Wheezer Society

Remembering A Friend

Today we attended a memorial gathering for our friend and fellow Wheezer, Neil Sterett. I was a wonderful gathering with an amazing turn out. There were well over 100 people in attendance. The venue was perfect, which was McMenamin's Kennedy School.

Neil's parents had a unique idea to share their son's talents with everyone - they had a few tables set up with memorabilia including lots of Neil's artwork, science fiction collectables, photos and knick knacks.

It was fun to see some items we hadn't seen in years. Especially some of Neil's artwork from the late 70's. Really excellent stuff.

Then there were several other tables that had items for "sale" in a silent auction format. The items were some amazing things Neil created, including the 'bludgeonaire' and some artwork used in the or "What's On?" videos. Anyone who wanted to bid on the items could do so, high bidder then makes a donation to the Oregon Humane Society in the amount of their winning bid. A very nice way to honor Neil's memory and his love of dogs.

We also debuted the parody Neil wrote and performed for Sequent Computers 13th Anniversary back in 1996 - "Sequent Agent Man" You can view on YouTube

Neil touched many people's life in many different ways - but the one thing common was his unique sense of humor. Neil could find humor in every situation and he could have you wheezing in a few minutes. Fellow Wheezer Jay Amicarella wrote a column a few weeks ago about Neil - I suggest you read it (or re-read it). LINK.

While much of Neil's humor was self-depreciating, he was able to disarm you with his quick wit and snappy comebacks, allowing you to be 'in' on the joke. That feeling, that connection he was able to make allowed, people to let down their guard and embrace this funny, witty and wonderful person that is greatly missed.

There are videos from "Furious Furniture" and "What's On?" on YouTube. They can be accessed from The Wheezer Society website. We will be sharing more videos, artwork and stories in celebration of Neil's life over the next several weeks. Enjoy.

MAD About History

VIA Mark Evanier's website:
In May of 1968, MAD Magazine went to press with a political cover — a Norman Mingo painting featuring line art caricatures by Mort Drucker. Drucker drew the eight most prominent politicians in the country at that moment...basically the guys actively competing for the presidency plus President Lyndon Johnson. Johnson had announced he would not stand for re-election but a lot of folks thought he still planned to swoop down on the convention and somehow wrest a re-nomination.

The proofs of MAD #122 had just come off the presses on June 5 when Robert Kennedy was assassinated. The MAD guys decided it would be inappropriate to leave Bobby on their cover so they made a quick substitution, replacing him with a drawing of Alfred. Collector Steve Kuhn recently came across some copies of the "before" cover and he was nice enough to let me share one here. Just a little piece of history.

The Imperial Butt Slide

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.... this animation was done by Mark Anctil & Rick Anctil, with assistance from Ryan Leverenz back in 1979-ish. Ryan was around 3 years old and Mark and Rick were still in high school. Filming was done in the barn at The Farm in West Union. It was shot in stop motion with an 8mm movie camera. Years later it was transferred to VHS. We only recently digitized the footage and added the music. It was featured back in the late 80's in our 'What's On? Show #2'

Celebrate Neil

Neil would have celebrated his 54th birthday today. We're all thinking of you, buddy!

Please Help Me I'm So Stupid I Can't Read

The parody of PSA's (public service announcements), written and narrated by Neil Sterett, features Steve Lindstedt, Kathy Corona and her two daughters, Joan and Karen Ann Corona. Directed by Michael J Murnin. "Please Help Me. I'm So Stupid I Can't Read" is The Wheezer's at their best in parody.

Happy Halloween Eve

You can find more old comic book ads at ComicBookAds.com. Boo!

Tor Bjorn Master of the Poo Poo Cushion

Starring the late Neil Sterett as Tor Bjorn, Master of the Poo Poo Cushion. Tor Bjorn sold more records than Elvis and The Beatles combined! Sterett is hilarious in this parody.

The Addams Chronicles

I give up Robert. What does have two horns, one eye and creeps?

Skate! Maxwell Skate!

Back in the mide-80's, when Wheezer Productions (precursor to The Wheezer Society) produced 'Furious Furniture' and 'What's On?' one of the later videos was this one by the late Neil Sterett and Steve Lindstedt, featuring Julie Osborn and Laura Brown. While most of the video from those shoots has not survived, we do have a few gems to share. LINK TO YOUTUBE

The Word of God Drawn By God

Besides "The Gang of Usual Idiots at MAD Magazine", the strongest influence on my drawing style is Robert Crumb. To me, he's a God. An icon of creativity that does not follow convention, says and draws what he feels, with no reservations. Totally true to himself. While I may not agree with his interpretations or views, his artwork is flawless. Each piece stands alone.

For the past five years, holed-up in his home in France, R. Crumb has been working on cartoon-izing (aka illustrating) the entire Book of Genesis. Yes, as he states on the book "All 50 Chapters". I've not seen the entire book, but the images I have seen are amazing. Crumb draws very quickly, with a minimum of revisions. His execution of ink to paper is definite and defiant at the same time. What you see is what you get.

So, when it comes time to illustrate the three sons on Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth who else does Crumb draw the likeness of but Shemp, Larry and Moe. Of course! Make perfect Crumb sense.


This new Crumb visual interpretation of the Bible has drawn criticism and comments from every nook and cranny of religious leaders. The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who writes about pop culture and who has seen excerpts of the book, says "I just think it's fantastic that a protean mind like R. Crumb is translating the Bible into a new language, a new idiom. Just as was done with the Vulgate (a popularized translation in the fifth century) or the Latin." "Yes, there's some stuff there that's a little lascivious, but that's R. Crumb. The Bible is the world's oldest soap opera, filled with sex, violence and rape, particularly the Old Testament."

While Crumb has never admitted to being a Christian, he states in an interview with USA Today, "I'm a spiritual guy. I'm not an atheist, more an agnostic."