Date: 7/25/2000
From: Matt_2

It's just after noon in El Segundo and I'm about to go to lunch, yet for some reason I feel compelled to put my feelings down for public ridicule.

In El Segundo the local FOX station broadcasts "Hey Vern, it's Ernest!" reruns in syndication at 11:30 and again at 1:30 AM. It continues to be one of my favorite shows and regardless of what time I need to wake up in the morning I try and catch both reruns. It is a classic piece of Americana.

Today, the 11:30 installment was the series finale. As many of you know, actor Jim Varney died of lung cancer recently, and the last episode of the series had Ernest dying at the hands of Dr. Otto. I have always caught little snippets of it but today I got to see most of it.

To me, Jim Varney was my favorite actor and probably always will be. From his commercial spots back in the early 80's to his very successful "Ernest Goes to Camp", Varney has ingrained a subtle satire into my life that will not be forgotten. Even now, months after his passing, I find myself in shock when I think about the fact that he is no longer alive. Some people have their thoughts that Richard Nixon is still out there; I'd like to think that somewhere out there Ernest P. Worrell is still making shoddy B-movies for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

To say that I love the man would be an understatement. I was IN LOVE with him. Watching "Hey Vern, it's Ernest!" this morning, I couldn't even try to fight back the tears I am shedding now as each cast member got to say goodbye. All those memories of what Ernest meant to me came flooding back in the form of tears. He is missed. He is loved. He is gone, but will never be forgotten.

Jim old pal, I hope that somewhere out there, wherever you are, you are logged onto SciFi's website and reading this. I know I never met you, but I saw the characters you portrayed in television and film, and I count you a close, personal friend. Maybe it was the way you got up after falling off that ladder or the way you always called me Vern. But I always felt we were pretty damn close. I felt as though I was with you at Camp, and that if I were the last human being on Earth, you would have saved Christmas just for me. I will sing your praises until we meet in the great beyond, buddy. Here's to you, Jim.

Matt_2

LMAO

Date: 7/25/2000
From: SpaceTime

Never again will I show a soft side...

- ST

Aw, SpaceTime...

Date: 7/25/2000
From: capaqu

It's imitation of the best! :)

Hey, I like seeing your soft side on occasion!

cappy

You know what they say...

Date: 10/22/2000
From: Little_Flower

..imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...it also indicates a lack of original thought. Don't feel bad, Space Time, that some goober had to make fun of personal thoughts and feelings 'cuz he can't understand them. And while others may wonder how (and why) a dead comedian could\would read a SciFi Bboard, I understand what you meant. If I didn't believe that one's spirit becomes omniscient after death, I'd become a screaming mimi, paranoid that I'd learned and seen everything I could. I hope this makes sense and makes you feel better, ST.

Original URL http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/22316
Nominated by Matt_2