Friday, February 17, 2012

A Letter to Chevy Chase

Dear Chevy Chase,
  First of all, I’m a really big fan. Your movies have been some of the awesomest things I’ve ever seen. From Caddyshack to Funny Farm, to Spies Like Us, to Fletch. Great stuff. I’ve laughed at all of them. I honestly don’t think there was one of your movies I never laughed at all in. Maybe Vegas Vacation. That was probably milking it. But either way, tremendous body of work.
   I recently read Tom Shales and James Miller’s “Live From New York”, a book all about the long history of probably one of America’s greatest treasured comedic resources, Saturday Night Live. I’m sure you have probably read it, but something that jumped out at me. They made you look like a huge dick. And I don’t think it’s fair or warranted, and it actually kind of pissed me off a little. It felt like they were picking on you. Obviously when SNL began, you guys were the guinea pigs. How were you to know that it would become some sort of institution? Your career was hot and it probably felt like it was time to move, so there was really no reason NOT to have left after the first season. I probably would have done the same thing. I also probably would have punched Bill Murray too if he came after me like he did to you. But to be fair, I’m also a big Murray fan. Hopefully the two of you have quashed that beef, but you know. I’d understand if it still lingered… It’s not like you guys are best friends, at least I’d assume.
   Something I’ve always wondered about though is your music video work. You were famously in the video for Paul Simon’s “Call Me Al”. Something I’ve always wondered – when you are at a party and that song comes on, have you ever mouthed the words? You obviously knew all the words back in 1986. Do you think you could sing the entire song if it came on right now?

That’s about all I got. Again, I love your work in all your films and I hope you continue making movies. I’ll be there watching all of them. Probably.

Sincerely,
Sam Terito

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