Keegan-Michael Key reads a letter from the Smithsonian to a man donating 'artefacts' from his garden

[@gnocchidokie]

I would absolutely pay full price to see a "denied specimens" exhibit at any and every museum

[@Canalcoholic]

Aren't museums free entry where you are? I have never paid to enter a museum in the UK.

[@gnocchidokie]

@@CanalcoholicUnfortunately the Land of the Free is more like the Land of the Fee. Museums are sometimes free or discounted if the visitor is a resident of the city, or only on special days, otherwise it's generally paid entry. And sometimes special exhibits are a separate, additional cost

[@ChaosPixieMagic]

SAME. GIVE IT TO ME.

[@solitaryflower]

My day job involves managing an archive, and unfortunately I've never been offered anything half as interesting as a Barbie head chewed on by a dog.

[@RedKincaid]

​@@gnocchidokie Yeah, I'm an American who loves museums but they're all expensive so I don't go nearly as often as I'd like. At least, the ones in the city that I live in are

[@joshgrobleck7907]

He wasn’t there in the days when the land clams roamed. He didn’t know the fear, the deep rumbling of grinding teeth in the distant horizon of a harsh land.

[@iancowan3527]

Those were truly dark and terrible times... Full moons and oyster bars being the worst!

[@macdieter23558]

@@iancowan3527 Oyster bars, where clams are having a beer or two!

[@iancowan3527]

@@macdieter23558 Is that the place down by the sea shore where Shelly sells sea shells?

[@macdieter23558]

@@iancowan3527 Aaah, you know the good places!

[@iancowan3527]

@@macdieter23558 Best believe it! That's why I fear no Oyster ~ with or without teeth!

[@sicktodeath0_0]

The staff at the Smithsonian are a truly wonderful bunch of people. My father donated a box of fossils that he had collected in Oregon, to the Smithsonian. The staff gave him a tour through their fossil archives then they took my parents out on a dinner cruise to thank him. As a lifelong amateur fossil hunter, that was possibly the highlight of his paleontological career. ♥️✌️

[@Larian7]

That’s so sweet 🥹

[@sicktodeath0_0]

@@Larian7 I forgot to add that the Smithsonian carried two of dad’s self published fossil hunting books, also donated. I don’t know how many copies he sent them over the years, but it was in the hundreds. Dad has had a lifelong mission to raise interest in paleontology and to encourage people to search the fossil beds all over Oregon, our home state. Last time I talked to him he had fossil exhibits in the Central Point OR and Jacksonville OR museums, and a hands-on display at Science Works, a science activity center for kids, in Ashland Oregon. ❤️✌️

[@marthacastro9162]

Aww❤❤

[@Ramonatho]

You or your dad might enjoy the show Digman then, very funny people making archeological jokes for a whole animated series

[@christopher9196]

I think that's awesome!!

[@lskulski]

As a museum worker, I can confirm almost every museum in the world has at least one story like this.

[@suzy1750]

I hope so - it would make the day of those that receive it!

[@polarbearhero9803]

It might be fake but ever museum has a large file of similar letters.

[@woah6958]

What's yours? Please, please tell us!

[@Tleilaxu0]

As a librarian, I share in your suffering. Just a few weeks back I watched one of my co-workers spend over 20 minutes patiently explaining to an elderly gentleman that his USB stick supposedly containing the lyrics to 2000 hymns, personally collected by him, is not something we can add to our collection.

[@stephen88hox]

how did you get jobs in all museums in the world?

[@lindaliriel]

My uncle-in-law has over an acre of land, in an area near a known Roman settlement. He kept finding random stuff while gardening (or dug up by his dogs) be it coins, bits of pottery and various odds and ends; he figured they were all likely trash, but took them to the local museum just in case. Now he has a whole cabinet dedicated to him in the museum. Never took any money

[@michaelboris2500]

Wow, that's very interesting. It makes you wonder what you could find on a proper dig. Time Team style

[@realityjunky]

I applaud the Smithsonian. I worked in a Museum for twenty years and I was one of the few who took time to meet the walk-ins, identify their object, then tell then why it wasn't what they hoped it was. It was best if I showed them an example from our collection and let them see for themselves why their item was different. But I always encouraged their curiosity and enthusiasm. I was never dismissive because that will sour a person's view of science immediately. Privately, I was dismayed at how many people were hoping their item was worth money.

[@CollecTortoise]

Also work in a museum and completely agree. 'Contributers' in my experience range from the folks who earnestly bring you their heirlooms (and you always feel soo bad letting them down, because 95 percent of it is junk) and then you have de a-holes who just plunk a shoebox of trash at reception and walk away, like they just dumped their pet at the roadside.

[@kaitan4160]

"Privately, I was dismayed at how many people were hoping their item was worth money." I remember as a child finding a Roman Coin. Which is not a big Deal here in Germany to be honest. But i was so proud (and still am) that the Coin is now in a Museum and on that Little Paper still stands "donated by". Personally i think thats worth more.

