Mr.
Sillman was famous for several things, most especially for introducing new
talent to the world of entertainment. Sillman's “New Faces” musical reviews
spanned decades and featured such stars-to-be as Henry Fonda, Imogene Coca, the
hilarious Paul Lynde and many more. The two biggest words for us these days are
New Faces. Most of us are bored to tears
by seeing the same array of personalities in the magazines and on television.
And I'm not just talking about Kim Kardashian and her famous-for-being-famous
posse of sisters and mother.
As
but one example, the tennis season is in full flower right now and here we go
again with Mary Carillo, Mary Carillo, and yet more Mary Carillo. Many of us remember when Mary from Queens
teamed with John “The Brat” McEnroe to win the (1977) French Mixed Doubles. Ancient history you say? Well yes, this was way before yellow tennis
balls flew over the net but that duo did warm the hearts of those who love
stories of unknowns capturing a crown. After a while Mary was sidelined from
playing on the tennis tour when her knees gave out; she then embarked on a
career as a sports commentator. She knows her stuff about the game but
familiarity does breed viewer contempt. There is a statute of limitations with
viewer's patience in seeing and hearing the same old - same old whether it is
from Mary or others.
Think
of the Clintons, Good Ol Burger Billy and Hillary Eternal. Few indeed are those who want to sit through
another 100 years of either. And that goes for yet another Bush or two. Buckle
up, folks, we are destined to suffer more and more, and more. This is where
Leonard Sillman could have rescued us just as the cavalry did in the old
shoot-em-ups at the Saturday matinees. Unhappily Leonard rode into the sunset a
while back, leaving only his tombstone that reads “Here lies Leonard Sillman: Straightened
out at last.”
Too
bad for all of us. More than ever, we need New Faces.
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