Larry, i’ve been writing about one of my brothers who had a gift for making fun of people, nailing a habit or a trait with the perfect words. The funny thing is it made you feel special. In fact, if he didn’t single you out for one of his astute critical, but funny observations, he probably didn’t like you very much.
Your story shows how humor can be one of the languages of love. Of course I imagine you have a few where the language isn’t so loving.
Case in point: When a certain family member once put nuclear-grade tabasco sauce in my Fruit of the Loom briefs, rest assured: My language wasn't so loving ...
By the way, I'd love to read about this brother. We may be 2 peas in a pod!
A while back I learned that Groucho Marx befriended Alice Cooper. Groucho respected Cooper for his commitment to the bit. I feel like that's what's going on here. A full-throated commitment to shenanigans and pranks as a subtext for love. Good stuff.
This was such a fun read. I could picture that whole scene with the cake and your brother.
But what really stuck with me was what you’re getting at underneath it all. It’s kind of amazing how your family used humor to deal with totally different opinions without it turning into something tense or divisive. Just meeting each other right there, face-to-face, and finding a way to laugh about it.
It feels like a really real example of how people can get along, even from opposite sides of an issue.
…what an unbelieveable family you have…mine all gave me 20 year old tiktoks and giphys for xmas…the prank reminds me a bit of when Tom Green airbrushed lesbian sex on his dads car, something I warned my parents i could one up when i took a credited air brushing course with a surly whiskey coffee filled vet in high school…i still try to listen to stern sometimes, but mainly look forward to when the real archives make it out there…the pre-sirius era was unbelieveable…bababooey amigo…
If you know Baba Booey, you must be a former Stern-ite, yes? That freak-show sidekick was fearless.
BTW, I’d LOVE to read your essay about that “whiskey coffee-filled vet in high school.” There’s gotta be some fun stories revolving around that guy (gal?).
Dude, that re-ordering really turned out good. Great instincts there. “Cake Blocked” is a great subtitle too. Nicely done, Larry. Hope you feel good about this one. Great tone throughout. 👊
I believe Señor Stern set the low bar w/ humor when he played "butt bongo." I'm just sorry he never wound up in the Oval Office. (THAT would've been interesting...)
Larry, this is one hell of a story, and a lovely lesson in how a family, as you describe it needles each other with loving actions. Love takes all forms, not just words. That you spent your time on that mural, and the picture, says a lot to your parents about how you are “thinking about them” even when they are out of the country, looking to weave threads of your love ongoingly through pranks, or whatever the form. A great lesson for all of us. 🙏
In order to pull off a prank, you kind of have to be saddled with a tiny bit of a mean streak; that quality is always there, lurking behind the shenanigans. My guess is that you didn't have that in you. Also, it never occurred to me that you'd ever tell anyone about any nefarious plans. Bottom line: kind folks tend to not pull pranks. :)
This is inspiring to go for the audacious in life when the spirit moves. I love this playful quality of yours. And what a wordsmith you are, Larry.
Thank you, Kathy!
The late, great writer Kurt Vonnegut once said that our purpose on this earthly plane is to, in his words, "fart around."
I disagree. We're here to pull pranks!! :>)
I have been thinking about hiring (respectable) painters for my garage for some time. Maybe a mural to spruce things up...
How about a giant mural of The Donald in your living room?
I'll be right over!!!
Bold, weird, and weirdly sweet — my favorite trifecta! (BTW, I was the very first caller into Stern's Los Angeles radio debut.)
Seriously? I'm thinking that'd be around 1990. Mark & Brain at KLOS ran for the hills, right? What did you two knuckleheads* talk about?
* I say "knuckleheads" with all charity...
Well, let's just say `my conversation with Howard' ended with him saying, "I'm not going to go on your stupid show."
Oy, Howie...
That must've left you with an awful aftertaste.
Larry, i’ve been writing about one of my brothers who had a gift for making fun of people, nailing a habit or a trait with the perfect words. The funny thing is it made you feel special. In fact, if he didn’t single you out for one of his astute critical, but funny observations, he probably didn’t like you very much.
Your story shows how humor can be one of the languages of love. Of course I imagine you have a few where the language isn’t so loving.
You would be correct, Lee!
Case in point: When a certain family member once put nuclear-grade tabasco sauce in my Fruit of the Loom briefs, rest assured: My language wasn't so loving ...
