"Met my old lover in the grocery store..."

Dan Fogelberg passed away over the weekend. He's responsible for "Same Old Lang Syne," my favorite holiday song that isn't really about Christmas or the holidays--a secular holiday pop song, if you will. The only one that probably compares to it, a song that gives me the warm and fuzzies this time of year is Kenny Loggins's "Celebrate Me Home." It must be a great feeling to know you've written a perennial like "Same Old Lang Syne." It's not quite Christmas unless I listen to the song. Thanks, Dan!

The beer was empty and our tongues were tired
And running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out
And I watched her drive away.

Just for a moment I was back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned into rain

So Long, Hal

KTLA's Hal Fishman has passed away. I have fond memories of watching his newscast with Tiiu Leek when my family first arrived from the Philippines. He's been a constant presence ever since, growing cantankerous with every pretty new female anchor they paired him up with. I'm kind of surprised that he's only 75. He already seemed old 22 years ago. He's probably the last of the great local newscasters. Paul Moyers would like to think he's one but he's just a blowhard. Can Paul Moyers boast of being an inspiration for "The Simpsons'" Kent Brockman?

Vonnegut is Dead

Kurt Vonnegut died. He was 84.

Goodbye, Larry "Bud" Melman

"Late Night with David Letterman" was one of the great influences that shaped my adolescence. If I have any sense of humor whatsoever it has been molded by Letterman and his cast of loony characters. My favorite was Larry "Bud" Melman.

I'm saddened to hear that Larry "Bud" Melman, who used his real name, Calver DeForest, when Letterman moved to CBS, has passed away. I noticed he hasn't appeared on Letterman for a few years now, but it always made me happy when he showed up on the show. Memories came rushing back when I read the news of his death, including the fact that he looked exactly like my high school history teacher.

Thanks for the laughs, Mr. DeForest. You are missed.