Up The Butt, Bob

Great Debates
81

When did you have digital cable installed, Edlyn? It would make the detective work infinitely easier.

I find it astounding that the episode has simply been airing in reruns all these years, yet nobody has ever managed to supply a copy to Snopes or other UL watchers, as pervasive as this story is. I realize that the argument from personal incredulity proves nothing, but, geez . . .

Absent a tape or official transcript, all we have here are two propositions:

  1. Edlyn, Lib and Edlyn’s boss’ sister all claim this event occurred;
  2. Bob Eubanks claims it never occurred.

When faced with two mutually exclusive propositions, either exactly one is correct, or both are false.

“It’s my considered opinion you’re all a bunch of sissies!”–Paul’s Grandfather

82

Phil, I’m going to do a little hunting to see if this legend was circulating before the New Newlywed Game started airing. I don’t know what I’ll find, but if you happen to come across anything along these lines, please let me know.

Somebody I mentioned this to told me today that they think there might have been reference to this UL in the movie Roger and Me, but I don’t think that’s old enough, even if it’s there.

Another person pointed out that, a few weeks ago, there was an ad for a video on TV for either “Bloopers” or “Too Hot for Televison.” They had a promo showing The Newlywed Game. The question was “Where is the strangest place you and your husband have ever made whoopee?” Then it showed a bleep and Bob Eubanks laughing and turning red. The problem with this is that don’t know what the wife actually answered unless you buy the video to find out, and if you have already heard that story about the butt (whether you realize it or not), you might assume that is what the answer was on the video. Then your mind is sure you saw it on the show itself.

But if it really was on the video, then we’d have our answer already, and we don’t…

83

Hey fellas. I am really enjoying this thread, which I found linked from the snopes.com message board (which, IMHO, is the best UL-debunker on the 'net - I’ve never had cause to doubt them in the past). You guys not only introduced me to straightdope.com (although I’ve read Cecil’s books and loved 'em), but now I’m a registered user and have posted on a couple of other boards (like I don’t get enough work done while I’m at work as it is).

My $0.02, or more accurately, some info. I checked with the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com), which also covers much of TV, and found the following dates for the original run of the show(s):

1966-1974
1977-1980
1988-1989
1997

“The New Newlywed Game” ran in 1985

Does this help Lib’s timeframe for his memory?

Esprix

(Personally, I’m of the opinion it’s a UL)

Next time I want your opinion I’ll beat it out of you.

84

That was a stock question that was asked a number of times.

I remember one response was “on a surfboard.”

The funny thing about it was (remembering that I grew up in Chicken Bone, Dixie), since I didn’t know what “making whoopee” meant (until years later), I made my on conclusion about what it meant. I (teen years, we’re talking) assumed it meant “go to the bathroom.”

I had no idea what someone would choose a surfboard to take care of their private business.

85

OK. Edlyn’s boss thinks it aired around around 1987. Edlyn says the contestant first gave the much discussed answer, THEN CHANGED IT. This leads to my WAG on these events:

  1. The exchange never took place on the Original Newlywed show.

  2. A UL started about it anyway.

  3. Many years later, on a revival of the show, they once (again) ask the magic question.

  4. A contestant with some knowledge of pop culture gives the “butt answer” AS A JOKE before giving their real answer. This is witnessed by many people.

  5. Life imitates art.

Again, no proof for any of this, but is a scenario that fits with people’s observations, as well as the snopes info (especially if that info is older) Also, if “The New Newlywed Show” wasn’t hosted by Eubanks, it would make this scenario more likely.

Just adding some fuel…

Scott

86

Well, there was a version that was hosted by Paul Rodriguez in the late 80s . . .

David, if I see the promo for that tape, I’m going to buy it.

“It’s my considered opinion you’re all a bunch of sissies!”–Paul’s Grandfather

87

Phil, I’ve just been reading John Barnes’ new SF novel Finity in which the same sort of mutually exclusive memories occur (as it happens, between an engaged couple). The solution there appears to be that they come from alternate worlds (the Copenhagen School theory).

Throws a whole new light on the problem, huh? :confused:

“Life is like a new suit of clothes. If it doesn’t fit, make alterations.”
–the old woman in Silverado

88

Hey, everybody, I just got back from Saturn. Edlyn, thanks for the new info. Phil, thanks for all the great ideas. David, does your friend happen to remember the toll-free number for the video? If he does, I’ll order it.

Now, if I may make a comment on skepticism. I think it is an essential attribute, and is a very useful tool for a free moral agent. It is very useful for Christians especially in order to discern the false prophets we were warned about. But like anything else, it can be carried to ridiculous excess.

