THE MARK CAMPBELL INTERVIEW:

by Michael Anthony BrokenHead

"I had a reputation in radio as being a bit of a loose wire." - Mark Campbell

There have always been rumors about who made Brocket 99. I'm sure you've heard the one where the college students got thrown out of their University after trying to sell the tapes in the gift shop. And don't forget the one with off duty cops breaking in to a native radio station. But maybe the greatest rumor is about Lethbridge Alberta personality Mark Campbell.

In the fall of 1986 when Brocket 99 was created, Mark Campbell had gained a reputation for being a nutty guy. He was a wacky morning DJ and some people thought that his voice was similar to that 'Ernie Scar Guy' so why not "scar" him with the reputation. Brocket 99 is to this day, still quite controversial. That might be the reason, that until now no one approached Mark to go public. I've also been told that you just have to catch him at the right time. Sometimes Mark likes to talk about Brocket and other times he doesn't. I'm glad he woke up on the good side of Brocket today.

Michael Anthony: His name is Mark Campbell and he works for global television which used to be CISA. Remember that thing Brocket 99? Mark has something to do with that.Welcome Mark. How are you doing buddy?

Mark Campbell: I'm doing good. Thanks very much.

Mark, you work for global television. Tell us a little bit about what you do.

Mark Campbell: I am a TV weatherman. I started life in broadcasting almost 30 years ago in radio and that's where the indirect connection of Brocket 99 becomes (apparent). I also have my own global noon hour show. I get to go around the community and talk to people. In fact just a couple of weeks ago I go to interview the Doobie Brothers.I don't know if that charges you up or not but it was a thrill for me.

Well let me tell you something Mark. 'Jesus is just alright with me' (Doobie Brothers reference)

Mark Campbell: (laughs loudly) Hey that's pretty good!

I know about the Doobie Brothers. I like the name myself.

Mark Campbell: Being a radio guy I must have played the Doobie Brothers four million times. We were setting up this interview with a member of the Doobie Brothers and they said we'll call TJ (Tom Johnson) down here for ya.So the real guy who started the Doobie Brothers came down and he talked to me for about a half hour. So it was really one of the fun things I got to do.

Let's get to the real issue (of that interview) here. It was about the de-criminalization of marijuana. I know that the Canadian Government is trying to legalize pot.

Mark Campbell: That's right! We're in the forefront here.

What's your stance? What do you think (about the issue of legalizing marijuana)

Mark Campbell: De-criminalization. I don't mind that. Because everyone's doing it anyway right? And I think you take a lot of the criminal element off the streets.

What about legalization?

Mark Campbell: Total legalization? Jeez. I could be swayed either way on that one. I wouldn't want to say one way or the other.

Mark and I talk more about pot, Bret Hart and the fact that I can't play hockey so I'd never be able to become a true Canadian.

Back in 1986 a little thing came along called Brocket 99. How long after that tape started to surface did you get pinned with being Ernie Scar.

Mark Campbell: It's amazing. It just formed like some kind a of a bacteria, a SARS virus. (talks about the tape itself) It started at a radio station here in Lethbridge. A couple of guys got together and said 'hey let's do some kind of a satire.' What would happen if the local natives here were to do a radio station. It would sound like this... They sat down in one take and did this tape.

The guy that did this originally had a voice very similar to mine. It was a crazy tape.I had a reputation in radio as being a bit of a loose wire. I did some goofy things as I think all radio guys do. (does yucker dj voice) Wacky morning radio station with the Boogie man. I used to be the Boogie man. The tape sounded an awful lot like me so the people in Southern Alberta who had heard me, and they had only heard me because I was just here longer than anyone else because I  never left. So people would automatically assume. (They would say) 'Hey that tape there. That racy native tape. That's Mark Campbell.' Probably three, four years afterwards I started to get the thing. 'Hey that's a funny thing you did.' And I'm saying; What tape is that? And you eventually hear about the tape. I actually haven't heard the whole thing in its entirety. (Michael Anthony whispers "sure") And it would just escalate. It's to the point now where I go out into the community a lot and I go to a lot of high schools and I'll go down a hallway, and I'll guarantee there will be three or four people who will yell out 'Hey Brocket 99!' To which I'll say; Hey guys I didn't do that tape. And because the legend has just developed on its own, they'll say to me 'Yeah right! Okay. So do that voice. Do that Ernie Scar.'

And that's how the whole thing continues to evolve around me. And I'm here to say that I didn't do the tape. I've become somewhat of a cult hero accidentally. It's kind of funny in its own way.

