"...Class...and Fame....Obviously Not...One and the Same...."

Charlie Sheen has been popping up a lot as the topic of conversation on my radio show lately.

For the obvious reasons.

All this Sheen scuttlebutt, though, has served to remind me of another show biz name.

Carl Reiner.

Writer, producer, actor, humorist and, at this writing, gently nudging the beginning of his 89th year of life.

His list of accomplishments is lengthy and diverse (it's worth taking a few minutes to Google him and take a look), but my guess is that when his time comes to shuffle off the coil, the focus of the obits will be three fold.

1. Multiple Emmy award winning creator, producer and sometime co-star of the seminal sixties sitcom, "The Dick Van Dyke Show".

2. Father of Rob Reiner, the "All In The Family" actor and director of such successful films as "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men".

3. Co-star of the "Ocean's _______" movies with George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

That last entry, by the by, will be the contemporary media's (read: young turks)means of providing the information necessary to make bothering to mention the man "relevant" in this culturally nutrition-less Age of Kardashian.

Personally, I think you could go with number one and let it go with that.

The proof, dear Brutus, to be found by clicking over to You Tube, et al and taking a look at an episode or two of the show.

In fact, save yourself some time and just watch the first half of the episode included below. (Part 2 can be found at You Tube)

This is comedy of the first order.

Sharp, witty, relatable and, give or take a little comedic license, totally realistic.

And not a single boob joke, ass joke or smart ass kid to be found.

And it was written,directed and acted by...Carl Reiner.

I read, this morning, in the latest "news" about the ongoing saga of Charlie Sheen and his issues that "Two And A Half Men" is now considered the most popular and successful sit com of all time.

Carl Reiner will, of course, eventually be in the news again when he passes.

Not for years to come, God willing, creek don't rise.

On that day, I can already tell you that I will experience two obvious and distinct emotions.

Appreciation...and sadness.

Appreciation for the gift I received in the form of the genius of Carl Reiner.

Sadness that "Two and Half Men" is now considered the most popular and successful sit com of all time.

Come to think of it, I'm already halfway there.