Radio Commentary by Greg Bear (aired July, 1994, KUOW, National Public Radio in Seattle.) For copies of tape and permission to broadcast, contact Wayne Roth or Brian Hyams, KUOW, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, Ph: 206-543-2710
I was fortunate at a recent American Booksellers convention to come face to face with a remarkable phenomenon–one of the great characters of our age, radio personality and bestselling author Rush Limbaugh. Or rather, in a rare appearance, the man who becomes Limbaugh.
It’s a truly remarkable transformation. Character actor Rob Linker, who weighs one hundred and twenty pounds sopping wet, puts on the pads and rubber appliances and heavy makeup of his most famous role–and voila, there stands before us arch-conservative talkshow meister Rush Limbaugh. “It’s amazing how many people refuse to believe it’s me,” says Linker with a twinkle in his eye. “I ask them if they believe anyone real would think the way Limbaugh does, or say what he does–and they just stare at me.”
When I point out that one of our most popular presidents was also portrayed by an actor, Linker laughs and concedes it’s easier to believe in Limbaugh.
