The PopWatch Confessional (Vol. 36)

SoG Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 09:26 AM EST

River Phoenix - it still upsets me to this day.

Tito Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM EST

EP Sato, Willie Colon has always been 5'7", which is about average for a Puerto Rican. Hitting on the women?You probably tried to strike up some lame conversation and got blown off. We all know your whiney agenda, rarely having anything good to say. But as a fan of Willie & Hector I take umbrage. This cat has done nothing but make Boricuas proud through the years. You're politically naive, the Republican Gangster crack belies your taking the nepotic Bronx Boyz regime’s campaign to heart. The politicians of the Bronx are the real gangsters. They've made the Bronx a feudal fiefdom foisting their incompetent relatives into office. Thanks to Jose Rivera the Bronx is now run by a handful of families. Aside from selling 30M units, Colón has stood up for gays, gone to the Andes to help the indigenous tribes, represented the third world indebted countries before the Vatican, brought the Latin Grammys to new York, started citizenship workshops, without ever holding office just as an activist.

Mel Wed, Oct 31, 2007 at 12:34 PM EST

As weird as this sounds, I am part of a Gilmore Girls forum. We'd all been anxiously waiting the news of an 8th season. The rumors had been good up till the day it was reported that it was going to end its run. I got home and turned on my computer to read the devastating news. I open up my email and I already had condolences from friends and family. I was in shock for the rest of the evening. I saw the finale with a few friends and family. They helped to comfort me and we comforted each other.

Emily R Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 01:38 AM EST

Not that I was a huge Crocodile Hunter fan, but how could one not love the child-like enthusiasm Steve Irwin displayed?
Last September I had just moved to university, and was having a turbulent time of it. About the second day of freshman week, I logged onto MSN.com and Steve's death was the first story. I began to hyperventilate. For some reason, the four or five episodes of Crocodile Hunter I had seen when I was younger somehow represented my passing childhood (something I was already worried about my first week away from the 'rents). I broke down in tears, and I still have mascara marks on my pillow case. Which I should probably wash.

Also, Geri leaving the Spice Girls. I was die-hard. I remember being about 8, and in bare feet on my back deck, eating a purple popsicle. My mother yelled at me to get inside, and when I got in she was watching the news. I think it was actually on CNN! I just remember asking, "Why? Why would she leave them? She's a Spice Girl!"

kats Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 02:21 PM EST

Jessica~ I still haven't recovered from the final death toll in HP. I started sobbing at Hedwig and was almost on the floor by Fred. My husband spent that entire weekend asking me if I was going to be okay (he hasn't read any HP). Unfortunately, no one else knew because I was the first to finish the book.

AngryArizona Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 12:40 PM EST

Re: David and Geri leaving the Spice Girls! I, too, was young gay man heartbroken at the news the Spice Girls were no longer a quintet. I already have my tickets for the reunion concert in LA!
Re: Anthony and the cancellation of Veronica Mars. I also refused to believe it was cancelled and spent the entire week leading up to the CW's upfronts checking EVERY website regarding her future. I now refuse to watch anything on the CW as a one man protest (and am ANXIOUSLY awaiting VM's arrival on Heroes!)

Daryl Macon Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 11:52 AM EST

John Candy...even his name makes me grin.

Maeve Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 10:04 AM EST

Several people offered me their condolences when Paul McCartney married Heather Mills. Fortunately, those same people were later able to congratulate me a few years later when Paul and Heather split. ha!

Subee Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 08:28 AM EST

I find it so great that you wrote this article by being inspired by Ike Hanson's recent medical scare! Yes, I am a Hanson fan too, totally relate to the Hanson speech you have to give your friends, but if you take them to a show I think it is all laid out plainly to see why they still have their fans. They are awesome! Anyway, I remember "Hanson friends" talking about when Taylor got married and how upset they were, I am a 43 yr old mom so I thought it was really nice for him and sent him and Natalie a pair of really cool suede baby booties to congratulate them on the birth of Ezra. I wanted them to know that some fans don't care about that stuff and are just in it for the music.

luiz Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 08:16 AM EST

Many years ago my father was in the hospital having triple-bypass surgery when a friend called me-- she got a little frantic when she heard I was in tears because she thought something had happened to my father but in fact I was overwrought because I'd just heard Lawrence Olivier had died...

