Never EVER hire The Great Zucchini for any party or support him by attending any of his events. He is one of the most condescending, arrogant, rude, and nasty people I have ever met. I was so absolutely disgusted by his behavior and the way he treated me at a private party that I cannot imagine ever supporting his business again.

Next time you need a gay stripper, call me. They call me the Squash Man. My vegetable is bigger than the Great Zuc!

Who in their right mind would hire this douchebag!?!


https://www.facebook.com/thegreatzucchini
Attachments:

Wow...

Well, we hired this guy last year to work my son's party. He was turning 7 and the kids ranged from 5 to 8. They really enjoyed him. I guess he's changed his act.

Saw him a few months ago and he was so hungover. Shows are just okay. I wouldn't ever hire him for a party entertainer. No tact

That pic sums it up

D Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Saw him a few months ago and he was so hungover.

Wouldn't you drink, too, if you were an adult whose entertainment career consisted of pandering to an audience of screaming, fidgety mongoloids in training pants while dealing with their obnoxious, overly demanding parents?

I'd probably spend every single night of my life in the company of Jack Daniels if it was me. Shit, it'd probably take me a few shots of liquid enthusiasm just to get my ass out on stage.

I Drink, Therefore I Am Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> D Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Saw him a few months ago and he was so
> hungover.
>
> Wouldn't you drink, too, if you were an adult
> whose entertainment career consisted of pandering
> to an audience of screaming, fidgety mongoloids in
> training pants while dealing with their obnoxious,
> overly demanding parents?
>
> I'd probably spend every single night of my life
> in the company of Jack Daniels if it was me. Shit,
> it'd probably take me a few shots of liquid
> enthusiasm just to get my ass out on stage.

Woohoohoo. I hear ya, man. And it's even worse if you have a sidekick. Mine is named Bob and he spends more time in prison than actually working.

It's sad that people pay money for this lunatic to perform at a kids party. And he acts like he's the greatest show on earth. I feel sorry for him and his drinking

The Great Zucchini needs to up his game, no pun intended

Is he sensual or sensuous?

Post columnist Gene Weingarten profiled the Great Zucchini, including a revealing look at his lengthy personal struggles, in 2006. I'm surprised he's still around. From the story it sounds like his success is based largely on his ability to understand what makes children laugh, which isn't necessarily what entertains their parents.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/18/AR2006011801434.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/01/19/DI2006011902464.html

@otter meister
Both make me cringe

That article explains a lot. How is this guy still in business??

Hey Guys, just saw this, and I know that when you do 500 shows a year, I can only hope that every single person likes me, but I know that's not possible. Lol. I haven't advertised in years, and been back to homes year after year, so I know that lots of people do enjoy what I do.
A parent brought who I'm friends with, brought this thread to my attention. I'd like to make one thing clear, my friends, I'm not a big drinker at all. I have other vices, smoking, gambling, but luckily, drinking isn't one of them. I've never been hungover at a party, never.
I've done 10,000 shows, and been around for 20 years. I love the parents and kids of the homes I enter, and I'm always thankful for the big crowds that come to my public shows. It's not possible to be as busy as I've been for the duration of my carreer, if I was tough to work with.
Now, this particular parent, was a guest at the party, that came out late, and wanted to walk through the middle of where I was perfuming to sit her kids down. I just simply asked her to take her kids around to the back to get seated, so it wouldn't disrupt what I was doing. Most people get it, but she was upset, and really went off on me after the show, where several parents apologized to me, on her behalf. It didn't have to be a big deal at all.

She, then started having a loud conversation, 2 feet from show, and was taking away from the experience of the kids. This wasn't fair. I had one parent tell me, they've been to lots of bday parties, and has never seen a guest try to butcher the entertainment the way she did.

Also, for those interested, Ryan Reynolds is going to produce a new show called The Great Zucchini, based on me. Fx has bought it, and it's based on the Post article. For those people that don't like me, on here, I welcome, you to come up and say hello sometime. I love meeting new people. Thanks. Your friend, Eric aka The Great Zucchini

Eric knaus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
....
> For those people that
> don't like me, on here, I welcome, you to come up
> and say hello sometime. I love meeting new people.
> Thanks. Your friend, Eric aka The Great Zucchini

Thanks for taking the time to respond courteously to an outrageous cheap shot. I hope your business continues to thrive.

Great with kids, bad with parents. Not the first time I've heard bad reviews from parents. From what I heard he's not likeable person

My then 3 year old granddaughter and I first saw The Great Zucchini's act 6 years ago. Granddaughter laughed so hard that we attended many of his shows over the next few years until school, scouts and sports took over her schedule. Some of the shows were free public events (White Flint Mall), some paid (Jammin Java), and some charitable events (Knowles Children's library). TGZ even agreed to do a show for military children for us at no expense, something other children's entertainers declined to do. TGZ probably does as many shows for charitable organizations, at no charge, as he does paid events. I've had a number of conversations with him and he is a genuinely nice guy. It's a shame that one disruptive parent would write a such a negative review.

Interestingly, Yelp has six reviews of The Great Zucchini. Five are unqualified raves by people whose children have seen him and loved him, sometimes more than once, and one trashes him thoroughly for being hungover and rude. I wonder if there is any possibility that there is a Great Zucchini impostor out there? Or maybe the one negative review is from the same person who started this thread?
http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-zucchini-the-washington

Original poster you are a douche. Really? Talking loud to disrupt others during an entertainment show!!? It is too bad the host didn't tell you to take your child and leave right away.
Attachments:

"I've never been hungover at a party, never."

You know who says overly-defensive stuff like this? Alcoholics. Please get help, Eric.

A friend of mine saw him at a birthday party and she said he was demanding and offensive to the hostess before, during, and after the performance. She asked him to leave right after the show and he said he was entitled to stay and handed out his cards to all the parents. The cards probably all were thrown away because my friend said all the parents were angry about his attitude/personality and entitlement issues. I bet the kids enjoyed the show except its the parents that pay. What kind of 'professional' performer would talk down to a paying client? He seems like a jerk

Hey guys, had a show at a preschool, and I'm back in front of computer. It's actually kind of funny, but I got like 7 moms that emailed who saw this thread, and they are like, 'don't respond, it's not worth it on this site'. I guess I just wanted to respond to the last person.

The Washington Post article was one of the top stories in the country when it came out, and Gene Weingarten still thanks me for being so open about my life. He never snooped. Anything in there, I gave him to put in there. I said, 'this is me'. I talked about all my vices. PP, I have many, drinking has never been one of them. You might call it defensive, but if you were called an alcoholic online, by people you don't know, you might want to take a stand, and say, 'wait a second'.

You can call me a couple things, but I'm not a drinker-gambler, smoker, yes. For the record, I've tried to quit cigarettes and I'm almost there, not quite. I'm an open book. Just google me. I don't hide anything about my life.

Like I said, before, It's impossible to do 500 shows a year, every single year, and perform at the white house, vice president's house, and 11 embassies, the world bank, the CIA, the Nsa and be a drinker. My friends, they do background checks. I"m not saying where I've performed to brag, it's because they check me out completely.

Hungover is my look, anyway. When I go out bowling, I always look the same. I'm not sure if anyone saw this, but google The Great Zucchini April Fools Pranks. I was on Channel 8 in a seven minute segment and interview last week, and I looked sloppy on Tv. Ha. It's my look. Youtube it or google it. I think it was a funny segment and was honored they invited me.

I was performing in a nice shirt at 'celebrate fairfax' before and a mom joked to me, 'what happened to your t-shirt. I don't usually dress up. I like to look like my audience. Thanks for your time. I will be performing at Jammin Java this Thursday, btw. It's going to be packed for Spring break, but if your in the area, and have never met me, come on by.

My kids saw him and thought he was great. I met him and thought he was a nice guy and more normal then what "The Great Zuchinni" might imply.

For someone to do this many shows and to have kids enjoy it so much he must have a passion for making kids laugh.

As far as how he dresses, he pretty much looks like all the Dad's at these things. Again, I thought he was a pretty normal guy.

I'm glad he responded above. It sucks to think that some loser on this sight could give his reputation and successful career a bad image. Let the kids be the judges. If he wasn't good he wouldn't be working.

OP - you're a dork.

So, lemme get this straight...

You are a smoker and you work around children? Nice. You are aware of third-hand smoke, right? And don't tell me "I bathe daily...always wear freshly laundered clothes at my shows", etc...If you smoke? The chemicals are on you. If you smoke and you work around children? You're poisoning them. Maybe it's only 2 hours...maybe they go home and Mom and Dad burn Marlboros continuously right there in the living room with the windows closed and they have for years.

You are a smoker and you work around children. This is all I need to know.

AA has helped a lot of people. Is denial one of the first steps to recovery? By the looks of him he doesn't shower daily so there is a lot of built up cigarette smoke. Not good for kids

The first few comments are hilarious

A.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I've never been hungover at a party, never."
>
> You know who says overly-defensive stuff like
> this? Alcoholics. Please get help, Eric.

It might also be a statement of fact. I, for example, have never put on a lampshade at a party. Saying so doesn't make me defensive about lampshades.

By the tone of all these negatives comments, I would not be surprise if the OP is posting under different names. Or maybe got some of their friends to post as well.


I've seen the TGZ four times. Once at the DC Improv and three B-Day parties. MY children adore him and as a matter of fact all the parents in my "Mommmy Group" are fans as well.


Quick note about the DC Improv, we took our four year old, however our seven year old was home sick and couldn't make it. I mentioned this to the TGZ, and he ask for my phone # and called her personally and said;


"I miss having you at the show,next time you come, you can be my first helper."


That absolutely made her day!!


One more thing, the only difference between the TGZ and the person talking about smoking, the TGZ is keeping it real about his flaws. Do you know how many of your children teachers smoke cigarettes or maybe even pot? I'm sure quite a few do and doesn't effect their abilty to teach.

TGZ FAN Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One more thing, the only difference between the
> TGZ and the person talking about smoking, the TGZ
> is keeping it real about his flaws. Do you know
> how many of your children teachers smoke
> cigarettes or maybe even pot? I'm sure quite a few
> do and doesn't effect their abilty to teach.

I never said smoking affects Eric's ability to entertain children. Or for teachers to educate their students.

What I said was people who smoke and spend time around children are poisoning those children. Even if you're not presently engaged with a cigarette, cigar, pipe, joint, spleef or any other burning vegetable matter while around children, you're exposing them to toxic chemicals. If you smoke and you're around children...you're exposing them to poisons against their will.

As for how many of my childrens' teachers smoke? None. I make it clear I don't want my children around a teacher who smokes at the start of each school year and my school complies with my request. I have seen my childrens' teachers smoking and smelled smoke on them and my children were in different classrooms the following morning.

