An Exclusive Interview With Winston Bennett's Jheri Curl

In an effort to lighten things up around here, I'm reaching back into my bag of tricks. It's another one-on-one sitdown with an iconic (and insentient) UK legend.

Wildcat Whisperer: So nice of you to join us.
Winston Bennett's Jheri Curl: You got, Whis. Glad to be here.

WW: So let's start at the top. Where are you from?
WBJC: Well, let's see. I guess you could say I "folliculated" from Louisville Male High School.

WW: So you're a Bulldog, then?
WBJC: Oh yeah, class of '83. Winston was the state's Mr. Basketball coming out of school, you know. Parade All-American. He brought me with him to Lexington after accepting UK's scholarship offer. But I started in the early 80's when Winston, um, activated me.

WW: Got it....the 80's....
WBJC: Yeah, I had a pretty good run for a little while there, but as you know, I was long gone by the time Winston left UK. He went with the short cropped look as a junior.

WW: So does it bother you that people think of you as just a flash in the pan?
WBJC: It hurts a little, yeah. Hopefully it hurts Winston a little bit too. Maybe not as much as his knee surgery, but some. Sure.

WW: So you and Winston...
WBJC: Yeah, we're not on speaking terms at all.

WW: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
WBJC: Well, to be honest I think he was always maybe a little embarrassed by me. Like he knew I was trendy and fashionable, but for him...... it really was just a fling, nothing long-term.

WW: Can you give us an example?
WBJC: Sure. That's easy. Just look at the picture above (photo courtesy of Jon Scott's archive). Winston isn't exactly staring at the camera and smiling proudly, is he?

WW: I guess not....
WBJC: And what about James Blackmon! I mean, that guy is so ashamed he can't even turn around for the photo. Me and James Blackmon's Jheri Curl, oh man, we used to be real tight. It breaks my heart.

(awkward pause)

WW: So what can you tell us about Winston, and his days as a Wildcat? Anything positive?
WBJC: Objectively? I think he was underrated. I really do. Voted All-SEC two times by the coaches. Nearly 1400 career points and 800 boards. He was even academic all-conference as a sophomore.

WW: Not a bad college career, then.
WBJC: Not at all. And Winston came back from that surgery pretty strong. He played a ton of minutes as an upperclassman. And while a lot of fans maybe expected more from him, considering his prep accolades, he was the kind of solid, consistent contributor that this current group lacks.

WW: Ouch.
WBJC: Well, think about it. Freshmen are going to be freshmen. Mistakes are part of the deal. Some kids take a little time to learn how to win at the D1 level, coaching aside.

WW: You realize BBN is tired of hearing that, especially this late in the season. I know I am.
WBJC: But I think there's really some truth to it-- allowing time for maturity. Gives you a little more respect for a guy like Josh Harrellson, who's turned out to be quite the late bloomer. Sometimes you gotta grow into it. Hey! Maybe you could interview his Amish beard sometime.

WW: Yeah....*coughs* .....moving on, then....
WBJC: Or Rex Chapman's mini-mullet!

WW: MOVING ON THEN...look...I hate to do this....but we can't talk about Winston without mention his...well, his....
WBJC: Addiction? Sexual addiction. You can say it.

WW: Yes, his addiction...that really threw a wrench into his budding coaching career.
WBJC: Well, I think I share some of the blame myself for that situation.

WW: How so?
WBJC: Well, think about it, do you imagine that so many women would have been interested in the guy if he had continued rockin' me up top?

WW: Ah.
WBJC: Yeah, I'm telling you by 1990, I was absolutely kryptonite when it came to attracting the fillies. That damn Eddie Murphy.

WW: Eddie?
WBJC: Sure man, you mean you didn't realize that Eddie Murphy single-handedly crushed an entire hairstyle. Little film called "Coming to America", 1988. You should check it out.

WW: Oh, of course....Prince Akeem. Arsenio! I remember.
WBJC: Yeah, Eddie was in his prime back then, and he was pretty ruthless with the Soul Glo plotline. Not to mention Sexual Chocolate. But things would never be the same after that couch scene.

WW: Oh yeah! *giggles* "They got the Big Mac, we got the Big Mick".
WBJC: (in Yiddish accent) "What about Rocky Marciano?"

WW: *laughs even louder* (also in Yiddish accent) "What is this, velvet?"
WBJC: Okay, that's enough. We could be here all day.

WW: (straightening up) You're right, Jheri. Can I call you Jheri? Well, thanks again for being here. Any final thoughts?
WBJC: Just this....don't you quit on your Wildcats. Not as a team, not as individuals. Freshmen, Seniors. Doesn't matter. Don't quit on 'em. Ever. They all thrive with that Big Blue Support.

WW: Wouldn't dream of it. You know we're Blue for life around here, Jheri.

Thanks for reading.