# 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:** 66
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1301 "2009-08-18T21:44:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I will move up from a tie for thirteenth, to a tie for twelfth, assuming #12 didn’t also pick him. > > Good times, good times, my brother! Sorry, but #12 did pick Eunice KS to stay ahead - and to add insult, **gonzomax** sneaked past you to put you in a tie for 14th. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1302 "2009-08-18T21:46:45Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > Journalist [Bob Novak](http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33189). 18 people had him. The positions at the top (everyone scoring over 100) are: ```auto Name Points Number 1 Sublight 232 7 2 amarone 231 5 3 GIGObuster 215 4 4 Captain Lance Murdoch 194 3 5 MissTake 161 3 6 Critical Mass 157 4 7 Ms Whatsit 146 3 8 El Perro Fumando 138 3 9 MadTheSwine 134 4 10 Anne Elk 127 2 11 MarkF 123 2 12 The Librarian 112 4 13 gonzomax 111 2 14= Boyo Jim 110 3 14= Wvmom 110 3 16 Shirley Ujest 106 4 ``` ---
**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:** [August 18, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1303 "2009-08-18T22:19:07Z")
I’ve still got my ace in the hole, Patrick Swayze. But I suppose most everyone else does too. My real long shot for the big payout is Amy Winehouse. But even she won’t put me into the lead. Maybe we should talk about some new rules for next year – like double bonus points for celebs under 30, triple if they don’t die of an already diagnosed and published fatal illness. An incentive for picking a self-destuctive young celeb who will end up wrapped around a tree or a heroin needle. Just thinkin’ aloud. 😛 Plus the extra points will help offset the grief and shock of the tragedy! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1304 "2009-08-18T22:30:25Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Maybe we should talk about some new rules for next year – like double bonus points for celebs under 30, triple if they don’t die of an already diagnosed and published fatal illness. An incentive for picking a self-destuctive young celeb who will end up wrapped around a tree or a heroin needle. > > Just thinkin’ aloud. 😛 What about Double Points for a Unique ( solo) pick? Or Extra points if you score two stiffs in the same day ( farrah and MIchael). ---
**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:** [August 18, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1305 "2009-08-18T22:45:44Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > What about Double Points for a Unique ( solo) pick? > > Or Extra points if you score two stiffs in the same day ( farrah and MIchael). Sounds great! I had both Farrah and Michael, and I had a unique pick last year. Plus, we should ALL get points if one of the standard death pool entrants dies, like Fidel or Ariel Sharon. Then we don’t have to add them to our lists, and might gather some more points with other choices. On we can declare Fidel and Ariel already dead for purposes of the death pool. It would practically be the same as allowing people to submit longer lists. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1306 "2009-08-18T23:38:03Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > I am in second and I had Novak too, so you will be third at best, depending on whether Captain Lance had him - I will check that out when I get home from work. Shakes fist at **amarone**.. 😉 That is why I said I had a shot, not that it was certain, I had the hunch that one of the top scorers had him. But the Captain did not have Novak so I see that I reached 3rd place at least. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1307 "2009-08-19T00:34:02Z")
Woohoo…Breaks the top 10 with Novak! 4 deaths for me so far,the 1st being Farrah. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1308 "2009-08-19T00:48:06Z")
Back in June of this year, [Major George Edward Wahlen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Edward_Wahlen) [succumbed to cancer](http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705308747,00.html?pg=1). During WWII he served as a Pharmacist’s Mate attached to the Marines at Iwo Jima. His Medal of Honor Citation as follows: > [@](#): > > For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano group on 3 March 1945. Painfully wounded in the bitter action on 26 February, Wahlen remained on the battlefield, advancing well forward of the frontlines to aid a wounded marine and carrying him back to safety despite a terrific concentration of fire. Tireless in his ministrations, he consistently disregarded all danger to attend his fighting comrades as they fell under the devastating rain of shrapnel and bullets, and rendered prompt assistance to various elements of his combat group as required. When an adjacent platoon suffered heavy casualties, he defied the continuous pounding of heavy mortars and deadly fire of enemy rifles to care for the wounded, working rapidly in an area swept by constant fire and treating 14 casualties before returning to his own platoon. Wounded again on 2 March, he gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with his company the following day in a furious assault across 600 yards of open terrain and repeatedly rendering medical aid while exposed to the blasting fury of powerful Japanese guns. Stouthearted and indomitable, he persevered in his determined efforts as his unit waged fierce battle and, unable to walk after sustaining a third agonizing wound, resolutely crawled 50 yards to administer first aid to still another fallen fighter. By his dauntless fortitude and valor, Wahlen served as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally to the high morale of his company during critical phases of this strategically important engagement. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming enemy fire upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. All in all, an exemplary man. And fifteen points for me! ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1309 "2009-08-19T01:07:25Z")
