Eddie Vedder: Great artist, lousy interview

While my third-shift job dampers my social life considerably, it allows me to watch all the daytime baseball (that is, when the games are actually aired). This afternoon, I am watching the Cubs game on WGN as a temporary Mets fan. With Pearl Jam in town for Lolapalooza, fans at Wrigley were treated to an Eddie Vedder rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," which of course means that fans watching on TV were treated to a half-inning interview with the same man...not so much of a treat.

From the second Vedder stepped into the booth with Len Kasper and Bob Brenly, I realized that the next three outs could not come soon enough. Now, I've seen a few Cubs games this year and particularly remember guests like Jeff Green and Dennis Miller, who initiated every conversation and practically had to be dragged out of the booth. Not Eddie. Kasper continually tried to initiate some kind of back-and-forth, but to no avail. For example, when he asked Vedder what it was like to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, his answer was, "Uh, I don't know." End of discussion. I bet he makes a great date.

Finally, Vedder mentioned something about needing a haircut, and Kasper began grasping for anything that could be considered an interview...

Kasper: "Well that's kind of the rock and roll thing, isn't it? What's the longest you've ever let your hair grow out?"

Vedder (after a short pause): Wow, this is really interesting information.

Come on man! Throw him a bone!

The longest sentance they could get him to utter was also the least intelligent thing said in the booth all day. You'd think that Vedder, being a close friend of Kerry Wood, would be able to offer a new angle on Wood's rehab. Well, if you consider this a new angle:

"Yeah I think he just worked through it, the whole time trying to get back."

And cue awkward pause #59.

After Orlando Hernandez got the hook and they were about to go to commercial, Kasper announced "We'll be back," clearly not sure whether he should add "with Eddie Vedder." To my surprise (and most likely to Kasper's dismay) Vedder was still there after the pitching change.

One final attempt to get something, anything, out of Vedder, Kasper addressed him directly, "What a day here Eddie, the weather, the drama...this is it."

(dead silence)

I don't think Len Kasper has ever been so relieved to see the Cubs get their third out.