‘Ordinary Iowa’ to film final show

Jen Schroeder

Fans of Fritz Junker’s “Ordinary Iowa” have one last chance to join in on the crazed madness tonight as the final episode airs at 8 p.m on STV 9. “It is a rather sad moment, but I think I’ll deal with it, perhaps with some strong sedatives,” Fritz Junker, creator and host of the show, said.

For those unfamiliar with the antics of “Ordinary Iowa,” the show revolves around interviews of campus celebrities, skits and video segments.

Junker, a junior in liberal studies, said he created “Ordinary Iowa” because he thought Iowa State needed something creative. “I think we succeeded in creating some new ideas,” he said.

There will not be an “Ordinary Iowa” next year because Junker is moving on to other endeavors. The show should not be completely forgotten next year, though. “I hope that it will continue thought processes in the same medium,” Junker said.

Looking back on the year, Junker recalls an episode that contained a lot of blood — the piercing episode where a woman got her eyebrow pierced on stage and Junker ended up being the surprise victim of random abuse.

“I enjoyed getting punched in the face,” he said. “There was also general set destruction.” This involved studio manager Aaron Hammes surprising Junker once by leaping on his desk and then to the stage floor where he fell through.

Despite such fond memories, the episode tonight will contain clips from the worst moments of the show. “Most of them are in the first couple of series. The toast badminton was confirmed horrible by Dr. Alexander Abian himself,” Junker said.

Appropriately enough, the show’s first guest will also be its last. Abian will join the crew and share a separate video tour of his home.

Abian is known for gaining national media coverage for wanting to blow up the moon.

Junker said Abian is the man who spawned the whole idea of having the show. “His genius is unbounded.”

The show will also contain an eight and a half minute short movie spoofing the death of renowned painter Bob Ross.

Representatives from the Transcendental Meditation Club will also be guest speakers while meditation is expected to occur on stage.

Junker invites anyone to come and join the audience. “We have 50 open spots. This is your last chance.” Those interested should be at Exhibit Hall by 7:45 p.m.

“We will begin our live broadcast at 8 p.m. pummeling the cable lines in the greater Ames and Nevada areas,” Junker said.

Those who miss it can catch the special rebroadcast on May 1, 6 and 8 at 8 p.m. on Cable Channel 9.