War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace

This book is intended towards children, but it's still a good book

Summary

-It's 1969. The world is changing, not for the better. Protests against the Vietnam War are escalating. But that does not mean much to 12 year Brody Winslow. He's on his way to 7th grade and more concerned with the Top Forty hits on the radio and how much time he'll get to play football. His older brother Ryan is a recent high school graduate and eligible for the draft, much to his parents' worry. They want him enrolled in college to keep him safe. Instead he's protesting the war and taking his brother to Woodstock, in upstate New York. This festival opens Brody's eyes to the world they now live in, a world that could take away his brother for good

20 Real Life Deaths That Were Written Into a TV Program

When an actor or actress dies during filming, it's then decided that their death should be written into the show. Of course, the cast will be devastated that they lost a fellow cast member. Acacia Deadrick, writer for MSN.com page Yardbarker, compiled this list of real life passings that were written into the TV shows

1. Cory Monteith

-Glee

-He played Finn Hudson. After he had died from a mixture of heroin and alcohol, resulting in an overdose. The writers of the show chose to honor his life in a touching episode called "The Quarterback". One of the songs the cast sung on that episode was James Taylor's "Fire and Rain"

2. George Cleveland

-Lassie

-He played Grandpa. While the show was still in its early seasons, George Cleveland died of a heart attack. His character was said to have died in the show. The writers honored his life with a funeral episode

3. Glenn Strange

-Gunsmoke

-He played Sam Noonan. He joined the cast later on. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and eventually lost his battle with the disease. The show's writers didn't immediately address that he had died. They chose to reveal that his character had passed

4. John Spencer

-The West Wing

-He played Leo McGarry. While filming the show, he suffered a massive heart attack and died. When fans learned of his death, they were devastated. It was written into the show that his character died during his bid for the presidency

5. John Ritter

-8 Simple Rules

-He played Paul Hennessy. He suffered a massive cardiac event and was rushed to the hospital, but died en route. His death was written into the show. It was turned into a two part episode, one part where his character passes and the other part paying tribute to him

6. Nancy Marchand

-The Sopranos

-She played Livia Soprano, Tony's headstrong, manipulative mother. When she died in real life from lung cancer, her character's death was written into the show. A CGI version of her was used during a final exchange between her and her son Tony

7. Will Geer

-The Waltons

-He played Zebulon Tyler Walton. Will Geer died from respiratory complications in the late 1970s and his death was written into the show. The characters said their tearful goodbyes to Grandpa Zebulon in the season 7 premiere

8. Karl Swenson

-Little House on the Prairie

-He played Lars Hanson. During the show, he suffered a heart attack and passed away. His death was written into the show and stated that Lars died from an undisclosed illness. Since the show was set in a time when people could die from simple illnesses that now have a cure, it was believable

9. Jim Davis

-Dallas

-He played Jock Ewing. In 1981, he lost his battle with cancer. His character was not present on the show for a time, but it was said on the show he died in a helicopter crash

10. Will Lee

-Sesame Street

-He played Mr. Hooper. He was a much beloved character on the show. He passed away from a heart attack in 1982. Several episodes aired without his character, but the writers used his passing as a way to say goodbye to his character and teach children about death and mourning in a very touching way. It turned out to be a very good episode

11. George Segal

-The Goldbergs

-He played Albert "Pops" Solomon. George underwent surgery in 2021 and died as a result of complications that arose. Writers included his passing in the show and wrote it into the season 9 opening episode to pay tribute to him

12. Carrie Fisher

-Family Guy

-She appeared as Angela. While her character was not a recurring one, the show paid tribute to Carrie Fisher by saying her character Angela died in an accidental drowning. Peter Griffin, one of the main characters, gave a beautiful eulogy that paid deep respect to both Angela and Carrie

13. Linda Porter

-Superstore

-She played Myrtle. She passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Her character was stated to have passed, but the cause was not mentioned. The Cloud 9 employees paid tribute to her with a hilarious but also touching moment when they think about all the moments that they had with Myrtle

