Farrah vs. the Cheeseburger
The comments on the post below — the sneak preview of our August cover — reveal what appears to be an organized campaign to slime us for not ditching our planned cover story on the fifty best burgers in Texas in favor of a tribute to the late Farrah Fawcett. I say “organized” because the tone and language seems a little too similar to be coincidental, but I’m not complaining. It would be a problem if nobody cared what we did, apathy being the great Satan of the magazine business. Hating us in either organized or disorganized fashion, on the other hand, is fine, even if loving us would be a tad finer.
For the record: We did not discuss, not for a minute, the possibility of a last-minute cheeseburger-for-Farrah swap-out. We did, and do, have a piece by Christopher Kelly, our Hollywood TX columnist, in the issue, and — lest you think we’re corpse-chasing opportunists — we had it in the works before she died. It’s great; read it here. And that’s all we had to say, and felt we had to say, on the subject, having published several long pieces about Farrah when she alive and working on TV and in the movies.
It is indeed too bad that Michael Jackson’s death usurped hers, denying her passing the media attention it otherwise would have deserved. But we made the decision we made without regard to that or any consideration other than the one we typically mull: What do TEXAS MONTHLY readers want? Some of them, surely, would have liked to have Farrah on the cover, or to have had Chris’ piece teased as a cover line (in retrospect, probably a missed opportunity; my bad). But as many or, likely, more will be enticed by our great service journalism.
Alice says:
If all the posts were an ORGANIZED CAMPAIGN, why each one CAPITALIZE the key points in each subscription cancellation as if THE SAME PERSON wrote them?
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Barb says:
And WHY WOULD dozens in the SAME VOICE AND STYLE be posted within minutes of one another?
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Cathy says:
And why would each person have a POPULAR NAME rather than a online moniker or handle?
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Darron Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Cathy, maybe because they chose to use a popular name just like you did. EXCUSE ME ?
You screwed up in this post.
My name has never been popular, yet it is what it is. We no longer use handels, and im not a truck driver.
D
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Anonymous Reply:
July 28th, 2009 at 9:58 am
LOL I AGREE- THIS POST IS STUPID – HANDLE – LOL I am not a truck driver either.
WHAT A DUMB POST BY CATHY
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Darlene says:
AND why ON earth would TM alter its format to become A people magazine rather than true TO its format?
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Darron Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Altering possibly to pay tribute , as well as the million dollar question as to why German Cancer Treatments are in many being chosen over American treatment.
Farrah was paid respect by Poeple Magazine, but it was Texas that she adored.
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Elizabeth says:
I think some DUDE that lives IN his mother’s basement and still HAS his Farrah one piece red swimsuit poster on his WALL also has an INTERNET connection AND WAS really bored.
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BORED ? Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:46 am
I think bored describes the generation X.
Also im posotive that Farrah’s poster hangs in many basments, possibly basment’s with mold, wet concrete,and boring wives,or girlfriends.But most men 35 and up will tellyou that their first look at the poster in question was their step into that great amazing unknown.
I guess it has to do with age, but that poster you mention required no makeup artist, not legal team, and no wanna be Diva we call entertainment today. That woman in the poster was born in Texas,and I would think if you are native Texan you would refrain from such a disrespectful comment. Farrah died from CANCER-a disease that is truly hitting home, and to be snide is very bold of you in the face of a disease that even Farrah begged God for a miracle, on behalf of TEXAS NATIVE MEN- That poster you mention sold to date more copies than any ,any other poster has ever sold. Farrah also took 50 years of age and re defined the way a woman could be. I do agree with Mr. Fawcett that a woman is more appealing in clothing, but I also agree with Farrah that it was her body, her decesion and her life, and until I see another 50 year old do what she did at 50 ,well, but come to think of it she did it again in 1997, 2 years later, so as I end ,Farrah would be thrilled, and full of laughter that some dude, had her poster hanging in his basment, and she would agree with me, no way in hell would he be bored. Farrah lived her life a fighter, and as we move on beyond the many insults, and those who ingest that cheesburger’s in joy, I will remember a woman who remained fit/not fat with clogged arteries until the camera stopped rolling. RIP FARRAH !
