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Sketch Declared Genuine Van Gogh-Gogh
LOS ANGELES (Art & Textual Digest) Feb. 7, 2000-- A panel of experts confirmed today that the much-disputed "Star Trek: Generation X" skit was, indeed, the work of local sketch comedy group the Van Gogh-Goghs, despite
vehement denials by the skit's author, group member Alan Benson.
The recently rediscovered sketch was the subject of much scrutiny and
debate by insiders in the VGG camp.
The panel consisted of some of the most knowledgeable experts in the
field of Van Gogh-Gogh studies, including Dr. Daniel Arhus of
Harvard, biblical scholar Dr. Arthur J. Corrino, and Monica Rohacek,
group member Rob Terrell's girlfriend.
"I could see them writing this," said Rohacek.
The unsigned two-page sketch has been dated to circa 1995. The
sketch, structured as a commercial for a fictional television show,
contains many of the hallmarks of the group's style.
"It's a television parody, and careens recklessly from half-formed
gag to quickly-dated topical reference without any overarching
structure," said Corrino.
The sketch was unearthed in October 1999 by group member T. Mike
Childs while going through old email on his computer. Since its
discovery, the sketch has fomented intense controversy inside and
outside the group.
"Initially, I thought since (the email) was from Alan (Benson), it
must have been written by Alan (Benson)," Childs said. "But Alan
(Benson) was quite insistent that he 'didn't write that (crap).'"
Group member Rob Terrell, an expert in computing and bad-sketch
analysis, confirmed that the email address was Benson's.
"Even the short message prefacing the skit feels like Alan's
writing," Terrell said. "'Guys- here's a dumb idea I had. Since I'm drunk I thought I'd go ahead and get it out of my system. -Al."
Benson was the first to challenge the authenticity of the sketch.
"I never sign my emails 'Al,'" Benson said. "I always use '-alan,'
which promotes the pompous, wannabe-e.e. cummings-like image I have
been carefully cultivating."
Benson postulated that the skit was mistaken for an authentic Van
Gogh-Gogh work because it was done by a student, working in the
master's style — perhaps even in his own workshop.
However, further investigation revealed that the Van Gogh-Goghs had
no students or workshop, and by any standards are far from masters.
Benson quickly suggested many other theories as to the sketch's
origins, all of which were proven false.
"I know he's just trying to be thorough and absolutely sure," said
group member Galen Black, "But the alternate universe time-travelling
'evil twin Benson' theory was so far out there you'd almost think he
didn't want the sketch to be declared a genuine Van Gogh-Gogh. I
mean, it's bad, but it's not THAT bad."
"Today is a great day!" said group member Jason Torchinsky, at a
ceremony marking the occasion. "A new sketch has been forever entered
into the oeuvre of the Van Gogh-Goghs!
"Huzzah!" he added, releasing 100 white doves.
"Great," said Benson. "Just great."
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