The media
September 21, 2001 7:38 PM   Subscribe

The media comes through.. networks actually working together, along with cable companies, as well as Hollywood. Muhammad Ali and Billy Joel just floored me. You can also donate at foodstores and dozens of other easy to get to places, so there are no excuses. I'm still waiting for them to need for physical labor volunteers.
posted by rich (87 comments total)
 
How about that mournful, minor-key acoustic version of "Living on a Prayer"? Go Bon Jovi.

Will the music be available on CD in stores, and if so, will the proceeds go to the benefit fund? I would buy it as an additional contribution.
posted by mtevis at 7:47 PM on September 21, 2001


This is really kind of strange. The TV networks working together? Brad Pitt answering telephone calls?

I am having a very hard time dealing with this new world.
posted by benbrown at 7:48 PM on September 21, 2001


Ben, take comfort in the fact that Mariah Carey still sucks.
posted by arco at 7:52 PM on September 21, 2001


Yeah, I'm hoping that the CD does come out. Celine Dion notwithstanding, it should be good.

I'm glad to see that competition has stopped. at least for this night.
posted by KoPi_42 at 7:58 PM on September 21, 2001


wanna have fun? call em up, tell them 'no, i'm not a celebrity'.

then listen and guess if that's a dial-tone or not.
posted by jcterminal at 7:58 PM on September 21, 2001


They are singing "America the Beautiful" now. Willie Nelson doing main vocal. Almost over.
posted by bjgeiger at 8:01 PM on September 21, 2001


The bit I didn't like was that guy torturing John Lennon's 'Imagine'. But, if it's to raise money..! Also, Calista Flockhart was looking surprisingly fit.
posted by wackybrit at 8:03 PM on September 21, 2001


Crap. Who got it on tape?

I can't believe I didn't know about this. My life offline and away from TV has to stop interfering, dangit.

And I'm with you Rich. Going stir crazy not actually doing something to really help. The minute they ask for relief workers at Ground Zero, I am SO there.
posted by mirla at 8:10 PM on September 21, 2001


I think they did a decent job of appealing to a wide range of musical tastes. However, I could've lived a very long time without hearing Limp Bizkit & the Goo-Goo Dolls butchering Wish You Were Here.
posted by disarray at 8:14 PM on September 21, 2001


I was loving it until Mariah Carey showed up. But what a difference it made not to have lavish sets, whiplash camera moves, applause or commercials. Stripped of this extra layer of junk, I feel as though I saw some of these people for the first time. For a bunch of pop culture icons, it was a mighty tasteful tribute.
posted by melgx at 8:15 PM on September 21, 2001


That guy doing Imagine was Neil Young.

Any singalong led by Willie and Stevie can't be all bad. Shame about the cheesy between-song patter. Actors rarely look good reading sincere lines when not in character.

Mirla, I went down to Ground Zero (with a food delivery truck, last friday) and there was almost nothing for us amateurs to do. I gave out a couple of burgers, took a walk around the ruins, then fled.
posted by liam at 8:16 PM on September 21, 2001


IMHO, God Bless America just doesn't work when the singer's Canadian. "...land where I live"?
posted by smackfu at 8:19 PM on September 21, 2001


Still, there are few countries that can boast such a close relationship as the US and Canada. Say what you will, but we're lucky, and I for one was not at all surprised by the Canadians on the set.
posted by tommasz at 8:24 PM on September 21, 2001


That guy doing Imagine was Neil Young.

Any singalong led by Willie and Stevie can't be all bad. Shame about the cheesy between-song patter. Actors rarely look good reading sincere lines when not in character.

Mirla, I went down to Ground Zero (with a food delivery truck, last friday) and there was almost nothing for us amateurs to do. I gave out a couple of burgers, took a walk around the ruins, then fled.
posted by liam at 8:26 PM on September 21, 2001


Wackybrit: "That guy" was Neil Young, and I thought it was a gripping rendition.

It was very alarming to see all of those celebrities answering the phones. As removed from mainstream media as I like to fancy myself, I couldn't help but think it would be oddly amusing to speak to Adam Sandler or Cuba Gooding Jr. On the phone. "Can I speak to Meg Ryan please?". Pretty cool idea though.

