Deaths come in threes, so they say. Whoever "they" are.

And this week saw the world of entertainment lose icons in Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, within about 48 hours of each other.

Jackson's story is the most sad. Those of us who were young when his record-setting "Thriller" album came out reminisced Thursday afternoon. Almost every radio station seemed to have a Jackson tune on the rest of the day Thursday.

His talent was unquestioned. However, so too were his bad choices made in later years.

My wife, who's a bit younger than me, has been appalled by the outpouring of love for a man whose actions involving young children have been brought into question. As a dad with young kids, I can understand why.

Fawcett's death had been more expected than Jackson's, as her three-year bout with cancer came to an end with loved ones, including longtime companion Ryan O'Neal at her side.

Those of us in my age range and slightly older remember her as our favorite of Charlie's Angels.

And for McMahon, leaving this world at nearly the same time as Jackson and Fawcett leaves him playing second -- or even third -- fiddle again, much as he did throughout the best years of his career working with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.

It's all about timing, even when your time is up.

n n n

It's so hot out there, you can ...

(I can't believe I stooped to such a clich?. I can't do this. OK, maybe I will, just this once ...)

It's so hot out there, you can burn the tops of your feet because your black shoes got so hot under the beating sun.