Yale Alumna Double-Crosses Golden-Throated Innocents (UPDATED)
Imagine you’re a member of a female a cappella group from Yale. (Bear with us.) You’re on tour in L.A. You show up for a gig organized by HBO sex host and Yale alumna Susan M. Block, where you sign mysterious, Borat-like release forms. After the concert, your hostess serves drinks and asks you to dress up in weirdly revealing period costumes and pose for a camera. At this point, our sketch-dar would have been overheating. Unfortunately for Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm, all this didn’t quite register — or if it did, they didn’t want to insult their hostess.
And now there’s a DVD.
It’s pitched on Block’s website as a sort of caught-on-camera “Yalies Gone Wild” that’s somehow also “hilarious and heart-warming.” We hear the video may or may not contain full frontal nudity involving a Whiffenpoof. (If you don’t know, don’t ask.)
Needless to say, the Whim’n are miffed. And rightly so: Block was clearly dishonest (although, to be fair, it was a sex palace). She’s even been peddling the DVD on the Yale Alumni Magazine’s website. So far the group has been unable to get their names removed from Block’s site. (We’re trying to keep everyone un-Googleable, but just know it features the stunning Ickieray Udeautray, aughterday of Arrygay). But before you feel too bad for the ladies, consider that they don’t see a problem with pocketing 30 percent of the DVD’s revenues. Whether that’s hush money or not depends on your definition of the term; either way, expect some spicy confirmation hearings 40 years from now.
Anyway, we don’t expect much repentance from the woman who brought us the seminal film “Dr. Susan Block’s Squirt Salon.” If it makes the Whim’n feel any better, they’re astonishingly good. Here’s hard video proof (beware sudden cutaways to Block’s face):
UPDATE 10:48 p.m.: Just when we were looking forward to never wasting bandwidth on Susan Block again, a reader informs us that, as usual, Yale’s Rumpus did it first and did it better. In 2005, Jon Carlo Bruttomesso penned an account of his traumatic interview/photoshoot with Dr. Block and her merry band. The original version of the piece supposedly contained passage too scarring even for Rumpus’s jaded readership, so they toned it down to merely horrific. Read it at your own discretion (PDF).
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November 28th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I see no sexy period costumes in this video. I want my three minutes back.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Damn, that girl has pipes!
November 28th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
The whole thing is kind of creepy and odd. But that girl on the cover of the DVD is hot.
November 28th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Who was the girl singing in the beginning? She is awesome.
November 28th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Although I feel dirty for doing so. Lusting after people in acapella groups is a new low.
November 28th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Those young ladies are fantastic singers. I was waiting for some ‘oops, now where did my top go?’ antics though. That is a DVD worth purchasing.
November 28th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
I went to this concert. her speakeasy is frickin’ scary, as is she. but the night was fairly tame, with no nudity or any kind of sex, at least during the concert. i know most of whim and many male members of different yale groups stayed the night and who the hell knows what happened then. from the pictures on the website, it seems like the afterparty was “wilder” than the concert itself (most of the pics weren’t taken during the concert, from what i remember).
in terms of being dishonest, Dr. Block wasn’t really. everyone who walked through the doors of her speakeasy had to sign a “i accept to be filmed for her show” paper. i’m sure in the fine print there was something about selling this shit.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:47 am
Anyone wanting to see the uncut version of Jon Carlo’s article that was too raunchy even for Rumpus (and also too long for the column format) can read it here: http://leetyler.blogspot.com/2005/04/adventures-in-pornoland-directors-cut.html
November 29th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
First, congratulations on your new Ivy Rag. Rather impressive rating on alexa.com. I just wanted to send along a note about this Whim story even if its rather unnerving to be writing to an anonymous journalist.
I was at the Whim ‘n Rhythm concert. In fact, I was there all night since as I was one of the producers of that show. So I’d like to clarify several issues:
Dr. Susan Block’s Speakeasy is an internationally renowned performance venue that has hosted a wide variety of presentations in the fields of entertainment, sex education and politics. It also contains an erotic art gallery, a pleasure toy collection, a lot of books and a snake, which, for some visitors, can be “scary.” But the Whim girls didn’t seem scared in the least. They acted like they were having a great time, kept thanking us, and it didn’t seem that they were doing any of this out of a desire “not to insult” Dr. Block.
The “Borat-like releases” are all in one easy-to-read type size. We did sound and camera tests before the show, so everyone was aware we were filming. Drinks are served on stage in a loving cup like Mory’s, and several girls decline (see DVD). After the concert, these innocent girls ask to try on some of the hundreds of costumes in Dr. Block’s wardrobe (see DVD), then sang a couple more songs. Later the girls convinced some of the guys to dress up too (see DVD) all in good clean fun. The young ladies negotiated for a couple of months before coming here. They even agreed to forego their usual fee because they really wanted to perform here. Then, as a gesture of good will, we offered 30% of the gross revenue, and they accepted. Yes, and now there is a DVD, or there would be no 30%. Why is anyone surprised there’s a DVD?
