by Morrie Gelman

I was distressed to learn of Roger’s passing. The news was a complete shock. I didn’t even know he was sick.
(more…)

by Larry Michie

Perhaps they should have been called Variety Operatives rather than reporters or salesmen. The overseas staffers of the Silverman era had a special character and toughness and gusto all their own, and to juggle journalism and commerce, as many did, required full employment of all their skills and judgment.
(more…)

The following has been posted on Simesite for a long time in the “Muggs” section. But for those of you who didn’t notice it, we reproduce it here on the occasion of Roger’s passing. Here is Rog’s account of how he got the Variety job, in his own words:
(more…)

by Mort Bryer

It was late on a raw, chilly, damp November day in 1978 that I was sitting next to Roger Watkins in the back seat of one of those wonderful London cabs, creeping up a narrow street somewhere in the bowels of London, already late for appointments with a several clients, including one at the Beeb.  The cab inched along in the usual heavy traffic in central London. A 90 year old, with a walker and a bad case of bunions, could have made better time.
(more…)

by Fred Lombardi

Serving as editor of Variety between Syd Silverman and Peter Bart, Roger Watkins represented the last stretch of continuity in the editor’s chair from the original Variety to its transition into a corporate entity.

Roger also evoked the past in other ways. There is always pressure on upper echelon people to be very limited in their candor. I always found Roger to be very straightforward, a straight arrow guy with a keen sense of fun. He was accessible to everyone and communication levels with the staff were always strong.

In the last few years my contact with Roger was limited to a few emails but I always considered him to be a friend. I was very disappointed when I learned that he was unable to appear at the Variety Reunion. I was deeply saddened when I learned of the circumstances that made that absence unavoidable. I am further saddened today to learn that all communication lines to Roger are now gone.