I just wanted to tell you what a blast I had at the Marshall University talent show last night. As you probably know Jay was “unable to attend” the talent show last night due to “transportation problems” or at least that’s what they told us. I’m sure we all have our ideas on that, but anyway. Brian O’Halloran was an awesome last minute replacement! I guess he got the call yesterday morning and hopped in his car at about noon to rush in at about 9:20 and host the show.

While we were waiting, since the show was supposed to start at 9:00 they showed episodes of the clerks animated series, which I’m sure most of us had seen, but at least it kept us occupied. There was quite a stir when everyone started arriving and finding out that Jay was not going to be there, I personally was devastated. I actually drove down from Maine (about 1,100 miles and 17 hours) just to see him. The word started to get out that my sister and I had driven all the way from Maine, there were student reporters doing interviews and stuff and I had actually ordered my tickets through the mail a couple months ago so they kinda knew I was coming. And it finally got around to Brian who happened to mention it to everyone and I felt like a total dumbass. Everyone involved in putting on the show, including Brian felt really bad for us, but I think I felt worse for them.

I thought Brian was amazing to come at the last minute and totally pull it off. As I sat there listening to him and watching him I started to think about how much better it actually was that it was him instead of Jay. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love Jay, I mean I drove 1100 miles just to see him, but I don’t think it would have been his element. I mean, I don’t know if he’s done a lot of stuff like talk to a bunch of college kids, and answer questions, and all, but I just imagine it would have been a very different scene if it had been Jay instead of Brian. I really can’t say enough about how great Brian was, he was funny and witty, he was entertaining and articulate, he was friendly, when he wasn’t rippin’ on the performers or the judges or anyone in the audience especially people crazy enough to drive from Maine just to be there. He stayed after the show to answer everyone’s questions and sign autographs and pose for pictures. He was really great!

By the way if anyone is interested, the Marshall University performers were: A “Death Metal Band” which wasn’t so death metal after all, a ballerina, a couple of cloggers, a rapper/singer duet and if that’s not enough variety for ya, a variety show of sorts with two guys calling themselves the Octopuss Bears and singing, dancing and painting among other things. They were the house favorite and the judges favorite taking home first prize. It might have had something to do with their song dedicated to the judges called “vote for us” (repeat 947 times) or the autographed stuffed animals they threw into the audience.

Anyway, I just want to thank Brian O’Halloran and Marshall University and for making the drive totally worth it!