As a teen, I was never much of a rebel. i didn’t smoke (well…i didn’t smoke cigarettes) or drink. The only time i ever had detention was for wearing skirts that were above my knees (violation of school dress code). I didn’t skip school, much. I got good grades. I was a pretty good kid. Every once in a while, though, i’d do something completely un-Ali like.
like the time that a whole bunch of us skipped school to go to the Jerry Springer show. you’re laughing, i realize. Sure, it wasn’t Oprah (but, seriously, it’s not even possible to get tickets to see her). and sure, i wasn’t skipping school for anything daring or dangerous or illegal. but it was good times, i tell you, good times.
They shot two episodes while we were there. the first was strange obsessive behaviors aka weird stalkers. pretty boring. except for the chick who made plaster casts of her body to send to her obsession. she was creepy as hell. it was the second episode that was worth the ditch day. it was a real 9-1-1 emergency! they still air this episode, it was that good. transexuals coming out to their parents. who had no idea that they lived this alternate personas. and one mother. had a heart attack. on the stage. they had to call in paramedics to take her away. i almost died. i seriously almost died. good little jewish girl from the suburbs.
looking back i realize that it was probably 100% staged. well, i’m sure the guy really did dress like a woman. but i’m sure there was no real "coming-out" and no real coronary either. and the paramedics were probably just actors. what a job, eh? pretending to be a medic on the Jerry Springer show. their parents must be so proud.
hmmm..where were we…back to the point of my story. i’m not sure there is one, really. it’s just a good story. one i still tell, often. and one i wanted to share with you. because it’s flashback friday. and because i can. i just wish i had pictures of that day.
and on that note, i want to wish you all a Happy Hanukah, or Chanukah, or Hanukka and/or a Merry Christmas.
i am totally behind, it being about 5 days after you posted. glad to hear you are having a fabulous time in atlanta, by the way.
your post totally reminded me of a story. though not about me. when in high school, several students who ran the radio station went to the maury povich show. with one of the teachers. the content of the show basically dealt with people dressing provocatively. sluty would definitely be more appropriate. one of the girls was totally commenting about the acceptability of such dress. don’t you love when the audience gets to comment on these shows? she gets the opportunity to completely change her clothing and strut out on the stage. on television. in her sluty glory. oh. did i mention that she was the daughter of one of the rabbis in the town?
Omigosh, this old time — until the last paragraph — I thought you were talking about JERRY SEINFELD. That was SUCH a weird experience. I was like, wha!?
Happy Hanukkah!!! xo
OK, so still no consensus on the spelling of Chanukah, eh?
The question I want to know the answer to is whether or not the fights are staged or real. Did anyone throw a punch while you were there? Was it real? (Sadly, this is the question that occurred to me when I read your post.)