The USO in T2K

[natehale1971]

Hi everyone,

I remember there was a T2k website dedicated to the 'Last USO' show that was going on right before the nukes went off, stranding the entertainers in Europe.

It's had me wondering... Has anyone else thought of doing anything like that with NPCs or PCs showing up in their game?

One of the ideas I had for the USO was that it was still being operated by the various theater commanders as a way to keep morale up for both military and civilians in their areas of responsibilities. Thus i can see them keeping travelling USO shows operating in Europe and most especially in North America. It would be something that both CivGov and MilGov would be doing (and you could actually see troops/civlians wondering why certain celebs don't come and visit their cantonments/towns).

I have been trying to come up with how they would set up the USO show convoys... I had originally thought of the USAF personnel being assigned to handle the security of the convoys. composed of personnel from those aircraft squadrons no longer having fuel to put them in the air. You'd have officers and enlisted personnel capable of handling their security with some assistance of a little Army or Marine infantry training.

I had origainlly promosed USAF personnel being assigned to rear support duties manning things like Guntrucks to provide security operations, prior to enlisted personnel finding themselves being assigned to Army Infantry Divisions as replacements/reinforcements to bring them back up to some simbulance of strength (while the Naval personnel found themselves being funneled into Marine divisions after a crash training regimen type of bootcamp).

But back on target... USO Shows during the Twilight.

The kinds of adventures this kind of NPC encounter would be vast. a 'superstar' NPC meeting a PC and having a 'star-crossed romance' or even opposition groups trying to find a way to damage morale by targeting the 'on-the-road' USO shows with terror attacks.

[kato13]

Great post. Lots to mull over for the next few days.

Hi everyone,

I remember there was a T2k website dedicated to the 'Last USO' show that was going on right before the nukes went off, stranding the entertainers in Europe.


Semi related, I think I remember someone at RPGhost doing something with survivors of a movie crew who were stranded in Europe. The only details I remember was there were a bobybuilder, a Pamela Anderson type, a stuntman, a cameraman, plus a few others, and most of their weapons were capable of only firing blanks.

[Targan]

Semi related, I think I remember someone at RPGhost doing something with survivors of a movie crew who were stranded in Europe. The only details I remember was there were a bobybuilder, a Pamela Anderson type, a stuntman, a cameraman, plus a few others, and most of their weapons were capable of only firing blanks.

I remember that. There was a very informative discussion about the differences between blank firing attachments and movie firearms that are specially made to fire blanks only.

In my campaign when Major Po and his sociopath squad arrived in Bremerhaven he organised an all-services martial arts tournament at a soccer stadium in an attempt to keep US servicemen and women from getting bored until the Omega fleet left. Unfortunately it became a focus for a massive amount of dodgy activity (mainly illegal gambling and attempted fixing of bouts).

Things came to a head when my brother's PC (the 6'5", 230lb American Samoan US Marine Corporal Urana Ratowi) made it to the final bout of the highest weight class and beat his opponent to death in the ring. It turned out that the referee (a US Army officer) had a lot of gold bet on Ratowi's opponent and he tried to shoot Ratowi. Ratowi disarmed the ref and beat him to death too, sparking a massive riot. It took a day and a half for the MPs and security units to get things under control again and Po and his group barely made it out of the stadium alive.

The only decent short story I ever wrote about that campaign was about that tournament and the days leading up to it. I'll go through my old archives and see if I can find it and post it here.

[natehale1971]

Does anyone have any ideas how a USO show would be organized?

