Slog - Comments on It Seems Like Old Strippers Competing for the Love of Bret Michaels on Television is Unprecedented in its Insanity http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo ...but when I was a youngster, America gave mimes a prime-time variety show. Citizens of a certain age certainly remember Shields & Yarnell, the married mimes who enchanted the nation for a number of months in the mid-late '70s. As Wikipedia attests, "Their specialty was taking on the personae of robots, with many individual, deliberate motions (as opposed to normal smooth motion) stereotypical of robots, enhanced by their ability to refrain from blinking their eyes for long stretches of time." This is true. If Shields and Yarnell weren't being robots, they were being old-timey toys, or marionettes—basically, whatever allowed... Copyright 2008 Mon, 05 May 2008 09:29:19 -0800 Mon, 05 May 2008 18:54:17 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Fnarf You just reawakened a long-dormant walled-off corner of my brain. I liked it that way. I hate you for this.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013654 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013654 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 09:36:37 -0800 Comment by Cato the Younger Younger I was happier having forgot that Dynamite Magazine existed... I was much happier until a few moments ago...

]]> Cato the Younger Younger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013658 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013658 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 09:43:43 -0800 Comment by yucca flower This was only popular because a large portion of the population at the time was using LSD.

]]> yucca flower http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013659 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013659 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 09:46:17 -0800 Comment by Darrell They used to do a skit about a robot family called 'The Clinkers' that used to TOTALLY CREEP ME OUT as a kid.

]]> Darrell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013663 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013663 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 09:53:22 -0800 Comment by Darrell They used to do a skit about a robot family called 'The Clinkers' that used to TOTALLY CREEP ME OUT as a kid.

]]> Darrell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013664 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013664 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 09:53:24 -0800 Comment by Explorer Cato, how could you hate Dynamite?!? Sounds like a Bummer to me: "Don't you hate when..."

]]> Explorer http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013669 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013669 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:05:12 -0800 Comment by It's Mark Mitchell Dynamite was the best! I remember a profile of "The Fonz" that had a really hot picture of Henry Winkler!

]]> It's Mark Mitchell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013674 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013674 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:14:44 -0800 Comment by chops a bummer is when your parents subscribed you to dynamite magazine. please upgrade me to 3-2-1 contact, mom.

]]> chops http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013675 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013675 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:14:55 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave POP LOCK ROUTINE!

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013680 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013680 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:20:21 -0800 Comment by poster Girl Michael Jackson certainly picked up a few moves from those two.

]]> poster Girl http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013681 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013681 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:21:38 -0800 Comment by genevieve I am pretty certian that I had that issue of Dynamite back in the day

]]> genevieve http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013684 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013684 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:25:37 -0800 Comment by heywhatsit 18 years of therapy, down the drain. Thanks.

]]> heywhatsit http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013687 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013687 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:28:52 -0800 Comment by COMTE @3:

I have no idea how old you are, but it would appear your cultural timeline is a little out-of-whack. Shields & Yarnell were popular in the late 1970's, not the late 1960's.

By then, almost everybody was doing coke, not acid.

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013692 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013692 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:38:08 -0800 Comment by Lloyd Clydesdale I'm in the same boat as Fnarf et al. The synapse leading to that memory had been in the big sleep til this morning. The use of the phrase "expressive elbows", however, softens the blow.

]]> Lloyd Clydesdale http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013698 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013698 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:43:02 -0800 Comment by stinkbug 1) Dynamite magazine rocked.
2) Shields & Yarnell rocked.

Last night I happened to do a Shields & Yarnellish move while looking in my bathroom mirror. I definitely would not have done that had I not grown up watching that.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013705 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013705 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:49:08 -0800 Comment by Peter F The 70s were the absolute nadir of television quality, followed closely by the 80s.

]]> Peter F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013710 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013710 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:52:19 -0800 Comment by angel Add me to the list of seriously freaked out kids. I wish that memory had stayed dormant.

]]> angel http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013712 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013712 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:53:41 -0800 Comment by max solomon i don't remember them, thank christ - but i remember the bugaloos!

