Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

[1842musket]

Folks,
Check out the latest issue of FHM magazine. Has yet another article that kinda pokes a bit of fun at our hobby. There's a segment in the article that's sort of a "Core Eye for the Mainstream Guy" where Rob Hodge and another fellow (I think he's an actual modern fashion designer) evaluate the kits of various reenactors. I wouldn't take it too seriously.
Cheers,
Larry McIrvin

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

Tonights episode of Insomniac on Comedey Central, featured a CW event in the deep south. In short ugggggggg.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

Look...the only way people can take this hobby seriously is if the are educated. (College-or self)-this goes for reenactors, living history and spectators. How do we educate people...now that is up for discussion. I found the thing on comedy central kind of funny...But oh well...anyone elses thoughts?

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[msmjr]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

I found the thing on comedy central kind of funny...But oh well...anyone elses thoughts?

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

The Comedy Central Show "Insomniac" that featured the CW reenactment......pretty funny. The star's own slapstick comedy when he is walking and darn near stabs himself w/ the bayonet scabbard, while exclaiming, "oh what the hell is this..." Too funny!

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

Yeah, the show was funny, but embarrassing at the same time. All of my friends see that stuff and they think that's what I do when I go away on weekends.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

The show was very funny. The whole idea of the show is to go out and drink have fun and poke fun. And within that context, I felt he took probably most unbiased stance as any media I have seen. His position was these guys are having fun, Im having fun with them.

But from an insiders point of view, I have to look at this show and see how we as hobbyists as a whole are being seen. These guys looked like fat middle aged goofballs drinking moonshine around the fire, with their "soiled doves" at the ball, and a big shootem up the next day. Booze, Battle, Ball.

[srmitchell]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

All,
I've got to agree here, the insomniac spoof was awesome! Yes, the hobby as a whole looked like a faux-victorian costume party (see Renaissance festival clause), but then again, a large part of the hobby IS a costume party.
An accurate portrayal of history is supplanted by a loosely woven semi-historical background that focuses on fun, fun! FUN!!!!!
We all know this, and in part this is what motivated all of us to achieve the levels of historical accuracy that we now hold. They enjoy the hobby that way, and we enjoy it our way. No big deal. I think our impressions, our studies, and the way we carry ourselves on and off the field separate us from the rest of the hobby. Dave Atell's take on re-enacting rocked! He had fun and didn't take it so seriously. Maybe we should all take a lesson from Dave. We know who we are and what we do. Don't sweat what the 'streamers are doing.
Regards,

[SGulley]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

It never stops though. I don't think we'll ever break the media barrier in terms of fat-middle-aged-powder-burnin-yahoos. My girlfriend watched "Insomniac" w/ me and laughed her ass off and couldn't help saying that they made us look like assholes.

Oh well....

[Secede1863]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

I didn't watch it but most people here say it was fun....
The ads from what I could tell made reenactors look like assinine drunks who dress up and drink.
I'm not a strict-mean-gotta have it my way guy and doesn't like to have fun with things but it looks to me like it is portraying our hobby wrong...but then again its Comedy Central...fun and humor so I hope non-reenactors that watched got the idea thats that not how it is for the most part.
We dont get so drunk we want to *** the jack-0-latern in some bar whiel reenacting,,,,that is just un-safe.
OH WELL
Thats Just Me....
Andrew Stebbins

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

The thing is, The show didnt make the reeactors look like fat booze swilling morons, the reenactors did.

[1stMaine]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

Comrades,
I thought the whole episode was hillarious. The dwark KISS look-alike band was right up there also.
One thing that I would point out, though, is this. We talk a LOT about how such a simple item as a properly-made cap or hat will set off a man's appearance, and set the tone for the overall impression that others have of him. It's true. Did you get a look at all the floppy hillbilly-type hats being worn by both sides at that event? It was amazing, and the comment is true. Even with otherwise good uniforms or impressions, those floppy hats drove me nuts looking at them.
I think that this episode was a candid and very unbiased look at one part of the hobby, and sadly, it's the part that most folks see and remember.
respects,

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

If anybody missed the show, it will be re-played at certain times during the weekend. Obviously.

We don't get so drunk we want to *** the jack-O-latern in some bar while reenacting,,,,that is just un-safe.

Un-safe??

[SCTiger]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

I was at Conyers when David Atell showed up, I was the one that gave him the CDV photos of the women in their 19th century undergarments. He had asked if there was "porn" in the 19th century. Yes there was. Then I produced those pictures. He signed one for me and I gave him the rest. He had quite a good time at the "Battle of Atlanta". It was surprising at first becaue, it was a typical, boring ball scene, then Dave Atell shows up. Many of the older fellows didn't have a clue as to who he was, they thought he was a local news person. Dave had a good time. I talked with him for a few minutes, he told me that he was from Brooklyn, N.Y. and he had a lot of sincere questions about reenacting/uniforms/equipment etc, like any other spectator. He was never insulting or condescending like Michael Moore with "The Naked Truth" or other so-called "documentary" film makers. Remember PBS? That wasn't even funny.

I didn't get the impression that Dave was picking on reenactors per se. Reenactments are very common throughout the South, it's a typical feature of Southern life. He was doing a road trip to the South. The movie "Sweet Home Alabama" was less flattering in my view.

Some folks were worried about being made "fun" of, but they made light of the BBQ guys, the NASCAR slot racers, the people at the Halloween party,the cotton gin, the bar flies etc.,they're probably aren't ashamed or complaining. If anything, it showed that reenactors are regular ordinary people trying to have a good time and recreate some parts of American history.

I don't think it was the intention of Comedy Central to degrade reenactors or this hobby, we do a pretty good job of that on our own. :) I talked with Dave the following day after the battle, he really enjoyed the event and appreciated our hospitality. His jokes were taken in good cheer. I think Dave was impressed with the lack of thin skins and that he could let loose with the reenactors. More than a few people may see the show and say "those guys are alright".

The only way this hobby would could end up looking "bad" is when we forget our manners, humor, hospitality and when we lose our ability to discuss history without getting too serious and offensive. I don't believe that Dave Atell or most of the non-reenacting public think of us simply as the fat, powder-burning, booze-swilling morons, only fellow reenactors supply that kind of bad and humorless PR.

[Secede1863]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

As for the FHM article....I am reading it right now.
Henry Roth is the Fashion editor for "The Fashion Court"

The idea is to see why people make fun of reenactors. From what I can see by skiming over it the captions under the pictures seem to be true....

Ya really need to be in shape or have a good excuse to have a good impression!

Andrew Stebbins

PS: Un-safe - With weapons, not good to be drunk.

[BobSzabo]

Re: Article on Reenactors in latest FHM Magazine

Hey my picture is in this article. They got my good side too :) You can see me from the back bending over my camera.

Heres is a picture I took of the FHM photographer. I'm pretty sure he was completly outfitted by Lucas Berg.

http://www.robertszabo.com/albums/Living-History/reb1_web.jpg

Bob Szabo TBP (tubby bearded photographer)