Saturday, March 28, 2009

Bob Arbogast, R.I.P.

How to describe Arbogast? Bob Arbogast was a comedy writer, a radio personality, a voiceover specialist, a creator of funny commercials and a TV host...and even that doesn't begin to tell you who he was.

His was a voice you heard many times, especially if you lived in the Los Angeles area. He popped up on many shows doing funny bits and around 1967, he and his then-partner Jack Margolis did a very popular Bob-and-Ray style radio show on KLAC. There have been thousands of Bob-and-Ray style radio teams in this country but Arbogast and Margolis were among the best. There was a small ruckus when they were cancelled...with pretty high ratings. Reportedly, it was all because of protests, from sponsors and pressure groups, when they did some material opposing the Vietnam War.

Arbogast later worked solo on radio, both in front of the microphone and for others in that position, and wrote a number of TV shows and a lot of very funny commercials. He also did the occasional cartoon voice, including a stint in the cast of Roger Ramjet.

Among folks who do funny voiceovers, he was kind of a legend. There's a memorial service Wednesday afternoon in Los Feliz and I expect to see a stunning array of talented folks who worked with him...or just admired his work. Here's an obit.

• Posted at 10:03 PM · LINK

Recommended Reading/Viewing

Dick Cavett tells us of Tony Slydini, a man some hail as the greatest close-up magician of his generation...and maybe all time. And embedded in Mr. Cavett's blog post is a half-hour video that would seem to prove that premise.

• Posted at 9:47 AM · LINK

Today's Video Link

The late Aaron Spelling had an awful lot of money and he built himself an awful lot of mansion...a 56,000-square foot home with 123 rooms, give or take a half-bath. His widow Candy has now put it on the market with an asking price of $150 million. (She's decided that in these tough times, it's wise to downsize one's lifestyle. So she's moving into a condominium for which she paid a measly $47 million.)

Here's a short tour of the place. You may need to watch a brief commercial before it starts...

• Posted at 1:57 AM · LINK

Recommended Reading

Fred Kaplan is confused about Barack Obama's plans for Afghanistan. And if Fred can't understand them...

• Posted at 12:19 AM · LINK