Got Smarts

My friend Bill and I went to see "Get Smart," while our wives and a gaggle of gal pals threw a feast to schmooze about feta cheeses, sangrias, and all things "darling," except men who go to see "Get Smart."

Would you believe he left the movie to buy popcorn and never returned?

Would you believe I hiked and spelunked the entire 24-screen theatre and concourses to locate him?

Would you believe he was meditating with a Kung Fu Panda?

And loving it.

And stuck.


I spent forever hopping Bill across the parking lot and into the car. He's a big guy, which made the wincing even more poignant.

Fortunately, he was driving and his pointy leg could stretch out of the window.

It took another seven hours back to the house since we could only make lefts.


More Bill: "Another Dream Served" | "Dishonorable" | "Jolly Green Juvenile Delinquent"

100 Things About Me #153

Wonderful WINO

George Carlin appeared on ABC's "The Hollywood Palace," Dec. 10, 1966, in an episode co-hosted by Jimmy Durante and his hat. Carlin performed this sketch about radio station WINO.


_{Can't see the video? Try here.}
I'd seek Carlin on the various TV programs of the day, where the WINO routine and several others, including Al Sleet, the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, established his fame. I remember clearly, a walking home from school ritual, reciting the comedian's act to myself.

The three-second "Wonderful WINO" jingle was as instrumental as anything else in leading me to my career in radio. It was always a kick to play the call letter jingles on the air between the shady used car dealer commercials and the moldy oldies.

During my deejay years at WFOM, Marietta, an Atlanta suburb, we'd refer to the station as "Wonderful Woofum" -- a nod to Carlin, and dripping sarcasm in the same breath.

My secret wish was to have a jingle where the singers crooned my name, but I worked for broadcasters unwilling to invest in an orchestra and chorus for Mikey. Oh, they of misguided priorities.

I did get to voice "Starts Friday at a theatre or drive-in near you" a lot, and "Free balloons for the kids!" so that was nice.


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Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter, Where Everything Must Be Said in 140 Characters or Less

Just in: "Verne Troyer sex tape scandal." If I cared, I'd make some remark about it must be a short subject, but I don't care. No big thing.

Mini Me's Mini Me? I do not care.

Re: @alisondoyle on your 10 years with About.com. I've got 10 years and 3 months. Congrats from the future.

And not to brag or anything, but in my 10 years and 3 months with About.com, I've amassed as many as 9 coherent sentences. So, I've grown...

[In reply] @htmljenn she d0 saye 2 moi: "@MikeDurrett that's almost 1 coherency a year! congrats!" -- Tank ewe berry mulch!

I'd have to say the most fun I ever had on a job was doing morning radio. This one comes in #2, right above Fashionista to Amy Winehouse.

My year-over-year drooling is down, but I'm working on that. I've invested far too much time in newfangled hives and stupors.

I finished writing my newsletter 8 whole hours before the deadline! What is wrong with me? It's usually 8 seconds early. I feel so chump.

[In reply] @barbcrews sez she "may have to quit following [me] if keep being that productive." I promise to do worse. My apologies, I have let you up.

[In reply] @htmljenn sez: "I was debating unfollowing you too." I know the feeling. I don't even follow me.

What the Heck Was I Thinking?

Actual Messages I Wrote, Forgot, Then Found While Cleaning Out My Email Folders

06/04/08

Listen, as a friend, I know it's Sophia Loren Month. Take extra showers. And breathe.

06/03/08

We don't need no faux volcanic lava tubes with my bladder.

06/03/08

I'm probably in 1-D, an extremely wide 1-D.

Never Misses a String

How

John Wayne and the Cowcatboy

The Good, the Bad and the Morty