Song of the Day: 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Carrie Fisher

Eric Alper asked on Twitter "What movie had the greatest soundtrack?" 

My Michigan best friend immediately responded "Valley Girl" -- which I can't argue with -- so I began to think of my own answer. 

My college years were spent hosting Italian dinner parties set to the music of "Moonstruck." My fondest young adult memory is of painting and redecorating my bedroom with my mother to a Gershwin tune, or two, via Woody Allen's "Manhattan." And while "Valley Girl" was peak early '80s new wave -- Modern English, Josie Cotton, the Plimsouls, Bonnie Hayes, the Psychedelic Furs and so forth -- there's also an argument to be made for the mid-'80s masterpiece "Pretty in Pink," featuring the Smiths, OMD, Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order and a revamped Psychedelic Furs classic, to name a few. (Another new wave contender is 1983's "Party Party.")

But as I have noted before, in terms of which soundtrack I've played more than any other -- a strong indicator of which one I think is the "greatest" -- there's no question the award would go to "Hannah and Her Sisters." Just like the film, the music evokes so many wonderful memories for me -- old friends, holiday dinners, the romance of New York City -- and was responsible for introducing me to many new geniuses, from Harry James and Dick Hyman (who is the star of the "Moonstruck" soundtrack), Bach and Basie, Cole Porter, and most of all, the inimitable Rodgers and Hart. (Screw you, Hammerstein!)

With that in mind, I replied "Hannah and Her Sisters," only to be reminded by my pal Hank Plante of one glaring omission from it I had nearly forgotten about -- Carrie Fisher briefly singing "The Way You Look Tonight" for an audition (as "I hate April"). 

Swoon. If only it had been fleshed out for posterity, Debbie would have been so proud.

P.S. This VIDEO purports to have every time Carrie sang for TV and film, including an appearance on "Laverne & Shirley" with her true life BFF, Penny Marshall. 

Previously: My list of favorite film soundtracks

The Fisher Queen

Call me old, call me whatever you want, kids. Our celebrities were better than yours.

Remains of the Day (12/31)

Vulture: A timeline of Carrie Fisher and Penny Marshall’s singular friendship

Instagram: Brazilian model strips down to a pair of skimpy briefs on the runway

The Daily News: Penny Marshall died of heart failure brought on by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to a death certificate issued Monday

The New York Times: The government has been shutdown by a toddler over semantics

Towleroad: Accuser says Catholic cardinal sexually assaulted him during confession

Metrosource: Here are five ways you set off someone's gaydar

Dlisted: Open post hosted by Grover maybe dropping an F-bomb

The Hill: Elizabeth Warren announces White House bid, getting early jump on 2020 race

Greg in Hollywood: In case you forgot that Tim Matheson was once the sexiest guy alive (he turns 71 today)

Boy Culture: Ballroom legend Hector Xtravaganza dies at 60

The Randy Report: Former cable repair tech shares juicy tales from the job

Instagram: The final Steve Grand Speedo pic of 2018 -- the suit is red and it's super high cut

OMG Blog: Felix Kramer and Sebastian Zimmler lather up in the shower together in "Dogs of Berlin"

Back2Stonewall: Transgender woman loses it after being accidentally misgendered at video-game store

Film Experience: Would you rather? (for movie nuts)

BosGuy: This ginger 'stache is even sexier than the one I posted on Sunday!

The Washington Post: House Democrats' plan to reopen government would deny wall funds

Outsports: The site names Adam Rippon its Person of the Year

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Hot Cat of the Day: Sneaky as he is cute!

Dazed and Bemused

Yet they say sleep apnea killed her! 

‪I keep hearing people telling everyone not to judge Carrie Fisher for relapsing, yet I haven't heard a single person actually judge her. I'm frankly happy for her. She lived way longer than she should have and she died having fun!

