Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev returns to Vancouver tomorrow and a certain reporter is hoping to get a second interview.
In March 1993, Nardwuar (The Human Serviette), a reporter for UBC’s CiTR 101.9 FM, had his first and only encounter with Gorbachev during a news conference at Science World.
Determined to speak, Nardwuar grabbed the microphone and said, in Russian, “Keep on rockin’ in the free world,” followed by his “oddball” question, which got significant news coverage at the time: “Of all the political figures that (Gorbachev) encountered, who has the largest pants?”
The only response was an amused smile from the former president of the USSR.
“After this incident, other media members would put out warnings at press conferences, having me denied entry,” said Nardwuar in a recent interview. He claims that his moment was cut off and incorrectly reported.
With Gorbachev returning to Vancouver to participate in the We Day event at Rogers Arena, Nardwuar would like another crack.
“Looking back, I’d love to get (Gorbachev) to do the hip slip with me ‘ a 1960′s twister dance using a wooden rod,” said Nardwuar. “I’ve done it with other political leaders, including Jack Layton.”