NOT BORED !
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Flora says:
THAT SAID I THINK THE REAL ISSUE IS why does Evan Smith hate America?
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GLORIA says:
EXACTLY!! Evan Smith (IF THAT IS HIS REAL NAME) clearly wants to pretend he and Texas MONTHLY love America, why are they trying to POISON us with high cholesterall FOODS and keep us FROM finding out the facts about cancer and Farrah’s death?
IF I subscribed, I WOULD CANCEL my subscription.
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Helen says:
CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER, CHEESEBURGER.
No Coke. Pepsi.
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Ima HOGG says:
I AGREE WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS THE BRILLIANT bloggers before me stated:
Farrah GOOD. SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON COVER.
Cheeseburgers BAD. Should NOT HAVE BEEN ON COVER!!
Evan SMITH is a commie pinko, PROBABLY FROM CANADA, who is trying to bankrupt our healthcare system.
MY IMAGINARY SUBSCRIPTION IS CANCELLED TOO!
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Jenny says:
THIS MAGAZINE should rename itself Farrah Magazine and then you couldn’t PUT cheeseburgers on the cover.
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Karmel says:
What SHE said!!!!!!!!!!
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Lauren says:
THE EYES OF TEXAS were upon Farrah, not food! Get YOUR act together!
ALSO, PLEASE CANCEL MY NEIGHBOR’S SUBSCRIPTION!! And my doctor’s subscription although his are pretty old. One of THEM in the lobby has Ann Richards on the cover in a harley.
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Mary says:
Gim ‘em FARRAH!
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Nancy says:
WE SHOULD ALL CUT OFF THE COVER OF THE TEXAS MONTHLYs we don’t buy or subscribe to and PASTE a picture of Farrah. It could be of HER AND LEE MAJORS or HER WITH CHARLIES ANGELS, or HER AND TATUM’s DAD.
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Olivia says:
When IS the cover story going to be since it wasn’t THIS MONTH??
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Peggy says:
A cheeseburger dies many deaths, a Farrah ONLY ONE!
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Janet Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 11:13 am
What a truth, what a truth.
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QFarrar says:
Please cancel my subscription TO THIS BLOG!!
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Randi says:
farrah paved the way for OTHERS TO BE ON MAGAZINE covers including Reese Witherspoon, Heather Graham, AND the cheeseburger. Before Farrah, magazines didn’t have covers. They started on page 5 (AFTER THE ADS).
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Sarah says:
I heard that Evan is Farrah’s LOVE CHILD. NO WONDER he doesn’t WANT to PUT her ON the COVER!!!
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Toni says:
I heard that TOO but it is JUST A RUMOR. Goddesses like Farrah don’t birth COMMIES!
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Ursela says:
I was SUPPOSED to BE on CHARLIES angels until Farrah took it away from me. AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE COVER OF THIS MONTH’S TEXAS MONTHLY until that cheeseburger took it away from ME!!
Please cancel all the subscriptions in the Kilgore AREA.
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Victoria Winona Xtra Yolanda says:
I AM SO ANGRY I want to cancel my subscription to any magazine with WORDS in it!
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Zelda says:
I CANNOT believe THAT this MAGAZINE is so thoughtless as to NOT HONOR those no longer with us and put a picture of a SWEATY cheeseburger.
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Greg says:
I am now sad that we were not just told that a tribute was in the works.
We are told that Farrah graced past covers. So this is to be good enough to let her rest ? To me
Farrah was on the cusp of a controversy in being cured. Was this sloppy burger issue better to sale a magazine than one of Texas own, who died with a cancer that might offend some readers ?
Anal cancer is what took Farrah’s life, and in the END- This is just where this BURGER will travel thru once it is savoured, and enjoyed in much delight the anal area. So my guess is , one day a tribute issue will pay A Cover Story ,IN REMEMBRANCE TO the burger and how it passed thru the anal area. Farrah was Texas own Angel, Farrah took pride in her love of Texas, and Farrah give back to Texas in many ways. I will agree, this is a little sad !
