Before Google there was something called “The Yellow Pages.” Searching there, under “Clubs,” I found many intriguing leads for Wild Chicago stories. The Paramount Tall Club comes to mind. Or how about The Jimi Hendrix Information Management Institute? (JIMI for short.) Or The Ancient Astronaut Society in Lake Forest. And then there were the Beer Can Collectors of Westmont, Illinois.
As an old glass bottle collector in days of yore, I felt the pull to investigate these folks. I submit to you Exhibit A as proof of my visit. And evidence of my proclivity for self-abuse in service of comedy and amusing small children.
Once again, witness Wild Chicago tapping the collective passions of a group of like-minded individuals to create TV gold. It was not premeditated nor born of market research. It was all hunch and following my curiosity. I believe these methods would work today. AI be damned.
Today’s video demonstrates how wonderfully funny everyday people are. While, at the same time, stirring something in us that makes us feel close to them. Wild Chicago was not about places. Nor was it about “weirdos.” It was about the common electricity that gets sparked in us when we’re reminded (and shown) what happens when human beings are engaged in doing what they love doing. They come alive! Their quirkiness not only delights and amuses us, it attracts us. It inspires us. We want to feel the same glee they feel, Don’t you see it in these folk’s eyes? I sure do. And inspired? Read on.
Another Wild Chicago “trademark” shows up here. The host (me) gets involved. And not as an objective, neutral reporter. Uh-uh. I want in! Not in a predictable way, either. No, I let The Muse bring me something a little out there. A chance to re-enact a scene from the iconic 70s film The Deer Hunter starring Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken.
I’d been wanting to do what I did that night for a long time. And then, voila, the perfect opportunity was handed to me on a silver platter. Russian Roulette never looked so fun, eh?
So we (a few of the beer can collectors, and I) created a moment, script-less, in true Chicago improv fashion.
I invited Chicago to play with me – and Chicago came through, big time.
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