Dead Man Pens Hope Obituary for New York Times - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 07-30-2003, 08:19 PM

Dead Man Pens Hope Obituary for New York Times

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Funnyman Bob Hope died this week aged 100, and the New York Times informed its readers of the sad event by running out an obituary written by Vincent Canby -- a veteran Times critic who died himself in 2000.

Canby, who died aged 76 in October 2000, was a long time entertainment writer for the Times.

"The obituary was written by Mr. Canby several years ago and his byline was on it," Times spokesman Toby Usnik said on Tuesday, adding that Canby's own demise was noted when the Times posted the obituary on its Web site.

The peculiar incident of one dead man writing about another was cause for some titillation in New York's tabloids.

The New York Post, not known for holding back any punches, could barely restrain itself.

"If there are any mistakes, obviously don't call the writer," the tabloid guffawed in Tuesday's edition, adding, "At least he didn't bury the lead."

Hollow · 07-30-2003, 08:56 PM

I'm confused... this canby guy wrote bob hope's obituary 3 years before he died? what a pessimist.

Kay Scarpetta · 07-30-2003, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~°Sarah°~
I'm confused... this canby guy wrote bob hope's obituary 3 years before he died? what a pessimist.

I know!

Janice · 07-30-2003, 09:53 PM

My husband worked for The Boston Globe many years ago, and told me that the obituaries of all very famous people are written or partially written, while their alive, particulary if the person is old.

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 07-30-2003, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~°Sarah°~
I'm confused... this canby guy wrote bob hope's obituary 3 years before he died? what a pessimist.

LMAO Sarah.

Krystal Lake · 07-30-2003, 10:10 PM

A couple of months ago, CNN accidently posted a bunch of their pre-made obituaries.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/cnnobit1.html

Max Whittaker · 07-30-2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~°Sarah°~
I'm confused... this canby guy wrote bob hope's obituary 3 years before he died? what a pessimist.

Well, everybody dies! He was 97 at the time. Who expected him to live to be 100?

07-30-2003, 08:19 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Dead Man Pens Hope Obituary for New York Times Dead Man Pens Hope Obituary for New York Times NEW YORK (Reuters) - Funnyman Bob Hope died this week aged 100, and the New York Times informed its readers of the sad event by running out an obituary written by Vincent Canby -- a veteran Times critic who died himself in 2000. Canby, who died aged 76 in October 2000, was a long time entertainment writer for the Times. "The obituary was written by Mr. Canby several years ago and his byline was on it," Times spokesman Toby Usnik said on Tuesday, adding that Canby's own demise was noted when the Times posted the obituary on its Web site. The peculiar incident of one dead man writing about another was cause for some titillation in New York's tabloids. The New York Post, not known for holding back any punches, could barely restrain itself. "If there are any mistakes, obviously don't call the writer," the tabloid guffawed in Tuesday's edition, adding, "At least he didn't bury the lead."

07-30-2003, 10:10 PM	#6
Krystal Lake I'll remember that.. Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 17, 2002 Location: Tied up at the moment... Posts: 485	A couple of months ago, CNN accidently posted a bunch of their pre-made obituaries. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/cnnobit1.html
	__________________ "If you want to learn how to build a house, build a house. Don't ask anybody, just build a house."

07-30-2003, 08:56 PM	#2
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	I'm confused... this canby guy wrote bob hope's obituary 3 years before he died? what a pessimist.

07-30-2003, 09:53 PM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	My husband worked for The Boston Globe many years ago, and told me that the obituaries of all very famous people are written or partially written, while their alive, particulary if the person is old.