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013713 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013713 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:54:13 -0800 Comment by elswinger I used to have a subscription. I think issue number one was Jimmy "J.J." Walker and the second or third issue was John Travolta.

Shields and Yarnell were like Donnie and Marie but only creepier.

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013720 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013720 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 10:58:37 -0800 Comment by Gidget Damn it, I was FASCINATED with those two back in the day....the nightmare has been reawakened. Thanks, Schmader.

]]> Gidget http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013725 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013725 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:00:39 -0800 Comment by stinkbug For those that hate using a computer, I recommend getting a copy of Retro Hell that was put out by the Ben is Dead people. It can usually be found for a few bucks and it's a good book to have sitting around.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013730 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013730 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:02:38 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways Dynamite magazine DID rock!

And Shields spandex clad body made me feel all funny inside...

And even at 12, I thought it odd that he was so much younger than she was.

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013731 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013731 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:03:29 -0800 Comment by Explorer Best Dynamite cover ever:
http://static.flickr.com/77/204372002_c0dc0137db_o.jpg

]]> Explorer http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013733 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013733 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:04:15 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV It was the best of mimes, it was the worst of mimes.

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013736 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013736 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:06:06 -0800 Comment by David Schmader Explorer at 23: I nearly passed out when I saw that cover for the first time.

Everyone else: Sorry for the trauma, but I was experiencing Shields & Yarnell-related anxiety in isolation all weekend, and the commiseration is doing me a world of good.


]]> David Schmader http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013738 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013738 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:08:17 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Michael Strangeways -- three years is "so much younger"?

Yarnell's spandex-clad etc. made me feel funny too, but not in a good way. Yeech.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013739 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013739 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:09:40 -0800 Comment by gregg But variety shows of the 70s were like the reality shows of today where anyone got one including, Pink Lady & Jeff, The Starland Vocal Band and Benji (well not Benji). I'm surprised their hasn't been an "Whos Wants To Be American Greatest Mime" on slate.

]]> gregg http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013758 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013758 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:15:07 -0800 Comment by flamingbanjo I actually own that copy (and many others) of Dynamite. Wanna buy it?

]]> flamingbanjo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013809 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013809 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:24:00 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways Harumph...that's what SHE claims NOW. I seem to remember reading something back in the day, where it was revealed she was much older than THAT. I think she's an age fudger, like Tom Jones, who used to be the same age as my mom, and is now mysteriously, about 5 years younger...

She looks like she's about 10 years older, at least.

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013916 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1013916 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 11:39:32 -0800 Comment by Cascadian Ack...I didn't even realize I was repressing that until now. I'm now in full RTSD (retro-trauma stress disorder.)

]]> Cascadian http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014018 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014018 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 12:00:36 -0800 Comment by PopTart @23 Thank you for erasing the Shields and Yarnell horror from my mind with that awesome cover image.

]]> PopTart http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014050 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014050 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 12:06:17 -0800 Comment by Gabe Wow...I had totally manages to block Shields and Yarnell from my memory. I am now inspired to bust out my "Land of the Lost" DVD collection and watch a young girl get tied up and abused by Sleestacks.

"Marshall, Will, and Holly...on a routing expedition..."

That should wipe out this horrible mime memory for a while.

]]> Gabe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014171 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014171 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 12:36:03 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave POP LOCK ROUTINES GALORE

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014318 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014318 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 13:19:25 -0800 Comment by Rich Shields & Yarnell may help explain the widespread antipathy toward mimes these days.

]]> Rich http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014383 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014383 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 13:44:30 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Well, yes. But then, EVERY mime helps explain the widespread antipathy towards mimes.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014794 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014794 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 16:54:06 -0800 Comment by litlnemo Damn, I loved Dynamite. But not Shields & Yarnell. They were scary.

]]> litlnemo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014932 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/it_seems_like_old_strippers_competing_fo#c1014932 TV Mon, 05 May 2008 18:54:17 -0800