Picking, grinnin’ for spud special
BUG GUTS & BEAUTY
By Orpheus Allison
Once again the local airwaves are blessed with Potato Picker’s Special. This show on WAGM had been around almost as long as the station has.
This live, anything can happen (and has) show is a vanishing type of show on television. The management types dread uncontrolled moments of frivolity and foolishness unless they can convince a collection of losers to burden us with their version of reality.
In the early days of Potato Picker’s Special there were lots more farmers. Hundreds of youngsters were unleashed on the fields and roads of Aroostook County to help bring in spuds. Spuds are the wild form of potatoes that have yet to meet the fry machine at McDonald’s.
Started in the mid 1960s by John Logan (challenged on this point by Wayne Knight and others), the purpose of the show was to act as a clearinghouse for those who needed work, those who had work, and the inevitable need to communicate with widely different crews. It was a live, anything can happen, free wheeling, two hours of real television. During its peak years, it provided examples of live bacon frying, every type of egg preparation known to man, and highfalutin chaos – all managed by a true circus ringmaster, John Logan.
Hallmarks of the show were its working kitchen where tons of eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries and pancakes were washed down by gallons of coffee, orange juice, and milk. Between the eggs over easy, gallons of grease and the occasional cup of camp coffee complete with grounds, Logan and his helpers would announce who needed pickers, drivers, packers, and women. (There was always the farmer who needed a woman for his harvester. ) After reading long lists of crews needed and looking for work there would be humorous bits with the various guests, studio crew, and others who showed up. If it was interesting John put it on. If it was boring John might put it on. If it caused people to call in, John put it on. All jokes aside, it provided a unique window to the fancies and foibles of harvest time in The County.
The current version of the show is a shadow of its former self. Pity that there were not a camera in Tim Hortons or that one of the local diners might be featured live during the show. John left some big shoes to fill. Those who loved working in television learned much of the studio craft by having to make the equipment work first thing in the morning. Basic rules were these. Arrive at work at 4 a.m. Turn on and make several pots of coffee. Set up studio. At least lay out the microphones, cables, and cooking gear. If you forgot to plug these items in, so much more the fun.
Saturdays were special because there would be an added treat of hunting or fishing issues. It was not unusual for John to get up from the table and wander around the studio in search of a biscuit or cookie. The crew was kept hopping. Cameras were dollied, roped, and tied during the show. And above all, the crew, the guests, and the host got a fresh breakfast. A real breakfast – eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, home fries, biscuits, and as much coffee as one could hold.
Wearing coat and ties waved a red flag to the host. The teasing would be merciless. No ties, no coats, this was a show for real people before it was cool. Many a guest found that silk tie too ostentatious. This was a suspenders and belt show. Braces so the belly could join the fun and belts to hold the pants up. Even the weather guessers wore braces.
Mr. Macari would be well advised to spend a couple of hours over at Tractor Supply getting properly gussied up with a some decent work britches and braces. Picker’s is a working man’s reality show not some slick fashion show. Our bellies and T-shirts would be appreciated. Might even be a decent weather prep package, weather guy goes shopping. It worked for Kevin Carter years ago.
Sixty years and the station does not look a day over 30. Of course the lack of live pictures makes it look like what was offered 30 years ago. Even then the engineering team managed to get a camera out the door to stare at the sky and fields. Long live the quantafont graphics machine, bean can telephone system, and all the wonderful chaos a live television show could generate. Coffee anyone?
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist living in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television later working in many different areas of the US. After 20 years of television he changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
