RIP Morton Downey Jr. I can’t remember why I watched the Morton Downey Jr. Show on WWOR in New York, but I did a few times. It was so unlike anything else on TV at the time, and he was so rude and loud, I guess it was like rubbernecking a car accident on the side of the road. He had a big pewter bowl that he used as a huge ashtray. In 1989, an MIT student faked his way onto the show with a very controversial topic. Downey battled lung cancer for many years, quit smoking and became an anti-smoking advocate. Even though I didn’t care for his personality, I have to respect people with the guts to tell you things straight out and without apology.