He doesn't feel sorry for Ed McMahon
Posted
Jun 10 2008, 03:35 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Sure, it's sad that TV icon Ed McMahon is facing foreclosure on his $6 million Beverly Hills mansion. But "PT" at Prime Time Money is irritated by the way McMahon has gone public with his housing woes. Ed has said he hopes his story will help others who are about to lose their homes.
"In my opinion, a millionaire, who could get any type of mortgage he wanted, has no business being the spokesperson for the foreclosure issues facing the few who really got duped," PT writes. "... I'm convinced he's simply hyping this to get the house sold."
PT does commend McMahon, just the latest celebrity in a foreclosure jam, for being upfront about why he's in this mess. Ed said on "Larry King Live," "If you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. You know, a couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that."
His wife, Pamela, also was forthright, telling Larry King, "Over the years, it's a combination of maybe Ed working so hard and not looking at proper management. We didn't keep our eye on the ball. We made mistakes."
But Ed doesn't deserve to be the poster boy for the foreclosure era, PT says. "If I was someone really struggling with potential foreclosure, an adjustable-rate mortgage, and crooked lenders, I would be offended that Ed is comparing himself to me."
Of course, PT's readers shared their opinions about McMahon's troubles (as did readers of MSN Money). Ellen commented, "Ed McMahon was irresponsible, not ripped off and misled like thousands of lower-income families. Nevertheless, kicking an 85-year-old out of their home, regardless of the reasons, isn't something I would want to be responsible for."
Luke said, referring to Ed's role as presenter for the American Family Publishers sweepstakes, "He never brought a check to my house so I don't really care." "Mrs. PT" jumped into the mix with "Can't everybody just give the poor guy a break? He did, after all, bring us 'Star Search.'"
