By Brian M. Boyce
TERRE HAUTE — “That’s the kind of stuff,” Mike Leech said, pointing to a teenage contortionist on-stage. “The stuff people would never think to do.”
Leech was in Terre Haute at the Dawg House Pub Saturday afternoon as locals auditioned for a spot on the “Late Show with David Letterman” performing stupid human tricks.
Televisions above the bar showed the Texas Longhorns up 13 to 6 against Oklahoma’s Sooners, but the stools cleared when Jordan Ross, 17, got up on stage. Clasping his hands behind his back, the Linton-Stockton High School student began bending and twisting his body about itself, including wrapping his foot behind his head and drawing his thumb back onto his wrist.
“Ooooh,” a small crowd giggled before heading back to the bar.
“Since the 8th grade, probably,” he said when asked how long he’d been twisting himself up and down.
Ross’ audition earned him an “I’m With Stupid” T-shirt with a picture of Letterman on back.
Leech, who works for Letterman in New York, said the crew goes from New York to Dallas, Michigan and all over the country searching for odd talent.
“All over the place a couple times a year,” he said. “And people can always send tapes in to the ‘Late Show.’”
Meanwhile, a woman rolled her eyeballs about in rapid fashion to the amusement of the crowd.
“Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory,” Leech said regarding the show’s search. “Stupid human tricks.”
Several times a year, the television show features three or four guests who perform odd stunts for the audience. In addition to “Top 10 Lists,” the human tricks are a staple of the program.
Participants in Saturday’s auditions were taped and will be reviewed for consideration. “It all depends on the producers,” Leech said.
Harold Ross, Jordan’s uncle and owner of The Dawg House, said 10 contestants had tried out by 3 p.m.
One of his favorites was a girl who performed “neck farts” by creating suction pressure in the folds of skin around her neck, and another tied her hair to a trapeze while performing acrobatic dance and plate spinning to music.
“It’s been fun,” he said.
Auditions ran from noon to 4 p.m., by which time most in attendance forgot about the Longhorns beating Oklahoma 16-13.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
