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

a sad day in the hundred acre wood

I was bummed this weekend to hear about the death of Paul Winchell, who was the voice of Tigger in all the Winnie the Pooh cartoons. I was even more stunned when I read last night that John Fiedler, the voice of Piglet, had passed away over the weekend as well. Both men had played other notable roles over the course of their careers, of course, but Tigger and Piglet were particularly special, and especially ingrained into the popular culture.

For me, at least, I think the deaths of childhood heroes strike a deeper chord than the average “celebrity” death, owing largely, I think, to the different relationship — and sense of attachment — that children have with the “friends” they see on television as they grow up. And even as an adult, watching those cartoons brings back a little bit of that wide-eyed wonder and nostalgia, and the “warm fuzzy” comfort of being reunited with old friends.

Ta-ta for now.