‘Swamp People’ Star Mitchell Guist Dies

By: alex.chrum, May 15, 2012 in Passings and Television. Closed Tags: , .

Mitchell Guist, a Louisiana alligator hunter featured on History’s reality television show “Swamp People,” died Monday, according to a statement by the Louisiana state police.

Mitchell Guist, star of History's "Swamp People," has passed away

Guist, who would have turned 49 on Friday, was pronounced dead at the hospital after falling from his boat on the Intracoastal Waterway near Pierre Part. Reports from deputies in neighboring St. Martin Parish state that Guist was traveling on the waterway around 9 A.M. when he fell. The boat then docked in St. Martin and Guist was taken to a nearby hospital.

The reason for Guist’s fall is as of yet unclear, and there is still no word on the official cause of death. However, 911 tapes released late Monday night reveal that Belle River residents believed the man had suffered a heart attack.

“You say he’s in cardiac arrest?” the dispatcher said.

“Yes, sir, we’re blowing and pumping the guy’s chest right now,” the caller said. “It looks like he may have had a heart attack.”

In a statement released to the public yesterday, History said, “We are extremely saddened to report that our friend and beloved member of the Swamp People family, Mitchell Guist, has passed away. Mitchell passed on the swamp, doing what he loved. We appreciate your respect for the Guist family’s privacy and hope you join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to his brother, Glenn, and the rest of the Guist family.”

“Swamp People” is currently on its third season and airs Thursday nights on the History Channel.

Against Me! Lead Singer Tom Gabel Comes Out as Transgender

By: alex.chrum, May 9, 2012 in Celebrities and Music. Closed Tags: , , .

Tom Gabel, lead singer of the punk rock band Against Me!, has come out as transgender in a new issue of Rolling Stone magazine that will hit stands this Friday.

Gabel at her recording studio in St. Augustine, FL

Gabel (hereto referred to with feminine pronouns) formed Against Me! in 1997, and the group soon became a staple in the underground punk scene with albums such as “Reinventing Axel Rose” and “As the Eternal Cowboy.” The band hit it big in the mainstream in 2007 with their first charting single “Thrash Unreal” from the album “New Wave.”

In an interview with Josh Eells, Gabel speaks of her private struggles with gender dysphoria, her decision to transition and the process by which she will do so. The singer will eventually take the name Laura Jane Grace, and will soon begin undergoing hormone therapy and electrolysis treatments.

Gender dysphoria, classified in the DSM-IV as gender identity disorder, describes the condition of individuals who experience discontent or disconnection with the biological sex and/or the gender they were assigned at birth. While this is by no means an uncommon condition, Gabel’s revelation marks the first time a major rock star has admitted to these struggles and has undergone the transition in the public eye.

For this reason, it is important for the singer to come out publicly and be open about her decision. “I’m going to have embarrassing moments,” she says, “and that won’t be fun. But that’s part of what talking to you is about—is hoping people will understand, and hoping they’ll be fairly kind.” The singer will remain married to her wife Heather, who has been “super-amazing and understanding,” according to Gabel. Continue reading ‘Against Me! Lead Singer Tom Gabel Comes Out as Transgender’

George Lindsey, Andy Griffith Show Character Goober Pyle, Dies at 83

By: alex.chrum, May 7, 2012 in Celebrities, News, Passings and Television. Closed Tags: , , , .

George Lindsey, who gained fame for his role of gas station attendant Goober on both “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Hee Haw,” passed away early Sunday morning after a short-term illness.

Lindsey joined the cast of “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1964 when Jim Nabors, who played the character Gomer Pyle, left the program.

Lindsey (left) and Griffith (right) on the set of "The Andy Griffith Show"

Goober Pyle, who was once mentioned briefly as Gomer’s cousin, took Gomer’s place, making both Lindsey and Goober household names.

Lindsey played Goober on “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1964 to 1968 and on its successor, “Mayberry RFD,” from 1968 until 1971. Then, he took Goober’s character to the show “Hee Haw,” which ran from 1971 until 1993.

“America has grown up with me,” Lindsey said in an Associated Press interview in 1985. “Goober is every man; everyone finds something to like about ol’ Goober.”

In a statement released through the funeral home, Andy Griffith said of his dear friend, “I had great respect for [George’s] talent and his human spirit. In recent years, we spoke often by telephone. Our last conversation was a few days ago…I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our eighties, we were not afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. ‘I love you.’”

Continue reading ‘George Lindsey, Andy Griffith Show Character Goober Pyle, Dies at 83′

“Bachelor” Host Chris Harrison and Wife Gwen Announce Split

By: alex.chrum, May 4, 2012 in Celebrities and Television. Closed Tags: , , .

