Waving one hand has been a basic reaction since cameras were first invented. Two kids stand side by side to pose for a snapshot. Odds are that one of them will put his hand behind the head of the other one, with his fingers making a "V" sign, sticking up from his friends's head like antennas from the head of a Martian.
Waving both hands seemed like logical progression of audience participation, but it fell short as far as enthusiasm was concerned.
As I wanted more action from the audience, I added the 'both hands and one foot'. That really brought out some enthusiasm in the crew. That was as far as the human body can go in 'waving'. The very act of balancing on one foot while waving the other foot was nearly impossible.
'Both hands and both feet' and they lost all inhibitions about making fools of themselves as they gyrated and jumped around. Each one was trying to be sillier than the one next to them. They were so caught up in the moment that they were screaming.
Then it came to me that they were having the time of their lives as they were obeying the instructions I was giving them, "I'll count to three and clap my hands and you will FREEZE into a statue. One, two, three (clap)... FREEZEBERG! You cannot move, you are a statue. You cannot giggle, you cannot blink, you are frozen solid. A pigeon could land on your head and you could not move!"
Our cameraman would have a field day panning around among the studio of motionless little statues, as I complimented them on just how great they really were. I might select one to pick up by the waist for a close-up to prove that they were indeed solid statues.
"When I clap my hands...you will melt!" And they did. Then I went into the close for my show.
I have been known to play Freezeberg with an audience of adults when I have been an after dinner speaker on occasion. They are instantly transformed into the children they were when they first played the game so many years ago.
8. What is the funniest thing you remember happening during the show?
On many occasions a youngster would crook their finger and motion me to come over to where they were seated on the bleachers. Then they would lean forward and whisper into my microphone that they had to go "potty". I would take their hand and help them down off the bleachers and direct them to the rest rooms.
Without hestitation I might suggest that the most painful thing that ever happened to me was when a four year old boy was standing directly in front of me and reaching up and and pounding his little fist against the bottom of my zipper. The lights flashed in my brain and I crumpled to the floor like big, wet blanket! All I could mutter through my tears was, "Roll the cartoon, NOW." I heard about that one for years.
9. If you could do it all over again...what one thing would you change about the show?
After a lot of soul searching...I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing!
10. What is your favorite Captain 11 memory?
Isn't that like asking a mother which child she loves the most? There are thousands of "favorite" memories. How could it be otherwise? Was it the the three generations of fans who showed up at my final show? Tell me now, don't you think it might be the very first time I ever met you? Yes, I'm sure that was it!
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