I know that most people who read this site are more interested in John’s work in Forteana and ufology than in his earlier career in radio and TV. However, given that there was always a bit of the trickster in him (as commenters here have sometimes noted), I thought I’d post an example of his work as a professional prankster. Here are ten scenarios for the long-running TV show Candid Camera. They’re from around 1964; I don’t know if they were ever used.
There must have been many people sending their ideas to Candid Camera. If the show used them I don’t think they would even acknowledge they received the letter. I remember reading that Allen Funt was kind of a scumbag who loved firing people and who did an X-rated version of his show as a movie in 1970.
Back in September a commenter named Brescia patty g said: ” threatening behavior + buffonish antics + stage magic + real magic = the trickster “. I believe she was referring to the Three Men in Black who manifested in Keel’s apartment and did the bleach drinking trick. The Trickster is a Native American figure from folklore that communicates through symbols and metaphors during shamanistic experiences performing tricks and pranks. It’s used by some people as an explanation for paranormal phenomena since people who use psychedelics during shamanistic practices often report seeing aliens.
Comment by Mestiere — November 19, 2021 @ 6:39 am
Many comedy writers contributed to Candid Camera over the years; in the ’60s Woody Allen and Fannie Flagg were regular writers. John was writing a lot for TV at the time, so it’s probable that this was solicited through his agent or industry contacts, rather than just sent in on spec.
I assume most readers here are familiar with George Hansen’s book The Trickster and the Paranormal, at least by reputation. Both paranormal experiencers and investigators often tap into the archetype, thriving on chaos, ambiguity, hoaxes, and upsetting established order. John was a complicated character, but there was a strong dose of the Trickster in him at times. He loved secret files, secret love affairs, magic tricks, and pseudonyms. And he certainly spun some tall tales!
Comment by Doug — November 19, 2021 @ 8:05 am
Doug, long time! Keel’s ideas for Candid Camera gags are genuinely funny. Looks like I have a lot of catching-up to do here. All best to you for 2022.
Comment by William Grabowski — January 4, 2022 @ 4:24 am
Yes, Happy New Year! Unfortunately, John didn’t note whether these gags were used. I guess we’ll never know…
Comment by Doug — January 5, 2022 @ 7:44 pm
Keel got deeply offended one day when we were in Central Park and I asked him if the story of him chasing the yeti in JADOO was exaggerated in any way. He stood tall and indignantly told me that he never printed a lie in his life. Keel would FREAK OUT about hoaxers and pranksters. Keel was a comedy writer but if you want pranksters, you’re confusing him with Jim Moseley or my other late friend Tim Beckley. Keel was a journalist when the word still meant something noble.
Comment by Peter B — May 3, 2022 @ 10:12 am
No, John was not a hoaxer, but he did have a bit of the trickster in him, in that he loved magic tricks, pseudonyms, and secret files. Which is why I’m sure he enjoyed thinking up pranks, as a comedy writer, for Candid Camera.
As for Jadoo, John did “take some liberties,” as he put it. Here he is talking about it with his agent and publisher: http://www.johnkeel.com/?p=4669
In writing for men’s magazines, he was sometimes asked to change the facts to make them more commercial; for one story, “I Fed My Arm to a Tiger,” he complied, but only under the pseudonym Randolph Halsey-Quince.
Comment by Doug — May 3, 2022 @ 1:57 pm
Hansen’s The Trickster and the Paranormal is a book that should be required reading for anyone involved in paranormal research. You run across him (or more accurately, he seeks you out) when you approach the boundary.
Comment by patty g — May 25, 2022 @ 11:45 pm
I second the recommendation!
Comment by Doug — May 26, 2022 @ 8:35 pm