Chris Harrison, host of TV dating show “The Bachelor,” has announced that he and his wife of 18 years, Gwen Harrison, are separating from one another “after much heartfelt consideration.” Harrison, who has hosted “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” for all 23 of their combined seasons, has two children with Gwen, Joshua, 9, and Taylor, 7. He coaches both kids’ soccer teams and is, according to a 2010 interview with Gwen, “an amazing father. He’s very loving and involved.”

"Bachelor" host Chris Harrison and wife have announced their amicable split

The couple announced their split in a joint statement Thursday, saying, “Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain, and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children.”

In February 2010, Bachelor contestant Rozlyn Papa called Harrison a cheater, and accused him of making a pass at a producer’s wife during the show’s taping in New Zealand. “I won’t even dignify that with a response,” Harrison said during the “The Bachelor: Women Tell All” special.

Harrison, now 40, met his wife while they were students at Oklahoma City University. A rep confirms that they “happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and mutual admiration for each other.”

The eighth season of “The Bachelorette” premieres on May 14 on ABC, and stars Emily Maynard, bachelor Brad Womack’s ex-fiancé.

Tragic Car Accident Near Bronx Zoo Kills Family of Seven

By: alex.chrum, April 30, 2012 in News and Passings. Closed Tags: , .

Seven members of a single family, encompassing a total of three generations, passed away in a horrific car accident this weekend near the Bronx Zoo. Three young children, their grandparents and their respective mothers were all killed when the SUV they were driving in plummeted more than 50 feet off a highway overpass and into a ravine.

A family of seven was killed this weekend when their SUV plummeted over 50 feet off a highway overpass and into a ravine

To date, authorities are still trying to determine the exact cause of the crash that killed 10-year-old Jocelyn Gonzalez, daughter of driver Maria Gonzalez (45), and 7-year-old Niely Rosario and 3-year-old Marly Rosario, daughters of Gonzalez’s sister, Maria Nunez (39). The children’s grandparents, 85-year-old Jacob Nunez and 81-year-old Ana Julia Martinez, who were visiting from the Dominican Republic, also passed in the crash.

According to police, the family’s 2004 Honda Pilot was heading southbound on the Bronx River Parkway when it hit the median, crossed three southbound lanes and struck a curb, sending the vehicle airborne to continue over the guardrail and plunge 59 feet into the ravine.

“Obviously, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed,” FDNY deputy Chief Ronald Werner said. “It hit something that caused it to become airborne.”

Relatives report that the grandparents had arrived from the Dominican Republic just three days earlier. They had a total of 13 children, six of whom reside in the U.S. The group was just five miles from Gonzalez’s home, en route to a family party when the accident occurred.

“Sometimes you come upon events that are horrific and this is one of them,” Chief Werner said.

Continue reading ‘Tragic Car Accident Near Bronx Zoo Kills Family of Seven’

The Phoenix Coyotes Shut out the Chicago Blackhawks for a 5-1 Series Win

By: alex.chrum, April 24, 2012 in Sports. Closed Tags: , , .

Monday night, the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0, joining the St. Louis Blues, the Nashville Predators and the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Coyotes, who have not won a playoff series since they played as the Winnipeg Jets in 1987, owe their victory largely to their 6-foot-4, 218-pound brick wall of a goaltender Mike Smith. Last night, the team was almost doubly outshot by the Blackhawks, but Smith finished the evening with a remarkable 39 saves, not allowing a single puck in the net. In the six-game series against the Hawks, Smith totaled a staggering 229 saves.

Phoenix Coyotes' goalie Mike Smith celebrates with teammates after defeating the Blackhawks to move on to the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs

Smith’s impressive dexterity frustrated the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions, who returned from the road to suffer a loss on home ice in the United Center. “I don’t know what to say right now,” Captain Jonathan Toews remarked after the game. “We worked so hard, we had so many chances, and every time we had a chance and it didn’t go in, we said, ‘Keep working, we’ll get another one. It’ll go in eventually.’”

The win hits especially hard for the Hawks, who lost one of their key players, Marian Hossa, to a dirty hit by the infamous Coyotes’ defenseman Raffi Torres in Game 3 of the series. Torres has been both fined and suspended for illegal hits on multiple occasions in the past. These punishments, however, seem relatively menial compared to the one dealt out by Shanahan last week. For his hit on Hossa, which caused the Hawks player to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, Torres has been suspended for 25 games, leaving him benched for the entire rest of the playoff season.

Continue reading ‘The Phoenix Coyotes Shut out the Chicago Blackhawks for a 5-1 Series Win’

Rocker Ted Nugent Interviewed by Secret Service Agents

By: alex.chrum, April 19, 2012 in Celebrities, Government, Music and Politics. Closed Tags: , , , .

Controversial rocker Ted Nugent, who is currently receiving criticism for his vicious remarks about President Obama, met with the Commander in Chief’s Secret Service agents Thursday to discuss the possibility of violent intent.

"If Barack Obama becomes the president in November again," Nugent said, "I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year."

This past weekend, at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association in St. Louis, Nugent told audiences, “If Barack Obama becomes the president in November again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year.”