RIP FARRAH
From one of those who never did get to own a Farrah Poster, but was always proud to say FARRAH WAS A TEXAS GIRL !
Greg
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Centex Liberal says:
Don’t fret over it, Evan. The cheeseburger is lots better than Nugent,,,but then any burger is better than Nugent.
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DL says:
Centex, I’m pretty certain there is a cheeseburger somewhere out there named ‘The Nuge’.
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Anonymous says:
It appears the article has already appeared. It is located now online, one page basicly calling Farrah a trainwreck.
Possibly due to Ms,Fawcett’s choice to receive alternative treatments in Germany it was to much for Texas Monthly to grasp or tackle.
From what I see the article has called Farrah nothing but a train werck.
It was done by non other than a film critic.I do not see this as a tribute.
What a shame ! A Disgrace, and when it was an open door to shed the 30 year career of a woman who just did possibly 2 outstanding films, and left us with an inside to her battle with Cancer.
Her cancer film titled FARRAH’S STORY, was not intended to be a publication, or even a 2 hour NBC
SPECIAL- It was to allow her to go back and study the grey areas of cancer and what she was being told ! The so called one page article is not flattering ,and an insult in the face of anyone who adored Farrah Fawcett’s way of life.Farrah was an artist, a respected sculpter, and truly loved the art’s. Texas should remember that Austin if about ART.
This article is so quickly rushed and done so by a film critic that It left out those in Austin who knew far more, and were not allowed to pay tribute in a magazine that was once cashing in on Farrah.
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Bee Sting says:
Death,and food always go together.
Yet I always attended the Memorial First.
The food come after the tribute.
BS
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Lena says:
Gosh they did call her a train wreck in the article. Is that red headed boy her son ? The photo is even unflattering.
Lena
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Alicia says:
what do these people do besides disrespect,
keep Md Anderson on speed dial ? Farrah passed away from a rare cancer. Being a Texas Girl who spoke so kindly of Texas I am stunned.
I would agree that my arteries could in no way survive this cover story
Alicia
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Alicia says:
Ted & Gun’s , Farrah Cancer, and Death ?
Excuse me something is terribly wrong with this all together.
Somewhere Texas has a food magazine, and alot of respect.
Graham
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Anonymous says:
Oh Zelda so true. Well said !
Elsie
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Anonymous says:
I myself was waiting on Texas Monthly to do
a retrospect on Ms.Fawcett, I am not native Texan
but love the down home way the state treats those who are from here.
I can say the cover issue that I remember Farrah last being on was adorable, and was as well the same photo used on her Los Angeles Memorial Tribute.
Texas Monthly screwed up royally on this. In looking back the magazine with Ted Nudgent and Gun’s just made me squimish, jumpy. I felt an issue with Farrah was a must !
No burger for me .
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Janet says:
Oh yes, in looking at the article the photo was not a good photo at all, was Farrah sick then ?
I also agree the article made her look desperatly depressing, and all of these years I looked at her as Texas Sunshine, well just plain old fun.
I do not think she cared what we thought as long as she brought a smile to our face.
I will miss her.
Janet
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Anonymous Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
yes, sadly Farrah was ill in that photo. The man she is hugging is her son Redmond, her illines was a feature on NBC I think the last of May, and all I can say Is it was very sad.
Lori
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Charlie says:
If you eat those cheeseburgers, you’ll get cancer and more people will die.
I’d rather celebrate life, like Farrah’s life.
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MN Texas Girl says:
Surely Farrah DESERVES this magazines FULL ATTENTION and NOT a CHEESEBURGER!
Honestly.
Whatsmore ANYONE can CAPITALIZE their writing to EMPHASIZE FEELINGS. WHY suspect ONE PERSON doing ALL THE POSTS!
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Adam says:
MN GIRL YOU SAID IT , !
It is sad how we are known for being a little illiterate here in Texas.
