Happy 50th, Exploding Whale!

[TowelWaver]

I can't believe it's been 50 years since a beached whale carcass was exploded so memorably in Florence, Oregon...I'll never forget hearing the stories of the incident and thinking it was nothing more than an outlandish urban legend, until the footage of it showed up on the Internet sometime in my college years. For the occasion, KATU has remastered the footage to capture the flying blubber in full glory. For those of you who have no idea what on earth I'm talking about...enjoy:

The Exploding Whale remastered: 50th anniversary of legendary Oregon event

 

[PCLoadLetter]

I couldn't tell you how many times I've watched that piece over the years. Absolutely the best local news package I've ever seen, and I've been in the business for 30 years. The writing is wonderful.

I've made countless coworkers watch it on youtube. I've been getting texts and messages for two days now from people saying "Saw this and thought of you!"

 

[WolvEagle]

That news report is a classic. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[exmediahack]

I had never seen this.

PCLL is right. The writing, puns, timing with the video. It's all perfect. A lost art.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Paul Lindeman (sp) had a long and successful career in Portland TV.

 

[HanSenSE]

Bumping, because only in MiLB.

 

[DanOregon]

Said to partly be the "inspiration" for the famous Les Nesman Thanksgiving turkey drop episode of WKRP.

And there is this.

https://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/florence/activities/exploding-whale-memorial-park/

 

[jr/shotglass]

The whales have not yet come home to roost, but they shall. God help us all, they shall.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Hot damn. Looks like I'm ordering a shirt.

 

[micropolitan guy]

I can't believe it's been 50 years since a beached whale carcass was exploded so memorably in Florence, Oregon...I'll never forget hearing the stories of the incident and thinking it was nothing more than an outlandish urban legend, until the footage of it showed up on the Internet sometime in my college years. For the occasion, KATU has remastered the footage to capture the flying blubber in full glory. For those of you who have no idea what on earth I'm talking about...enjoy:

The Exploding Whale remastered: 50th anniversary of legendary Oregon event

It's probably the most famous news clip ever out of Oregon. No. 2 is Rodney McCray running through the outfield fence at old Civic Stadium in Portland.

Rodney McCray crashes through the outfield fence - YouTube

 

[UNCGrad]

Bumping, because only in MiLB.

Be right back, off to check to see if there is a low-profile/crown version of that hat...

 

[CD Boogie]

I love the audio snippet when the woman scolds the man and tells him he can undercover his ears now.

BTW, imagine going back to your car and finding a piece of whale blubber has caved in your roof. Try explaining that to the insurance company.