Sat, Sep 20, 1997
Documents celebrity stalkers such as Mark David Chapman, who murdered former Beatles member John Lennon on December 8, 1980. Along with other stalkers; John Hinckley, Jr. was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and, he wanted to impress her by killing President Regan but, Regan survived. Robert John Bardo, was obsessed with child peace activist Samantha Smith before her fatal plane crash on August 25,1985. One year later, he turned his sights on Rebecca Schaeffer who starred in the CBS sitcom "My Sister Sam" which was a hit until it was canceled in April 1988. On July 18, 1989 Bardo went to her apartment, rang the buzzer and, shot the 21 year old at point blank range. Ricardo Lopez, stalked Icelandic singer Bjork. Enraged, he built a mail bomb to harm her because, she had an affair with another singer Goldie. On September 13, 1996 Lopez took his own life, he was 21. Includes news clips of Lennon's death, interviews with grieving fans in front of the Dakota where the deadly incident took place, tape recorded interviews with Chapman himself, etc.
Sat, Oct 18, 1997
Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynrd sold millions of albums along with concerts across the country. On October 20, 1977 after three days "Street Survivors" was released, their charter plane crashed; taking the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zandt (Lead Singer), Steve Gaines (Guitar), Cassie Gaines (Background Singer), Dean Kilpatrick (Assistant Road Manager), Walter McCreary (Pilot) and William Gray (Co-Pilot). The rest of the band mates, road manager and, road crew survived but, sustained serious injuries. After the aftermath, Steve Gaines' widow convinced MCA Records to withdraw the cover of "Street Survivors" with the band along with cities in flames. Steve was in the middle of the picture so, MCA released an alternate cover of the band on a black cover. After a 10 year hiatus, Lynyrd Skynyrd mapped out a reunion tour; Johnny Van Zant (Ronnie's younger brother) as the lead singer along with original members; Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Artimus Pyle and, Ed King (departed from the band before the fatal plane accident). Due to founding member Allen Collins' paralysis from his 1986 car accident, he was only able to participate as the musical director, choosing Randall Hall, as his stand-in. In return for avoiding prison following his guilty plea to DUI manslaughter Collins would be wheeled out onstage each night to explain to the audience why he could no longer perform. Collins passed with complications of pneumonia on January 23, 1990 .
Sat, Nov 29, 1997
Andy Gibb, the younger brother of the Bee Gees was a pop teen idol. Gibb released four albums and, four top 10 singles. Throughout his popularity, he started to throw it all away on a series of cocaine binges. After his last two albums "After Dark" (1980) and "Greatest Hits" (1981) were released, he was dropped from the RSO Records roster due, to his drug addiction. When his recording career dried up, he took a hand at co-hosting the long running syndicated TV Series "Solid Gold" along with stage shows such as "The Pirates of Panzance" (Opposite Pam Dawber) and, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". Those vehicles were short lived due to, absenteeism and cocaine binges. During that time, he dated "Dallas" star Victoria Principal and, the relationship lasted for a year. While making a comeback, he started having violent chest pains and, was admitted to the Hospital. On March 10, 1988 Andy Gibb passed away, he was 30 years old.
Sat, May 23, 1998
In this hour and a half documentation about, a New York discotheque called Studio 54. The club opened in February 1977 and, it owned by Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell on 54th street. Their guest were celebrities, locals, etc. In 1980, the club was raided and Rubell and Schrager were arrested for skimming $2.5 million and tax evasion. One year later, they had been sentenced for 13 months in prison for the matter. The club remained opened until it shuttered for good in 1985. Steve Rubell died at 43 on July 25, 1989 from complications of AIDS.
Sat, Jun 20, 1998
British rock band Def Leppard, sold millions of albums along with concerts. Def Leppard, had big tastes of success in the 1980's until, alcohol and drugs had taken their toll. Those vices drove a member out of the band in 1982 and, another to an early grave in 1991. The surviving members discuss frankly about their beginnings and success. In addition, drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident while taking a break from recording their fourth album fourth LP "Hysteria".