The 2006 American Larrikin Award

Welcome to The Bawdy Cloister's First Annual American Larrikin Award presentation.  Each year, in observance of Australia Day, one American citizen will be recognized for their Aussie spirit:

The larrikin is almost archly self-conscious, too smart for his or her own good, witty rather than humorous, bending rules and sailing close to the wind, taking the piss out of people, cutting down tall poppies, larger than life, skeptical, iconoclastic, egalitarian yet suffering fools badly, insouciant and, above all, defiant. -- Clem Gorman

Each year the winner of the award will have their name permanently attached to the coveted Cowboy Lamb Chop.

So without further ado, let the ceremony begin...

This year we recognize an American actor who for 35 years has transcended racial stereotypes by taking on roles conventional wisdom would delegate otherwise.  He once stated that in order to rid society of racism we must simply "stop talking about it."  He also called Black History Month "ridiculous," adding, "I don't want Black History Month.  Black history is American history."* 

Despite his passion for social justice he comes across neither strident nor preachy.  Rather, he achieves his purpose through laid-back wit and self-deprecation. He's played a wide range of characters from a Chauffeur to the President of the United States, from a Civil War soldier to God....

But for those of us who grew up in the 1970s, he'll forever be the hippest, coolest, most super-fly English teacher we've ever had....

Easy Reader!

Easy Reader.  That’s my name.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Readin’, readin’.  That’s my game.  Laww…

A-top to bottom, left to right,

That readin’ stuff is outa sight!

Easy Reader.  That’s my name.  I say mmm, mmm, mmm.

I groove on all the words around.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.

S’long as they are written down.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Readin’s heavy.  Readin’s tough.

I just don’t seem to get enough.

Easy Reader.  That’s my name.  I tell ya, mmm, mmm, mmm.

I’m a readin’ man, and it’s words I seek.

Every word I see, I just gotta speak.

I’m a first-class genuine readin’ freak.

Easy Reader.  That’s my name.  I tell ya, mmm, mmm, mmm.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the the 2006 American Larrikin Award to Morgan Freeman!

  Congratulations!

* All quotes from an interview on 60 Minutes.

Comments

[JtH]

And a fitting openeing to this prestigious accolade. He is certainly worthy of the honour. Nice concept.

[CBK]

Well chosen! I wish I had seen that show in the 70s.