LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
"Welcome to the Larry O'Reily show, rated the No. 1 military talk show by Larry himself."
And so begins the tell-all, Jerry Springer-style show that entertained and educated more than 3,600 Lackland Airmen in two days, debunking the myths surrounding binge drinking.
It's not binge drinking if we just have a few drinks to loosen up and party, claims Denise, a guest on the talk show who tends to become a little too honest with each drink.
It's not my fault my loaded, drunk pal used his government travel card to pay the excessive bar tab, asserts a friend who benefited from his buddy's extravagant "drinks on me tonight" promise.
"That Guy," a 50-minute skit written and directed by Senior Airman Monise Butler from Pope AFB, N.C., shows the audience how bad choices about alcohol consumption can land an Air Force member in a compromising situation.
"Some of the things said really stick in your memory, unlike a PowerPoint presentation about drinking," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Brown, 319th Training Squadron. "It's real people showing you (the impact of binge drinking) by using a real talk show-type format. It's a little like Maury Povich."
Dorm resident Airman 1st Class Swani Phillip agrees.
"(The presentation) is not boring at all," said the Airman from the 319th TRS. "You don't have to take notes to remember things. Most of us know people who've gotten in trouble or into fights at the club because of alcohol, so we can relate to it."
The cast from Pope AFB performed a total of seven audience-driven performances Feb. 24 and 25 at the Bob Hope Theater. Attendance to one performance was mandatory for all military members 18 to 24 years old.
Airman Butler's creative genius has been performed more than 20 times in the past year, including shows at Pope AFB, Dover AFB, Del., and Charleston AFB, S.C.
Other base commanders have already expressed interest in having "That Guy" performed on their installations.
"It's humbling because it's a big deal," said the writer. "It's for the people and the Air Force. I want to make a difference."
And while one may never know the full extent of the difference Airman Butler is having on the Air Force family, her production is undoubtedly helping save lives.
"This is about protecting our Airmen," said Col. Eric Wilbur, 37th Training Wing vice commander. "This is teaching our Wingmen how to intervene and look out for one another."
For more information on "That Guy," visit
www.thatguy.com.