If you want your children poisoned by smoke...that's your call. So is limiting their exposure.

C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

.....
> As for how many of my childrens' teachers smoke?
> None. I make it clear I don't want my children
> around a teacher who smokes at the start of each
> school year and my school complies with my
> request. I have seen my childrens' teachers
> smoking and smelled smoke on them and my children
> were in different classrooms the following
> morning.
>
> If you want your children poisoned by
> smoke...that's your call. So is limiting their
> exposure.

That's just sanctimonious silliness. That's all that matters to you? You'd rather have your kids taught by an inexperienced, maybe inept teacher who doesn't smoke than a great teacher who smokes at home? And you think your kids benefit from that? I hope your kids aren't in a public school; we shouldn't be using our tax dollars to appease crazy parents. (And I'll bet you're an anti-vaxxer, too, right?) What are you going to do when your kids start smoking to find out what all the fuss was about?

WCw4N Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> .....
> > As for how many of my childrens' teachers
> smoke?
> > None. I make it clear I don't want my children
> > around a teacher who smokes at the start of
> each
> > school year and my school complies with my
> > request. I have seen my childrens' teachers
> > smoking and smelled smoke on them and my
> children
> > were in different classrooms the following
> > morning.
> >
> > If you want your children poisoned by
> > smoke...that's your call. So is limiting their
> > exposure.
>
> That's just sanctimonious silliness. That's all
> that matters to you? You'd rather have your kids
> taught by an inexperienced, maybe inept teacher
> who doesn't smoke than a great teacher who smokes
> at home? And you think your kids benefit from
> that? I hope your kids aren't in a public school;
> we shouldn't be using our tax dollars to appease
> crazy parents. (And I'll bet you're an
> anti-vaxxer, too, right?) What are you going to do
> when your kids start smoking to find out what all
> the fuss was about?

Public school? God no...

I'm an ex smoker, over 20 years ago, and I didn't know TGZ smoked. I'm amazed since after all these years I smell smoke on smokers. He must not smoke near his performances. I would know. And that's why I smell it on my dear daughter who swears she quit--no way.

This guy is way too defensive to take serious. Brag about your number of shows and audience and it makes you look desperate to impress other people. If you have nothing to hide why are you so defensive? Something doesn't add up.

He is a kids performer. Give him a break. What do you assholes do for work? Make people miserable in some way? At least he makes little kids laugh.

Bunch of self righteous assholes here.

Go bitch about AstroTurf or something.

CNN said there was another "ping". Quick! Grab the cheap wine and head for the basement to see if they hear it again

I have met TGZ on several occasions and he is absolutely hilarious for the Pre-K-8 year old crowd. He nails the potty humor thing well. I have also performed for kids over the years and it is easy to criticize the performer from the comfort of your computer chair. No, not everyone is going to love you. Some parents don't get the potty humor because they have forgotten how to be a kid themselves. It isn't easy to get up in front of kids day after day and not lose the attention of a group that has the attention span of zucchini. Who cares if he smokes? What does that have to do with how entertaining he is to kids? It isn't like he is blowing smoke in their faces. Smoking as an adult has nothing to do with being great with kids.
I don't blame Eric for getting defensive or "bragging" because it is all about your reputation in the Children's Entertainment business. I hated parents that had no respect for my "show". It can ruin it for everyone there.
Keep on keeping on Zucchini! :)

We hired TGZ to perform at a preschool camp for several years, and he was professional, kind to the kids and staff, and very popular with the participants. He was never so much as a minute late, and even offered us a discount price when the budget was tight. The dude makes a good living making kids laugh, so I can see why some jealous posters would feel the twisted need to bring him down.

Eric, you can't win arguing with people who have too much time on their hands, and troll for responses even when they don't have any knowledge about things they speak about. You are better off ignoring their comments and spending your time with things that bring you happiness. I hope the TV show gets off the ground and is a big hit, and that you are doing well.

I've taken my kids to see The Great Zucchini several times. He's hilarious, endearing and was very professional and nice to me when we spoke after the show. The OP sounds like a rude bitch, honestly.

Hi,
I hired TGZ for my sons birthday party. He arrived 30 mintues a head of time to set his show up. The guidelines that he gave me for making sure that we received the most out of our event were pretty straight forward, No food NO drinks or toys during the show and please no talking during the show. While I followed the rules that were set forth. The talking did get a little loud. TGZ ask politely if we would stop or carry the conversation in another room with a door shut. I had to laugh but I understood that I was takening away from sons birthday party and the other guess that were there. It was like talking during the movie. Shhhhhhhh. I don't really understand how he is awful. My child laugh so hard for 40 mintues straight it was they best party my son had. If your trolling person please take the time meet TGZ he is very good with kids and parents. The way he dress is part of the act weather or not. He did not smell like smoke he did not smell of booze. And to boot my sister inlaw book him. Thank you TGZ for a wonderful show.

C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WCw4N Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > .....
> > > As for how many of my childrens' teachers
> > smoke?
> > > None. I make it clear I don't want my
> children
> > > around a teacher who smokes at the start of
> > each
> > > school year and my school complies with my
> > > request. I have seen my childrens' teachers
> > > smoking and smelled smoke on them and my
> > children
> > > were in different classrooms the following
> > > morning.
> > >
> > > If you want your children poisoned by
> > > smoke...that's your call. So is limiting
> their
> > > exposure.
> >
> > That's just sanctimonious silliness. That's all
> > that matters to you? You'd rather have your
> kids
> > taught by an inexperienced, maybe inept teacher
> > who doesn't smoke than a great teacher who
> smokes
> > at home? And you think your kids benefit from
> > that? I hope your kids aren't in a public
> school;
> > we shouldn't be using our tax dollars to
> appease
> > crazy parents. (And I'll bet you're an
> > anti-vaxxer, too, right?) What are you going to
> do
> > when your kids start smoking to find out what
> all
> > the fuss was about?
>
> Public school? God no...

So how big is the private school that you send your children to that, on several occasions, you "have seen [your]childrens' teachers
smoking and smelled smoke on them and [your] children were in different classrooms the following morning." ?

If what you allege is true, don't you wield enough power to insist on the school firing any teacher who is a smoker?

To the original poster, thanks for bringing this up. I've met TGZ and he's really intimidating especially to women. Good someone had the nerve to call him out.

Wut A. Tool Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > WCw4N Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > >
> > > .....
> > > > As for how many of my childrens' teachers
> > > smoke?
> > > > None. I make it clear I don't want my
> > children
> > > > around a teacher who smokes at the start of
> > > each
> > > > school year and my school complies with my
> > > > request. I have seen my childrens' teachers
> > > > smoking and smelled smoke on them and my
> > > children
> > > > were in different classrooms the following
> > > > morning.
> > > >
> > > > If you want your children poisoned by
> > > > smoke...that's your call. So is limiting
> > their
> > > > exposure.
> > >
> > > That's just sanctimonious silliness. That's
> all
> > > that matters to you? You'd rather have your
> > kids
> > > taught by an inexperienced, maybe inept
> teacher
> > > who doesn't smoke than a great teacher who
> > smokes
> > > at home? And you think your kids benefit from
> > > that? I hope your kids aren't in a public
> > school;
> > > we shouldn't be using our tax dollars to
> > appease
> > > crazy parents. (And I'll bet you're an
> > > anti-vaxxer, too, right?) What are you going
> to
> > do
> > > when your kids start smoking to find out what
> > all
> > > the fuss was about?
> >
> > Public school? God no...
>
> So how big is the private school that you send
> your children to that, on several occasions, you
> "have seen [your]childrens' teachers
> smoking and smelled smoke on them and [your]
> children were in different classrooms the
> following morning." ?
>
> If what you allege is true, don't you wield enough
> power to insist on the school firing any teacher
> who is a smoker?

I'm reasonable...Nobody needs to be fired for being a smoker. I just don't want them around my children. There's nuance there...try to keep up.

Kids love TGZ and that's why he does what he does. If you have never met the man or been to his show - you have no idea what you are talking about and you need to go find something better to do with your time.

I am a teacher and tomorrow, we are going to use part of this thread to demonstrate cyberbullying, so if you are a parent that posted negatively on this thread - congratulations. You are setting a fine example to the kids of what not to do.

If you're so desperate to get your kid to laugh that you have to hire this clown, you have bigger problems with your kid

I've never heard of this guy before reading this forum. I have to say that based on the comments alone I would hire him in a second. Not many people would come on here with their real name and respond to anonymous attackers.

The original poster sounds like a total cunt, I feel sorry that her kids and her ex-husband have to deal with her.

The same goes for the bitch who yanks her kid out of class if she finds out a teacher is a smoker - you're not doing them any favors, and they are probably the least popular kids around.

StrLrn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This guy is way too defensive to take serious.
> Brag about your number of shows and audience and
> it makes you look desperate to impress other
> people. If you have nothing to hide why are you so
> defensive? Something doesn't add up.

He's responding to posts by people who accuse him of being a nasty drunk. It's hardly desperate for him to respond to attacks on himself and his livelihood by citing satisfied customers. No entertainer (or author or anybody else) is to everybody's taste, but he's been doing what he does for 20 years. He must be doing something right, or at least not so terribly wrong.

C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wut A. Tool Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > WCw4N Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > >
> > > > .....
> > > > > As for how many of my childrens' teachers
> > > > smoke?
> > > > > None. I make it clear I don't want my
> > > children
> > > > > around a teacher who smokes at the start
> of
> > > > each
> > > > > school year and my school complies with
> my
> > > > > request. I have seen my childrens'
> teachers
> > > > > smoking and smelled smoke on them and my
> > > > children
> > > > > were in different classrooms the
> following
> > > > > morning.
> > > > >
> > > > > If you want your children poisoned by
> > > > > smoke...that's your call. So is limiting
> > > their
> > > > > exposure.
> > > >
> > > > That's just sanctimonious silliness. That's
> > all
> > > > that matters to you? You'd rather have your
> > > kids
> > > > taught by an inexperienced, maybe inept
> > teacher
> > > > who doesn't smoke than a great teacher who
> > > smokes
> > > > at home? And you think your kids benefit
> from
> > > > that? I hope your kids aren't in a public
> > > school;
> > > > we shouldn't be using our tax dollars to
> > > appease
> > > > crazy parents. (And I'll bet you're an
> > > > anti-vaxxer, too, right?) What are you
> going
> > to
> > > do
> > > > when your kids start smoking to find out
> what
> > > all
> > > > the fuss was about?
> > >
> > > Public school? God no...
> >
> > So how big is the private school that you send
> > your children to that, on several occasions,
> you
> > "have seen [your]childrens' teachers
> > smoking and smelled smoke on them and [your]
> > children were in different classrooms the
> > following morning." ?
> >
> > If what you allege is true, don't you wield
> enough
> > power to insist on the school firing any
> teacher
> > who is a smoker?
>
> I'm reasonable...Nobody needs to be fired for
> being a smoker. I just don't want them around my
> children. There's nuance there...try to keep up.