I'm going to ask you straight out Mr. Not Ernie Scar. Mr. I didn't do the tape. Do you have a bible sitting around anywhere? Put your hand on it. You're saying to me right now you are not the voice of Ernie Scar?

Mark Campbell: That is correct.

You had absolutely nothing to do with the making of Brocket 99?

Mark Campbell: That is correct.

You weren't around? You weren't in the production studio? You didn't drink beer with this guy?

Mark Campbell: Well, I was working at the same radio station with the guys but I wasn't around while they were doing the tape.

So you know who they are?

Mark Campbell: I do.

Did you know about the tape as it was being made?

Mark Campbell: No I didn't.

So it was a little after it came out.

Mark Campbell: Yeah. You bet.

You didn't have an affair with the guy's wife? You're telling me that's the truth?

Mark Campbell: (laughs) Absolutely, that's for sure!

And you didn't have an affair with him. With Ernie Scar?

Mark Campbell: Absolutely not! No!

At this point, Mark Campbell talks about not knowing the names of all of the Brocket 99 characters. Michael Anthony continues to goof around and grill Campbell about his knowledge and involvement in Brocket 99. I talk about an alleged video tape that shows Campbell confessing to the making of Brocket 99.  The accuser has not come forward to us with that video as yet. Campbell talks about other rumors that he's heard including being fired from his job over Brocket 99. The recorded interview is about 20 minutes long and contains more about Mark's thoughts concerning Brocket 99 including his child being harassed because of it and many other tidbits. I will be adding more of that text to this interview in the coming weeks.

If you'd like to hear the actual interview with Mark, you can get a copy of it below.

And by the way, if you haven't read the controversy over this interview, check it out!

MARK CAMPBELL INTERVIEW CAUSES CONTROVERSY

Monday June 2nd, 2003

Our exclusive interview with Mark Campbell is online and ready to read. The best parts of the Dick Twang interview will be available to read soon. If you're not into reading you can get a copy of both interviews in their entirety courtesy of the Michael Anthony Radio Show, available here.

Speaking of the Mark Campbell interview before it even hit the site there was controversy from the Lethbridge Herald (Mark's column is published there) It all started with this letter (published without permission of the author. But hey, they didn't get my permission to copy and publish from this web site either)

Anonymous -- Sunday, May 25 2003 -- no email
RACISM in SOUTHERN-ALBERTA

To imagine that after years of abuse to the Native’s of Southern Alberta, Lethbridge's own Mark Campbell is still promoting the racially fueled "Brocket 99" (please see the below excerpt taken from www.brocket99.net). How embarrassing for the progressive community of Lethbridge, actually, how embarrassing for Mark Campbell! In this age of political correctness, who in their ethical mind would take responsibility for such a racist prank? However, the irony is that Mark Campbell’s unprofessional conduct does personify the typical Southern-Albertan: racist, white, undereducated and narrow-minded.

Having grown-up in Southern-Alberta and haven traveled practically all-over this beautiful earth, I have never experienced such hatred towards one minority group as the racial prejudice and discrimination inflicted to the Native’s of Southern Alberta.

When will this hatred to Canada’s First People end? When will you people realize how important ethnic diversity is to the beauty of Canada?

An apology is overdue!

************************ Taken from www.brocket99.net ********************************* A BROCKET99.NET EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW. MARK CAMPBELL SPEAKS! Monday May 19th, 2003 For years people have speculated about who the mysterious Ernie Scar is. Was he some college kid or a cop that had access to a production studio? Was it really a native that got drunk and had some fun at his reservation radio station? Or was it a man named Mark Campbell? Campbell, once a wacky morning DJ was pinned as the "Ernie Scar" guy soon after Brocket 99 was first released in 1986. Campbell spoke out for the very first time yesterday on the Michael Anthony Show . He answered the question that everyone has asked for years and gave us some insight into what it feels like to be 'Scarred'. Is Mark Campbell Ernie Scar? Read the highlights of the interview and hear streaming audio with Michael Anthony. It's all coming soon to Brocket99.Net!

They were followed by letters like these...

Ex- Southern Albertan -- Sunday, May 25 2003 -- No E-mail <mailto:No>
I, like you"

a) Grew up in Southern Alberta and have since moved on b) Am a visible minority c) Have travelled to every continent since leaving Southern Alberta d) agree that there is an inordinate amount of racial prejudice and discrimination inflicted to the Native’s of Southern Alberta

But your comment that the "typical Southern-Albertan" is "racist, white, undereducated and narrow-minded" leads me to believe your more part of the problem than you are the solution. Before jumping on your soapbox and preaching racial tolerance, you may want to take a good look in the mirror first. Racism evolves from ignorance and your stereotype comment on the 'typical southern albertan' seems to indicate to me that your no better than the people your seem to rally against.

