"Hi, I'm Robert Osborne"
March 6, 2017 11:40 AM Subscribe
Robert Osborne, Turner Classic Movies Host and Film Historian, Dies at 84 As TCM’s primary on-air personality, Osborne occupied something of an unique position in the history of television: Where once it was common for channels to provide hosts for the movies they programmed, TCM is now the last U.S. movie network to regularly feature hosts who offer information about a film before it begins.
TCM Remembers video.
TCM Remembers video.
Oh, this makes me so sad. Not just a film historian, but a film educator; encouraging generation after generation to appreciate the art of film.
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posted by ApathyGirl at 11:45 AM on March 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
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posted by ApathyGirl at 11:45 AM on March 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Such an affable man. Thank you, sir.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:45 AM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:45 AM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
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I enjoy watching Turner Classic Movies, but it was always better when he was there introducing the movie with some little anecdote about how and when it was made.
posted by dnash at 11:49 AM on March 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
I enjoy watching Turner Classic Movies, but it was always better when he was there introducing the movie with some little anecdote about how and when it was made.
posted by dnash at 11:49 AM on March 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
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posted by the sobsister at 11:50 AM on March 6, 2017
posted by the sobsister at 11:50 AM on March 6, 2017
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Of late I noticed him hold onto chairs/railings while standing on-camera, so I feared his health was failing. I appreciated all the facts and nuance about the films that he highlighted over the years. Glad I still have a few movies he presented on the DVR waiting for me.
posted by JauntyFedora at 11:50 AM on March 6, 2017
Of late I noticed him hold onto chairs/railings while standing on-camera, so I feared his health was failing. I appreciated all the facts and nuance about the films that he highlighted over the years. Glad I still have a few movies he presented on the DVR waiting for me.
posted by JauntyFedora at 11:50 AM on March 6, 2017
Is there going to be some kind of tribute on TCM?
posted by Melismata at 11:51 AM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Melismata at 11:51 AM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
🎥
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:52 AM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:52 AM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by estherbester at 11:53 AM on March 6, 2017
posted by estherbester at 11:53 AM on March 6, 2017
Of late I noticed him hold onto chairs/railings while standing on-camera, so I feared his health was failing.
That and his much-diminished presence on-screen. He just seemed a lot weaker over the past year.
A really sad loss.
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posted by Thorzdad at 11:55 AM on March 6, 2017
That and his much-diminished presence on-screen. He just seemed a lot weaker over the past year.
A really sad loss.
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posted by Thorzdad at 11:55 AM on March 6, 2017
It seems like I just can't learn not to take things for granted. A real loss.
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posted by Room 641-A at 11:56 AM on March 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
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posted by Room 641-A at 11:56 AM on March 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
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posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 12:01 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 12:01 PM on March 6, 2017
I've been wondering in the last month or so about his health and what it would mean to TCM. I'll miss him.
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posted by Death and Gravity at 12:04 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by Death and Gravity at 12:04 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by Chrysostom at 12:07 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by Chrysostom at 12:07 PM on March 6, 2017
I've recorded movies I've seen before from TCM just because I was interested to hear what Osborne was going to say. Questions like "What's Robert Osborne going to say about Double Indemnity this time?" were always worth an answer.
(And his cameo after "Daddy's Boy" on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was perfection.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:07 PM on March 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
(And his cameo after "Daddy's Boy" on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was perfection.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:07 PM on March 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
. shaped like a film reel
posted by Gelatin at 12:11 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Gelatin at 12:11 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
He really felt like the last living link to the golden age of Hollywood. He seemed to take joy in being a medium through which that time reached the present day—I certainly enjoyed it.
posted by adamrice at 12:12 PM on March 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by adamrice at 12:12 PM on March 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
My mom pretty much only watches TCM, so I kind of feel like he's a part of my family. I always enjoyed him. He was from the old school that knew what they were talking about. The new guy they've got (Ben something?) is OK. He's watchable, but he doesn't have the same same authority that Osborne does/did. RIP.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:13 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 12:13 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
🎬
posted by adamrice at 12:13 PM on March 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by adamrice at 12:13 PM on March 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Melismata, this kind of felt like a farewell when it aired.
Very sorry to see him go. His interviews with folks like Anthony Quinn, Tony Curtis and Betty Hutton were wonderful.
posted by kinnakeet at 12:13 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Very sorry to see him go. His interviews with folks like Anthony Quinn, Tony Curtis and Betty Hutton were wonderful.
posted by kinnakeet at 12:13 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by Going To Maine at 12:18 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by Going To Maine at 12:18 PM on March 6, 2017
Ben something?
