Kudos, all posts above. After hearing the sad news, I came across a 2016 YouTube video -- a roast of George Takei with Gilbert at the podium.
For those who knew Gottfried from late-night network TV stand-ups, be advised that his comedy club performances were shockingly and delightfully vulgar, completely devoid of political correctness. In this clip, he uses the "F" gay slur with gusto and assurance, because the crowd knows he is playing against those tropes, and that he's a friend to the end.
According to a couple of articles, he was going to make a new album and had already booked the studio. He was scheduled in the studio for 4 weeks starting on 31 Jan.
Not unlike how Betty White had a huge TV special planned for her 100th birthday - scheduled for just over 2-weeks after her passing.
The news made me sadder than I thought it would. I watched several episodes of Golden Girls yesterday in her honor. I guess we have to start spending our prayers and mental energies trying to protect Dolly Parton now. There are so few universally-loved celebrities left.