14. Luke Perry

-Riverdale

-He played Fred Andrews. Writers wrote in Luke Perry's death as a car accident that kills Fred Andrews in Season 4. In real life, Luke Perry died from a stroke. The rest of the episode has the characters exploring the concept of death, mourning, loss and grief

15. Kristoff St. John

-The Young and the Restless

-He played Neil Winters. He appeared in just under 1,700 episodes of the show, making him a regular cast member. On the show, it was said he died of a stroke on the show. In real life, he passed away from heart disease in 2019

16. Adam West

-Family Guy

-He provided his own voice as Mayor West. Many thought it was in bad taste to pay tribute to Adam West's passing two years on the show after he really died. Adam West died of cancer in 2017, but his character was not written out until 2019

17. Carrie Fisher

-Catastrophe

-She played Mia. Carrie Fisher died in 2016 from a heart attack. Her death was written into the show. It was said her character also died from a heart attack

18. Carol Ann Susi

-The Big Bang Theory

-She provided the voice of Debbie, Howard's mother. You never saw her, but you often heard her arguing with Howard, saying things like "Close the door. You'll let all the bugs in!" with Howard responding back sarcastically "The only reason they would come in is because you're their queen!" or "Who's there? Is that a sex criminal?" and he would respond "Nobody wants to do that to you, ma!" Their arguments were often one of the funniest parts of the show

-Carol Ann Susi died in 2014 from cancer, and writers wrote her death into the show. Howard is at the comic book store with his friends when he gets a call from relatives. He finds out that his mother, who had gone down South to visit relatives, had gone to lay down for a nap and never woke up. The paid touching tributes to Susi and explored how Howard handled losing his mother in addition to how he handled life after losing a parent

19. Christopher Evan Welch

-Silicon Valley

-He played Peter Gregory. Suffering from lung cancer, he finally lost his battle in 2013. His death was written into Season 2 and honors his life with a funeral for the character

20. Christopher Allport

-Mad Men

-He played Andrew Campbell. He died when an avalanche hit him head on. The writers wrote his death into the show, saying he died in a plane crash. The entire episode was dedicated in loving memory to Allport

Ian Watkins of Lostprophets Dies in Prison

The former Lostprophets vocalist died in prison on Saturday, Oct. 11

The former vocalist for Welsh band Lostprophets, who is now a registered sex offender, was assaulted in prison and died from his injuries on Saturday, October 11, according to the BBC. He was 48 years of age. He was serving a 29 year sentence at the HM Prison Wakefield, known as the "Monster Mansion" in West Yorkshire, England. It was for multiple sexual offenses, including plans to rape a one year old child

According to the reports from newspaper The Sun, police and medical personnel rushed to the prison where they found Watkins' attacker, a fellow inmate. He had slashed Watkins' throat, hitting the jugular artery, resulting in almost immediate blood loss. An anonymous source told The Sun, "Watkins has been killed in the most brutal way possible - and the attack was shocking, even by prison standards. Guards were nearby and raced to the scene pretty quickly - but there was nothing they could do and they could not save him."

Watkins had another encounter with violence while behind bars. In 2023, fellow inmates held him hostage while they stabbed and beat him. One eyewitness described his injuries as "life threatening" at that time. He had been sentenced to prison in December 2013 after it was discovered he committed 13 offenses, including two counts of attempted rape, one count of statutory rape of a minor, three counts of rape involving children, six counts of taking, making or being in possession of child pornography, one count of possessing photographic evidence of bestiality (sexual acts involving animals)

The judge presiding over the case stated that the case "broke new ground" and "plunged into new depths of depravity" and sentenced Watkins to 35 years in prison in total. 29 years behind bars while the remaining 6 are on license. He noted the singer had a "corrupting influence" and "complete lack of remorse." The mothers of two of the children he abused were also sentenced to prison, one for 14 years and the other for 17 years

11 Crimes That Shocked the World of Rock and Metal

With musicians in the spotlight, it's not shocking to know that if they break the law, it's going to be plastered all over the six o'clock news and on every music site in the world. Loudwire has put together a list of crimes that involved rock and metal musicians

