Question About Tony Orlando's Book - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

victorianscribe · 10-26-2003, 09:03 AM

I know this book is old news, but something about it has been preying on my mind ever since I started coming to the Freddie boards, and particularly in the past few days or so.

Is anyone here bothered by the fact that Tony received a call from Freddie which he didn't answer, and the next thing he heard, Freddie had shot himself? Does anyone wonder if things might've turned out differently had Tony answered that call?

I've been a longtime fan of Tony's, but I don't follow him or his career anywhere near as closely as I used to, and I find myself haunted by this. For some reason, it didn't "sink in" when I read the book almost a year ago -- but I was very sick with the flu then, and wound up almost losing my eyesight to an attack of uveitis, which meant I had other things to think about. But now I'm thinking -- if only Tony had answered that phone call! Freddie might have lived, and all our lives might've turned out differently!

I hope I'm not bringing up a sore subject -- I just know how much all of you love Freddie, and I wondered about your opinions on this. Thanks for hearing me out.

Luckymama58 · 10-26-2003, 09:41 AM

Just a point of curiosity.... did Tony explain how he knew he missed a call from Freddie???? Remember this was the age before answering machines.... Just wondering..... Not for anything, but Tony's record for remembering the facts back then isn't too pure. I am sure in his mind things happened the way he tells it, but some of what he has reported about the events surrounding Freddie's death and Tony's part in all of it doesn't exactly jive with what Freddie's mom has written about it in her book. It is a shame that these good friends got so mixed up in the drug scene back then. I wonder if that hasn't clouded Tony's memories.... it has been known to happen.

As for, "If it were true would it haunt him?", I am sure it would. Heck, I didn't even know Freddie personally and I am haunted by the fact that no one seemed to know what was really going on in that young man's mind to help him before it was too late. So I can only imagine what it must be like for those who knew and loved him....

And as for life being different if he or anyone had been able to help Freddie, OMG I think about THAT all the time. I just saw an advertisement for a new show coming on this week, I don't remember the name of it or the network it is on, but the premise is about this girl who has been chosen to go back in time to change an event so that the future can be altered (I am guessing it is loosely like Quantium Leap, but not exactly the same) I thought about that premise again last night as I was falling asleep and thought of how I would love the chance to go back and change the events leading to his death. OMG wouldn't that be wonderful.... 'cause I would also want to get him the help he needed to deal with the depression and pain in his life. I sometimes wonder if he were around today he wouldn't be diagnosed bi-polar.... he did seem to have two sides to him.
With all the advances in mental health these days, I know there would be help for his "demons". Life as a creative person isn't always easy. I sometimes wonder if the same thing that makes a person such a creative talent also brings with it these emotional instablities. It would make sense when you read the lives of some of our brightest stars.....

Pitooey · 10-26-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by victorianscribe
I know this book is old news, but something about it has been preying on my mind ever since I started coming to the Freddie boards, and particularly in the past few days or so.

Is anyone here bothered by the fact that Tony received a call from Freddie which he didn't answer, and the next thing he heard, Freddie had shot himself? Does anyone wonder if things might've turned out differently had Tony answered that call?

I've been a longtime fan of Tony's, but I don't follow him or his career anywhere near as closely as I used to, and I find myself haunted by this. For some reason, it didn't "sink in" when I read the book almost a year ago -- but I was very sick with the flu then, and wound up almost losing my eyesight to an attack of uveitis, which meant I had other things to think about. But now I'm thinking -- if only Tony had answered that phone call! Freddie might have lived, and all our lives might've turned out differently!

I hope I'm not bringing up a sore subject -- I just know how much all of you love Freddie, and I wondered about your opinions on this. Thanks for hearing me out.

Well said Lucky........

Our poor Freddie seemed so out of control didn't he? You could see he was maybe bi-polar. He cried wolf so many times before and I think the last time they just turned away from him... As for Tony I believe they were tight friends but back in the 70's their heads were clouded with drugs. Did I get mad at Tony? You bet I did......... I'm still mad...... As for me........ I have had friends who've cried wolf and "if they're really close to me" I've always rushed to their side and talked them out of nonsense.

victorianscribe · 10-26-2003, 04:17 PM

In answer to Lucky's question -- according to the book, Tony received a written message that Freddie had called, but he was trying to get off drugs, and thought drugs were why Freddie was calling, so he took a nap instead of returning the call. His then-wife awoke him with the news that Freddie had shot himself.

Quote:

I sometimes wonder if the same thing that makes a person such a creative talent also brings with it these emotional instablities

I've often wondered the same thing, Lucky. That is so true.

Luckymama58 · 10-26-2003, 04:28 PM

Thank you for your answer. I guess I can understand that. Freddie cried wolf so many times that I guess some people stop paying attention after a while....

Joy · 10-26-2003, 06:04 PM

I may be off base here but maybe it isn't that he cried wolf so many times that people stopped listening, but rather someone listened and stopped him, either by cheering him up for the moment or just being there, that he didn't do it and this time, as we know Maria was on the way, help just didn't come soon enoiugh???

Luckymama58 · 10-26-2003, 08:18 PM

Joy, it is hard to say really. We can be armchair quarterbacks of a sort and analyze this whole situation across almost 26 years of time. The truth is, none of us were there and who knows what could have been done. We always wish something could have been. I know that those who were close to him must live with the what if's more than we do... it is all too sad really

Pitooey · 10-26-2003, 08:59 PM

I have a close friend who was a little like Freddie but instead of perscription drugs or cocaine she has trouble with alcohol. She has called me at the worst of times telling me she will slit her wrists etc. She's been close to doing it really bad. I love this girl........... No matter what time or where I will always come to her... Why? Because I love her............................ I hate to rehash stuff but, the moral to this story is did they really love Freddie like they say they did?

