Who has had the biggest 15 minutes of fame?

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I'm talking about people long gone but never forgotten by those who were there.

I'm talking about people whose name is instantly recogniseable to your generation, but just draws blank stares from the younger generation.

Someone who's name was discussed at every water cooler in the office at the time, but is never mentioned these days.

I think if you look at my nomination you'll get the idea.







My nomination? - Lorena Bobbit!
#moneymaking opportunities
  • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
    Billy Ray Cyrus?

    Lorena who?

    Sumit.
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    • Profile picture of the author NicheCowboy
      Originally Posted by Sumit Menon View Post

      Billy Ray Cyrus?

      Lorena who?

      Sumit.
      You mean Miley's dad? He's still pretty popular.

      I'd say Vanilla Ice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
    D.B. Cooper
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    My first wife got her hair done by Lorena Bobbit just a week before the "incident." When Lorena's picture came out on the news, she went "OH MY GOD THAT'S MY HAIRDRESSER" and ran off to call everyone she knew.

    Anyone else remember Max Headroom?
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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    • Profile picture of the author KimW
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      My first wife got her hair done by Lorena Bobbit just a week before the "incident." When Lorena's picture came out on the news, she went "OH MY GOD THAT'S MY HAIRDRESSER" and ran off to call everyone she knew.

      Anyone else remember Max Headroom?
      Where in Va were you at the time?
      I have two Lorena "incident/moments".
      1: She tossed the infamous item about two blocks from where my little brother lived at the time.
      2: When I was going to court to finalize me divorce, the place was overrun with the media,TV,radio,satellite dishes, etc etc.
      Turns out that was one of the days Lorena was appearing in court.
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      • Profile picture of the author dlprentice
        Originally Posted by KimW View Post

        Where in Va were you at the time?
        I have two Lorena "incident/moments".
        1: She tossed the infamous item about two blocks from where my little brother lived at the time.
        2: When I was going to court to finalize me divorce, the place was overrun with the media,TV,radio,satellite dishes, etc etc.
        Turns out that was one of the days Lorena was appearing in court.
        That must of been a bit odd, and intimidating I bet! It's like their all their to see you
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Lee Harvey Oswald
          Jack Ruby
          Oliver North

          For today's generation, that I still consider myself a part of:

          Ruben Stoddard
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          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by KimW View Post

            Where in Va were you at the time?
            I have two Lorena "incident/moments".
            1: She tossed the infamous item about two blocks from where my little brother lived at the time.
            2: When I was going to court to finalize me divorce, the place was overrun with the media,TV,radio,satellite dishes, etc etc.
            Turns out that was one of the days Lorena was appearing in court.
            Originally Posted by Jagged View Post

            Patty Hearst
            Cheech & Chong
            Rachel Welsh
            Mikhail Gorbachev
            Anyone remember Cheech and Chong's bit about "Baliff! Whack his pee pee!"

            And if you do, did you spot the irony in these two posts?
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          • Profile picture of the author peter_act
            Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

            Lee Harvey Oswald
            Jack Ruby
            Oliver North

            For today's generation, that I still consider myself a part of:

            Ruben Stoddard
            Hi Steve,

            I was thinking of you when I started this thread - I knew you'd be on it with your catholic (with a small 'c') tastes. Incidentally, I just started following you on Twitter (or is it Facebook? - always get those two mixed up!)

            I'll give you Oliver North - he qualifies
            I'm really after people who are world famous for only doing one thing, and then doing nothing since.

            Can't give you Ruben Stoddard as being world famous - never heard of him in Australia - I had to look him up to see who he was. However Susan Boyle would qualify, but I hope she lasts longer than 15 minutes - she deserves to.

            Another nomination - whatever happened to John Dean?
            Is he still alive - still practising law?

            Definitely a 15 minute qualifier, with a cover on Time magazine.
            Never heard of him again.
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            • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
              Originally Posted by peter_act View Post


              Can't give you Ruben Stoddard as being world famous - never heard of him in Australia - I had to look him up to see who he was. However Susan Boyle would qualify, but I hope she lasts longer than 15 minutes - she deserves to.
              Yeah, Ruben was more like 5 minutes of fame.

