jackassworld

Eddie Barbanell is a big ham. He is really something else. He played my roommate Billy Devore in a movie called The Ringer. He was great in the movie, too. If you don’t believe me just ask Eddie, he’ll tell you so. He’s one of the funniest goddamn people I’ve ever met as well. He idolizes Carol O’Connor and is constantly cutting someone down Archie Bunker-style, me especially. He lays into Jeff Tremaine pretty good, too. Eddie can also can spout, from memory, fifteen-minute long monologues from Shakespeare (and ain’t shy about doing it either, heh heh…).

Eddie also has Down Syndrome, as he so lovingly reminded me the other night at dinner when I asked him a stupid question. “I am mentally challenged, what’s your excuse?” Eddie shot back across the table. The couple at the next table were a little taken aback by his comment, but that’s because they aren’t lucky enough to know Eddie.

When I was trying to think of someone to do the jackassworld weather report, I thought of no one else but Eddie Barbanell. I wanted someone that was fearless, funny, cantankerous, sharp, and brimming with energy. And Eddie is all of those things and many, many more. So put down your soda pop, sit back, and enjoy the Sherman tank that is my friend Eddie Barbanell. “Sound, speed, rolling…and action, Eddie!”

Love, Knoxville