Let's Bowl
Encyclopedia
Let's Bowl was a short-lived bowling
game show
that aired on the Comedy Central
television network
from 2001 to 2002 after a brief run on several TV stations across the U.S. in the mid-1990s, the first three being Minneapolis-St. Paul stations: KXLI-TV 41 (Now KPXM
), KLGT-TV 23 (now WUCW
), and KARE
channel 11.
reminiscent of sportscasters of the 1970s and early '80s
, and did play-by-play as contestants bowled against each other. Described as a cross between The People's Court
and Bowling for Dollars
, the show had participants play against each other to settle feud
s and win nearly worthless prize
s (in the second 1998 episode, a player received merchandise for a radio station
that had been defunct for two years; gift certificates for Old Country Buffet were common that year).
Two women known as the "Queen Pins" were on each show — while women are often used to provide visual stimuli in TV programs, these two acted differently, usually taunting the contestants as they tried to compete. Drew Jansen played unctuous Announcer/Musical Commentator Ernie Jansen (aka "Trip Stuyvesant" in the original pre-cable pilot). The pre-cable pilot was shot at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis, and featured yet another host, played by John Brady. Brady's name in the pilot was "Ernie," but that name was transferred to Jansen when shooting resumed, primarily because the jacket fit Jansen as well as it had Brady.
Another character in the show was "The Pig" played by Matt Sarazine. The original shows, pre-Comedy Central also featured "Butch" the janitor played by Nick Schenk
and "Berni the Scorekeeper" played by Berni Sarazine. Nick Schenk went on to become one of the writers for the Comedy Central episodes of Let's Bowl and also wrote the screenplay for the film "Gran Torino."
The show also included a halftime performance by a local musical band, most notably Ruth Adams and The World's Most Dangerous Polka Band, a fixture from northeast Minneapolis. It would be followed by a special "Inside Bowling" segment where Chopper and Wally interviewed unusual people and participated in bizarre escapades. Michael J. Nelson
of Mystery Science Theater 3000
fame was one of the writers for the show, both in 1998 and during the run on Comedy Central (though possibly only for the pilot
).
It was filmed in several different bowling alleys in the Twin Cities. Outside of the region, the 1998 season was carried on stations in markets such as Reno, Nevada
; Madison, Wisconsin
; and Chicago, Illinois.
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that aired on the Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
from 2001 to 2002 after a brief run on several TV stations across the U.S. in the mid-1990s, the first three being Minneapolis-St. Paul stations: KXLI-TV 41 (Now KPXM
KPXM
KPXM-TV virtual channel 41 is a television station based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and owned and operated by ION Media Networks . The station is an affiliate of the Ion Television network. The station is licensed to St. Cloud, Minnesota. The KPXM Tower near the city of Big Lake KPXM-TV virtual...
), KLGT-TV 23 (now WUCW
WUCW
WUCW is an affiliate of The CW serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. The station is currently owned and operated by the Sinclair Broadcast Group....
), and KARE
KARE
KARE, digital channel 11, is an NBC-affiliated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota and portions of western Wisconsin. It also operates KARE WX NOW, formerly known as NBC Weather Plus on its second digital subchannel...
channel 11.
Overview
Hosts Steve "Chopper" Sedahl (himself) and Wally Hotvedt (Rich Kronfeld) wore outfits and headsetsHeadphones
Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, held close to a user's ears and connected to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player or portable Media Player. They are also known as stereophones, headsets or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear...
reminiscent of sportscasters of the 1970s and early '80s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
, and did play-by-play as contestants bowled against each other. Described as a cross between The People's Court
The People's Court
The People's Court is a US television court show in which small claims court cases are heard, though what is shown is actually a binding arbitration....
and Bowling for Dollars
Bowling for Dollars
Bowling for Dollars is a television game show on which people could play the sport of bowling to win cash and sometimes prizes based on how well they bowled....
, the show had participants play against each other to settle feud
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
s and win nearly worthless prize
Prize
A prize is an award to be given to a person or a group of people to recognise and reward actions or achievements. Official prizes often involve monetary rewards as well as the fame that comes with them...
s (in the second 1998 episode, a player received merchandise for a radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
that had been defunct for two years; gift certificates for Old Country Buffet were common that year).
Two women known as the "Queen Pins" were on each show — while women are often used to provide visual stimuli in TV programs, these two acted differently, usually taunting the contestants as they tried to compete. Drew Jansen played unctuous Announcer/Musical Commentator Ernie Jansen (aka "Trip Stuyvesant" in the original pre-cable pilot). The pre-cable pilot was shot at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis, and featured yet another host, played by John Brady. Brady's name in the pilot was "Ernie," but that name was transferred to Jansen when shooting resumed, primarily because the jacket fit Jansen as well as it had Brady.
Another character in the show was "The Pig" played by Matt Sarazine. The original shows, pre-Comedy Central also featured "Butch" the janitor played by Nick Schenk
Nick Schenk
Nick Schenk is an American screenwriter. His script for the 2008 film Gran Torino was named "Best Screenplay" by the National Board of Review in late 2008.-Life and career:...
and "Berni the Scorekeeper" played by Berni Sarazine. Nick Schenk went on to become one of the writers for the Comedy Central episodes of Let's Bowl and also wrote the screenplay for the film "Gran Torino."
