# The Celebrity Death Pool 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2007, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439 "2007-12-01T11:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/161 "2007-12-27T14:34:24Z")
With the demise of Benazir Butto, I am using the alternates for **drewbert** (Angela Lansbury), **Ms Macphisto** (Jimmy Carter) and **42fish** (Kirk Douglas). **Ritter** - you need to declare a replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/162 "2007-12-27T18:16:17Z")
I had Bhutto in 2007! Finally got some points for the year. Unique pick too. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/163 "2007-12-27T18:23:14Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Well, there’s quite a lot of difference between having two separate words meaning the same thing (especially for something that is a relatively recent invention), and using an existing word incorrectly until it’s so common it becomes accepted. There’s nothing incorrect about it. It’s a meaning of the word. If older words are inherently better than newer words, that means you shun “yours” in favor of “thine”, right? No? Then kindly stuff it. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > the Americans seem to stubbornly take pride in it. Ah, so you’re an expert on American attitudes toward language now. Except–funny thing–you have no idea what you’re talking about. Schoolmarm prescriptivism has just as much of a foothold here as in the UK–if not, possibly, more–and it doesn’t make a lick of sense here either. Of course, here, the prescriptivists replace “Americans” with “black people”, “young people”, “foreigners”, “Californians”, etc. No, no, you’re right, totally different. Do me a favor and go get yourself a clue before you come back. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/164 "2007-12-27T18:27:24Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] There’s nothing incorrect about it. It’s a meaning of the word. If older words are inherently better than newer words, that means you shun “yours” in favor of “thine”, right? No? Then kindly stuff it. Ah, so you’re an expert on American attitudes toward language now. Except–funny thing–you have no idea what you’re talking about. Schoolmarm prescriptivism has just as much of a foothold here as in the UK–if not, possibly, more–and it doesn’t make a lick of sense here either. Of course, here, the prescriptivists replace “Americans” with “black people”, “young people”, “foreigners”, “Californians”, etc. No, no, you’re right, totally different. Do me a favor and go get yourself a clue before you come back. [/QUOTE] Maybe this is the one thread where I can be some sort of moderator. Can we please focus on the task of predicting deadness. If you two guys want to take it further, please go out to the car park/parking lot. Or the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/165 "2007-12-27T18:38:32Z")
Fidel Castro Woody Allen James Garner Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones Courtney Love Chuck Yeager Charles Manson Billy Graham Steven Hawking Eunice Kennedy Shriver BB King Paul Newman Robert Mugabe Alternates Mary Tyler Moore Queen Elizabeth II Vladimir Putin ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/166 "2007-12-27T18:48:51Z")
**Hostile Dialect** and **GuanoLad** , please take the debate over language usage to Great Debates (if you wanna have a discussion) or the Pit (if you wanna just yell at each other). Telling others to ‘stuff it,’ **Hostile Dialect** , is inappropriate in MPSIMS. And, **GuanoLad** , I appreciate you recognizing the hijack, but taking a dig at Americans–or any other group of people–on the way out isn’t the best way to end the hijack; it’s bound to stir up a response. So, you know, hijack over. Back to the thread. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/167 "2007-12-28T19:28:41Z")
Ariel Sharon Albert Hofmann Claude Levi-Strauss Abe Vigoda Kirk Douglas Micky Rooney Zsa Zsa Gabor Roger Ebert Henry Kissinger Betty Ford Adam Bernard “Pacman” Jones Roman Gabriel (former NFL QB) Danny Bonaduce ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2007, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/168 "2007-12-28T21:59:10Z")