To TVSlave Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 07:58 AM EST

My sister actually called me to tell me not to watch Meerkat Manor that week because it was so hard for her to watch and she knew it would destroy me... and it didn't. I cried for a solid hour after watching when Flower died.

SanAnto Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 07:24 AM EST

aramis-just say it! please :)

Jessica Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 02:41 AM EST

Oh, and ditto to kats below me for the Harry Potter comment. People asked me how I was when she even ANNOUNCED the date of the book. Death was inevitable.

Jessica Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 02:40 AM EST

Hahaha I love all the Jen/Brad comments. Sorry to say, but I got a bit of consolation when Justin and Britney broke up too. Hey, I was young.

In all seriousness, though, when (and it's hard to even write that) Michael J. Fox dies, it's actually going to be worse than some family members. I know everyone I know will be checking on me. I WORSHIP that beautiful man.

Also, if DiCaprio ever settles down, I'll be depressed.

I was checked up on when Kerry conceded, as well.

kats Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 01:05 AM EST

The cancellations of Sports Night and Briscoe County Jr..
The marriages of Simon LeBon, John Taylor and Brad Pitt.
The break up of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe.
The deaths of several Harry Potter characters (sniff, sniff).
Brenda's departures from GH.
Bill Cowher's resignation.

DanOregon Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 11:34 PM EST

I, however, was pleased with the Jenna Fisher news.
Bummed when they cancelled White Shadow, when Elisabeth Shue married and had kids, deaths of Belushi, Selena and Phil Hartman

DanOregon Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 11:34 PM EST

I, however, was pleased with the Jenna Fisher news.
Bummed when they cancelled White Shadow, when Elisabeth Shue married and had kids, deaths of Belushi, Selena and Phil Hartman

HiddenNiki Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 11:16 PM EST

The fact that I will never be Mrs. Fred Savage OR Mrs. Neil Patrick Harris. Life is too cruel sometimes.

Jessica Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 10:24 PM EST

When Jenna Fischer announced her split from her hubbie. Not exactly Beatles' level earth-shattering, but I was pretty bummed.

EP Sato Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 09:32 PM EST

I had a different kind of pop culture heartbreak. Mine came from meeting my idol and realizing he was not as cool as I'd imagined he would be.

Per the record covers, Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe were the baddest dudes of the 1970's salsa scene. Covers with the guys dressed as Al Capone, an X-mas album with a picture of them stealing tvs and breaking into apartments dressed as Santa Claus, etc. Willie even played the bad guy in "Vigilante". Cool, right?

Instead of meeting my idol, I met a vertically challenged dirty old man who hit on all the women in the room (his wedding ring still on), who talked about his work for Mayor Bloomberg (Gangster Republicans?).

My life fantasy had been to meet Willie Colon and to talk music and to remember Hector Lavoe. Instead of my dream, the meeting was heartbreaking. To this day I wish I'd stayed home that night and could have kept that fantasy image of Willie Colon alive forever. Sometimes meeting an idol isn't all that after all.

Todd Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 08:22 PM EST

I mourned for days when I found out "Veronica Mars" was cancelled. Sure, I knew it was coming, but seeing it was official while at work left me devastated.

