Our guy, Beck DeRobertis from Bringmossback.com is at it again. YES! This time he was featured in the the Minneapolis Star Tribune column by Michael Rand. Read the stuff (Copy and Pasted Below) and make sure to check out the Red Hot Art Fest in downtown Minne this weekend.
Posted on May 29th, 2008 – 10:50 AM
By Michael Rand
You might recall that a couple of weeks back, we introduced RandBall readers to the site Bring Moss Back, a rather eclectic smattering put together over the past few years by one Beck DeRobertis. We concluded that post with, “Beck, send us an e-mail. A guest post or a Q&A might be in order.” Well, the good sir obliged with an e-mail. And here is the resulting Q&A. Please do enjoy. It was rather tasty.
RandBall: Can you describe the key ways in which VIDEOS, FASHION, and KITSCH might help return Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings?
Beck DeRobertis, Bring Moss Back: What I’m trying to do with this campaign is reinvent Randy Moss as a sports icon in Minnesota. When a player leaves town, even a player as incredible as Moss, most people forget them pretty fast, unfortunately. You can find number 84 Vikings jerseys for two dollars each at most thrift stores around town. I know, I’ve bought a lot of them. But just because someone leaves town, that doesn’t mean their legend has to go with them. With the Bring Moss Back campaign, I want to remind everybody how brilliant the Super Freak is, and how much of an outrage it is that the Vikings traded such a talented, spectacular, and hilarious player in his prime. And I also want Moss to know that the fans not only want him back in Minnesota, but that they never wanted him gone in the first place.
RB: The Bring Moss Backini does seem both super freaky and super sensual, as advertised. What was the creative process behind that treat? And does that come in a medium?
BD: After I decided to make a women’s fashion line based on Randy Moss, I convinced my friend Lauren to collaborate with me on the project. A bikini was one of the first things we decided to include, because what fun would fashion be without some sex appeal sprinkled in? The very punny title followed soon after. Interestingly, the initial sketches of the Backini featured Moss’ face (with Afro) [hilarity unfortunately redacted here]. For some reason, we decided not to go with that idea. And yes, the Backini is available for special order in all sizes.
RB: What would happen if the Vikings actually brought Moss back?
BD: I’m glad you asked that question, Michael. This is how I see it: In the next couple years, we trade with New England to reaquire Moss, teaming him with Adrian Peterson, who should be entering his prime (Purple Jesus meets the Super Freak!). Then, we sign some above par veteran QB, like Donovan McNabb, or I don’t know, Brett Favre. Combine that with the already superior Vikings defense, and we’ve got the recipe for a Super Bowl win, my friend! Oh, how sweet that purple nectar will taste. And then, I’d like to convince Moss to star in a buddy picture with Woody Allen (who will have to be convinced, as well).
RB: I dispute your claim that Rhoda Morgenstern is on the side of your campaign. Who are your sources?
BD: You’re absolutely right. Rhoda did not sign off on that advertisement. I’ve just always been a big Rhoda fan, and I wanted to restate my long held belief that Rhoda is much sexier than Mary, even though Mary wears a Fran Tarkenton Vikings jersey in the opening credits of the MTM Show. I also figured that if Valerie Harper (the actress who played Rhoda) sued, it would be good publicity for the campaign, and maybe I’d get the chance to ask her out on a date.
RB: Seriously, how did this all start?
BD: I first thought of the idea in the fall of 2006, a dismal season for the Vikings. I was still in shock that they’d traded Moss, even though it had been almost two years. I was outraged that the Vikings had traded my favorite player, and I started the campaign so that I would at least know that I did everything I could to try to bring him back. And then I realized that the campaign was a great venue for all sorts of fun projects, like videos and trading cards, etc. I’ve recruited most of my friends to work on the projects, and it’s been a fantastic time, with lots more to come. Rest assured, the Bring Moss Back campaign will continue until Randy Moss is back in the purple and gold.
RB: Did you weep openly the day Moss left?
BD: Yes, I was devastated. It didn’t make any sense. Why would you trade your best player when your team is improving? If you look at the 2005 posts on the Bring Moss Back website, you can read an essay I wrote on the night of the Moss trade. I was irate, and I still am.
RB: When you travel to New England, do they throw pennies at you?
BD: I have yet to venture into the New England area. But I hope that when I finally visit Boston, I am greeted with a parade for being a representative of the city that has given them so many fine professional athletes in recent years. And then Bill Simmons can present me with the key to the city.
RB: Any plans for a “Bring Troy Williamson Back” sister site?
BD: Absolutely not. Everything has already been said about the Troy Williamson debacle, the key word being “disappointment.”
RB: You seem like a guy that takes yourself pretty seriously. In 53 words exactly, tell me why I’m right.
BD: After Moss returns, I’d like to focus on directing low budget feature films. The films will be set in Minneapolis and will combine bright colors, lots of yuks, sensual bursts, and theme songs from old TV shows. I’ll become to Minneapolis what John Waters is to Baltimore and Woody Allen is to NY.
RB: Randy Moss cut a gold record using nothing but a jazz flute and his wisdom. True or false? Defend your answer.
BD: Romantic, but false. I mean, I feel like that would be on the guy’s Wikipedia if it were true. But I’d like to take this moment to invite everybody to the Red Hot Art fest this weekend at Stevens Square Park in Minneapolis, where my art partner Jenna Brouse and I will be peddling all sorts of glorious kitsch, including Bring Moss Back stuff and One Night Lexicons (our fun illustrated minizine). And thank you to the supporters of Bring Moss Back!
