Charles Cullen

Local film maker, actor, singer, live performer and established television personality Charles Cullen writes weekly columns about life on the chicken farm and beyond.

More from Charles Cullen

• Cullen Studios

Recent columns

• The live music scene
• A Hall of Fame for mom
• TV Concerns

Yep, you read correctly. This is my final column for Roanoke.com. So, what does one write in the last one? Positive stuff, I would think. Being a columnist has been a joy. I liked the columns better when I hand wrote them and they were scanned into the computer. I still have all the original copies contained in 17 notebooks. It’s a jumbled array of drawings and child-like handwriting.

Ya wanna know something? I never learned how to write in cursive. That’s right; I made it all the way through high school and college without learning a lick of it. What I did learn was how to charm a teacher. Any who had me as a student will vouch for that. So when 3rd grade rolled around, I had to spend all this time learning how to write out the alphabet. Then, they wanted me to learn a new style of writing that looked like scribbles. I just said “no,” and I proceeded to talk my way right out of it! So, that explains why the first three years of Cullen columns look as if they were composed by a child. Actually, a lot of my work has been described that way. The movies I make now aren’t a huge improvement from what I made at age eight. Janet made a comment the other day, “Wow Charles, it’s like you learned how to draw really well at three years old and then never progressed!”

Likewise, my TV shows have a childlike quality. I think that’s partially why they have been so successful. Their homemade quality makes them stand apart from all the overly edited, high tech junk on TV. A lot of people yearn for more simplicity. Also, I think the ingenious title, “Charles E. Cullen’s Worst Television Shows Ever Made,” didn’t hurt in attracting viewers.

Anyway, I really have enjoyed writing columns for you all. Also, The Roanoke Times hosted a very nice Cullen website for a time. However, it did get a little tough when I was required to type my columns. Oh well, it’s probably about time that I learned how to type anyway.

Overall, I’ve learned a lot. Hopefully, you guys have learned a lot from me, even though I may convey information in an unconventional way. I think my favorite column of all was “The Sedated States of America.” That one really made me think about what people take these days just to function or avoid depression. Quick, can you name three people who aren’t on anything? See? Ya, can’t do it. Seriously though, I’m quite proud of the drawings I composed for that one.

Wow, I don’t really know what else to say. It was not my decision to leave Roanoke.com and I would have liked to continue to write columns. I guess it’s for the best though. I do understand that technology is changing at a rapid pace and that increases the demand on those at Roanoke.com. Actually, I’m amazed that cable TV still exists. As fast as things move, I would have thought that everyone would have satellite or digital TV by now.

You can still find me on TV though. In Roanoke, I’m on Cox channel 78, Monday through Thursday nights at 11 p.m. My movies and music are available at Plan 9 Music at Towers Mall. Also, you can always check out what’s new with me and Cullen Studios at www.charlescullen.com or www.cullenstudios.net.

Thank you for reading my columns and for sending in all your comments. I’ve enjoyed all of them, whether positive or negative. I never really considered myself a write until I was given this opportunity about four years ago. I’d like to thank Tonia for originally brainstorming this whole thing. Also, thanks to Laurel, Alison, Jim, Dan and John for keeping it all posted. Finally, thanks for Janet and Diane for helping me to learn how to type when the ‘ol handwritten / hand drawn columns went by the wayside.

I guess that’s all I have to say. So with that, here are my parting words, “Be careful, it’s getting’ scary out there.”

Love,

Your Captain

Charles E. Cullen

The End