Kiki Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 08:17 PM EST

I too had just seen INXS 2 months before Michael Hutchence's death and his "suicide" just came as a total shock! I didn't believe it at first, then I just sat in a daze, watching all the reports on tv and mourned not only his death, but the fact that I could no longer look forward to new music and new concerts from my favourite band (well, I couldn't predict the band's new incarnation with JD Fortune, and, of course, that's just not the same as the enchanting Michael Hutchence!). (Sigh)

Annabelle Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 06:48 PM EST

If The Simpsons ever gets cancelled, it will be a very sad day for me, considering I've never missed an original airing of an episode in 19 years

Galadriel Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 06:42 PM EST

I remember being a little too elated over Brad Pitt's "disengagement" from Gwyneth Paltrow back in the '90s. I thought there might still be hope for me.... isn't the imagination a wonderful thing?

Sarah Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 06:36 PM EST

I remember in high school, everyone had just arrived that morning to the news of Rick Allen's (Def Leppard) horrible accident. First they reported that he just broke his arm, then they said it had been amputated. My heart absolutely sank for the poor guy. He's a drummer and he lost his arm??? My idealistic 15-year-old brain couldn't take it.

Michelle Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 06:25 PM EST

I have been crazy for George Clooney since he was on the "funny" ER. My friends and family all know that if something happens to him, I will need to be committed to a calm and quiet place for quite some time.

PSI Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 06:20 PM EST

I so clearly remember being the one delivering the news... I was watching Monday Night Football when they ran a scroll across the bottom saying John Lennon had been shot. I ran to my car and drove to my roommates work so I could be the one to break it to him. As soon as I walked in, I knew he already knew. I was too late. The Manager let him go home early and all our friends flocked to our apartment that night. We turned off all the lights, lit candles everywhere and listened to the music until the sun came up. It was a little eerie that night, since we had wallpapered our walls with Beatle clippings, album covers, posters and photos. Our place became the John Lennon mourning spot for the next several weeks. Sigh...

princess dasisy buttercup Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 06:06 PM EST

Peter Jennings & Ed Bradley - broke my heart to bits. Always wanted to be a journalist because of those two. When I ended up in finance, always thought I'ld at least get to meet them, broke my heart!

pt Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:50 PM EST

Gilmore Girls is my favorite show ever and even though I really don't consider the 7th season as part of that (no Palladinos...come on), I cried watching the last episode.

"All was well." Harry Potter fans will know this one.

Of course when Brad and Jen split. I was in Nicaragua when that happened, and the second I got back I had a message on my cell phone from my sister...we were devastated.

DRS248 Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:27 PM EST

The cancellation of Veronica Mars was broken to me very, very gently by about 8 people. Each person called and left me a very quiet, patient voice mail telling me to call them if I needed to talk. The first message giving me the news really did break my heart a bit. I also got condolence calls the night of the Friends series finale. I live on the west coast and my best friend, who lives on the east coast, stayed up until I had watched her so I could call her - sobbing.

Hannah Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:20 PM EST

T.R. Knight and I were supposed to have polite little Minnesotan babies. Siiiigh.

Jael Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:12 PM EST

I see a ton of George Harrison and Lennon on this board. I'm ill now thinking about the world-wide mourning that with occur with the passing of Sir Paul. Excuse me, I need to lay down.

Court Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:08 PM EST

I just had a bad moment a couple of weeks ago...when author Madeleine L'Engle passed away. She was in her 80s but it devastated me because I love her books so much. They were an absolute staple of my adolescence, and I can honestly say I don't think I would be who I am today, at 26, without them. RIP, Ms. L'Engle.

I still get teary-eyed when I watch most of Peter Cushing's later films, because of what he went through in his personal life. God forbid the day that anything happens to Christopher Lee...I might go catatonic.

Jael Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:07 PM EST

I didn't discover Firefly until after it had been canceled. Now when I watch all the DVDs, the final episode makes me slightly ill. Why did it have to be canceled?!

My friend Lori is a huge Brando fan. I remember being in her room flipping through her movie and she was telling me about how much she loves Guys and Dolls. I mentioned something about how sad it was that he had died (months earlier). She'd somehow not heard and started crying.

