Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

This refers to 49 Up. I don’t think this merits a spoiler alert. Someone I thought was dead is NOT dead.

Some point last spring, I believe, I was reading either Entertainment Weekly or People (or InStyle or Us Weekly. Or Star. (“Or Weekly World News?” you ask sarcastically.)) It was one of those mags with a “Milestones” section that lists births, marriages, death. And I Swear To You on my ovaries, I read that Neil had died. Neil. You know, Neil from the Up Series. “Delicate” Neil. “Vulnerable Neil.” Homeless Neil. Neil died.

“Died: Neil Hughes of the Michael Apted Up series…” etc. I READ this. I tore the page out for Mom and saved it for her. It was in my bill basket, and then I lost track of it. It said he died from either an accident on a rural road, or a suicide. I couldn’t find the article. I still went ahead and told Mom that Neil had died.

And now I hear he is not dead. But I read it! In a publication! I can see the words. On the left side of the page, near the bottom. I’ve searched all over the internet for “‘Neil Hughes”‘ + Dead.” No such mention. Also, “‘Neil Hughes”‘ + Dead + Errata.” Also a blank.

However, I was reading in bed. All I can guess is that the sleepwalking is back.