              Susan...too early to tell but you're right...she's probably going to be
              long gone by this time next year.

              Shame...she has real talent.

              There are plenty others too. I can't think of them off the top of my head
              but my goodness, growing up there were so many people (Son Of Sam)
              who had their shot and then gone.

              Funny how I seem to remember so many of the bad guys, though Jack
              Ruby was kind of a hero to a lot of people.

              That was some time living through the Kennedy assassination.

              If I think of any more, I'll add them.

              I've seen a lot of one hit wonders come and go in 52 years,
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              • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
                Staff Sgt Barry Sadler.

                Hat the number 1 song of 1966 with "Ballad Of The Green Berets"

                Never heard from again.
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                • Profile picture of the author peter_act
                  How about Bo Derek?

                  All she ever did was walk out of the sea onto a beach and you cannot hear her name without having that scene come into your mind.

                  Her name is still used by crossword compilers as a synonym for 10.
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                  • Profile picture of the author peter_act
                    Originally Posted by peter_act View Post

                    How about Bo Derek?

                    All she ever did was walk out of the sea onto a beach and you cannot hear her name without having that scene come into your mind.

                    Her name is still used by crossword compilers as a synonym for 10.
                    I must eat humble pie!
                    Of course it was Ursula Andress who walked out of the water, not Bo Derek.
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              • Profile picture of the author Lawrh
                Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

                so many people (Son Of Sam)
                who had their shot
                Yikes! Son Of Sam certainly had his shot, several in fact!


                Max Headroom was the best thing on the tube at the time. Especially season one. Licensing disputes have kept it off DVD, torrents are available.
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              • Profile picture of the author peter_act
                Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

                Yeah, Ruben was more like 5 minutes of fame.
                Susan...too early to tell but you're right...she's probably going to be
                long gone by this time next year.
                Shame...she has real talent.
                Steve,

                I saw Susan on TV last night singing with her idol Elaine Paige and she was certainly not out of her depth.

                She's a rare product of the talent shows - she actually does have talent, as well as star quality.

                I think she'll be around for a while yet - I hope so
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            • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
              He has been writing books and I see him on MSNBC quite a bit. His books have been best sellers and are usually bashing the right. One is called "Worse Than Watergate".

              Originally Posted by peter_act View Post


              Another nomination - whatever happened to John Dean?
              Is he still alive - still practising law?
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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by KimW View Post

        Where in Va were you at the time?
        Warrenton, a ways down 81 from Manassas. Between the 7-11 and Pete's Park and Eat.
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        "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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        • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
          Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

          Warrenton, a ways down 81 from Manassas. Between the 7-11 and Pete's Park and Eat.
          Well, that's news to me Caliban.

          I live off 81 and neither Manassas or Warrenton are near 81.

          I think you meant 15/29...

          Just sayin'

          KJ
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          • Profile picture of the author KimW
            Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

            Well, that's news to me Caliban.

            I live off 81 and neither Mannassas or Warrenton are near 81.

            I think you meant 15/29...

            Just sayin'

            KJ
            Thanks KJ, you saved me from doing it.
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          • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
            Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

            I live off 81 and neither Manassas or Warrenton are near 81.
            That's weird. I remember taking 81 to 66 to go to work. That might have been when I lived in Basye. I am horrible at geography.

            I think you meant 15/29...
            After checking a map, you're right:

            Your web browser and the Maps site are incompatible

            That's the old house right there. Next door to Trinity Baptist Church.
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            "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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            • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
              Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

              That's weird. I remember taking 81 to 66 to go to work. That might have been when I lived in Basye. I am horrible at geography.
              Caliban,

              That I can believe, because I live in Basye, and that's the route I'd have to take to get there.

              KJ
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    • Profile picture of the author peter_act
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      My first wife got her hair done by Lorena Bobbit just a week before the "incident."

      Anyone else remember Max Headroom?
      I think she gave husband John a makeover too!

      I remember Max Headroom - also Homer Simpson's alter ego "Max Power"

      Steve - definite "yes" for Barry Sadler. Now there's a name from the past!
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    • Profile picture of the author SuiteJ
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      Anyone else remember Max Headroom?
      LOL! Totally. There was a TV show too, right (aside from the "hit song")?

