April Fools Pranks

[Lou <spindoc@channel1.com>]

I enjoy a good April Fools' stunt as long as it's funny.  But the Mayor
Menino death-thing wasn't even funny.  Were people supposed to laugh after
hearing that it was a joke?  What were they thinking at WAAF?  Maybe if
they had him dying under different circumstances each time they announced
it...  (Well, let's not go there.)

Among my favorite April Fools' Day stunts that became a long-running annual
event was WBCN's Fools' Parade.  Production genius Tom Sandman, Billy West
and the rest of the legendary 'BCN staff created a mock parade running
through  the streets of Boston.  The midday staff (Ken Shelton, Mark
Parenteau) anchored 'BCN's parade coverage as the various floats passed
their booth.  Throughout the day, they poked and prodded at many local and
national people, issues and themselves.  In 1986, Casey Kasey hosted the
FBI float featuring the Singing Angiulos performing "You Won't See Me,"
from their latest tapes.  Peter Falk hosted a PBS salute to Athol, MA
titled "Falk In Athol."  Parade coverage was sprinkled with fake
commercials and "fool" songs.  Any song was fair game as long as it had the
word "Fool" in the title.  I'm sure it was a major effort to produce this
event, but it was well worth it.

I wonder what they might have done with an Opie and Anthony float.

- -Lou

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the incredible website:

         http://www.channel1.com/users/spindoc

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End of boston-radio-interest-digest V2 #29
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