A Boy, His Dog, and Their Descent Into Madness
November 25, 2007 5:31 AM Subscribe
On public access TV in Seattle a preacher named Bruce Howard rambled each week for twenty five minutes about love and hope. He would then abruptly burst into song (some covers, some original) and lavish affection onto his pug, BUSTER LOVE! We watched at first to mock, and then grew to genuinely like him. But sometime between then and now he seems to have gone mad (last two links nsfw-ish).
Nutso preacher dude isn't half as scary as the zombie people standing behind him.
posted by juv3nal at 6:02 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by juv3nal at 6:02 AM on November 25, 2007
You dipthong!
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:04 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:04 AM on November 25, 2007
I thought he was doing a kind of white guy impression of Bill Cosby.
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 6:04 AM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 6:04 AM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
hmmmm ... i've never been a televangelist watcher/mocker, but a friend of mine gave me an audio recording of this guy a few months back. sounds like what i imagine is the standard crazy fire-and-brimstone bullshit to me. methinks that's not the holy spirit in which he's possessed.
posted by msconduct at 6:05 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by msconduct at 6:05 AM on November 25, 2007
I get the impression this guy employs a wide stance.
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 6:11 AM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 6:11 AM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
ok. i just watched the 'i gotta be me' video and maybe it's not the *standard* crazy fire-and-brimstone bullshit. it's a crazy fire-and-brimstone bullshit variety half hour.
posted by msconduct at 6:14 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by msconduct at 6:14 AM on November 25, 2007
Wow. I don't have a jokey comment, I just think this guy is awesome.
posted by stavrogin at 6:49 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by stavrogin at 6:49 AM on November 25, 2007
Hmm. I haven't seen the Rev in many years (we have satellite instead of cable these days), but when I first saw him on back in the 90s or maybe even earlier, he was very dark then. Dark background and glowering closeups, very satanic-looking. So I was more surprised by the pastel-background cheerfulness. Maybe the current persona is just a regression.
posted by litlnemo at 7:01 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by litlnemo at 7:01 AM on November 25, 2007
I think that dog's a French Bulldog.
I know someone who is like the post-transformation reverend in everyday life. It drifts between annoying and hilarious depending on my mood. He lives at home with his father and this is my favorite story about his "persona" (which he can't seem to get away from):
One day he and another friend and I were supposed to go see Being John Malkovich in the theatre. We couldn't get in touch with him so me and the friend did something else. When I got home there was a message on my machine:
Peter in enraged reverend voice: "If you bastards went to see Being John Malkovich without me--"
[sound of extension being picked up] Father: "Peter, are you on the phone?"
Peter in sweet son voice: "Yeah dad, I'll be off in a minute."
Father: "Okay." [hangs up extension]
Peter in enraged reverend voice (without missing a beat): "--your flesh will melt from your bones in meaty strips!" [hangs up]
I saved the message for years but lost it when I switched telephone companies.
posted by dobbs at 7:11 AM on November 25, 2007 [5 favorites]
I know someone who is like the post-transformation reverend in everyday life. It drifts between annoying and hilarious depending on my mood. He lives at home with his father and this is my favorite story about his "persona" (which he can't seem to get away from):
One day he and another friend and I were supposed to go see Being John Malkovich in the theatre. We couldn't get in touch with him so me and the friend did something else. When I got home there was a message on my machine:
Peter in enraged reverend voice: "If you bastards went to see Being John Malkovich without me--"
[sound of extension being picked up] Father: "Peter, are you on the phone?"
Peter in sweet son voice: "Yeah dad, I'll be off in a minute."
Father: "Okay." [hangs up extension]
Peter in enraged reverend voice (without missing a beat): "--your flesh will melt from your bones in meaty strips!" [hangs up]
I saved the message for years but lost it when I switched telephone companies.
posted by dobbs at 7:11 AM on November 25, 2007 [5 favorites]
Actually, I think it's a Boston Terrier.
posted by PlusDistance at 7:23 AM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by PlusDistance at 7:23 AM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
oh, this guy! i used to watch a lot of seattle public access tv in the mid/late 90's. he was ... impressive. definitely some changes in his neurochemistry (with or without the help of meds) in there.
posted by rmd1023 at 7:29 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by rmd1023 at 7:29 AM on November 25, 2007
It's Reverand Silas now...and is his new dog is called 'Flagellant'.......it's a Whippet...oof.
posted by greenskpr at 7:35 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by greenskpr at 7:35 AM on November 25, 2007
Guy didn't blink much before he went batshit. The dog seemed to blink normally, though.
posted by dilettante at 8:01 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by dilettante at 8:01 AM on November 25, 2007
This seems pretty normal for preaching. How is this guy more nuts than any other minister?
posted by cccorlew at 8:06 AM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by cccorlew at 8:06 AM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
I will have to watch these when I get the time. I was a big fan of his old style shows where he ranted in all black before an all black backdrop and his dressed in all black crew. He knew how to get the most out of public access television studio production values. And his rants were so funny--he would never get to the point and just skipped from tangent to tangent and interrupt himself to drop in little bon mots like ...and there are people who that God is dead--and he is BUT I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT
I once wanted to do an interview with this guy and called the number given at the end of his show. With the feeling that he was listening in to the conversation, I got interviewed in detail by one of his ensemble over the phone and then got to talk to him a couple of times on the phone pre interview, as it were, before the interview I never did. Oh, how I wish I had tapes of that. He is very smart and very well read man.
