# Celebrity Death Pool 2017 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2016, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517 "2016-12-01T07:00:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/41 "2016-12-02T16:51:37Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > That’s the point. Your contestant is third. Which raises the question, why not just order the players with points from greatest to least points, without any _place_ ranking at all? It’s not like we can’t figure it out for ourselves from there, by either system of assigning first, second, third, etc. place. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/42 "2016-12-02T17:04:34Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Are we allowed to pick celebrities whose fame is significantly enhanced by the fact they are, in fact, known to be dying? So long as they had some measure of celebrity before they were diagnosed, I don’t see why not. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/43 "2016-12-02T17:07:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Are we allowed to pick celebrities whose fame is significantly enhanced by the fact they are, in fact, known to be dying? Rule 3h says: > [@](#): > > 1. Valid picks CANNOT be: > … > h. famous solely as a result of their illness or the events surrounding their death Obviously there’s some daylight between fame ‘solely as a result of’ v. ‘significantly enhanced by’ one’s illness. We’ve had picks disallowed by the DM in the past because their fame was judged by the DM to be pretty much entirely due to their illness, and others allowed (e.g. Joey Feek) whose fame was surely significantly enhanced by their imminent mortality. But the key phrase in there is ‘by the DM’. It’s up to our DM to decide which side of the blurry line a particular pick is on. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/44 "2016-12-02T18:01:02Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Are we allowed to pick celebrities whose fame is significantly enhanced by the fact they are, in fact, known to be dying? Lead singer for the Tragically Hip. A Wikipedia page that describes a public life a bit more full than just “dying man.” Not sure I understand your concern here. ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/45 "2016-12-02T18:49:52Z")
David Ortiz Mark Bellhorn Orlando Cabrera Bill Mueller Manny Ramirez Johnny Damon Trot Nixon Jason Varitek Derek Lowe Gabe Kapler Pokey Reese Keith Foulke Terry Francona Alternates Kevin Millar Doug Mientkiewicz Bronson Arroyo I’ve never played before, but I call my list “The Babmbino Strikes Back”. These are all players who were involved with game 4 of the 2004 world series to help the Red Sox finally win and break the curse. David Ortiz - Starting 1st baseman Mark Bellhorn - Starting 2nd baseman Orlando Cabrera - Starting short stop Bill Mueller - Starting 3rd baseman Manny Ramirez - Starting left fielder Johnny Damon - Starting center fielder Trot Nixon - Starting right fielder Jason Varitek - Starting catcher Derek Lowe - Starting pitcher Gabe Kapler - Came in as pinch runner, replaced Trot Nixon in right field Pokey Reese - Came in as pinch runner, replaced Mark Bellhorn at second base Keith Foulke - Got the save Terry Francona - Manager Alternates Kevin Millar - Came in as pinch hitter for Derek Lowe Doug Mientkiewicz - Replaced David Ortiz at first base Bronson Arroyo - Came in as relief pitcher after Kevin Millar pinch hit ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/46 "2016-12-02T19:11:13Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Lead singer for the Tragically Hip. A Wikipedia page that describes a public life a bit more full than just “dying man.” > > Not sure I understand your concern here. Personally I would have no problem saying the lead singer for Tragically Hip was a celebrity despite the fact that I couldn’t pick him out of a line up. Same with Joey Feek. I didn’t know who she was before she got sick but she put out something like 8 albums on a major label and had at least one Top 50 country song. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/47 "2016-12-02T19:12:35Z")
> [@Zyanthia](#): > > David Ortiz > Mark Bellhorn > Orlando Cabrera > Bill Mueller > Manny Ramirez > Johnny Damon > Trot Nixon > Jason Varitek > Derek Lowe > Gabe Kapler > Pokey Reese > Keith Foulke > Terry Francona > > Alternates > Kevin Millar > Doug Mientkiewicz > Bronson Arroyo > > I’ve never played before, but I call my list “The Babmbino Strikes Back”. These are all players who were involved with game 4 of the 2004 world series to help the Red Sox finally win and break the curse. > > David Ortiz - Starting 1st baseman > Mark Bellhorn - Starting 2nd baseman > Orlando Cabrera - Starting short stop > Bill Mueller - Starting 3rd baseman > Manny Ramirez - Starting left fielder > Johnny Damon - Starting center fielder > Trot Nixon - Starting right fielder > Jason Varitek - Starting catcher > Derek Lowe - Starting pitcher > Gabe Kapler - Came in as pinch runner, replaced Trot Nixon in right field > Pokey Reese - Came in as pinch runner, replaced Mark Bellhorn at second base > Keith Foulke - Got the save > Terry Francona - Manager > > Alternates > Kevin Millar - Came in as pinch hitter for Derek Lowe > Doug Mientkiewicz - Replaced David Ortiz at first base > Bronson Arroyo - Came in as relief pitcher after Kevin Millar pinch hit As a Yankee fan I hope you win 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/48 "2016-12-02T19:42:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Are we allowed to pick celebrities whose fame is significantly enhanced by the fact they are, in fact, known to be dying? I think Gord Downie’s name recognition wasn’t really enhanced by the cancer diagnosis. If you don’t already know who he is, you probably don’t care if he has cancer. Also, jokes on you, people who picked Gord Downie: He’s never gonna die! Right Gordie baby? RIGHT??! NEVER LEAVE US _sobs_ ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/49 "2016-12-02T20:13:10Z")
