Posted on 11/26/2012 9:34:00 AM PST by lowbridge
Hagman, who died last week aged 81, reportedly visited Bucharest in the 1980s together with his wife Maj Axelsson. At the time, he was famous worldwide for his role as merciless oil magnate JR Ewing on television series Dallas.
However, during the trip, he gained an unexpected fan. Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who was later executed in the 1989 Christmas uprising, wanted a portrait of the actor to be put up publicity, believing it would bolster the regime.
Dallas was one of the few American TV series the late communist dictator allowed to be shown on television, believing it portrayed capitalism negatively.
Hagman was duly asked whether he would agree to the erection of a giant portrait of himself on the side of a building.
The Dallas star is understood to have agreed to the request, on the condition that a bag of hard currency was delivered to the ladies' loo of a government office. It was agreed his wife would pick up the bag the next day.
A brown paper bag filled with dollars was then left in the designated place, Hagman recently told the Sunday Times.
“We spent it quickly like we did all the money in those days,” he said.
The late actor asked the Sunday Times to wait until he was dead to publish the story.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Reality TV shows: I’ve only followed one: “My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss” Hilarious.
TV Shows: Sunny in PHI, The League (sucks this year though), Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy. Occasionally I used to catch the BBC show Hustle as well, although I think that ended. Might have to check out Justified.
Others: Wheeler Dealers and Chasing Classic Cars
I watch nothing on the the “Big 3/4” networks except sporting events (and without NHL, that’s dwindling). Gave up on Family Guy and The Office years ago.
Clintonfatigued has posted that song several times.
Apparently Hagman was a member of the "Peace and Freedom Party" from the 1960s until his death. Yeah, the Peace and Freedom Party that just ran Roseanne Barr and Cindy Sheehan for President/Vice President.
Still Hagman seems like a nice guy who happened to be a left wing loon. Penn is an unmitigated douchebag.
Did he? I hope he’s doing well while he’s getting some R&R...
Over at my friends house i watch a show a guy travels the world eating different types of food he smokes and he drinks a lot cant remember his name though.
I knew the second i posted i would remember his name,Anthony Bourdain he is very funny other than that don’t watch tv..
He’s ok...going from the Travel Channel to CNN though.
I see 1 maybe 2 shows a week all reruns i find him funny can’t figure out why he is going to CNN though...
“...can’t figure out why he is going to CNN though...”
$$$. Although I would think he’s got a good gig going with his current niche at the Travel Channel.
http://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-bourdain-explains-why-he-left-travel-channel-for-cnn-2012-8
He said he can get to more places through CNN and its worldwide contacts..
AH! Falafel with Baghdad Bob? Or perhaps kimchi with Kim Il Whatever the frig his name is?
Nice!
It’s politic of him to say it’s because of the places he can go. Reality is Scripps Network bought Travel Channel, he used to work for them at Food Network, hated the direction they wanted the show to go (they were of the mind “Tony eat BBQ” makes better TV), which is how he hopped to Travel Channel in the first place.
Really though since the Beirut episode the show has gone downhill. It used to be “rude old guy getting into trouble while eating abroad”, but once that episode hit they became addicted to the “message”, since then it’s “contemplative liberal has a sad because people are poor”. The humor of the show is gone.
Interesting,yeah i noticed that about the newer episodes but TC runs old episodes,i recall as well that he gave up cigs and cut down on alcohol thats a show killer for me..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.