This was before he started his second incarnation with the singing, God is Love and good cheer with Buster. I liked him better as the somber ranter. He was more interesting. The second Bruce was scarier to me. And certainly Buster looked totally terrified. When I was talking to him, I sent him a cassette of a gospel blues collection called Holy Blues. I have always hoped that this had nothing to do with his change.
Someone put up a fan site in the pre-YouTube days and he made them take down their videos. He will likely do the same when he finds out about these clips.
posted by y2karl at 8:21 AM on November 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
I once wanted to do an interview with this guy and called the number given at the end of his show. With the feeling that he was listening in to the conversation, I got interviewed in detail by one of his ensemble over the phone and then got to talk to him a couple of times on the phone pre interview, as it were, before the interview I never did. Oh, how I wish I had tapes of that. He is very smart and very well read man.
This was before he started his second incarnation with the singing, God is Love and good cheer with Buster. I liked him better as the somber ranter. He was more interesting. The second Bruce was scarier to me. And certainly Buster looked totally terrified. When I was talking to him, I sent him a cassette of a gospel blues collection called Holy Blues. I have always hoped that this had nothing to do with his change.
Someone put up a fan site in the pre-YouTube days and he made them take down their videos. He will likely do the same when he finds out about these clips.
posted by y2karl at 8:21 AM on November 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
I love the idea of this post, by the way, and wish I had thought of looking for the Rev. Bruce on YouTube. So good on you for posting this. I think the Rev. Bruce in his prime on a good night was one of the best things on public access anywhere at the time.
Heh, and I have a couple of episodes of the old school all-black show on VHS I got from the Rev. himself, handed over to me in apublic location by one of the four in black on his behalf. (Communicating with the guy was like something out of a spy novel...) I could crank out a couple of these myself if I thought the Rev. wouldn't mind. But I rather think he would.
posted by y2karl at 8:32 AM on November 25, 2007
Heh, and I have a couple of episodes of the old school all-black show on VHS I got from the Rev. himself, handed over to me in apublic location by one of the four in black on his behalf. (Communicating with the guy was like something out of a spy novel...) I could crank out a couple of these myself if I thought the Rev. wouldn't mind. But I rather think he would.
posted by y2karl at 8:32 AM on November 25, 2007
Now that I looked at what YouTube offers, I have to point out the transformation was from the all black turtle neck to pastels, coat and tie and Buster. So, I don't know where they got their order of transformation switched. The angry Zen master edition was not half as scary as the whole night and day transformation into the second softer Rev. Bruce.
Well, other than the flogging episode--which I have to admit I never saw or heard of before this post. That's a wowser. But he is a natural born showman. And a very charismatic character--he was a guru slash existential personal trainer when I was speaking with him. That was how he made his living. In another era he'd have a church or be running a medicine show. He was a very interesting character. I have no idea of what he is doing now.
posted by y2karl at 8:52 AM on November 25, 2007
Well, other than the flogging episode--which I have to admit I never saw or heard of before this post. That's a wowser. But he is a natural born showman. And a very charismatic character--he was a guru slash existential personal trainer when I was speaking with him. That was how he made his living. In another era he'd have a church or be running a medicine show. He was a very interesting character. I have no idea of what he is doing now.
posted by y2karl at 8:52 AM on November 25, 2007
You know, I opened the 78RPM record link in another tab, and watching this dingbat's ranting to that soundtrack made it really something. thanks for that.
posted by Busithoth at 8:52 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Busithoth at 8:52 AM on November 25, 2007
Dude is drunk.
posted by Neiltupper at 9:12 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Neiltupper at 9:12 AM on November 25, 2007
I fear this is what happened to quonsar.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:21 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:21 AM on November 25, 2007
Man, I feel like a total square here, how did I miss this guy back in the day? As recompense, I'd like to point you all to this gal, whose Seattle public access body-painted nekkid dancing was not as titillating as you might hope.
posted by Tube at 9:48 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Tube at 9:48 AM on November 25, 2007
Ah, the ubiquitous and seemingly impossible to escape Goddess Kring.
posted by y2karl at 9:57 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by y2karl at 9:57 AM on November 25, 2007
Rev Bruce! Wow, so many nights of my youth were spent watching him, Shannon Kringen, and Bong-Hit Finals (was that what it was called?) on public access tv. I see Shannon on a somewhat regular basis, these days; she's a figure model for art classes. She's actually very nice, and surprisingly shy, in person.
posted by TochterAusElysium at 10:01 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by TochterAusElysium at 10:01 AM on November 25, 2007
Hang on, youtube is down, right? Whatch'all lookin' at?
posted by dash_slot- at 10:02 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by dash_slot- at 10:02 AM on November 25, 2007
My you tube seems to be clogged as well. Damn trucks.
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:10 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:10 AM on November 25, 2007
That's a Boston, alright. I like that dog and owner have matching bug-eyes.
