Cheesy, Cheesy, Cheesy

OK, I didn’t have great expectations. I’ve been to Perkins for Kid’s Night several times and I know the quality of their “entertainment.” But, geez, if you’re going to dress up like Darth Vader and walk around talking to children, wouldn’t you at least try to get the voice right? Or maybe even watch a Star Wars movie before your appearance and get a line or two to copy?

So there we were in Perkins eating our dinner and out walks Darth Vader. Costume looks pretty decent and the guy was tall, so that’s a start. Then he spoke. “Hey, how ya doin’ tonight?” Uh… excuse me, but I don’t think Darth Vader would ever say Hey, how ya doin’ tonight.

When he came closer to our table, he said something about the Force and something about a young jedi - none of which made much sense. My son could have done (and regularly does) a better impersonation. Then Darth wowed us with a magic trick (pulling a plastic spider ring out of an “empty” bag) and handed out a coloring sheet, complete with his professional stamp - “Giggles the Clown” - and his number. I better file that in case I ever need a really bad Darth Vader to appear at a party.

His saving grace was when he came around the dining room once more and formed balloons into “light sabers.” Man, the kids LOVED that. Imagine 15 to 20 little kids sword fighting across the tables with these balloons. Too much fun. And you know, the kids didn’t know, or care, that Darth didn’t have “the voice” or the right lines. They were pumped up and having a ball. And that’s all that really matters.