TIME’s writer seeks to replace Gilbert Gottfried as the insurance company’s spokesduck. Can he quack his way to stardom?
NewsFeed’s acting skills are nil, but even we could manage this simple – albeit a bit embarrassing – audition. After Gilbert Gottfried was fired over insensitive tweets about the Japan earthquake, Aflac needed a new voice. We’re thankful Joel Stein took one for the TIME team and put on his best quack.
(More on TIME.com: See Joel Stein’s column about the audition)
Heading to the casting call in Santa Monica, Calif., Joel sat in front of two producers and a microphone and quacked away. That leads us to question: can one ever really be comfortable quacking at the top of your lungs in front of complete strangers? His audition started off as a simple recitation of the company’s name, but as he settled in – and one producer explained he needed to “become the duck” – he found his inner quacker.
Even if Joel isn’t chosen as Aflac’s spokesduck, we’re sure his newfound quacking skills will provide years of entertainment (or perhaps embarrassment) for his friends.
(More on TIME.com: See what Aflac is looking for in a new spokesduck)