Living with a Bear
For 26 years Maggie Robin and her wrestler husband , were proud to share their house with .
Hercules was an 8ft2 brown grizzly bear who you might have recognized from his showbiz work – he was the Hofmeister bear in the ‘follow the bear’ campaign and he also wrestled with James Bond in the movie Octopussy.
I am sorry, but really - she didn't introduce Hercules to another bear because he was frightened of an earwig?
Perleessse, I mean, well, dunno what I mean apart from a felling of revulsion.
Complain about this postI was okay with this until she said the bear's ears stuck out 'sidey-ways'. Then she started banging the mike and saying he was kind to a blind girl...
Complain about this postI heard your program for the first time this morning and was utterly charmed. I enjoyed all the subjects especially Hercules. I had a pet jackdaw(wild) once and he was probably more trouble than the bear.
Complain about this postI was utterly entranced by the bear story, he sounds gorgeous and obviously had a very happy life living with this lovely lady and her husband, as well as giving pleasure to many people. How on earth can other correspondants claim to feel 'revulsion' at this heart-warming tale? If they want to feel revulsed I suggest glancing at the newspapers, there's plenty there to choose from. (And it wasn't an earwig Hercules was scared of, it was a hairy caterpillar...so there)
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Complain about this postI would like a copy of the bear poem that was read out on the radio today.Could anyone get me one?
I enjoyed the poem about the bear - who was it by and where can I find it? Thanks!
Complain about this postI also would really like a copy of the poem - only caught part of it but i really liked what I heard
Complain about this postI grew up with a rabbit, a dog and a cat (at different times) and an everlasting goldfish. Unbeknown to me this was simply preparation for my first job in television, working on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Nationwide where all our lives were touched by Herc. I too have shared a living room with the late bear, although I think it was Andy who scared me more - and I too have stood in a live studio with Herc, Andy, and Maggie, although on that occasion it was the vet with the poison dart gun who intimidated. The old entrance to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HQ in Glasgow was once blocked for several hours with the Hercmobile, a large converted bus, and had to be partly demolished to facilitate escape as well as access for the staff, although at one stage it did look as if Herc had found a new, if slightly unexpected and swimming-pool-less home. In the annals of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ I think that's possibly a one-off, like several aspects of Nationwide.
Complain about this postI was sorry to hear of Herc's demise. The poem at the end of the show should be printed out, framed and presented to Maggie. It was luvverly.
I generally am uncomfortable with the idea of captive and performing animals. It has to be stressful for them to be transported and put on film sets etc. That said, it is clear that this couple loved this bear to bits and he wasn't wild caught. He was obviously a character and enjoyed his life with them and got up to all sorts.
Complain about this postI'd like a copy of the poem too.
Thanks Maggie for such a moving account of life with Herc. I understand exactly what Maggie meant when she said Herc's ear would stick out sideways - our old Labrador used to do that when she was put out or a bit embarrassed about something!
Complain about this postI so enjoyed Maggie Robin's account of life with Herc and wondered if she'd written a book about it? I also loved the poem and would like a copy if at all possible?
Complain about this postThe person who was worried about the banging on the microphone and the blind girl - was Maggie banging the microphone or was she just a bit too close to it and the sound was bounce-back? The blind girl touching the bear on his face - some blind people sometimes find out about emotional history and character by touching the face - on humans some blind people can frown lines, laughter lines, whether the mouth goes down at the corners. Our cat was depressed when he was being bullied by another cat - his mouth seemed to be down at the corners. Then the other cat has gone away, and he appears more relaxed and his mouth appears to go up at the corners. But I could be wrong, it could be coincidence and there may be another explanation.
Complain about this postThe poem 'About a Bear' will be on the Meet the Poet blog by Tuesday morning...
Complain about this postcheers
Matt
I thought the program was excellent. i just wanted to hear more because i have been to the place where Maggie and Andy got hercules. he sounded absolutely beautiful.
Complain about this postJust like many others I'd like to have a copy of the poem about Hercules the bear and I've been waiting to get it off the Meet the Poet blog.......but I can't find the blog. Can find the Meet the Poet website but no blog. Can anyone - like Matt - help?
Absolutely love the poems - beautifully scripted and wonderfully match the tone and subjects of the programme, especially this one.
Complain about this postJust like many others I'd like to have a copy of the poem about Hercules the bear and I've been waiting to get it off the Meet the Poet blog.......but I can't find the blog. Can find the Meet the Poet website but no blog. Can anyone - like Matt - help?
Absolutely love the poems - beautifully scripted and wonderfully match the tone and subjects of the programme, especially this one.
Complain about this postHi all
Thanks for your comments. Matt's poem about Hercules the bear is available in the 'Meet the Poet' section of this site - have a look here: /blogs/saturdaylive/2007/02/matt_harvey_4.html
All the best
Becky
Complain about this postCan someone please tell me where I can get a copy of the poem which, I think, is called 'You are so perfect'. I came into the programme at the end and can't find anything on the website to help me. Is it by Lemn Sissay? If so, where can I find a copy. Any help anyone can give me will be v gratefully received. Thanks in advance. I'm only semi computer literate, and this could help explain my problem!
Complain about this postI have heard about this article but didn't get to hear it - is there a related book?
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