I'm still trying to forget the horror.
So here's an amusing little item I came across this evening while looking up something (can't remember what).
Anybody out there remember Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom? Used to come on right before Disney on Sunday nights. I looked it up this evening for some reason and found this line about Marlin Perkins:
Marlin Perkins (Occupation) Zoologist (Birth) 28-Mar-1905 (Death)14-Jun-1986 (Known for) Mutual of Omaha's Wild KingdomGet a load of the summary of Jim Fowler's career:
Jim Fowler (Occupation) Naturalist (Birth) 9-Apr-1932 (Known for) Did all the work on Wild KingdomYeah, that about sums it up. Poor bastard. It's a wonder he ever survived. Posted by Ken S at November 15, 2007 06:57 PM | TrackBack (0) |
Yeah, Jim was kinda like the generic Red Shirt guy on Star Trek. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Chekov... and Red Shirt Guy would beam down to the planet, and 9 times out of 10, RSG would bite the dust (in some cases, literally).
Makes you wonder what Jim Fowler's resume looks like:
"1963-1988: Fought everything from alligators to zebras while some old fart watched."
Jim will wrestle with the enraged Polar Bears while I watch from the relative safety of the helicopter...
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at November 16, 2007 03:51 AMJim Fowler's from Albany, GA, former residence of moi, current home of one Vunkerkrut. There's a small zoo/park/camp grounds there that he helps support.
Posted by: Cullen at November 16, 2007 04:43 AMFowler always looked like he didn't really want to wrestle the [insert random dangerous animal here]. But after Perkins retired and Fowler took over the lead position, there was some Australian guy (I looked up the show, I think it was Stan Brock) who DID look like he got off on it. Usually went something like this:
Fowler: "Now Stan will wrestle the crocodile into submission so we can tag it."
Brock: [sproing]
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at November 16, 2007 05:20 AMJim Fowler came to speak with my junior high science class. He was a pretty funny, engaging guy. He mentioned an upcoming (back then) episode where he had a bit of a problem with an anaconda. If you saw that episode, you'll remember that that was a bit of an understatement. Here's how I remember Wild Kingdom:
MP: "Hello. I'm Marlin Perkin and this is Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Tonight we go down under to visit the habitat of the ferocious Tasmanian Devil. Watch as Jim creeps up on the lair. [aside to camerman]Tell Jim to go inside and poke one in the stomach! ... Oh look, they're all waking up. They appear not to like Jim very much."
Jim: [screaming for help while frantically trying to escape]
MP: "Looks like Jim is having a bit of trouble. Well, see you next week on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom."
Jim, as screen fades to black and the theme music cues up: "Dear God NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!......"
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Do you think that Jim would like to resurrect Marlin Perkins just so he could bitchslap the every living crap out of him?
That's why, no matter how obnoxious I thought he was, I really respected Steve Irwin. He never sent anyone into the Cave-/Swamp-/SnakePit- of-Doom: he went in there himself.
Posted by: Julie at November 16, 2007 06:59 AMJim:Al Borland :: Marlin Perkins:Tim Taylor
Posted by: nightfly at November 16, 2007 10:03 AMwow. how did I miss this post.
Yep I've met good old Mr. Fowler during my time with the City. He helps with Cheehaw Park. All ya'll need to come on down and I can show you around! It should take 10 minutes, then we can go get drinks and dinner!
Posted by: WunderKraut at November 20, 2007 04:48 PM