Rants and Ramblings: random commentary about culture, media, politics, technology and whatnot.

back from the dead

In addition to his freakishly defined abs, fitness infomercial king John Basedow apparently also has the amazing ability to come back from the dead. Rumors circulated that he’d met his end after a press release was circulated in early January claiming that he’d been missing since the tsunami hit the Thailand resort he was vacationing at.

Fitness celebrity and television personality, John Basedow has been missing in Phuket, Thailand since the deadly Tsunami devastated the area where he was vacationing on Sunday, December 26th, 2004 … John Basedow was vacationing in Phuket, Thailand when the Tsunami hit and has not made contact with his Public Relations Agent, Paquita Jean-Charles as expected. An avid body surfer and volleyball player, Mr. Basedow routinely travels to Phuket, Thailand for vacation during the winter holidays. The last communication with Mr. Basedow was on Christmas day. Since the Tsunami atrocity his whereabouts have been unknown. He has not contacted friends, family or business associates via telephone or e-mail. Phone calls to the Patong Beach Hotel, where Mr. Basedow was staying have not led to any additional information. Local hospital records have not reported him as a patient.

(PRleap.com: “Fitness celebrity and television personality, John Basedow still missing in Phuket, Thailand – feared deceased” - 01/02/05)

Apparently, news of Basedow’s death has been greatly exaggerated. According to a statement on Basedow’s Web site, he’s alive and well — and has never been to Thailand.

Important Notice
To All FMS Members & Supporters…
In case you read a false news release that’s been making its way around the internet about Fitness Celebrity John Basedow “missing” in Thailand after the Tsunami tragedy, we at Fitness Made Simple would like to let you know that John is safe and sound here at home in the United States working on finishing our brand new half hour infomercial, which highlights the remarkable achievements of several FMS Members and Success Story Contest winners. John has never even been to Thailand and we are currently investigating to find out who could have created such a misleading story. We thank you for your continued support as our hearts and prayers go out to all of the families who really were affected by the devastating recent events in Asia.

(Incidentally, the statement is presented on the site as an image rather than as text, which seems to be a rather inefficient means of getting the word out, as it makes it all the more unlikely that search engines will pick up the message and make it easier for people to find. I’d completely overlooked the message when I first visited the site, having mistaken it for some kind of advertising message, and only found it after a blogger pointed out where it was.)