      For some reason, that reminded me of Herbie Hancock's Rock It

      What about Nena? 99 Luft Balloons!

      I love the 80s.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    Patty Hearst
    Cheech & Chong
    Rachel Welsh
    Mikhail Gorbachev
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  • Profile picture of the author Flyingpig7
    Al Jolson
    Debbie Reynolds
    Nellie Melba


    Yes I do remember Max Headroom...my that takes me back....:-}
    before all those extra TV channels, cable & sky.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    Bert Reynolds
    Frank Sanatra
    Dean Martin
    Red Skelton
    Tony Stewert
    Bing Crosby
    God

    Hope I spelled them all right?

    Have a Great Day!
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
      Originally Posted by Michael Mayo View Post

      Tony Stewert
      Tony Stewert?

      He's smack in the middle of his fifteen years of fame.

      At least at my house...

      KJ
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    Steven, I shook Oliver North's hand the other day at the airport...lol

    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author bravo75
    I met RUN DMC once when I was a kid. Got an autograph and everything
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  • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
    One of those weird coincidences - I hadn't thought of the Bobbits in years, but John Wayne got a mention in something I was reading just hours ago.

    A few weeks back I mentioned Torville and Dean, the ice skaters, to my sons (twenty and twenty-one) and they both asked 'Who?'! This is not the kind of moment that reminds me of someone else's fifteen minutes of fame, but the kind of moment that makes me feel geriatric I've vague memories of Evel Knieval being a 'Who?' to them as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author peter_act
      Originally Posted by Diana Lane View Post

      One of those weird coincidences - I hadn't thought of the Bobbits in years, but John Wayne got a mention in something I was reading just hours ago.
      Another coincidence ; I was watching TV last night and there was a biography of John Wayne Gacy - he might qualify for this thread

      What is it with these John Wayne people?

      My favourites so far in this thread, and most qualified to be in it:

      D.B. Cooper - an inspired choice!
      Monica Lewinsky - it wasn't only her character that was stained
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  • Profile picture of the author JBorhez
    Spud Webb?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
    Harry Whittington.
    *
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    *The guy Dick Cheney shot.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Monica Lewinsky, Jessica McClure, Jim Jones

    I'm scratching my head at some of these answers. I won't point any out, but there are definitely some lifetime achievement awards thrown in here w/ the 15 minute people.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      Yeh, I was thinking the same thing.
      Originally Posted by garyv View Post


      I'm scratching my head at some of these answers. I won't point any out, but there are definitely some lifetime achievement awards thrown in here w/ the 15 minute people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
    Our fellow Warrior Paul Hartunian was featured on the Johnny Carson show...

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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Strong
      I had seven minutes one time, and another five minutes another time.

      They still owe me the remaining three minutes, and I'm going to get it goddammit.
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      • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
        Ken Strong


        KJ
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      • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
        Originally Posted by KenStrong View Post

        I had seven minutes one time, and another five minutes another time.

        They still owe me the remaining three minutes, and I'm going to get it goddammit.
        If your 15 minutes is broken up into segments then you automatically gain 1 minute for each segment (up to 3)....so they actually owe you another FIVE minutes.

        BUT....if you don't use that all at once then your original 15 minutes is cancelled and passed down to the next person...in alphabetical order, of course.
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        • Profile picture of the author lerxtjr
          Some Olympians come to mind:
          -Kerri Strug for that vault that broke her ankle
          -The japanese guy that had a broken leg and stuck the landing on the rings routine
          -Tanya Harding for being involved the the dude that hit Nancy Kerigan with a baseball bat (Tanya got the fame)
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Houghton
    Joe Isuzu
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  • Profile picture of the author hlvasquez
    Plaxico Burress...!!
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    • Profile picture of the author peter_act
      The title of this thread is "Who has had the biggest 15 minutes of fame?"

      I can think of the biggest 15 minutes of all, even though it was more like 2-3 hours. It was so famous in fact that everyone in the world who saw it can remember what they were doing at the time.

      Nowdays he leads a quiet life, and is hardly ever seen in public, refuses all autographs and interviews.

      What did he do?

      He climbed down a ladder and took one small step.
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