There’s something quite appropriate about the Trash Can Sinatras performing “Obscurity Knocks” on “Onion World with Rich Hall” because, wow, talk about an obscure talk show; frankly, I’d never even heard of it until I accidentally stumbled upon this clip on YouTube. I was familiar with Rich Hall, of course, because of his tenure on shows like “Not Necessarily the News” and “Saturday Night Live,” but this series…?
Nothing but pops and buzzes.
And, apparently, I’m not the only one hearing those sounds. IMDb.com refers to it as having premiered in 1989, but Rich Hall’s Wikipedia entry claims it ran from 1990 to 1991. Though when it aired is uncertain, the wherever is at least confirmed as having been The Comedy Channel, which merged with the HA! Network in 1991 to form what we now know as Comedy Central. Apparently, Hall must’ve had a really jones for Scottish music at the time, as he managed to score an appearance from Kevin McDermott’s Orchestra as well, but let’s focus on the Trashcans for the moment, since there’s every reason to believe that I wouldn’t be writing this very posting if it wasn’t for them and their music.
That’s not as ominous as it sounds, honest. I don’t have a “I was on the verge of suicide until I heard ‘Hayfever'” story or anything like that. But I joined the E-mail list dedicated to the band’s music way back in the mid-’90s, and through that list, I met none other than David Medsker; he refuses to take credit for my entire journalistic success and regularly praises my writing ability, but the truth of the matter is that I very likely wouldn’t be a full-time, work-at-home writer today if David hadn’t gotten me an in at Bullz-Eye.com. So, thanks, David.
Stupid holidays. They make me too damned sentimental.
Oh, and by the way, if you’re wondering what the hell ever happened to Rich Hall…well, oddly enough, he’s apparently pretty damned successful in the UK. In addition to his accomplishments under his own name, which include several TV series and specials on the BBC, a couple of books, and even a play, he’s also carved out a musical niche for himself by playing a comedic country musician named Otis Lee Crenshaw. Who knew?