My other roommate discovered Chaim Potok as a sophomore. As an artist who also happens to be a Messianic Jew, she connected with My Name is Asher Lev on a deep level. I mentioned to her that he had spoken at our university twice in the 60s and maybe she should try to find the tapes. She lit up and said, "Or maybe we could get him to come back!" I had to break the news to her that he'd died a few years earlier. She wept and called me a liar.

Susan Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 04:45 PM EST

George Harrison's death,around 9/11,really affected me.My co-workers were pretty hurt too. We'd sing "Here comes the sun." I also got Ana Rita Simonka's bossa nova/Indian classical music "Bossa Nova Delhi",thinking,"George would be so proud."
There was also Steve Irwin's death last year.I was shocked.He struck me as a risk-taker,not as somebody who'd actually die.His loss was tragic.

Gabrielle Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 04:43 PM EST

I am a huge American Idol fan and for season 5 I lived in New Zealand and so we got it delayed. Someone told me Taylor Hicks beat Katharine McPhee before I saw the show and I cried non stop for half an hour. People who didn't know me thought someone had died. My boss felt so bad for me she told me I could go home.

Mrsurnso Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 04:27 PM EST

(at 10yrs old) I had a panic attack when Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire in that Pepsi commercial, my poor mom!. Also when felt a little strange when Anna Nicole passed, it was just weird.

Colleen Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 04:25 PM EST

When Mr. Rogers and Mr. Hooper died. Jim Henson died the summer that my best friend did (I was 7), and I think I cried for a good 2 hours.

On a more embarrassing note, the night that AJ from the Backstreet Boys went into rehab in 2001, I think I had about 9 VMs telling me all about it. And, I broke up with my boyfriend that week. I was a mess.

alison Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 04:23 PM EST

nick lachey and jessica simpson announced their divorce on thanksgiving and i was so upset that i watched a taped episode of newlyweds instead of the macys parade (which i absolutely NEVER miss.)

Jen Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 04:03 PM EST

When the WB cancelled Everwood-that killed me. Jen and Brad. Zac Hanson getting married. Reese and Ryan. John Ritter...that one still upsets me. Friends series finale.

Ames Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:59 PM EST

After the actor who played Mr. Hooper (Sesame Street) died in real life, it was a while before he died on the show. The day everyone told Big Bird that Mr. Hooper died, my mom had me and my friend be late for school to watch it. We were to old for Sesame Street, but she thought it was important. We tried to play cool, but watching Big Bird's sad, confused face was heart-breaking.

Stephanie T. Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:54 PM EST

Chryss,

They divorced? Oh no.

Tracy Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:54 PM EST

oh yeah, and i agree with Louise.... An Arrested Development movie might take some of the pain away

Conny Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:54 PM EST

I remember the deaths so well. From Elvis to Lennon to Kurt and Princess Di and Phil Hartman and Michael Hutchence. They all hit hard. But someday, somewhere, someone will have to come to me to break the news that David Bowie has passed. And I pity that person whose job it is, because it may just do me in...

stephen Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:54 PM EST

I broke the news of Reese and Ryan's split to a really annoying girl. She actually cried. It was awesome.

tracy Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:51 PM EST

I am still grieving over Marlon Brando's death

:(

Valerie Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:47 PM EST

Um, OBVIOUSLY, when Shaun Cassidy and Harrison Ford got married to other women...not to each other! :)

Valerie Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:43 PM EST

When Shaun Cassidy and Harrison Ford got married. I thought they were waiting to meet me!! LOL

Emma Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:42 PM EST

The two really big ones for me were when Kurt Cobain killed himself and when Stephen King was hit by the van. I was 14 when I heard about Cobain and was a huge Nirvana fan. I just remember being so angry and sad. My friend was on the phone with me and she literally dropped the phone. When King was hit, I was actually really worried about him. I've read all his books and his little notes to his "Constant Readers" have really stuck with me, so I kind of feel like I know him a little. Plus, I really wanted to find out what happened in the Dark Tower series. Luckily, that one ended well.

hbosch Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:41 PM EST

My reaction to Brad and Jen breaking up was quite the opposite, sheer joy..I mourned the day Brad married another, one day he'll come around

Alli Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:38 PM EST

I remember all my friends in high school worried for my fragile mental health when Eddie Van Halen married Valerie Bertinelli. It helped a little that she was so "girl next door", but then again, so was I!