No nuance that I missed. You are obviously so anti-smoking that I am surprised that you don't insist on firings. Those teachers are somewhere in the building and your children are in some way exposed to them.

You also did not answer my question as to how large the private school is. If you, for example, have two 5th grade classes, and both of the 5th grade teachers are smokers, how do you have your 5th grader in a different classroom "the following morning"?

For that matter, if you are of the mindset that you portray, why wouldn't you have checked ahead of the school year to find out if your children were to be assigned to a classroom with a teacher who smoked, and gotten that taken care of ahead of time? If your "private school" knew of your insistence, why would they assign your children to be taught by smokers? Maybe our are not getting your money's worth.

Your rant is so full of holes, it sounds like your native language is Swiss, as in the cheese.

By the way, when you say

I don't want my
> children
> > > around a teacher who smokes at the start of
> > each
> > > school year

is it OK with you if they don't smoke at the start of the year, but smoke at some point as the year progresses?

Kudos to you! I to am a teacher who has worked with young children for over 10 years. I have seen The Great Zucchini a ton of times, and have always found him to be friendly and profetional.

I'm glad someone brought up fundraisers earlier cuz i've got one for you.
A teacher at our school had to leave because of a cancer diagnosis, missing an extended period of time. The Great Zucchini, who'd been too our school, two years in a row, put on show on a Friday night, which he donated. We charged $10 a ticket, raised a couple thousand dollars, and gave it to our teacher for medical bills. The parents at my shcool will never forget him for this.

The most important thing to know about The Great Zucchini is that the children absolutly love him. He has the magical ability to hold the attiontion, imagination and laughter of children around.

If you're interested, here is a link to The Great Zucchini on the channel 7 news, just last week:

http://www.wjla.com/blogs/lets-talk-live/2014/04/-the-great-zucchini-s-april-fools-day-pranks-21391.html

C.Everett.Coop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nobody needs to be fired for
> being a smoker. I just don't want them around my
> children. There's nuance there...try to keep up.

Your kids need to be around someone as perfect as you all day. Have you thought about homeschooling?

Most likely your daughter will be pregnant at 15.
Your son will be a meth head by 16.

You will be enjoying anal with rectum wrecker by June 2014.

It's unfortunate that people feel the need to put down public figures behind the shield of a computer screen. Great Zucchini, if you check in again remember, you're a celebraty, stop reading this shit! You think George Clooney reads trash talking internet sites?

p.s. sorry about all typos, it's late and I gotta go to bed

another teacher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> If you're interested, here is a link to The Great
> Zucchini on the channel 7 news, just last week:
>
> http://www.wjla.com/blogs/lets-talk-live/2014/04/-
> the-great-zucchini-s-april-fools-day-pranks-21391.
> html

This is a great link. It's pretty clear that he connects with kids because he's something of a big kid himself.

In case it hasn't been posted, he has his own website:
http://www.thegreatzucchini.com/

@suburbanmom: I don't see any cyberbullying here. I see the OP who EXPRESSED AN OPINION which they are entitled to do and I see people supporting TGZ. Are people being rude and disrespectful? Yes...welcome to FairfaxUnderground but, I don't see anything here I'd classify as cyberbullying. If we were all in a room talking to each other face to face, people would be acting and speaking the same way. Welcome to Northern Virginia...buckle your chinstrap.

@ejptv: I still think TGZ is being overly-defensive. Not about his addictions but, about his show. As you said, no entertainment suits everyone's tastes. If (and I don't suspect otherwise) he's been performing for 20 years then that should be enough to convince himself that he's not going to make fans out of everyone. Does Marilyn Manson or even Charles Manson feel the need to defend themselves? And trust me...coming onto a website, especially one like this and trying to passionately defend your business is a waste of time. Hell, this is a site where users flame and make fun of people who die...the more unusual the death the harsher the comments.

All: Just because someone is posting here claiming to be TGZ (even as a registered user) doesn't mean they are actually TGZ. Over the years there have been many people posting here as quasi-famous or local-slightly elevated profile persons along with all the everyday mopes. There's no way for someone to definitively establish their identity here...(well I guess if Eesh "smokes you out" in one of his famous unmaskings)...that is both the blessing and the curse of Fairfax Underground.

Wow, I'm literally just checking in for the first time since yesterday afternoon. I wasn't going to check in during the basketball game last night. My friends would never have forgiven me. I can't believe the how much reading I've done this early.

Anyway, I will only say that my repeating the humber of shows I do, with print ads or anything, was just to say that it was not possible to do that for 20 years if I didn't have wonderful interactions with the parents as well. The parents are the ones that bring me in to their homes, bring the kids to my public shows, etc. It doesn't matter how good I am with kids, if I didn't get along with the parents I wouldn't be consistently so busy.
In fact, I've been invited by many parents to events, that don't have kids there, meaning they want me to just come hang. The reason, I consistently said that I do hundreds of shows a year is to state that parents are involved in my success of course, not just the kids.

I've been the subject on threads before, no biggie, I get it. I just like being involved when it's about me. I will say this about the Op. She did tell me specifically at the party that she was going to trash me online. This was told to me, while standing on the patio. Here's the thing, I just asked her to not walk in middle of my show, and disrupt it. Listen, If I let her carry on like that, the show would have suffered the bday mom, who was paying, would of lost out. This particular mom, was awesome, and understood, why I have to control the distractions.

The Op face booked me the same night, and said some colorful things as well. It really reminded of mean girls with Lindsay Lohan. I did feel bullied, but oh, well. I know her full name, because she face booked me, and I'm not posting it here, because it's not worth it. Anyway, my mom told me years ago that, as more publicity start to garner, that I have to really have thick skin. That's a life long work in progress. Haha.

Also, did anyone watch the link posted of me above on channel 7. I think the disheveled look is just me. I didn't know I looked the like the joker so early in the morning.

Oh, one more thing, I've always been pretty open about my feelings, etc. You will always know where I stand. I can't say for certain, but I do believe that Op got some of her friends to post, because she told me that she was going to 'hammer' me, and talk to a couple of her 'peeps' about me as well. Thanks for hearing me. Gotta get ready, on my way to Mclean for a daycare show. Thanks guys. Your bud, Eric aka Gz

Sorry, I meant to say that it isn't possible to do 500 shows a year, without advertising, if the parents didn't get along with me. Word of mouth has been amazing. 90 percent of my calls are people being recommended to me by another parent or seeing me themselves, This was important to illustrate, because the people that were saying I don't get along with the adults, it's impossible to have that be true, and be super busy. This was point and not a bragging one. Thanks for listening.

I don't buy this for one minute. Zuke-dawg, you can talk all you want about protecting the artistic creativity and engagement of your audience all you want but, the bottom line is...You're getting paid whether the host walks through the room or not or does anything else they're "not supposed to do."

I'm a chef downtown...I've spent 17 years developing my recipes. If a customer comes in and says to our waitstaff, "I liked the steak last time but it was too salty...", or "I'm interested in this pasta dish...can I get it without mushrooms, onions and peppers, though?" then our staff knows to come and get me and I'll come out and discuss personally with our customers how they want their meal prepared. At no additional charge to them.

Other chefs I've worked with at other restaurants don't veer at all from their recipes no matter what the customers request.

And you've worked 20 years entertaining kids and made a nice life for yourself running YOUR show YOUR way...tell me, do you have climate demands, red M&M's, no green shirts and other ridiculous contract riders, too? Take a lesson from your audience...lighten up, Zukatollah Khomeni.

Um, Chef, I'm glad you cook because you don't listen. It wasn't the host of this party. He loved the host. It was a guest that came in late, walked right through center of show, instead of going around to the back. Who does that?

Oh...yeah...well, fuck that guest. Why was he/she even allowed in? Host fail...

I was at the party TGZ is talking about. Every kid had so much fun watching his show. He's great with kids, has a gift. The bday mom didn't pay for the party. She had the party at someone else's house and that person paid. I did see TGZ ask that person to leave the room during the show. Later that person didn't have anything good to say about him so maybe something happened before the show too. He did piss off the paying customer. I met the other mom he's talking about a few times. She's really nice and was friendly with everyone else at the party. I didn't hear the conversation with this mom and TGZ. Another mom told me TGZ started it and they were both rude and childish and that's what you get with a kid performer. I did see TGZ and the bday mom being dramatic and then he stormed away. The bday mom has a reputation for trouble and being not responsible and being dramatic. I don't know if I would hire him. The kids loved him only if I'm paying I wouldn't want him to be rude to me or the other kids or adults

My kids and I almost follow him like the Grateful Dead. I've been to many, many shows, and I totally get why he has to eliminate distractions. I'm not a teacher anymore, but I use to be, and if the chef thinks that you can compare being in a restaurant to working with pre-schoolers, he is way off base. The Great Zucchini wouldn't be half as successful as he is if he allowed children to get distracted by outside elements. The show would suffer if he performed in the middle of chaos. Remember, his audience is primarily 7 and under, you have to create a tunnel vision for this age group, and that's what he does. He's actually asked me, politely, to keep it down at a show before, but I get it. My kids think he's great, and so do I!

Ok, this is my 1st time posting, but have been following this thread from the beginning. I didn't want to get involved, but I had no choice after seeing the PP, who claimed to be there. I would bet my right leg that it's the op, herself, or a friend.

I was also at the party, and that pp is absolutely lying. I, overheard the party mom, twice, apologize to Gz, for her sister's behavior. The party mom, also told Gz that my kid only laughs at your shows, and was thrilled with him.

I talked to other moms that thought the op, made a big deal out of bringing the late comers to the back. It's understandable, since he gets the trust of his audience from the beginning of show, and the op barges in front of him, to sit a 2 year old right up front. It's too 'in your face' for a 2 year old before gaining the comfortability of the performer.

She was demeaning to Zucchini, and he never stormed off, in fact, he stayed to chatter with everyone, just not Op, he was done talking to her. I was also on the patio for tons of the conversation, so I'd be lying if I said I heard the whole thing. I didn't. I did hear the Op say, "I'm going to hammer you on the Internet'

The party mom was thrilled, because the kids were rolling, and she understands why he had to limit talking in the kitchen. The grandman and Op didn't get that, but most of us parents did. My kid loved the show, and I have no doubt that op is sock puppeting.