Paul Wilson Billy Graham Harry Morgan Jiang Zemin Art Linkletter Paul Wight Eli Wallach Peter Falk Abe Vigoda Les Paul C. Everett Koop Glen Benton Michelle Trachtenburg Well, last year I had Pavarotti and Lady Bird Johnson, so I had some points for a change. I’ve kept the same list as before, only replacing those who actually died. 1. [Paul Willson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Willson) He’s quite overweight, so it’s quite possible. 2. [Billy Graham](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_graham) - Sad to seem him go, but he’s 89 already. 3. [Harry Morgan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Morgan) - I love Col. Potter and will really feel bad about this one. 4. [江泽民](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiang_Zemin) Unlikely, but it could happen and is worth 20-21 points. 5. [Art Linkletter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Linkletter) I actually doubt this one, but it could definitely happen. 6. [Paul Wight](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Show) - Big Man = Big Points. 7. [Eli Wallach](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Wallach) - Had him 3 years ago. I figure he’s got to go. 8. [Peter Falk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Falk) - He smokes like a fish. Whatever that means. 9. [Abe Vigoda](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_vigoda) I can’t believe I didn’t have him in previous years. 10. [Les Paul](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul) - Time to switch to electric harp, Les. 11. [C. Everett Koop](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Everett_Koop) Hey, had you smoked, you would not have made it this far. 12. [Glen Benton](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Benton) I thought you were going to off yourself at age 33? And finally, my annual pick that I go with every single year for big points. 1. [Michelle Trachtenberg](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Trachtenberg) - I don’t want her dead. I just like the idea of getting big points off a random pick ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2007, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/169 "2007-12-28T22:13:50Z")
FTR, Michelle Trachtenberg can put her pick on my big points any time she wants to. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/170 "2007-12-28T22:44:01Z")
Ariel Sharon Fidel Castro Prince Phillip of Edinburgh Muhammed Ali Eunice Kennedy Shriver Dick Cheney John Goodman Ruth Bader Ginsberg Farah Fawcett Stephen Hawking Anne McCaffrey James Earl Jones Elizabeth Edwards Alternates: Margaret Thatcher Elizabeth Taylor ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2007, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/171 "2007-12-28T22:55:29Z")
My list: Bobby Brown Sylvia Browne Hugo Chavez Roger Ebert Elizabeth Edwards Farrah Fawcett Estelle Getty Andy Griffith Jack Klugman Pauline Phillips Suzanne Pleshette Joan Van Ark Eddie Van Halen Alternates in order of preference: Fidel Castro William Schallert Britney Spears By Bobby Brown, I mean the singer formerly married to Whitney Houston, not the makeup professional. Pauline Phillips is the original Dear Abby. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/172 "2007-12-29T01:52:36Z")
The joint list of **SpoilerVirgin** and **psychobunny** : Ruben Studdard Courtney Love Nolan Miller Elizabeth Taylor Judith Krantz Fidel Castro Vidal Sassoon Liza Minelli John McLaughlin Gina Lollabridgida Chuck Norris Soupy Sales Annette Funicello Alternate: Dick Clark ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/173 "2007-12-29T05:48:35Z")
I’d like to wait until a little closer to new year’s eve, but I’m going to be off-line for the next week. Thanks for picking up the torch **amarone** Happy New Year - Good luck in 08 Tyrone Jones – CFL linebacker Robin Roberts – ABC News Farrah Fawcett Amy Winehouse Jerry Lewis Randy Pausch Don Wittman - CBC Charlton Heston Stephen Stills Archbishop Christodoulos Fidel Castro Ronnie Biggs Queen Elizabeth Alternates Dick Cheney John Goodman Ozzy Osbourne Tyrone Jones Robin Roberts Farrah Fawcett Amy Winehouse Jerry Lewis Randy Pausch Don Wittman Charlton Heston Stephen Stills Archbishop Christodoulos Fidel Castro Ronnie Biggs Queen Elizabeth Alternates Dick Cheney John Goodman Ozzy Osbourne ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/174 "2007-12-29T15:46:27Z")
Here’s mine: Pete Doherty Farrah Fawcett Mitzi Gaynor Wink Martindale Liza Minnelli Jaye P. Morgan Bettie Page Ron Popeil William Safire Vidal Sassoon Phyllis Schlafley Paul Verhoeven Amy Winehouse Alternate: Joyce Brothers ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/175 "2007-12-29T16:43:45Z")
