Who doesn't love talking rats? I mean, really. Chic-A-Go-Go is a Chicago institution and one I am…read morevery pleased to have experienced. Viable Public Access television is going the way of the dinosaur but, somehow, C-A-G-G has managed to tape over 700 episodes and entertain kids young and old throughout the Midwest.
I didn't quite know what to expect. It seemed way too simple to just show up to a building, pay nothing, smile for the camera, and dance to music. But, that's exactly what you do. You show up at the appointed tape time (it's TV; time rules all), you should be dressed in some sort of catchy costume (it's TV; stand out), get ready to take direction (it's TV; follow the rules), and show the world what you've got (it's TV; some rapper has to be looking for a rump-shaker). For my taping, there were monsters, robots, kittens, princesses, wizards, and the little kids dressed up in costume as well. The director said "Action" and the very first refrain I heard was "I whip mah herre back an' forth!" Dammit! Another Smith has infiltrated something that was good and pure. On cue, all the little ones started bobbing and moving to their braided-leaders commands. Startled, I began to think ill of my plan until the evil sounds of the littlelest Smith were drowned out by Motown... and then The Jackson 5... and then LIVE, IN-STUDIO DOO-WOP! What? What is going on here? Nothing makes sense. This is awesome.
Miss Mia's job is to interview the musical guests and keep the action moving. She does an excellent job at both. And as pleasant as she is to watch in action, my true attention was trained on Ratso -- the puppet rat MC who calls the shots. Perhaps my rapt attention to a talking rat over an attractive, music-loving female speaks volumes to my current lack of a dating life. I had a fantastic time etching my way into a piece of Chicago broadcast history and I think most everyone would feel the same.