Let the roasting begin ...
Gridiron takes jobs to help raise funds

By Jeff Raymond

Published: February 19, 2008

If you've ever wanted to accompany Gov. Brad Henry on a fishing trip to Brazil or sing about obesity with Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, Gridiron 2008 is your ticket.

The Gridiron Club's annual satire show will be staged Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Gridiron began in 1928 and has been roasting newsmakers ever since.

A rehearsal last week included jabs at the year's top stories — from the ice storm to tattooing fish to a former Creek County judge's activities.

Henry's fishing trip with tort reform foes was the subject of a reworked version of The Young Rascals' song "Groovin',” with Andrew Harris portraying Henry singing:

"There's always lots of places we can go

"As long as someone else is paying the dough

"With all those freebies, man, it's such a treat, yeah, yeah

"Fishin' on a Brazilian afternoon.”

Following the Henry number was one from lawyers congratulating themselves for torpedoing tort reform.

Poking fun at the city's rank among the country's fattest and the mayor's push for residents to lose a million pounds, Jim Palmer, as Cornett, and a chorus of citizens sing to the tune of The Hollies' "He Ain't Heavy.”

Other songs poked fun at the presidential race, the controversy surrounding the Oklahoma City Public Schools' board and former superintendent, illegal immigration legislation and the poor conditions of the state's bridges.

And no roast would be complete without an homage to Gene Stipe. This year's doesn't disappoint.

Show proceeds provide scholarships to Oklahoma college students who are studying to be journalists.

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