Two deaths from the State of Missouri: [Margaret Bush Wilson](http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/F578085CEF5FF31686257616007002AE?OpenDocument) was the second black woman to ever practice law in the state of Missouri and was National President of the NAACP. Former Missouri [Governor Warren Hearnes](http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/29dde8f2-80ce-0971-0191-8310aa538871) was the first Missouri governor to serve two consecutive terms. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1310 "2009-08-19T02:45:43Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > All in all, an exemplary man. Indeed. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1311 "2009-08-19T16:20:03Z")
[Don Hewitt](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090819/ap_on_en_tv/us_obit_hewitt), of \*60 Minutes \*fame… ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1312 "2009-08-19T17:37:27Z")
Brett Favre is dead to many Packers fans… Brian ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1313 "2009-08-19T17:42:08Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Brett Favre is dead to many Packers fans… > > Brian You want 6 0r 7 points for him? Do you want the PAT? ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1314 "2009-08-20T00:09:33Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Plus, we should ALL get points if one of the standard death pool entrants dies, like Fidel or Ariel Sharon. Then we don’t have to add them to our lists, and might gather some more points with other choices. 76 out of 181 players have Castro, and only 36 have Sharon. Even Patrick Swayze, who seems to be as close to a gimme as you can get, garnered just over half the nominations at 96. Actually, I thought Novak was a gimme - he himself described his prognosis as “dire”, yet only 18 people chose him. With people like Castro and Sharon, not only have they hung around for years, but they are pretty old so you don’t get many points. Neither of them are on the list of any of the players currently in the top four positions. Ariel is worth 19 points, Castro 17. At that level of scoring, even if all your nominees died, you would not win. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1315 "2009-08-20T00:13:58Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > My real long shot for the big payout is Amy Winehouse. You and 66 others. > [@](#): > > Maybe we should talk about some new rules for next year – like double bonus points for celebs under 30 You are already getting 70+ points - isn’t that enough? > [@](#): > > Plus the extra points will help offset the grief and shock of the tragedy! I know - sometimes I can hardly do the admin tasks as I am so torn up. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1316 "2009-08-20T02:14:58Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Actually, I thought Novak was a gimme - he himself described his prognosis as “dire”, yet only 18 people chose him. Yes, but it was a pleasure. Mrs. Plant mentioned that she has never seen me happy when someone died. As I said about Nixon, I hope someone remembered to drive a stake through his black heart before they screwed the lid down. I’d say keep the points simple. as they are, although I surely believe that the winner shouldn’t be eligible the next year. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1317 "2009-08-20T02:22:25Z")
The great German soprano [Hildegard Behrens](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/arts/music/20behrens.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries) has died suddenly at 72 while teaching a master class in Tokyo. One of the world’s best Isoldes and Brunnhildes ever. ☹ ---
**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:** [August 20, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1318 "2009-08-20T02:36:07Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > The great German soprano [Hildegard Behrens](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/arts/music/20behrens.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries) has died suddenly at 72 while teaching a master class in Tokyo. One of the world’s best Isoldes and Brunnhildes ever. > > ☹ > [@](#): > > the intensity of her singing led her inexorably to Wagner. And I never heard of her! I’m a Kirsten Flagsted and Joan Sutherland fan from Solti, Culshaw and the Vienna Philharmonic. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1319 "2009-08-20T02:42:55Z")
Her first Brünnhilde came with a complete “Ring” at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany in 1983, the production conducted by Georg Solti. In 1972 she joined the Deutsche Oper in Düsseldorf. She was discovered there by the powerful conductor Herbert von Karajan, “Music for me comes out of the dramatic context,” she said in a 1997 interview with Opera News. A Wagnerian concept. 🙂 In 1990, while performing in the “Ring” at the Met, Ms. Behrens sustained a severe injury when a piece of scenery fell on her during the final scene of “Götterdämmerung,” the dramatic climax in which the Hall of the Gibichungs collapses. Wow! And I call my self a Wagnerian. How did I miss her? ---
**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:** [August 20, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/1320 "2009-08-20T03:30:25Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > With people like Castro and Sharon, not only have they hung around for years, but they are pretty old so you don’t get many points. Neither of them are on the list of any of the players currently in the top four positions. Ariel is worth 19 points, Castro 17. At that level of scoring, even if all your nominees died, you would not win. That’s why I have a policy of excluding anyone 80 or above. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=65) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=67)