THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408050266
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mr. Robert's Neighborhood
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Robert E. Lee and Howard Stern, or reasonable facsimiles thereof, shared a stage recently at the Best Western Franklin Inn.
The general was explaining the whys and wherefores of the War Between the States. Stern, carrying a copy of his book, ``Private Parts,'' was asking a woman to discuss lesbianism.
Lee's knowledge and Stern's boldness netted them a place in the top three spots of a Celebrity Look Alike competition for members of the Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce.
The unique Business After Hours gathering was hosted by Insight Cablevision and Prime Media Productions to promote the Arts and Entertainment Network series, ``Biography.''
Entrants were told to dress, look and act like a famous somebody or other. About 10 were expected but 30 showed up.
I was a judge, along with Mark ``Action'' Jackson, a nice young Eagle-97 deejay; WAVY-TV's quite likable a.m. weatherman, John Cash; and Kendra Perkins, who runs Admit 1 Festivals and Special Events in Emporia.
One by one, the look-alike competitors paraded in front of us, chatted as would the people they portrayed, and gave it their all, perhaps because the first prize was almost unreal - USAir tickets for two to Florida, San Juan or Nassau, plus production spots for their business on cable TV, courtesy of Prime Media.
Other prizes were also juicy - Disney lithographs and jackets worth more than $100 each, a director's chair and sweat shirts, among them.
The top prize went to the Stern look-alike, Steve Godfrey, whose curly black wig and bold attitude were ``this close'' to authentic.
He obviously studied the character. He knew that, out of camera range, Stern was a loving husband and father, and of course he realized that, on camera, Stern's attitude is pure brass.
The clincher came when Stern/Godfrey looked Perkins in the eye and said, ``Tell me about your lesbian experiences.''
Her look was stern. His look was Stern. That's why he won.
``I watch Howard Stern occasionally,'' said Godfrey, a 36-year-old anesthesiologist at Riverside Hospital in Newport News. ``I enjoy what he does. He shakes things up - doesn't buckle down to the establishment.''
The second-place winner, James Gillies, did a neat impression of TV's Tim the tool man from the show ``Home Improvement.''
The uniformed Lee came in third. It was obvious that Colin Pulley has long studied the life of the Confederate general.
Just to mention a few others: Meg Holland made a good Marla Maples, Ruth Small's bubbly-ness was quite Dolly Parton, Rosa Parker was as sugary sweet as Kathie Lee Gifford, and Victor Story was close to a mirror version of Richard Petty.
Also on hand were doubles of Bette Midler, Marilyn Monroe, Joan Collins and Reba McEntire.
Incidentally, a similar event is scheduled for Smithfield in a few weeks, and the Franklin folk are envisioning more such adventures.
Stay tuned. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Steve Godfrey, the Howard Stern look-alike, took the top prize.
by CNB