Mr. Keillor,
I really miss many of the great sponsors from the past. Will you ever resurrect such greats as Raw Bits, Bertha's Kitty Boutique, Bigger Hammer Hardware, Worst-Case Scenarios and Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery? I know I wouldn't qualify for Raw Bits, but my son is a good kid and might do so someday, and it would be wonderful to hear some new (or old!) spots for those great sponsors.
Thanks,
Steve
What can I say? Writing comedy isn't carpentry and there comes a day when you sit down to write humorously about cats and you simply can't do it. So you don't. You move on. Some things prove durable and others don't. We live with uncertainty. But your memory is better than mine, Steve. I had forgotten all about Raw Bits, (Listen) and now I can't quite remember what the premise was. Bertha's has returned now and then. Worst Case Scenarios sort of transmogrified into Bebopareebop Rhubarb Pie. Ralph's is still in Lake Wobegon. Bigger Hammer? Are you sure that was on our show?
Bigger Hammer Enterprises... I remember it but not well enough to recite the slogan. The basic premise was the same as one of the ground rules that was posted on the bulletin board in the laboratory I worked in as a novice: "If it won't move, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway."
Posted by Jan E. | January 15, 2008 6:00 PM
Oh sure! It was Bigger Hammer Enterprises as I recall and it was about '84 or so? It was maybe during the Dept. Of Folk Songs era? Remember "Robot Cricket Laser" with onboard printer port and carcass count software? That may have been a one off. Or how about Fritz electronics?
You triggered a load of memories. My wife and I still sing,
"People use your heads,
You can't do as you please.
How are you gonna get through life
if you don't have the sense Go gave geese?"
Or the poem about winter in St. Paul that contained a rhyme that would make Shakespeare slap his cheek and say OH MAN... Genius!:
"There were no bar or stores to go ta,
But I was not surprised 'cause I'm from Minnesota"
One day I'll drag out the old reel to reel and play these for the kids. Please don't post this, it's just an old guy remembering what little he can.
Posted by Rob H | January 16, 2008 10:52 AM
A listener since the early, early days and I too am unable to remember Bigger Hammer Hardware..But I do remember Ahooah (sp?) Hot Sauce..come to think of it Cafe De Burph (sp again..this is radio after all.) hasn't been on in a few months....
Posted by wiams | January 18, 2008 11:13 AM