The woman who interrupted the party and caused a completely unnecessary scene was the host's sister in law who has a history of these types of attention-seeking outbursts. Talk about dramatic.

As a guest there, I can confidently say the host was gracious, GZ was a riot and a hit, and the only problem in the entire mix was one whiny, entitled parent with too much time on her hands who didn't get her way so she turned to the internet to air her grievances.

Nope, I was there and I saw the whole thing...The Great Zucchini completely provoked this situation. That dude needs to learn to do his show, smile, get his check, stop worrying about the thermostat and whether there are toys in the room that might distract from his seriously questionable "awesomeness"...and shut up.

I'm Lily (the woman who Eric is addressing), and I just want to state that I'm a miserable cunt. My snot-nosed little brats deserved to tramp right through his performance! I mean, who does he think he is? He's just a performer and I'm an entitled little twat housewife who's never worked a day in her life! I mean, someone I KNOW PAID for this asshole to come to come here and entertain my kids for a few minutes so I could get some free time to do some blow in the bathroom.

How dare Eric attempt to vilify ME! I've never been wrong a day in my life!

PartyGuest#76 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nope, I was there and I saw the whole thing...The
> Great Zucchini completely provoked this situation.
> That dude needs to learn to do his show, smile,
> get his check, stop worrying about the thermostat
> and whether there are toys in the room that might
> distract from his seriously questionable
> "awesomeness"...and shut up.

Are you related to Stacey (Hamburger) Hunsberger?

I saw this thread days ago and can't understand the attention it got. Everyone knows this site cannot be taken seriously. If you really want to support TGZ then write a review on yelp or his Facebook page. No one comes to this site for real advice. Move on and don't feed into the BS

There is truly a special place in hell for the mean and so painfully unhappy people who take to a public forum to bash others simply because they did not get their way. What is it that breeds that sense of entitlement? It sounds to me like the woman who started this needs to get a job or a hobby or a life or some serious medication. Stat.

Fairfax Mama of 2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is truly a special place in hell for the
> mean and so painfully unhappy people who take to a
> public forum to bash others simply because they
> did not get their way. What is it that breeds that
> sense of entitlement? It sounds to me like the
> woman who started this needs to get a job or a
> hobby or a life or some serious medication. Stat.

Get over yourself, lady. There's no special place in hell for us, at least not for this. I personally think that God (yes, I'm a Christian) has a sense of humor and gives a pass to people like us. Except for GerryTard, of course - he's definitely on God's shit list.

Every real person at the party would tell you the dramatic one was the SIL who was trying to take away from singing happy birthday to a 4 YEAR OLD by crying about an argument with the Great Zucchini that she started. She wouldn't let up and she sounded like a miserable person. The kids loved his show, as always, and the birthday mom loved the GZ.

The idiot who said he stormed off was wrong, I saw the birthday mom saying bye to him and thanking him and he even gave a cute t-shirt for the birthday kid.

The Great Zucchini is cool as a cucumber!

I've seen TGZ a couple of times. He's always been a smash hit with the kids and was very polite, personable, and professional with the adults. I've never had any suspicion that he was hungover. He does ask that very little kids do no sit in the front and are accompanied by their parents because they sometimes freak out, as very little kids often do. It's a pretty reasonable request and I can't believe anyone would get upset about it to the point of wailing during the singing of Happy Birthday to the child.


If what several others have said about the SIL is true, she needs serious help. I also have to say that C.Everett.Coop's comment about his kids going to public school ("God no" was his response) should say enough about him to discount anything he says (last time I checked Fairfax County had some of the best public schools in the nation). Nice insult to the majority of people on this thread and the majority of people living in Fairfax County.

Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post responded to someone's post about this thread in his April chat. Here's what he wrote:

"Eric and I stay in touch some. A bit. I continue to like him a lot, and he continues to be pretty much the same 'ol Eric. The pettiness in this thread is amazing. I especially love the parent who won't let his/her child be taught by anyone who smokes, because it endangers the child's health.

Also, what kind of an a-hole will call someone an alcoholic, in an anonymous thread? For the record, to my knowledge, Eric drinks only in moderation. I, for example, drank him under the table. And yes, his general look is Hung Over. It comes naturally."

I strongly agree with Gene about the a-holishness of calling someone an alcoholic in an anonymous thread. Unfortunately for the a-hole, your irrational and petty post will not have the intended effect. TGZ remains a hard act to book. He makes a nice living making kids laugh - that must burn you up.

ChadB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've seen TGZ a couple of times. He's always been
> a smash hit with the kids and was very polite,
> personable, and professional with the adults. I've
> never had any suspicion that he was hungover. He
> does ask that very little kids do no sit in the
> front and are accompanied by their parents because
> they sometimes freak out, as very little kids
> often do. It's a pretty reasonable request and I
> can't believe anyone would get upset about it to
> the point of wailing during the singing of Happy
> Birthday to the child.
>
>
> If what several others have said about the SIL is
> true, she needs serious help. I also have to say
> that C.Everett.Coop's comment about his kids going
> to public school ("God no" was his response)
> should say enough about him to discount anything
> he says (last time I checked Fairfax County had
> some of the best public schools in the nation).
> Nice insult to the majority of people on this
> thread and the majority of people living in
> Fairfax County.
>
> Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post responded
> to someone's post about this thread in his April
> chat. Here's what he wrote:
>
> "Eric and I stay in touch some. A bit. I
> continue to like him a lot, and he continues to be
> pretty much the same 'ol Eric. The pettiness in
> this thread is amazing. I especially love the
> parent who won't let his/her child be taught by
> anyone who smokes, because it endangers the
> child's health.
>
> Also, what kind of an a-hole will call someone an
> alcoholic, in an anonymous thread? For the
> record, to my knowledge, Eric drinks only in
> moderation. I, for example, drank him under the
> table. And yes, his general look is Hung Over.
> It comes naturally."
>
> I strongly agree with Gene about the a-holishness
> of calling someone an alcoholic in an anonymous
> thread. Unfortunately for the a-hole, your
> irrational and petty post will not have the
> intended effect. TGZ remains a hard act to book.
> He makes a nice living making kids laugh - that
> must burn you up.

1) Yup...you're right...as PUBLIC schools go...FCPS is a good system. And? It will NEVER compare to a private school. The only people who "choose" to send their kids to public school? Are people who cannot afford a private school.

2) Fuck that old Jew Weingarten...yeah, fuck 'im. If he's so great, why did he take a buyout from The Post and his column is published contractually. If his content was so "epic"...why take a buyout? Answer...it's not. Don't let a few diehard Weingarten jihadists define good writing.

3) So, if I'm aware that someone is a smoker...I'm just supposed to let them be in my child's presence several hours a day? Poisoning them? I mean...I have a choice here. (And so do all parents...) I can put them in a clean, healthy environment OR one full of toxins. And I'm supposed to go toxins here? Why? Because we're so afraid of offending someone that what they choose to do is hurting everyone who breathes the poisons emanating from their clothes, skin and hair? And I'm the asshole here? Because I won't put my kids in harm's way? Really? REALLY?

Look...the old, hypochondriac Jew and all of you following this thread are free to raise your kids anyway you like. If you choose to expose them to hazardous things like third-hand cigarette smoke...that's your call. Just don't come bitching to me...or utilize any public funds to address your child's PREVENTABLE health concerns when your child is diagnosed with a potentially fatal situation.

C.Everett.Coop, thanks for letting everyone here know what a bigot you are. One more reason to laugh at your idiotic posts.

You may want to be careful of posting your bigoted rants - the interent isn't as anonymous as you might think.

I said nothing bigoted.

Weingarten...is old. That's a fact.

Weingarten...is Jewish. That's a fact.

Weingarten...is a hypochondriac. Or he was until he battled Hep-C...that's a fact.

Weingarten...is a writer. That's a fact

These are all factual things.

I do not express my dislike for Weingarten on the basis of his religion, his age or his health concerns (real or imagined) or his profession. I express my dislike for him for the same reason I've expressed it towards others on this thread...because he chose to express his feelings of how I choose to raise my kids. For him to say, "I love the parent who won't let his/her child be taught by anyone who smokes, because it endangers the child's health." is simply inappropriate. Again, I'm not posting here passing judgment on how he has/is/will raised/raising/raise his children. Who is Gene Weingarten or anybody else to "disapprove" of people not wanting to keep their children safe from the health hazards associated with children sharing an environment with someone (in this case a teacher) who smokes? Who is ANYONE really to question how anybody else raises their children such that those children are not a hazard to the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of those they encounter? Where's the outrage there?

C.Everett.Coop wrote:

"Fuck that old Jew Weingarten".
In what world do you think that wasn't bigoted? Why bring up the fact that he's Jewish - what relevance did it have to his point or yours? You're deluding yourself if you think that's not bigoted. You're in fine company with Cliven Bundy and Donald Sterling.

"Who is ANYONE really to question how anybody else raises their children such that those children are not a hazard to the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of those they encounter? Where's the outrage there?"
Could you be a little more melodramatic? On the less important point of third hand smoke, there is curretly not enough research to determine what the risk is. The risk of the residue from cigarettes from someone's clothing is almost certainly less than the buildup in a room used by smokers because clothes are washed regularly. Even if there was a health risk due to third hand smoke, do you really think that your child, sitting 5 or 10 feet away from somoene, once or twice in their lives is at a signifincat risk. Weingarten was absoutely correct that your comment was ridculous.

3) So, if I'm aware that someone is a smoker...I'm just supposed to let them be in my child's presence several hours a day? Poisoning them? I mean...I have a choice here. (And so do all parents...) I can put them in a clean, healthy environment OR one full of toxins. And I'm supposed to go toxins here? Why? Because we're so afraid of offending someone that what they choose to do is hurting everyone who breathes the poisons emanating from their clothes, skin and hair? And I'm the asshole here? Because I won't put my kids in harm's way? Really? REALLY?


Jesus Christ! "Really? REALLY?" That really?REALLY? meme is so played out.

Get over yourself, you strident tiger mom. The next time I do a show, I'll have your brats lick my nicotine-yellowed fingers, and then give 'em a couple cigs for later.

So, I saw this guy's show at a children's party and he really connects with the kiddos. I think people don't like him because he doesn't put on a false face of sweetness when engaging with the adults. He seemed successful and confident enough in his schtick not to need or seek the adoration of us grownups. He was polite, but not artificially friendly.

People around here are highly accustomed to getting their asses kissed by everyone, from subordinates at work, to the landscaper, to the whole foods stockboy. This guy has talent, and typical of good performers, is not seeking approval of anyone outside his target audience. Good on him.

