On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:42 PM, PGage <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hemsley apparently did not have a "longtime companion" (the traditional term > used in obits to refer to LGBT partners in obits in the old days), or > children, and I guess did not plan on a public coming out party at his > funeral. But I am just wondering, assuming that an obit in a major newspaper > is still a new story, what the rules are for deciding what goes in and what > does not. When Jerry Sandusky dies, will his family be able to ask the > papers not to include that unfortunate bit about anally raping 10 year olds > in the Penn State showers? When Bill Gates dies could his family ask that > they not print that he was really rich? When I die can I request that they > overlook that unfortunate period in the mid 80s when I dressed like an extra > from Miami Vice?
Sandusky was convicted of felonies in a courtroom and nobody can keep it out of his obituary. On the other hand, I think Michael Jackson is as guilty as Sandusky but in his obit if any word appeared at all it was deep in the story and was referred to as a controversy. There are many people who became filthy rich from Microsoft stock when the company was flying high and most of them opted for a private lifestyle and it's possible that there will be no mention of their wealth in their obits. Bill Gates chose to become public and start a foundation and his obit will probably mention the good works of his foundation before his personal wealth. As for Hemsley, we don't know the circumstances when he realized he was gay or started telling others. He could have gotten so much negative feedback and/or threats that he decided it was best to keep the fact private and he never revisited the decision even decades later when society became more inclusive. And if it is something he is not known for, there is no reason for it to appear in his obituary. -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