Stacey Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:34 PM EST

I was at SU when that Duran Duran concert got cancelled. It resulted in a drunken evening at Chuck's.

Chryss Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:24 PM EST

I just found out Siouxsie Sioux and Budgie divorced. I have no idea why this is hitting me so hard, but it IS.

Oh, and I would have been furious to miss a Duran Duran concert.

ali Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:24 PM EST

when i heard john mayer was dating jessica simpson, i was so furious at him i almost deleted all of his music from my itunes. i have yet to listen to his albums again.

Heather Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:22 PM EST

For me, it was the series finale of Friends. I was a little emotional the entire week leading up to it. That Thursday, I was on edge all day. I cried for quite a bit after the shot of the keys faded to black.

snarky Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:20 PM EST

I was never a huge fan, but when Princess Di passed, I cried and was pretty shaken for a few days. I am still not sure why, except that my mom made me get up early and watch the wedding and all that cr*p.

Jessica Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:18 PM EST

My best friend called me to break the news of Zac Hanson's engagement. I cried...I was old enough for that to be very, very sad. Everyone as oddly understanding of my sadness. I was convinced from the age of 11 that I would marry that boy, apparently he wasn't told.

P.S. I sympathize with your Hanson defence speeches, god knows how many times I've done the same thing. I still proudly hang my Hanson poster on my dorm room wall.

K Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:15 PM EST

When I was 12, my friend Kelly ran across the playground at recess, threw herself into my arms and wept. I knew without asking what was the matter: Wham was breaking up.

Kaitlin Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:15 PM EST

Wow, so many of these I can relate to.
I cried like a baby when I heard about Phil Hartman death. I know excatly where I was and what was going on. I totally agree with both Arrested Development which at least was slowly so I had time to prepare for that. Also really upset about Jen and Brad, it seemed so suprising and I thought they were really cute and sweet together. But it goes to show that you just don't know much about people.
Most of the time I am much more crazied than my friends but when Lance Bass came out a friend at work that I didn't know very well but was my pop culture peer told me about it. There was a pause and then she said, "I'm not that suprised but I am kinda of bummed" my answer was "me too" and we have been great friends ever since.

Broadway Baby Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:14 PM EST

I got a lot of condolence emails after Adam Ant was arrested and put in a mental institution for threatening a few jerks in a pub while suffering from bipolar disorder. I of course am convinced it was because he just found out I got married and he couldn't have me - but in any case I am so glad he is recovering and doing well.

aramis Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:11 PM EST

I think my sister is prepared to be the one to tell me if anything horrible - god forbid - were to happen to my most favorite musical artist since I was 10 (I'm now going to be 27). I won't name this person specifically for fear of being stoned by yalls (lol!) but I fear the news would hit me as bad as any of my closest family members. Hopefully, that day won't happen until YEARS and YEARS from now.

Angela Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:06 PM EST

At age 17, I read that Harrison Ford got married, in TIME magazine, during a lunch break. When I got home, my mother very gently approached me with the news, and was relieved that I already knew.

When I later found out he'd gotten married on my birthday - that was personal. Never shave your legs when you're mad at Harrison Ford, bad things can happen.

And years later, when I turned on the TV and caught the end of the ABC evening news and there was a clip of Gene Kelly "Singin' in the Rain" - I burst into tears. I knew. I knew that Peter Jennings had not said "Gosh, there's a lot of awful stuff in tonight's news, here's something cheerful". At the end of the clip, Peter just gently smiled and said "Gene Kelly, ladies and gentlemen". And I KNEW.

