Author – The Durango Herald

The Smothers Brothers mark their CBS firing 50 years ago

NEW YORK – Getting fired from work isn’t usually a cause to celebrate. But the Smothers Brothers aren’t your run-of-the-mill comedians. The duo has stepped out of retirement to co...

DATE: Jul 30, 2019 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

Actor Rutger Hauer, of ‘Blade Runner’ fame, has died at 75

NEW YORK – Dutch film actor Rutger Hauer, who specialized in menacing roles, including a memorable turn as a murderous android in “Blade Runner” opposite Harrison Ford, has died. He was 75. ...

DATE: Jul 24, 2019 | CATEGORY: Film, TV and Streaming

Pioneering psychedelic rocker Roky Erickson dies at 71

NEW YORK – Roky Erickson, the blue-eyed, dark-haired Texan who headed the Austin-based 13th Floor Elevators, a pioneering psychedelic rock band in the 1960s that scored with “You’re Gonna Mi...

DATE: Jun 1, 2019 | CATEGORY: Music

Who’s ready for a new Archie Bunker, live on your TV?

NEW YORK – Archie Bunker is coming back to prime-time network TV and he might look a little different to viewers – even if what he says is exactly the same. Woody Harrelson is ste...

DATE: May 18, 2019 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

Gentle humor was the lifeblood of playwright Neil Simon

NEW YORK – When master playwright Neil Simon accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2006, he was visibly nervous. But his gentle humor was evident. “It took me six ye...

DATE: Aug 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

Newscaster Carl Kasell of NPR dies at 84

NEW YORK – Newscaster Carl Kasell, a signature voice of NPR who brought his gravitas to “Morning Edition” and later his wit to “Wait, Wait ... Don’t Tell Me!” has died. He was 84. ...

DATE: Apr 17, 2018 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

For live ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ NBC turns to a Legend

NEW YORK – Most Easter Sundays, you can find John Legend at home, helping cook a big dinner for family and friends. Except this Easter. He’ll be a little busy – being Jesus Christ in front o...

DATE: Mar 30, 2018 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

‘It’s such a loss’ – Tom Petty mourned at Grammy Awards

NEW YORK – With song and words, Tom Petty was mourned at the Grammys, with artists as diverse as a children’s music writer and one of the most successful contemporary songwriters of all time...

DATE: Jan 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

Jerry Van Dyke, ‘Coach’ star and brother of Dick, dies at 86

NEW YORK – Jerry Van Dyke, the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke who struggled for decades to achieve his own stardom before clicking as the dim-witted sidekick in television’s “Coach,” died ...

DATE: Jan 6, 2018 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

Ice baths and M&Ms: Secrets of the Rockettes revealed

NEW YORK – One of the biggest draws in New York this time of year is the “Christmas Spectacular” featuring the iconic Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Everyone knows about their high kick...

DATE: Dec 1, 2017 | CATEGORY: Performing Arts

Russell Simmons steps down from companies amid allegation

NEW YORK – Russell Simmons has stepped away from his companies after a second allegation of sexual misconduct, though the Def Jam founder again denied ever being violent. “Rachel ...

DATE: Nov 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment

AC/DC founding member Malcolm Young dead at 64

NEW YORK – Malcolm Young, the rhythm guitarist and guiding force behind the bawdy hard-rock band AC/DC who helped create such head-banging anthems as “Highway to Hell,” “Hells Bells” and “Ba...

DATE: Nov 18, 2017 | CATEGORY: Music