1. Ozzy Osbourne

-He was known for his wild and crazy antics on stage. Including biting the head off of a bat he thought was a prop, but ended up being real. He encountered legal trouble in 1982 when he drunkenly urinated on a 60' statue near The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. The police arrested him and charged him with public intoxication and released him on a $40 bond. But, he was banned from the city for a decade

2. Michael Todd (Coheed & Cambria)

-Prior to the 2011 set with his band opening for Soundgarden in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Coheed and Cambria bass player Michael Todd stopped by a drug store to show one of the pharmacists his cell phone. On that cell phone was a note stating he would detonate a bomb unless he got Oxycontin. He was able to make it out with six bottles and get to the Comcast Center when police finally arrested him. His sentence was one year of home confinement and three years probation. Recently. after he was let go from the band, he admitted to pulling a scam on fans by promising them the chance to buy rare Coheed and Cambria merchandise he didn't really possess

3. Gaahl (Gorgoroth)

-Kristian Espedal, who took on the stage name Gaahl, joined the Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth in 1998. This band would be known for its over the top  stage show featuring sheep heads impaled on sticks, satanic symbols and imagery and even mock crucifixions with naked, blood-covered models. The band took it too far in 2002 when Gaahl was arrested and sentenced to prison for eleven months for assaulting a man. He was arrested again in 2005 for torturing a man for six hours and draining his blood into a cup and forcing him to drink it. He was sentenced to nine months in prison. Gaahl claimed self defense both times

4. Chuck Berry

-He is one of the pioneers of the genre we call rock. He was one of the original members of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Four years later, at least 59 women came forward to make claims that Berry had a camera installed in the women's bathroom at a restaurant he owned in Missouri. Police found the tapes, including 62 grams of marijuana. He was able to avoid charges of child abuse by pleading to the lesser crime of misdemeanor drug possession and was sentenced to a six month suspended jail sentence. He states the camera was installed to catch an employee he suspected of stealing

5. Todd Harrell (3 Doors Down)

-The bass player for band 3 Doors Down, Todd Harrell has been seeing lights, mostly of the red and blue variety. The bassist has racked up at least three DUI-related charges within the last two years. A recent visit to Nashville ended with the death of a driver. In 2014, he was sentenced to house arrest until he stood trial for the vehicular homicide charges in Nashville

6. Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying)

-In May 2014, the metalcore world woke up to a shock. Tim Lambesis, the singer for As I Lay Dying, was arrested by police and sentenced to six years in prison just eleven days after being arrested. The reason? He solicited a police detective, who was undercover, to put a hit out on his wife, who he was married to for eight years. Claiming the steroids altered his mind, he was given a felony charge for putting a hit on his wife

7. Sid Vicious (The Sex Pistols)

-Born John Ritchie, he adopted the name Sid Vicious when he was in The Sex Pistols. In 1978, he fatally stabbed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in their hotel room

8. Phil Spector

-This legendary producer is given the credit of creating the so-called "wall of sound" method employed by so many girl groups of the 1960s, including The Ronettes and also by The Beatles for their 1970 album Let It Be. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, the famed producer was arrested in 2003 and convicted of second-degree murder. He was arrested and charged with shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra, California home. He was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison

9. Gary Glitter

-Not everyone knows this name. But, if you're familiar with the song "Rock and Roll, Part 2", then you're familiar with him. His career would have been brilliant if it had not been repeatedly trashed by charges of child pornography and child abuse. He was sentenced to prison in Vietnam in 2008, but is now on the UK's sex offender list for the rest of his life

10. Varg Vikernes

-This Norwegian black metaller had a band called Burzum, and spent some time with the band Mayhem. In 1992, it was said he played part in burning down three Christian churches in Norway and then fatally stabbed Oystein "Euronymous" Aarseth, guitarist for Mayhem a year later. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the crime in 1994 for both the murder and the arson of the churches. He was released on parole in 2009. At 41 years of age, he lives in France and still states that he killed Aarseth in self defense and that he did not burn any churches, despite evidence proving he still played a part in the arson

