11/9/2006

Today, let’s address the most-sought after Svengoolie prop- something synonymous with this program- you see it on the current Sven t-shirt-you see it on air every week- and, if I’m not carrying it when I do an appearance, people ask about it- yes, I’m talking about- the rubber chicken!!! Historically (if not hysterically) it’s been a comedy prop for centuries…Wikipedia, that fountain of true, semi-true, and not nearly true information, says that the first rubber chicken may be attributed to famous clown Grimaldi back in the early 1800s, where he made fun of wealthy gluttons of the upper class by having his pockets loaded with fake food-including the rubber chicken. Famous west coast gag company Archie McPhee claims that French Revoluntary soldiers hung rubber chickens from their muskets for luck. Yeah, that seems plausible…the chickens were a stock vaudeville prop, often used to bash a stooge ( a comedic underling- that’s where the 3 Stooges got their name) over the head. The tie-in to the Svengoolie family was, of course, Jerry G. Bishop’s use of a gaggle of rubber chickens being hurled at him as vengeance for a bad joke- and I continue the family tradition today. Any time I do a public appearance, at least a couple people will bring their own rubber chickens-in various sizes- for me to autograph. This is sometimes difficult- ones with plenty of “goosebumps” (I mean “chicken bumps”-you know, to give the illusion that the chicken has been plucked) will often be hard to write over. Remember, kids, the smoother the rubber chicken, the more legible the autograph. People also send me the chicken catapult “chicken chucker” which throws small chickens-keyring chickens, small beanbag chickens, chickens that bang cymbals like those toy monkeys do, one almost four foot giant rubber chicken (thanks, Adam!),and a disgusting chicken that- when you squeeze it- from between its legs comes a clear ball with a yolk in it, swimming in some ungodly fluid. I’ve also received chicken hats, stuffed chickens (plush, not Pepperidge Farm), and –once- a real chicken foot. Actually, we think it was a turkey foot. A friend working here was adamant that I didn’t actually touch it, because it might be cursed.(Maybe it was- I did have to show “Return to Mayberry”…) The chickens are so popular, when I do some appearances, the venue will actually purchase chickens they then sell for me to sign! The rubber chicken- good for comedy, good for the economy. Svengoolie- good for nothing. More blogism will come your way tomorrow. I promise I’ll keep a rubber chicken next to my keyboard while I write it…# # #