[@donmiller2908]

"I was dismayed at how many people were hoping their item was worth money" What is wrong with hoping it was worth money? Money is something everyone needs correct? Are you saying it's morally wrong to have acquired an object that may have monetary worth and hoping to profit from it?

[@Revan2662]

@@donmiller2908 I think its more an issue of perspective. Those who work at or with musuems often don't do it for the money - that's only there to support them. They're largely there because they're passionate about their work and want to share it actively with others. From that view, it's bothersome that one of the first thoughts someone has of a discovery is "I'm rich!". It's not that it's wrong to want compensation for the discovery, it just collides heavily with those who do it solely out of love and curiousity.

[@donmiller2908]

@@Revan2662 - Thanks for commenting, I can understand now why someone may be dismayed at the thought of other people constantly asking for cash. I'd still like to hear her explanation though.

[@TulipIris7244]

I worked in an archaeology lab in graduate school. One day an old man called insisting that we send someone over to his house because he had a live dinosaur trapped in his back yard. Archaeologists typically don’t work with dinosaurs (that’s paleontology), but he was so frantic, we decided to check it out. We got in the old suburban and headed over. Turns out it was an armadillo. At the time, it was highly unusual for armadillos to be in this particular part of the state.

[@jessebarlow1277]

love this. just how old was he?

[@22espec]

@@jessebarlow1277 it doesn't matter the age, if you have never seen an Armadillo, you will freak out, I still remember my cousin screaming all over my backyard because she has seen a really big rat, of couse it wa just a possum.

[@ChaseThePinballWizard]

i saw an armadillo and i didn't freak out because i know what an armadillo is.@@22espec

[@hydra7427]

@@22espec Yeah, I saw an armadillo once down in mexico, and it's like seeing a squirrel crossed with a tank, or perhaps a VERY fast turtle.

[@kelseybarton]

that is actually really cute

[@FabianMacGintyONeill]

If you can tell someone they're completely and utterly wrong in a way that doesn't make them feel bad, you are a master diplomat

[@TangoWolf09]

Reminds me of one of my favorite definitions: Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell, and make them look forward to the trip.

[@PlayMoGame]

Eat shit: "I implore you to imbibe the foetid detrius which no other individual may have the privilege of consuming."

[@enclave2k1]

@@DeReAntiqua The tone of the recitation, most certainly. The intent of the author, maybe so - but not necesarily. Can you cite a portion of the letter that could be interpreted *only* as condecesion? (ps not trying to be *"that guy"* - legitimatly looking for evidence to change my mind)

[@shawnbottom4769]

It might make a person feel good about their clever response, but it is unlikely to have the desired effect. "You have to speak in a 'language' the other person can understand".

[@mbrackeva]

Or really good at hidden sarcasm...

[@jackiesue9907]

I love this. I want to see an inventory of his "contributions".

[@DiffEQ]

It's fiction. SMH Really? You thought that was an actual letter responding to an actual paleontologist?

[@briancjohnson]

@@DiffEQ No, they would like to hear more of the story. Unclench thine buttocks, good man, and roll with it. :)

[@Fire-Queen]

@@DiffEQ someone could still want to see a full inventory... I know I'm curious😁 whether it's all make belief, or not, it's a very intriguing look into life by this amazing comedian 👀👍🏼

[@lukehebert6207]

@@DiffEQ I assumed this was a real letter to a prankster or well-meaning jokester who submitted little hilarious contributions to the Smothsonian as a laugh. So, the request for an inventory made sense to me too.

[@aazhie]

@@DiffEQ consider it a creative art project. Obviously this was made up, but the original writer has a great sense of humor, and a joke display could still be educational. I don't think MOST Americans realize carbon dating doesn't work well either recent samples, and I'm sure more letters would be as equally hilarious...

[@chrisgatton621]

I have a friend who wrote them a serious-sounding letter inquiring as to whether they had "Dillinger's pecker in a jar," because he was trying to decide whether to take his family to visit the Smithsonian or the Grand Canyon for their summer vacation. He stated that would be the deciding factor. They wrote a letter explaining that, although they did not have any of Dillinger's body parts in jars, they still thought they were a superior destination to the Grand Canyon, and went on to explain why.

[@RICDirector]

🤣🤣🤣

[@smileyt7581]

I want to see the response 😂

[@dennischiapello7243]

The word "pecker" is sadly underused these days.

[@mace8873]

I'm sure they had a lot of good arguments, however, they didn't have Dillinger's pecker in a jar, now did they?

[@bobbyellis5006]

I'm just curious as to whether he wanted to see it, or didn't.