Amy Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:05 PM EST

I took it really hard when John Ritter died. I don't even know why and my friends were very supportive (and non-judgmental). I had always had a sort of fascination with Anna Nicole and dressed as her for Halloween last year. When she died THREE people called me to see if I was OK.

Kim Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 03:05 PM EST

Kurt Cobain- at the time I didn't really understand it. Now as an adult I do.
Katherine Hepburn- I loved her, my grandmother was one of the chosen few who really knew her and she is one of the most remarkable people I ever knew.
Aaliyah- She was one of the hardest to lose. So many were affected by her and I adored her.
Princess Diana- I was watching MAD tv when it flashed that Princess Diana had died in a car accident. I thought it was a bad joke until my mom came in and told me it was on CNN.

Jessica Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

I was so sad to learn of Anderson Cooper's preference for men. My friends have always said we would have cute kids with white curly hair who would be able to discuss the key Senatorial races....

Sarah Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

Half you people aren't getting it.. it's not what made you sad.. the article is about does a friend or family member KNOW about such an obsession to a pop culture show/person, that they knew news about that would upset you. It's not asking, what made you sad.

senorakatie@hotmail.com Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:54 PM EST

I was so dissappointed in Angela Chase, uhh I mean Claire Danes, when I heard she put the moves on Billy Crudup and snagged him from his baby and baby mama.

Louise Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:52 PM EST

The cancellation of Arrested Development will forever be a bitter pill to swallow. The only thing that will help heal the gaping wound inside of me is an Arrested Development Movie. C'MON!

Sarah C Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:51 PM EST

Another frozen-banana salute to Arrested Development.

I'm tearing up thinking about Peter Jennings, who I think would've been the coolest dinner guest ever, and Shel Silverstein, the gifted writer of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. My 11th grade American lit teacher told us of his passing, and my best friend and I started crying on the spot, right in the middle of the Crucible.

Heather Wixson Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:50 PM EST

I remember that I was devastated when both Chris Farley and Phil Hartman died the same summer...Farley was recently on a radio program here in Chicago and to find out a few days later that he was dead- it was shocking. On a lighter-ish note, I was absolutely wrecked when The OC finished- simply because it was the most beautiful ending to a show that I have ever seen done. It didn't pander to anyone, it was so fitting. And Buffy wrecked me twice in my life-once the end of season two when she left home (my mom had just kicked me out and I watched the episode alone in my new apartment and still hadn't talked to my mom) and when her mom died (simply because I have mommy issues). I also cried in Kmart when I saw a People Magazine cover that showed that David Duchovny got married. As time has gone on, I am just glad he's happy...but it should have been me. :-)

Stephanie T. Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

Yeah, I remember when George Harrison passed. My stereos reception is so poor that I can only get Q104 in New York. When Harrisons passing had been announced, all of the disc jockeys had a real quiet tone in their voices. That morning I had visited my best friend who is now my boyfriend. We both admired the Beatles very much, and what Harrison accomplished as a solo artist (when he was clean) was remarkable. Anyway, I remember my best friend curling me into a blanket as we watched "The Princess Bride". It should have been "Time Bandits" which George had produced, but it was still a decent movie nevertheless.

CIPN Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:45 PM EST

I don't get attached to celebrities and entertainers in general but I felt sad when Jim Henson died. The muppets to me are kind of magical. One of the most beautiful scenes of any movie I've seen was in one of their movies when Kermit and Miss Piggy were riding bicycles in a park. God, I feel stupid...

Lynn Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:38 PM EST

When Dr. Green died on "ER," I lost it. Not only does Dr. Green look eerily like my brother, but I was a die-hard fan. I cried for hours and skipped class the next day.

L Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:37 PM EST

When I got to the end of the Freaks and Geeks dvds and realized that that was it. No more. I felt empty.

Dixie Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:30 PM EST

I $%&ed up. I meant Tom HORTON, not Tom Brady. Hopefully no one will read the first part of the sentence and go into hysterics.

