Street: SPEC has made some divisive picks this year. There's James Baker ... he's no John Edwards. And now for Fling, Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind, two mellow bands considering the setting - don't get me wrong, it's not like we need show-us-your-tits bands for people to have fun ... but you see what I'm getting at?
Larry Schmilsson: I'd rather not comment. Frankly, I don't see how that's relevant. But I wish her and her family the best.
Street: What?
LS: May we just move on, please?
Street: OK. So walk me through the reasoning that led you to pick Ben Folds and Third-
LS: (interrupting) Realize this: I interned at USA Today for two summers. There I learned that broad appeal at the expense of content and creativity is a must. When I brought that ideology to SPEC it was magic, plain and simple. 2007. Folds. Blind. Best. Fling. Ever.
Street: How do you respond to your critics?
LS: Me to my critics: "You want interesting, diverse music? Take yourself on up to Brown. We don't tolerate your kind here. Why do you think we're the Quakers?"
Street: You really see Penn tastes as that base?
LS: What? You think everyone wants crazy, drunk, Get-Yer-Ya-Ya's-Out music? You think everyone wants to get high with Afroman? Self mutilation with Iggy Pop for Spring Fling? That sounds like a great idea. Actually you're right. Next year instead of Ben Folds, I'll hire a Shakespeare theater troupe. Don't worry it won't be nearly as "base."
Street: I'd say there's a pretty good compromise somewhere between show-us-your-tits music and Elizabethan drama. LS: You prick. Some nerve you must have to bring her into this again. This interview's over.
Street: Excuse Me?
LS: She has breast cancer!