[Canadian Army]

USO Show Table of Organization

Entertainers (13):
1x Host
2x Comedian
1x Troupe of Actors or Singers (5)
1x Band (5)
1x Lead Guitar
1x Rhythm Guitar
1x Bass Guitar
1x Drummer
1x Keyboard

Crew (10):
1x Producer
1x Director
1x Stage Manager
1x Audio Engineer
1x Master Electrician
1x Light Board Operator
1x Followspot Operator
1x Master Carpenter
1x Property Master/Mistress
1x Wardrobe Mistress/Master

Assigned Military Personnel (31):
1x Military Liaison Officer (Captain)
1x Military Police Platoon (20)
1x Military Motor Pool (10)
2x M128A1 Van (Equipment Transport)
2x M915 Tractor
2x M35A2C Cargo Truck (Transport for civilians)
3x M998 HMMWV Troop Carrier
2x M820 Van Expandable Truck (1 Change Room and 1 Audio and Light Booth)

Total: 54 People and 10 Vehicles

[natehale1971]

Thank you Canadian Army! This helps alot! the only thing i would change/add would be a troupe of dancers or cheerleaders. because the USO shows during WW2 had Bob Hope surrounded by some really beautiful dancers. :)

USO Show Table of Organization

Entertainers (13):
1x Host
2x Comedian
1x Troupe of Actors or Singers (5)
1x Band (5)
1x Lead Guitar
1x Rhythm Guitar
1x Bass Guitar
1x Drummer
1x Keyboard

Crew (10):
1x Producer
1x Director
1x Stage Manager
1x Audio Engineer
1x Master Electrician
1x Light Board Operator
1x Followspot Operator
1x Master Carpenter
1x Property Master/Mistress
1x Wardrobe Mistress/Master

Assigned Military Personnel (31):
1x Military Liaison Officer (Captain)
1x Military Police Platoon (20)
1x Military Motor Pool (10)
2x M128A1 Van (Equipment Transport)
2x M915 Tractor
2x M35A2C Cargo Truck (Transport for civilians)
3x M998 HMMWV Troop Carrier
2x M820 Van Expandable Truck (1 Change Room and 1 Audio and Light Booth)

Total: 54 People and 10 Vehicles

[Matt Wiser]

The Bob Hope Shows in the '80s and in DESERT SHIELD (offshore shows) had the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. He went to the ships offshore supporting the Marines in Beirut, West Berlin, Okinawa, Korea, etc., even though there was no war going on. DESERT SHIELD was his last overseas tour.

[Canadian Army]

Ok, but here is a picture of the Liberty Bells troupe of the Metropolitan New York USO. The one in the middle is Miss USO

http://www.core-online.org/Events/mlk_celebration/photos/mlk2006/uso.JPG

[natehale1971]

Ok, but here is a picture of the Liberty Bells troupe of the Metropolitan New York USO. The one in the middle is Miss USO

http://www.core-online.org/Events/mlk_celebration/photos/mlk2006/uso.JPG

This works great... My idea for a troupe of 'generic' USO Singers that would be the most common type of traveling USO Show to keep up morale. Then you'd have 'big name' USO shows that would have 'bigname' actors, signers and bands who'd be going out and hitting very selected areas.

Having the Liberty Belles doing a series of singing and dancing acts would be prefect for the highly mobile USO shows i'm thinking of using...

the 'big name' USO Shows would have the same organization, with just the addition of the big name talent to the show.

I'm trying to come up with a good modern era host/comedian that would live up to the example set by Bob Hope. I've really been thinking of using Scottish-American comedian Craig Ferguson or Drew Carey.

But if anyone has some good suggestions I'm more than open for them... Because the existance of smaller and highly mobile USO shows would mean alot of different hosts and acts that could easily mean some fictional celebs. .

[natehale1971]

I have been doing some research and think a change out for the motorpool that would have a double duty for the USO show would be two M977 HEMTT cargo trucks with M1076 Palletized Load System Trailers. Not only would the HEMTT cargo trucks be able to carry all of the show's equipment & stage backdrops/sets, and once the trailers are unloaded when they have arrived where the USO show would be set up... They could be used as the stage for the show. This would also have the ability to save resources since the show wouldn't have to keep building stages every time they would set up.