They should have been selling custom celebrity answering machine messages.
posted by glenwood at 8:27 PM on September 21, 2001


I liked Neil Young's performance of 'Imagine' but then I'm a Neil Young fan.

I was waiting for Clint Eastwood to ask bin Laden, "Feeling lucky, punk?"
posted by Mick at 8:28 PM on September 21, 2001


Nothing like hearing "America the Beautiful" being sung by someone indicted for tax evasion. Love yer country
posted by espada at 8:32 PM on September 21, 2001


Didn't Clint Eastwood seem like a guy doing a Clint Eastwood impression?
posted by davebush at 8:37 PM on September 21, 2001


I actually thought putting celebrities on the phone banks was an interesting choice... the media was saying how security was VERY tight for this, and I guess they figured celebrities were a "known" face, not some anonymous worker bee... that, and I'm sure some people called just to talk to Nicholson or Sandler... actually, did you see the crossed wires every so often? I am guessing some people DID ask to speak to a specific person... not for nothing, but I would think that would be crass... please, you are calling to help, who cares who answered the phone?

Ah well...

nH
posted by niteHawk at 8:37 PM on September 21, 2001


i smell self-serving. tired rock acts, oh and julia roberts (peace, god be with you, bla, bla,), singing meloncholy, tear-jerkers. please!. it could have been done so right. how about a performance of wagner, or something by robert wilson. but no, they took the low road....mtv style.
posted by billybob at 8:38 PM on September 21, 2001


A buddy from grad school called me in the middle of it.

"They're talking to each other."

"Who?" I asked.

"The celebrities. I betcha they're only talking to each other or making outbound calls. They probably have a staff in the back to really take contributions" he replied.

Cynical, yes, but also an amusing thought.

So I'll ask: Anyone really speak to a famous type on the phone?
posted by ebarker at 8:42 PM on September 21, 2001


Billybob, the purpose of this was to raise money, not tastes. Appealing to the masses (I'm guessing more 25 and older) was the best way to insure that.
posted by Mick at 8:45 PM on September 21, 2001


this hasn't started yet on the west coast, at least for those of us without cable. you guys have convinced me that i must see this.
posted by babydoll at 8:48 PM on September 21, 2001


Well, Robert Wilson's a hell of an artist and all, but when it comes to pulling in the crowds and their chequebooks, I got to go with those self-serving rock acts.
posted by liam at 8:49 PM on September 21, 2001


Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" was amazing
posted by riffola at 8:49 PM on September 21, 2001


I thought it was a pretty decent effort. I liked the idea of the celebrities answering the phone since it showed they cared enough to do the grunt work. But I felt so bad for Mariah Carey. You could tell she was struggling, like she needed a telethon of her own. Poor thing...
posted by lnicole at 8:54 PM on September 21, 2001


Blech. Noble cause, certainly, but still...all those candles - looked like some sort of 17-y/o goth wannabe's bedroom. I flipped over to it every few minutes (during commercials on CNN, Fox, etc), and without exception it appeared to be a very dreary, boring, mournful thing. Sheesh...I think they should have blasted the speakers and rattled the cages...how about some good ole American rock-n-roll? You know...maybe "R-O-C-K in the USA?" How about the B-52s, with their unique & energetic performance? How about something besides wailing, hold-that-note-as-long-as-you-can-so-people-know-that-you're-serious, and simpy "make love, not war" type songs ("Imagine")?

How about something that really screams "AMERICA?" (with all due respect for our international friends who were lost that day...but it was, after all, American soil)

BTW, on MSNBC, they provided a perfect counterpoint: Liza Minelli (looked haggard & dazed, but sang great) at some baseball game in NYC, leading the crowd in a very spirited rendition of "New York, New York!" Now THAT'S what I call a tribute to American spirit!
posted by davidmsc at 8:58 PM on September 21, 2001


this may be a dumb blonde comment (i am blonde btw) but I am on the West Coast, they delayed the "live show" just until now (9:00 pm) PST..
Wonder if the celebs are still there in NY answering calls...
I watched it on VH1... they did not delay the "united event"...
posted by ubrMel at 9:07 PM on September 21, 2001


Just a note, tuesday is "victims benefit day" at the movies. All ticket and snack proceeds will go to united way charities.