Plaintext List: Edmund Hillary Elizabeth Taylor Muhammad Ali Arnold Palmer Mandy Patinkin Mel Brooks Britney Spears Earl Scruggs John Madden Eli Wallach Mickey Rooney Jalal Talabani Pervez Musharraf Alt: Bob Barker R. Lee Ermey Fancy List: 1. **Edmund Hillary** - First to top Everest (July 1919) 2. **Elizabeth Taylor** - Perfumer and Queen of Ancient Egypt (February 1932) 3. **Muhammad Ali** (aka Cassius Clay) - Legendary Boxer (January 1942) 4. **Arnold Palmer** - Golfer and refreshing beverage namesake (September 1929) 5. **Mandy Patinkin** - His name was Inigo Montoya (November 1952) 6. **Mel Brooks** - I really hope the 2000 Year Old Man doesn’t get me any points (June 1926) 7. **Britney Spears** - World’s Greatest Mother and candid crotch shot enthusiast (December 1981) 8. **Earl Scruggs** - Bluegrass musician (January 1924) 9. **John Madden** - Senile old parody of a football commentator, who goes on long rants about how much he enjoys pulled pork sandwiches during prime time network broadcasts. Mmm, pulled pork sandwiches. Y’know, Al, I love coming to Carolina Panthers home games because there are more restaurants serving really good pulled pork sandwiches in the two blocks around the stadium than there are in the rest of the country combined. I like mine with a nice, tangy barbecue sauce and a soft roll that has a bit of a tough crust. That way, it’s still possible to pick it up and eat. Oh, hey, one of the teams just scored a touchdown on a double end-around. Anyway, a great side dish for a pulled pork sandwich is… (April 1936) 10. **Lee Marvin** - Actor and Marine vet (I can’t make a joke at Lee Marvin’s expense, or he might kick my ass) (February 1924) 11. **Mickey Rooney** - Former child actor, current crotchety old man (September 1920) 12. **Jalal Talabani** - President of Iraq (November 1933) 13. **Pervez Musharraf** - President of Pakistan (August 1943) Alternates: A1. **Bob Barker** - Come on down, you’re the next contestant on Celebrity Death Pool! (December 1923) A2. **R. Lee Ermey** - Who am I kidding? The only way he’s dying is something cool like an airplane explosion or knife fight (March 1944) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Perro\_Fumando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9c0ed/32.png) [@El\_Perro\_Fumando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Perro_Fumando)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/176 "2007-12-29T16:48:27Z")
No comments this year, just the list. Ariel Sharon Fidel Castro Nancy Reagan Eunice Kennedy Shriver Britney Spears Sid Caesar Gene Wilder Teri Garr Pat Summerall Jose Carreras Terry Jones Richard Dawson Bob Barker Alternates: Eli Wallach Judi Dench (ETA: Terry Jones was one of the Monty Python boys - name seems kinda generic, so I thought I’d clear it up) ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/177 "2007-12-29T17:00:13Z")
[QUOTE=Only Mostly Dead] 1. **Lee Marvin** - Actor and Marine vet (I can’t make a joke at Lee Marvin’s expense, or he might kick my ass) (February 1924)) [/QUOTE] Lee is in no position to kick anyone’s ass. I will use Eli Wallach from your plain list. ---
**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 29, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/178 "2007-12-29T17:04:48Z")
[QUOTE=amarone] Lee is in no position to kick anyone’s ass. [/QUOTE] That was weird. Has he made a comeback since 1987? ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/179 "2007-12-29T17:06:34Z")
[QUOTE=amarone] Lee is in no position to kick anyone’s ass. I will use Eli Wallach from your plain list. [/QUOTE] Damnit, that’s what I get for waking up and posting tired. Scratch Marvin (really, what the hell was I thinking?) and scratch Wallach. Go with Bob Barker. ---
**Author:** ![mikeargo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@mikeargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikeargo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2007, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/180 "2007-12-29T17:23:57Z")
No comments, just the list: William F. Buckley Pamela Anderson George Steinbrenner Amy Winehouse Bob Guccione Gordie Howe Bill Parcells Stephen Hawking Wilford Brimley John Paul Stephens Alternate: Liza Minelli [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439.md?page=10)