11. Ian Watkins (Lostprophets)

-Vocalist and founding member of Welsh rock band Lostprophets, he inspired a loyal following. In late 2012, it became crystal clear that he was using his role as frontman to exploit the female fans in the audience, commit sexual abuse on children and even planned to rape a one year old girl. When two female accusers came forward, Watkins, who was 37 at the time, was arrested by police and charged with child pornography and extreme depictions of bestiality. In December 2013, he learned his sentence would be twenty nine years in prison and six years on extended license

Celebs Who Passed Away on Set

Sometimes accidents happen. Sometimes things happen unexpectedly. When celebrities pass away, it can be shocking to all. And, though it is sad they passed away, their loss had inspired stricter changes in safety. But, the the thing here is-these protocols should have already been in place. No one should have to lose their life for changes to be put into place. Hrvoje Milakovic is a writer for MSN.com page Fiction Horizon. They put together a list of celebs who died on set or on stage

Tommy Cooper

-A massively successful British comedian, he suffered from a massive heart attack while appearing on a 1984 episode of the ITV variety show Live from Her Majesty's in London. He was known for his slapstick humor, which included physical collapsing. Many in the audience thought his fall was part of his routine, and the curtain drawn. Some realized it was not part of his routine and paramedics swarmed in

-When he passed away, it became one of the most heavily talked about events in British television history. This shock made people introduce new rules and regulations and medical preparedness. Fans and fellow comedians remember Cooper as one of those once in a generation comedians whose comedic timing and inspiration still hold strong today

Redd Foxx

-Known best for his appearance on the television program Sanford & Son, saying "You big dummy!" During a 1991 rehearsal for the CBS program The Royal Family, Foxx suffered from a heart attack and collapsed on set. Colleagues thought it was a bit weird considering on Sanford & Son he would always grab his chest as if having a heart attack and say something to the effect of "I'm coming to see ya, Elizabeth". His colleagues quickly realized this was no routine-it was real

-He unfortunately passed away and his death shocked many. His death sparked a new regulation on on-site medical staff for any medical emergencies. It also showed that sometimes the line between reality and art can become blurry, especially when some comedians use mortality as part of their routine

John Ritter

-This one still breaks a lot of people's hearts. For those who grew up watching Three's Company or 8 Simple Rules, the passing of John Ritter is still heartbreaking. He was working on the set of the 2003 ABC program 8 Simple Rules when he experienced a sudden cardiac event and was rushed to the nearby hospital. He unfortunately died at the hospital. His fellow cast mates, crew and viewers were left grieving his loss

-With his passing, this brought new awareness of aortic conditions and their warning signs. The show made an adjustment to honor his life and his colleagues remember him for his ability to make any set feel like a family home, his professional demeanor and his incredible kindness

Brandon Lee

-The son of martial artist / actor Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee's death came as a result of an accident. While filming the 1993 film The Crow, he was fatally wounded by a prop firearm that was mishandled. The prop gun had an actual bullet in it, along with a blank cartridge and when fired, the actual bullet hit him in his abdomen. His passing inspired far stricter protocols on handling functional firearms on set.

-As an eerie side note, almost the exact same type of situation happened later on, with actor Alec Baldwin. He was on the set of one of his movies and there was a scene requiring the use of a firearm. He thought there were blanks in the gun, not knowing that some of the crew were messing around with the guns, using real bullets for target practice and leaving one of the live bullets in the gun. Alec goes to shoot the gun and someone actually does die. He was brought into court for a long while until it was decided he was innocent, that he truly didn't know there was a live round in the gun he used. It was later discovered the crew had been using the prop gun for target practice, but left one of the live rounds in the chamber

Vic Morrow

-While filming a Vietnam segment for the 1982 film Twilight Zone: The Movie, he died in a helicopter incident, which involved him trying to save two Vietnamese children. The child actors were also killed and this tragedy led to stricter rules on set safety, including stunts, special effects and child actors

-With this incident, people started thinking about how to make sets and stunts safer for the people performing them

