Rebecca: Oh look, there he is.
Enid: As always.
Rebecca: Waiting for the bus that never comes.
Enid: I wonder if he’s just totally insane, or he really thinks the bus is coming?
Rebecca: Why don’t you just ask him?
Enid: Hi. What’s your name?
Norman: Norman.
Enid: Are you waiting for a bus?
Norman: Yes.
Enid: I hate to tell you this, but they canceled this bus line two years ago. There are no more buses on this street.
Norman: You don’t know what you’re talking about.
While working as a model, Imogene Robertson was discovered by Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld and immediately he put her into his famous follies, performing under the name “Imogen ‘Bubbles’ Wilson.” Entertainment columnist Mark Hellinger noted that only two people in the country could draw out every reporter in New York — The President of the United States and Imogene Robertson. Imogene began a tumultuous affair with married comedian Frank Tinney, in which Tinney frequently beat her. The affair, coupled with Imogene’s suspected drug use, forced Ziegfeld to fire her.
Imogen moved to Germany where she appeared in a number of films to much success. After a few years, she decided to return to Hollywood, using the name “Mary Nolan” to disassociate herself from previous scandals. She made a couple of pictures for United Artists before signing with Universal. While at Universal, “Mary” began an affair with married studio executive Eddie Mannix. On several occasions, Mannix severely beat “Mary.” The results of one beating landed “Mary” in the hospital for six months. While recovering, she became addicted to morphine. Her addiction caused a decline in her desirability as an actress. “Mary” was relegated to bit parts in low-budget movies produced by Poverty Row studios. She made her final screen appearance in 1933.
Bad investments and a failed attempt at operating a Hollywood dress shop led to a deep depression for “Mary.” She moved to New York to try her hand at the vaudeville circuit. Unpaid bills caught up with her and she was sent to jail and later to Bellevue for psychiatric evaluation. In 1937, “Mary” returned to Hollywood. She sold her life story to American Weekly — a Hearst publication — and appeared in several issues.
In late 1948, “Mary” was discovered dead in her apartment from an overdose of Seconal. She was 45. Her few personal possessions — including Rudolph Valentino‘s piano — were sold at an estate sale.
Really, Avril? Really? Really?
I think Joe Strummer, Iggy Pop and Joey Ramone would like to have a word with you.
Mike Coolbaugh was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays the year he graduated from high school. He bounced around the minor leagues for the next eleven years. Finally, he got the “call-up” from the Milwaukee Brewers, playing third base in 39 games in 2001. The following season, Mike was part of the St. Louis Cardinals as a third baseman and pinch hitter. He played in five games.
In 2003, Mike played in Korea for the Doosan Bears. He returned to the United States, playing stints in the farm teams for the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies. He signed a contract with the Kansas City Royals, but shattered his wrist in spring training , ending his days as a player.
In 2007, Mike was coaching for the Tulsa Drillers, then a Double-A affiliate for the Colorado Rockies. Mike was positioned in the first base coach’s box when Drillers catcher Tino Sanchez hammered a line drive down the first base line that angled into foul territory. The ball struck Mike in the neck and pulverized his left vertebral artery. The opposing team’s, the Arkansas Travelers, general manager bounded out to the field along with the Traveler’s team doctor. Two other doctors who were seated in the stands joined those attending to Mike on the field. All sorts of attempts at resuscitation were administered with no response. Mike was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead — within an hour of the incident. He was 35 years old.
The Colorado Rockies, who were on their way to the 2007 post-season, voted to award Mike’s widow a share of the team’s playoff winnings. The Rockies made it to the World Series (losing to the Boston Red Sox) and Amanda Coolbaugh received in excess of $233, 000.
On November 8, 2007, Major League Baseball general managers decided that all base coaches would wear helmets starting with the upcoming 2008 season.
I am no fan of halls of fame, especially the incredibly biased, incredibly derisive and incredibly dismissive Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I refuse to join in with the “who deserves to be inducted” debate. That said, Connie Francis is one of the best-selling music artists in history, with estimated sales of over 100 million records. In 1960, she became the first woman in history to reach Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her recording of “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.” Yet induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has eluded her. In the Hall’s 42 years of existence, Connie Francis had never even been nominated for induction.
Connie passed away this week at the age of 87. She enjoyed a career filled with international fame. She suffered a number of tragedies, including a harrowing rape in a New York hotel room.
In May 2025, Connie’s 1962 recording of “Pretty Little Baby” went viral based on its use in a TikTok video. Although pleased, Connie asked those close to her what “viral” meant.
