One of the funniest moments of nineties television animation was the musical performance of “Bonjour Lobey” (A parody of “Hello Dolly” superbly sung by actor David Warner as Freakazoid villain “The Lobe”) in “Dexter’s Date”, the Second Season premiere of FREAKAZOID!One friend of mine (I’ll spare him the public identification) was flat out in the throes of utter hysterics upon seeing this. A moment he and I will never forget.
As detailed in the previous post, FREAKAZOID! Season Two has just been released on DVD – and I wasted no time in queuing up “Dexter’s Date” for a video viewing.Yes, both “Bonjour Lobey” and the episode as a whole were just as great as they were “back then”.
Skipping ahead, as I often do, to the “Special Features” revealed the audio of the late (and too-soon departed) composer Richard Stone’s original demo tape for “Bonjour Lobey”! Without hesitation, I selected it for play.
Accompanying the audio was the following on-screen text:
We apologize, you’d ordinarily be seeing something really cool here but we ran out of money so please close your eyes and enjoy the magic that is Richard Stone’s original demo for “Bonjour Lobey”.
It was slightly different but, in its “raw form”, no less entertaining than the aired version. And, according to Freakazoid creator Paul Rugg’s Blog comments, it was sung by Mr. Stone, himself – making it an entirely new experience!
Then, after it finished… IT PLAYED AGAIN! It did not return to a menu selection… It just played again!
…AND THEN, IT PLAYED AGAIN!
…AND AGAIN!
It was programmed, not to return to the “Special Features Menu” upon completion… but to CONTINUE PLAYING IN AN ENDLESS LOOP!
The only way out is to click (press) on the “Features” text icon… but, if you don’t do that, it will go on… and on… and on!
Oddly, the more I heard it, the more I enjoyed it… washing dinner dishes, as it played on in the background – and ultimately singing along and parading around the room to its unearthly influence.
…Of course, it’s better if you’re home alone while doing this. No strange looks from your spouse that way!
Isn’t just like the folks behind FREAKAZOID! To take one of their best jokes of 15 years ago, and give it one final new twist for its unsuspecting fans! Bravo! Gotta love it! I can’t help but wonder what that particular “Lobey-loving” friend would think of this!
7 comments:
Joe, Joe, Joe. You know that there is no need to avoid any embarrassment in revealing said friend of the doubled-over, eyes watering, laughing myself to the point of larynx-constriction at such a flat out, no-holds-barred parody of one of my top ten favorite musicals. I absolutely will never ever forget my first viewing of it and thank you from the bottom of my heart made younger from the sheer enjoyment that it gave me and that which I believe it gave to you upon seeing me enjoy it so much!
And the fact that they chose to make it a final in-house joke of a gift to the viewers just confirms the strength of the joke! 'Nuf said?
Well, Chuck… I was just trying to protect the innocent! Glad you came forward and “fessed-up”!
That was a great moment of a great day!
Bonjour, Joebey [is that anything like "Hugbee"]...
How did Esther survive?
David asks: "How did Esther survive?"
Well, I DID say: “…Of course, it’s better if you’re home alone while doing this (Singing along to “Bonjour Lobey”). No strange looks from your spouse that way!"
OOPS! I guess she knows NOW!
Um , let’s change the subject…and, and… er, EVERYONE GO READ DAVID’S BRAND SPANKING NEW AND VERY INFORMATIVE BLOG!
http://ramapithblog.blogspot.com
…With that “spanking part” optional, of course!
Joe,
Is this "Lobey loop" a DVD feature or a brand new interrogation technique for suspected terrorists? (I guess, better that than Barney.) ;-)
Chris
Chris writes:
"Is this "Lobey loop" a DVD feature or a brand new interrogation technique for suspected terrorists?"
Well, this IS a kinder, gentler administration!
And, if it fails, there’s always “The Mime”, as seen in “Mission Freakazoid!”.
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