Many have questioned whether or not Nugent was alluding to violence against the President in these remarks. “If you can’t go home and get everybody in your lives to clean house in this vile, evil, American-hating administration,” he continued, “I don’t even know what you’re made out of.”

As a result of his comments, Nugent was asked to meet with Secret Service agents in an attempt to flesh out the true motive behind his remarks. A U.S. official said that it is Secret Service policy to recognize every American’s right to free speech while still deciding an individual’s intent. Continue reading ‘Rocker Ted Nugent Interviewed by Secret Service Agents’

Tupac Hologram Coming to a City Near You

By: alex.chrum, April 17, 2012 in Celebrities, Music and Technology. Closed Tags: , , , , .

This past Sunday, hip hop legend Tupac Shakur delivered an almost unbelievable posthumous performance at the Coachella music festival in California, alongside rappers Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Tupac, who was shot and killed in 1996, joined Snoop and Dre via hologram, rapping on the songs “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” and “Hail Mary,” while name checking Coachella and hyping the audience.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac performing on Sunday at Coachella

‘Pac’s performance garnered paramount attention, and drew less skepticism than perhaps expected. Overall, it seems, viewers around the world were pleased with the 2D representation of one of music’s most elusive figures. Since his death in 1996, conspiracy theorists have claimed the rapper is still alive, an idea that is only compounded by the fact that he has released roughly eight albums after his death, with ominous titles such as “Still I Rise” and “Tupac: Resurrection.”

In a move that will surely only add fuel to these conspiracy flames, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have now announced that they are considering taking Tupac’s virtual counterpart on the road with them. According to a source close to the camps, representatives for Snoop and Dre plan to discuss logistics for a tour which would include the two performers and a virtual Tupac.

Continue reading ‘Tupac Hologram Coming to a City Near You’

After a 3-2 Loss to the Sharks, Blues Fans Must Remain Optimistic

By: alex.chrum, April 13, 2012 in News and Sports. Closed Tags: , , , .

Last night, playoff hockey returned to the city of St. Louis for the first time in three years, as the No. 2 seed St. Louis Blues hosted the No. 8 seed San Jose Sharks in Game One of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Blues center Alex Steen watches as teammate Patrik Berglund's shot makes it past Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi

Largely a baseball town, St. Louis has seemingly neglected its boys in blue since the 1999-2000 season. This season marked the Blues’ last notable appearance in the playoffs (they lost to the Canucks in the quarterfinals of the 08-09 season), and the last time the team clinched both the Central Division Championship and the President’s Trophy (awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season).

Since the hiring of Coach Ken Hitchcock earlier this season, however, the team has shown marked improvement, managing to recover from a 6-7 record under old coach Davis Payne and finish the season 49-22-11, losing only six games at home and becoming the 2011-2012 Central Division Champions.

Now, St. Louis seems to be almost literally bursting with years’ worth of pent up excitement for Blues playoff hockey. The city took to the streets late last week to paint Blue notes on sidewalks, hang “Let’s Go Blues!” signs and dye the water in the Kiener Plaza fountain. A pep rally was held before the game, manifesting itself in a giant sea of blue not unlike the red one witnessed after the Cardinals’ World Series win last season.

Those lucky enough to attend last night’s game (for which the priciest of tickets cost upwards of $400) witnessed a whole other level of enthusiasm, one that I have personally never experienced in my 23 years as a Blues fan. The atmosphere in Scottrade was the closest thing I can imagine to the days at the old Barn, which I have only lived vicariously through my father, the man responsible for my overwhelming love of all things hockey. The fans were so loud that you could barely hear the music; the stadium was a mass of yellow waving rally towels; shouts of both excitement and disappointment rung out with every hit, every shot, every bad call and, most pointedly, every goal.

Continue reading ‘After a 3-2 Loss to the Sharks, Blues Fans Must Remain Optimistic’

Lollapalooza 2012 Full Lineup Announced

By: alex.chrum, April 11, 2012 in Music and News. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

After months of rumors and speculation, organizers of Lollapalooza have officially revealed the full lineup for this year’s music festival in Chicago, which includes headliners such as The Black Keys, Black Sabbath, Jack White and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Black Keys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath and Jack White will headline this year's Lollapalooza festival

The massive three-day festival, which will take place on 115 acres of Grant Park in Chicago August 3-5, boasts roughly 130 of the most popular bands, along with loads of other activities and attractions. Kidzapalooza, a self-proclaimed “festival within a festival for the music fan of all ages,” runs daily from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M., and offers activities such as Rock Star Yoga, Photo Shootz, Tattooz and Funky Hairdooz. Chow Town and The Lolla Farmers Market let festivalgoers experience of the finest and most diverse cuisine Chicago has to offer, and there are a number of other lounges and bars that offer respite for tired and weary music fans.

Continue reading ‘Lollapalooza 2012 Full Lineup Announced’