Metafilter's OwnTM Chance Ruder, aka FeistyFerret, will be on Larry King Live

January 1, 2007 10:41 AM

Set your Tivos: Metafilter's Own^TM Chance Ruder, aka FeistyFerret, will be on Larry King Live tonight with talk-show-wildlife-guy Jack Hanna. Chance's contribution to Metafilter history was cemented when he provided this best answer over in the green and then successfully fought off accusations that he didn't actually exist. Having overcome this existential crisis, Chance is now poised to become a Television Personality.
posted by Saucy Intruder to MetaFilter-Related at 10:41 AM (75 comments total)

How exciting! Congrats, FeistyFerret!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:51 AM on January 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

isn't feisty ferret the next version of ubuntu?
posted by quonsar at 10:54 AM on January 1, 2007 [3 favorites]

One steak of the endangered animal of your choice cooked to order to the first person who calls him Chase!

Jus' foolin'. Good luck, FeistyFerret, and best to you for trying to save the planet. Shine on.
posted by carsonb at 10:54 AM on January 1, 2007

Awesome stuff. Congrats FeistyFerret.

If someone could subsequently upload the clip to youtube or another site so us non-USians can watch it too, that would be great.
posted by slimepuppy at 10:56 AM on January 1, 2007

Neat! G'luck! Wear green facial powder.- if you blush saves you from fire-engine red cheeks. :P True y'all.
posted by dabitch at 10:58 AM on January 1, 2007

Wow. Good going, FeistyFerret - good luck!
posted by greycap at 10:58 AM on January 1, 2007

dabitch, considering they have to make Larry King resemble a humanoid on a daily basis, I think that their makeup people are top-notch.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 11:04 AM on January 1, 2007

I just saw photos on Vidiot's flickrstream. I guess they taped it already?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:07 AM on January 1, 2007

Cool and congrats!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:11 AM on January 1, 2007

Let's get 'em outta the way, folks:

-Meh, it's Larry King, not Charlie Rose.

-Is this something I need cable T.V. to understand?

-Larry King? The guy who got married, what, 7 times? I guess MeFi is a boyzone...

-A MeTa post bragging about a Larry King interview? I knew MetaFilter was getting too US centric...

-I have a ribbon microphone in my pants.

-It's on CNN, not MSNBC. This won't Wendell.

-Does this mean we can FPP the YouTube archive of this interview? Sweet!

-In a perfect world, Chance is Miguel's sockpuppet...

-GLASS TEAT FULL OF COCKS

-I'm still seeing 2006 in Firefox. What's the deal?

-So now the MSM thinks "Chance Ruder" is real. Well that's it, I'm leaving this website.
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:12 AM on January 1, 2007

Gee, I wonder if the people who called him a liar back in the green and grey threads will come out of the woodwork and apologize for being dicks.
posted by dobbs at 11:29 AM on January 1, 2007

What dobbs said.. He's hardly "metafilter's own" considering he was basically harassed enough to abandon the site after around a dozen answers on askme..
posted by davey_darling at 11:42 AM on January 1, 2007

"Metafilter's Loss^TM Chance Ruder, aka FeistyFerret..."
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:49 AM on January 1, 2007

Metafilter's Own^TM Cousin Oliver.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 12:10 PM on January 1, 2007

I'm glad this is the news that broke the post-free day in MetaTalk.
posted by cgc373 at 12:25 PM on January 1, 2007

I just caught up on the backstory. I belong to a small forum of about 100 Mac people who to some extent know each other in real life (through meetups and such) that's adminned by a 17 year old. Most of us are in our mid-thirties to mid-forties, with a smattering of college kids. When there's a flare-up or a misunderstanding, we can just about always count on the 17 year old kid to be the most level-headed & erudite person on the board. We had a couple people express disbelief when he outed himself as a 16 year-old after we'd been on line for a year, but not in a rude way, more in a "Wow Zack, you're kidding, right?" kind of way. He rules. He codes the site, keeps the 'bots out, and makes us all laugh nearly every day, all while going to his first year of computer engineering courses in college. I only wish to g*d I had had half of his maturity and ambition when I was 25. What I'm trying to say is: these people do walk among us, and we should treasure them.
posted by Devils Rancher at 12:30 PM on January 1, 2007 [2 favorites]

And I had expected MetaFilter's Own^TM Adam Savage to provide the definitive answer whether FeistyFerret was for real...

