# Help me identify the people in this video **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 10, 2007, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456 "2007-04-10T09:36:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/1 "2007-04-10T09:36:02Z")
It’s The Talking Heads “Wild Wild Life.” Video [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXkM8PsPXs) . I picked out some people from the band, and John Goodman and Sam Kinison, but are the other people well known? ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/2 "2007-04-10T12:19:58Z")
Apparantly: > [@](#): > > The music video version of “Wild, Wild Life” that debuted on MTV is simply a scene taken from the film, in which many of the film’s characters (including John Goodman) lip-synch to the music in a night club; the video version is more risque and features more pop music references/parodies than seen in the film. From [the Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Stories_(film)). I suppose we could leave it to the reader to locate [which cast members](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092117/fullcredits#cast). ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/3 "2007-04-10T12:26:17Z")
Ok, that was weird. Most of the video appeared to be that one slightly chubby guy doing bad impersonations, with the odd shot of a young John Goodman in there. WTF is this supposed to be? From what I can tell: (Unknown heavy set girl in yellow at 0.15) Billy Idol (impersonation) (0.29) (Unknown impersonator who looks a little like Rosanne Rosannadanna at 0.37, but then she pulls off a wig and I can’t remember that being part of RR’s shtick). (Unknown black man at 0.46) (Unknown suave pencil mustache guy at 0.50) Hair-band singer of the day (maybe the singer from Whitesnake, or Ratt or Poison at 1.05) (This is where the \*actual \*John Goodman comes in at 1.15) (Unknown wet skinny gut at 1.32 -isn’t this the real lead singer?) (A poorly done) Sam Kinison (impersonation) at 1.40 (Unknown twitchy guy at 1.47) Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (impersonation) (1.53) Bobcat Goldthwait (?) (impersonation) at 2.01 Prince & (I assume) Shiela E (impersonation) (2.14) (No idea who is at 2.30) (No idea who is at 2.42) Madonna or possibly Cyndi Lauper (impersonation) (2.49) (No idea who is at 2.57) Jerry Lee Lewis (impersonation) at 2.59 ?? One of the Beastie Boys (impersonation) at 3.03? That weird wet, skinny guy again at 3.11 (No idea who ia at 3.24) Just some quick repeats after this… ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/4 "2007-04-10T14:08:57Z")
[QUOTE=RumMunkey] … (Unknown suave pencil mustache guy at 0.50)… [/QUOTE] That was TH lead singer David Byrne in disguise [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … (Unknown wet skinny gut at 1.32 -isn’t this the real lead singer?)… [/QUOTE] Yes, David Byrne again [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … (Unknown twitchy guy at 1.47)… [/QUOTE] Doing a pretty good David Byrne impersonation [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (impersonation) (1.53)… [/QUOTE] Pretty sure that’s TH guitarist Jerry Harrison [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … (No idea who is at 2.30)… [/QUOTE] TH drummer Chris Franz [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … Madonna or possibly Cyndi Lauper (impersonation) (2.49)… [/QUOTE] Pretty sure that TH bassist Tina Weymouth, I think one of the unknown men is her too, if my memory of the hype around this video at the time serves me correctly. [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … (No idea who is at 2.57)… [/QUOTE] DB again, I’m pretty sure [QUOTE=RumMunkey] … One of the Beastie Boys (impersonation) at 3.03? That weird wet, skinny guy again at 3.11… [/QUOTE] Chris Franz and David Byrne again ---
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/5 "2007-04-10T17:45:11Z")
I’d never heard of True Stories. I’ll have to read that article. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/6 "2007-04-10T18:57:15Z")
The Wiki article is incorrect in that the music video, while similar to the WWL performance in _True Stories_, is also a bit different, with more appearances by TH bandmembers and fewer appearances by actual cast members from the film itself. I believe the lyrics are also a little different, and the version from the movie doesn’t have the typical MTV-style editing that the video does. Compare the video to [this song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAJ7kppuY7U) from the movie to compare what the two styles are (the WWL song from the movie is presented more like the latter). The Billy Idol impersonator is definitely Jerry Harrison, and I’d be willing to bet the “bald” lady is Weymouth. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/7 "2007-04-10T23:21:32Z")
My [favorite song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RinF8BiDNaU) from the film (though they cut it off a little too soon). ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/8 "2007-04-11T04:45:04Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] Compare the video to [this song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAJ7kppuY7U) from the movie to compare what the two styles are (the WWL song from the movie is presented more like the latter). [/QUOTE] I have **so** got to rent this movie. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/9 "2007-04-11T05:34:22Z")
