Fruit On First
- By Chris Mittelstaedt
- Reading Time: 2 mins.
This March in History: March 1938.
Abbott and Costello debuted their famous “Who’s On First” baseball routine for a national radio audience 71 years ago this month, and their classic comedic gem has been spawning imitations ever since. One of my favorite alternate versions came from an episode of the early-90s Warner Brothers cartoon series, “Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs.” Skippy and his Aunt Slappy use the model banter in a skit about the musical lineup at Woodstock, name-dropping The Who, The Band, and Yes to hilarious effect. (To see the cartoon, search “Who’s On Stage” on YouTube. For the A&C original, search “Who’s on First.”) In keeping with the long tradition of mimicry, I’m hosting the Inaugural FruitGuys Comedy Celebration Newsletter Festival Impersonation Event. And so without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I give you an excerpt from the never-before-performed “Fruit on First.”
“Hi, FruitGuy! What’s coming up in our crates?”
“Oh, hi, FruitFan! We’re going to be featuring Pixie Tangerines this week.”
“Wow, that sounds delicious! Where are they coming from?”
“Ojai.”
“Oh, Hi, FruitGuy. But where are the Pixies coming from?”
“Ojai. Friend’s Ranch.”
“Yes, hi friend. But which Ranch are the Pixies coming from?”
“Friend’s.”
“Of course we’re friends, FruitGuy. But where are the Pixies coming from?”
“Ojai…” [dot dot dot, etc.]
I know, I know – I’ll keep my day job. But even if the comedy doesn’t make you smile, I guarantee the sweet juicy taste of a Pixie Tangerine will. According to the Ojai Pixie Grower’s Collaborative, Howard B. Frost at the University of California Citrus Research Center at Riverside developed the Pixie Tangerine in 1927. These fairy-sized tiny tangerine treats are sweet, seedless, and easy to peel. Try one!
And remember to check out the rest of your mix at www.fruitguys.com/mix. Enjoy and be fruitful! – Chris Mittelstaedt chiefbanana@fruitguys.com
Also This Month in Pixie History: March(es) 1987, 1988, and 1993
Influential alt-rockers The Pixies recorded their first, famous 17-song demo tape in Roxbury, Massachusetts 22 years ago this month. One year later, in March 1988, the band’s first full-length album, “Surfer Rosa,” was released. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana frequently referred to “Surfer Rosa” as one of his favorite albums, and hired The Pixies’ producer Steve Albini to work on Nirvana’s third album, “In Utero,” which was completed in March 1993.