One steak of the endangered animal of your choice cooked to order to the first person who calls him Chase!
How 'bout if I call him Chauncey?
posted by wendell at 12:37 PM on January 1, 2007

I was really rooting for a MeTa-free new year's day.
posted by knave at 1:15 PM on January 1, 2007

I missed all this because I never go to AskMetaFilter. What a great kid.
posted by y2karl at 1:29 PM on January 1, 2007

-GLASS TEAT FULL OF COCKS

GLASS COCK FULL OF TEATS!!

(actually back when I was a PC salesman, I had a customer named 'Glasscock.' I bet his childhood was hell. I also had a customer name 'Charles M. Anson.' That's just unfortunate.)
posted by jonmc at 1:31 PM on January 1, 2007

Gee, I wonder if the people who called him a liar back in the green and grey threads will come out of the woodwork and apologize for being dicks.

There was really only one person who really persisted, tried to Google him, and desperately wanted to "prove" he wasn't real after all reason. There may have been a couple other people who didn't buy it originally, but I don't think they put up much of a fight.

But this "Ori" guy was just certain that a 13 year old wouldn't "talk" like that. He even got his 16 year old sister to come on and say he didn't sound "legit."

After the whole thing, Ori decided to leave Metafilter. I thought FF stayed around, but looking at his posting history it seems he didn't.

To bad, it was basically a case of one asshole ruining the site for someone we would probably want to keep around.
posted by delmoi at 1:33 PM on January 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

Okay. I was wrong.
posted by found missing at 1:37 PM on January 1, 2007

Too bad, it was basically a case of one asshole ruining the site for someone we would probably want to keep around.

Exactly. I don't know whether FeistyFerret would be amused or angry at the idea that he's "MeFi's own," but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't agree. In the unlikely event he ever sees this thread: good for you, and I hope you'll give us another, uh, chance!
posted by languagehat at 1:50 PM on January 1, 2007

Ha! I missed this particular drama because I was, somewhat ironically, at a summer program for "exceptional" kids without access to a computer. The issue of kids being on the internet and talking as equals to adults is sort of near to my heart, having been the 13 year old on the message board populated by people in their 30s only, um, 4 years ago. Thankfully, that board was waay nicer to me than Metafilter (where I'm still too scared to even approach the blue). Hopefully FeistyFerret will find this thread and realize that most people here want him back.
posted by MadamM at 2:25 PM on January 1, 2007

Thumbs up, FeistyFerret. Keep going, man.
posted by mediareport at 2:41 PM on January 1, 2007

I exchanged some emails with FF after he answered one of my AskMe questions. I never had any question about his being "legit". Glad to see that he/they are being recognized. As for me, it's another link in my Six Degrees of Separation.
posted by Robert Angelo at 3:13 PM on January 1, 2007

Mmkay!
posted by washburn at 4:47 PM on January 1, 2007

MadamM, no 17 year old would talk like that. Just admit that you're a plant from the Larry King Show, or we'll have to call in Ori's sister.
posted by cortex at 4:52 PM on January 1, 2007

But this "Ori" guy was just certain that a 13 year old wouldn't "talk" like that. He even got his 16 year old sister to come on and say he didn't sound "legit."

A 16-year-old who uses the term "legit"? In 2006? I thought that particular piece of slang jumped the shark here.
posted by CKmtl at 4:54 PM on January 1, 2007

(actually back when I was a PC salesman, I had a customer named 'Glasscock.' I bet his childhood was hell. I also had a customer name 'Charles M. Anson.' That's just unfortunate.)

I had a neighbor with the name "Phil McCracken."

Which is also unfortunate.
posted by jason's_planet at 4:58 PM on January 1, 2007

Yeah? We had a Harry Butts in my town. Publically listed in the phone book.