Ben Mankiewicz may not have quite the same chops, but as the grandson of Herman J. (writer of Citizen Kane) And great-nephew of Joseph L. (who wrote All About Eve) he isn't without connections to the world of classic film.
posted by kinnakeet at 12:19 PM on March 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
Ben Mankiewicz may not have quite the same chops, but as the grandson of Herman J. (writer of Citizen Kane) And great-nephew of Joseph L. (who wrote All About Eve) he isn't without connections to the world of classic film.
posted by kinnakeet at 12:19 PM on March 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
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posted by Annabelle74 at 12:27 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by Annabelle74 at 12:27 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by mikelieman at 12:43 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 12:43 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by octothorpe at 1:05 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by octothorpe at 1:05 PM on March 6, 2017
Every movie fan is in debt to him.
posted by Flexagon at 1:16 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Flexagon at 1:16 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by Guy Smiley at 1:24 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by Guy Smiley at 1:24 PM on March 6, 2017
I had the pleasure once of being on the set where they recorded the intros while he was working. It was an amazing experience.
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posted by strixus at 1:35 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by strixus at 1:35 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
I always enjoyed his insight into the films he presented. I always got the impression he could go on for hours if they'd let him. I wouldn't have minded.
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posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 1:59 PM on March 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
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posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 1:59 PM on March 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 2:44 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by JoeXIII007 at 2:44 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 3:41 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 3:41 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by Public Corruption? at 4:58 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by Public Corruption? at 4:58 PM on March 6, 2017
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posted by jim in austin at 5:39 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by jim in austin at 5:39 PM on March 6, 2017
. I'll miss his after the film info tidbits. He certainly seemed to love films and what he did for a living. He was a lucky man, and will be missed hardcore.
posted by vrakatar at 6:18 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by vrakatar at 6:18 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Mosleys are currently on a Disney trip and took the Great Movie ride for the first time this afternoon, which is hosted by Robert Osborne. What a kick in the teeth to step off the ride, click on Metafilter and see this obit. Such a shame. You'll be sorely missed, sir.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 6:35 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 6:35 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
He's like the kindly great uncle in who knows all the family history. That's what losing him feels like.
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posted by vibrotronica at 7:10 PM on March 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
:(
posted by vibrotronica at 7:10 PM on March 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
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I enjoyed his commentary a lot. He seemed like a very warm and generous person.
posted by dougzilla at 8:33 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I enjoyed his commentary a lot. He seemed like a very warm and generous person.
posted by dougzilla at 8:33 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
TCM launched Filmstruck last year which I subscribe too but haven't found any Robert Osborne clips on it.
posted by octothorpe at 5:07 AM on March 7, 2017
posted by octothorpe at 5:07 AM on March 7, 2017
He exuded class, with a wonderful voice and articulation. Ben's okay, and he certainly has deep roots in Hollywood. But imagine an Osbourne replacement: Picture Ian McShane introducing a horror flick. Chilling.
posted by etaoin at 5:59 AM on March 7, 2017
posted by etaoin at 5:59 AM on March 7, 2017
When I was in college I got an internship at the Hollywood Reporter (this was in 1982) and after I graduated it turned into a full-time job. So for a time I was one of Robert Osborne's co-workers. He was always polite and gracious, a real gentleman (and he wrote excellent film reviews and turned the Rambling Reporter column into something worth reading). I was pleased and surprised when he popped up on TCM years later. Sad to see him go.
posted by Man-Thing at 8:26 AM on March 7, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Man-Thing at 8:26 AM on March 7, 2017 [5 favorites]
TCM to Remember Robert Osborne with 48 Hour Tribute
posted by dnash at 1:42 PM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by dnash at 1:42 PM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
I loved his intros. He seemed like a very interesting fellow.
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posted by but no cigar at 3:33 PM on March 7, 2017
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posted by but no cigar at 3:33 PM on March 7, 2017
Cut! Print it!
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Wikipedia bio and Hollywood Reporter obit.
posted by cenoxo at 5:11 AM on March 8, 2017
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Wikipedia bio and Hollywood Reporter obit.
posted by cenoxo at 5:11 AM on March 8, 2017
Well that sucks. We've been watching and debating his health for a few years and hoping he'd be able to continue.
I like Ben Mankiewicz, and the new woman though/because she has kind of an odd presence. Mr. Osborne is really hard to replace though.
posted by bongo_x at 10:09 AM on March 8, 2017
I like Ben Mankiewicz, and the new woman though/because she has kind of an odd presence. Mr. Osborne is really hard to replace though.
posted by bongo_x at 10:09 AM on March 8, 2017
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posted by Melismata at 11:42 AM on March 6, 2017