Like Lucky said...... We weren't there.

Cheryl Harrell · 10-27-2003, 02:52 AM

Ya'll are right. it is so sad tho...

10-26-2003, 09:03 AM	#1
victorianscribe Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 17, 2003 Posts: 158	Question About Tony Orlando's Book I know this book is old news, but something about it has been preying on my mind ever since I started coming to the Freddie boards, and particularly in the past few days or so. Is anyone here bothered by the fact that Tony received a call from Freddie which he didn't answer, and the next thing he heard, Freddie had shot himself? Does anyone wonder if things might've turned out differently had Tony answered that call? I've been a longtime fan of Tony's, but I don't follow him or his career anywhere near as closely as I used to, and I find myself haunted by this. For some reason, it didn't "sink in" when I read the book almost a year ago -- but I was very sick with the flu then, and wound up almost losing my eyesight to an attack of uveitis, which meant I had other things to think about. But now I'm thinking -- if only Tony had answered that phone call! Freddie might have lived, and all our lives might've turned out differently! I hope I'm not bringing up a sore subject -- I just know how much all of you love Freddie, and I wondered about your opinions on this. Thanks for hearing me out.
	__________________ Estar contido, mi amor ...

10-26-2003, 09:41 AM	#2
Luckymama58 Math Geeks Unite! Senior Member Join Date: Mar 18, 2001 Location: In my rock and roll fantasy Posts: 2,553	Just a point of curiosity.... did Tony explain how he knew he missed a call from Freddie???? Remember this was the age before answering machines.... Just wondering..... Not for anything, but Tony's record for remembering the facts back then isn't too pure. I am sure in his mind things happened the way he tells it, but some of what he has reported about the events surrounding Freddie's death and Tony's part in all of it doesn't exactly jive with what Freddie's mom has written about it in her book. It is a shame that these good friends got so mixed up in the drug scene back then. I wonder if that hasn't clouded Tony's memories.... it has been known to happen. As for, "If it were true would it haunt him?", I am sure it would. Heck, I didn't even know Freddie personally and I am haunted by the fact that no one seemed to know what was really going on in that young man's mind to help him before it was too late. So I can only imagine what it must be like for those who knew and loved him.... And as for life being different if he or anyone had been able to help Freddie, OMG I think about THAT all the time. I just saw an advertisement for a new show coming on this week, I don't remember the name of it or the network it is on, but the premise is about this girl who has been chosen to go back in time to change an event so that the future can be altered (I am guessing it is loosely like Quantium Leap, but not exactly the same) I thought about that premise again last night as I was falling asleep and thought of how I would love the chance to go back and change the events leading to his death. OMG wouldn't that be wonderful.... 'cause I would also want to get him the help he needed to deal with the depression and pain in his life. I sometimes wonder if he were around today he wouldn't be diagnosed bi-polar.... he did seem to have two sides to him. With all the advances in mental health these days, I know there would be help for his "demons". Life as a creative person isn't always easy. I sometimes wonder if the same thing that makes a person such a creative talent also brings with it these emotional instablities. It would make sense when you read the lives of some of our brightest stars.....
	__________________ We All Use Math Every Day! Everything is Numb3rs! Capt. Jack: Drink up, me hardies, Yo Ho! I reject your reality and substitute my own!-Adam Savage, Mythbuster A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds... With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. -Ralph Waldo Emerson RIP Freddie Prinze 1954-1977 You have your star now.

10-26-2003, 06:04 PM	#6
Joy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2001 Location: In Mn lovin my DVD and the Prinze of comedy!!! Posts: 3,247	I may be off base here but maybe it isn't that he cried wolf so many times that people stopped listening, but rather someone listened and stopped him, either by cheering him up for the moment or just being there, that he didn't do it and this time, as we know Maria was on the way, help just didn't come soon enoiugh???
	__________________ <img src="http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/crimscience/Avatars/angiesigbar.jpg">

10-27-2003, 02:52 AM	#9
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	Ya'll are right. it is so sad tho...
	__________________ 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

10-26-2003, 04:28 PM	#5
Luckymama58 Math Geeks Unite! Senior Member Join Date: Mar 18, 2001 Location: In my rock and roll fantasy Posts: 2,553	Thank you for your answer. I guess I can understand that. Freddie cried wolf so many times that I guess some people stop paying attention after a while....

10-26-2003, 08:18 PM	#7
Luckymama58 Math Geeks Unite! Senior Member Join Date: Mar 18, 2001 Location: In my rock and roll fantasy Posts: 2,553	Joy, it is hard to say really. We can be armchair quarterbacks of a sort and analyze this whole situation across almost 26 years of time. The truth is, none of us were there and who knows what could have been done. We always wish something could have been. I know that those who were close to him must live with the what if's more than we do... it is all too sad really

10-26-2003, 08:59 PM	#8
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I have a close friend who was a little like Freddie but instead of perscription drugs or cocaine she has trouble with alcohol. She has called me at the worst of times telling me she will slit her wrists etc. She's been close to doing it really bad. I love this girl........... No matter what time or where I will always come to her... Why? Because I love her............................ I hate to rehash stuff but, the moral to this story is did they really love Freddie like they say they did? Like Lucky said...... We weren't there.