Famous San Diego Chicken in Bend July 30
Talk about an Only in America success story, one has to look no farther than--of all things--a guy who dons a chicken suit for fun and notoriety.
The Famous Chicken, also known commonly as The San Diego Chicken, has reached icon status as a sports and entertainment personality throughout the nation and the world. In his element as an outrageous comic actor, he's as unique and gifted a humorist as any stage has ever seen.
Perhaps in another era, the role of The Chicken could've been played by Harpo Marx, Peter Sellers, Andy Kaufman or other physical comedians. Still, there'd be debate if even those comic greats could've pulled off the live performances in a real world setting that Ted Giannoulas crafts every night he covers himself in costume.
Unlike Hollywood or Broadway, Ted's Chicken comedy sports shows are high risk improvisations during actual games among a supporting cast of non-actors, with no script, no rehearsal and no second takes. And all of this takes place
before an audience of thousands, plus live broadcasts.
No safe and cozy studio for Giannoulas. His sketches draw on slapstick, parody and visual antics, all woven throughout interludes of ballgames, much to the surprised delight of sports fans. For an athletic industry in a rising tide of
bluster, attitude, arrogance and human chemical alterations,here is Ted Giannoulas and his comic musings in a chicken suit--perhaps the last voice left--to remind us that, indeed, it is just a game after all.
His impact is such that The Sporting News editors named him as one of The Top 100 Most Powerful People in Sports of the 20th Century. He's on a list that includes Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Pete Rozelle, Ted Turner and Wayne Gretzky among others.
The Chicken character has transcended into a virtual folk hero who, as one Washington newspaper editorialized, "wonderfully fills a jester's role, mocking both substance and ceremonious forms, parodying the powerful and cavorting with utter irreverence." The chicken will lead the Elks fans in our "Chicken Dance" for sure. Don't miss out on any of the fun this night.