Originally published in jar, April 1999

Written by Bobbi Walker
Photos by Stephanie Dowell

Every other Sunday inside Tim Richardson's grandmother's garage, in front of a cardboard backdrop and amidst various pieces of billiards paraphernalia, Those Funky Idiots gather for the taping of their cable access show.

The Idiots, better known as Tom Cherry, 29, Tim Richardson, 17,  Brad Quinton, 18, Audrea Quinton, 16, and Jon Sipes, 18, have been on cable access for four years. But the dream started in 1989 when Tom's Aunt Linda and Uncle Jerry brought their new video camera for Thanksgiving dinner.

"We took it into another room," said Richardson, "and four hours later we came out with our first show."

What started as just family fun developed into the Funky Idiots of today.

The show centers around Arlo Wazzo and his kooky group of friends including Vinnie Tuscany (Richardson), Tulsa Pike (Brad Quinton) and various characters played by Audrea Quinton, Jon Sipes, and other guest players.

Because the cast varies, some characters are portrayed by puppets. Yes, puppets.

The early morning taping begins with soda and donuts for the cast and the crew. Before taping, though, the backdrop (an old couch box) must be repaired.

The group tries to tape outdoors whenever the weather permits, but when it's just too cold or too wet it's back to the sound stage. The sound stage (grandma's garage) is littered with objects that have made appearances on the show. A smashed Christmas tree leans on the side of the couch, pictures of former cast members (and a photo of Arlo's "girlfriend" a.k.a. Wynona Ryder) decorate a table, old televisions, a refrigerator...all adding to Arlo's world, Waffleville.

"We think of Arlo as the next Punky Brewster," Brad said.

Poking fun of pop culture is something the Idiots do well. Hometown icons are no exception.

"We have a character named Mickie Kinsay,"said Cherry. "She writes for the Waffleville Grocery Bag Browser."

Cherry, labeled a "Renaissance Man" by the other cast members, writes each episode.

Today's taping begins with a parody of the WB's Felicity. Arlo, doing his best Felicity impression while wearing bright green sunglasses and a straw hat, speaks into a tape recorder. He relays his sorrowful career saga for Sally, just as Felicity does each week on the television show.

The others gather their costumes. Sven Juppen (Richardson) wears a blue and white striped sweater with a toboggan. Juppen's clothes conjure up images of bad South Park characters.

"I don't know if any of my characters ever use my hair," said Richardson, as he pulls on Sven's toboggan.

Audrea Quinton is playing Sven's foreign exchange student girlfriend in this episode. She is clad in a nylon bonnet-style hood and dark Jackie-O sunglasses.

Tulsa, supposedly the last of the Pony Express mailmen, wears a black cowboy hat and, according to Brad, "whatever I'm wearing that day."

Richardson does most of the filming and directing is a group effort. Production takes place at Ball State University. Tim and Brad do most of the editing. Brad is responsible for the "titles", which according to his sister (Audrea) are the funniest part of the show.

With Richardson, Sipes and Brad Quinton all graduating from high school this year and Audrea Quinton thinking of a show of her own (possible spinoff?), the future of Those Funky Idiots rests with Tom Cherry. He speculates that it could just be him and a bunch of puppets or he might do more work on Channel 74, a sort of public access show within a public access show, that Cherry produces.

For now, the show must go on.

Tulsa bounces into the scene: Sorry, no mail for the Idiots, but he gives the audience a friendly reminder, "Write to the Funky Idiots at thosefunkyidiots@aol.com."

Catch Those Funky Idiots at 3:30 pm on Monday and at 5:00 pm on Tuesdays on public access Channel 42.*

*Of course, the show is now airing at 11:00 pm on Thursdays on Muncie's Channel 42!

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