Billy Mays died

[Medusa]

I apologize if anyone thought that I was being disrespectful about BM's death.

I like BM and thought he was a fun 'icon' and part of pop culture.

MY joke was not meant in a mean vein, it was merely a jab at how we let these people into our homes/lives, and how they affect the way we think about them.

It wasn't meant as a mean spirited dig-it was more a dig at the people who really idolized him.

FWIW, I thought your comment was funny and not in the least disrespectful and I think Mays would've thought so, too, just as he probably would've laughed at Catty1's post w/photo. As you said, it wasn't mean spirited. Thinking people know the difference.

[K9soul]

I'm sorry if people don't see it the same. I just see no humor in the idea of the man "throwing in his life" at no additional cost. It is a human life that was taken suddenly and tragically. I guess I can't stop thinking about it from the perspective of his daughters and his wife. We wouldn't joke about people in natural disasters or 911 losing their life so why do we with celebrities? In the end they are people with families. I see nothing wrong with laughing at funny things he did in life, but that particular picture is joking about his death, and it bothers me.

ETA: I didn't need an explanation of the joke, I "got it." Also for what it's worth it's not said in particular that celebrities die in threes, but more that tragedies or events happen in threes. Anyway I've said my piece.

The funeral comment, 'but wait, there's more' didn't bother me. The 'throwing in the life for no cost' did. People are free to post it and chuckle at it I guess. I have watched his bloopers and outakes on Youtube and laughed, but I can't laugh about his actual death.

[Pam]

I apologize if anyone thought that I was being disrespectful about BM's death.

I like BM and thought he was a fun 'icon' and part of pop culture.

MY joke was not meant in a mean vein, it was merely a jab at how we let these people into our homes/lives, and how they affect the way we think about them.

It wasn't meant as a mean spirited dig-it was more a dig at the people who really idolized him.

I didn't take your comments as disrespectful Richard. In fact, the "wait, there's more" made me smile and I think it would have made him smile as well. It shows that we paid attention to what he said when he was in our living rooms. I have been to many funerals where the deceased was sort of poked fun at by the telling of many stories about them. These were not mean-spirited jabs but rather fond recollections and yes there was even laughter. I am thinking right now of my mom's passing (Nov. 28, 2008) and we did smile as we remembered some of the funny things she said and did and the way she thought about things. If Billy Mays' family might find your statements hurtful, take comfort in the fact that they are not likely to be reading Pet Talk.

[K9soul]

Well, one more comment and I'm done. I just want to say I didn't think anyone here was trying to be mean spirited. I do feel there is a difference between laughing about funny stories of someone in life versus laughing about their dying. It's the creator of the picture that I don't understand. People see things differently I guess.

ETA: I honestly didn't intend to start a big debate over the picture. I saw it last night when I was tired and ragged and it suprised me, I posted my thoughts. Today I came back to clarify why I felt the way I did. But again, I didn't intend to be accusatory or to start arguments.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Regardless of what you felt about Billy Mays, and his commercials, etc., let his death serve a purpose. It is being said now that he likely died from heart disease and long undiagnosed high blood pressure.

Take the time to get your blood pressure checked, okay? High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" for good reason. You may think it is just caused by being overweight, or by being 'high strung,' but that is not the case. Many factors, including unknowns, can cause high blood pressure, even in seemingly healthy, calm people.

If you are a member here, it means there are people who love you and care about you, and that you probably have pets that depend on you. Getting your blood pressure checked is often a free service at malls or pharmacies, and what you don't know CAN kill you. Get yours checked today.

Karen, this is a beautiful message to all of us. I also think we should think about making sure our own health is in order. Billy Mays seemed like a very healthy guy. Always neat, clean, and energetic. It should give us all a wakeup call.

I think it was Grace that said he had a hip replacement last year. Pre-op should have detected a possible problem. This wasn't true in this case. No matter what great health we think we have, we should be 100% positive.

[finn's mom]

I kinda think the photo is funny, and one he'd have chuckled at himself. But, I don't know his personality, only the persona on tv. I do know that it didn't insult me, but there were some other things said that bugged me. Everyone's different, that's for sure. Ultimately, it's the intent that matters most.

[RICHARD]

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=418962&GT1=28103

I worked in a preop dept for some time and there were ALL kinds of reasons to cancel a surgery. The bit about him going in for a pre op and no one seeing/suspecting he had BP problems is pretty serious.

I can see a possible lawsuit coming down the pike.

[RICHARD]

Now,
Some of you were really irritated about Billy Mays yelling all the time?


Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Uj-4PbahE

I saw this commercial a while back, I admire the fact that this guy can pitch in espanol....But, he sure has a creepy voice and inflection!

[lvpets2002]

Nope dont like Sham Wow guy nether.. He also advertises the Veggie Chopper thing & of you will like his Nuttss..

Now,
Some of you were really irritated about Billy Mays yelling all the time?


Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Uj-4PbahE

I saw this commercial a while back, I admire the fact that this guy can pitch in espanol....But, he sure has a creepy voice and inflection!

[Grace]

Doesn't anyone NOT use drugs these days?

(CNN) -- An autopsy report issued Friday by Hillsborough County, Florida, cites cocaine as a contributing factor in the death of TV pitchman Billy Mays, who died in June at age 50.
The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office said cocaine use contributed to Billy Mays' heart disease.


"Mays died from a lethal arrhythmia of the heart caused by hypertensive and arteriosclerotic heart disease," the county said in a statement attributed to Dr. Leszek Chrostowski, the associate medical examiner who conducted the autopsy.

"He further concluded that cocaine use caused or contributed to the development of his heart disease, and therefore contributed to his death," it added.

[Karen]

How sad, and stupid of him. It seems like everyone believes that it is okay for them to use drugs, that it only hurts "others." Guess what, folks, chemicals do not care how large your ego is, or how high or low your self esteem or net worth are. Abusing drugs can kill you - yes, you.

I have lost respect for him. I always found him annoying, but his energy and enthusiasm admirable. No more.

[Pam]

I may be wrong but didn't Michael Jackson die a few days before Billy Mays? Why are the toxocology results in on BM and not MJ? I am wondering if we will ever know the drugs that were in MJ's body.

[Karen]

I may be wrong but didn't Michael Jackson die a few days before Billy Mays? Why are the toxocology results in on BM and not MJ? I am wondering if we will ever know the drugs that were in MJ's body.

I am guessing different crime labs in different states (California versus Florida) have different timelines, and there are more "interested parties" involved in MJ's case that would try to keep things from the media as well. Probably lawyers swarming thicker than bees around a clover patch.

[Pam]

Probably lawyers swarming thicker than bees around a clover patch.

You've got that right!

[Grace]

I may be wrong but didn't Michael Jackson die a few days before Billy Mays? Why are the toxocology results in on BM and not MJ? I am wondering if we will ever know the drugs that were in MJ's body.

I believe the results for MJ are in, but the police in LA are waiting to release them until they complete their investigation regarding his death. There may be charges filed against the doctor.