Forget the Zucchini; I wanna hire the Marlboro Man...boy, that would piss off my ex-wife..

Gene Weingarten is the only feature writer in the country to win to Pulitzers and the story about The Great Zucchini is one of the most popular stories ever in the United States. It made the top 25 most downloaded stories ever on the internet. Weingarten is extremely talented, no doubt.

Hi everyone!

This thread is so obviously created out of the rage of a parent who thinks the world revolves around them.

It sounds like a meaningless rant from a parent who did something wrong, and they know it, but since it was called out in front of their friends, they got embarrassed and channeled that embarrassment into anger to create this post.

Where's your proof? All you did was list a bunch of negative traits.

Here's my proof:

I've taken my daughter to dozens of shows and we've NEVER once had a bad experience! The Great Zucchini is always pleasant and polite - he would never be rude, even if it was for the simple fact that a thread like this could arise!

I've met soo many people at his shows and not one single person has ever been upset!

Yes, he wears a t-shirt and jeans or shorts but how is that unacceptable?? (It's not like she shows up in RIPPED jeans, or marijuana t-shirts!)

We've been to almost every show, on Thursdays at Jammin Java, over the last two years and the kids absolutely ADORE him! Honestly, these kids laugh soo hard that it almost brings tears to my eyes to see my daughter with such a great big smile on her face!

If he can wear a mere t-shirt and jeans and make your child laugh like THAT, then that's proof in itself that this guy is utterly amazing! Think about it, does any other children's entertainer show up in regular clothes? No! They wear funny outfits and use those funny outfits make the children laugh, which is totally fine, but my point is The Great Zucchini doesn't need a funny outfit, his PERFORMANCE makes them laugh - and makes them laugh harder than any entertainer I've seen! Period.

Just because he's a children's entertainer doesn't mean he's any less of a professional than you are. If you disrupted the show, whether you walked in front of the other kids or walked up on stage with a boom box blaring, it's still a disruption. It's just common curteosy to sit at the back if you come in late.

I hope no one takes 'Disgusted's" thread very seriously because "Disgusted" obviously doesn't have concrete facts to back up thier statement - otherwise the facts would be written.

Just apologize for disrupting the show, don't start a thread saying HE'S awful.

Or, if you have PROOF that he was "condescending, arrogant, rude, and nasty", then write it out so we can see it!

We've seen over 100 shows in the last two years, and we've never ONCE witnessed any of these negative traits.

Athletic mom...any pics?

I've known Eric for 33 years (yes, since fourth grade). He is one of the funniest, kindest, and most honest people I know. While his wardrobe sometimes (okay, almost always) leaves something to be desired, he is meticulous about giving kids the best show possible. It is this desire that inspires him to make sure each party venue is set up to maximize the kids' enjoyment. Trust me when I say that any accusations of Eric being arrogant, rude, drunk, or condescending are completely laughable. And of course Eric will be "defensive"--wouldn't you be if someone slandered you? It's called having a backbone and standing up for what's right. Eric is performing at my son's birthday party this summer, and I can't wait. Let me also just say that if you haven't played a pick-up game of basketball with The Great Zucchini and Broccoli The Clown, you have not truly lived. That is all.

@OldFriend: If it's true? I'm not sure it's slander. Having a backbone is absolutely standing up for what's right but...it would appear from the numerous posts here that The NOT SO great zucchini? Is wrong. Standing up for yourself when you're in the wrong...just makes you a bigger asshole.

I get it...it's art. Art by definition is not something that everyone likes. Does everyone like the same music, books, films, sculpture, paintings, etc? No.

You're entitled to your viewpoint...and so the fuck are we. Great artists when confronted with opposition know to simply shrug and say, "I'm sorry you don't care for my work...perhaps I'll create something in the future that you will like." and leave it at that.

Great swindlers will defend their "art" until they're breathless. Who are they trying to convince? The public or...THEMSELVES?

It's not a debate about "art" or whether someone like's Eric's work. It's a debate about Eric having the right to ask patrons to respect his performance space. In other words, not to rudely interrupt his show. Hey, I have a joke for those of you using the above photo against Eric. Why did the children's performer hold a diaper while making a goofy face? Because he's a children's performer.

A diaper is Dada

My son LOVES the Great Zucchini! Leaves every performance I take him to with lots of giggles and a big smile. The guy is professional, friendly, and great with kids. Someone just has too much time on their hands, and might be jealous of TGZ's ability to make children so happy. No one is perfect, and we all have our vices. Grow up and get over yourself, OP!

Old Friend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's not a debate about "art" or whether someone
> like's Eric's work. It's a debate about Eric
> having the right to ask patrons to respect his
> performance space. In other words, not to rudely
> interrupt his show. Hey, I have a joke for those
> of you using the above photo against Eric. Why did
> the children's performer hold a diaper while
> making a goofy face? Because he's a children's
> performer.

I'm tired of this argument about "respecting the space". If the Great Zucchini (or anyone else for that matter) is so great then...they shouldn't be worried about "competing" with some toys that might be in view. I think his ego is just concerned that SOME of the kids in his audiences might be more entertained by a jar of bubbles or a ride-on toy than a guy who makes shit jokes...

In my opinion, its the same couple of people using different names bashing him.

Every one of my friends absolutely loves him. I think the people that understands him, knows that he's not just a person that is picking up a check.

He really cares about his craft, and anybody who has ever worked with preschoolers would tell you that you have to eliminate distraction.

Hey, I just posted and I have one more point to make.

I actually talked to TGZ about his everyday attire at parties. We even joke about it at my four year old B-Day party. Believe it or not, theres a reason behind that which makes since.

He loves talking to parents before and after his shows and he feels that he's more relatable that way. Remember, you rarely see adults having conversation with clowns. TGZ understood this early on, and parents feel like they really know him at parties.

"I'm tired of this argument about "respecting the space". If the Great Zucchini (or anyone else for that matter) is so great then...they shouldn't be worried about "competing" with some toys that might be in view. I think his ego is just concerned that SOME of the kids in his audiences might be more entertained by a jar of bubbles or a ride-on toy than a guy who makes shit jokes..."

And I'm tired of people like you. But, I have to say you nailed it. Eric is terribly afraid of that Hello Kitty doll lurking in the corner. And don't even mention Teletubbies in his presence. He told me he pees a little in his pants every time he hears the name. In fact, he's confessed to me: "What if Tinky Winky steals my thunder? Oh my god, and what if Dipsy and Laa-Laa conspire against me?" So cruel of you to expose his primal fears like that. How dare you. Oh, and here's an idea: CVS is having a sale on hobbies. Why don't you get one.

Old Friend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I'm tired of this argument about "respecting the
> space". If the Great Zucchini (or anyone else for
> that matter) is so great then...they shouldn't be
> worried about "competing" with some toys that
> might be in view. I think his ego is just
> concerned that SOME of the kids in his audiences
> might be more entertained by a jar of bubbles or a
> ride-on toy than a guy who makes shit jokes..."
>
> And I'm tired of people like you. But, I have to
> say you nailed it. Eric is terribly afraid of that
> Hello Kitty doll lurking in the corner. And don't
> even mention Teletubbies in his presence. He told
> me he pees a little in his pants every time he
> hears the name. In fact, he's confessed to me:
> "What if Tinky Winky steals my thunder? Oh my god,
> and what if Dipsy and Laa-Laa conspire against
> me?" So cruel of you to expose his primal fears
> like that. How dare you. Oh, and here's an idea:
> CVS is having a sale on hobbies. Why don't you get
> one.

Wow...seriously...why you so butt-hurt, bro?

Tell you what...why don't you go back down to your room errrrrr...I mean your parents' basement? Don't worry, Mommy will be down soon to smother your genitals with marshmallow fluff while Daddy plays hide the nine iron in your ass and then watches you lick your own filth off the end of it. Then you can all watch The Great Zucchini together...

The Great Zucchini came to my son's birthday party a few weeks ago and we LOVED him! He was funny, personable,and the overall highlight of the party.

Not only were the children completely in awe of his performance, but the parents were actively involved as well. I plan to hire the Great Zucchini again next year and offer a recommendation to anyone looking for an entertainer.

-Kelly

Seriously guys? You all are just jealous haters! The Great Zucchini is awesome for both the kids and the parents. Some of these posts are sick, and frankly make no sense. I doubt any of you actually even have met or seen him perform! Anyways don't believe the hate, The Great Zucchini is one talented performer and you all are haters.

-Dan

Wonder if The Great Zucchini likes to drive a snow plow the wrong way?

Jason Berry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wonder if The Great Zucchini likes to drive a snow
> plow the wrong way?

Is that a sexual innuendo?

Wow, I had lots of reading to catch up on here. Ok, wasn't going to post again, but decided too after all. Thanks to all you teachers and parents that said nice things, etc. I have a ton of public shows in Fairfax this summer, so hopefully will see ya at one of the parks, so come say hello.

First of all, it's interesting, but I'd never heard of this site until recently, and I've been on all the parenting sites. I'm friends with most of the owners and moderators of all the major parenting sites. They actually monitor the site. I don't take this site very seriously and I think it's a shame that it exists.

Freedom of speech is basically the right to protest the government peacefully without repercussions, etc. The threads on this site that are racially motivated and down right mean, should be taken down, and actually moderated by someone. I can't believe some of what goes on here. I mingle tons during my parties with the parents before and after shows, and nobody has every mentioned this site, ever, so it's hard to imagine that most of the people on here are actually parents. My guess is that it's a ton of teenagers or internet trolls of some sort. This site makes the world go backwards, not forward, and I think it's shameful.

I'm in 500 homes a year, and many I've been back to year after year, and I'm very proud of my relationships with the parents and kids. I'm the only entertainer in the country doing this amount of shows all word of mouth. I'm very proud of this, because parents wouldn't keep bringing me back if I wasn't easy to get along with. I love what I do, and have been on the most amazing stages. When I have hundreds of kids show up to public shows, it's an amazing feeling and I thank the parents all the time for allowing me to continue doing what I love.

Now, when Kelly Duncan Beyer, the Op on this thread face booked me on the evening of the party letting me know that I shouldn't respond as she anonymously wrote things about me, I thought, 'she wants me to be a sitting duck, while she says things that everybody at that party knows isn't true. I was stunned at first. I don't have experience, putting someone down, on an anonymous board, but I would assume the idea would be to stay anonymous. I have Facebook messages telling me about the thread that she started. I got advice from parents that I know well, some in Fairfax that said, not to refer to her as Op, but to state her name, as well. I agree.