Since I can't post links yet, could someone put this on the front page? I think that it deserves the spot : ).
posted by phatboy at 9:11 PM on September 21, 2001


No - I didn't get a celebrity, but I got an amazingly kind and tired-sounding volunteer.

I called at 10 CST - right after the show finished - and she told me that they were expecting 1.7 million total pledges for the night. They had just passed 4 million - and the lines were still jammed.

She seemed so damned proud to tell me that. Made my night.
posted by mecawilson at 9:12 PM on September 21, 2001


espada...
skimmed the posts... just noticed yours.. lmao....
I made the EXACT comment when I was watching 'ole Willy sing....
posted by ubrMel at 9:18 PM on September 21, 2001


espada...
skimmed the posts... just noticed yours.. lmao....
I made the EXACT comment when I was watching 'ole Willy sing....
posted by ubrMel at 9:18 PM on September 21, 2001


How about something that really screams "AMERICA?"

Actually, Tom Petty's rendition of "I Won't Back Down" kind of accomplished that in this context, IMO.

(BTW, is Petty turning into Willie Nelson circa 1972?)
posted by Dirjy at 9:21 PM on September 21, 2001


My local news media reported that the Richmond based credit card giant, CapitalOne, is handling the call center duties for this event. I love the irony of people donating money over the phone to persons that normally milk customers with outragous 20% APR credit cards.
posted by machaus at 9:30 PM on September 21, 2001


Who was the tool that sang like he was always trying to hear the emotive noises of artistry by incessantly cupping his hand behind one ear? He had a mole on his upper right cheek.

He was a fucking drama queen.
posted by crasspastor at 9:38 PM on September 21, 2001


The bit I didn't like was that guy torturing John Lennon's 'Imagine'You have no idea how old that comment makes me feel. Poor Neil Young. Please, do yourself a favor and go buy one of his albums.
As for the show, I was a little put off at first by people who make 20 million a movie asking ME for money.... but after watching for a bit, I realized it was a great opportunity to see some truly talented artists. for free. Tom Petty was wonderful, and it was a nice little treat to see Eddie Vedder all cleaned up, in top form.
I also made the same comment about the stars talking to themselves on the phone, though....
posted by bradth27 at 9:40 PM on September 21, 2001


(with all due respect for our international friends who were lost that day...but it was, after all, American soil)

(does that mean Saving Private Ryan should have been screaming "FRANCE!"? ;-)
posted by holgate at 9:42 PM on September 21, 2001


i really enjoyed neil young's selection of "imagine"

i wonder how many other people thought of covering it.

I loved how adam sandler was pictured in the background the whole time. Willie nelson was the final act, pot will be legal in the US by the time "terrorism" stops. bonjovi sucked although i didnt care since it was for a great cause and hes American while enrique was great and he is Ameriqan.

oh, and i called MBNA 3 wks ago and they lowered my rate to 14%. after i asked them to lower it, they said "ok sir, we've lowered it to 18% which is lower than the standard
did anyone actually call and get through to a celebrity?

i love america, my balls feel like two giant gorillas fighting each other
posted by darth_smoothies at 9:43 PM on September 21, 2001


and springsteen should've sang "born in the USA"

ironic that he sang "41 bullets" or whatever that song was?
posted by darth_smoothies at 9:45 PM on September 21, 2001


Well. Not everyone involved in this thing was, Born in the USA.
posted by crasspastor at 9:46 PM on September 21, 2001


Didn't Clint Eastwood look old? That saddened me.
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 9:50 PM on September 21, 2001


I wonder if they told Kelsey Grammer that he wasn't supposed to do that John F. Kennedy bit as Frasier?

Oh, and step off of Neil Young. The man is a god.
posted by Optamystic at 9:51 PM on September 21, 2001


Clint looked old. But Tom Petty looked worse.
Willie, however, looked like he just stepped off the set of Barbarosa. (wasn't that the name of that movie?)...hhmm...... some pot is good for you, some pot is bad, I guess.
posted by bradth27 at 9:55 PM on September 21, 2001


neil young is A god.

clint had a colostimy bag
posted by darth_smoothies at 9:56 PM on September 21, 2001


I am glad Bruce didn't sing Born in the USA, that would have almost be cliche.

