The Man...the Chicken Man...

Beer and pizza versus an overnight air mail charge of $15. The final decision would determine whether or not America would ever be introduced to one of reality TV's most memorable figures, George "Chicken George" Boswell.

It all began in early summer of 2000 when George Boswell decided to answer a newspaper ad looking for contestants willing to audition for a brand new TV series called "Big Brother". George, with his colorful personality and zest for new adventures, decided to fill out the application and make a VHS audition tape. He describes the tape as vintage "George". However, the tape was tossed on top of the kitchen refrigerator and soon forgotten. A few weeks pass and his daughter asks if he mailed the tape since the audition deadline was the following day. With the urging of his kids, he agrees to go down to the post office and mail the audition tape. Standing at the counter he is informed that an overnight charge was going to be $15 in order to make the application deadline. Dilemma for George...spend the money on something he thought he had no chance of or save it and put it towards pizza and beer later that evening...the Chicken Man walked. George had decided against the mailing and went to the car. Before leaving the parking lot, he reconsidered and mailed the tape. The rest is reality Big Brother history. A week later he was contacted by CBS and asked to personally audition in Chicago. A full day of paperwork, interviews and exams. He was placed into a large room of other applicants and told not to speak to anyone...as George put it: "You know how well that worked, right?!"

 

Ten days prior to the start of the inaugural Big Brother season Teresa receives a call at home. It was a Monday morning and George was somewhere else pounding roofing nails. It was the producers of Big Brother and they wanted George in Los Angeles that evening! Teresa races to George's job site and tells him the great news. Of course George thinks it's a joke and it wasn't until Teresa starts to cry that he believes her. By late that evening, George found himself on a flight to Los Angeles. A humble man from the Midwest packed up his larger than life personality and was about to be introduced to America.

  George Allen Boswell continues to live with his family in Rockford, Illinois. Nothing beats the love and attention given and received from his wife of thirty six years Teresa, and their three daughters. Due to his Big Brother experience he has enjoyed several business ventures but the one he enjoys now and is most grateful for is his role with Mecum Auctions. Mecum is the country's largest classic car auction, hugely popular with car enthusiasts across the nation. As a result of an exploding television audience, Meacum Auctions can now be seen on NBC Sports. The Chicken Man brings his signature persona to the show as a vital link between the buyer and seller...a perfect match since George has a background as an auctioneer. George states, "I am blessed to be employed by Dana Mecum and family. They truly treat us all as part of their family and they allow me to be "me". I cannot express how indebted I am to the Mecum family and all they do for the Chicken Man and my family".

 

When he isn't traveling with Mecum his sparse free time is spent on restoration of all kinds, especially if it involves a paint brush. George likes to collect vintage gasoline and oil related memorabilia. George also believes strongly in giving back to his community. He has been an unselfish volunteer and enjoys lending support to their local school systems.

  When speaking with George there was an overwhelming presence throughout our conversation focused on his graditude for those that have remembered him because of the Big Brother seasons. He is quick to point out that he is simply a guy that loves his family and country and embraces the positive side of life. When asked about his two seasons George will tell you the first was pure adventure as he flew by the seat of his pants. The second (All-Stars) he was in awe to be among the best of the best players from the game.

  On the topic of Season One we learn that it was Will Mega, William Collins, that labeled George with his signature nickname of Chicken George. George explained that a history of being raised on a farm combined with the boredom of the house he found himself tending to the chickens in the backyard. He first bonded with fellow houseguest and eventual winner, Eddie. The chance to have fun with his different "gag interviews" with Jamie Kern during that season was an avenue for him to relax and handle the stress of the house isolation. Asked how did he handle/tolerate the quirkiness of his nine fellow house guests throughout the stay he laughed and said, "you have to remember guys, I helped raise three daughters...I was well prepared going into the house".

  We spoke of the house revolt in Season One where George helped spearhead the threat for the remaining houseguests to walk off the show. George was quite candid and shared that the intent was sincere at the time. To the producers credit they allowed the houseguests to run with it. However, reality set in for the houseguests and everyone fully understood if that were to happen CBS would have been void of a show and those remaining would walk from the possible life changing prize money that was offered. George believes it all worked out well, he was able to stay and enjoy the experience longer and some of his fellow houseguests were able to leave with well deserved prize money. In addition, George laughs, "it certainly made for a good storyline at the time".

 

When it came to his All-Star season he came away with so many memorable memories. The game had changed in so many ways for him...the house now provided a washer and dryer, microwave, clocks, introduction to slop and a much bigger house layout. He described himself when compared to his fellow All-Star male counterparts, "they all had six packs where I carried a keg". It was George that was in the kitchen making a sandwich while observing the infamous "ding dong" moment play out upstairs in front of him. Danielle Reyes, a fan of the Chicken Man, shared with us that she admired George for being true to himself throughout the game. "The fact that he was so sincere and kind threw so many of us off during All-Stars. We would often converge and ask each other is he playing us, is he laughing at us in the diary room...this can't be his game...he's too damn nice!" Danielle went on to say, "I was reminded of George during this recent season watching Donnie because the other houseguests were thrown and suspect given his kindness". When George speaks of various Big Brother seasons, it comes as no surprise that George prefers to watch the houseguests that are entertaining. Hurricane Howie was one of those that he mentioned.

 

Before ending our conversation he asked that we please include his sincere appreciation for the ongoing kindness he and his family receives from so many folks across the country. He also stated, "I was blessed with the Big Brother experience, and the very small role I played in the history of the game". Just think about it. An overnight mailing fee of $15 may have made the difference of whether or not many of us would have been denied the chance to experience the humor, sincerity and kindness of this gentleman. We're glad he opted to forgo the beer and pizza.

Chicken George, we thank you.