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 10:24 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 10:24 AM on November 25, 2007
Something about his earlier ranting videos reminds me of a BOB-possessed Ray Wise from Twin Peaks. Maybe it's the crazy eyes while smiling and singing, like in the "covers" link.
Man, Seattle public access... why don't I watch that anymore? Mike Hunt for your late Wednesday night "Holy shit, there's hard core porn on my teevee!" fix, or Bong Hit Championship, and of course Shannon Kringen. The saddest part- pardon the mefi-boy-zone perspective, please- is that after all that naturalism and body beautiful schtick for years, she then went and got plastic surgery... but not lipo or a tummy tuck, oh no, she got a breast reduction. Sigh...
posted by hincandenza at 10:38 AM on November 25, 2007
Man, Seattle public access... why don't I watch that anymore? Mike Hunt for your late Wednesday night "Holy shit, there's hard core porn on my teevee!" fix, or Bong Hit Championship, and of course Shannon Kringen. The saddest part- pardon the mefi-boy-zone perspective, please- is that after all that naturalism and body beautiful schtick for years, she then went and got plastic surgery... but not lipo or a tummy tuck, oh no, she got a breast reduction. Sigh...
posted by hincandenza at 10:38 AM on November 25, 2007
Man, I was born on the wrong coast. Although we've had our fair share of weird shit on Staten Island's CTV.
posted by Venadium at 10:58 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Venadium at 10:58 AM on November 25, 2007
I see your Bruce Howard and raise you a Doctor Gene Effin Scott!!!
posted by ZachsMind at 10:58 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by ZachsMind at 10:58 AM on November 25, 2007
The answer is yes; violence is a necessary tool of the future.
posted by Curry at 10:58 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Curry at 10:58 AM on November 25, 2007
I had a show on the Mighty 29, and for one season we were on right after Reverend Bruce. There was one night we were getting set up and a couple of us had to go get some equipment out of the lobby, where Bruce and his crew were waiting to go into the other studio. I didn't want to provoke the crazy man, so I didn't say anything. But my friend, bless her, looked right at the followers and asked, "do you really believe him?" One woman looked right back at her and said, "we're here, aren't we?"
I ended up provoking the crazy man anyway; another night, after the show, we were in the lobby, getting ready to leave. On the monitor, we saw Bruce mutter something about "non-believing fools" and walk off camera. A moment later he stormed into the lobby and, essentially, told us all to get off his lawn.
It was a lot less stressful, but less interesting, when we starting pre-taping our show.
/wonders if anyone remembers The Movie Geek Show...
posted by mgrichmond at 10:59 AM on November 25, 2007
I ended up provoking the crazy man anyway; another night, after the show, we were in the lobby, getting ready to leave. On the monitor, we saw Bruce mutter something about "non-believing fools" and walk off camera. A moment later he stormed into the lobby and, essentially, told us all to get off his lawn.
It was a lot less stressful, but less interesting, when we starting pre-taping our show.
/wonders if anyone remembers The Movie Geek Show...
posted by mgrichmond at 10:59 AM on November 25, 2007
Was the Movie Geek show the one where the old guy would show movie trailers, then give away free movie passes to various theaters? I always thought that was a sketchy one- it irked me that Mike Hunt was getting hassled by The Man, while this guy appeared to be little more than a shill for movie studios. I wondered if he got a small check each week for pimping the latest movie trailers, which would be blatantly commercial and antithetical to the principals of public access TV.
posted by hincandenza at 11:10 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by hincandenza at 11:10 AM on November 25, 2007
How are his "students" behind him not bursting into laughter?
posted by -t at 11:12 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by -t at 11:12 AM on November 25, 2007
Wow, I'm surprised so many people actually know of him, and even more surprised that a couple people here have talked to him. That's astonishing to me.
You know, I was reading y2karl's comments and I was thinking, wait a minute- he did actually look sort of younger in the black period. I think you're right, those are clearly from before the pastel period. I'm sort of relieved- I was unaware of the earlier stuff, and I thought he had just sort of lost it (thinking it was later). But I can see how the other stuff might be disturbing too.
He's a voice coach in Seattle. At least, he was, and it's pretty easily Googleable, but I wasn't sure enough it was the same guy to include it in the post. But it probably is the same guy.
cccorlew writes: This seems pretty normal for preaching. How is this guy more nuts than any other minister?
I guess there are a couple of things. One is that he doesn't seem to be talking about the bible- he's just sort of rambling, and inserting the word "love" or "god" every now and then. y2karl's take is pretty accurate. There's really no way to follow what he's talking about. It's as if he's talking to a few specific people who understand his message, and everyone else is left out.
The other thing is his singing, which is sort of abrupt. He'll be ranting, and then all of the sudden he's singing, and not usually a hymn- he's more likely to sing a Beatles or Sinatra song.
And then there's Buster Love (who is definitely not a pug, sorry again for that). He's so obviously devoted to that dog, and the dog- I have to disagree that he's terrified. It looks to me like he's just sort of chilling.