Did anyone else catch Jim Carrey stumble through his 30 seconds?

Is that Wilson Philips? Oh wait, thats the Dixie Chicks...
posted by Brilliantcrank at 10:00 PM on September 21, 2001


darth_smoothies, like me is having a gas on this link. 3 for 3. 1 thread.

Actually I'm just waiting to find out who the doorknob was. I so have to get my hands on some of that man's material!

not like that
posted by crasspastor at 10:04 PM on September 21, 2001


It looks like Billy Joel got hungry on the tour bus and ate Elton John. Good performance, though.
posted by Optamystic at 10:06 PM on September 21, 2001


i caught the tail end. it had a "running man" or "blade runner" feel to it to me. you know, when you see futuristic movies and they clips of television programs in them. perhaps i mean orwellian.
posted by centrs at 10:07 PM on September 21, 2001


I only saw about 5 or 10 minutes of it (most of it muted as I was on the phone) but I did see the phrase:

"If the phones are busy, please contribute at the website..."

quite often. I guess they really under estimated the call volume.

As for Clint Eastwood looking old, he is 71, so he's allowed to look old.
Only this guy can get away with looking young.
posted by Grum at 10:08 PM on September 21, 2001


Hey Dave Matthews! My friend just saw him at Wallingford QFC the other day. He said "hi" to her. Those who don't know he lives in Queen Anne.
posted by crasspastor at 10:13 PM on September 21, 2001


I love the focus is on heroism. Responding to disaster. Nothing about the bad guys.

And it isn’t a rah-rah USA rally. Or a ‘Yay Bush’ opportunity.

It isn't even about “victims.” It is about heroes.

I love that.
posted by halcyon at 10:20 PM on September 21, 2001


"There should be a one million dollar cover charge [for the celebrities at the Telethon], because it's really unethical to be sitting on a mound of millions and ask the America's working class to foot the bill for this tragedy."
-- Rosie O'Donnell
posted by waxpancake at 10:21 PM on September 21, 2001


Dave Mathews at the grocery store.
Celebrity spottings in frozen foods! ! hhhmm.....
reminds me of a poem....
posted by bradth27 at 10:26 PM on September 21, 2001


Can someone tell me how Stevie Wonder can take a pledge call?
posted by Brilliantcrank at 10:30 PM on September 21, 2001


Nope, but I bet he tells em he loves em.
posted by bradth27 at 10:32 PM on September 21, 2001


....who's the woman with Ziggy Marley. step off Mariah she just recovered from a nervous breakdown. Bon Jovi is still god. Sheryl Crow. Sting. Who the heck is this guy singing? whoa! that's NEIL YOUNG is playing the organ! what instrument CAN'T Neil play?? (0_0)!...
posted by otherchaz at 10:41 PM on September 21, 2001


Can someone tell me how Stevie Wonder can take a pledge call?


Just because he's a once great artist who has sunk forever into sub-mediocrity is no reason he can't take a phone call.

Oh, ya mean 'cause he's blind!! I get it. (It's funny, 'cause it's true).
posted by Optamystic at 10:44 PM on September 21, 2001


otherchaz - can't tell if you were serious or not, so...

Who the heck is this guy singing? whoa! that's NEIL YOUNG is playing the organ!

Assuming you were talking about the guy singing when Neil was playing the organ, it was Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.

And it was Wyclef Jean, not Ziggy Marley.
posted by Sinner at 11:01 PM on September 21, 2001


Am I losing my mind, or was Ozzy playing guitar on "America The Beautiful"?
posted by Optamystic at 11:07 PM on September 21, 2001


It definitely wasn't Ozzy. You're going off the rails of the crazy train.
posted by waxpancake at 11:19 PM on September 21, 2001


Hehe...actually, I'm at work, watching it via webcast. The picture was kinda sketchy sometimes. Not as sketchy as Clint, though.