Kelly, anonymous, doesn't mean you can say things that aren't true. Your depiction of the story was not true. You won't hear me defend myself, if you say you don't like my show, that's fine. Of course, you wouldn't know that, because one of the parents told me that you took your kid outside to spite me, and didn't let them join the fun of the other kids. Ok, but all I asked you to do was to implement your kids into the show from the back and not disrupt what we were already doing. Nobody understood your reaction to me. I've been the same for 20 years. I do things for a certain reason to benefit the show.

Listen, like one mom said when she emailed me, "Zucchini, Beyonce and George Clooney get slammed on the internet too. When your in the public eye, that will happen'. True, but they fight back sometimes too. In Texas recently, a judge order an anonymous site to reveal some of their Ip addresses when someone got slandered on line. They were awarded a ton of money. Just because a site is anonymous, you can't make up stuff. It's illegal. Yes, I've had a couple of lawyers contact me when they got word of this, and I don't want to pursue anything right now, because I'm just to busy, but they say I have a case.

I can't imagine most of the homes I go to, the parents frequenting this site. This site is ridiculous and like I said, I really think tons of teenagers are the internet trolls here. Btw, I let Kelly Duncan Beyer know that I was going to use her name. Anybody that is out there with a business shouldn't have to be sitting ducks for someone like Kelly to fire away. Thanks for listening. See ya at the shows. Take Care. Gz

P.s. Many parents at the party can vouch for the fact that the adjectives she used to describe me, were actually the way she was talking to me. I'm always going to Keep it real, See ya

The van he drives around town should have been the 1st clue..
Attachments:

Awesome post, Zucchini. We are so excited to see you back at our school in July and I'm bringing my 2 kids to see you at 'Celebrate Fairfax', as well. I was a huge fan before, and I'm even a bigger fan, after your posts. I agree, this site is a haven for young internet trolls, and the only reason I'm on this site, is someone told me about this thread.

I remember watching you when you were a guest on the Fox Morning News, and I think Tony Perkins, summed it up when introducing you. 'In the World of Children's Entertainment, there is no bigger name than The Great Zucchini'.

You're a celebrity, a brand name, and famous people deal with this shit all the time. See ya soon.

She seems like an attention whore.

http://beyerduncan.ourwedding.com/

I've been going to GZ shows for about six years and have never once seen him be rude or condescending to anyone. Yes, he has some "rules" and these are for good reason. He takes his job to make kids laugh seriously and this helps make him the undisputed best children's entertainer around. He seems to have unlocked a magic formula for making kids laugh and keeping him engaged for 45 minutes, which is no small feat when young children are involved.

What's more, he is constantly donating his time to help others. Just this weekend he was at a fundraiser for a rescue squad. I have no doubt he could have booked a paying show on a weekend morning but he chose to give back to the community instead. I wrote about all of his work to give in a Huffington Post article that is linked below.

Will everyone be happy all the time? Of course not. But to anonymously slam a children's entertainer who spoke up when you disrupted the show and prevented the birthday party guests from enjoying the entertainment is beyond low.

The GZ is a valuable part of our community and our children's lives. Don't let one petty person ruin it for everyone - especially the kids who adore him!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-davis-smith/thre-great-zucchini-gives_b_2260969.html

Hooray for me, I'm the 100th poster in this stupid thread!

The GZ has name dropped Ryan Reynolds, George Clooney and Beyonce. Someone has an inflated ego by these worshiping soccer moms.

Just the Facts Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The GZ has name dropped Ryan Reynolds, George
> Clooney and Beyonce. Someone has an inflated ego
> by these worshiping soccer moms.

Defintion of name dropping: the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others

He didn't state or imply that he knew any of them, he merely used them as an example. Give your hate a rest.

I agree he wasn't name dropping. He could have, there is a picture of with Hillary clinton on his web site. When he was at the Avaon theater, Michelle obama dropped off Sasha for the show. Believe me, there are names he can drop. I've been a fan for a long time.

Kelly Duncan Breyer, wait just a minute. You have a two year old, and got married in October of 2011. Were you pregnant at your wedding??? How scandalous!

Kelly Duncan Beyer, sorry. Gotta be accurate about our slandering knocked-up entitled brats.

Kelly Duncan Beyer married into a car sales family! That's practically royalty on Route 1.

I was kinda on GZ side until he posted again and bashed Fairfax Underground.

This is a fantastic site. The world is too overmoderated and political correct as it is. This site is a vent where truth comes out.

That truth is that people are tired of the pc "you can't say that, you need to apologize" society we have become.

Kelley and her dumbo eared husband LOL.

OMG Kelly Duncan Beyer, did he not recognize you good enough, bow and scrape and kiss your enourmous ring? Didn't he know who your father-in-law used to be?

Now we need maximum dirt on KDB. An eye for an eye. She needs justice for trying to anonymously bash TGZ. We can't come full circle on this thread until she is fully exposed and eviscerated.

"This site is a vent where truth comes out."

HA. Those things are usually mutually exclusive. Any site that lets you post as multiple people - pretending to be a whole crowd of people who agree with yourself - needs just a smidge of moderation. At least make it HARDER to do that.

"HA. Those things are usually mutually exclusive. Any site that lets you post as multiple people - pretending to be a whole crowd of people who agree with yourself - needs just a smidge of moderation. At least make it HARDER to do that."

I agree. You should at least have to provide an email address.

""HA. Those things are usually mutually exclusive. Any site that lets you post as multiple people - pretending to be a whole crowd of people who agree with yourself - needs just a smidge of moderation. At least make it HARDER to do that."

I agree. You should at least have to provide an email address."

I ALSO agree. You shouldn't have to register necessarily, just provide a valid email to show you're a real person and not the same person who just posted.

"I ALSO agree. You shouldn't have to register necessarily, just provide a valid email to show you're a real person and not the same person who just posted."

I completely disagree. You can get as many email addresses as you want, so that wouldn't work.

"I completely disagree. You can get as many email addresses as you want, so that wouldn't work."

Well, it would at least make it harder to fake being a whole crowd of people who think TGZ is rude.

"Well, it would at least make it harder to fake being a whole crowd of people who think TGZ is rude."

Fair enough.

LOL anonymous trolls claiming you should have to log in to post are hypocrites.

Becky Beckingham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL anonymous trolls claiming you should have to
> log in to post are hypocrites.

I agree!

Hey guys, it's funny, but at first I didn't check in for about a week, and now I can't stop following thread myself. It's hard to not partake in a thread about yourself. I get mixed reviews from parents about weather to partake. Some, say yes, post, and some say it's not worth it. It's hard, so here I go.

Listen, if you go to a site like Dcurbanmoms, which is anonymous, and type in the Great Zucchini, there are 426 records found. That's just on the general discussion page. On the off topic, about 120 records found. Probably 8 out of 10 comments are pretty positive. Here's where the moderation comes in, though- Geoff Steele, the moderator, who's actually a friend, will let stuff go, as it's anonymous, however, if he ever sees anything where someone says something he knows isn't true, it comes down immediately. He will let racial discussions on his site for instance, but he won't let someone, outright use racial slurs, and put down an entire group. That's called moderating. He does an amazing job.

He won't let someone call someone an alcoholic for instance. He is on top of his site. Look, some of my favorite comics aren't Pc. I'm a huge Howard Stern fan. It's not about being Pc, but this site isn't about being Pc or the truth on things. I'm always very honest, and I was with Kelly.

She said she was going to bash me at the party. I let her know that I have lots of defenders out there. I also gave her, through Facebook a chance to contact moderator here to remove thread(I did, but didn't hear back) I gave her a few days.

I told her that I would use her name, and she said she didn't use my my name, so she'd appreciate me not using hers. What? I'd rather her use my real name. She used the only name that really identifies me to the public. Once again, if she said I saw show, and didn't like it, fine. I go to movies, that I love, but my friends hate. That's fine, I'm not everyone's cup of tea, but she went off on me, and then disguised it as vice versa.

I believe in anonymous forums to a degree, but this, with the racial threads, and everything else is over the line. I will say this also- I do believe that if you call someone out, have conviction, weather it's using your real name, or whatever, stand by your thoughts, so yea, maybe I don't believe in anonymous threads, after all. Thanks for listening.

eric knaus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow, I had lots of reading to catch up on here.
> Ok, wasn't going to post again, but decided too
> after all.

bad decision


> First of all, it's interesting, but I'd
> never heard of this site until recently, and I've
> been on all the parenting sites. I'm friends with
> most of the owners and moderators of all the major
> parenting sites. They actually monitor the site.

Wonderful so you get handled with kid gloves on other "moderated sites. Any complaint or criticism about you and you can complain to the mods who are kissing your ass and have it removed.


> I don't take this site very seriously

Obviously you take it serious enough to write responses here.



> I think it's a shame that it exists.


That's like..your opinion man.


> Freedom of speech is basically the right to
> protest the government peacefully without
> repercussions, etc.

What repercussions were you looking for? I'm assuming you mean anything not positive of you that is posted should be removed.


> The threads on this site that
> are racially motivated and down right mean, should
> be taken down, and actually moderated by someone.

This is neither here nor there.



> I mingle tons during my parties with the parents
> before and after shows, and nobody has every
> mentioned this site, ever, so it's hard to imagine
> that most of the people on here are actually
> parents.

Genius observation. If you don't like the site, simply close your browser. You are that guy who wants to ban everything he disagrees with.


> My guess is that it's a ton of teenagers
> or internet trolls of some sort.

So now you are insulting children?



> This site makes
> the world go backwards, not forward, and I think
> it's shameful.

Now I don't even know what you are talking about.



> I'm in 500 homes a year, and many I've
> been back to year after year, and I'm very proud
> of my relationships with the parents and kids.


I don't doubt that most parents and kids love you. It is obvious that you've gotten plenty of support here.


> I'm
> the only entertainer in the country doing this
> amount of shows all word of mouth.

Okay but what about your "being on all the parenting sites" that you mentioned above. That would be internet advertising no?


> I'm very proud
> of this, because parents wouldn't keep bringing me
> back if I wasn't easy to get along with. I love
> what I do, and have been on the most amazing
> stages. When I have hundreds of kids show up to
> public shows, it's an amazing feeling and I thank
> the parents all the time for allowing me to
> continue doing what I love.

So why even respond to this "troll" site that you think shouldn't exist and no one takes seriously anyway?



> Now, when Kelly Duncan Beyer, the Op on
> this thread face booked me on the evening of the
> party letting me know that I shouldn't respond as
> she anonymously wrote things about me,

So now you are participating in the childishness of this site by outing the original poster who within a few more days will have a disturbing amount of backlash against her online and maybe in person.