I could never figure out if he was insane or if he simply enjoyed abuse. He must have answered dozens and dozens of calls a day.
posted by loquacious at 5:43 PM on January 1, 2007

There was a fellow here called "Mr Bumanus".

Apparently it was pronounced "byoomanous".
posted by Wolof at 5:59 PM on January 1, 2007

Not nearly as bad as the others, but I had a friend in high school named "Jacques DuLong". He was actually rather proud of the name.
posted by wendell at 6:12 PM on January 1, 2007

Apparently it was pronounced "byoomanous".

That's amazing! I knew a dentist named Fuchs Chickenz. You see, it's funny because it sounds like fucks chickens.
posted by horsewithnoname at 6:13 PM on January 1, 2007

My daughter went to school last year with two boys by the last name of Zweiner.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:31 PM on January 1, 2007

There was a bagger at QFC whose name was To, pronounced like the number and preposition. As in To Morrow, which was her full name. What were her folks thinking ? That she was never going to go to junior high school ?

I had another friend who had twin boys and named them Malachi and Jarvis. They changed their names to Paul and Mike in 5th grade.
posted by y2karl at 6:41 PM on January 1, 2007

Did the parents change the names, y2karl, or was it the kids' idea?
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:44 PM on January 1, 2007

oh, fuck, delete this thread.
Larry King's five year old son, named Chance, is on the show with Jack Hanna.
This is what it feels like to be a fucking moron.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:49 PM on January 1, 2007 [4 favorites]

Ha!
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:53 PM on January 1, 2007

Haha, yeah I was wondering. Why did you think this would be Chance Ruder?
posted by delmoi at 7:00 PM on January 1, 2007

Ha ha ha ha ha.

I watched the whole thing thinking "where is he?"
posted by k8t at 7:05 PM on January 1, 2007

So, apparently Larry King managed to score a childbearing current wife. Who knew? Now I am wondering whether "Chance" is some oblique fertility reference. That would be creepy.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 7:07 PM on January 1, 2007

oh, fuck, delete this thread.
Larry King's five year old son, named Chance, is on the show with Jack Hanna.
This is what it feels like to be a fucking moron.

Wait, what? Please be clear for the sake of my hangover. Was this all for naught?
posted by loquacious at 7:08 PM on January 1, 2007

Pleeeeaaaasseeee leave the thread! It will be a lesson to morons everywhere. Among whom I am chief.

Again... why did you think it would be the other Chance? Really wondering.

(I was flipping back and forth from the Twilight Zone marathon, and when I saw Larry King's kid Chance introduced, I thought "o crap!")
posted by The Deej at 7:14 PM on January 1, 2007

Larry set up the show when he signed off Friday by saying that Jack Hanna would bring a bunch of animals around and that there would be a special guest named Chance. (Plus some other kid who turned out to be mini-Larry #2).

Seemed like a reasonable assumption right? Wildlife ambassador, and all.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 7:19 PM on January 1, 2007

this is great!
posted by quonsar at 7:19 PM on January 1, 2007

Seemed like a reasonable assumption right?

I, uh... um. Well.
posted by jonson at 7:25 PM on January 1, 2007

OK, then I expect that any reference to a guest named "Darryl" will result in a MeTa thread about my own imminent TV stardom. :)

Hey! quonsar!!! Stop it! You are getting WAYYYY too much pleasure from this. You might want to read that blue thread about the poor girl crying at her boyfriend's grave to bring you down a notch.
posted by The Deej at 7:25 PM on January 1, 2007

Seemed like a reasonable assumption right?

Uh... what jonson said.

But please don't delete this deliciousness, O Mattamyn!
posted by languagehat at 7:28 PM on January 1, 2007

Never mind. </litella>
posted by hangashore at 7:29 PM on January 1, 2007

Really, Saucy, I don't think any of us wants to keep the thread up to humiliate you. It's just for posterity. Yeah, that's it. No one has any ill wishes toward you.