I'm not sure why, but I'm very, very, glad that wasn't Ozzy.
posted by Optamystic at 11:25 PM on September 21, 2001


I think that was the Guns n Roses guy. Spud? Slack? I can't remember his name now.
posted by jaustinspace at 11:25 PM on September 21, 2001


anyone else think the celebs had a pool going in the back as to who would cry during their thirty seconds first? surprisingly, i think clint came the closest...

also, did you notice all of the couples in that singalong? tom cruise - penelope cruz ... clooney and julia roberts, etc. etc.
posted by gelatinouscitizen at 11:27 PM on September 21, 2001


Good job Rosie! Anyone see where Julia Roberts has donated $2 million?
posted by jaustinspace at 11:29 PM on September 21, 2001


clooney and julia roberts, etc. etc.

I hope Marky Mark isn't the jealous type.
posted by Optamystic at 11:51 PM on September 21, 2001


It's official. Clint Eastwood is now Jack Palance. Expect to see "City Slickers III - the search for Clint's Carmel" next summer.
posted by mathowie at 12:01 AM on September 22, 2001


jaustin- the man's name is Slash. "Spud's Snakepit" doesn't quite make the connection I think he is trying to make....

Was the woman with the black head-kerchief playing the piano Alicia Keys? She was the only one I didn't recognize.
     Fred Durst's additions to "Wish You Were Here" were awful. I kept waiting for Roger Waters to come charging out of the wings and tackle him and that stupid hands behind the head attitude of his.
     Celine singing... I kept thinking, maybe she means, "North America"....
     Springsteen's song sounded like a new one. Anyone know about that? It seems like him to write a new song for this.
     And what the hell was up with U2 being shown in black and white? And was that Clapton with them? Who was that guy all the way stage right?
posted by bison at 12:04 AM on September 22, 2001


clint had a colostimy bag

I thought that's what he had under his jacket, although he coulda been carrying a magnum.
posted by PMcCann at 12:40 AM on September 22, 2001


well, right. it's almost like clooney is on some kind of house arrest program, except that instead of a house, there's the world. instead of an irritating clamp on his leg that no amount of abuse could shake, he's got that marky mark character. maybe he's an understudy, should something tragic happen to clooney. having them be gay is just too easy of an explanation for their batman/boy wonder relationship.
posted by gelatinouscitizen at 1:24 AM on September 22, 2001


Maybe it's Divine Retribution for his role on "The Facts of Life".
posted by Optamystic at 3:18 AM on September 22, 2001


I don't know, it was a bit on the VH-1 boring-as-hell side, but what can you do, they were trying to raise a lot of money, you can't be too edgy and stylish if you want lots of viewers.
I'm still not sure about the fireman's hat on Billy Joel's piano, though. A nice touch or a bit too cheesy?
Springsteen rocked, though: you just can't fuck with the Boss, excuse me.
posted by matteo at 5:05 AM on September 22, 2001


And was that Clapton with them? Who was that guy all the way stage right?

I think it was Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics, but I'm not entirely sure. Somebody suggested Cat Stevens, but, really...

I thought it was Clapton myself for a while, but they would have highlighted him more if it was.
posted by arco at 6:13 AM on September 22, 2001


The line "the hustlers and thieves" from Springsteen's song was sung as something else (so innocuous I forgot) but captioned as per original.
posted by joeclark at 6:28 AM on September 22, 2001


It seems to me that someone should have taken screen captures of the show and then made a contest of "Name that On-Screen Celebrity".
posted by Grum at 6:53 AM on September 22, 2001


For some reason, Billy Joel sang the line "the New York Times/The Daily News" as "the New York Post/and Newsday too."

Still can't figure out why.

Generally speaking, I was very impressed by the show. But oddly, I only really trust extremely established starswho had little to gain in terms of celebrity, like U2, Celine Dion and Billy Joel.

I still can't decide whether or not to respect people who I wouldn't have expected to appear for appearing. which is to say people who had more to gain by appearing than they had to offer.

Take Fred Durst - who is an acknowledged superstar - or maybe Alicia Keys, for example. After reading a Rolling Stone article (can't find link, sorry) on Limp Bizkit years ago I know that Durst aspires towards Madonna-esque media manipulation.

