Picture it: We were ambling down an aisle with the "talk to us about Bettie Page" sign. Rising above the crowd's din, we heard a guy calling, "Hey! Bettie Page! Don't go away!"

Glancing around, we discovered a vampire -- complete with fangs and red eyes -- staring directly at us. Should we have run for our lives?

Turns out we were being summoned by Count Midnight ®. He has a local access cable TV show focusing on horror and science fiction. We weren't sure how Bettie fits into either category, though her rise as cult icon is the stuff of fiction -- which science may not be able to explain.

Sure enough, Count Midnight ® is an avid Bettie fan and he was eager to do an interview for Herb. That, however, led to the ultimate Escher experience: the interview wrapped inside another interview.

The Count would only talk with us if Herb agreed to let Count Midnight ® interview him. In fact, the Count was trotting around with a camera person who was schlepping some impressive audio-visual equipment.

So, here's the Count Midnight ® half of the interview. We've asked him for a copy of Herb's half to post for your amusement, but we've been met with steely silence from beyond the grave. <Insert your own horror-ific sound effect here.> Let's hope watching his half of the interview motivates Count Midnight ® to let us see Herb's interview.

In case you're wondering what Count Midnight ® was holding while talking, he was showing the "talk to us about Bettie" sign to his camera. So, when you see him looking down and to his left, he was gleaning answer inspiration from the sign's two Bettie photos.

If you'd like to check out the Count Midnight ® site, it's:

http://www.countmidnight.com

Patti

It appears Count Midnight ® is stuck in his grave (noted at the start of his interview), unable to navigate his way to the homepage. So, to ensure you don't miss his half of the Escher-esque interview, here comes the Count!

Rumor on the Count Midnight ® grapevine, boyz and ghoulz:

We will be able to bring you Herb's half of the interview for your continuing Bettie amusement. Please continue to stand by.

You mean we get to see Herb on camera instead of just hearing his voice asking questions?

You have something against Herb's disembodied voice?!? Voiceover artists thrive on never having their faces seen!

But yes, IF Count Midnight ® sends Herb's half of the interview, Herb was shot by the Count Midnight ® camera woman, who was hauling around some very high-class audio-video equipment. Herb did it for YOU, Mark, to support your Bettie needs. He wouldn't subject himself to an Escher-esque experience for just anyone, ya know!

Patti

Patti

I truly appreciate Herb's interviews. They're concise, to the point and illuminating. I'm looking forward to more in the future.

Drum roll please!

We have a special treat. At least I hope it's a special treat for you. Heaven knows, we've been waiting long enough for it.

Count Midnight ® finally made his version available of the Escher-esque Bettie Page interview. At last you can see Herb interviewing Count Midnight ®, while Count Midnight ® interviewed Herb.

On the down side, it seems that Count Midnight ® was so distracted by his Bettie passion that he kept forgetting about the mike. So, pump up the volume! (Dance! Dance!)

[Sorry.... Couldn't help but think of M|A|R|R|S' 1987 one hit wonder.]

For your amusement: it's the Bettie interview wrapped in a Bettie interview, featuring Herb and Count Midnight ®. You will need to watch a very, very brief ad before the interview starts.

I love these behind the scenes videos!

I would like the final moment of the documentary to be, "I hope you enjoyed photographing the back of my head."

Herb

Thanks for Posting this!!!

As an FYI - the bit at the beginning was definetly "Behind the scenes".

Herb had said he had a few pre interview questions - but then he was recording - and so were we - anyway left it in so that viewer could match it up with Herb's footage.

Thanks!!!

Count Midnight