Godspeed, Ed...and You Too, Robert

Today in New York, the great Ed Bradley was eulogized at Riverside Church in New York City. Among those who spoke glowingly- deservedly so- of Ed were former President Bill Clinton; jazz musician, and close friend Wynton Marsalis- who co-founded the Jazz at Lincoln Center Museum with Bradley, and Aaron Neville. Entertainer Bill Cosby also spoke. Bradley's close friend, singer Jimmy Buffett sang Do You What It Means (to Miss New Orleans)?

Bradley died November 9 from complications from leukemia. He was 65.

Last night, we lost another great. For those of us who remember the TV series M*A*S*H, the sitcom was, of course, a spinoff from the hit comedy movie of the same name. Both, of course, dealt with the Korean War.

The man who directed the movie version of M*A*S*H was none other than Robert Altman.

Altman directed many films, from Nashville (1975) to Gosford Park (2001) over a 50-plus year career. He also directed television episodes of Bonanza and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Actors would line up- even take a pay cut, if needed be, to work with the caustic and irreverent writer and director. His relationship with Hollywood was- at best- chaotic, but Altman refused to compromise quality for the sake of entertainment.

His final film was this year's adaptation of Garrison Keillor's popular stage show A Prarie Home Companion, which came out in May.

Altman died last night in Los Angeles at 81.