Scoop’s Views

Ed McMahon, the former face of Publisher’s Clearinghouse sweepstakes, who teased Americans for years that he could show up at the door of anyone’s home, at any time, and make them a millionaire, seems to be in need of a sweepstakes win these days.

In recent days, McMahon’s financial woes have gone public, and now he says that he is "representing many people in the same situation." What a crock! Perhaps he should ask one of his neighbors, such as Britney Spears, if he represents everyday people.

The 85-year-old Ed McMahon, the former sidekick to the late Johnny Carson, has a home with a mortgage of around 4½ million dollars on a home he and his latest wife, Pamela, purchased in 1990, then, as a result of toxic mold that grew in the home, won a judgement for more than $7 million.

He is currently, according to media reports, around $644,000 in arrears on his mortgage payments, and, according to his attorney, in " Is there any reason I should feel pity for Ed McMahon and his wife, Pamela? No. They had a life of comfort, but as she said in an interview, they were irresponsible with their millions, and now, as a result, are in financial trouble.

"We didn’t keep our eye on the ball. We made mistakes. It’s embarrassing to say the least, and it’s sad, because you know, Ed’s worked his whole entire life," Pamela McMahon was quoted in a variety of media outlets as saying.

According to his spokesman, Howard Bragman, McMahon has been unable to work as a pitchman for various products since he broke his neck 18 months ago. That’s interesting. He’s been out-and-about, such as to the premiere of The Simpsons Movie in Los Angeles, on July 24, 2007.

If he could go to the movie, what kept him from doing work in front of a camera, either sitting or standing? If you look at the latest photos of him, there could be the truth: he looks horrible.

Does Ed McMahon "humanize" the woes of everyday Americans? Not a chance. The woes Ed McMahon is facing are woes brought on by himself and his wife. In fact, his dear wife said if she and Ed were forced to being renting a place to live, she would never give up her seven dogs.

Ed McMahon does, however, put a face on the grandiose lifestyle of far too many in Hollywood. Instead of buying homes with six and seven zeros before the decimal point, look for homes that are meant for living in, not entertaining 30 people — something much better suited for a restaurant or banquet hall.

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Tags: mortgage crisis, housing, crisis, loans, sub-prime mortgages, home loans, Ed McMahon, bank repossessions, repo, refinancing, refinance, evictions, eviction notices, Pamela McMahon, toxic mold, Britney Spears, Simpsons Movie, grandiose lifestyles, Hollywood, Publishers Clearinghouse, sweepstakes, Johnny Carson