The missing man

This weekend's Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon will feature a tribute to Ed McMahon, Jerry's co-host for 40 years, who died in June.

You can click here to donate in Ed's memory.

Dr. Ruehl remembers Ed McMahon

Our fondest personal memory of the great Ed McMahon is, of course, from the Jerry Labor Day Telethons. Ed was always there for Jerry, filling in on the hours when Jerry wasn't well, leading into those toteboard tallies with all the enthusiasm they deserved.

Backstage, the big Marine kept to himself, tucked away in his dressing room to emerge for his parts. We remember the afternoon the biggest, most fully-stocked rolling service carts of booze was rolled to his room, enough juice to keep the big man oiled for the entire weekend binge.

Tabloid Baby pal, contributor, columnist and TV, movie and music video star Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D., who now does his columns for his own website, Mysteries from Beyond The Other Dominion, does us one better. he as a costar in Ed Mcmahon's final work, a couple of comedy rap videos for a credit report company.

Dr. Ruehl filled us in on his experiences. Now, in this exclusive piece, he offers this memory of his pal, Ed McMahon:

My Fond Memory
of Working with Ed McMahon
on His Last Project

I am saddened by the dire news of Ed McMahon's death. I worked with Ed on his 'Gangsta Rap' video a few months ago (September 13,2008) and he appeared to be in excellent health! He was energetic and cordial, shaking hands with everyone on the set, and doing retakes like a pro!

He only asked, when we were dancing in a motel room, that we try to avoid bumping into him as he did not want another fall, having recovered from a previous accident.

I consider it a high honor that I was able to work with him on his last project.

In the "Gangsta Rap" video, I am seen with my repent sign and raccoon hat 38-42 secs into it, and at the very end 55-56 sec in a pirate hat dancing with others in Ed's motel room:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE VIDEO

May the Power of the Cosmos be with You, Ed, wherever you may now be!

Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D.

Dr. Ruehl says ailing Ed McMahon seemed to be "in excellent health" when they worked together

Word that television icon and Jerry Lewis Telethon cohost Ed McMahon is hospitalized near death was a special shock to Tabloid Baby pal and contributor Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D., who co-starred in what could be Ed's last project.

He writes us:

"It is reported that Ed McMahon is suffering pneumonia and bone cancer, and has been hospitalized.

"I am surprised and saddened by this dire news. I worked with Ed on his 'Gangsta Rap' video a few months ago and he appeared to be in excellent health! He was energetic and cordial, shaking hands with everyone on the set, and doing retakes like a pro!

"He only asked, when we were dancing in a motel room, that we try to avoid bumping into him as he did not want another fall.

"I am seen with my repent sign and raccoon hat 38-42 secs into the Ed McMahon 'Gangsta Rap' video (above)."

Dr. Ruehl costars in Ed McMahon's rap video!

Poor old destitute Ed McMahon is making some quick cash by starring in a couple of comedy rap videos for a credit report company. The good news is that Tabloid Baby pal, contributor, columnist and TV, movie and music video star Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D. is a costar!

Writes the good Doctor:

"I am in part 2, RAPS 2, also separately listed as "McGangsta."

"I am seen with my repent sign and raccoon hat 38-42 seconds into it, and at the very end-- 55-56 sec-- in a pirate hat, dancing with others in his motel room."

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Dr. Ruehl stars in Ed McMahon's rap video

Reports in recent days that beleaguered TV icon Ed McMahon is making the most of his recent financial troubles by appearing in a "rap" video ad for a credit reporting company left out the most important part of the story: Tabloid Baby pal, contributor and columnist Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D. is McMahon's co-star in the clip!

The good doctor, wjo along with his genius and tabloid work is very much in demand as an actor in TV, movie and music videos, tells us:

"I portray a street preacher in Ed McMahon's new internet segment, an ad for Freecreditreport.com entitled 'McGangster,' in which he sings a rap song about his financial problerms, rides a pit bull and two hotties, dances with several folks, is in a barber shop, and is yelled at by a street corner preacher--portrayed by yours truly!

"Ed shot the ad over a two-day period (Sept.22 & 23) in Los Angeles, including scenes in many "gangsta" neighborhoods.

"He was quite congenial, shaking all of the cast members' hands.

"In one dance scene in a motel room,where everyone was dancing around him as he rapped, he asked that cast members endeavor not to bump into him as he did not want to fall, considering that he broke his neck during his last fall.

"I portrayed the soapbox preacher(actually,on a street corner on a soapbox with my Bible, waving a 'REPENT' sign and wearing my 3-tailed raccoon Stetson hat."