Bashar al-Assad Eddie Lampert(Sears/Kmart CEO) Ruth Bader Ginsburg Paul McCartney Terry Gilliam David Macaulay Lady Gaga Ben Carson Donald Trump Hugh Jackman Tommy Chong Vladimir Putin Mike Tyson ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/50 "2016-12-02T21:48:11Z")
Repeating my Beatles-themed list from last year, with the late George Martin replaced with Kanye West, who recently co-wrote/performed a song with Sir Paul, so technically he fits the category) Paul McCartney Ringo Starr Kanye West Yoko Ono Julian Lennon Pete Best Sean Lennon Olivia Harrison Dhani Harrison Jane Asher Patti Boyd Harrison Zak Starkey Stella McCartney Alternates: Jeff Lynne Tom Petty Bob Dylan ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/51 "2016-12-02T23:49:28Z")
Can we please have an example of a **Best Themed List**? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/52 "2016-12-03T00:39:52Z")
I’m going green this year, in an effort to save out planet, I am recycling/reusing last years. It is unused and in pristine condition. The year the music dies… Stevie Wonder Randy Meisner Smokey Robinson Jim Steinman Peter Yarrow Keith Richards Robert Plant David Bellamy Rod Stewart Elton John Glen Campbell Gloria Gaynor Pat Boone Alternates Meat Loaf Bill Anderson Lionel Richie ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/53 "2016-12-03T01:07:57Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Can we please have an example of a **Best Themed List**? > > Thank you. “People whom I believe will die this year.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/54 "2016-12-03T01:09:43Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > “People whom I believe will die this year.” “People who have never been in my kitchen.” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/55 "2016-12-03T01:34:05Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > “People who have never been in my kitchen.” That is less likely to put you in the top ten…or hundred. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/56 "2016-12-03T01:48:11Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Can we please have an example of a **Best Themed List**? > > Thank you. Would “People Who I Wished I would Have F\*cked” qualify as a “Best Themed List”? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/57 "2016-12-03T01:50:30Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Would “People Who I Wished I would Have F\*cked” qualify as a “Best Themed List”? Well, yeah, but you will be in the top 300. Points is points. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/58 "2016-12-03T02:02:33Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Would “People Who I Wished I would Have F\*cked” qualify as a “Best Themed List”? So how do I formally define a “Themed List”? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/59 "2016-12-03T03:18:26Z")
> [@Fleetwood](#): > > If in your second example, a fourth contestant had 43 points, what place would that one have? Fourth, I hope. Third. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > Which raises the question, why not just order the players with points from greatest to least points, without any _place_ ranking at all? > > It’s not like we can’t figure it out for ourselves from there, by either system of assigning first, second, third, etc. place. I was actually planning to do away with place number anyway, so…you’re right. > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > So how do I formally define a “Themed List”? Just a list with a theme, like these two: > [@Tread](#): > > I’m going green this year, in an effort to save out planet, I am recycling/reusing last years. > It is unused and in pristine condition. > > The year the music dies… > > Stevie Wonder > Randy Meisner > Smokey Robinson > Jim Steinman > Peter Yarrow > Keith Richards > Robert Plant > David Bellamy > Rod Stewart > Elton John > Glen Campbell > Gloria Gaynor > Pat Boone > Alternates > Meat Loaf > Bill Anderson > Lionel Richie > [@Stephe96](#): > > Repeating my Beatles-themed list from last year, with the late George Martin replaced with Kanye West, who recently co-wrote/performed a song with Sir Paul, so technically he fits the category) > > Paul McCartney > Ringo Starr > Kanye West > Yoko Ono > Julian Lennon > Pete Best > Sean Lennon > Olivia Harrison > Dhani Harrison > Jane Asher > Patti Boyd Harrison > Zak Starkey > Stella McCartney > > Alternates: > > Jeff Lynne > Tom Petty > Bob Dylan ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517/60 "2016-12-03T07:15:42Z")
1. Jimmy Carter 2. Jerry Lewis 3. Billy Graham 4. Burt Reynolds 5. Mamie Van Doren 6. Don Rickles 7. Donald Trump 8. Bill Clinton 9. Stephen Hawking 10. Courtney Love 11. Yoko Ono 12. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka 13. Adam West Alternates; 1. Phil Spector 2. Hal Holbrook 3. Donald Sutherland [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2017/773517.md?page=4)