So, then, you can run along now. No need to keep checking back here. Nope. None at all. Go about your business, we will chat quitely among ourselves.
posted by The Deej at 7:37 PM on January 1, 2007

Saucy,

When I heard Larry on Friday, I assumed that he was talking about Chance Ruder - so, I think it was a reasonable assumption on your part.
posted by miss meg at 7:42 PM on January 1, 2007

I watched the last ten or so minutes.

I hope for his sake that Chance Ruder wouldn't scream if a cane toad jumped at him.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:22 PM on January 1, 2007

HAPPY META FREE DAY, EVERYONE!!!
posted by shmegegge at 8:24 PM on January 1, 2007

Don't feel too bad Saucy Intruder, I've pulled some bone-headed things too.

Fortunately they were all double posts, and quickly deleted.
posted by delmoi at 8:27 PM on January 1, 2007

All we are saying
is give Saucy Chance
posted by cortex at 8:30 PM on January 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

OK, I will try to stop feeling bad for Saucy. As difficult as that may be.
posted by The Deej at 8:30 PM on January 1, 2007

All we are saying
is give Saucy Chance
posted by cortex

LOL! My first genuine audible laugh of the new year!!
posted by The Deej at 8:32 PM on January 1, 2007

Took a Chance. Lost.

Admins, please do not delete, just change poster's name to "Saucy Litela".

It did give us a good excuse to say "We (some of us) are sorry, Chance Ruder, please come back!"
posted by wendell at 8:34 PM on January 1, 2007

Chance Ruder gets some free publicity on the gray-Hooray!

Chance is a GREAT kid. I hope he does get on T.V. He deserves it. When he posted his site on projects I e-mailed him and gave me some great advice about getting my kids involved.

I propose that we MeFites send e-mails to Larry King and get the real Chance on the show. If I can figure out a contact, I'll post back here to MeTa.
posted by snsranch at 8:41 PM on January 1, 2007

I just saw photos on Vidiot's flickrstream.

I shot those on Christmas Day, and it was an old episode then. So I don't think this is the one in question. (But I wasn't watching terribly carefully.)
posted by Vidiot at 8:58 PM on January 1, 2007

By which I mean, I think that's a Columbus Zoo flunky in the background on that shot. Not Larry's kid, and, er, not Chance Ruder.
posted by Vidiot at 9:05 PM on January 1, 2007

When I heard Larry on Friday, I assumed that he was talking about Chance Ruder

Paging crunchland - "miss meg" is possible Saucy Intruder sockpuppet.
posted by jonson at 9:14 PM on January 1, 2007

Speaking of Chance King. How creepy would it be to have that geezerly old man as your father?
posted by delmoi at 9:22 PM on January 1, 2007

Well someone's got to attach the back of his suspenders. :)
posted by The Deej at 9:43 PM on January 1, 2007

Saucy Intruder, I think that feeling you're feeling is called "e-mbarassment." In the range that feelings go, this one rather sucks, right?
posted by frecklefaerie at 10:53 PM on January 1, 2007

Look at this way, Saucy: This thread shows you have earned the mob's respect. There's just a few good-natured ribbings. Most others (me included probably) would have been flamed to a crisp!
posted by The Deej at 11:03 PM on January 1, 2007

aw, shucks.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 11:48 PM on January 1, 2007

Saucy Intruder, your ensuing obsession with Chance is a bit creepy TIA.
posted by naxosaxur at 4:11 AM on January 2, 2007

um, what?
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:34 AM on January 2, 2007

Don't mind her. And if you manage to do that, let me know how.
posted by cortex at 6:46 AM on January 2, 2007

um, what?

an homage, perhaps.
posted by Kwantsar at 7:20 AM on January 2, 2007

A weird tangent, that, Kwantsar. Are you serious?
posted by cgc373 at 7:49 AM on January 2, 2007

Please don't close. There's still a chance this thread will get ruder.
posted by scarabic at 7:59 AM on January 2, 2007 [1 favorite]

Since she thanked you in advance, you are required to ensue an obsession. It's an internet law or something; TIA is The Word.
posted by and hosted from Uranus at 8:05 AM on January 2, 2007