If I had a friend, even a cyber-friend like one of you, who told a story like this, and it was an urban legend that I, but not he, had heard before, then I, like you, would probably raise the point to him. Then if he said yes, but, I would probably say something to the effect of “are you sure”? But I would like to think that if he insisted enough, despite all my objections and attempts to reason with him, I would gladly concede the benefit of the doubt to him. Not that I necessarily expect that from y’all. I’m just saying that’s the way I am.

I don’t know Bob Eubanks. But I do know Gaudere (well, okay, I know her better than I know Bob Eubanks). If Gaudere said that she had seen this show, and I hadn’t, and she stuck it out despite all the flack, I would believe her. That’s what I think is a healthy kind of skepticism, one that bends when it is obvious that it is no longer appropriate.

I really do hope I can track this one down, though. Unlike the tooth, this has the potential for solid documentation as Phil has pointed out.

But in the spirit of this thread, let me ask you a hypothetical question. Suppose I were to order the tape David mentioned, and suppose it contained the airing in question, and suppose I were to report it back here. Would you believe me then, or would you want me to send it to the urban legend guy? But wait, that’s not all. If the urban legend guy then published a retraction on his web site … would you believe him?

And why?

89

Libby, I think you missed all the action in a thread I brought to your attention earlier today. At this point, I wouldn’t believe Shannon (Guadere)if she were standing on a mountain of Bibles taller than the Tower of Babylon swearing to something I knew were true in front of all persona’s of the Godhead.

What has happened has made me really sad.

But she asked for it.

I hope someone gets the video, evidently it exists.

Ken

Phaedrus, Defender of Truth, Justice, and the Native American Way

90

If you ordered the tape, Lib, and reported back here that it contained the segment as aired, I would certainly believe you. As it stands, I don’t disbelieve you now, especially with a potential resolution within reach. I simply still tend towards the doubtful side, as I am an avid seeker of those sorts of televised moments.

Poly: Maybe we should be looking for episodes of The Newlywed Game hosted by Jack Finney?

Phaedrus: If you are going to start spewing this crap on every thread on GD, you are coming dangerously close to harrassment vis a vis Gaudere, and I for one will report you to the administrators and make my best case to have you banned. Your choice.

“It’s my considered opinion you’re all a bunch of sissies!”–Paul’s Grandfather

91

Sorry, Lib, no mention of a phone number.

And it’s not an issue of belief – it’s an issue of evidence. As I’ve said before, I believe that you are telling the truth as you “remember” it. The problem is that I have seen too many false memories in situations just like this one.

So we have evidence on one hand and you on the other. I’m sorry, but even if you were my friend in real life, I’d still believe the evidence. In fact, it happened once before with a friend who related a UL to me in real life, insisting that it happened to his friend’s father. I opened the Jan Harold Brunvand book and showed him that it was a UL. He wasn’t terribly happy about it, either.

What can I say? The Straight Dope is dedicated to fighting ignorance. Plus, I’m a skeptic. If it comes down to somebody’s memory vs. all the available evidence, I can only side with the evidence.

92

David:

I would just like to take this opportunity to publicly thank you for the interest you’ve taken in me here as one of the regulars on this board. I went over to the Snopes message board after the reference to it here (didn’t crash even once, by the way). I read all the messages there, with people basically just advising you to write me off.

You stuck with me, though, coming back here and pretty much launching everything they suggested except for the suggestion that you write me off.

I just want you to know that that really made an impression on me, so much so that you will likely never see the smart-ass tone from me (except maybe as a joke) that you have seen in the past. For some reason, I just always thought that you didn’t like me much, but after seeing all the trouble you went through just to figure out how to help me deal with this, well, I gotta say that’s the nicest thing anybody’s done for me in quite a while.

Before you get the big head, though, I just want to say that doesn’t mean I think you’re perfect or anything, and I ain’t sendin’ you a dime to join your church, or whatever you call it. :wink:

Anyway, I just thought all the Dopers ought to know what kind of first class moderator they have here. I still think I saw the episode, but I will concede the possibility of a false memory. Thanks.

Your friend,

Lib

93

This adds absolutely nothing of probative value to the controversy, but it’s an interesting story.

And I tell it so well!

In 1991, I was on a United flight from La Guardia to LAX. I was a frequent flier, and got an upgrade to first class.

I was sitting on the aisle. Across from me was an empty seat, and next to that empty seat was… Bob Eubanks! I recognized him right away, but I didn’t want to be a jerk-fan type person - and what I was going to say? "I’m a big fan of the Newlywed Game! ?!?

