Peter King’s 10 Yards Of Awkwardness With Bruce Springsteen
Monday, January 26th, 2009
I went through Peter King’s MMQB column this morning. I don’t think it will surprise you to learn that his column, as usual, contained the mandatory dose of Favre-slobbing (Bretty hates offseason programs!), poor use of bullet point formatting, bitching about complimentary items, high praise for a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” season that ended in 2007, and sentences such as this one:
I have two words for you, Continental: Sleeper cells.
But I’d like to focus on one particular passage from Peter King: Airport Watchdog this week. This one:
I really want to meet Bruce Springsteen this week. Is that too much to ask?… Come to think of it, if I met him, what would I say? “I love your music?” “The Wrestler is going to be an ESPN instant classic?”… I’d probably just say the same thing to him that I often say to Bailey the golden retriever: “You’re so good.” Or maybe: “I’m proud to share the same state.” Something ridiculously gee-whiz.
Fear not, Peter. I know exactly what you would say to Bruce Springsteen if you were to meet him this week, though I found your prediction of talking to him as if he were YOUR FUCKING DOG more or less accurate. Join me as we take a glimpse into Peter’s Elite Flyer future for a sneak peek at this legendary meeting.
King: Oh my God! Bruce Springsteen! I’m Peter King.
The Boss: Hello there, Peter.
King: I’m sorry… I’m speechless. I haven’t been this nervous since I ran into Robert Wuhl.
The Boss: Oh.
King: You know… Arli$$? He’s a big name actor.
The Boss: Yes. Of course.
King: Are you staying at the Marriott this week? Because I have to warn you, their shampoo is far too perfumey for brawny men such as you and me. Best to bring your own. I like the Herbal Essences brand. You know they have ads that show women simulating orgasms in the shower?
The Boss: Oh.
King: What a country, right?
The Boss: Yes, it’s a great one.
King: I really loved your song from “The Wrestler”.
The Boss: Oh, thank you.
King: Of course, I wanted to see it at the Nutley Mall last month, but Hollywood keeps on insisting on EXTORTING MY FAMILY by delaying the suburban release.
The Boss: I’m not sure you’re using that word “extorting” correctly.
King: Yes, I did. It was my Peter King Word of the Week (PKWOTW) the other week. This week, I’m thinking of using “serendipitous”. It means to be covered entirely in plastic wrap. Did you know that?
The Boss: I don’t actually think…
King: Let me ask you a question: How do you know if your tour bus is stopped?
The Boss: Umm… (frantically begins searching for a way out)
King: Because if I were in a bus, I’d probably have to look out the window first, to make sure the land isn’t scrolling by, to make sure we were no longer moving. Though I don’t care for buses. Not enough leg room. I like the Acela Express. Amtrak, GREAT JOB WITH YOUR TRAINS. They define clutch.
The Boss: Listen, I have to…
King: Have you ever done a show in Nashville?
The Boss: Yes.
King: They have a bee farm there that will positively astound you. I can show you all the pictures we took. Did you know there were also slaves in the South at one point in time?
The Boss: Well, yes. That’s a well-known part of American history.
King: What a country.
The Boss: What?
King: Do you have a driver? Or do you drive yourself? Because I have a Bluetooth earpiece that makes the time go by (snaps fat fingers) like THAT. I was on the Garden State and I talked to over 50 different people after getting into two separate accidents. I spoke with Ted Cottrell, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, and he said, ‘Look, I’m happy for Raheem Morris. I just wish there had been more opportunities for minority coaches when I was a younger assistant.’”
The Boss: I don’t know who those people are.
King: THEN I HAD A FOUR HOUR SEMI-ARGUMENT WITH MATT MILLEN? You know what it was about?
The Boss: No.
King: C’mon. Guess. You’ll love it.
The Boss: Football?
King: No. TOPICAL OINTMENTS! He thought they all were made near the Equator. And I don’t think I agree with him. Do you ever work the land? You just strike me as the kind of working class guy who would just up and disappear into a deer stand one day.
The Boss: I don’t really hunt.
King: Is there room for Wes Welker in your band? I mean, this guy is SO TOUGH. He’s just such a football player. I feel like he could contribute to the E Street band in some way. It’s a crime he isn’t more involved.
The Boss: I don’t know who that is.
King: Have you ever seen Frank Caliendo do an impression of you? It’s even better than seeing the real you in concert.
The Boss: Um… thank you?
King: OHHHH! WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT?
The Boss: What’s wrong?
King: This Kit Kat! They gave it to me on the flight and it’s all melted! I was gonna offer you a piece too! CONTINENTAL AIRLINES DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO TREAT ITS MOST VALUED CUSTOMERS. Don’t you worry, Bruce. I’ll get us another Kit Kat.
The Boss: That’s not really necessary.
King: It’s okay. The AP sent us all instructions on how to purchase new ones. Say, do you watch Family Guy? HYSTERICAL.
The Boss: I don’t.
King: Well, it’s great. It has this talking dog. And then it has this talking baby, who’s evil! TELL ME THAT ISN’T THE FUNNIEST THING YOU’VE EVER SEEN.
The Boss: Okay.
King: Here’s a question I’ve always wanted to ask you: You have sold over 120 million albums worldwide.
The Boss: That’s not a question.
King: Over 65 million in the USA alone.
The Boss: I already know that information.
King: Jay Glazer is reporting that you’re going to play “Born To Run”. But I’m speculating you’ll play “The Fuse”. Who’s right? I feel like I gotta go with my hunch.
The Boss: No, Jay was right.
King: Here’s an amazing story for you. Don Banks once went to one of your shows. And he got a tour t-shirt for $25. Said it was a great show.
The Boss: That’s not really all that amazing.
King: Well, I just wanted to say how glad I am to meet you. And I cannot wait for Sunday’s halftime show. It’s gonna be a real Texas Death Match. You’ll be amazed how many kids in the audience are wearing Ugg Boots.
The Boss: Great. I have to go.
King: DON’T DRINK THE COFFEE BACKSTAGE! IT’S JUST COFFEE FLAVORED WATER! CAN YOU LEAVE A VOICEMAIL ON MY PHONE SO I CAN SAVE IT?! YOUR BAND IS A DYNASTIC WOMB! HAVE YOU SEEN “BOBBY” YET? YOU REMIND ME OF MY DOG! BRUCE? BRUUUUUUUUCE!


