Frontal nudity? I must have missed that. Let me look at this one again, although I’m straight.
Dishonest? Huh? Let’s see, what did I miss here? Invitation, good. Acceptance, great.. Dr. Susan Block Googled. Negotiations, fine. Then, a great performance. Girls write us honey-coated letters of thanks about what a great time they had (see Dr. Suzy’s blog). Then, girls miffed? Huh? I’m miffed.
An excellent time was had by all. Though shucks, I didn’t see any sex…And I was here all night.
November 29th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Thank you for your forked tongue-in-cheek freak-out about Whim ‘n Rhythm of Yale’s performance at my studio, aka Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy. As you can see and hear, it was a fun, innocent evening filled with awesome music and some playful dress-up. Of course, I didn’t “double-cross” anyone, nor was I the least bit “dishonest.” The ladies met me at Mory’s when I was speaking at Sex Week at Yale (where I was assisted by the same Jon Carlo Bruttomesso who penned the Rumpus send-up), they knew who I was and where they were going (and in any case, had three months in which to Google me), they could see they were being videotaped, signed releases with rather large print and knew we were making a DVD, 30% of the profits of which go to Whim ‘n Rhythm. They are all wonderful, bright, talented, sexy young women who I’m sure will go far in life, despite or maybe even because of our evening. But what really irks me is that my name is now Googleable to your drooling site. Couldn’t you have called me Usansay Ockblay?
November 29th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
What the hell? How come there’s no pics of Britney sans panties on this website? This is an outrage.
November 30th, 2006 at 1:15 am
I was at this performance and it was a great evening. Dr. Susan Block performs a service with her sex educational shows and other events. Those Yale girls are lying spoiled brats. Sexy though…
November 30th, 2006 at 1:29 am
call me a milf-hunter but doc block is hot
November 30th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
These girls should definitely go into politics or theology as they are already dissembling hypocrites.
November 30th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Yeah,yeah, John Carlo Bruttomesso is another hypocrite. He was hanging out at Sex Week with Dr. Suzie like she was his mom. Then he wrote that Rumpus piece to impress his g-friend with how innocent he is.
November 30th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
Thanks Branford for the insight. John Carlo was with us at the studios all summer (2005?) for a Yale Hollywood intern program and he never indicated how much he hated it. Actually he seemed to have a good time. What can I say…
December 1st, 2006 at 11:20 pm
If I go to Dr. Block’s studios, will she dress me up? Do I have to sing first?
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:48 am
You Ivy Towerheads are a menace to society. I am a fan of Dr. Susan Block, having read her books and seen her HBO show. She has used her Yale degree to give pleasure to the world, unlike a lot of Skull & boneheads like George W. Bush and Jon Carlo Buttafucco who dump their silverspoonfed crap on the People’s heads. Erotophobic morons like you make me glad I went to Stanford. Oh yes, and the Doonesbury girl is very good. I’m hoping she squirts in the sequel.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:48 am
What I liked was how this shows the diversity of Yale.
December 8th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Wait a sec. Bush lied to the American people. I wrote a newspaper article that is completely and utterly factual. At least that’s how it was in the original version–Rumpus changed it slightly to make it SOUND as if I was much more shocked than I actually was. Please read my article if you want to crap on me, Stanford92. Then you can tell me that watching a guy getting kicked in the nuts and being a bit disturbed by it makes me “erotophobic”.
As for the sophomore from Branford…don’t poke your nose into grown-up business, OK little one? You have no idea what happened between me and Lacey Gattis nor do you have a right to that information. What you should know is that I’ve had four mental hospital stays within the past ten months and I don’t need people misinterpreting my motives and giving me crap. Most of the hospital stays were induced by behavior triggered by thinking of said girl I “wanted to impress” with said article. I wish it had done the trick but it didn’t. If you want to talk to some REAL society snobs you can try the Rumpus staff these days or Lacey Gattis.
Anyway, The real point of the article was to show how much one could get away with by hiding behind a Yale degree. It wasn’t really meant to insult or flatter anyone; I ran across a good story and I wrote a column because I felt it was important and absurd enough to do so. It was neither a celebration nor a vehicle to denounce Dr. Block or her lifestyle. I DO believe in true liberty–that people should live as they please so long as they don’t harm others with their lifestyles. That doesn’t mean that I could embrace everything with open arms–tolerance and acceptance are two very different things. I did try however–in addition, the article was censored in a way that makes my response seem extremely different from the original version. That’s it.
