Fitness Celebrity John Basedow is presumed dead in the Tsunami

[Bo Jackson's Hip]

Sad but true. He's the one with the commercials that look like his head doesn't belong with his body.

[Suicane75]

Not ringin a bell. What does/did he sell?

[chinaski]

wow, crazy... ive met that guy before... long ago when I was working for Bowflex, i went to lunch with him and our vp of marketing and some other work folks.. sad.

[Ramzavail]

Some kind of ab-machine. There was a thread started by QuikSand on him a long time ago.

Sorry to hear this news.:(

no ab-machine, just fitness tapes.

[RPI-Fan]

Not ringin a bell. What does/did he sell?

Some kind of ab-machine. There was a thread started by QuikSand on him a long time ago.

Sorry to hear this news.:(

[Ramzavail]

wow. I thought that guy was an iron man, I didnt think anything would kill him.

sad.

he sells fitness tapes.

[Klinglerware]

Not ringin a bell. What does/did he sell?

Not quite sure, all I remember was the commercials came on incessantly. The whole "fitness celebrity" aspect was pretty amusing too--he became a fitness celebrity because he called himself one.

Pretty sad news though...

[Franklinnoble]

http://www.fitnessmadesimple.com/

[GrantDawg]

Is anyone noticing that the only reports of this is connected with a PR firm? If he ends up alive, this is going to be a big, evil PR stunt.

[GrantDawg]

I also want to say that I agree how annoying his commercials were, but the number of websites where I found people seemingly happy the guy is dead very sad.

[CamEdwards]

I also want to say that I agree how annoying his commercials were, but the number of websites where I found people seemingly happy the guy is dead very sad.

people are cruel. I'm no exception. I'm not happy he's dead, but I did tell my coworkers "I'm surprised his enormous cranium didn't function as a useful flotation device."

You're the minister... am I going to hell?

[gottimd]

Is there any truth to this?

[GrantDawg]

people are cruel. I'm no exception. I'm not happy he's dead, but I did tell my coworkers "I'm surprised his enormous cranium didn't function as a useful flotation device."

You're the minister... am I going to hell?
I can't judge that, but if I did...

http://artstream.ucsc.edu/fdm170a/joanne/hell.gif

[BigJohn&TheLions]

"Have you ever heard the saying “the only constant thing in this world is change?” I actually never have so I felt quite proud of myself when I thought of it. A friend, however, recently told me that I might not be the originator of this maxim as she believes it’s been around for some time. Well, regardless of its initial discovery, I experienced “change” in a very positive way."

...John Basedow

http://www.musclezine.net/images/6pak_cover.jpg

[CamEdwards]

I can't judge that, but if I did...

http://artstream.ucsc.edu/fdm170a/joanne/hell.gif

Do you often taunt the damned? 'Cause that's pretty mean as well. :)

[gottimd]

John Basedow (http://www.prleap.com/pr_3189.html)

Here is an article.

[cuervo72]

"Best know for his fitness video commercials,"

Good editing team they have there.

[Anthony]

Not ringin a bell. What does/did he sell?

obviously not anything that could save him from killer tsunami's.

[Suicane75]

obviously not anything that could save him from killer tsunami's.

If he was an elephant he would of known to run to higher ground.

[Desnudo]

people are cruel. I'm no exception. I'm not happy he's dead, but I did tell my coworkers "I'm surprised his enormous cranium didn't function as a useful flotation device."

You're the minister... am I going to hell?

That would be sad if you got sent to Hell for making fun of the death of the ab-king.

[thealmighty]

Am I the only one that pronounced the place Fuckit, Thailand?

[Glengoyne]

Am I the only one that pronounced the place Fuckit, Thailand?
I think they are changing the name.

[Raven Hawk]

I think they are changing the name.
Soon to be known as Phukmi, Thailand.

[daedalus]

Am I the only one that pronounced the place Fuckit, Thailand?Given the way it's spelled in English, in spite of actual pronunciation, probably not.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Poor Guy. May his chiseled abs rest in peace.

[CamEdwards]

JOHN BASEDOW IS ALIVE AND WELL!!!!