I think Reverend Bruce is an acquired taste. Sometime after I started watching him regularly, and then started taping him, I sent a copy of the tape with six episodes to one of my friends who lived across the country. I didn't send any explanation, just the tape. I came home later to find three messages on my machine- the first one said, "What's with this guy rambling. I don't get it." The next message said, "Hmm... the singing is sort of interesting, I guess." And by the time she left the last message, she had seen Buster Love and had totally been sucked in and it was her new favorite thing. I think that's how it is with this guy.
If you're interested in more of the "black period," there's lots more here (scroll down).
posted by jiiota at 11:23 AM on November 25, 2007
You know, I was reading y2karl's comments and I was thinking, wait a minute- he did actually look sort of younger in the black period. I think you're right, those are clearly from before the pastel period. I'm sort of relieved- I was unaware of the earlier stuff, and I thought he had just sort of lost it (thinking it was later). But I can see how the other stuff might be disturbing too.
He's a voice coach in Seattle. At least, he was, and it's pretty easily Googleable, but I wasn't sure enough it was the same guy to include it in the post. But it probably is the same guy.
cccorlew writes: This seems pretty normal for preaching. How is this guy more nuts than any other minister?
I guess there are a couple of things. One is that he doesn't seem to be talking about the bible- he's just sort of rambling, and inserting the word "love" or "god" every now and then. y2karl's take is pretty accurate. There's really no way to follow what he's talking about. It's as if he's talking to a few specific people who understand his message, and everyone else is left out.
The other thing is his singing, which is sort of abrupt. He'll be ranting, and then all of the sudden he's singing, and not usually a hymn- he's more likely to sing a Beatles or Sinatra song.
And then there's Buster Love (who is definitely not a pug, sorry again for that). He's so obviously devoted to that dog, and the dog- I have to disagree that he's terrified. It looks to me like he's just sort of chilling.
I think Reverend Bruce is an acquired taste. Sometime after I started watching him regularly, and then started taping him, I sent a copy of the tape with six episodes to one of my friends who lived across the country. I didn't send any explanation, just the tape. I came home later to find three messages on my machine- the first one said, "What's with this guy rambling. I don't get it." The next message said, "Hmm... the singing is sort of interesting, I guess." And by the time she left the last message, she had seen Buster Love and had totally been sucked in and it was her new favorite thing. I think that's how it is with this guy.
If you're interested in more of the "black period," there's lots more here (scroll down).
posted by jiiota at 11:23 AM on November 25, 2007
Holy crap. Now I know who does the superimposed mouth on those Conan skits.
posted by dreamsign at 11:31 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by dreamsign at 11:31 AM on November 25, 2007
Richard Lee used to have a Seattle public access TV show.
A TimeCube-esque webpage about his "Who Killed Curt Cobain" show is found here.
posted by Tube at 11:39 AM on November 25, 2007
A TimeCube-esque webpage about his "Who Killed Curt Cobain" show is found here.
posted by Tube at 11:39 AM on November 25, 2007
Hincandenza: That was Reel to Real (or Real to Reel). The Movie Geek Show tried to be a back and forth discussion on various pop culture subjects (like great supporting actors, or sex in Star Trek) but more often than not ended up getting off on rants about the foulmouthed 11-year-olds who clogged up the phones.
My first experience with Reverend Bruce was even before the followers came on, when it would just be him, in closeup, speaking in monotone about "whatever...pleasures...pleasure...your......connnnnnnsciousnesssssss..."
Bruce, Shannon Kring, and Richard Lee (of Kurt Cobain was Murdered) were pretty much the three pillars of Seattle Public Access in the 90s, with TJ Williamson and Mike Hunt a close second tier.
posted by mgrichmond at 11:44 AM on November 25, 2007
My first experience with Reverend Bruce was even before the followers came on, when it would just be him, in closeup, speaking in monotone about "whatever...pleasures...pleasure...your......connnnnnnsciousnesssssss..."
Bruce, Shannon Kring, and Richard Lee (of Kurt Cobain was Murdered) were pretty much the three pillars of Seattle Public Access in the 90s, with TJ Williamson and Mike Hunt a close second tier.
posted by mgrichmond at 11:44 AM on November 25, 2007
More Seattle public access weirdness. Richard Lee, obsessed with the media's coverup of Kurt Cobain's supposed murder took to the streets with a handycam questioning the city council, former bandmates, the police chief, anyone he could track down. Sadly, nothing on youtube.
Man, between Mike Hunt, Richard Lee, Bruce Howard, Shannon Kringen, an FPP on Seattle Public Access would have made one hell of a post.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:47 AM on November 25, 2007
Man, between Mike Hunt, Richard Lee, Bruce Howard, Shannon Kringen, an FPP on Seattle Public Access would have made one hell of a post.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:47 AM on November 25, 2007
Ah, shit Tube.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:48 AM on November 25, 2007
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:48 AM on November 25, 2007
There's really no way to follow what he's talking about.
That's what I loved about the old him--he never finished a sentence. He just kept interrupting himself and going off in a new direction. I told his assistant in my pre-interview interview this and said it was like he was thinking out loud. I guess he rather liked that last part and that was what led to my later conversations with him.
posted by y2karl at 11:50 AM on November 25, 2007
That's what I loved about the old him--he never finished a sentence. He just kept interrupting himself and going off in a new direction. I told his assistant in my pre-interview interview this and said it was like he was thinking out loud. I guess he rather liked that last part and that was what led to my later conversations with him.
posted by y2karl at 11:50 AM on November 25, 2007
"You fucking su-"
"SHUT UP! YOU WILL- YOU WILL MISSILE! YOU DEGENERATE! YOU DEHORN! YOU DIPHTHONG! GET OUT OF HERE! CALL ONE OF THESE OTHER FAGGOT SHOWS!"