> Listen, like one mom said when she emailed me,
> "Zucchini, Beyonce and George Clooney get slammed
> on the internet too. When your in the public eye,
> that will happen'. True, but they fight back
> sometimes too.

Bad advice. You should have ignored this thread.


> I've had a couple of lawyers contact
> me when they got word of this, and I don't want to
> pursue anything right now, because I'm just to
> busy, but they say I have a case.

Of course they will say you have a case. They want your money.


> I can't imagine most of the homes I go to,
> the parents frequenting this site. This site is
> ridiculous

So again, WHY RESPOND TO THIS SITE and lend credibility to it when it is not deserving?



>I really think tons of
> teenagers are the internet trolls here.

Why, can't adults be trolls too? More kid bashing.

Becky Beckingham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL anonymous trolls claiming you should have to
> log in to post are hypocrites.


It's not hypocritical at all. They are OK with anonymity. They just want to make it harder to post under dozens of different names to make it look like dozens of people agree with you when, in fact, very few do.

I also strongly disagree with whoever posted that these forums are where the truth comes out. Anonymous forums probably have as much false information on them than any other part of the internet.

The worst thing you can do on a site like this is continue to respond and defend yourself. To true trolls and greifers, this is their fuel. You may not understand it but they get their jollies out of being able to criticize you and hurt you in some way.

This is exhibited especially in the death threads on here. People start bashing or making fun of the dead person and friends/family respond only to have the trolling go into hyperdrive.

Not really sure why I'm responding to the one above, but here we go, because I haven't left computer yet. The listservs that put me on, weather it's Our Kids, or whatever, I don't pay for any of it, meaning I haven't paid for advertising for years. That's word of mouth. Of course I'm thankful that all these listservs put me on their sites, because their sites consist of letting parents know what fun activities to do with their kids, so they let them know where my public shows will be.
Lots of them will be advertising that I will be at Celebrate Fairfax again. I don't pay them for that. I don't care about this site, and hadn't heard of it. I found it, when I knew Kelly was going to bash me, and I googled myself, and it wasn't hard to see which listserv she was doing it on.

As far as your post about it being teenagers, or adults. I agree, I don't know, but I'd be shocked if the homes I go into, people are using this as their guilty pleasure. Look, I chit chat with parents a ton, and nobody has ever mentioned it to me before. Do I think their are good people on this site? Absolutely, the sheer number of people on here, I'm sure there are, but I've been on lots of sites and I think this site wins the troll award. The oscar, no doubt. It's just my opinion. Funny enough, a couple of moms booked shows in August, after seeing this thread, so I know legitimate people are also here. Thanks. Gz

P.s. I'm not to concerned with any backlash Kelly gets on line, because her only intent was to hurt me, and I don't respect people like that. I'm just keeping it real. She wanted to hurt me, a person, that just asked her to not walk through my show. Not fair. Thanks again. Your friend, Eric aka Gz

"LOL anonymous trolls claiming you should have to log in to post are hypocrites."

Heh. Then you may have missed the point of my posts.

I mean, uh, post.

PP, yea, I have to go anyway, and know I'm feeding trolls, mostly, but I wanted to just say a few things, and now I'm done. The only thing that initially pulled me in was false alcohol stuff, or I wouldn't of replied at all. Once I got in, then I found more I wanted to say. Anyway, see ya at the shows, and I'm pretty much done here. Take care. Your bud, Gz

Plus I have to go masturbate to the thought of being the center of attention to toddlers.

Take care. Your BFF, Gz

edit by Cary (the admin): This post impersonated the subject of this discussion thread, which is forbidden. Poster, do not engage in impersonation, only warning.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2017 01:32PM by Cary.

Eric, the market (not this website nor any of your fanboy parent blogs...) will decide your professional fate and future.

Either this website is indeed powerful enough to reduce your "career" to a flaming dumpster or your "all-world skills" will rise up and destroy those who are attempting to poison and destroy you.

By your admission (meaning it's not credible), you've done "hundreds of shows through the years", right? So either that will sustain you against a few "harmless trolls" or you'll never be hired again. Either way, zero fucks given about what you think you're entitled to. Fairfaxunderground.com is not exactly yelp.com now, is it?

Work up some more quality fecal material and stop defending an indefensible position...I suspect you'll need it.

The troll pretended to be Eric should never be allowed near a key board again!!

I have hired GZ for many shows over the years and have gotten to know him very well. I do events as well and teach my staff to be mindful of your surroundings in the same way that GZ is. Kids can be distracted easily, even for the best performer (which GZ probably is for kids ages 3-6). He's not just performing for your child today - word of a bad show travels far, so he needs to be firm about controlling the environment so that his shows are good. He's fantastic.

Eric cares very much - which is why he is spending far too much time on here defending himself. I only all of you negative posters care as much about making sure your kids have fun as he does.

I feel bad for Kelly Duncan Beyer's poor husband, the trust fund notwithstanding. Imagine having to come home to that piece of (work) every night. I hope he got her to sign a pre-nup.

She sounds like the type of narcissistic, entitled, self-important twat that is all too common in this (DC) area. How dare a mere kids' entertainer tell Her where to walk, or how loudly to talk? She, the daughter-in-law of a Someone, can talk as loud as she wants, can walk wherever she wants, especially among Commoners. Don't these people know who she is? Don't they know that simply by virtue of who she bamboozled into marrying her, that she's entitled to have the run of any venue she graces with her presence? Didn't The Great Zuchini get that memo?!

The only undisputable fact in this thread is that Kelly is a cunt.

TGZ does expect his "work area" to be set up in the way that allows him to do the best job he can for his clients. Don't we all? And he does expect few disruptions. I have actually talked to him after a Jammin' Java appearance about the adults sitting in the seating area talking during his performance and interrupting the performance for those of us trying to watch. And though he does ask parents of fussy children to step out he is also compassionate. At a Jammin' Java show a mother came in with her son, maybe 11 or 12 years old. They sat near the rear and it soon became obvious to me that the son had severe developmental problems and perhaps Tourette Syndrome. He grunted and squealed and tried to run up to the front. TGZ told me after the show the mother brings the boy occasionally but they can only stay a short time. He was very compassionate to the mother and her son.

Lamont.Cranston Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eric, the market (not this website nor any of your
> fanboy parent blogs...) will decide your
> professional fate and future.
>
> Either this website is indeed powerful enough to
> reduce your "career" to a flaming dumpster or your
> "all-world skills" will rise up and destroy those
> who are attempting to poison and destroy you.
>
> By your admission (meaning it's not credible),
> you've done "hundreds of shows through the years",
> right? So either that will sustain you against a
> few "harmless trolls" or you'll never be hired
> again. Either way, zero fucks given about what you
> think you're entitled to. Fairfaxunderground.com
> is not exactly yelp.com now, is it?
>
> Work up some more quality fecal material and stop
> defending an indefensible position...I suspect
> you'll need it.


Not sure what you mean by Eric defending and indefensible position. He intially complained about someone labeling him an alcholic without any evidence. He then complained about someone who tried to trash his professional reputation. In his opinion, her story was false. If he has witnesses, then it would seem to be very defensible.

Watching some of the his work on YouTube it appears that Eric Knaus suffers from Mongolism/Down syndrome. Is this why he has such a large following from the area moms? Do they feel sorry for him?

I can see how some could easily mistake his condition for being a hungover alcoholic.

is he retarded? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Watching some of the his work on YouTube it
> appears that Eric Knaus suffers from
> Mongolism/Down syndrome. Is this why he has such a
> large following from the area moms? Do they feel
> sorry for him?
>
> I can see how some could easily mistake his
> condition for being a hungover alcoholic.

Oh, for crap's sake, what a silly comment. He's been running a successful business for 20+ years.

Read about him:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/18/AR2006011801434.html

Watch him:
http://www.wjla.com/blogs/lets-talk-live/2014/04/-the-great-zucchini-s-april-fools-day-pranks-21391.html

http://killscreendaily.com/articles/news/pause-what-makes-a-good-writer-a-great-one/

"It’s not an immediately promising premise. The story is about a local children’s entertainer who is successful but disheveled. Forgettable fluff? Weingarten acknowledges as much in the story by including a conversation he had with a woman at one of the Great Zucchini’s shows. “You’re writing a story about him?” she says. “I mean, are you that desperate?”

She wants to know if there’s a hook. Weingarten assures her, and readers, that there is but that “it’s going to take some time” for the hook to be revealed. As the story unspools, we learn that the Great Zucchini, also known as Eric Knaus, is a troubled genius, a man with a nearly magical ability to connect with children, but also a man who is, by most adult standards, a complete mess. He earns six figures but has no idea where the money goes. His apartment is a wreck—the only food he has is a jumbo box of raisin bran. He’s afraid of commitment. His driver’s license has been suspended. All his appointments are in one book that, if lost, would likely ruin his career."

Also from the article... "The Great Zucchini is instantly likeable, and effortlessly charming".

That article is from 8 years ago. I've joked with him about that appointment book at shows, he's had everything in a computer for years now.

He seems to love kids and tolerates parents. Now, if your child has a behavior problem/special needs, I'm not sure how he would be...he's not the most tolerant of any kind of disruptions, but that may be how he manages the chaos of kids. If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 6, he is a must-see, that's for sure.

He seems to love kids and tolerates parents. Now, if your child has a behavior problem/special needs, I'm not sure how he would be...he's not the most tolerant of any kind of disruptions, but that may be how he manages the chaos of kids. If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 6, he is a must-see, that's for sure.

Frankly, this thread has gotten sooooo off topic!

The complaint in question: Was the Great Zucchini 'in the wrong and rude' when he asked the mom to enter her child from the rear, avoiding walking infront of the show and the other children already engaged?

My opinion, NO he was not!

It's common courtesy to not disrupt a show!
It's simply.... COMMON SENSE!!

Am I implying this mother has no common sense - maybe? Who knows! But she should have had the decency of being polite and entering from the back.

Would anyone else just tromp to the front while a show that is already in progress?

The rest of this thread is redundant - it's gotten so off track.
People are:
1) Posting rude pictures
2) Making insinuations
3) Making sexual inuendos
4) and just making stuff up


The Great Zucchini was right to ask the mother to enter through the back - she never should have walked infront of the other kids in the first place. The show was already in progress and SHE was the rude one.

This was in the Huffington Post about the Great Zucchini:
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5435280

I was recently at one of Mr. Zucchini's shows and it was a my second time and I must say that the kids adore him. I laughed myself a few times, mostly at the kids amusement! He is great at what he does and regardless of whatever may go on in his personal life, as long as the kids have a great time, isn't that all that matters?

