A native of Sturgis, Michigan,
Bodett had previously provided commentary for National Public
Radio's All Things Considered, and was a regular columnist for
the webzine Mr. Showbiz. He also did the voiceover for "Mime
Time" and the "Good Idea/Bad Idea" segments featuring Mr.
Skullhead on Animaniacs and a brief cameo in Pinky and The
Brain as well as narrating the 1999 direct to video Animaniacs
movie Wakko's Wish.
As a broadcaster, Bodett
hosted two radio programs. The End of the Road from 1988 to 1990
and Bodett & Company in 1993. He also hosted the public
television program, Travels on America’s Historic Trails.
One day David Fowler, a creative director from the Richards Group
Advertising agency, was driving down the Dallas Parkway in his
pickup truck listening to the public radio station his receiver had
been stuck on for months. Suddenly a homey voiced monologue emerged
from his dusty dashboard. He heard the name, Tom Bodett, and
thought, "Gosh, if I only had an account for a national budget
motel brand with a sense of humor and humility, I could make a heck
of an advertising campaign with this guy." And the rest, as they
say, is history.
While this cache may not be exactly at The End Of The
Road, it is certainly just off the road far enough to qualify
as another one of those nice motels. But this one is more for
TB and Coin travelers, although we did "Leave the light on for
you". Once you pull in to the motel, just go inside
and ask for the Green
Room. That's where all the good ones stay when
they visit here. Yes, it's an ammo can and yes, it's in the
woods. But just barely. Easy parking just off the service
road, nice short walk along the tree line. You shouldn't
encounter any PI or thorns along your way. From either
direction on Hwy 80, exit Collins road and take the west bound
service road. Plenty of room to pull over off of the
pavement.
Happy Trails to all those travelers that check in for an overnight
stay.