Oh, man, this is gold. Thanks for this post!
posted by pravit at 11:58 AM on November 25, 2007
"SHUT UP! YOU WILL- YOU WILL MISSILE! YOU DEGENERATE! YOU DEHORN! YOU DIPHTHONG! GET OUT OF HERE! CALL ONE OF THESE OTHER FAGGOT SHOWS!"
Oh, man, this is gold. Thanks for this post!
posted by pravit at 11:58 AM on November 25, 2007
My first experience with Reverend Bruce was even before the followers came on, when it would just be him, in closeup, speaking in monotone about "whatever...pleasures...pleasure...your......connnnnnnsciousnesssssss..."
You are correct, sir! The mysterious floating head Rev. Bruce was the first, the black turtle neck Rev. Bruce was the second edition and the pastel suit and tie was Rev. Bruce the Third.
...but more often than not ended up getting off on rants about the foulmouthed 11-year-olds who clogged up the phones
This was the downfall of every call in public access show on 29 and nine out of ten shows on 29 were just that--a couple of guys or gals sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. In comparison, given that nothing was really provided in the ways of props at the studio, the Revered Bruce was quite the public access artist as far as presentation was concerned.
My one experience at the studios was when I went up to the show by the juvenile parole officer with the accordion playing Elvis impersonator that the giant frog was on--I can't think of the guy's name right now, Spike or something is what I recall--my oldest friend in Seattle (with the famous comedienne little sister) was friends in high school with the giant frog guy who was the Ed McMahon on the show and hence my friend was a guest. Of course, all that Spike what's-his-name wanted to do was talk about Dan's sister, which Dan did not want to do, so it was kind of a disappointment all around.
posted by y2karl at 12:08 PM on November 25, 2007
You are correct, sir! The mysterious floating head Rev. Bruce was the first, the black turtle neck Rev. Bruce was the second edition and the pastel suit and tie was Rev. Bruce the Third.
...but more often than not ended up getting off on rants about the foulmouthed 11-year-olds who clogged up the phones
This was the downfall of every call in public access show on 29 and nine out of ten shows on 29 were just that--a couple of guys or gals sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. In comparison, given that nothing was really provided in the ways of props at the studio, the Revered Bruce was quite the public access artist as far as presentation was concerned.
My one experience at the studios was when I went up to the show by the juvenile parole officer with the accordion playing Elvis impersonator that the giant frog was on--I can't think of the guy's name right now, Spike or something is what I recall--my oldest friend in Seattle (with the famous comedienne little sister) was friends in high school with the giant frog guy who was the Ed McMahon on the show and hence my friend was a guest. Of course, all that Spike what's-his-name wanted to do was talk about Dan's sister, which Dan did not want to do, so it was kind of a disappointment all around.
posted by y2karl at 12:08 PM on November 25, 2007
Yeah, well... everyone has their preaching style, I suppose. Maybe he just needs a George Clinton soundtrack. (NSFW, btw.)
posted by miss lynnster at 12:17 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 12:17 PM on November 25, 2007
Oooh! Here he is with more hair, dancing shirtless for Jesus! Ooooh, I'm just wondering if he's still single... because I really would like to gather our kibbles together with our seven kids. (Once again, NSFW.)
posted by miss lynnster at 12:25 PM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by miss lynnster at 12:25 PM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
miss lynnster, i salute you! and wish you and ponytail preaching guy a long and happy life together.
posted by msconduct at 12:39 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by msconduct at 12:39 PM on November 25, 2007
Well, what can I say? I'm a sucker for a romantic gentleman.
posted by miss lynnster at 1:08 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 1:08 PM on November 25, 2007
NAAAAAAAME!!! We never had public access TV here in the UK, so this is totally alien to us. How can you have stuff like this on TV yet go into a countrywide meltdown at the sight of a nipple?
It's good shit though. The zombie students in the background are hilarious.
posted by afx237vi at 2:08 PM on November 25, 2007
It's good shit though. The zombie students in the background are hilarious.
posted by afx237vi at 2:08 PM on November 25, 2007
Whoa -- you did the Movie Geek show! You guys showed the Star Wars Holiday Special With Commentary, didn't you?! I remember watching that! That was AWEXOME.
Seattle Public Access is awesome. One of my favorites was "One Pissed Off Ant". It was a one-off. Lasted a half hour. Went between a man in an ant costume banging on garbage cans, and then him riding an exercise bike in front of a green screen showing I-5 Traffic Jams. That was the rules. I ended up calling a bunch of my friends to have them turn it on.
I thought Richard Lee was still going, but in reruns.