As it happens, though, I ended up doing exactly that about halfway through the flight. He was very gracious, thanked me for the comment… I asked him what he was doing these days (in retrospect, probably not the most polite question) and he said he was filming a movie; if he mentioned the title I don’t now remember it.

In any event, I was casting about for something else to say, and I remembered the “In the butt” story. I mentioned it, he laughed, and said that it was a great story, but it had never happened.

He didn’t offer me $10,000 to prove him wrong, though.

As I said, this adds nothing of evidentiary value… but it seemed to fit. :slight_smile:

  • Rick
94

Libertarian

For what it’s worth, I think that www.snopes.com and www.urbanlegends.com are not hyperskeptical. They do a fine job, even though I disagree with some of their conclusions occasionally. I wouldn’t discount their work just because one of their pieces disagrees with your memory of events.

As near as I can tell, no one did cut their finger. That was pointed out in the original version of the story, around 7am. When you mentioned that someone had, you were corrected, but you repeated the claim above, less than four hours after you heard the story.

That is a fine example of false memory.

In my opinion, and experience, if people absolutely trust their own memory, they are not being skeptical enough.

Your girlfriend’s claim is evidently false, although there may be some grounding in reality: a spoof, a re-enactment, someone else’s recounting. The urban legend, as an urban legend, has been around long enough that if the game show network had aired a rerun within the last few months, snopes would have found out about it.

My brother told me the “up the butt” joke years ago. I can see Eubanks reaction in my mind now…I would have sworn that I saw an outtake somewhere.

If you’re unfamiliar with news:alt.folklore.urban , I’d repeat the recommendation of another poster and suggest you check it out.

.

95

Incidentally, Lib, I was going to post here about the thread there, but I wanted to first post one more message there thanking them and letting them know I passed along some of the info. However, I tried three freaking times and in each case, it timed out without posting the message (I had trouble posting the couple I did get up there as well, but not that much trouble).

In any event, if anybody else is interested, this is the message board on Snopes’ site: http://snopes.com/message/

There’s not much there other than what I’ve already said here, though. At least as of now.

96

Hmmm. Whaddaya know. My second try posted over there (my 3rd try didn’t – go figure). As I said, no new revelations, just thanking people and re-expressing my amazement with the situation. :slight_smile:

97

Bricker:

Thanks for that info.

Father:

Thanks for that correction. I obviously dyslexed those sentences, as I see from re-reading them.

David:

What do you see as the social implications of false memory (as in criminal trials, etc.), and how much of what we’ve learned about history do you think might be attributable to more ancient false memory, and finally, what sort of false memories do you think might survive our age and circulate among future man?

98

Lib: Definitely fodder for another thread, I think. Indeed, part of your answer is already available in the “Repressed Memories” thread. If you want to dive into the rest, go ahead and post that in a new OP! (I don’t want to take the honor from you. :wink: )

99

I was the one that mentioned the tape advertisement on the snopes board. A few
weeks ago, they were advertising a video on tv for either “bloopers” or “too hot for
televison.” They had a promo showing “The Newlywed Game.” The question was
“Where is the strangest place you and your husband have ever made whoopee?”
Then it shows a bleep and Bob Eubanks laughing and turning red. I made the
comment on the pool board that no wonder people believe it happened when they
keep trying to promote it. The problem with that video is you don’t know what the
wife answered (you have to buy the video to see) and if you have already heard that
story about the butt, you might assume that is what the answer was on the video.
Then your mind is sure you saw it on the show itself.

In this advertisement for the video, when they bleep out what the wife says, they
show a cartoon drawing of a butt. I can believe that someone saw that commercial and
thought he saw the show. I suspect they put that butt on there to sell copies.

I didn’t write down the phone number to order but I will keep an eye out for it.

On a personal note: Hi DIF! We miss you at the pool.

Beverly “butt I could be wrong” Hamilton

100

Sorry for the lousy formatting in my last post. (Must not copy and paste to this board) Thinking a little more about this great debate…it seems that the couples that were on the show would have a tape of themselves. My husband tapes whenever he is on tv.

Going a little into false memories. On a newgroup that deals with Urban Legends, someone asked a question about an older man who started a forest fire when he had a flat tire and was driving on the rim. I remembered watching the story about this man on Dateline. My husband and I both remembered that the man was pulling an Airstream trailer and the fire were actually caused because of a chain that had come loose and was dragging and causing sparks.

I found out later that the original poster was correct. It was from a flat tire on his trailer. I can still see it so clearly. Someone had even video taped the driver as he sparked the fires and they showed that on Dateline, too. I can still see that chain even though it never happened that way.

Beverly “crystal clear false memories” Hamilton