The Tale of Ben’s Bandage
As I recently announced at The Double R Club‘s 100th show, the bandage I wear on my left hand to host, inspired (as much of my garb is) by Dean Stockwell‘s Ben from Blue Velvet‘s bandage:
is the same bandage I’ve worn for e v e r y s i n g l e o n e of those 100 shows and those 9 and a bit years. Yes, that’s quite repulsive, and yes the bandage now looks like something small died in it. I may have suggested that perhaps for the anniversary show that I filter vodka through it and drink it; sadly, health and safety intervened.
Here are some exclusive backstage pics [by the wonderful Jody Whittle-Wyeth] of me telling this very story to our cast at the 100th show, which seem to tell a story all their own:
[#1 Presenting ‘The Bandage’. Cast member Rodent tries to hide their understandable disgust]
[#2 Louche’s Quandary. Rodent leaves me wondering and unsure: has it been a terrible and deeply unsavoury (not to mention potentially unsanitary) mistake to keep the same bandage all this time? For nine years?!]
[#3 Resolution. Nah, ‘course not. It’s a great bandage. And, hell, what have I got to live for all of a sudden, right?]
Sometime I have to get to London to one of your shows.