Biography
Richard Malcolm McEwen
I was born on February 13, 1950 in Dayton, Ohio to two wonderful parents - Malcolm and Mary Bee McEwen. I had a pretty stereotypical suburban childhood in Miamisburg. We moved to St. Louis when I was seven. I attended North Glendale School, where I was elected Captain of the patrol boys, and played Xerxes watching his defeat in the battle of Salamis in the sixth grade play. I went uneventfully to Nipher Junior High School on Kirkwood Road.
I attended Kirkwood High from 1968 - 1972, where I was Vice President of the Ham Radio Club (keep your comments to yourself).
I went to Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana, where I started as an Electrical Engineering major but graduated with a degree in Radio/TV/Film and second major in Psychology. I was a member of Indiana Delta of Phi Kappa Psi.
My work life began at KETC-TV, Channel 9, the St. Louis public television station, where I started literally in the mailroom, sorting and stuffing envelopes. I eventually moved to the promotion department, where I edited their monthly program guide, coordinated advertising and media contacts, and produced on-air promotional announcements. I moved into the production department as a Producer/Director, and produced and directed public affairs programming, fund-raising drives, television auctions, and segments for their cultural magazine series.
In 1986, I joined the staff of Busch Creative Services (BCS), a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, where I was a Senior Producer. At BCS, I produced a number of programs for the brewery as well as its subsidiary Busch Entertainment, then owners of Busch Gardens and Sea World, and outside clients.
In October 2002, I started Terrible Lizard Productions as a freelance Producer and Writer. Since that time I have worked with a variety of top St. Louis production and public relations companies. I have worked on projects shot in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Canada, the Bahamas, China, England, Peru, and Brazil.
I'm lucky enough to enjoy very much my immediate family - brother Pete, sister Barb Ehnes, brother-in-law Jerry, niece Cindy Bartosz and nephews Brad and Matt Bartosz. We have a wonderful piece of property on Peninsula Lake near Huntsville, Ontario in Canada.
I have settled comfortably to my bachelorhood and a life of unrelenting self-indulgence. I have wonderful friends but won't list them because I would leave someone out and feel bad.
I live in a tiny house in University City Missouri, and drive a 2014 tuxedo black Ford Focus.
I practice tai chi, have a long-standing interest in dinosaurs, enjoy science fiction movies and TV, try to play the drums (I am terrible), love to hear people tell me true ghost stories (I don't really believe in them but I've heard some pretty weird stories), play first person shooter video games, and drive two-seater sports cars (though I don't have one now). I am also very fond of parenthetical phrases (though you probably figured that out by now).
Philosophies of Life
I'm political moderate but can embrace either conservative or liberal ideas depending on the issue. I believe in many traditional values, including honesty, monogamy, loyalty, trigonometry. But it's OK to go a little crazy every once in a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the meaning of life?
A: Funny you should ask. Just the other day, I had a chance meeting with a great sage who happens to shop at my neighborhood Schnucks. We chatted a while, mainly about the produce. I told him some jokes, he laughed, and in return he offered to tell me the secret to the meaning of life. He said I was to pass it on, with the understanding that only the noble of mind and the pure of spirit can understand his words. He said: "Ekejdey odbdbnj jjjbsbnekjbs, Isgeib bddvjj bebaehksb bxrt!" Quite a surprise, don't you think?
Q: You're 74 years old and have never been married. Is something wrong with you?
A: No.
Q: Does your preference for science fiction blockbusters and light comedies saying anything about your maturity?
A: Shut your face, loser.
Q: Ginger or Marjoram?
A: It depends. Ginger is good for cookies, cakes, bread and many Asian dishes. Marjoram is good in soups, stews and marinades.
Q: Paper or plastic?
A: Plastic is better for grocery bags, plumbing fixtures and condoms. Go with paper for newsprint and toilet tissue.
Q: What came first - the chicken or the egg?
A: Neither.
Q: What is the best rock and roll band of all time?
A: The Beatles.
Q: Of equal size, who would win a fight - a bear or a gorilla?
A: I think gorilla because of its mobility and intelligence, but many of my friends give the nod to the bear for overall strength and their claws.
Q: Aren't some monkeys cute and adorable.
A: No.
Q: Are these questions really frequently asked?
A: No.
Q: Who are right - conservatives or liberals?
A: Neither.
Q: What did the spider say to the fly?
A: Nothing. Arthropods can't talk.