Jon-Erik Hexum

-While on the set of the 1984 TV program Cover Up, he, as a joke, put a blank-loaded prop gun to his head and pulled the trigger. He was unaware that the force of a blank at point blank range can be dangerous because of the concussive force. It killed him immediately. His death became the inspiration for stricter protocols on firearms on sets. That blanks are not toys and "cold" guns, also known as prop guns, require strict training in operation, safety and also respect

Steve Irwin

-Animal lovers still mourn the loss of "The Crocodile Hunter." He was filming one of his usual wildlife documentaries in 2006 when he startled a stingray, who threw up its deadly tail straight into his heart. Despite the best efforts by his crew, he passed away from the stingray venom. Fans and crew alike knew that, while he was fearless, he had a deep love and respect for animals. And that this was a simple accident. This led to the idea that nature documentaries need more protocols on safety, that there should be a discussion about risk and safety. His mission for conservation continues to this day through his family and the various institutions he's championed

Roy Kinnear

-He was what is called a character actor. While filming the 1988 film The Return of the Musketeers, he fell off of his horse and sustained injuries that would later prove to be fatal. The production of the film halted while fellow cast and crew processed the loss and tried to figure out how the accident occurred. He was known for his warmth and kindness, putting a dash of comedy into his roles. With his passing, scenes involving horse riding were now being evaluated a lot better to assess any risks there may be, especially when rough terrain and bad weather create additional hazards for the cast, crew, stunt doubles and rehearsals

Paul Mantz

-A legendary name in flying, he was a passionate aviator and stunt pilot. He died after performing a highly complex landing maneuver for the film The Flight of the Phoenix. His aircraft was a cobbled-together Frankenstein concoction made to resemble a desert airplane. While flying, he clipped some of the terrain crashed the plane, dying on impact

-His strong expertise in flying had raised the levels of aerial cinematography and with his passing, it showed the razor thin levels of safety in practical flying scenes. Stricter risk assessments were put into place involving airplanes on set and new specialized coordination between pilots, directors and camera teams went into place to protect everything and everyone

Leonard Warren

-The highly celebrated baritone opera singer Leonard Warren died in 1960 during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House. He was singing "La forza del destino". When the audience realized what happened, the evening was cancelled immediately. With his passing, it echoed throughout the opera world, prompting the need for an overhaul in emergency response regulations. He's lovingly remembered for his stunningly beautiful voice and setting the normal standards for any singer looking to interpret Verdi

Richard Versalle

-During a 1996 performance at the Met, tenor singer Richard Versalle passed away on stage during a performance of The Makropulos Case. He was on a ladder, but fell after delivering his opening line. The show was halted while medical professionals tried to save him. His passing brought about sweeping changes regarding risk assessment, with regards to ladders, rakes and any sort of elevated platform combined with singing. Fellow cast members remember Versalle for his artistry and integrity, putting strong emphasis on safety always being matched with stage talent

Giuseppe Sinopoli

-While leading a score called "Aida" in Berlin in 2001, conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli suffered a massive heart attack that proved to be fatal. The suddenness of the occurrence left the audience stunned speechless along with the orchestra, who had to stop mid-performance. Sinopoli was also a medical doctor and composer. He leaves behind a large legacy. With his passing, it prompted the need to have in-house heart defibrillators and response drills that can help shorten time in emergencies

Mark Sandman

-Lead singer and bass player for band Morphine, Mark Sandman collapsed on stage during a show in Palestrina, Italy in 1999. He suffered from a massive heart attack and unfortunately couldn't be revived. The band was known for simple stage sets and low sound. The audience didn't understand that something real was going on. After his death, venues took a hard look at their protocols for emergencies for festivals and outdoor concerts

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott

-Any fan of Pantera knows this name. For one thing, his own brother, who goes by the name Vinnie Paul, was the drummer for this band. "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was a guitarist for thrash metal band Pantera and Damageplan. While performing in Columbus, Ohio in 2004 with his band Damageplan, a gunman with mental health issues rushed the stage and killed not only Abbott, but several others. This murder shook many metal fans to their absolute core and made venues put into place new protocols for security. This includes entry screening to rapid response to emergencies. Fans honor and remember the influence Abbott had on the world of metal