December 14th, 2006 at 12:31 am
The best testimonial to the evening and to Dr. Susan Block’s honesty are the Thank You Emails from the Whim ‘n Rhythm girls themselves. Here are some of them (others appear on Dr. Block’s blog at http://www.drsusanblock.com/blog/article160.html )
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Megan Stern
Our night at the Speakeasy was one of the highlights of tour. Thanks so much for everything!
Hope you’re well, and I’ll definitely look you up next time I’m in LA!
Best,
Megan
* * * * * * *
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Allison Goldberg
Thanks so much! It was a wonderful and ridiculous evening performing at your place, and you were a lovely hostess!
Life after Yale is great. I’ve been cast as Cinderella in a children’s musical. I hope all is well with you!
Best,
Alli
* * * * * * *
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Lucy Winn
Thank you! I’d love a copy! I’m living in Paris at the moment, but am moving to L.A. in January…
* * * * * * *
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Anjanine Bonet
Hi Suzy,
Sounds wonderful… I enjoyed the Speakeasy quite a bit. Thank you for having us and showing us such a good time!
All the best,
Anjanine
* * * * * * *
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Miranda Jones
Hi Dr. Block,
Thanks for everything and I’ll see you someday at your bohemian erotic cabaret.
XoXo
Miranda
* * * * * * *
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Thomas Dolan
Suzy! I actually ended up in LA after all. I’m living with a bunch of Yalies in this fabulous, old house in Hollywood…
I had a wonderful time at the Speakeasy; it’d be fun to come back and visit. Let me know if there are any upcoming events.
Best wishes,
Thomas
* * * * * * *
Re: Yale’s Whim ‘n Rhythm at Dr. Suzy’s Speakeasy
From: Meaghan Burke
Hi Dr. Suzy,
I’m living in Vienna right now, teaching English in a darling little spa town and seeking a cello teacher/connections, as well as singing in a blues/rhythm and blues band… Thanks so much for everything – the night at your Speakeasy was certainly a memorable one, and we all really appreciated your generosity. Hope all is well with you!!
Cheers,
Meaghan
December 15th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
those girls’ emails sound like they had a great time. now they’re crying foul. what’s wrong with this picture? somebody’s parents?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Susan Block is a moron. She’s like those idiot doctors who perform the wrong procedure on people, like amputate the wrong foot. How do these people become doctors or get PhDs? Block has nothng relevant to say, and nothing she says is new or enlightening. She’s a pimp and a whore and proud of it. She has no self respect or sense or morality. If her world vision was to become the norm you will see increase in STDs, bastard children, prostitution and other social ills. Moreover, we would all simply be sexual objects hopping from bed to bed rather than self respecting individuals who can love and be loved for reasons that actually matter, which go way beyond sex. But people like Block know nothing of love. Thankfully, Block is seen as a kook by most people and simply laughed off as such.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:44 am
My dear Adam you sound like a real religious crackpot. You should seek help as soon as possible or at least forgivness from your God.
September 9th, 2007 at 9:45 am
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February 15th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I can answer Adam’s question–her P.H.D is from a fake university/degree mill, Pacific Western University. In fact, Pacific Western University was never accredited and was recently shut down for a number of reasons. So yeah, she was smart enough to get into Yale and to lie about her credentials otherwise, so she isn’t stupid, just evil.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I can answer Adam’s question–her P.H.D is from a fake university/degree mill, Pacific Western University. In fact, Pacific Western University was never accredited and was recently shut down for a number of reasons. So yeah, she was smart enough to get into Yale and to lie about her credentials otherwise, so she isn’t stupid, just evil.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Alright, I was in Whim ‘06 and hence, ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. The problem was that when our names were Googled, they came up attached to her website and there were works of art and other products that are, of course, sexual in nature. Some of the girls were worried that perspective employers would Google our names and judge us/maybe not hire us jobs based on that search result, which could have been a problem because people are incredibly judgmental about sex in our puritanical society. We did have a great time and I don’t think anyone actually felt double-crossed, but I can only speak for myself for sure. Maybe someone should have asked us how we really felt about it before calling us hypocrites and judging us for what someone else says. Also, Susan Block is eccentric, but she is a very nice woman and certainly not a moron.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Alright, I was in Whim ‘06 and hence, ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. The problem was that when our names were Googled, they came up attached to her website and there were works of art and other products that are, of course, sexual in nature. Some of the girls were worried that perspective employers would Google our names and judge us/maybe not hire us jobs based on that search result, which could have been a problem because people are incredibly judgmental about sex in our puritanical society. We did have a great time and I don’t think anyone actually felt double-crossed, but I can only speak for myself for sure. Maybe someone should have asked us how we really felt about it before calling us hypocrites and judging us for what someone else says. Also, Susan Block is eccentric, but she is a very nice woman and certainly not a moron.