Also, Pastor Mary is amazing. A friend of mine and I ended up taping a bunch of her stuff and sending it to the Found Footage Festival guys. I hope they use it. She's got Jesus Water. Amusingly, when she announced the arrival of Jesus Water which she was giving away free and would cure what ails ya and all that, Dale (said friend) and I were joking that her sump pump blew and this was her way of getting rid of the water. Turned out a little bit after, she mentioned the source -- her basement flooded. So we weren't so awfully far off. One episode she gave her address, so that night Dale and I drove over to see her digs. She actually had a pretty nice place, really. (We didn't go up or anything, didn't want to actually BOTHER her or anything.)
She was constantly getting called and harassed. One of my favorites was the first time I saw her. It was her halloween show from a few years ago, and she was in a witch's costume in front of a green-screened-rotating-CG-Globe. She was doing the standard Wacky Preacher Ranting, only the thrust was that this time she was the DEVIL and she WANTED you to reject Jesus so you could join her in HELL! But anyway, so one dude calls up.
PM: Hello!! Have you accepted Jesus?!?!
Caller: Uh, is Susan there?
PM: NO!! THIS IS THE DEVIL!!
C: I must have the wrong... what?
PM: I AM THE DEVIL!! HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS?!?!?!
C: Um, what is this?
PM: HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS/?!?!?!? YES OR NO!!! TURN ON CHANNEL 74!!!
C:Uh... Ok... Um, all I see is some crazy lady. What is this?
PM:...
C:...
PM:...
C:... wait, is that YOU?
About a year later, though, was one of the most heartbreaking ones. She did it all in a dark studio, just enough light on her to transmit an image, and while her rant was all conspiracy-minded, saying that the Public Access folks were gonna shut her down because she was going to give out the numbers of the prank callers on the air and give them a taste of their own medicine and whatnot, and that it was part of the devil trying to keep her message from going out etc., she started in on some serious self-loathing, talking about how she was stupid and ugly and didn't know English very well (she was, IIRC, Korean, and her husband, a missionary, married her and brought her to the US and she became an even more outspoken preacher than him), and started talking about her life, and how she wasn't wanted as a child, and had her own child taken away from her by Social Services saying she wasn't a fit mother and just ALL this really heavy shit. It kind of illustrated why she might be so inclined to grab on to something bigger with such fervor, since it didn't sound like her life was going so well. I really just wanted to give her a big hug. Just because she's crazy doesn't mean she doesn't hurt, and hurt quite a lot from how it sounded.
(The next week, though, she was back to normal, though. So, um, hooray, I guess.)
I kind of like watching the Call4Investigation people now. They're 9/11 Conspiracy Nuts with a twist. They're typically a panel of three people (sometimes more sometimes less), and will show kook videos behind them, and use the Chyron to put manifestoes of varying lengths on screen live. One had a rant about how Windows was involved with the Conspiracy. I forget how exactly, but... One time, they were having trouble getting the phone coupler to work, and I called in to do tech support for them. The guy I was talking to, though, didn't quite get how to fix it, though, so I think they ended up leaving it for the next show.
Still, though. For actual non-Ironic-Quality Public Access, _Under The Mailbox Theatre_ was really really good (I was turned onto that by another friend who had a bunch of tapes of it - most of the guys now do Fools Play Improv in Olympia, and they are DEFINITELY worth checking out), and so is the Handy & Bandy Wacky Shack (a/k/a The Hands).
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 3:26 PM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Seattle Public Access is awesome. One of my favorites was "One Pissed Off Ant". It was a one-off. Lasted a half hour. Went between a man in an ant costume banging on garbage cans, and then him riding an exercise bike in front of a green screen showing I-5 Traffic Jams. That was the rules. I ended up calling a bunch of my friends to have them turn it on.
I thought Richard Lee was still going, but in reruns.
Also, Pastor Mary is amazing. A friend of mine and I ended up taping a bunch of her stuff and sending it to the Found Footage Festival guys. I hope they use it. She's got Jesus Water. Amusingly, when she announced the arrival of Jesus Water which she was giving away free and would cure what ails ya and all that, Dale (said friend) and I were joking that her sump pump blew and this was her way of getting rid of the water. Turned out a little bit after, she mentioned the source -- her basement flooded. So we weren't so awfully far off. One episode she gave her address, so that night Dale and I drove over to see her digs. She actually had a pretty nice place, really. (We didn't go up or anything, didn't want to actually BOTHER her or anything.)
She was constantly getting called and harassed. One of my favorites was the first time I saw her. It was her halloween show from a few years ago, and she was in a witch's costume in front of a green-screened-rotating-CG-Globe. She was doing the standard Wacky Preacher Ranting, only the thrust was that this time she was the DEVIL and she WANTED you to reject Jesus so you could join her in HELL! But anyway, so one dude calls up.
PM: Hello!! Have you accepted Jesus?!?!
Caller: Uh, is Susan there?
PM: NO!! THIS IS THE DEVIL!!
C: I must have the wrong... what?
PM: I AM THE DEVIL!! HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS?!?!?!
C: Um, what is this?
PM: HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS/?!?!?!? YES OR NO!!! TURN ON CHANNEL 74!!!
C:Uh... Ok... Um, all I see is some crazy lady. What is this?
PM:...
C:...
PM:...
C:... wait, is that YOU?