I'm sure combining all of those networks guarantees an astronomical viewship, so why not use it to market yourself? Especially for someone like newly-anointed-savior-of-music Alicia Keys, who seemed extremely out of place, to me. Not that I assume misdeeds on her part, but some executive must have been salivating at the chance to get her that kind of exposure.
posted by Sinner at 8:19 AM on September 22, 2001


and springsteen should've sang "born in the USA"

Ummm, no he shouldn't've.

Born In The USA is a song about Vietnam - specifically, a song about soldiers returning from Vietnam to no job, no love, no life.

Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man

Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says
"Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said "Son, don't you understand"


Springsteen has tried to point out for years that this is not exactly "Proud To Be An American" (or whatever that Lee Greenwood song is), but many people still listen only to the chorus and not the actual lyrics of the song.

I'm kinda sad to see that so many here on MeFi are down on the show ... I thought it was (for the most part) very well done. Showing celebs answering the phones (regardless of who they were talking to) was a great incentive to get people to call in. Loved U2, loved Dave M, loved "Limp and Goo" (as my roommate called them), loved Neil Young.

In a time when everyone wants to do something to help, these people (big bank accounts or not ... for the record I doubt Willie Nelson or Alicia Keyes have a million to donate) are doing what they can.
posted by anastasiav at 9:29 AM on September 22, 2001


What about Paul Simon? Isn't that song really a duet? My wife comments that he must have sung the harmony in the original cause he was having trouble with some of it. But still, a beautiful song...

Sinner, why do you say that Alicia Keys seemed out of place? Not the same 'caliber' of star as some of the others? Funny thing was, I was thinking along the same lines - that whoever that was (cause I didn't recognize her) was gonna get a carrer boost outta this. But I very much liked her performance.

Yeah, it was like a 2 hour all star Unplugged. But it sucked me in. Actually I wasn't planning on watching it until I read comments on someone's blog.
posted by mutagen at 9:43 AM on September 22, 2001


mutagen,

Sinner, why do you say that Alicia Keys seemed out of place? Not the same 'caliber' of star as some of the others?

Yes, that's exactly why. Similarly so for Enrique Iglesias (the bearer of the earlier-mentioned mole, by the way). Both have had a hit (or two, I think, in Enrique's case), but are nobodies by comparison to the (well, most of) the rest of the assembled talent.

Where, I wonder, were the Junior Leaguers - the Britneys and Christinas and N*Syncs - who had just collaborated with Durst and Bono on the charity cover of What's Going On?

I'd be very interested in seeing how the invitations to perform were sent out - I can't believe that any artist would have said no to the opportunity, so it seems clear to me that it must have been up to the organizers to decide who got in.
posted by Sinner at 10:02 AM on September 22, 2001


Nothing like hearing "America the Beautiful" being sung by someone indicted for tax evasion.

Hey, there ain't nothin' more American than hating the IRS, or feeling sorry for anyone that's done battle with them.
posted by aaron at 11:54 AM on September 22, 2001



arco, bison--yeah, I'm pretty sure that was Dave Stewart; he held his guitar just like I've seen him do in concert footage.

Slash! That's right. You can see where I got confused.

As for Alicia Keys--great voice!
posted by jaustinspace at 12:04 PM on September 22, 2001


By the way, I said to my girlfriend when Clint walked out, "Where did they find this homeless person?"
posted by jaustinspace at 12:06 PM on September 22, 2001


For some reason, Billy Joel sang the line "the New York Times/The Daily News" as "the New York Post/and Newsday too." Still can't figure out why.

He sang it both ways, only doing the Post/Newsday thing the second time. Why? Well, when he wrote the song, the Times and Daily News were really the only two papers left in town that mattered. The Post was a dying, nearly-irrelevant liberal newspaper, and Newsday had no city presence whatsoever. I guess he was just trying to be a bit more inclusive and recognizing that things change, just a little bit.

oh and julia roberts

She was by far the most insincere person there. During her little speech you just wanted to reach through the TV and slap her in the face. Ecch.

I was a little put off at first by people who make 20 million a movie asking ME for money....

There have actually been a few big-time celebrities that have given real money; Julia Roberts has given $2 million (okay, I won't slap her now), Dr. Dre just gave $1 million, and so has Jim Carrey and Rosie O'Donnell. But they're about it, as far as I know.

