This Week: Time For Goodbyes
As 2006 drew to a close, America said farewell to a number of famous people and closed several important chapters in the nation's history.
A week of mourning is planned for former President Gerald Ford who died Tuesday at the age of 93. It will include a state funeral on Saturday evening in Washington, a National Cathedral service Tuesday attended by President Bush and burial in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Wednesday. The 38th president of the United States, Ford replaced Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Ford is credited with helping Americans close the door on a painful time in the country's history.
The world said ta-ta to former Iraqui dictator Saddam Hussein who was executed for crimes against humanity early Saturday morning in Baghdad.Photos: In Mourning
Americans said farewell this week to broadcast legend Frank Stanton who died at his home in Boston Christmas day at the age of 98. Stanton turned CBS — an also-ran radio network — into a broadcasting powerhouse, established news standards, and championed journalists' First Amendment rights.
It was Stanton's network that aired the groundbreaking television comedy "All In The Family" and its spin-off "The Jeffersons." This week it was revealed that Mike Evans, who played Lionel on both shows, had died of cancer on Dec. 13 at age 57. Evans participated in a new television trend in the 1970s of building plot-lines around social issues. Americans loved it, saying 'later' to the tamer sitcoms of years past.
Mourners gathered by the thousands to pay their last respects to soul singer James Brown, who died Christmas day at the age of 73. Known by many colorful nicknames, Soul Brother No. 1 helped bring soul and funk music into the mainstream, and inspired a generation of African-Americans with his song "Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud." His musical influence on funk, soul, R&B, rap, rock & roll, and pop continues to this day.
But Brown's companion, Tomi Rae Hynie, wasn't prepared to bid adieu to the home she shared with the singer and their 5-year-old son. Soon after Brown's death, the gate to the home was padlocked and security guards wouldn't let her in. A lawyer for Brown said Hynie was locked out of the house because her marriage to Brown was not legal.
Basketball great Michael Jordan and his wife Juanita filed for divorce Dec. 29 after 17 years of marriage. The couple said in a statement issued through their lawyers that they parted ways "mutually and amicably."
Country star Keith Urban said a temporary adios to rehab to go on a holiday break in Australia with his wife Nicole Kidman. Urban's publicist said the singer will return to his treatment when he gets back to the U.S.
Urban can perhaps take a cue from Lindsay Lohan who seems to have kicked alcohol to the curb, at least for the time being. The tee-totaling actress was spotted in several New York night clubs, even pole dancing at one club, but she's choosing Red Bull or water over booze.
Britney Spears, on the other hand, continues to party and that's why a popular Britney Spears fan site has decided to say "buh-bye" to the lingerie-challenged pop star. Ruben Garay, the webmaster of WorldOfBritney.com, says he's "moving on to bigger and better things" as Spears loses her identity with fans and the industry.
"I believe Britney is unfortunately done (for me at least)," Garay wrote on his Web site.