Singing cowboys in heaven, overzealous turnpike enforcers, fighting
chickens, Monica and Bill, Y2K consultants, Beanie Babies and a golden corncob for one of
our own.
Those were a few of the highlights of the 67th annual Tulsa Press Club Gridiron. The
show played before a general - admission audience of about 600 on Friday, March 19, and a
banquet show audience of about 150 on Saturday, March 20, in the Tulsa Assembly Center
Assembly Hall.
On Saturday, master of ceremonies David Averill presented the Roasting Ear - a gold
corncob - to State Rep. Betty Boyd.
"This is indeed special," Averill said, "because Betty is not only a
much - in - the - news public figure, she is a longtime participant in the Press Club and
the Gridiron as an actor, author and trust member."
In one applause - getting scene this year, western - movie cowboys Duke (Jeff
Buckley) Gabby (John Shafer), Tom Mix (Paul Davidson) and Tex Ritter (Averill) welcomed
Roy Rogers (Max Fischer) and Gene Autry( Bill Babb) to Heaven.
 "There's
just one thing I can't figger," Gabby told Roy, "How come Dale didn't have you
taxi-dermied like you did old Trigger?"
Kelly Thayer, as the woman who was arrested by the Highway Patrol because she was 80
cents short of her toll, sang (to the tune of the Depression - era anthem, "Brother
Can You Spare a Dime?"), "Once they built a toll road road now it's done / Okies
can you spare eight dimes?"
Julie Watt, Mary Sandlin and David Sims, in full, feathery regalia as fighting
roosters, knocked out the audience with a spirited "We Are Family," Jim Roberts,
as state Rep. Charles Gray, pleaded for an end to the blood sport, with a stirring
Gridiron take on "We are the World."
The "millennium problem" was an opportunity for the Gridiron as Sims, Babb,
Jarrod Kopp and Gordon Hart sang, Village People - style, "We can't wait until
the Y - Y - 2K."
| D. J. Morrow pedaled the ubiquitous Beanie Babies to the tune of "Buy My
Baby:" |
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"They'll make you happy, each and every day / Unlike the Tele -
tubbies,
Beanies are not gay ... Buy my, buy my babies ..." |
| Of course there was lots of Bill and Monica. In one highlight, Monica (Heather
Richetto - Rumley) asked for understanding, to the tune of "They Call It Puppy
Love." |
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"And they called it yuppie love / Oh I guess they'll never know / How I wound
up with a book deal / And the Barbara Walters Show." |
The Gridiron troupe welcomed three rookie members - John
Trook, John Simmons and
Virginia Dessauer - and the return of a prodigal old timer, Bill Babb. Tom Campbell was
chief author and Vic Bastien directed.
Until next year, you can enjoy the ongoing humor being posted and review past glories.
Happy Trails!
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Singing Cowboys In Heaven
Movie cowboys Duke, Gabby, Tom Mix and Tex Ritter
welcomed Roy Rogers and Gene Autry to Heaven.
View the Lyrics
Rep. Betty Boyd
Honored
Okies, Can You Spare 8 dimes?
A woman is arrested by the Highway Patrol
for being short 80 cents of her toll.
We are Family
Fighting roosters must stick together.
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