The Dark Underbelly

If you read yesterday’s blog you’ll known that my jumping off point was an article by Christina Tkacik about a rather quirky, colorful man who goes by the name of Lou Catelli. (Real name: William Bauer.) My own focus was not on the man but rather on the process by which a restaurant is permitted to open.

It’s complicated.

Alas, something else that’s complicated: Mr. Catelli. I happened upon a conversation of Baltimore locals on Bluesky discussing the Banner article. They took a dim view of the fact that the article doesn’t mention Catelli’s personal history. Apparently Baltimore folks in the know are aware of multiple sexual harassment accusations against him.

It’s clear from the article that we are meant to understand that this fellow is “a character” but…ugh.

I don’t have the background information. I can’t document it. But I still find it distressing.

Speaking of which…Remember this?

Heroes and Illusions, Village Green/Town², September 20, 2024

All this is to say that there are certain people whose presence in the world makes me feel good and I would like to draw a big circle around them to protect them from this fate. In other words, I am begging the universe that we never find out some horrible scandal about these folks. Is it too much to ask that to have a few wholesome people to believe in and enjoy?

I hereby declare that I never want to learn truly horrible things about the following people:

Mr. Rogers

Jimmy Carter

The guy from We Rate Dogs

The fellow who runs the Muppet History account

Alas, this has not aged well. Over the last week it came to light that Joshua Gillespie, who runs the Muppet History account, had been accused by multiple women of sending sexually harassing /explicit messages (from the Muppet History account.)

Really? Is no one wholesome? Who would hide behind the innate sweetness and innocence of the Muppets while indulging in such creepy behavior?

True Confession: Before any of this news broke I purchased a couple of T-shirts from their online merch shop. They arrived yesterday. I feel like a dope. I’m trying to decide whether to burn them, send them back for a refund, or try to enjoy them for what they are separate from the Muppet History debacle.

In the meantime I’m looking for some positive stories to wash away all this creepiness.

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