e for some reason.

Well Freddie knew I liked playing the Harmonica, and at the last minute, he gave me a giant box, all wrapped up. One box in another, and another, and so on, till it came to the last box, and it was a little one...He had got me a blues harp, and actually coined the phrase, "Blues Brothers"....even before Beluschi and Ackroyd. Freddie said, "Zak"
You and I are going to be the "Blues Brothers"....Brotha...so you better start "Honing" up....(the harmonica was a Honer brand)

Freddie was so clever. He was a genious, and not just because I worked with him am I saying it...He was a genious ahead of his time, and all who knew Freddie, especially the master comedians like Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, and even George Burns...all knew it, and were in awe of him, because he was so young....yet had a knack for timing.

Needless to say, Freddie never forgot Mando....his friend! He pulled me to the side and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and said to me...Zak...Mando....Isaac, or whoever the Hell you are...I love you, and we will be friends forever...You and Me...
"Chico & Mando"...and brother, we are on top of the world!

He then wished me and my family a Merry Christmas, and again hugged me, and as he was walking out of the dressing room, he turned and looked at me and gave me a hi-fi, with a fist and said..."We are....the Blues Brothers"...you and me, carnal...
(carnal means brother)..He smiled at me with that famous "Chico" smile...and exited.

Freddie will always be remembered at Christmas time in the Ruiz household, and I always say a toast to my brother Freddie who is waiting for me in Heaven...(though I hope he waits a long, long, time...Ha Ha Ha)...and Freddie, will always be Mando's...
"Blues Brother"....God Bless you all, and a Very Merry Christmas, and prosperous New Year...your amigo, and "Blues Brother"...Mando

Cheryl Harrell · 12-27-2002, 07:05 PM

Thanks Mando! We enjoyed your remincences of Freddie. You sound like a really ncie guy & hope you had a great Christmas too. Freddie is indeed waiting in heaven & may God Bless him up there. Thanks for sharing!

Oh yeah, I am lazy too! Trust me on that one LOL!

hue_mee · 12-27-2002, 07:49 PM

Isaac it is always a joy to hear from you. As for you being lazy. This time of year most of us tend to get that way. At least I do! Hee hee! Thank you Isaac for sharing your special memory of Freddie with us and thank you especially for an "incredible" year!

Pitooey · 12-28-2002, 01:22 AM

Issac AKA Mando........

Thank you for reminiscing about Freddie. I feel like Freddie is smiling everytime you tell us about him. We knew he was a sweet
gentle man. It's exciting to hear about all the comedy greats who saw his gifts first hand. He was indeed special. May he always Rest in Peace & I hope to meet him in the after life one day too. (Not yet though)............. Issac you could meet him first.

Have a Happy Holiday Issac and family............

12-27-2002, 06:36 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,688	A Christmas message from Mando Sorry, I didn't post this sooner - I am way behind on e-mails and he sent this on the 24th. ------------------------------------ Hi to everyone on line, and a very Merry Christmas... Please forgive my laziness, for not greeting you all sooner, as I have no excuse. Yes, I have been busy, but aren't we all? I have just been flat-out lazy, and I refuse to excuse myself! I just wanted to share a moment with you all, about me and Freddie...Though he would try and hide it, Freddie was a real "sentamentalist" and loved the holidays. He, like most big stars, would have his secretary buy gifts for him for certain friends and co-workers, but I can honestly say...whatever Freddie gave me...it was from him personally, and from his heart! When we first started the show, in our first Christmas together in 1974...Freddie had given all the cast members of "Chico" gifts, except me. I thought it was just an oversight, and didn't think much about it. But everyone else noticed, and they felt bad for me. They all thought maybe Freddie was mad at me or upset with m,e for some reason. Well Freddie knew I liked playing the Harmonica, and at the last minute, he gave me a giant box, all wrapped up. One box in another, and another, and so on, till it came to the last box, and it was a little one...He had got me a blues harp, and actually coined the phrase, "Blues Brothers"....even before Beluschi and Ackroyd. Freddie said, "Zak" You and I are going to be the "Blues Brothers"....Brotha...so you better start "Honing" up....(the harmonica was a Honer brand) Freddie was so clever. He was a genious, and not just because I worked with him am I saying it...He was a genious ahead of his time, and all who knew Freddie, especially the master comedians like Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, and even George Burns...all knew it, and were in awe of him, because he was so young....yet had a knack for timing. Needless to say, Freddie never forgot Mando....his friend! He pulled me to the side and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and said to me...Zak...Mando....Isaac, or whoever the Hell you are...I love you, and we will be friends forever...You and Me... "Chico & Mando"...and brother, we are on top of the world! He then wished me and my family a Merry Christmas, and again hugged me, and as he was walking out of the dressing room, he turned and looked at me and gave me a hi-fi, with a fist and said..."We are....the Blues Brothers"...you and me, carnal... (carnal means brother)..He smiled at me with that famous "Chico" smile...and exited. Freddie will always be remembered at Christmas time in the Ruiz household, and I always say a toast to my brother Freddie who is waiting for me in Heaven...(though I hope he waits a long, long, time...Ha Ha Ha)...and Freddie, will always be Mando's... "Blues Brother"....God Bless you all, and a Very Merry Christmas, and prosperous New Year...your amigo, and "Blues Brother"...Mando

12-27-2002, 07:05 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	Thanks Mando! We enjoyed your remincences of Freddie. You sound like a really ncie guy & hope you had a great Christmas too. Freddie is indeed waiting in heaven & may God Bless him up there. Thanks for sharing! Oh yeah, I am lazy too! Trust me on that one LOL!
	__________________ RIP darling Mike. I love you forever... You are with Freddie Prinze & Jesus now. 1951-2009 "Make it your way, who can beat the Lord, the Son of God. Dear Lord, help me be strong where I am weak, if it be your will"-- The Late Freddie Prinze Sr

12-27-2002, 07:49 PM	#3
hue_mee Remembering Freddie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 28, 2001 Location: Grateful for a voice from our angel's friend Posts: 2,266	Best Wishes Isaac it is always a joy to hear from you. As for you being lazy. This time of year most of us tend to get that way. At least I do! Hee hee! Thank you Isaac for sharing your special memory of Freddie with us and thank you especially for an "incredible" year!
	__________________ Freddie Prinze Sr Thank you David Brenner! "...and when he shall die, take him and cut him into little stars, and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the earth will be in love with night..."

12-28-2002, 01:22 AM	#4
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	Issac AKA Mando........ Thank you for reminiscing about Freddie. I feel like Freddie is smiling everytime you tell us about him. We knew he was a sweet gentle man. It's exciting to hear about all the comedy greats who saw his gifts first hand. He was indeed special. May he always Rest in Peace & I hope to meet him in the after life one day too. (Not yet though)............. Issac you could meet him first. Have a Happy Holiday Issac and family............
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...