What a week. We started off with the loss of Ed McMahon, and then yesterday the news of Farrah Fawcett's passing, followed by the shocking and sudden death of Michael Jackson.

Ed McMahon's contributions to game shows were easy and obvious. However, it's interesting to note that Fawcett and Jackson have something in common other than the date of their untimely deaths. Both superstars were contestants on The Dating Game.

Michael Jackson appeared on the show at the tender age of 14, in 1972. It's almost heartbreaking to watch the clip now, which you can find on YouTube. He's the same shy and soft-spoken person that the world came to know and love, but the pure innocence in his young face is quite moving, considering what was to come for him. Jackson ended up choosing a young lady by the name of LaTanya Simmons, who was awarded with a "date" with Jackson in New York City, to attend a Jackson 5 concert. Especially endearing is the fact that her mother and a chaperone were also included.

Farrah Fawcett was a contestant on The Dating Game in 1969. She is introduced as a "former beauty title holder" and concept artist. At the end of the round, the three guys stage a fight which is a hat tip to April Fool's Day. Farrah chooses Joey Hooker, an actor. This clip can also be found on YouTube.

One has to wonder what Joey and LaTanya are doing now, and what their memories of their time on The Dating Game (and of course, the dates themselves) are like!

As always, our thoughts and sympathy go out to the families of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, who were both taken from us too soon.

Photo of Michael Jackson courtesy Getty Images