About a year later, though, was one of the most heartbreaking ones. She did it all in a dark studio, just enough light on her to transmit an image, and while her rant was all conspiracy-minded, saying that the Public Access folks were gonna shut her down because she was going to give out the numbers of the prank callers on the air and give them a taste of their own medicine and whatnot, and that it was part of the devil trying to keep her message from going out etc., she started in on some serious self-loathing, talking about how she was stupid and ugly and didn't know English very well (she was, IIRC, Korean, and her husband, a missionary, married her and brought her to the US and she became an even more outspoken preacher than him), and started talking about her life, and how she wasn't wanted as a child, and had her own child taken away from her by Social Services saying she wasn't a fit mother and just ALL this really heavy shit. It kind of illustrated why she might be so inclined to grab on to something bigger with such fervor, since it didn't sound like her life was going so well. I really just wanted to give her a big hug. Just because she's crazy doesn't mean she doesn't hurt, and hurt quite a lot from how it sounded.
(The next week, though, she was back to normal, though. So, um, hooray, I guess.)
I kind of like watching the Call4Investigation people now. They're 9/11 Conspiracy Nuts with a twist. They're typically a panel of three people (sometimes more sometimes less), and will show kook videos behind them, and use the Chyron to put manifestoes of varying lengths on screen live. One had a rant about how Windows was involved with the Conspiracy. I forget how exactly, but... One time, they were having trouble getting the phone coupler to work, and I called in to do tech support for them. The guy I was talking to, though, didn't quite get how to fix it, though, so I think they ended up leaving it for the next show.
Still, though. For actual non-Ironic-Quality Public Access, _Under The Mailbox Theatre_ was really really good (I was turned onto that by another friend who had a bunch of tapes of it - most of the guys now do Fools Play Improv in Olympia, and they are DEFINITELY worth checking out), and so is the Handy & Bandy Wacky Shack (a/k/a The Hands).
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 3:26 PM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I can't think of the guy's name right now, Spike or something is what I recall...
It was The Spud Goodman Show. Man, how did I forget Spud Goodman ? He was the one public access guy to go national from around here.
posted by y2karl at 3:27 PM on November 25, 2007
It was The Spud Goodman Show. Man, how did I forget Spud Goodman ? He was the one public access guy to go national from around here.
posted by y2karl at 3:27 PM on November 25, 2007
For those of you wondering about Mike Hunt ...
posted by amuseDetachment at 3:32 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by amuseDetachment at 3:32 PM on November 25, 2007
Pastor Mary
I seem to remember an anologous show by a drag queen evangelist with a name like Sister Mary or something who looked like Bob Hoskins in his Who Killed Roger Rabbit ? persona right down to the 5 O'clock shadow only in garish lipstick, a ball gown and a Jackie O bouffant wig who would read viewer mail in the most gravelly deep dese, dem and dose movie gangster voice: Dear Sister Mary, t'ank you for preachin' da gospel..
Serious in intent but still you couldn't help but smile at the incongruity of it all.
posted by y2karl at 3:38 PM on November 25, 2007
I seem to remember an anologous show by a drag queen evangelist with a name like Sister Mary or something who looked like Bob Hoskins in his Who Killed Roger Rabbit ? persona right down to the 5 O'clock shadow only in garish lipstick, a ball gown and a Jackie O bouffant wig who would read viewer mail in the most gravelly deep dese, dem and dose movie gangster voice: Dear Sister Mary, t'ank you for preachin' da gospel..
Serious in intent but still you couldn't help but smile at the incongruity of it all.
posted by y2karl at 3:38 PM on November 25, 2007
watch that first link again, I think he's channeling Christopher Walkens.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 4:13 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 4:13 PM on November 25, 2007
Oh wow, I remember Spud Goodman! There was another show I actually liked, called "TV Lust" I think; it was a hit-or-miss sketch comedy show, sometimes painfully unfunny but other times laugh out loud- they made fun of other public access shows too, I think they had a character that was based on a hybrid of Richard Lee and Shannon Kringen... :) As a bonus, one of the actresses was generously proportioned.
Ah, Seattle public access... :)
posted by hincandenza at 4:39 PM on November 25, 2007
Ah, Seattle public access... :)
posted by hincandenza at 4:39 PM on November 25, 2007
Hmm, after watching this series, I kind of suspect that Rev. Bruce doesn't actually take himself seriously. You can see his "followers" cracking up in the background, and he sounds completely normal when he gives directions to his followers("put the mike behind you, it's shining"). Still, hilarious show either way. What a great showman.
What is the Reverend up to these days anyway?
posted by pravit at 5:05 PM on November 25, 2007
What is the Reverend up to these days anyway?
posted by pravit at 5:05 PM on November 25, 2007
"What are you a reverend of?"
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"
posted by pravit at 5:19 PM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"
posted by pravit at 5:19 PM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I always thought it was performance art.
Like most religion.
BTW: SPUD GOODMAN ROCKED!
I liked the door to door beat poet sketch.
posted by tkchrist at 5:58 PM on November 25, 2007
Like most religion.
BTW: SPUD GOODMAN ROCKED!
I liked the door to door beat poet sketch.
posted by tkchrist at 5:58 PM on November 25, 2007
Something about his earlier ranting videos reminds me of a BOB-possessed Ray Wise from Twin Peaks. Maybe it's the crazy eyes while smiling and singing, like in the "covers" link.
