Weekday
The weekly feature page of the University Daily Kansan
September 6, 1978
Some of the 2,000 or so KU students that attended the Flip Wilson shooting yesterday went out of their way and made signs to welcome him.
During one of his slapstick routines Wilson, who plays a second string quarterback who makes good through a series of lucky mishaps, receives a snap and gets the towel from the center's belt along with the bail.
Stormed and Flip Wilson attracted 2,000 University of Kansas students to Memorial Stadium yesterday, but the souffating heat and humidity forced many to leave before their dreams of fame could materialize.
Those who stayed and suffered through the mid-afternoon sun were rewarded with a chance to appear in NBC-TV'S "Flip Wilson's Salute to Football" as members of the background crowd.
Wilson's first appearance on the football field lasted no more than 15 minutes and was not followed by a response from his team.
Scenes using the Jayhawks as both KU players and Texas & M&M players were filmed during that time. Harry Sydney, Fayetteville, N.C., sophomore, observed an intense game in which Wilson, was his stand-in for the more strenuous play.
"Hit 'em hard. Make me look good." Wilson yelled to Sydney just before he left the field to cool off in his
"IT WAS FUN," said Sydney about being Wilson's stand. He would have rather played himself in a Stand of Flip. Woodman did.
But this week's starting quarterback, Brian Bethke, who is white, was not so pleased.
"I guess I'll have to file a reverse discrimination law suit." Betheka said lokely.
Area Turner, stage manager, whose activities, resembled those of a cheerleader, said, "The hardest thing will be to keep the crowd controlled while Flip does whatever he does."
Sydney, who is black, replied: "That's part of his genes. Maybe he just wasnt meant to be a star."
When Wilson returned, spectators crowded around him for pictures and autographs.
"I'm ready for business, whatever it is," Wilson said to the noeuble pushing in around him.
HANDING HIM beers and challenging him to chugging contests, some outspoken males talked Wilson into paying for a $300 beer giveaway at the Wagon Road Cafe last night. He said he might show
For about the next two hours of filming, Wilson frequently clowned around and entertained the audience.
"I make more money with these legs than O. J.
Simpson—as Geraldine that," he said during on-board
travel.
Despite Wilson's efforts, the 100-degree heat was more than most students could handle, and by 5:30 the room was filled.
Brian Shaw, producer of the pre-Super Bowl comedy,
"it's too hot. They'd rather be home drinking a
THE CROWD was large enough for Tim Friess, a freshman running back from Lyons, who scored 18 points in the game.
"I've never been in front of that many people, and that was only 2,000 people. When there is $1,500,000 out there," she said.
Shaw said he was hoping for a crowd of 5,000.
After dropping a pass early in the game, Dan Wagoner, freshman wingback, also admitted he was mad.
"I guess it was just first game jitters. When you know you're on TV, you try to do everything perfect." *I'll watch.*
It was much different, however, for senior kicker Mike Hubach.
The television special, to be aired Jan. 13 on NBC, revolves around Wilson, who portrays a second-string KU quarterback. Through a comedy of errors he becomes the No. 1 professional draft choice and winds up quarterbacking the St. Louis Cardinals in the Super Bowl.
"Nah, I wasn't nervous. But it is probably the most famous extra point I ever kicked."
THE SCENES filmed yesterday will be inserted into the footage that will be shot at Saturday's KU-Texas A&M game. Other scenes will be filmed in the locker room and at undisclosed sites on campus. KU pomp girls and Sunflower girls will be featured with Wilson and Scenes to scenes to be filmed at Allen Field House tomorrow.
Outside of Wilson and the KU extras, the entire cast and production staff are with Glen-Warren Productions of Toronto. The sponsor, Media Visions Co., Toronto, is paying the $15,000 to $20,000-a-day each week.
diminated the production and made the arrangements for the entertainment wainer. Wilson has been in Lawrence since 1986.
"THE PROMOTIONAL value will more than make to你 for any investment," Baker said. "It will be very valuable for the University."
KU was chosen for the special primary for economic reasons. The production crew has been in Kansas City, Mo., filming the Billy Graham crusade movie. The crew will provide a large enough enrollment to provide for crowd shots.
Wilson and the crew will traveling to St. Louis to immortal the crew of the special on Friday. St. Louis also was chased by the crew of the special.
Surrounded by a board of photographers and well-wishers, Wilson had a hard time, at first, getting down to the shooting.
Photos by Alan Zlotky, top and Randy Olson
Story by Corie Brown and Steve Herbert
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