The late Robert Osborne from TCM

Oops. Osborne was not the geologist but appears later in the pilot.

Died in his apartment at The Osborne at 205 West 57th. In 20-year relationship with David Staller, a New York theater producer and director.

[quote]He died from natural causes at his New York City apartment in [bold]The Osborne[/bold] on West 57th Street

Whoa!

I always liked him.

And the network has been in a nosedive since. He was the absolute best.

He was a class act, it's true TCM has never been the same.

He was friends with all the classic Hollywood actreeses when they were in their dotage, like Bette Davis. The stories they must've told him after they'd knocked back a few drinks!

Everyone who knew him or even just met him says he was a total gentleman, a lovely man.

However, he was a terrible actor, stiff and self-conscious, it’s no wonder that his career never took off.

Classy guy

I always felt he was kind of a modern day American Alistair Cooke.

He was a walker.

Robert was the absolute best and is still TCM for me. Ben Mank is growing on me but I miss Robert

He died eight years ago. TCM is doing fine. They are showing a lot of more recent, adult movies of which I suspect Robert Osborne would not approve. Especially when shown during the day. A little too Lucille Ball-ish sometimes. Osborne was very good, as is Mankiewicz. The rest of the team is pretty good too.

r11 Wow. It doesn't feel like 8 years ago!

Agree, time marches on, as do the eras of films and the “classics” and their followers who comprise them. I’m liking Ben more now as he, too, natures, and I agree that the team of hosts are pretty likable and solid. For me it just was/is that as for the “main” hosting duties, Robert seemed to complement the film intros and summaries by adding his film stars, studios and community background knowledge and tidbits, while Ben’s intros still often come across to me too much only like Wikipedia-page plot descriptions and modern-politics discussion.

^as he, too, matures… (apologies)

I met Mr. Osborne at a Norman Jewison retrospective back in 2011. I remember being impressed by his height and how distinguished and pleasant he was--definitely a man of an earlier, classier time. I miss his genius at TCM.

I wonder how he would've handled introducing "Brokeback Mountain," which they recently showed for the first time.

In the late 1950, Lucille Ball had an acting playhouse that supported people entering show business. Osbourne was in this program. Lucy suggested that he become a writer.

I think that, specifically, Lucy suggested that he become an entertainment reporter.

Osborne was the best. Try as Ben Mank might, there’s no duplicating Osborne’s charisma, warmth, and charm. He was one of a kind.

Ben too insecure/lost his looks.

Superman - The Movie was on last night and I was reminded that there were a number of scenes shot in the city... Rockefeller Center/Daily Planet and other locations. Of course, the city is used as a backdrop for Supes flying a number of times.

^^^^ oops - wrong thread ^^^^ Should get more coffee and wake up before typing!