Historic Tourism and Steve Martin’s King Tut Sketch on Saturday Night Live
Amelia introduced me to the classic Saturday Night sketch, “King Tut,” with Steve Martin. Have you seen it? It’s very funny.
Just before the King Tut saxophone solo, the satire really stung me. Steve Martin sings, “He gave his life …for tourism.”
That line really made me think about what we do at the Wren’s Nest. Well, that one and “he’s my favorite honky.”
It’s hard to ignore the fact that the Wren’s Nest staff (especially us bloggers) are not unlike what Steve Martin satirizes above. See–
- “Kids! Read Brer Rabbit stories. We’ll give you a tshirt!”
- “Dads! We have Brer Rabbit golf balls in our gift shop. They’ll keep you out of the Briar Patch!”
- “Internet! We have this goofy blog (and now a Twitter account)!”
Sometimes it’s tricky to balance (a) a mission that requires commitment to historic preservation, (b) the need to bring in earned income, and (c) the waning attention span of the public in an increasingly competitive and wired world. In other words, it’s easy to forget that we’re here to preserve the heritage of African-American folklore and the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris.
Ideally everyone would come clamoring in for tours of an historic home to hear the Brer Rabbit stories, especially since they are such a unique and indispensable part of American culture. Too bad it doesn’t work that way.
So, I guess my question is this — when we’re competing for tourists and field trips with the likes of the Aquarium and the Coke Museum, are our gimmicks really that bad?
Better yet, have you seen any other museums that’ve successfully raised awareness on the cheap without sacrificing their integrity? We didn’t have much integrity to begin with, so I guess we have a leg up there.
Leave a Reply
Amber Suitt
Program Director
Lain Shakespeare
Executive Director
12 Comments to Historic Tourism and Steve Martin’s King Tut Sketch on Saturday Night Live
My best friends and I visited The Wren’s Nest just last week, and we seriously had a great time. Three of us were English majors in colleg, and Nannie’s tour was the best we’ve taken of any author houses/museums that we’ve visited. Y’all are doing a great job! We’ll be back soon, I’m sure!
Haley! I’m glad you had a great time. You think it’s fun visiting here? Try working here! I get to hang out with Miss Nannie all the time.
I encourage everyone to read Haley’s blog post for the following reasons:
1. It speaks highly of the Wren’s Nest
2. It contains evidence of how Miss Nannie tries to pimp me out.
3. Peggy Mitchell – Ouch!
(I was about to say “Burn!” but then Amelia reminded me that the MMH burned down twice. Gulp. Good catch.
Either way, I like the Margaret Mitchell House. But I like the Wren’s Nest more.)
I would so much love to work there and hang out with Miss Nannie all the time! Unfortunately, I live in Greenville, SC. That’d be a beastly commute. But I’ll stick to visiting when I get the chance!
Ha, Nannie’s mention of the finer points of Mr. Lain in NO way underscored the literary value of the trip, we promise! I see by your Twitter that you wish to be #1 on TripAdvisor; you should have more 5-star reviews soon (if TA ever posts them!).
Honestly, the Harris home was a treasure thanks to the balance of entertainment and information. And it’s nice to tour a home that can actually be experienced, instead of seen through glass barriers and narrow walkways.
harvin, haley’s friend – thanks for the amazing words about the wren’s nest – would it be ok if we save this and use your last paragraph in some of our marketing materials at some point??
Jodi (board member)
I think you’re worried about nothing-focus on my Canadian spelling and typed contractions instead. That skit is hilarious and it’s interesting to see someone provoked to serious thought by it; Steve Martin would be tickled by that, I’m sure. However, the song is hyperbolic, and Tut’s body and burial items have educated and fascinated generations about ancient Egypt, and the Nest hasn’t (and is hardly about to) desecrate any graves in the attempt to drum up interest and funds.
I can’t imagine JCH worrying about bribing kids to read with t-shirts (he was a strong proponent of educating children, right?), promoting with knick knacks (signed books, for example), or encouraging conversations and awareness of the museum using popular media (he was a newspaper man). Naming drinks? I bet JCH would have come up with some good ideas himself.
All of your marketing is clearly and appropriately oriented on interesting people in the Nest, the stories and JCH. Even random Twitter and blog posts make the operations and goings on at the Nest feel fresh, fun and interesting, and constantly demonstrate the infectious love and geekiness the staff has for the Nest. Keep up the excellent work!
Jodi, you are welcome to take my honest criticism and use it. I’m glad to be of help to the Harris home!
David and Harvin, I think y’all should be on our payroll as official Wren’s Nest cheerleaders! We’ll call you the Wren’s Nest Dance Team though, since that would involve more jazz hands.
Haley, you’re invited too. Just barely though. I’d watch it if I were you.
Geez, Lain, what did I do? Was my fantastic review on my blog not enough?
I bought a t-shirt. That should win me brownie points, too.
Lain has obviously seen my dancing before.
i grew up listening to steve martin. the great irony is that he was an amazingly funny comedian – smart and peppery and relevant – and then he, like nirvana, made a hit record. he was never the same after that.
i don’t know what i’m trying to say, except that i wouldn’t compare yourself to steve martin’s ‘king tut.’ it was a once-in-a-lifetime hit.
but not comparing yourself doesn’t mean you should avoid the truth: comedians, writers, house museum directors, waiters … all service industry, all ready to sell out for money at any second. you are not alone. get over it.
I’m ready to sell out, JWAIII! Please, sign me up.