First Look at Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher's Personal Items Headed to Auction

While fans are still mourning the passing of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, they’ll have a chance to bid on more than 1,500 personal items that belonged to the actresses, as well as the family’s Hollywood estate at 1700 Coldwater Canyon, in a sale by Los Angeles auction house Profiles in History to be held Sept. 23.

“My mother and sister were magnificent collectors, they amassed an amazing and diverse collection in their lifetimes,” said Todd Fisher, Reynolds's son and Fisher’s brother, in a statement from the auction house. “The size and scope of their collection rivals most museums. So in keeping with my mother’s wishes we have decided to share part of their magnificent collection with all their friends and fans.”

See a slideshow of available items HERE.

Fans Say Final Goodbyes to Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher

I didn't catch the public memorial for Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher over the weekend at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. But they will live on in many of our hearts until we "join" them.

Magazine Rack

Here's what you're missing by not subscribing to magazines anymore:

Keanu Reeves on a lifetime of "iconic badassery" / Read HERE.

Tom Hiddleston on Taylor Swift, heartbreak and great bolognese / Read HERE.

I'll bet Debbie's very jealous! Read HERE.

Joe and Sofia: What's wrong with being a stereotype? / Read HERE.

How miserable of a human being would you have to be to make up this Clinton shit -- or to read it?

Magazine Rack

Here's what you're missing by not subscribing to magazines anymore:

Vanity Fair's cover story and photo spread of Chris Pratt is this week's big winner!

I hate golf, but cover man Bryson DeChambeau isn't too hard on the eyes. 

Learn how to build shoulders like Vin Diesel HERE.

Debbie Reynolds frail final days ...

I wonder if Trump gets a royalty every time they use his nickname for her.

What do we think of the new "Bachelor"?

Did you know he has secrets?!

Entertainment Weekly does hers and his GenX covers of Carrie Fisher ...

and George Michael / Read about it HERE.

A (Different Kind of) Hollywood Love Story

Damian and I watched "Postcards From the Edge" (his first time) and then followed it up with the HBO documentary about Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher over the weekend -- and it pretty much destroyed us both. I was hesitant to dig in -- it just seemed too soon -- but if you're also hesitating I'd suggest just ripping the Band-Aid off. Although it's about two beloved stars, I think everyone will see their own relationship with an aging parent in this story -- so the heightened emotions are worth feeling

Boy Culture attended a screening last year at which Carrie spoke and Debbie called in. Read all about it HERE.

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Are Laid to Rest

You have to love that Carrie Fisher's ashes were placed in an urn shaped like a giant Prozac pill! Read all about the star-studded sendoff to Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds and her beloved actress/writer daughter HERE.

Magazine Rack

What you're missing by not subscribing to magazines anymore. BTW: Duane Reade has gotten rid of its magazine section and it seems Rite Aid is following suit. If major drugstore chains are no longer carrying magazines, will they even exist in another year or two? 

The kids at People magazine are working overtime, what with the Carrie Fisher/Debbie Reynolds issue ...

and the George Michael issue. P.S. Anyone else wondering what is up with George's surviving partner? He tweeted that George committed suicide then insisted his account had been hacked -- and that he was "sleeping in the car" when George died. Huh? So George gets arrested for falling asleep behind the wheel in the middle of intersections and now this? Why did they even bother having a home if they prefer to sleep in cars? P.S. I scoffed at the Santa Monica Observer's HIV claims, but my friend Chad did remind me that George once told a reporter that he refused to being tested (after having a longtime partner succumb to AIDS) and did have near-fatal pneumonia in 2011. 

Debbie and Carrie through the years ...

Doris Roberts popped up as an employment-agency employee trying to help Phyllis get a job on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" the other night. I miss her.

White trash spokesmodel Dustin Johnson opens up in Golf.

Four ways to make yourself happier in 2017 HERE.