And one last thing on ignorance, why don't you ask Mark Campbell if he endorses the site. I went to the site you listed below and there is not one shred of evidence that Mark Campbell endorses the site, the tape "Brocket 99", or anything to do with the tape. As a matter of fact, it seems so obvious Mark Campbell has nothing to do with the thing that * I'm ledd to believe your listing of the site is more of a publicity stunt to advertise the site than an actual outcry against it. Prove me wrong with some shred of credible evidence or expose yourself as the racist, white, undereducated, and narrow-minded I think you probably are.

* I thought that was interesting

Mad -- Sunday, May 25 2003 -- No E-mail <mailto:No>
Do you beleive everything that you hear? Just because he said/she said that Mark Campbell did this, DOES NOT make it true. What about being innocent until proven guilty. Do you read the paper? There was a letter in the editorials from Mark Campbell, in it he stated that he did not have anything to do with Brocket 99. Why would he lie? He has no reason to. Don't be so quick to paint us all with the same brush either. We are NOT all racists. You must be somewhat of a racist minded person yourself. Thinking that the average white person in Southern Alberta thinks poorly of the native community. How unfair to jump to conclusions and point fingers at everyone in this community. Maybe we should put Mr. Campbell on the stand. That way he may get a fair trial, so long as you are not the judge that is.

You can read more of these entries by visiting the following sites:

http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/leth/guestbook/index.php

http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/med/messageboard/index.php

My personal thanks to the administration of the Lethbridge Herald for printing these entries and allowing the conversation to continue in the messageboard section!

The letter that follows is my response to the chain of letters:

In response to the entries from the topic-
RACISM in SOUTHERN-ALBERTA

I am the owner of www.brocket99.net and I also am the individual who interviewed Mark Campbell for the Michael Anthony Show.
I'd just like to state that Mr. Campbell stressed during his interview that he had nothing to do with the making of the Brocket 99 tape. The rumor that Mr. Campbell was responsible for the tape came as a result of his "reputation in radio as being a bit of a loose wire."
The rumors grew even after Mr. Campbell continuously denied any connection with the tape.
I am convinced that Mark Campbell is a kind individual and I believe that his remarks during our interview were truthful.
I also would like to add that www.brocket99.net is in no way meant to be hateful or promote racism. It is a parody site based on the Brocket 99 tape. Let's face it, without parody and stereotype, comedy would almost cease to exist. It is a fact that this tape has been enjoyed by many native people for years.
If you believe differently and would like to express your views, I invite you to write me.- Thank you for your time.


Michael Anthony

Okay on with the show... and remember; Parody and Stereotype.

The BROCKETOLOGY section is coming along ya fuckin Indians. Be patient. I only got one squaw that can type. Lenard is writing as fast as he can to answer your letters. He asks that you please stop mailing him bottles of Lysol. He'd rather have Windex, although it gives him a headache. But his real preference is generic mouthwash. He's got to keep his breath fresh for the ladies.

There will be more products and Brocket related music coming to the site soon. If you have any suggestions, please send them to us. You've done a great job so far! Please put BROCKET 99 in the subject line of every e-mail to us. AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO BUY BROCKET 99 PRODUCTS. WE WILL BE PHASING OUT SOME OF OUR ITEMS MADE BY CAFE PRESS. WE FEEL THAT THE PRICES ARE WAY TOO HIGH. THE PHASE OUT WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 29TH. WE PLAN TO HAVE SOME OF THE ITEMS FOR SALE INDEPENDENTLY BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING FROM THOSE STORES, BUY THEM SOON.

A BROCKET99.NET EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW. MARK CAMPBELL SPEAKS!

Monday May 19th, 2003

For years people have speculated about who the mysterious Ernie Scar is. Was he some college kid or a cop that had access to a  production studio? Was it really a native that got drunk and had some fun at his reservation radio station? Or was it a man named Mark Campbell? Campbell, once a wacky morning DJ  was pinned as the "Ernie Scar" guy soon after Brocket 99 was first released in 1986. Campbell spoke out for the very first time yesterday on the Michael Anthony Show . He answered the question that everyone has asked for years and gave us some insight into what it feels like to be 'Scarred'. Is Mark Campbell Ernie Scar? Read the highlights of the interview and hear streaming audio with Michael Anthony. It's all coming soon to Brocket99.Net!