Dixie Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:23 PM EST

My first pop-culture tragedy occurred in first grade, when my teacher came in and announced that Dr. Seuss had died. Immediately half the class burst into tears, and it took most of the rest of the day for her to restore order.
Tom Brady's death on Days of Our Lives was very upsetting for both me and my grandmother, in large part because the actor who played him (Macdonald Carey) had died as well. This soap phenomenon occurred again a few years ago, when Josh Ryan Evans and his alter ego, Timmy the Doll on Passions, died on the same day.
I don't know if it counts as pop culture or not, but Dale Earnhardt's death is the most memorable "famous-person" tragedy of my life by far (yes, I'm a redneck). I'll never forget watching the crash...huddling around the TV with my family to see if he was OK or not...or my mom and grandmother bursting into tears when they announced he'd been killed. I'm getting chills just thinking about this--thanks a lot EW!

Jasmine Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:18 PM EST

Steve Irwin's death was completely shocking to me. He was such energetic, life-embracing guy that his random death made me feel like a little part of me died. It still hurts to think about it.

Heidi Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:16 PM EST

Oh God...The Final Episode of Friends...when Ross and Rachel finally got back together. Like we didn't know it was coming but man alive, I cried like a baby. All my friends teased me for weeks.

annie Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:15 PM EST

when i was probably 10 or 11, i watched a Real World: San Francisco marathon on MTV and saw at the end that Pedro had died. i still seriously believe that he is the person i learned about death from. i was inconsolable for hours.

anne Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:13 PM EST

When I heard Brad & Jennifer broke up - don't know why that shocked me to the core, but I felt like the storybook romance had ended and it shattered me.

Aaliyah's death also hit me really hard. I had to sit in my car for awhile before walking into work, trying to absorb it.

Mari Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:08 PM EST

I got very upset as well when Lila Q died on General Hospital. I cried like a baby though when Stone Cates died of AIDS on the same show. Still is the saddest thing I ever watched on TV.

Stef Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:06 PM EST

I have 3 that stand out:

When George Harisson of The Beatles died, I stayed home from class and watched the news coverage all day from my bed with a box of tissues.

The OC finale...I prepared for it all week. I watched every episode until that point and sat on my floor, close to the TV and just bawled through most of it.

Gilmore Girls finale...I was a massive wreck. There was no quietting my sobbing.

Kevo Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 02:06 PM EST

I also was heartbroken when Arrested Development was cancelled but not surprised. I remember my grandmother was very upset when Katherine Hepburn died. She always loved Hepburn's movies as a child and continued to watch them into adulthood.

suzie Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:58 PM EST

when I found out Arrested Developement wasn't going to get picked up by any other networks (as speculated). I'm still not over that heartbreak!

Aimee Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:57 PM EST

Like some of you, I feel like I know these people. When Owen Wilson tried to commit suicide my friends and I wondered if we should send flowers...

But when John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn died in the plane crash--oh my God. I was at a company retreat and my girlfriends and I just sat on the hotel bed staring at the TV. We bought one of those grocery store Virgin Mary candles and lit an "eternal flame" for John.

jlo Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:48 PM EST

every single time I hear John sing Beautiful Boy...who can get through him looking forward to watching his son grow up only?

Mary Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:47 PM EST

Piggy-backing on many a comment. I remember when Mr. Hooper died on Sesame Street (my older cousins were crying, we younger kids didn't understand what was going on), when Jim Henson passed. My mom had to tell me about River Phoenix--I was in the video store getting Hitchcock movies to watch that night, I ended up crying the night away. There was a tearful, mournful email chain that went around between my friends and I when Mr. Rogers died.

K Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:46 PM EST

I was inconsolable for a few hours after the "Friends" finale. I still miss them, like they're real people.