The show also included a halftime performance by a local musical band, most notably Ruth Adams and The World's Most Dangerous Polka Band, a fixture from northeast Minneapolis. It would be followed by a special "Inside Bowling" segment where Chopper and Wally interviewed unusual people and participated in bizarre escapades. Michael J. Nelson
Michael J. Nelson
Michael John Nelson is a U.S. comedian and writer, most famous for his work on the cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Nelson was the head writer of the series for most of the show's 11-year run, and spent half of that time playing the on-air host, also named Mike Nelson...
of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
fame was one of the writers for the show, both in 1998 and during the run on Comedy Central (though possibly only for the pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
).
It was filmed in several different bowling alleys in the Twin Cities. Outside of the region, the 1998 season was carried on stations in markets such as Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
; Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
; and Chicago, Illinois.
Bowling centers used
- Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
- Chanhassen Lanes, Chanhassen, MinnesotaChanhassen, MinnesotaChanhassen is a city in Carver and Hennepin counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is southwest of Minneapolis. The population was 22,952 at the 2010 census....
(Closed) - Stardust Lanes (now Memory Lanes), Minneapolis, Minnesota (interior used for some Comedy Central pilotTelevision pilotA "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
shows, exterior seen at beginning of all Comedy Central shows) - Wallaby's Lanes, Columbia Heights, MinnesotaColumbia Heights, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 18,520 people, 8,033 households, and 4,731 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,368.7 people per square mile . There were 8,151 housing units at an average density of 2,362.9 per square mile...
- Wells Lanes, South St. Paul, MinnesotaSouth St. Paul, MinnesotaSouth St. Paul is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, immediately south and southeast of the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is also southeast of West St. Paul, Minnesota. The population was 20,160 at the 2010 census. It is notable as one of the historic major meat packing cities in the United...
- White Bear Bowl, White Bear Lake, MinnesotaWhite Bear Lake, MinnesotaWhite Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 23,797 at the 2010 census. The city is located on White Bear Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St...
Bands showcased
- Man or Astro-man?Man or Astro-man?Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like that of The Spotnicks with the new wave and punk rock sounds of...
- The Blue Up?
- Soul AsylumSoul AsylumSoul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
- Manplanet
- Ruth Adams and the World's Most Dangerous Polka BandRuth Adams and the World's Most Dangerous Polka BandRuth Adams and the World's Most Dangerous Polka Band are a senior citizen polka duet who use a rotation of four different drummers. Adams founded the group in 1974, with Joe Hayden joining in 1996...
- Trailer TrashTrailer trashTrailer trash is a derogatory North American English term for poor people living in trailers or mobile homes, especially in trailer parks.-Television:...
- House of Large SizesHouse of Large SizesHouse of Large Sizes was an alternative rock band from Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the United States. They were made up of Dave Deibler, Barb Schlif and a number of different drummers, over the years. They released their first recordings in 1987 and officially broke up December 20, 2003. Deibler and...
- Detroit (no relation to Mitch RyderMitch RyderWilliam S. Levise, Jr , better known by his stage name Mitch Ryder, is an American musician who has recorded over two dozen albums in more than four decades.-Career:...
's band from the 1970s) - The Dust Bunnies
- Jack Knife and the Sharps
- FlippFlippFlipp is a Minneapolis-based band which attempted to revive the Glam-rock era of the early 1970s using its combination of tongue-in-cheek social commentary, self-deprecating wit, cartoonish stage costumes and bizarre, non-sensical electronics, pyrotechnics and production elements...
- The VibroChamps
- The Joint Chiefs
- The Senders
- Tina and the B-Sides
- The Mouldy Figs
- Martini & Olive
- James "Cornbread" HarrisJames HarrisJames Harris is the name of:*James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury , English diplomatist*James Harris, 2nd Earl of Malmesbury , British peer*James Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury , British statesman...
Ways to Get Rid of a Bowling Ball
One of the more popular sketches of Inside Bowling dealt with various ways of getting rid of a bowling ball. The segment was actually filmed 3 different times: once for Channel 41, once for the Comedy Central pilot, and once for the first show that Comedy Central aired.- Suggestions:
- Throw it in a ditch (wildlife can nest in the finger holes)
- Paint it like a soccer ball to play a funny trick on your neighbor (footage is shown of a man hurting his foot trying to kick it out of way)
- Leave it in a Port-O-PottyPortable toiletPortable toilet are simple portable enclosures containing a chemical toilet which are typically used as a temporary toilet for construction sites and large gatherings and events. Most of the portable toilets have black open-front-U-shaped toilet seat with cover...
- Give it to your brother-in-law who smokes too much weed
- Put one on your neighbor's sewer vent (Hotvedt sadistically states "It'll back up the sewer gases and blow up the house!")
- Donate it to a local thrift store (when the lady working at the thrift store tells them they no longer take bowling balls, Hotvedt throws a doll to distract her and runs out of the store, leaving the bowling ball behind)
- Hotvedt, dressed in his undergarments, smoking, and chugging booze, says: "Mail it your ex-wife, and let her deal with it! Apparently, she's some sort of superwoman who can deal with anything, and doesn't come from a shame-based, alcoholic family, and doesn't have any sexual dysfunction!"
- Crush it with a backhoeBackhoeA backhoe, also called a rear actor or back actor, is a piece of excavating equipment or digger consisting of a digging bucket on the end of a two-part articulated arm. They are typically mounted on the back of a tractor or front loader...
- Leave it in a flower shop, putting ferns in the finger holes
- Leave it in a newspaper dispenser
- Drop a bunch off at one of the many failed dot com companies (Hotvedt exclaims "Cuz look who's laughing now?")
- Chuck it into a lake (the lake was frozen over while filming the pilot episode, which prompted the third retaping of the segment in the first place)