In fact, he's never even been to Thailand.

http://www.fitnessmadesimple.com/

We fell for it, boyz.

[QuikSand]

Is anyone noticing that the only reports of this is connected with a PR firm? If he ends up alive, this is going to be a big, evil PR stunt.

I hope you were wrong about this... but it is pretty weird.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And then there's this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basedow

A message on the Fitness Made Simple website claims the press release is false and that Basedow is fine at home in the U.S. and has never even been to Thailand, however, efforts to confirm this have come up empty handed. Many believe that Mr. Basedow is in fact deceased and Manta Comminications is leary about admiting this for fear of losing profits.

[CamEdwards]

And then there's this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basedow

A message on the Fitness Made Simple website claims the press release is false and that Basedow is fine at home in the U.S. and has never even been to Thailand, however, efforts to confirm this have come up empty handed. Many believe that Mr. Basedow is in fact deceased and Manta Comminications is leary about admiting this for fear of losing profits.

ooh, the plot thickens.

[Leonidas]

I thought this guy died on Married With Children after Peg gave him bon bons.

[Klinglerware]

If it is a PR cover-up, it wouldn't be the first time embarassing or negative information would be blamed on an "internet hoax". This sort of reminds me of the infamous Clear Channel Communications "banned songs list" from right after 9/11. It got a lot of press and Clear Channel was sufficiently shamed. Unfortunately, they never admitted it happened--they had the gall to call it an internet rumor when they finally came out with a press release on the issue.

[Logan]

And then there's this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basedow

A message on the Fitness Made Simple website claims the press release is false and that Basedow is fine at home in the U.S. and has never even been to Thailand, however, efforts to confirm this have come up empty handed. Many believe that Mr. Basedow is in fact deceased and Manta Comminications is leary about admiting this for fear of losing profits.

Not to sound like an ass, but how much money can he make them if he's dead? It's not like he can be making any more videos for them from wherever he is right now. Would people not buy a fitness video cause the guy in it died in a natural disaster?

[DanGarion]

Not to sound like an ass, but how much money can he make them if he's dead? It's not like he can be making any more videos for them from wherever he is right now. Would people not buy a fitness video cause the guy in it died in a natural disaster?
Well you wouldn't be able to be a FMS member and talk to him live then!!!!!11!1one!

[Fonzie]

What if Basedow returns to us not alive, but not quite dead, either? What if he is...

*dun dun DUN*

...UNDEAD!?

*shrieks heard in the distance*

[Logan]

Well you wouldn't be able to be a FMS member and talk to him live then!!!!!11!1one!

Sorry, didn't know his skills were so diverse. :)

[cthomer5000]

If it is a PR cover-up, it wouldn't be the first time embarassing or negative information would be blamed on an "internet hoax". This sort of reminds me of the infamous Clear Channel Communications "banned songs list" from right after 9/11. It got a lot of press and Clear Channel was sufficiently shamed. Unfortunately, they never admitted it happened--they had the gall to call it an internet rumor when they finally came out with a press release on the issue.
Yeah, that was some serious bullshit by Clear Channel. I saw the fucking list and held it in my own hands, so I know it existed.

[Senator]

This man may become a legend that will last a lunchtime.

[CamEdwards]

Yeah, that was some serious bullshit by Clear Channel. I saw the fucking list and held it in my own hands, so I know it existed.

Not saying it didn't exist in one form or another, but we never got "the list" in Oklahoma City.

[cthomer5000]

Not saying it didn't exist in one form or another, but we never got "the list" in Oklahoma City.
I was at a major record label at the time. I would presume it went to the major market stations as well though.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

So, is he alive or dead?

[Ajaxab]

Basedow is going to turn into the Tupac Shakur of celebrity fitness videos.

[cthomer5000]

Basedow is going to turn into the Tupac Shakur of celebrity fitness videos.
They all have that grainy porno-esque "could have been filmed at any time after the late 70's" look to them, so i'll never know if any new releases are old or new.

[DanGarion]

John Basedow has a reality show on his myspace page now.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/01/17/john-basedow-has-a-12-pack-myspace-page/