RIP Willy Wonka..

Some celebrity deaths hit you harder than others... and this is one of them. Gene Wilder, who passed away yesterday at the age of 83 from complications from Alzheimers, was one of my idols. A brilliant writer, director and actor - his movie performances are among my all time favorites. From the complex quirky, yet lovable "Willy Wonka" of the chocolate factory fame all the way to the therapist who falls for a sheep named Daisy in "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Sex - But Were Afraid To Ask", he was amazing to watch. And don't get me started on "Young Frankenstein". Seriously, don't... We'll be here all day. I've watched that movie more times than I've watched D-Day specials on The Military Channel (and that's saying a lot - just ask my wife, Gail.) To me, "Young Frankenstein" is the funniest movie ever made. The story about the grandson of the famous Dr. Frankenstein from the Mary Shelley novel and the 1930's movies, inheriting his Grandfather's castle and La-bor-a-tory was Wilder's idea. He took it to his friend Mel Brooks, and together they came up with the screenplay. "Put the candle back"...  "SED-A-GIVE???" "Walk this way..."  "FRONK-en-schteen"... The monster (a tuxedo clad Peter Boyle) singing and dancing to Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On The Ritz" along side Wilder. So damn funny. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

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The new season of "Dancing With The Stars" will feature some familiar faces... among them, 60-year-old Maureen "Marcia Brady" McCormick. 

- Maureen has already suffered a few injuries in rehearsal... including a broken nose she got when Greg accidentally threw a football at her. 

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry will also hit the ballroom floor. 

- He says he decided to join the show for 3 reasons...but he can only remember 2 of them. 

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New research shows that Dogs not only recognize our tone of voice, but actually understand what people say to them. 

- For instance, Anthony Weiner knew exactly what his wife Huma Abedin meant when she said, "I'm leaving you". 

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A teenager wanted by Police in Australia was caught after complaining about the unflattering photo of her they were using on TV, and sending them a better one. They tracked her phone, and nabbed her. 

- She is so stupid, it's criminal. 

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North Korea has reportedly executed two more top government officials... one for allegedly nodding off during a meeting. 

- I think Kim Jong Un was just looking for a fun way to wrap up his back-to-school essay, "What I Did On My Summer Vacation". 

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Have a great day and I'll see you back here Wednesday!

-Dick