We might eat fatty food, chase over perfumed women with bleached hair, drink alot of Bush beer,
and drive big vehicles that guzzle the fuel, one thing we have not shortage of, BUT ONE DAMN THING WE HAVE IN COMMON WITH EVERY OTHER PERSON IN THE STATES OF AMERICA IS GRIEF, AND WE CLELBRATE IN DEATH, WE MOURN, WE LAUGH, CRY , AND IN THE END ANYONE ” ANYONE WHO WAS FROM TEXAS AND BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME WAS ALWAYS HONERED WAY BETTER THAN THIS ON THE OLD ” TEXAS MONTHLY” I refuse to ever buy again after this and will tell my friends. THIS ACT OF DEFENSE BY EVAN SMITH IS PATHETIC, MISPELLED, AND AS IF HE IS JUMPY- IT WAS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF TOO FAMOUS THINGS IN TEXAS- FARRAH, AND A CHEESBURGER- BUT NEVER FEAR- WHEN THE MAGAZINE BECOMES PUBLIC, AND STARTS TO BE RECEIVED IN THE POSTAL MAIL SUBSCRIPTION FORM, IT WILL BE AN OUTCRY ,OUTRAGE, AS WE DEPENDED ON TEXAS TO PAY A BETTER TRIBUTE THAN THIS- AND FOR THE SMALL PATHETIC PEICE THEY HAVE OFFERED, ALL IT HAS DONE IS BASICLY DOWN HER, CALLING HER A TRAIN WRECK-
So in ending i used my emotions, all of them in upper case- for those enquiring early birds who were enjoying all of the post on the original TAKE A PEEK AT THE NEW ISSUE-
Very offended,and your defense helps, as one thing I laughed about is Texas people are also known for being LOUD- LOL
Adam
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Anonymous says:
Ms Fawcett was inducted into our Texas Hall Of Fame- in the last 6 years. This counts for something.
Remove yourself from EXCUSES, and do justice. In reading the small, pathetic train wreck of an article you deem a tribute to Farrah Fawcett, it comes to my attention it is her son Redmond in the only photo you could find, or used to apply with your article. I will say Ms.Fawcett was gravly ill, the photo is of her son visiting her.
Almost as ill is the article you have deemed a tribute, to appease your lack of respect.
I am not buying another issue until a retraction is done,and you find a kinder writer,and not a film critic to write a tribute. Farrah left a legacy in her plight in the treatment of cancer, she has been honored all over the world, and sadly Mr.Jackson died of something that is possibly treatable. So as the week’s come and the local people see this injustice to a lady you do not seem to know, or care to respect I feel you will see an outcry ! Look up the Farrah fact’s, She filmed in Texas , she protrayed Joan Robinson Hill, the wife of Texas Dr. Hill who’s death is a questionable murder. She recently inspired hope, and fight in the battle of Cancer, which last I heard was at an all time high, So as I see this nasty ,nasty cover titled online FARRAH VS THE CHEESBURGER- I am offended, Greatly offended.
LOOK UP HALL OF FAME, The Cheeseburger has not yet made it into Texas Hall Of Fame.
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Darron says:
just got in and see a zillion post.
So Farrah is not on the cover ? Man, Texas sucks.
We love you Farrah , my friend was going to mail me the Texas tribute ,but he can save his money.
Who eats that thing anyway, so it cost a fortune to get the lighting jest right, and the chef sweating on the burger, now I know why the cheese is melting. It was not cooked, the lighting fryed it. Man to think Farrah is gone and this article is her tribute ? Im only 33 and do not eat that crap, but I know who Farrah is-sad waste TM !
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Anonymous says:
Christopher Kelly is the film critic for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Oh Dear God, TM, allowed a film critic to do this pathetic, tribute, half page so called tribute to Farrah ?
This article in the first paragraph called her a Train Wreck- Pathetic, cruel, and down right nasty.
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Mary says:
You people are all proving the misconception that Texans are stupid.
