As part of a content syndication partnership, the following article also appears in this week’s (May 19) issue of Shout!, an alternative weekly newspaper in Omaha. Each Wednesday, look to Shout!’s Silicon Prairie News page for a feature story and “Quick Scoop.” This week’s article can be found on page 15.
One of 18 @badbanana tweets that appeared at last week’s Big Omaha conference at KANEKO. Photo by Malone and Company Photography.
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The bio of Tim Siedell‘s Twitter account, @badbanana, reads: “Sometimes I just want to give it all up and become a handsome billionaire.”
Although it’s unlikely Siedell will join the ranks of Warren Buffett as one of Nerbaska’s billionaires, he’s already joined the company of Larry the Cable Guy as one of the state’s funniest.
Since his first tweet in March 2007, Siedell has accumulated over 370,000 followers, been named one of PCWorld’s Top 10 Funniest People on Twitter and his tweets have appeared in numerous print and online publications, with a book of his tweets scheduled to come out later this year.
“I’ve stopped keeping track of the newspapers and magazines that have published my tweets,” Siedell (left) wrote in a recent email interview. “There have been t-shirts, as well. Political cartoons. Appearances on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition. The weirdest? Finding out my tweets were read on stage as performance art in Munich, Germany.”
At last week’s Big Omaha conference, we may have one-upped the weirdest as we placed @badbanana tweets throughout the conference venue, including in the restrooms. For example, one of the tweets read, “Please finish up before talking about your startup. Thank you.”
With Siedell’s involvement – a special series of 18 @badbanana tweets – we set out to surprise attendees fwith signs of 140 characters or less.
In the days leading up to Big Omaha, I conducted an email interview with Siedell to learn more about his background and Twitter use.
SPN: How long have you been on Twitter?
Siedell: Since March 3, 2007. I had read about it earlier that day in an advertising trade publication. Thought I’d check it out. I’m still checking it out. My report will be finalized and submitted late 2011.
SPN: Your Twitter avatar is of notable advertising executive David Ogilvy (1911-1999) and your background is pinstripes. What is it about these elements that set up @badbanana for your humor.
Siedell: I’ve used that avatar since day one. As an advertising copywriter and creative director, Ogilvy is one of my heroes. I just threw his photo up on my page without giving it much thought. This was a year or so before the Mad Men craze hit. Over time, my writing has definitely morphed into a style that seems funnier coming out of that picture’s mouth. I attribute half of the success of @badbanana to that avatar. The other half, obviously, to Satan.
SPN: On average, how long does it take you to think up and write a tweet?
Siedell: Over time, I’ve developed a pretty foolproof system. First, I come up with an overall idea. Seventeenth century Spanish art, for example. Then, I sit down at the piano and just noodle around for awhile. I have found that if a tweet doesn’t work well musically, it won’t work well on Twitter. Pacing and rhythm is critical. My butler transcribes these musical musings into sheet music in real time. Once I have a few tweet songs figured out, I fax all of the sheets to the set of Two and a Half Men. I hate that show, so I just like the idea of using up their toner and paper. Lastly, I edit for space and translate all of the words from Latin to English. Then, when I’ve typed in my tweet and am just about to press the button, I come up with a better idea and use that. Often it has something to do with coffee.
SPN: On average, how many tweet-able, or non tweet-able thoughts, do you choose to keep to yourself each day?
Siedell: Well, I pride myself on keeping my tweets pretty clean. So there are quite a few thoughts I have each day that can’t be conveyed in a PG-13 way, if you know what I mean. I have a very small network of people who get those tweets sent to them directly and discreetly. Based on the private tweets I get back, these are the most vile and disgusting people on the planet.
SPN: Outside of your career in advertising, where was your comedic outlet before Twitter?
Siedell: I’ve always been that guy who goes for the joke instead of the sale in the business meeting. Who bothers co-workers with stupid observations. Who cracks up the other pallbearers. I’m also the guy who creates all those emails with the photos of dogs and cats hugging. I’m sure your mom or aunt has forwarded those to you over the years.
SPN: What blogs in your RSS reader give you creative inspiration?
Siedell: I have about 500 blogs I subscribe to and check in on regularly. And by check in on regularly, I mean press “Mark All As Read.” Three of my favorites, for different reasons, would probably be Kitsune Noir, The New Shelton Wet/Dry, and Martin Klasch.
SPN: Has your Twitter popularity brought clients to Fuse Industries?
Siedell: Yes. Plus other opportunities currently in development (which I can’t talk about, yet).
SPN: In April, you contributed your first humor opinion piece to the Huffington Post, will you be regularly contributing to the website in the future?
Siedell: Yes. About once a month or so. The first piece ended up spawning a Facebook fan page and more than 10,000 retweets. I figure I might as well call my second piece The Sophomore Slump and move past it.
SPN: What do you appreciate about working in Lincoln’s creative community, and what do you wish existed in Lincoln, or the area, for that community?
Siedell: Obviously, there are a lot of bright, energetic, and talented creative people in town going to school at UNL (and Wesleyan and Union College). Some of these talented people fall in love with Lincoln and stay here to work or start businesses. I just wish there were more opportunities. I hate seeing people who want to live here move away to find work in advertising or other creative fields. Also, the town gets a little sleepy when the students are away for summer break. I wish there was a way to bottle that idealistic creative mind smell for those lonely times.
SPN: What’s your one piece of advice for someone seeking @badbanana-esque fame?
Siedell: Don’t be yourself.
SPN: In a previous interview, you said your greatest accomplishment was inventing time travel. What will @badbanana be doing in five years?
Siedell: If, in 2015, they have not yet made a Bevery Hills Chihuahua 2 movie, you’ll know I’ve been successful.
SPN: Anything else you’d like to add?
Siedell: No. Nor subtract. I went into advertising so I wouldn’t have to do math.
Actually, a book of my tweets will be coming out later this year (just in time for Christmas gift giving!). If anyone other than my mom is interested, they should sign up for the badbanana Facebook page. I’ll post information there as details get firmed up.
Quick Scoop
More on Tim Siedell:
- Hometown: Lincoln
- Career: Co-owner and creative director at Fuse Industries. He founded the brand communications studio with Yayle Roncka in August 2000.
- Education: M.A. degree in Journalism, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Blog: badbanana.typepad.com
To get a better idea of Siedell’s sense of humor, it’s worth checking out his favorite tweets from other users on Twitter: twitter.com/badbanana/favorites.
In no particular order, here’s 10 of Siedell’s favorite tweets:
@jasonmustian: “Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Not Waldo, Waldo, Not Waldo”–Where’s Waldo Audiobook
@BillCorbett: Tea Party? No thanks. But I would join a Mr. T Party. Let’s take this country back to its fool-pitying ways!
@luckyshirt: Misery loves company picnics.
@michaeljnelson: Tomorrow, I’d ask that you celebrate a low key Earth Day so as not to make Wind and Fire feel bad.
@RexHuppke: Do these new boxer-briefs make me look like I should wear pants in the office?
@jordanrubin: How do you deal with a friend that drives you crazy by twittering everything that you say? (asking for a friend)
@michaeljordan: I’m so sick of using batteries.
@toddlevin: 40 push-ups today! That’s the most I’ve ever eaten in one sitting.
@ConanOBrien: If anyone’s curious what I look like with a beard, it’s this ?:^(0) Coincidentally, that’s also my ATM pin number.
@adamisacson: This milk’s brand name is “Organic Valley.” I can’t drink it. Too grossed out picturing livers, spleens and pancreases sitting in a valley.
