January | 2021 | Through the Shattered Lens

by Erin Nicole

A few years ago, I took this picture on the campus of Richland Community College. At the time, I liked the contrast between the tranquil campus and the harshness of the sign. As peaceful as the creek looked and as content as the campus’s ducks may have been, there was also danger.

I took a semester at Richland and I still like to visit the campus with my camera. As you can see in this picture, there’s a picturesque creek that runs through the campus. Both students and ducks love the creek. (The ducks are so popular that Richland even named its mascot the Thunderduck.) Even those who are no longer or were never students at Richland enjoy going up to the camps and walking along the creek. It’s impossible to look at the creek without being tempted to jump in and go for a swim. A few years ago, a man who wasn’t even enrolled at the college gave into the temptation and drowned. I’ll follow the sign’s advice.

I picked this for today’s artwork of the day because I feel like the first day of a new year is much like that creek. You want to dive right in but there’s still dangers. That’s especially true this year. Are you going to swim or not?

Let’s start 2021 with Crispin Glover.

The song Clowny Clown Clown comes from Glover’s first album, The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be. The album, which also featured Glover covering songs like These Boots Are Made For Walking and The Daring Young an On The Flying Trapeze, was released in 1989 and the liner notes invited anyone who could figure out what the “Big Problem” was to give Glover a call. The liner notes included a phone number that you could call, which was apparently Crispin’s phone number at the time. The number has since been disconnected so don’t waste your time trying to give Crispin a call.

Before making this video, Glover was best-known for playing George McFly in Back to the Future and for nearly kicking David Letterman in the head during an interview in 1987. Much like Joaquin Phoenix’s infamous later appearance on Letterman, it is believed that Glover was attempting an Andy Kaufmanesque stunt during his first appearance, as well as trying to promote an upcoming film. (The film was Rubin and Ed, which was filmed in ’87 but wouldn’t be released until 1991.) On March 28th, 1990, Glover returned to Letterman’s show, where he discussed his music and where a clip from the Clowny Clown Clown video was shown.

Below is Glover’s first appearance on Letterman:

Here is Glover’s subsequent performance, in which he attempts to explain himself and shows a clip of this video:

While I think it’s clear the Glover was playing a role in both of his appearances, I’m not sure if Letterman was in on the joke as he seems to be genuinely annoyed during both interviews. Of course, back then, genuinely annoyed was Letterman’s default interview style.

Back to Glover’s album, if anyone knows the Big Problem or its solution, let us know in the comments and we’ll try to get word to Crispin.

Enjoy!