It is interesting that a lot of these Rev. Bruce Howard YouTubes are being posted by one Philo Drummond--''Bob's'' Right Brain Man Since 1956 - World's First SubGenius Overman Since 1966--whose name, if I recall correctly, is one mentioned early on in the first Subgenius flyers, yea, even back unto the late 70s and early 80s, verily.
I don't know about the Rev. Bruce's connection with the Church of Subgenius on his part--I seem to recall he professed ignorance of them and their whole concept at the time, a claim of which I was a little incredulous. But he did have an certain unworldliness to him, so, who knew. At any rate, I can see how the Church of the Subgenius, on the other hand, would hop on him in a nanosecond. I mean, let's get surreal already. He's the real deal. How could they not be fascinated ?
posted by y2karl at 6:06 PM on November 25, 2007
It is interesting that a lot of these Rev. Bruce Howard YouTubes are being posted by one Philo Drummond--''Bob's'' Right Brain Man Since 1956 - World's First SubGenius Overman Since 1966--whose name, if I recall correctly, is one mentioned early on in the first Subgenius flyers, yea, even back unto the late 70s and early 80s, verily.
I don't know about the Rev. Bruce's connection with the Church of Subgenius on his part--I seem to recall he professed ignorance of them and their whole concept at the time, a claim of which I was a little incredulous. But he did have an certain unworldliness to him, so, who knew. At any rate, I can see how the Church of the Subgenius, on the other hand, would hop on him in a nanosecond. I mean, let's get surreal already. He's the real deal. How could they not be fascinated ?
posted by y2karl at 6:06 PM on November 25, 2007
I'M JUST ABOUT READY TO POST A COMMENT!!!
That was so perfect, by the way. I cracked up major.
posted by y2karl at 6:24 PM on November 25, 2007
That was so perfect, by the way. I cracked up major.
posted by y2karl at 6:24 PM on November 25, 2007
I always thought it was performance art.
I don't know about that part. I mean, there was an art to his performance but I don't think it was an ironic put on, at the very least. From talking to him, he was a pretty serious guy and not only that but a serious guy not stuck on some position. He was not self-professedly infallible. His was an open mind. He was not without a little soul searching and was not at all what I expected. I really enjoyed talking with him.
posted by y2karl at 7:18 PM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I don't know about that part. I mean, there was an art to his performance but I don't think it was an ironic put on, at the very least. From talking to him, he was a pretty serious guy and not only that but a serious guy not stuck on some position. He was not self-professedly infallible. His was an open mind. He was not without a little soul searching and was not at all what I expected. I really enjoyed talking with him.
posted by y2karl at 7:18 PM on November 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Are you sure he was being serious? I mean, I think the videos with the pastel backgrounds are somewhat convincing, but the dark angry zenmaster videos are so over-the-top it's hard for me to believe it's not meant to be parody.
I dig his Your Brain's with the King song, though. (around 5:10 in link)
Also, "Thus Spake Superman"? He has a book? Where can I buy this?!?!
posted by pravit at 7:36 PM on November 25, 2007
I dig his Your Brain's with the King song, though. (around 5:10 in link)
Also, "Thus Spake Superman"? He has a book? Where can I buy this?!?!
posted by pravit at 7:36 PM on November 25, 2007
Thanks for posting!
posted by humannaire at 8:24 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by humannaire at 8:24 PM on November 25, 2007
While we're talking about Seattle public access (and oh, the memories), does anyone remember Gavin's Howse? I'd provide a link but I can't find anything to link to. I wonder if I can talk Gavin into putting some of those on YouTube... I'd sure like to see them again.
posted by litlnemo at 9:02 PM on November 25, 2007
posted by litlnemo at 9:02 PM on November 25, 2007
Gavin's House. Now that's obscure. It was very funny stuff, though.
How's this for obscure on Seattle Public Access: The Biff and Doy Show. Circa 1982 or so.
If you remember that you are a true northwest stoner.
posted by tkchrist at 1:14 PM on November 26, 2007
How's this for obscure on Seattle Public Access: The Biff and Doy Show. Circa 1982 or so.
If you remember that you are a true northwest stoner.
posted by tkchrist at 1:14 PM on November 26, 2007
y2karl: It is interesting that a lot of these Rev. Bruce Howard YouTubes are being posted by one Philo Drummond--''Bob's'' Right Brain Man Since 1956 - World's First SubGenius Overman Since 1966--whose name, if I recall correctly, is one mentioned early on in the first Subgenius flyers, yea, even back unto the late 70s and early 80s, verily.Different BOB- I was talking "Killer Bob", the Frank Silva character that possessed Leland Palmer in "Twin Peaks", not Bob of the Church of Subgenius. :) Ray Wise- who played Leland- had a few times when he'd go "nuts", and dance to some old-timey music in the family room, with a crazed grin upon his face. That's what the fine Reverend sometimes reminded me...
posted by hincandenza at 2:24 PM on November 26, 2007
« Older That old scratchy sound. | Countdown to a Meltdown Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 6:01 AM on November 25, 2007 [2 favorites]