You know who he is, right? "Sweating to the Oldies?" "Deal a Meal?" Severely hyperactive, middle aged, extremely jovial fellow. (Seriously, Richard, I've never considered taking an illicit or narcotic drug in my life, but whatever you're on, I'll consider...)
I remember Richard Simmons from his appearance on General Hospital in 1979. Of course he was overshadowed by the whole Luke & Laura storyline. Still, he'll pop up on TV from time to time. I saw him not long ago on a rerun of one of my favorite shows, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" (hosted by Drew Carey, starring Wayne Brady, Colin Mokrey, and Ryan Stiles).
One thing about Richard. He never changes. Wild hair. Exuberant energy (is exuberant a word? You know what I mean). Baggy tanktop. Short shorts (look away!!!!). Not unusual to find a sequin or two. (Richard, if you're reading: feel free to borrow any of this for you epitaph.)
I have to give the man props. He'll be 60 next year (yes, sixty!) and his energy puts me - and my ADHD son - to shame. Anyway, there is a point to this...
Dear Hubby was flying from Tampa to New Orleans, on Thursday afternoon and who does he encounter in the security check-in line. Yep. Richard Simmons. Not larger than life. I've heard the camera adds ten pounds and Dear Hubby said Richard looks trimmer in person than he does on TV (must be the baggy tank).
This day, Richard was wearing spandex shorts and a white t-shirt. He was his usual spunky self going through security. Dear Hubby was surprised that Richard Simmons wasn't flagged as a security risk. Once on the plane, Mr. Simmons made his services available to the airline service staff (stewards and stewardesses). He handed out peanuts to the passengers and went around and just was - well, being Richard.
Which brings me to this. If Richard Simmons is ever feeling tired, or cranky, can he just travel incognito? I don't think so. He is Richard. He is expected to be ON all the time. If Richard is feeling under the weather, how does he hide from the public. The answer: He doesn't. He is who he is. He's supposed to be perky and upbeat all the time. What pressure! The man has to be ON all the time. He is who he is. Love him or hate him, he is a character. He can make people laugh. Regardless of his lifestyle choices, he has a gift. One that he's willing to share with people regardless wherever he is.
I raise my glass to the "always on" Richard Simmons.
3 comments:
You have to give the man props...he looks great for his age - or any age.
Not only that, nadine, just the fact that he has his public persona that is always expected to be "on." While I try to be nice most of the time, I do occasionally slip up and get grumpy. He couldn't do that without the media being all over him. Interesting way to live. I'm not sure I could do it. Dear Hubby said he looks trimmer in person. The bag of peanuts is still sitting unopened on the desk.
This is what I think: Richard Simmons
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