Hilarious story and cultural anecdote. Thank you, Richard for an entertaining and informative piece. It brought to mind the Orson Welles show on _The War of the Worlds._ Obviously, you need good actors to pull it off.
One of those thunderstorms that shake the whole island, you have sat through them, is going on. I usually cower on the stairwell leading to the bottom floor dining room (whoops, flash, bang and more bangs). Instead I am lying in bed in hysterics thinking of how I might pull out the baby clothes in the attic and dress the mice running around the cellar pulling cotton off the mop. Actually, they may be using the mop bits for dressing their offspring rather than preparing a nest. I never thought of that until I heard about the lecture at your prep school.
I actually remember this "campaign" from my childhood, which resulted in the host of a San Francisco kids' TV show putting underwear on his Dalmatian sidekick Rowdy for one episode. Even then we understood that SINA was nutty, but I at least always assumed its founder was sincere in the same way that Flat Earthers are sincere.
And it's pretty funny to think that your school would have SINA's "spokesman" (Buck Henry!) as a guest speaker. As you say, they may have been desperate for any speakers at all.
What a riot! Crazy that your school fell for such nonsense at that late date---sounds so Victorian, when they even put skirts on pianos. Though I do have a female friend who won't have male dogs, because she doesn't want to see their "plumbing." 🫣
This is outrageously good. For a moment there I thought that surely you must have misremembered. I love that this really happened. What a story, thanks for sharing.
My first reaction was exactly the same, “Holy Cow!” But then I thought of nowadays and what we can find on the Internet and see/hear from the TV screen, I thought we didn’t stray too far away from what you have described, Richard. Anyhow, it was entertaining and made me even burst out laughing, imagining you, all in awe, sitting on the floor in front of that dude.
oh sweet Jesus. this is so rich. i have so many not-questions!
it occurs to me that another reason your prep school brought him in was because they wanted to add to the students' guilt load.
and, Walter Cronkite!?
and Buck Henry! too rich! the casting director in me, who always wonders, "who else was considered for the role?" is chomping at the bit (no animal pun intended or maybe it is). how many other unemployed actors auditioned? i'm imagining Alan Abel saying to his wife, the only other person in the room, "we've found our man. Buck Henry is the best deadpan improv out there." or the only unemployed one, his wife mumbles.
how has this not been turned into a film?!
signing off now to find Buck Henry and Belushi doing Samurai. thank you, Rich, for making my day.
Hysterical!👏👏👏
Hilarious story and cultural anecdote. Thank you, Richard for an entertaining and informative piece. It brought to mind the Orson Welles show on _The War of the Worlds._ Obviously, you need good actors to pull it off.
So glad you liked it. Pretty crazy!
One of those thunderstorms that shake the whole island, you have sat through them, is going on. I usually cower on the stairwell leading to the bottom floor dining room (whoops, flash, bang and more bangs). Instead I am lying in bed in hysterics thinking of how I might pull out the baby clothes in the attic and dress the mice running around the cellar pulling cotton off the mop. Actually, they may be using the mop bits for dressing their offspring rather than preparing a nest. I never thought of that until I heard about the lecture at your prep school.
If you manage to get those mice clothed, please send me a photo.
There's a moral here but I'm not quite sure what it is.
PS, something in the same family from the 18th century.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185435958291
I don't think so. Just a bit of creative silliness.
Thank you, Richard. Every time I read your story, it makes a good day for me.
Great story, Richard!
I actually remember this "campaign" from my childhood, which resulted in the host of a San Francisco kids' TV show putting underwear on his Dalmatian sidekick Rowdy for one episode. Even then we understood that SINA was nutty, but I at least always assumed its founder was sincere in the same way that Flat Earthers are sincere.
And it's pretty funny to think that your school would have SINA's "spokesman" (Buck Henry!) as a guest speaker. As you say, they may have been desperate for any speakers at all.
You're the first one I've ever met, Laura, who had actual experience with this phenomenon! And, yes, it appears my school would let anyone speak.
What a riot! Crazy that your school fell for such nonsense at that late date---sounds so Victorian, when they even put skirts on pianos. Though I do have a female friend who won't have male dogs, because she doesn't want to see their "plumbing." 🫣
I'm glad I didn't date your friend in high school!
And I feel sorry for her husband!
This is outrageously good. For a moment there I thought that surely you must have misremembered. I love that this really happened. What a story, thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome. Thanks for reading it.
My first reaction was exactly the same, “Holy Cow!” But then I thought of nowadays and what we can find on the Internet and see/hear from the TV screen, I thought we didn’t stray too far away from what you have described, Richard. Anyhow, it was entertaining and made me even burst out laughing, imagining you, all in awe, sitting on the floor in front of that dude.
When I can make you laugh, Marina, I've had a good day.
A riot. Did you send a copy of this posting to your school?
Not yet!
oh sweet Jesus. this is so rich. i have so many not-questions!
it occurs to me that another reason your prep school brought him in was because they wanted to add to the students' guilt load.
and, Walter Cronkite!?
and Buck Henry! too rich! the casting director in me, who always wonders, "who else was considered for the role?" is chomping at the bit (no animal pun intended or maybe it is). how many other unemployed actors auditioned? i'm imagining Alan Abel saying to his wife, the only other person in the room, "we've found our man. Buck Henry is the best deadpan improv out there." or the only unemployed one, his wife mumbles.
how has this not been turned into a film?!
signing off now to find Buck Henry and Belushi doing Samurai. thank you, Rich, for making my day.
Sooooo glad you enjoyed it, Suzanne!