In Memoriam

Boy Culture has a thoughtful and exhaustive list of the newsmakers -- including many LGBTQ figures -- who died in 2016 HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Hearts and Bones' by Paul Simon

Was surprised so many of my colleagues (even of a certain age) didn't realize Carrie Fisher had been married to Paul Simon. Although one called it a "two-second" marriage, they were actually a couple for 13 years on and off, even after the divorce. Paul wrote a number of songs about Debbie and Eddie's girl, but this one is surely my favorite of them all. Carrie said it best: "If you can get Paul Simon to write a song about you, do it. Because he is so brilliant at it."

Page 1 Roundup (12/29)

We can agree on one other thing: We're also unanimously heartbroken that Debbie Reynolds has died. Read how she may have died of a broken heart HERE.

The Daily's News remembers the unsinkable one HERE.

Read her New York Times obituary HERE, and her appraisal HERE.

I wasn't at work to stop this Debbie Reynolds correction from happening! Read HERE.

Debbie Reynolds Is Dead at 84

UPDATE: What a sad turn of events. Debbie Reynolds has died just one day after daughter Carrie Fisher passed away. Reynolds had a long and celebrated career, including "Singin' in the Rain," "Tammy and the Bachelor" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." But I would be lying if I didn't admit that her portrayal of Albert Brooks's "Mother" and as Bobbi Adler -- star of local productions of "The Music Person," "Death of a Salesperson" and "The Ice-Person Cometh" in Schenectady -- were my favorite performances of them all. RIP. funny lady.

TMZ reports:

Debbie Reynolds -- who rose to stardom in "Singin' in the Rain" and quickly became a staple among Hollywood royalty -- died Wednesday as a result of a stroke, TMZ has learned ... just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away ... this according to her son Todd. Debbie was rushed to a hospital shortly after 1 PM when someone at the Beverly Hills home of her son, Todd, called 911 to report a possible stroke. We're told Debbie and Todd were making funeral plans for Carrie, who died Tuesday of cardiac arrest. Debbie famously divorced Eddie Fisher in 1959 after his affair with Elizabeth Taylor. Debbie married 2 more times in 1960 and 1984. She played iconic roles in "Tammy and the Bachelor" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" ... for which she earned an Oscar nomination. Carrie's relationship with Debbie was the focus of Carrie's semi-autobiographical book, "Postcards from the Edge," which was later adapted for the big screen, starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. Debbie's survived by her son Todd, who tells us, "She's with Carrie." She was 84.

Boy Culture lovingly remembers Ms. Reynolds HERE.

As if she hasn't been through enough.

Via TMZ:

Debbie Reynolds just suffered a medical emergency, which we're told is a possible stroke. ... and EMTs just raced to the scene ... TMZ has learned. Debbie was at her son Todd Fisher's home in Beverly Hills and just after 1 PM someone from the house called 911 ... TMZ has learned. We're told 84-year-old Debbie, who's daughter Carrie died Tuesday, has been distraught since Carrie's emergency Friday on a United jet. Family sources tell us they called 911 to report a possible stroke. The ambulance just took Debbie to a nearby emergency room. Debbie was at Todd's house discussing funeral plans for Carrie.

This sounds very serious, although I think even Carrie would be OK with its being an "It twirled up!" moment.

Grumpy Chat

From HERE.

At the risk of sounding more morose than I am, something has occurred to me in recent years. Death used to TERRIFY me more than anything. But maybe dying seems less scary as we get older because fewer of the people who make life worth living are around anymore. I think of my Great Aunt Betty, who outlived her parents, two husbands, all four siblings and a few nieces and nephews. That can't be enjoyable.

At least we have our memories, like the time Carrie interviewed Madonna for Rolling Stone (after Norma Mailer fell through!). Read HERE. 

Page 1 Roundup (12/28)

I'm happy to see it's unanimous: The world is heartbroken about the death of Carrie Fisher. 

The Post has ex-husband Paul Simon's reaction HERE.

The Daily News remembers her HERE.

The New York Times does an appraisal of Fisher's life HERE.

And the Journal talks to "Star Wars" fans about their loss HERE.