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Wolf says:
I have a proposition for all of you so angered by the lack of Farrah on the cover. If you are going to cancel your subscription to Texas Monthly over one magazine cover, then how about you use that money to make a donation to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or another cancer charity of your choice to honor Farrah in your own way. You’ve used your time to write your rants, now use some time to do something for the better good.
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Jeff Crosby says:
Que Farrah?
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In your face says:
well one thing is for sure, this is possibly the most comments this magazine will ever see.
I think anyone who is defending Farrah has already made donations TO FIGHT CANCER- Those who are planning to cancel, well let them receive this issue and then we can see- Farrah was way more than that article ,so called tribute.
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Anonymous says:
I saw the issue. I admit the cheesburger is a slap in the face of Cancer, as well as the weight problem’s so many seem to fuss about.
What a shame ,and disgrace that Evan felt to bury a tribute that was due.
But again CANCER AND CHEESBURGERS- seem to run hand in hand, but to print Farrah ,and Cheesburger
or FARRAH VS THE CHEESBURGER, is really kind of tacky.
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Anonymous says:
is that evan in the picture ? I live in N,Carolina,and was waiting to see Farrah? Is she for sure not going to be in a cover tribute ?
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YADD DA says:
No I think you missed the point, a burger
is on the cover.
You will see Farrah VS The Cheesburger. It is pathetic.
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Anonymous says:
this issue arrived early, but where is Farrah ?
in September.
CANCER IS EVERYDAY, AND RISING FAST. I will just grab a good burger at my mom’s, it the best, but farrah fawcett was a fighter of cancer. this sucks
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Anonymous says:
Hey, this is news: a mainstream network news operation has picked up an exclusive report from Tabloid Baby.com– and given us attribution!
A tip of the Tabloid Baby hat to NBC New York, the website for NBC’s New York City news operation,and veteran newsman Michael Horowicz, who this afternoon posted a story on Farrah Fawcett’s missing diaries:
“The publisher of Alana Stewart’s book, entitled ‘My Journey With Farrah,’ is mum on reports that the book contains words from Farrah Fawcett’s own diary, which has gone missing.”
Most crucially, Horowicz adds:
“The website ‘Tabloid Baby’ quotes an ‘insider’ as saying ‘The scuttlebutt is that this book … contains Farrah’s words from her diary’…”
With a link! That’s rare. Top Internet news sites like Ray Richmond’s Man Bites Hollywood and our new pal The Big Cheese at Hollywood’s Rumor Rat always play it fair, as we all break stories and link to the sources– but one of the mainstream organizations were challenging? Huzzahs for Horowicz!
What’s most impressive is that Horowicz and crew followed up on our reportage and took the story to the next level:
“When contacted by WNBC-TV News, officials at Harper Collins, the book’s publisher, had no comment.”
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Terry says:
I am out of state right now and got a tweet regarding Evan’s response to no Farrah on the cover. I think it was either poor judgement or laziness not to have Farrah on the cover since I assume your goal is to sell magazines in Texas, but that is just an opinion.
I also think the defensive response by Mr. Smith was in poor taste to discount the input of the readers by calling it “organized.” Some may be trying to organize some comments, but I can’t imagine that very many people care enough about what Texas Monthly publishes to organize the above responses. I enjoy the stories, but am not really looking to TM for news.
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Anonymous says:
Agree, I think this Evan is tacky, as well as
an oppurtunist, and has no respect for the dead period.
But Farrah was a Texas Ledgend, and an AMERICAN ICON-
Consider the weight that will be on his shoulder
after in death EVAN realizes he missed the boat.
PATHETIC-
I have cancelled.
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new-news says:
The publisher of Alana Stewart’s book, entitled “My Journey With Farrah,” is mum on reports that the book contains words from Farrah Fawcett’s own diary, which has gone missing.
Fawcett died last month after a long battle with cancer.
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Anonymous says:
well is this issue the farah tribute issue.
She had those diaries in that movie, an she up for a oscar , is she ?
This is nice on them
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John says:
Poor judjment, but looking at this photo if in fact this is Evan it is laziness as well.
Truly a disgrace.
