No matter what your occupation is, losing your job is a difficult issue to face.  If, however, you are in the public spotlight, think of how much harder it would be.

When high profile firings are mentioned, many think of the transgressions that led to dismissals of Don Imus and Marv Albert. Thanks to the news media, most of us know why these individuals 

were fired.  Both were eventually re-hired.  Not everyone is as lucky as those two individuals.  Here are some other high profile firings that have taken place over the past few decades. If you are upset about your job loss, please take a moment to think of the following people.

1): Donna Reed.   Donna Reed was one of those actresses anyone could identify with.  She had a “girl next door image” and in the early days of Hollywood she found steady work with MGM Studios.  She was best noted for her role as Mary Bailey in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s she played what was considered an average American housewife in “The Donna Reed Show.”  For Ms. Reed her hardest moment was yet to come.

   In 1984, when Barbara Del Geddes, who played Miss Ellie on “Dallas” became ill, Ms. Reed stepped into her role and signed a contract with the production company. Several months later Ms. Del Geddes recovered, and Donna Reed was promptly discharged.  The firing was not only unethical; it was a breach of contract.  Ms. Reed sued the production company, and although she won a settlement out of court, Ms. Ellie was the last role she played.  Donna Reed passed away in 1986.  It was a sad ending to an otherwise incredible career.

2): Mickey Dolenz: You may remember him as a child actor in “Circus Boy” or as a musician in the TV series “The Monkees”.  I remember him as a morning DJ who worked for WCBS-FM. For three months, I faithfully listened to “Mickey in the morning” on that station.  I still remember the day I was driving to work, when WCBS-FM held an on air party for Mr. Dolenz.  It celebrated his 100^th show. 

   As I listened to the celebration, something seemed wrong. WCBS FM, located at 101.1 on the FM dial, always celebrated events related to the number 101.  They showcased the “101 hits of all time.” The station’s phone number ended in 101, they celebrated the 101 days of summer, and they had always emphasized the number 101 in all their ads.  So why celebrate show number 100?  As I was to find out later that day, Mr. Dolenz would not have a 101^st show with that station.  Shortly after the party, Mr. Dolenz, along with the other radio announcers who worked for the station were fired, and WCBS-FM revised its format.

   Sadly, the new format was a failure and the radio station returned to its original oldies format. When the original format returned, Mr. Dolenz did not.  When I think of this in retrospect, the words “Happy Anniversary….You’re Fired” come to mind.

3): George Jetson:  Shortly before I finished this writing I discussed it with one of my associates.  “I can’t believe you left out George Jetson!” he exclaimed, “Look at all the times he was fired!”  I thought about it and came to the conclusion that my friend had a point.  Anyone who has seen “The Jetson’s” knows that almost every week they can count on hearing the famous phrase…”JETSON….YOU’RE FIRED!”

   In fact the more I thought about it the more sense it made.  Poor George Jetson.  As he drove to work every day, his wife would take almost all the money from his wallet so she could shop at the mall; and talk about workplace bullying!  Can you think of anyone who was more abused than George Jetson? He is the only character I know, who could go from “Vice President Jetson” to being fired in 30 minutes or less.  Not only that, the poor guy got caught in his treadmill every night when he tried to walk the dog.

   As a child, I loved watching the Jetson’s, and hoped that much of the futuristic world it portrayed (except for the tyrannic workplace) would come true.  Now that we really are in the 21’st century, why hasn’t someone invented those cool flying cars!  Can I please have a flying car???

4): Al Gore:  OK…He wasn’t really “fired” but then again he wasn’t hired either.  I am, of course referring to the election of 2000. Let’s face it.  If we elected a president based on popular vote, Mr. Gore would have been the 41^st President of the United States.  Instead, due to confusion at the Florida voting booths, many individuals inadvertantly voted for Ralph Nader instead of Mr. Gore.  That result tilted the Electoral College in Mr. Bush’s favor, making him the 41^st president of the US.

   I give Mr. Gore a great deal of credit.  He was gracious in conceding the election to Mr. Bush after a spirited battle in the Florida courts. When I think of the 2000 election, I think of all the qualified candidates who apply for positions, but were edged out when another candidate managed to succeed in winning the job.

    I wonder if history would have been different had Mr. Gore assumed the presidency. Would we still be trying to find a way to end The Great Recession? Would I have had to endure my 2009 job search?  Would there be a 405 club?  Would “Good Hunting” end up being a brand that I would embrace?

Maybe the answer exists in some alternate universe.  Till next time……

Howard K. Young