[QUOTE=RumMunkey] (A poorly done) Sam Kinison (impersonation) at 1.40 Bobcat Goldthwait (?) (impersonation) at 2.01 Madonna or possibly Cyndi Lauper (impersonation) (2.49) (No idea who is at 2.57) [/QUOTE] The lead singer appears a lot, in different guises, he’s a chameleon. Times the lead singer appears: 30 seconds 50 seconds 1 min 33 seconds The twitchy man at 1 min 46 seconds is _NOT_ the lead singer I _think_ that’s David Byrne at 1 min 54 seconds 2 mins 42 seconds 2 mins 56 seconds 3 mins 10 seconds Then various flashes of the performances, including several of David. That was the real Sam Kinison. I think the real Bobcat was in one of the Talking Heads videos, as well. (He was doing a lot of cameos at the time.) I don’t think that was a Madonna or Cyndy Lauper impersonation, wasn’t that the chick from Private Benjamin?! Did you catch the sly digs at the First Lady of the time, and her impact on fashion? She wore a _lot_ of red, and was stuffy. (Mrs. Bush senior.) Or, was that digs at Tipper Gore? For those who are skeptical of the lead singers powers of disguise, check out one of his more recent works, “[Miss America](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbX4RFBt2Uw)”. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/10 "2007-04-11T05:40:49Z")
Adding, at the time that video was being played on MTV it was common knowledge that David Byrne wore various different getups, that was part of the promotion, David Byrne: The Chameleon. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/11 "2007-04-11T20:16:18Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] Did you catch the sly digs at the First Lady of the time, and her impact on fashion? She wore a _lot_ of red, and was stuffy. (Mrs. Bush senior.) Or, was that digs at Tipper Gore? [/QUOTE] Actually, Nancy Reagan was the 1st Lady when _TS_ came out. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/12 "2007-04-11T20:24:28Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] The lead singer appears a lot, in different guises, he’s a chameleon. Times the lead singer appears: 30 seconds [/quote] No, this is Jerry Harrison, TH band member > [@](#): > > 50 seconds > 1 min 33 seconds > The twitchy man at 1 min 46 seconds is _NOT_ the lead singer > I _think_ that’s David Byrne at 1 min 54 seconds Again, Jerry Harrison > [@](#): > > 2 mins 42 seconds This might be Byrne, but I really really doubt it > [@](#): > > 2 mins 56 seconds > 3 mins 10 seconds > Then various flashes of the performances, including several of David. > [@](#): > > I don’t think that was a Madonna or Cyndy Lauper impersonation, wasn’t that the chick from Private Benjamin?! Not Eileen Brennan, this is Tina Weymouth, TH bassist. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/13 "2007-04-12T01:13:20Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] Actually, Nancy Reagan was the 1st Lady when _TS_ came out. [/QUOTE] You’re right! And she did look more like that. Brainfart! :o ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/14 "2007-04-12T01:28:32Z")
That is David Byrne at 50 seconds, take a look at the faces. Compare what he looks like with a mustache in Miss America. He’s a chameleon too. That is also David Byrne at 1 min 33 seconds, go look. You’re right, the 2 min 42 second one isn’t David. (The bone structures are very close in that lighting, but I think I’ve got the knack a bit of telling them apart now. David’s face is a bit longer/thinner seeming, and he doesn’t have the lines between the eyebrows.) The leopard print/huge bow getup was an homage to the tacky Seargant in Private Benjamin maybe? 2 mins 56 seconds is David, as is 3 mins 10 seconds. I think that’s almost all David in the Miss America video, including in the striped stocking cap, in the suit with the contacts, and with the mustache. Miss America is a solo work. Yes, that is him with the mustache in the sleazy suit. The fellow standing by David at 2 mins 46ish seconds of the Miss America video has different hair than the sleazy seventies mustached character from earlier, and a younger face. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/15 "2007-04-12T01:37:17Z")
I’ll concede that some of the ones that you (and others before you) described as Byrne often were. But not at 0:50 nor at 1:54 and I’m very doubtful of 2:42. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/16 "2007-04-12T01:40:35Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] I’ll concede that some of the ones that you (and others before you) described as Byrne often were. But not at 0:50 nor at 1:54 and I’m very doubtful of 2:42. [/QUOTE] Re-read my previous post. I agree 2 min 42 _IS NOT_ David, ETA 2: and the same for 1 min 54 secs but I ask that you watch both the video in the OP again, _and_ the Miss America (sorry about the quality, only one I could find) video to see what I am pointing out, please? ETA: That really is David at 50 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/17 "2007-04-12T01:43:37Z")
Adding, I re-watched the videos myself, to see your point. I just pulled up the 50 second mark _again_. That, **IS** David! ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/18 "2007-04-12T01:51:02Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] Adding, I re-watched the videos myself, to see your point. I just pulled up the 50 second mark _again_. That, **IS** David! [/QUOTE] Sorry, I meant 0:30 (as indicated in my longer thread). 0:50’s very obviously Byrne. Sorry for the confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/19 "2007-04-12T01:58:50Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] Sorry, I meant 0:30 (as indicated in my longer thread). 0:50’s very obviously Byrne. Sorry for the confusion. [/QUOTE] Heh, s’ok. I was confused on which first lady was being satired last night. :o I was a young fangirl of The Talking Heads, and had a child’s attention for some political things. I was more occupied with extra-curricular sports at that time. (Though I did recycle and things like that.) ---
**Author:** ![Iridevulcans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@Iridevulcans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iridevulcans)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-the-people-in-this-video/399456/20 "2021-08-07T14:02:46Z")
The “poorly done” Sam Kinison Is actually Meatloaf.