I do not live in the DC area. However, I have seen many videos of Eric performing and he seems quite wonderful. However, I would like to ask a question and this can be answered very easily by people in the DC area whether they like his work, his dress or his attitude or not. I just want to know the truth and I don't feel like getting a plane to Washington to find out.

He often says on forums for magicians that he is a "celebrity" in the Washington area. He seems well known, certainly but is he REALLY a "celebrity"?
I define a celebrity as someone who is know very widely by a majority of people. Note that I said the "Majority". Now we don't have to like a person to know if he is a celebrity or not. Either he is or he isn't.

So my question is twofold. If I were to approach 10 random people (adult) in a Washington street and ask them if they have ever heard of the Great Zucchini how many of them would say "yes". Would you say that it was at least 7 out of 10 or less than that? Now, if you were to ask 10 children in the street I imagine the percentage would be higher so what would you give this out of ten?

Just curious about this one thing. I do not particularly want to get into any of the arguments on this thread. I just want to know if he is indeed a "celebrity"



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2014 03:57PM by kram siwel.

Kram:

He is a self-proclaimed celebrity. That is all. As a mom who has hired him and other child entertainers for other parties, he is on par with his peers. He's not exceptional, but he's not bad.

I have seen him about five different times. Each come with a different Eric, depending on whether he's on his A-game or not. At one party (luckily not my own daughter's), he showed up really dirty and stinky (he kind of smelled like vomit). It was gross. The kids liked him but he left a lasting negative impression with the parents.

Personally, I DO think he has a substance abuse problem - whether it's alcohol or something else, I do not know. As a result, this sets him up for monetary problems, car problems (accidents), gambling problems, and working relationship problems.

I hope he can get help before he's a "celebrity" in the Washington Time's Obituary Page.

Any man who makes his living entertaining children...is a latent kid toucher.

That's a terrible thing to say

LUw3L Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's a terrible thing to say

The truth can be terrible indeed.

I've seen the great Zucchini in 4 public shows and each time there were 400-500 people there. I saw many parents eager to take pictures with him, even without their kids, and then I saw a few kids asking for his autograph and he signed all of them. I've never seen another childrens entertainer who can bring in the crowds that he does. I was laughing as much as my 4 year old. At all of the shows I've seen him at he's always taken the time to chit chat with the audience after the shows. I just had a friend who tried to book him for June and she said he's was totally booked. As recently as a month ago he performed at my friends house and everyone was pleased with his performance and professionalism. He's always going to be a celebrity in our household.

Sincerely,
Jessica

I admit to having a WTF opinion of Eric and his Great Zucchini character right up to the moment that I met him and watched him perform. He isn't every adults cup-o-tea, but he definitely knows what makes children sit up, pay attention and LAUGH. I found him to be a very polite and up-front guy. He makes no bones about being who he is and leaves you to either accept him at face value or don't. He's cool with you either way.

Since that meeting and show, I have nothing but respect for Eric as a person and, as a fellow kidshow artist and international columnist, a deep respect for his ability to entertain children. He is without question one of the most respected and in-demand children's entertainers in the Washington D.C. area. There is a reason for that.

Laugh on, Eric! Well done!

Skip

I just discovered this post while looking up the Great Zucchini.

All I can say is that I'd rather spend all day and all night in a broken down elevator with a smoker, a drinker, a gambler, AND a gaggle of screaming toddlers than spend even ONE MINUTE with the kind of nay-saying, armchair-critic assholes who use a forum like this to slander a man who is actually doing something ambitious with his life.

Good grief.

Fairfax Underground is a well of losers.

What's best is that your name never be mentioned on this site.

I ran across this formum when searching the great z I went to his show recently he is a wonderful guy the children adored him the kids were rolling in laughter and they watched him with full amazement he can keep their full attention for 45 min on this young age group is amazing he has a warm personality great with parents and kids i was impressed his talent is beyond amazing I could not believe some of these rude comments on him it is sad all I can say some people are jealous but this is def what he meant to do for living he has donated his time too a great guy

I love shoving huge veggies up my cavernous snatch. Thanks great zucchini!

Masturating with a Zucchini Wrote:
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> I love shoving huge veggies up my cavernous
> snatch. Thanks great zucchini!

Pics?

Wow this thread is way off subject this is kind of silly but any one he a great Children's Entainer gave great day

The kids have been going to his show at Jammin' Java. He's really good.

He is very good and a natural with kids I enjoyed the show a whole lot

Unless he can blow smoke rings out of his asshole while playing Yankee Doodle on the kazoo I'm not having any part of his show and neither will my children.

Unless Wrote:
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> Unless he can blow smoke rings out of his asshole
> while playing Yankee Doodle on the kazoo I'm not
> having any part of his show and neither will my
> children.

So are you implying that you only take your children to shows involving kazoos and assholes expelling smoke?

The real question no one has asked...

...how many of these soccer moms has he been banging on the side...I mean if some of them follow him around like Greatful Dead groupies, you know he may have (perhaps, almost, possibly) broken up a few marriages....

he admits he can't do commitment, after all, he's the GZ.

Hello folks. I'm also a children's entertainer and know TGZ personally. I just wanted to say that I have been in this situation where a customer disrupted the show. I could have just continued and let the children lose the quality entertainment I have promised and let the parent who booked me down with a less than successful show. Also it could damage my reputation as an entertainer which is very important if I want to continue to bring joy to my audiences. You walk a fine line when you need to talk to difficult people to maintain the quality of your show. But that just shows how much he cares about entertaining children and helping parents.

I agree with user ZZTMM GZ is wonderful with the kids and the parents his shows are very enjoyable and fun to watch

This thread is out of wack! Wrote:
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>
>
> The Great Zucchini was right to ask the mother to
> enter through the back
_______________________________________________________________

So he whipped out his Zucchini and had anal sex with the mother?
That's fucking disgusting....

Wack for the DaddyO Wrote:
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> This thread is out of wack! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> ----
> >
> >
> > The Great Zucchini was right to ask the mother
> to
> > enter through the back
> __________________________________________________
> _____________
>
> So he whipped out his Zucchini and had anal sex
> with the mother?
> That's fucking disgusting....

No, when he asked the mother to enter through the back, he meant he wanted her to fuck him in the ass with a strap on.

Interesting that the OP's planned essentially backfired. If the responses are to be believed, the OP was more or less identified as a self-entitled, rude, overreacting asshole of a mom that effectively disrupted the show. I wonder if she ever read the responses and came to the conclusion she should reevaluate the way she loves her life, views situations, and judges people.

A decent number of troll responses from the typical FFXU basement dwellers. However, pretty overwhelming number of positive and supportive responses from people that have actually been to one if not several shows by TGZ.

This website has a high search ranking, specially for things not covered nationally or internationally so a bunch of people see this thread title when searching for TGZ. Funny is they it might look bad at first glance, but anyone doing research would actually read this thread and probably decide to hire him. The negative troll responses don't hold much weight. This website should be used for scientific research.

He's still in business because he provides a unique service that very few, if any can accomplish. He reaches pre-school children at their maturity level. He never promises to entertain or even be understood by parents. He's there for the kids and they love him for it. Play on TGZ. You're one of a kind.

And there's a completely ridiculous comment coming from someone called A.A.
LOL

Something doesn't add up? Are you suspicious of things that go bump in the night? Please. He doesn't have to defend himself because he has the support of thousands of satisfied parents. I don't even know while I'm here. But I can't stand to see a vindictive bitch slamming someone who has literally dominated the pre-school market in this area. No one comes close to what he does. He can barely keep up with all the requests for him to appear. And I would be just as defensive so that one or two sour eggs wouldn't trash my good name with lies. Rock on GZ. We got your back.

NO, PUSSYFOOT!!!! I RULED THE PRE-SCHOOL!!!!

sleep deprived parents will do anything to entertain kids and kill those looooong days of parenting. Zucchini is proof of that.

FjExk

He's not as awful as Trump. Not by a long shot.

VJTk6

I made stuffed zucchini last night. It wasn't awful at all. It was great.

Did you use ground beef and rice for the stuffing? What sort of binder did you add?

Positive or Negative?

I thought about this thread for hours and I came to this conclusion. Being an entertainer is like reaching out and asking the audience to be your friend. Sometimes we agree and we get along fine. Other times our personalities don't match and there can even be hard feelings in some cases. The best you can do is part ways and say thank you for being a part of my world for a while. I hope you're feeling better than you were before we met.

He's a great kids entertainer, plain and simple. My daughter loved him when she was younger. He did a show at her preschool and he performed at one of her birthday parties. He's a good guy, too.

Nope...I just checked...he's still awful...thanks, though.

The guy that mentions comet ping pong is a crackpot. It was a fake story and Everyone that did a show there has to deal with dumbass like you. Please tell me you aren't aloud to vote

Wait a minute, "TGZ."

You "googled" yourself and found this thread? That's what happened?? Ya sure?? Cuz EARLIER you said that one of the guests from the infamous birthday party contacted you and told you people were hatin on ya.

So which is it??

Keep your lies straight, bruh.

You don't have to like every entertainer you know of. That's what is so great about this area. And that's why so many artists continue to make this place more beautiful. The fact remains that this guy makes children and many many parents so happy that they invite him back again and again. And as far as these silly accusations go, someone clearly has a chip on their shoulder and can't let it go. If you don't like him don't hire him. But all this chatter amounts to very little in the grand scheme of things.

And btw. I saw him perform a few weeks ago. He's better than ever. You're as good as your last show. Grudges from archives in the past do not have to hurt the future. Move on. Be happy.

JustSomeOne Wrote:
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> But all
> this chatter amounts to very little in the grand
> scheme of things.

Including YOUR chatter trying to come in here and run smack about some kid groper masquerading as an entertainer...with a drinking problem. Holy fuck, the world can't run far enough away from this guy.

I love this guy! I saw him perform over at the Fairfax Circle Arthur Treachers. Great act!

My wife and I hired him on the spot for some of our "adult" parties! Totally worth it.

Child time we have used before, luois is great. My daughter recommends Turly the magician.
Magic Of Zain came to my niece's party and rocked it. They had face painters and balloon twisting along with a magic show. My Grandson loved it. They have a lot of good reviews it seems, totally worth checking out: https://www.magicofzain.com/
There is also a pirate magic show around here I Think.

Wow, kids magic show while hung over? Sad.

Kelly Duncan Beyer is related to Don Beyer, the politician and car dealer owner?

At least he is hot looking guy to go look at

Sidekick 2 Wrote:
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> The Great Zucchini needs to up his game, no pun
> intended


Where's the pun?

At least he is hot looking guy to go look at very hot