An 83 year old contributor to modern pop culture past away last week. When I read that she past on in this weeks Time Magazine ‘Milestones’ section, I was completely distraught. I actually felt worse about this than when people I actually known in real life. Uncanny is my reaction.

She was on the programme ‘The Odd Couple’ and had a running spot on ‘Love American Style’. She was on‘The Love Boat' from time to time and on other shows that featured guest ‘stars’.

Do you know of whom I speak?

The queen of ‘Match Game’, Ms. Brett Somers.

Yes, that’s right, being married to Jack Klugman may have got her career breaks but never made her name change. Could you imagine using the stage name 'Brett Klugman'?

‘Match Game’ is my favourite of her participations. As a matter of fact, ‘Match Game’ is one of my all time favourite shows. It just happens to be the best jam in my collection of preserves … mentally of course.

Here is a clip of Charles Nelson Reilly jabbing at Brett’s living quarters on the border of Beverly Hills:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-vE4HqEToGw

Yes, the embed code was shut off which makes me mad in hindsight, but the clip is worth the gander!

Yes, that Charles Nelson Reilly was quite the card, huh? Watch as they all talk shop on the Big Bad Wolfe. This clip has Steve Allen who recently passed away this year as well. Is it just me or are most of these pop culture gems all dead or what? Boobs anyone? Listen to Brett’s take, along with Steve’s add on. Does anyone actually call them ‘buzzums’? Maybe the cocktails help. You decide:

All growing up I thought that the stars in the background (which really are just white light bulbs) were some perverted version of the Confederate Flag. I thought that this show had something to do with The Dukes of Hazard and some sort of funk band. I loved the lights, I loved the music, I LOVED this programme. It used to be my favourite part of taking Jet Blue with their televisions with Game Show Network. I normally would pour a heavy and strong Seven and Seven while getting into the theme song and jive humour of this rambunctious show. This clip features a question about ‘Dumb Dora’ a character often used in the questions. Watch as Richard Dawson goes ape-shit against the judges:

Charles Nelson Reilly also was a HUGE part of my development as a child, and that goes far beyond Dead Milkmen songs. Here is Charles going for the gold as the new host of ‘Match Game’. Do you think he can handle it? How well does he deal with Eva Gabor? Do you think that this show could have happened in any other time outside the 70’s and had it work so well? NO! Brett and Charles were necessities! Charles as host:

Back to Brett and how she was incorporated in a question or two. Yes, she could be the target of just as many guffaws as she generated on her own. What would have Brett left in San Diego? Do you know for real? Even though the round goes poorly, watch how Brett is defensive in a classy way that makes you smile when she leaves her BLANK in San Diego:

And this is where the panel could go when things went dreadfully awry and definitely funny. What if Richard Dawson was Brett Somers? All it would take in the days of indulgence were a few props in order to go on a ride of surrealism. Unfortunately for Richard Dawson, Blue glasses are not going to make him Brett Somers, EVER! Here are the shenanigans:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=encbcybrrKo

And yes, there is another link that can not be embeded, much to my dismay, as this is a genuine 'must watch'!

So is the music why I am deranged and shake my booty like a porn star in the mirror?

Is it the orange that surrounds the set the reason for my favourite colour?

Maybe it is the humour that has driven me mad?

No matter what or why, I mourn the loss of Brett Somers and her magnificent smoky voice taking us to the marrow of our funny bones.

We miss you Brett, or at least I do.

Smile and Godspeed …