Merrill Howard Kalin RIP

http://www.legacy.com/ChicagoTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=112237897

I just heard early this morning from my friend and former roommate that Merrill Howard Kalin has, in fact, passed away. In June, at the age of 45. For those of you who don't know, Merrill was the star of his own public access cooking show that garnered a large following (let's admit it--for the wrong reasons) from the clips of it on YouTube.

I have to admit I watched the videos, puzzled at first...surely this was an early 80s SNL sketch...surely something would go horribly wrong. But no, Merrill cracks on and proceeds to cook what looks like a delicious chicken dinner. Along the way Merrill laughs, laments his fallen Jell-O mold (it was in there a long time, Merrill) and does impressions of his favorite clebrities. It was truly a magical thing to behold.

I'm going to Chicago in a couple of weeks (as I won't shut up about), and I had the faintest glimmer of hope that I might run into the man himself there. He was living in or around Palatine, Illinois, and while I have no idea how close that is to Chicago, there was still a warm fuzzy feeling that Mr. Kalin and I would be in the same state, at the very least.

If you can, try to find the entire video. YouTube has taken it down again and again, and I'm not a fan of all the cut-up versions (though I am intrigued by the "Lost Tapes" teaser...where is the rest of that footage?!) . The show is a delight from start to finish, and if you watch it, remember to laugh with Merrill, not at him. Hey, he looks like he's having a wonderful time. You will too.

So farewell, Merrill, and remember: never use a knife without an angel present...