Anyway, Jerry Lewis must be pissed. He has to work 24 solid hours to pull down $50 mil. These people do two hours of barely breaking a sweat and they've made what, something like $200 million so far?

The truly sad thing though, is this: I've been running the numbers, and even if you add up everything that's been given so far - this telethon, the three major relief campaigns, all the millions donated by corporations - well into the hundreds of millions of dollars - it still only comes out to a few thousand dollars per victim's family. There were that many people killed by this attack. So don't feel content when you hear the hideously high tally of donations on the news; we've barely started to collect what's really going to be needed for these people left behine.

At least the NYPD and FDNY widows will be somewhat okay financially: They get their spouses' full salaries for the rest of their lives, plus a one-time stipend of something like $160K. Even some of the rich victims' companies are already starting to reneg on their pledges: Cantor Fitzgerald's already stopped paying salary to their missing employees' families, and they're dropping some major hints that they won't be getting their (almost certainly dead) spouses' already-earned 2001 bonuses either. This is especially bad since in the bond trading business, it's the bonuses that actually make up most of their yearly take-home pay, not the day-to-day salaries. So these familes are already teetering on the edges of defaulting on mortgages and horrible stuff like that, only a week-and-a-half after the disaster. And keep in mind it's Cantor Fitzgerald that's run by that guy with the slicked-back-hair-but-still-balding guy who's been on every channel twice a day as "the face of compassion on Wall Street during this time."
posted by aaron at 12:36 PM on September 22, 2001



I'm pretty sure that Slashesque guitar slinger with Willie was Don Was.
posted by davebush at 12:49 PM on September 22, 2001


I think it was Don Was, too
posted by matteo at 1:13 PM on September 22, 2001


Re: Cantor Fitz...
I heard him on the radio news one morning in a cab on my way to work and, I just felt for the guy... While I do beleive that they should be paying the widow/ers some financial help based on the expected salary of the victim, put yourself in his shoes - He lost 700 of the 1200 employees in the company. There is NO income coming in for the forseeable future, and he needs to provide for everybody... I mean - where do you think the money is going to come from? This man has no company, his finances are in ruins, the market is in ruins, and every day he gets calls from crying widow/ers asking for money he doesn't have yet... on top of that, he escaped death by ending up driving his son to school that morning, when he should have been in.

Anyways, my point is that hopefully, in the future, he will find the means to do what he can for everyone he is responsible for, but bottom line, is that there just isn't any money right now... perhaps the insurance will cover most of it, but...

nH
posted by niteHawk at 9:02 PM on September 22, 2001


This man has no company, his finances are in ruins

Well, this isn't really the case. The company still exists. They have other offices, and of course all the financial data is triple- or quadruple-backed up in various places all over the world in preparation for just this sort of event. And indeed, Cantor was up and running again the moment bond trading resumed a few days later.

And it's almost impossible to underestimate the amount of money there is to be made in the bond market. This company was very rich, most of its employees were very rich. And they're still functioning, and making money every day. I'm sure the attack has caused them a mess of trouble, and has made a financial dent. But so much of a financial dent that they couldn't even keep on paying out the salary of these 700 dead people for even a single two-week pay period after the attack? Yes, I have a lot of trouble believing that.

(There's also the gnawing moral question as to how people as wealthy as these were could have all been such profligate spendthrifts that some of their families are seemingly already having trouble feeding their kids less than 10 days after the attack. But it's a secondary question.)
posted by aaron at 11:20 PM on September 22, 2001



Celine Dion is now a resident of the state of Florida. She also runs a successful business (restaurant) down there somewhere. I thought that having her sing "God Bless America" as an emigre made it all the more poignant, but by that point in the show, I was pretty much a weepy mess anyway. Then I thought I got it together before the big finale and lost it again because James Woods was crying. James Woods shouldn't cry. When he does it with Danny DeVito and Mike Myers (another Canadian emigre) well, forget it, all bets were off. Now that we've had this event, can we move back to normal television programming? I don't think the nation can take much more emotional manipulation.
posted by Dreama at 12:35 AM on September 23, 2001


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