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A City Under Television Skies

I remember reading a book about Led Zeppelin as a teenager. There was an interesting meeting between the band and Elvis Presley. He asked for their autographs for his daughter. She was a fan.

Drummer John Bonham complimented his diamond encrusted watch, and the king promptly took it off and gave it to him. Bonham took of his Mickey Mouse watch and handed that to Elvis.

The other interesting story regarding this meeting was how in awe Zeppelin was over the remote control Elvis had for the TV set. They had never seen one before. And sure, it was huge; but the idea of not having to get up and change the channel, when you’re snacking on a peanut butter and nana sandwich…

Of course, the TV story everyone knows about Elvis, is him shooting up the screen. If you watched Kurt Russell play Elvis, you were probably under the impression that he always shot TVs out. I think I read in an interview, that he only shot one -- when Englebert Humperdink was on the screen (how cool would that be for Hump, knowing you’re the guy that caused Elvis to lose it and shoot at ya?)

Jerry Lee Lewis wanted to shoot Elvis, and once appeared at the Graceland gates. I don’t know enough about those details, though.

And back to TVs being shot.

Since yesterday was football, and I’m getting ready to watch the 49ers tonight, I thought about the guy in Louisiana a few weeks ago, who bet against the New Orleans Saints. Not sure what he was thinking, betting on the lousy Redskins.

He told people they could shoot his 60-inch high-definition, flat-screen in a sort of backyard firing squad deal.

About a dozen gun-toting football fans showed up at his home, just north of New Orleans, and they shot up his TV.

I’m guessing they didn’t get permits or anything. But, his YouTube hits for this video was at 150,000 over the first week.

Now, much like Elvis, when I first saw that guy sing Chocolate Rain on YouTube, I wanted to shoot my TV set. But I’ve never been tempted during a football game (well, a few times I would’ve pointed the Glock at Marty on the screen, had I actually owned one).

I’ve made some crazy football bets (although the Saints covering the line against the Eagles this year, won me $25)…but these stories were so insane.

It makes it even stranger that no arrests were made when this TV set was shot up in a backyard, yet when two film crews in Detroit were filming, with fake guns, they were cited for not having the proper permits. This happened twice in a week in the Motor City. And, it would be understandable if you’re out on the streets; but one filming took place at a private home.

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I remember reading a book about Led Zeppelin as a teenager. There was an interesting meeting between the band and Elvis Presley. He asked for their autographs for his daughter. She was a fan.

Drummer John Bonham complimented his diamond encrusted watch, and the king promptly took it off and gave it to him. Bonham took of his Mickey Mouse watch and handed that to Elvis.

The other interesting story regarding this meeting was how in awe Zeppelin was over the remote control Elvis had for the TV set. They had never seen one before. And sure, it was huge; but the idea of not having to get up and change the channel, when you’re snacking on a peanut butter and nana sandwich…

Of course, the TV story everyone knows about Elvis, is him shooting up the screen. If you watched Kurt Russell play Elvis, you were probably under the impression that he always shot TVs out. I think I read in an interview, that he only shot one -- when Englebert Humperdink was on the screen (how cool would that be for Hump, knowing you’re the guy that caused Elvis to lose it and shoot at ya?)

Jerry Lee Lewis wanted to shoot Elvis, and once appeared at the Graceland gates. I don’t know enough about those details, though.

And back to TVs being shot.

Since yesterday was football, and I’m getting ready to watch the 49ers tonight, I thought about the guy in Louisiana a few weeks ago, who bet against the New Orleans Saints. Not sure what he was thinking, betting on the lousy Redskins.

He told people they could shoot his 60-inch high-definition, flat-screen in a sort of backyard firing squad deal.

About a dozen gun-toting football fans showed up at his home, just north of New Orleans, and they shot up his TV.

I’m guessing they didn’t get permits or anything. But, his YouTube hits for this video was at 150,000 over the first week.

Now, much like Elvis, when I first saw that guy sing Chocolate Rain on YouTube, I wanted to shoot my TV set. But I’ve never been tempted during a football game (well, a few times I would’ve pointed the Glock at Marty on the screen, had I actually owned one).

I’ve made some crazy football bets (although the Saints covering the line against the Eagles this year, won me $25)…but these stories were so insane.

It makes it even stranger that no arrests were made when this TV set was shot up in a backyard, yet when two film crews in Detroit were filming, with fake guns, they were cited for not having the proper permits. This happened twice in a week in the Motor City. And, it would be understandable if you’re out on the streets; but one filming took place at a private home.

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