Film
The biggest hit of the week is Reggie Bannister, a Vietnam veteran turned actor best known for cult horror series Phantasm. He appeared in all five movies as the shotgun-toting ice cream man, Reggie. An unfortunate double whammy of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s have now left him as a literal phantasm after over a year in hospice care. Fourteen teams cash him in with 2027? No thank you! and Skibidi Toilet both reaching the top 20 on the board, while Celebration of Life’s End get their joker for twelve points.
Mark Rydell was a director who produced many critically adored films in his time, the biggest being 1981’s On Golden Pond. His films racked up sixty nominations and fourteen wins from the big three English language award ceremonies, and not once did he get a Best Director gong. Hopefully the five points for IBetYouWon’tPrintCunt and the The Letter “R” Means Death make up for it.
Finally, Jean Lodge was a Hollywood legend (the Daily Express’s words, not mine) who had a number of bit roles in various B movies I’ve never heard of. She also starred in some plays in the West End in the 1950’s. I’d write more but I’m really struggling here. She’s the first hit of the year for Olive Garden Invitational, scoring nine points and just missing out on the Party Pooper award, the exertion of blowing out 99 candles clearly being enough to finish her off just one day later.
Politics
The fifth Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Zhu Rongji, has also passed away at the age of 98. He started out in state planning, and was a thorn in Chairman Mao’s side who frequently got himself sent away for “re-education” due to his perceived rightist tendencies. His road to power began in the 70’s after Mao’s death, being politically rehabilitated and working his way up the ranks of government. His tenure as the Mayor of Shanghai was notable for sweeping economic reforms and a strong anti-corruption stance that he would take with him in his rise to the top.
He was chosen by the party to be the Vice Premier in 1991 and got the top job in 1998 before retiring in 2003. The decade and change saw China’s economy completely transformed, with inflation all but disappearing and China entering the World Trade Organization, opening the door to it becoming the consumer goods exporting juggernaut it’s known for today. It also saw tens of millions going into unemployment and a further strengthening of the CCP’s grip on power. After a quiet retirement devoted to philanthropy, he becomes a unique hit for world leader theme team Complications from a fall, for nine points.
Sport
A more obscure pick next as former youth footballer and sexual abuse survivor Gordon Woods cops it from COPD. Woods was one of many youth players at the Celtic Boys Club academy who were groomed and abused by the members of the coaching team. In 2023, after a lifetime of trauma, Woods finally saw justice being served to Jim Torbett, who was given his third conviction for historic sexual abuse crimes. He’s a seven point hit for Cancel My Appointments and DDP Father of the House drunkasaskunk.
Goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer also hung up his gloves for good at the age of 78. He played from 1965 to 1986 and was most well known for his six seasons with Aston Villa. He won both the First Division and the European Cup with them, but his sole appearance for England saw him let in two goals and get subbed off at half time. He completely disappeared from the public eye after retiring but his inclusion in the Midlands Footballer themed Waiting for Ugo scores a solid eleven points.
Television and Radio
Finally, Jon Cypher was an actor of film, tv and stage, most well known for NBC’s Hill Street Blues where he played the recurring role of the station’s Chief of Police, Fletcher Daniels. His death scores nine points for Ben-Hur and Messala Were Lovers.
Scores
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Teams and Scores |
| Jon Cypher | 94 | August 3 | Ben-Hur and Messala Were Lovers 💀💀💀💀💀+👻 = 9 Points |
| Jean Lodge | 99 | August 5 | Olive Garden Invitational 💀💀💀💀💀+👻 = 9 Points |
| Reggie Bannister | 80 | August 9 | 14 Teams💀💀💀💀💀💀 = 6 Points Celebration of Life’s End🃏 = 12 Points |
| Zhu Rongji | 98 | August 12 | Complications from a fall💀💀💀💀💀+👻 = 9 Points |
| Gordon Woods | 71 | August 12 | 2 Teams 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 = 7 Points |
| Mark Rydell | 97 | August 13 | 2 Teams 💀💀💀💀💀 = 5 points |
| Jimmy Rimmer | 78 | August 14 | Waiting for Ugo 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀+👻 = 11 Points |