Nick Menza

-A former drummer for Megadeth, he died on stage in 2016 during a set with OHM at a Los Angeles venue called The Baked Potato. He suffered from a sudden medical emergency during the concert and paramedics on scene couldn't save him. He was known for his powerful yet precise drumming, and his death was a reminder to clubs and small venues that there should be strict emergency response regulations in place, including the importance of emergency equipment and clear access to responders, especially in small, intimate venues, to prevent this sort of thing from happening again

Les Harvey

-A guitarist with Stone the Crows, he was fatally electrocuted on stage in 1972 at a concert in Swansea, Wales after he touched a microphone that was improperly grounded. Concert goers witnessed his death on stage. This incident prompted new and stricter regulations for electrical equipment for live shows, including regular PAT testing to mandatory grounding checks. His talent is still talked about to this day

Tiny Tim

-This often quirky musician, with his high pitched voice, is known for singing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." While performing at a benefit concert in 1996, he collapsed on stage and died moments later. He was known for having cardiac concerns but still insisted on performing, a decision that seems to be a debate by those close to him. After his death, venues started adopting regulations regarding health policies for those whose health might be questionable

Ian Cognito

-This British comedian, who often joked about health, collapsed on stage during his show in Bicester in 2019. Minutes prior, he had been joking about having a stroke. When he collapsed on stage, the audience thought it was part of the act. His death signaled a unique risk that comes with comedy-that the audience and even the comedians themselves can sometimes misinterpret genuine medical emergencies as part of their shows. Clubs and venues made new revisions to their regulations for stopping shows, getting medical assistance as soon as possible and checking unresponsive performers to avoid this sort of incident from repeating itself

Mitsuharu Misawa

-This legendary Japanese professional wrestler incurred a cervical injury that proved to be fatal during a 2009 match in Hiroshima. The bout was stopped as medical professionals did what they could, including rushing him to the hospital. But it was too late. He died en route to the hospital. His death highlighted the need for ring safety, move sets and the need for trained medical professionals at the shows. His wrestling abilities are still talked about to this day

Perro Aguayo Jr

-This Mexican Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling) star died after he sustained a cervical injury during a 2015 bout in Tijuana that involved Rey Mysterio. There is video of the incident that brings up hard questions about delays in recognizing a genuine medical emergency. This error highlights the need for medical personnel to be on site during wrestling bouts, along with clear communication between wrestlers, referees and the doctors. He was known for his charisma and entertaining performances all across Mexico

Owen Hart

-This one still shocks many to this day. Owen Hart is the younger brother of Bret "The Hitman" Hart. In fact, the whole Hart family is practically wrestling royalty. During a 1999 pay-per-view "Over the Edge" performance, Owen Hart fell 78 feet from the rafters during a dramatic entrance to the ring. He was initially attached to a harness and was lowered into the ring, but the quick release mechanism activated too early and he fell the 78 remaining feet to the ring, sustaining blunt force injuries that would later prove to be fatal. It would be considered controversial, but the show went on as planned

-His death signaled a need for reviewing aerial stunts and stricter harness regulations in live wrestling and more. Fans and fellow wrestlers celebrate his life, keeping his memory alive through various foundations and tributes

Godfrey Gao

-While filming the 2019 Chinese reality competition show Chase Me, actor and model Godfrey Gao collapsed. After being rushed to a nearby hospital, he died. The show suffered mass scrutiny and inspired conversations about the grueling and or often punishing schedules. This prompted the need for on-site medical personnel and the risks associated with high-stakes variety shows. Fans remember him best for his graciousness with fans

Costa Titch

-This South African rapper collapsed on the stage during a concert in 2023 in Johannesburg. He died not long afterwards. Video showed the event playing out before fans eyes as dancers and other crew realized something wasn't right. With his death, this created the need to create new regulations regarding heat, fatigue and cardiac events at high energy concerts, especially given the intense stage lighting and staging. The tributes were overwhelming and showing an artist whose career was rising fast and crossover appeal was becoming quickly visible