By the way, I'd love to read about this brother. We may be 2 peas in a pod!
Awesome, although I'll be very careful with the next birthday cake I see presented. :).
A while back I learned that Groucho Marx befriended Alice Cooper. Groucho respected Cooper for his commitment to the bit. I feel like that's what's going on here. A full-throated commitment to shenanigans and pranks as a subtext for love. Good stuff.
Groucho & Alice. What a combo!
Maybe I just took a first step toward book #1: "Shenanigan Therapy" (TM) ??
I'd buy that book. Also, there's a lot to be said for the healing power of getting someone (and of getting got).
This was such a fun read. I could picture that whole scene with the cake and your brother.
But what really stuck with me was what you’re getting at underneath it all. It’s kind of amazing how your family used humor to deal with totally different opinions without it turning into something tense or divisive. Just meeting each other right there, face-to-face, and finding a way to laugh about it.
It feels like a really real example of how people can get along, even from opposite sides of an issue.
Thanks, Rachel.
We used to go at it, but usually in a good way.
However, rest assured: We NEVER discussed politics ... or I learned to leave the room whenever that slippery slope came up!
…what an unbelieveable family you have…mine all gave me 20 year old tiktoks and giphys for xmas…the prank reminds me a bit of when Tom Green airbrushed lesbian sex on his dads car, something I warned my parents i could one up when i took a credited air brushing course with a surly whiskey coffee filled vet in high school…i still try to listen to stern sometimes, but mainly look forward to when the real archives make it out there…the pre-sirius era was unbelieveable…bababooey amigo…
If you know Baba Booey, you must be a former Stern-ite, yes? That freak-show sidekick was fearless.
BTW, I’d LOVE to read your essay about that “whiskey coffee-filled vet in high school.” There’s gotta be some fun stories revolving around that guy (gal?).
Also, Tom Green was/is NUTS. Gotta love him!
What an amusing and so well told family story, Larry! And then this deep and heartwarming insight:
"It was how one family learned to deal with divergent opinions, affection and identity through humor. Ultimately, it was about love.” 😻
Thank you, Brigitte. The more I go back and reflect on some of the craziness in my life, the more I realize that I grew up with a bunch of pranksters!
I think you really did!
Dude, that re-ordering really turned out good. Great instincts there. “Cake Blocked” is a great subtitle too. Nicely done, Larry. Hope you feel good about this one. Great tone throughout. 👊
Thank you, Matt. I appreciate your support!
I wasn't sure if folks would understand "Cake Blocked," but I'm glad someone got a cheap giggle out of it. :>)
I’m a cheap date low brow humor’s on the menu. The King of All Media wouldn’t want it any other way.
I believe Señor Stern set the low bar w/ humor when he played "butt bongo." I'm just sorry he never wound up in the Oval Office. (THAT would've been interesting...)
* This is tender, and deranged, and deeply human.
In other words: peak Urish.
Thank you, kind sir.
By the way, you had me at "deranged." :>)
If one couldn’t figure out what a loving family yours was simply by reading this, the look on your mom’s face would give it away.
Thanks, Henny.
Yeah, the ol' gal put up with a lot of crap from my brother and me (not to mention our dad), and she had a wonderful sense of humor.
Larry, this is one hell of a story, and a lovely lesson in how a family, as you describe it needles each other with loving actions. Love takes all forms, not just words. That you spent your time on that mural, and the picture, says a lot to your parents about how you are “thinking about them” even when they are out of the country, looking to weave threads of your love ongoingly through pranks, or whatever the form. A great lesson for all of us. 🙏
I appreciate that, James.
I've always like to say that the Urish family put the "fun" back in "dysfunctional." Love can take many forms, right?
Omg, Larry! Perfectly told and amazingly written! So very “Larry”! I loved it!!
Thank you, Flori. It's hard to believe this happened 24 years ago!! Time sure scoots along...
Kathy, I don’t remember that they ever did. You’d have to ask Larry that question, also. I’m guessing they were afraid I would have “told” on them.
In order to pull off a prank, you kind of have to be saddled with a tiny bit of a mean streak; that quality is always there, lurking behind the shenanigans. My guess is that you didn't have that in you. Also, it never occurred to me that you'd ever tell anyone about any nefarious plans. Bottom line: kind folks tend to not pull pranks. :)
Said very kindly. 😉
Did the boys ever bring you in on any of these stunts growing up, Flori? Just curious.