KingLouieXVIII Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:42 PM EST

December of 2000, was one of the hardest periods of my life. My platonic love, Thalia, married Sony Music mogul Tommy Mottola. I was depressed for weeks. Family and friends kept telling me, "Don't worry. They're bound to get a divorced within a year tops. Mottola can't keep a wife." 7 years and a baby later, Thalia and Mr. Mottola are still going strong, and I'm not quite a 100% over it.

LL Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:38 PM EST

(Another Syracuse alum here - I hate to quibble but Albany's not exactly "nearby." I guess for Duran Duran purposes, three hours is close enough!)

My not-so-serious one is when Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman announced their divorce. I had been OBSESSED with Tom Cruise and thought they seemed so nice together. I really felt like something was wrong with the universe - if only I could have predicted the future...

And my serious one is Jonathan Brandis's suicide. I wasn't a crazy huge fan of his, but for some reason I got really sad when I heard the news. I guess when you have no idea how depressed a person is, something like that seems to come out of nowhere.

LL Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:37 PM EST

(Another Syracuse alum here - I hate to quibble but Albany's not exactly "nearby." I guess for Duran Duran purposes, three hours is close enough!)

My not-so-serious one is when Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman announced their divorce. I had been OBSESSED with Tom Cruise and thought they seemed so nice together. I really felt like something was wrong with the universe - if only I could have predicted the future...

And my serious one is Jonathan Brandis's suicide. I wasn't a crazy huge fan of his, but for some reason I got really sad when I heard the news. I guess when you have no idea how depressed a person is, something like that seems to come out of nowhere.

dap Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:36 PM EST

Keep in mind that this was 1979 or so and I was around 10 years old at the time, but I remember a friend telling me that Battlestar Galactica wasn't going to be on anymore. It took me a while to comprehend "not. on. tv. anymore."

mgm Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

When Selena died, my dad picked me up from junior high and told me. He had a tear in his eye, which made me cry. That night, my friends and I laid on the trampoline and listened to the Spanish station, even though we couldn't understand a word they were saying.

TVSlave Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:29 PM EST

You guys must not watch Meerkat Manor....poor Flower, brave little meerkat.

rita Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:28 PM EST

Marvin Gaye. While in tears I called my sister and she was already crying. One of the worst days ever.

E Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:19 PM EST

Kate, I am with you. When Felicity went off the air, I cried like a baby! I still cry when I see the episode when Ben follows her to med school. Silly, but true...

J Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:18 PM EST

My college roommates and I were all huge fans of Law & Order. When Jerry Orbach died in December 2004, I was on a flight back to college for the start of winter quarter at NU. This was the mournful voicemail waiting for me when I landed: "Hi Jordana, It's M--. I don't think you heard cuz you're on a plane, but Jerry Orbach just died. They said he'd be fine, but they lied. He's not. And I just don't know what to do. Or who to tell. And I'm really sad. Call me back."

During the New Year's Day L&O marathon, we had a moment of silence for him. And then kept the Sun Times obituary on all wall near the TV until we graduated.

To Vince P Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:12 PM EST

I want to be bffs with you because you used the word sapphic and you love Buffy. When Wesley died at the end of Angel, I truly knew the series was canceled.

Allison Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:08 PM EST

This is going to sound totally weird, but the day I found out Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were together, I died a little inside. I loved Katie Holmes. I loved that she had a quiet and sublime relationship with Chris Kline. She was the poster girl for being under the radar, but totally loved. My inner girl next girl killed herself that day.

ceej Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:07 PM EST

The day Aaliyah died, I was hosting a fundraiser at my house for the AIDS Marathon. When things were winding down, I popped into my office to check my email. Someone had sent me a link to the news story announcing that she was in a plane crash. I walked back into to living room and said, "Guys, I think Aaliyah was in a plane crash." Sure enough, when we flipped on CNN and story was breaking. I remember we all kind of sat around in sad disbelief for about an hour or two afterwards.

I didn't know Aaliyah personally, tho' we'd met a few times thru mutual friends. Out of all the pop stars that die young, why did it have to be her? When people say she was an angel, it's really true. Her passing still affect me to this day.