No More Reruns

October 22, 2003 7:18 PM

Rerun Dead at 52 Fred Berry, who played Rerun on tv's What's Happening is dead. {Warning, 2nd link has audio but it's the cool theme song to the show.}
posted by nyxxxx (15 comments total)

Will someone please, please explain to me why these things upset me?
posted by JanetLand at 7:31 PM on October 22, 2003

Will someone please, please explain to me why these things upset me?

Three words: Intimations. Of. Mortality.
posted by jonmc at 7:36 PM on October 22, 2003

Fifty-two years old? Damn, time flies. He is eternally young, hefty, and red-hatted, dancing in my mind.
posted by davidmsc at 7:37 PM on October 22, 2003

Three words: Intimations. Of. Mortality.

I think there's more to it than that. I think it's that plus nostalgia.
posted by JanetLand at 7:41 PM on October 22, 2003

awww...i come out of the theme songs thread and scroll down and see this...bye, rerun--and thanks
posted by amberglow at 7:55 PM on October 22, 2003

whatever happened to Dee? Is she ok?
posted by amberglow at 7:57 PM on October 22, 2003

I think Dee (the actress that portrayed Dee, that is) is now a grown-up veterinarian.
posted by davidmsc at 8:00 PM on October 22, 2003

"The thing that Fred Berry did right was he was himself," Reggie tells E! Online. "He didn't try to be anyone else. He was open, and he had fun."

"You don't have to know the woman to know what a woman likes," says Reggie, who insists the gifts worked magic. "In the infamous words of Fred Berry, 'Pimpin' ain't easy.' "

.
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 8:06 PM on October 22, 2003

cool! thanks david.

I always wonder about celebs who are stuck in the same role (see Gilligan and Rerun and many others)...Did we do that to them? or are they just hanging on to the character and accessories and mannerisms to stay famous?
posted by amberglow at 8:10 PM on October 22, 2003

I wouldn't even imagine it's the fame, amberglow. I'd bet he still made a more comfortable living than most of us do. If it were me, I sure wouldn't want to get a "real job" after getting paid for clowning around.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:13 PM on October 22, 2003

Sassy "What's Happening" diner waitress Shirley Hemphill died a few years back. Also at age 52. Cue Twilight Zone music, with a soul beat.
posted by PrinceValium at 8:21 PM on October 22, 2003

I think Dee (the actress that portrayed Dee, that is) is now a grown-up veterinarian.

Yup, a quick Google search confirms that Danielle Spencer practices veterinary medicine with a degree from Tuskegee University at a clinic in West Hollywood. She also portrayed a veterinarian in the movie, As Good As It Gets.

By the way, mad props to Rerun. We 1970s caucasoid kiddiewinks in the vanilla suburbs had no exposure to supa dupa fly breakdancing until you came along. Because you played a comic foil, your skills as a dancer were constantly underrated. You'll be missed.
posted by jonp72 at 8:29 PM on October 22, 2003

cool...she went to Tuskegee. I think Charlie from Willy Wonka became a vet too.
posted by amberglow at 8:58 PM on October 22, 2003

hey HEY hey...

I saw Rerun on E!'s "Star Dates" a few weeks ago. Dude still had the moves and even did some body lockin' on the (empty) dance floor. Went home alone though...

I think I'm gonna switch vets and start bringing my puppy to Dee. Wonder if she's still sassy?
posted by Fofer at 10:52 PM on October 22, 2003

i designed his first website, but never met the man. r.i.p.
posted by chaz at 11:48 PM on October 22, 2003