Roswell Gets 3 1/2 Minutes Of Fame
Published: 07-16-96
Anthony DellaFlora
Journal Staff Writer
Roswell received its official badge of hipness Monday night when the southeastern New Mexico town and its UFO lore became fodder for talk show host David Letterman.
Letterman, who has been caught up in the alien fever caused by the release of the blockbuster film "Independence Day," dispatched his moronic correspondent Manny the Hippie to Roswell last week on behalf of "Late Night With David Letterman."
Manny's mission was to get the lowdown on extraterrestrials.
Monday's 31/2-minute segment included a visit to a site north of town where an alien craft allegedly crashed in 1947. It's on the ranch of Hub Corn.
Manny also took a trip to the UFO Enigma Museum, where he engaged a couple of visitors in discussion about the hype over UFOs, the possibility the ships are built on Earth and more esoteric subjects like gravitational pull.
Manny then visited Roswell resident Joe Barker, who is "crazy about aliens," according to Manny.
Barker proceeds to explain to Manny that aliens have no esophagus, no alimentary canal and no rectal development. Manny then asks Barker if he has any food in the house, and they sit down to share a bite to eat.
Manny rounds out his visit by meeting with Roswell Mayor Tom Jennings.
When asked if he believes in the possibility of alien life forms, Jennings replied: "Sure. I think there are alien life forms out there in space that we don't have any idea about."
Manny then turns to the camera and says, "Hey Dave, Dave, this dude's the mayor."
Some Roswell citizens have parlayed the story of the 1947 crash into a tourist attraction that draws UFO enthusiasts from around the world.
The town has two UFO museums, and a third is just nine miles southeast of Roswell.
Next year (1997) is the 50th anniversary of the crash.
