Once again, I don’t know if I should be sitting writing, or sitting shiveh!

The passing of legend Donald O’Conner has everyone in a grand mals funk in Hollywood. Best known for “Singing in the Rain” and the “Francis, the Talking Mule” movies, O’Conner was one of the best loves and most highly respected figures in the history of American film. O’Conner died at his Woodland Hills, California home after several years of increasing infirmity, of a heart attack at the age of 78. According to his daughter, Alicia, one of his last comments was, “I would like to thank the Academy for the Lifetime Achievement Award that I will probably get now!”

I remember O’Conner from many parties in the 1960s. He was always upbeat and funny, and loved telling stories about the old days. I learned much from his advice and wisdom and will always be grateful for having the privilege of having met such a warm, gentle soul.

Also departed is George Plimpton who died last month at his Manhattan Penthouse of undisclosed causes, (officially that is, although it is said that he had been battling cancer for some time,) at age 76. Plimpton, literally, did it all. Athlete, actor, writer, and general celebrity, he walked with Kings and Commoners alike. His laid-back style and self-deprecating humor endeared him to several generations. He saw much tragedy in his life, including the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Many people aren’t aware that Plimpton was walking less than five feet ahead of Kennedy that day, and stayed with the fallen Senator right up to the end.

Robert Palmer, called by many ‘The last Class-act in Music”, died of a heart attack at the tender age of 54. Best known for his mega-hits “Simply Irresistible” (which he reprised in a television commercial for Pepsi Cola,) and “Addicted to Love”, Palmer was voted by ‘GQ Magazine as the best dressed star of the eighties, for his elegant attire.

And finally, Fred Berry, who played the rotund “Rerun” in the sitcom “What’s Happening” died at his Los Angeles home at the age of 52 from complications from a stroke the actor suffered recently. The six-times marries actor is survived by a son and two daughters. Noteworthy is the fact that unlike most stars who become bitter and resentful when they become typecast, Berry loved being “Rerun”, always decked out in his signature red beret and baggy pants, and always willing to break into a dance whenever fans asked him to.

Meanwhile, in the “Now What Do We Do?” department, the State of California is in a holding pattern, (with their breath,) to see if Governor-elect Arnold, can walk the walk after months of talking the talk. The latest in a long line of actors-turned-statesman, the terminator may have bitten off more than he can chew, even with HIS teeth. But then, considering the others who vied for the post, he may still prove to be the lesser of the many evils, (how could he lose against Gary Coleman and Larry Flynt, after all!) and the buzz in Tinsletown is that it’s unlikely a novice in politics can do much to clean up the mess he’s inherited. His catchphrase, that “For California to win, politics as usual must lose!” may take more than even he can muster!

And with the dust settling over Nicole Kidman’s casting as ‘Samantha’ in the impending film version of the 60s sitcom “Bewitched”, Will Farrell, (Saturday Night: Live) has signed on as harried hubby Darrin Stevens. Kidman's sudden casting in the part a few months ago, (leaving “Legally Blonde” star Reese Witherspoon and Alicia Silverstone, both of whom had been offered the part wondering what happened,) reportedly had people fleeing, including Mike Meyers and Jim Carrey who had both been offered the role of Darrin. The problem seems to be the doubts that Kidman, who’s career so far has been playing women of questionable virtue, will be able to play it ‘sweet and nice’ as the role of Samantha requires. Others who reportedly pulled out were Glenn Close as Endora, and Betty White as Aunt Clara. Also noteworthy, only one actor from the series was offered a part, (the only one still living,) Bernard Fox, as the ever-womanizing Doctor Bombay, who has not as yet accepted the part. But insiders say that he too is farblonzet, like the others who don’t think the film will fly with Kidman is Samantha. Nora Ephron has signed on as director for the project, which is scheduled to begin filming early next year. Gut Mazel on that one, Nora!

Veteran actor Karl Malden will receive the SAG lifetime achievement award at the tenth annual Screen Actor’s Guild awards next month. The 91-year-old actor has won two Oscars and was nominated four times for his portrayal of Mike Stone in the series “The Streets of San Francisco”. Mazel Tov, Karl!

And this in from the “My Gatkes are Still Farkrimpt” department, remember a few months ago when I disparaged Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore for their appearance in “The Gin Game” on PBS? Well apparently, I wasn’t the only one who was outraged by their image-shredding performances. Rumor has it that CBS in seriously considering shelving their planned “Dick Van Dyke Show Reunion” special, which was scheduled to begin shooting this year. Both stars have been said to have received bagsful of letters from disgusted fans, all reproaching them for their appearance in the PBS movie.

And in closing, I’d like to extend a gezunte Megillah “Get Well Soon” to Roy Horn, of the Magic act “Siegfried and Roy”. Horn was critically injured when one of the exotic tigers in the act grabbed him by the neck and schlepped him off the stage before a packed audience. Speculation has it that the tiger, in its first public appearance, thought Horn was playing with him, and became too excited. “If the animal had wanted to hurt him, Roy would be dead now.” Said a spokesperson for the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas where the Act has been appearing for more than twenty years. Horn remains in guarded, but stable condition at Sunrise Hospital. The show has been closed indefinitely.

That’s it for this month gang. Happy Thanksgiving, and I love you all!