R.I.P. The world's lost another "Big One"

In my scouring the web for blog inspiration, I'm sad to report the death of one of my favorite comedians. On my list of those able to make me laugh, he ranks just above Soupy Sales.

I'm talking about Englishman, Rod Hull, and his emu. A predominant force of "Dada" comedy in the 70's, I was dismayed to learn Hull passed away from injuries incurred when he fell off the roof of his cottage while trying to adjust his television antenna's reception for a soccer game.

If you never caught Rod Hull's act with his infamous, mischievous emu, I'm sorry. He was extremely hilarious. The emu puppet he employed was an act Hull developed while residing in Australia. In 1971 he and his bird returned to England. Hull sought employment three months, without success, before resurrecting his emu.

During a job interview, Hull's emu got out of control and tore up the office of International Artists. The management was so cracked up by this, they signed both to a contract. The act, of this likeable and seemingly friendly emu, inevitably ended up with the bird going out of control and attacking all in sight. It served Hull well for the better part of twenty years. Hull became a millionaire as a result.

It's not certain if the emu mismanaged his portion of the wealth, but in the early 90's Hull was forced to file for bankruptcy.

Hull described his act with the erratic emu: "I think that's what people identify with. The audience sees itself as me and the Emu is life, dressed up like a joke and ready to clobber them."

Some saw it a little differently. As one's alter-ego unleashed, where timidity and holding back were freed, allowing one to respond honestly to others, be it "strangling celebrities whom he didn't like, while feeling up all the attractive women."

Sadly, I forward the news of Hull's passing six years late. He--and (presumably) his emu--expired in 1999. Sometimes bad news doesn't travel like wildfire.