2005 O.HENRY emcees

2005 O.HENRY emcees
PunPunPun.com > O.HENRY PUN-OFF 2005 > 2005 O.HENRY emcees

2005 EMCEE/PRODUCER

Gary Hallock

GARY HALLOCK

Now enjoying his 15th year as producer of the Pun-Off as well as being the omni-pleasant "Leerless Feeder" of the online YahooGroup P.U.N.Y., Gary Hallux still manages to toe the line without risking de-feet. Though he's long out of training as a competitor, he still shows his stripes by sporting his lucky engineer's hat. (He say's it's a good way to raise yourself a steam) This energetic dynamo ("Don't call me Dinah, Mo!") is all over the stage and the backstage area throughout the Pun-Off, and during the many weeks of intensive weakness beforehandand no, Gary doesn't really have four hands, though it sure would help as he does the lion's share (and we're not lyin') of the event engineering work himself. Each member of his long-suffering family deserves a special "Good Support" award considering the fact that Gary often seems MIA for months before the Pun-Off. Chris, do you remember what Gary looks like? We promise to send him home after the show! Return male to <garyhallock@mac.com>

JOEL McCOLL

Years ago Joel came to the Pun-Off to discover his true McColling, first as a contestant and eventually as an emcee. Each year he's worked his way through all the rankness now it's been twenty cents. In his paradigm Joel continues to write, sing and play guitar in his autobiographical band, Midlife Crisis. After 20 years of bum-steering our championship of fools, Joel feels he may soon become two decade to keep a score, but we all know that's just a stage he's too good to be through.

When he's not parading around the Pun-Off stage in those funny blue pants, Joel is Associate Publisher of Avid Golfer Magazine. Perhaps he can answer the question, "What's golf fer?" Well, why shouldn't he wear funny pants? Joel McColl is darned funny, and after four or five hours onstage at the Pun-Off, he certainly pants. So let's year it for Joel McColl! Nobody can define what a pun is like he can. He's definest punster we know.

Bill Branch

It's not going out on a limb to say that Bill Branch has deep roots in the his-tree of the Pun-Off. Neither sap nor sapling, Bill has attended and participated in more Pun-Offs than any person still drawing breadth. Bill recently nailed down a position as a bored member of the emcee panel which is really oak with us. (Hey! If it ain't burr oak, don't fixate) Branch also rounds out the Bill as a long-time member of our house band, Bill Rowan & the High Rollers who have been warming up the Pun-Off audiences for many years. Bill often sports a T-shirt that reads "Puns of Steel," so be careful that he doesn't try to ABS-cond with yours.

Steve Brooks

Steve Brooks' puns flow like a river, but he still creeks along between punning and singing and will brook no interference with his thought streams. You can bank on that! Don't give him aspirin for his fevered brain; it has led him to writing a song a week for Jim Hightower's radio show and recording six CDs. The syndicated TV show, I've Got a Secret featured him as six-time World Pun Champ, and he's been champion at the bits ever since. And speaking of "bit," I "bit" you didn't know Steve has also been in two movies, including 2004's Barbecue: A Texas Love Story. If your love is puns or music, check out Steve's Website at www.stevebrooks.netand we're net just leading you on. Brooks? Him, Dano! (We've always wanted to say that.