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Bob says:
Farrah obviously has a large fan base. Her death is unfortunate. What is more tragic than the burger article is Michael Jackson’s death. How dare him upstage Farrah! Texas Monthly has the dignity to maintain their course and not do some hap hazard discussion about Farrah or Jackson. My guess is that an appropriate article/cover will come out someday about Farrah. The one who has stolen the show about Farrah is Michael Jackson NOT THE BURGER!
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Anonymous says:
I think you make sense, but this is TEXAS, and
you can bet that Gery Indiana has Michael Jackson slapped on everything from toilet paper to it’s finest publication- TEXAS MONTHLY was very disrespectful if the treatment of Ms Fawcett, who has shed light on Cancer, as well as yesterdat being nominated for her work on FARRAH’S STORY, so TEXAS MONTHLY SCREWED UP ROYALLY- Excse me but when and if they do a cover on Farrah it will be to late to cash in- TODAY IS ALREADY A DAY LATER, I sa the issue of the cheesburger, and man talk about rude. Evan is in left field on this, as is his article.
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shar-shar says:
RYAN O’NEAL has thanked organisers of the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards for nominating his beloved partner FARRAH FAWCETT for her work on a documentary of the cancer battle that claimed her life.
The iconic actress, who shared 24-year-old son Redmond O’Neal with the actor, lost her battle with anal cancer on 25 June (09), aged 62.
She received her fourth Emmy nomination on Thursday (16Jul09) when she was recognised as an executive producer of her documentary Farrah’s Story, which followed the Charlie’s Angel as she attempted to seek out new treatments in a bid to prolong her life.
And O’Neal is grateful to Emmy officials for her posthumous honour.
O’Neal says, “For the Television Academy to recognise Farrah’s Story with this nomination is such a wonderful acknowledgement for Farrah and her legacy. I know that she is smiling that fabulous smile right now in heaven, and that she is grateful that the show has been so well received not only by her peers in the industry but by the public at large.”
Fawcett’s previous nominations were for her roles in 1984’s The Burning Bed, 1989 film Small Sacrifices and The Guardian in 2004.
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Anonymous says:
Man Evan you messed up in all areas on this.
I thought the cover would have Farrah.
What is insult to those who care, as well as those suffering ,and fighting cancer. The click here online article was cruel in calling Ms Fawcett a train wreck- Her career aside she was human, and took it to a 30 year level of being human and showing superhuman sterngth.
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Don't Mess w/ Pink says:
Good Lord, people. Farrah was a good soul, and home-grown, but she hasn’t been in Texas for most of her adult life. Admit it. How many of you really even thought about her connection to Texas until her death? The magazine including an article about her was appropriate. So what if there were some observations about her being human — warts and all? Blind idol worship is ridiculous. We should appreciate her, faults and all. A cover would have seemed as if they were hawking her death for profit. Thanks to TM for not stooping to that. And RIP Farrah.
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Anonymous Reply:
July 20th, 2009 at 9:04 am
WOW- You must understand Farrah was here, Farrah did donate to many Tx charity’s. Farrah was an advocate of THE FACE OF CANCER.
As fpr putting Farrah on TM’S COVER, well it was done twice before. SO EXCUSE ME PINK- But Farrah was a cash cow for TM, twice, and as for the article here on Farrah, a film critic did this pathetic article- Farrah was ICONIC above any role she ever played, even in her death, Farrah ,being just Farrah was HEROIC- In the face of CANCER
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Anonymous says:
rude, mine went in the trash
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Anonymous says:
What the heck, Farrah got a half page of nada.
In reading about the burger it is not true in the facts presented in this issue.
Farrah was jilted as well in this issue.
Farrah Fawcett was in fact a Texas girl, and this proves that disrespect is the key to attention.
PATHETIC DISGRACE
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Anonymous says:
A GREAZY BURGER ?
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Anonymous says:
Farrah is also reported to have left a portion of her money to Texas University.
TM you missed the boat on not covering this.
Im finished with my issue with you. Evan do your homework.
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