GSL Plastic Players

One of the most interesting and charming features of the GSL Championships were the skits presented by some of the talented and zany (some would say, over the wall) comic geniuses in the model car hobby.

The GSL Plastic Players (as the impromptu troop came to be called) became a formal part of the GSL Championships following the impromptu roast of Mark S. Gustavson at the Tenth GSL Championship. Thereafter, those participants were named the GSL Plastic Players and presented their witty plays in one act, which were always funny and often topical.

Here are the Players and their presentations:

1989: GSL-X.

This was a regular roast of Mark by the participants. Terry and Mike, both peace officers, entered the banquet room in full dress regalia to initiate the roast. When they came into the room to great fanfare, three new attendees (in the room opposite the points of entrance by the policemen) bolted for the door, tipping over chairs. They never returned . . .

"Let's Fry Gustavson"

Participants: Terry Jesse, Mike Carroll, Bob Barnett, Mike Siegman, Russ Schwenkler, Tim Boyd, Bob Paeth

1990: GSL-XI

This skit was jointly conceived by Mike and Andy who presented an absolutely dead-pan presentation. It was a scream.

"Who Won First?"

Participants: Mike Carroll, Andy Kallen

1991: GSL-XII

This skit was suggested by Mark S. Gustavson as a send-up of the Johnny Carson skit. Some of the questions, written by Ken (who played Carnac) by Terry were pungent and outrageous. Very funny stuff.

"The Great Model Carnac"

Participants: Ken Hamilton, Terry Jessee.

1992: GSL-XIII

This skit was suggested by Andy Kallen concerning a recent experience of his getting frisked before boarding an airplane. The image of Larry Boothe as a Middle-Eastern terrorist was almost too much to take by the audience!

"Getting on a Plane"

Participants: Andy Kallen, Mike Carroll, Ken Hamilton, Larry Boothe, Augie Hiscano, Ron and Sue Jones, Chris Stames plus selected audience participants.

1993: GSL-XIV

No Plastic Players skit this year.

1994: GSL-XV

This skit was based on the Nancy Kerrigan incident and was suggested by Mark S. Gustavson. Ken Hamilton wrote to script with help from Larry Booth and Mike Carroll. This skit was the best presented, and actually was rehearsed from a typewritten script!

"Why Me?"

Participants: Andy Kallen, Ken Hamilton, Larry Boothe, Bob Wick, Mark Gustavson, Ron and Sue Jones, Mike Carroll, Norm Veber, Selected Audience "Extras".

1997: GSL-XVI The Reunion.

This time, the irrepressible Mike Carroll and Andy "Moose" Kallen presented a funny, and occasionally, "sharp" skit that asked questions about the hobby, each inquiry ending with Andy asking "Who’da Thought?"

"Who’da Thought?"

Participants: Andy "Moose" Kallen and Mike Carroll