I first knew of Richard Dawson at the age of six or so, through reruns of Hogan's Heroes. Not long after, I became familiar with him (still before the age of ten) through Match Game '74 and later, Family Feud. Richard was one of those great quasi-famous people of the 70s, along with his compatriots Brett Somers, Fannie Flagg and Charles Nelson Reilley. Not A-list by any means, but treasured by pop culture enthusiasts like myself. I'm not a believer of "ever after," but if there is one, I hope that Richard gets to kiss the ladies of his choice there.
[Excerpt]
Richard Dawson dies at 79; host of TV's 'Family Feud'
Richard Dawson, the British actor who went from comedy co-star in the popular TV
series "Hogan's Heroes" to his best-known role as the charming host of the TV game show "Family Feud" with his trademark of kissing the female contestants on
the lips, has died. He was 79. . .
Brett Somers, wife of Jack Klugman, and star of The Match Game passed away last week. Of all the pop culture nuggets in my brain, The Match Game was something of a boulder. The show was one of the biggest slabs of orange shag carpeted slabs of cheese on TV in the 70s. I don't know why my brother and I liked is so much--we surely couldn't comprehend the double entendres in the "blanks."
Maybe it was the drunken behavior of stars, Brett Somers, Richard Dawson, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Gene Rayburn. Watching clips today, it is profoundly evident that they were absolutely loaded during these tapings. And Charles Nelson Reilly was even gayer than Paul Lynde, if such a thing is possible. Pure 70s cheesy goodness.
Brett Somers passed away last week, and I'd just like to acknowledge her contribution to the huge filing cabinet of trivial pop culture knowledge in my brain. Rest in ____, Brett! Enjoy.
