# The Celebrity Death Pool 2009 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262 "2008-12-01T23:40:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 51
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1001 "2009-06-17T17:28:22Z")
Does it seem like celebrities are croaking at a slower pace this year than last? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1002 "2009-06-17T17:34:35Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Does it seem like celebrities are croaking at a slower pace this year than last? Possibly due to the increasing efficacy of celebrity medical science. It does seem that there are a lot of drain circlers hanging on. Practically my whole list. I have a Google Alert posted for everyone on my list. I get an update on Farah Fawcett’s ass every damn day. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1003 "2009-06-17T17:50:11Z")
I can’t believe Swayze is still hanging on. I thought he was supposed to be a goner months ago. Damn incompetent doctors with their incompetent prognoses. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1004 "2009-06-17T17:58:31Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I have a Google Alert posted for everyone on my list. I get an update on Farah Fawcett’s ass every damn day. And with the same device I read all the Kennedy news and keep up with Elizabeth Edwards schedule. :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1005 "2009-06-17T18:31:37Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I can’t believe Swayze is still hanging on. I thought he was supposed to be a goner months ago. Damn incompetent doctors with their incompetent prognoses. At least your picks are still circling the drain. Mine are actually [getting better](http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/46507097.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiU9PmP:QiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr)! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1006 "2009-06-17T18:32:20Z")
Sculptor [Patrick Farrow](http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2009/06/17/farrow-patrick-dead.html), brother of Mia, found dead in his art gallery. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1007 "2009-06-17T19:21:01Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > At least your picks are still circling the drain. Mine are actually [getting better](http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/46507097.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiU9PmP:QiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr)! Damn the luck! And yeah, I got Kennedy, I got Swayze. I even got Rovert Novak, but luckily there are no circling vultures issuing daily reports on his brain cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1008 "2009-06-17T19:24:20Z")
The problem is, if you read the tabloids, _everyone_ is circling the drain: Swayze, Kennedy, Farrah, Liz Taylor. Each one has died a thousand deaths in the supermarket checkout line. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1009 "2009-06-17T19:24:30Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I even got Rovert Novak, but luckily there are no circling vultures issuing daily reports on his brain cancer. I can forward you my Google Alerts… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1010 "2009-06-17T19:35:59Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > The problem is, if you read the tabloids, _everyone_ is circling the drain: Swayze, Kennedy, Farrah, Liz Taylor. Each one has died a thousand deaths in the supermarket checkout line. Ya know, I feel like I’ve died a thousand deaths in supermarket checkout lines through the years. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1011 "2009-06-17T19:57:31Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I can forward you my Google Alerts… > :rolleyes: Oh, I have one on him, but I don’t get nearly as many reports as I do on Farrah, Patrick and Ted. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1012 "2009-06-17T20:07:54Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I even got Rovert Novak, but luckily there are no circling vultures issuing daily reports on his brain cancer. I am beginning to think that whole brain cancer thing was just a dodge to take the heat off him for [mowing down a pedestrian in his Corvette.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/23/AR2008072301624.html) ---
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1013 "2009-06-17T20:54:08Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > mowing down a pedestrian in his Corvette. Did _I_ see this in my Google Alert? I did not. The man could _die_ and I wouldn’t know it already! Having read the article, I see the guy was homeless. I remember the comment on TV that the poor shouldn’t be given money because they would spend it on beer and cigarettes. Son of a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1014 "2009-06-17T21:25:21Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I have a Google Alert posted for everyone on my list. I get an update on Farah Fawcett’s ass every damn day. I just have one for Lillian Jackson Braun as I figure everyone else is famous enough to get mentioned prominently when they die. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1015 "2009-06-17T22:12:25Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Did _I_ see this in my Google Alert? > I did not. > The man could _die_ and I wouldn’t know it already! To be fair, it happened last summer. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1016 "2009-06-17T23:07:33Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Does it seem like celebrities are croaking at a slower pace this year than last? 23 so far this year, 26 to this time last year. However, the difference is caused by a recent slowdown. We have had no departees for nearly a month. Up until then, this year was running slightly ahead of last year. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1017 "2009-06-19T17:28:37Z")
[Walter Cronkite may be starting his slow circle.](http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cbs/walter_cronkite_gravely_ill_119333.asp) My first score in almost 2 years… ---
**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:** [June 19, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1018 "2009-06-19T17:35:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > To be fair, it happened last summer. So zombies are driving corvettes now? ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1019 "2009-06-19T18:09:34Z")
> [@Rico](#): > > [Walter Cronkite may be starting his slow circle.](http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cbs/walter_cronkite_gravely_ill_119333.asp) > > My first score in almost 2 years… I thought he died years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1020 "2009-06-19T19:24:08Z")
[Tomoji Tanabe](http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tomoji-tanabe20-2009jun20,0,2615811.story), who had been the world’s oldest man, died at the age of 113. Tanabe, a resident of Japan, had attributed his long life to “not smoking and not drinking”. [Dusty Rhodes](http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-dusty-rhodes19-2009jun19,0,5154499.story), whose three pinch hits in the 1954 World Series helped the New York Giants sweep the Cleveland Indians for what is still the Giants’ most recent Fall Classic title, has passed away at the age of 82. Rhodes had been called “the worst fielder who ever played in a big-league game” by manager Leo Durocher, but Durocher also credited the outfielder’s hard-drinking, fun-loving personality with keeping the team “confident and happy”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=52)