[Matt W]

This article has a good list of those who've performed recently for the USO
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-12-22-uso-cover_x.htm

Comedians for the USO - real-world

There is a real-world group called "Comics on Duty"

Stephen Colbert has recorded his show to a USO audience

Al Franken

Robin Williams

Drew Carey


Other (foreign) candidates that might work in the canon period
Rick Mercer (Canadian. well-known for supporting Canadian troops) http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/174660

Billy Connolly (British & proud veteran of the Territorial Army)

[natehale1971]

i've decided to go with Craig Ferguson as the 'Bob Hope' of the 'Twilight War' in 'Twilight of Innocence'... While Robin Williams is 'Bob Hope' of the 'Twilight War' druing the standard 1st Edition universe of T2K. :) I think Both men have the comedic talent and ability to pull it off, though, i really, really doubt we'll ever see anyone fill Bob Hope's shoes.

[rcaf_777]

On a side note Wayne Newton has taken Bob Hope's role within the USO

[natehale1971]

On a side note Wayne Newton has taken Bob Hope's role within the USO

I read about that... he's recuriting as many entertainers as possible for USO shows... i was meaning someone to host shows in the middle of combat zones like we saw during WW2 in both Europe and the Pacific. since Craig Furgusson is also a comedian he'd be great to act as the host, to get that 'feel' we saw with Bob.

[natehale1971]

"Everything is going up at home: prices, taxes and miniskirts. Miniskirts are bigger than ever. Even some of the fellas are wearing them. Don't laugh! If you had thought of it, you wouldn't be here." - Bob Hope, South Vietnam, 1971

"The men (here) wear long robes and the women are completely covered. The wedding nights are full of surprises, I'll tell you that." - Bob Hope, Bahrain, 1990

[Rainbow Six]

This article has a good list of those who've performed recently for the USO
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-12-22-uso-cover_x.htm

Comedians for the USO - real-world

There is a real-world group called "Comics on Duty"

Stephen Colbert has recorded his show to a USO audience

Al Franken

Robin Williams

Drew Carey


Other (foreign) candidates that might work in the canon period
Rick Mercer (Canadian. well-known for supporting Canadian troops) http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/174660

Billy Connolly (British & proud veteran of the Territorial Army)

For the British, you could definitely add Jim Davidson to that list

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Davidson_(comedian)#Forces_and_Charity

Maybe accompanied by a bevy of Sun page Three girls? I think it might be a little too early for Jordan (thankfully!)

[Adm.Lee]

Drew Carey, IIRC, was once a Marine Reservist-- he might have gotten mobilized, and dragged into a USO-style operation.

Edit: I just checked his Wikipedia entry, it says he served ~1980-85.

[jester]

After looking at the meaty legs of those USO singers I am glad I never had the chance for any of those shows. The telephones and the chow at their snack counter and jumbo coke was enough.

"Charlie, charlie didn't need no USO. His version of USO was some rice with maybe a little rat meat thrown in."


Another thing that could be done for a USO troupe that would add distinct flavor would be either a long trailer for the stars and starlets, or even a mobile home to provide the enterainers with the creature comforts. <they of course will still bitch at it being so primative, but compared to most in the T2K world it would be a lavish affair>

As for Mr. Carey, yes he was a reservist out of Ohio, and that is where he got the trade mark BC or Birth Control glasses he uses in his comedy programs, they are standard issue.

And since you folks brought up the starlets, well add the twist of the officers always "escorting" them around with prime VIP treatment in an attempt to score some one on one time with the little hotties.

The grunts from the field, they will be more direct, maybe even sneaking into the trailer or mobile home or RV to enjoy some of the plushness it affords but also in their own way attempt to make a connection with the eye candy.

[Ironside]

After looking at the meaty legs of those USO singers I am glad I never had the chance for any of those shows.

In the world of T2k where the last woman I'd seen was the Polish babushka with the AK who was shooting at me; those legs would look pretty good to me!

[jester]

Actualy, I have met many a Russian girlie and Polish hottie that would blow any of the local California girls away! I would say the vast majority of the ones I met.