Earlier this week, wrestling legend and actor "Captain" Lou Albano passed away at the age of 76. In the late '80s, Albano portrayed Nintendo's Mario on the short-lived television series The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!.
During a roundtable discussion with Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, former Newsweek tech/videogame writer N'Gai Croal took the opportunity to ask the legendary game designer the question that was on everyone's mind.
"Where were you when you heard that Captain Lou Albano passed away, and what was your reaction?"
While for most of the night, Miyamoto appeared to have a pretty firm grasp of the English language (he was able to respond, in Japanese, to most questions directed at him in English without a translator), Nintendo's Bill Trinen stepped in for this one. As Trinen translated the question for a silent and nodding Miyamoto, the room fell silent. After what seemed like five minutes, Miyamoto finally spoke, and Trinen translated to the room.
"You're the one who just told me," was the response.
Contest:
9:00 PM on 10.15.2009
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RIP Mario.
I remember talking to Lou quite a few times when I lived back in New York -- He did a lot of charity work for my elementary school.
RIP, Mario.
No matter how high up you are in anything, having something you created turn into a television show in the 80's is a huge deal.
I doubt Shigeru Miyamoto wouldn't remember who that man is.
Separately, I'm pretty interested in seeing the resulting article
[image]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:R6G3BZ4qX7MwPM:http://www.hjo3.net/orly/gal2/orly_luigi.jpg[/img]
http://dvdmedia.ign.com/dvd/image/article/683/683333/the-super-mario-bros-super-show-volume-1-20060125034113536-000.jpg
everyone do a memorial mario
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zicIzZbdspM
:( :( :( on the news though. :(
Even that is a bit cruel, I think that your translation is very accurate, sad but true.
RIP Captain Lou. we'll miss you
That seems to be a breakdown in communication on Nintendo's part though. I would have thought that a company-wide email would have been sent out to announce his death. Sure, it hasn't been on the air in 18 years or so... but still. I just think that having your own after-school cartoon show is a pretty big milestone, and that it would be hard for someone who works that would have not notice the news and the significance that he had to the companies image.
its like John Leguizamo died and asked that same question to Miyamoto. He would say: "WTf is John? horrible American actor? ah yes, he sucks"
Best. Mario. Ever. I'll miss you, Captain.
Personally though, the definitive version of Mario is Bob Hoskins.
There's a special place in hell, right next door to Reality TV stars, for people like him!
@SenorDoucheoisie Hoskins (and Leguizamo's Luigi) have, indeed, left an indelible mark upon the collective psyche of Mario fans worldwide. Whether or not that's a good thing is up for interpretation.