[@dannymorris1502]

Years ago I worked in the Museum Of American History. One item in the collections, a hammer head, came from a donor who did his research. He claimed that he found the hammer head in a load of coal. Based on the age of the coal and where it had been mined the hammer was "the original hammer of God." He was sent the usual thank you form letter and the item probably still sits in the collections of Mechanical and Civil Engineering.

[@kevinfoster2163]

Plot twist: that was the hammer of god

[@wirelesmike73]

What are the odds that it as submitted by the same person to whom this letter was written? XD

[@charlesajones77]

Why would God need a hammer?

[@theprimo100]

@@charlesajones77 to smash frost giants

[@derdurstbursch]

@@theprimo100 Doink

[@eleanorharvey3315]

This is, absolutely, the best spoof letter ever written. I cherish my mimeographed, then copied and distributed so many times, copy of this. I have no idea where it originated, but it's been making the rounds for decades now. It's a Smithsonian urban legend, as the museum, department, and purported staffers do not actually exist. But we are magnets for this kind of love, and the letter is proof that as Smithsonian employees, we love it, too.

[@disguisedcat1750]

Wait so they put such a letter on this show… without even consulting the smithsonian? Wow, these guys definitely do their homework.

[@cocoaddams4502]

I've been following this letter across the internet forever. I've read it a million times and i laugh until I cry every single time. I have to say, though, that I hate this reading of it. The humor is in the letter, the actor didn't need to do the nodding and facial expressions to get the point across.

[@dennischiapello7243]

@@cocoaddams4502 I wonder if this sort of delivery is encouraged by the organizers. I only discovered this Letters Live channel yesterday and listened to an actor read a very funny letter. It was Benedict Cumberbatch, no less! I was surprised that he used a similarly dramatic delivery. And with a name like his, there is already an extra layer of humor.

[@RobertJarecki]

​@@dennischiapello7243 The Michigan Beaver Dam(n) Letter is,IMO, more enjoyable when read in a less theatrical manner than on this channel.

[@dennischiapello7243]

@@RobertJarecki It so happens I just listened to that one yesterday, and I agree with you there. The emphasis on every "dam" wore itself out quickly.

[@chillchinna4164]

I would absolutely pay 20 dollars to see an exhibit of this man’s work, and accompanied explanations.

[@someguycalledCh0wdah]

So would I, I REALLY want to see this.

[@user-tk4in7dg1p]

I would ONLY go if they had the explanations 😂

[@johnbrown1860]

The Smithsonian kind of has some exhibits like this (but as folk art in the American Art Museum, not science exhibits in the Natural History Museum).

[@christophertaylor8166]

Rather than the “this one guy” exhibition, I think it would actually be great to have a permanent one showcasing the most off the wall submissions from everyone who tried, with accompanying stories for each of those. If anyone’s junk could potentially end up in it, I think it might be engaging enough to ward off the complaints from people who otherwise don’t get the joke.

[@henryc7548]

If you are ever in Los Angeles, make your way to the Museum of Jurassic Technology

[@houseofdogatx]

Imagine that the person who submitted the “specimen” was a child. Imagine the joy it would bring them to receive such a letter in response, feeling that their “discovery” had been taken seriously. Imagine the impact such a small act of kindness would have on a young mind, encouraging curiosity, analysis, skepticism, as opposed to the defeat that comes with a rude denial or dismissal, or no response at all. I have no idea if this is the case… but I’m going to pretend that it is.

[@recoil53]

Calvin, of Calvin and Hobbes.

[@Morna777]

​@@recoil53this!

[@emilyz4104]

The letter was actually written as a humor piece, and isn't real, but I freakin' love it. And I think there needs to be a movie about rampaging prehistoric clam monsters with teeth.

[@themule137]

Sabre-toothed bi-valves patrolling the plains Selecting our gene pool while chewing on brains. Nature is perilous: danger's at hand! The ravenous man-eating Pliocene clam. Oysters and scallops---all pelecypod Bow in submission to Mighty Quahog. Nature's in balance, there's danger to man: The ravenous man-eating Pliocene clam. The larval soft body! That ligament scar! The unique pteroid bivalve a wonder to all. When the new pelecypod did struggle to land, It was the end of the man-eating Pliocene clam. -2006 poetic tribute , written by Ruth Ellis Haworth I agree, it needs to be a movie!

[@brucecarter8296]

clams have teeth

[@GlennTillema]

@@brucecarter8296 Clams have legs!

[@KlintKaras]

@@brucecarter8296 clams have feelings.

[@realityjunky]

Agreed!

[@Serai3]

"Australopithecus Spifferino" Is a perfect name for an accordion punk band.

[@vdavis4785]

Perhaps an alter ego for Weird Al Yankovic?

[@IsThisNameTaken789]

​@@vdavis4785 I was thinking something like that! He could start a new band.

[@NightRunner417]

I've been to the Museum of Natural History and I personally would find it _hilariously awesome_ if they had a small corner display area for the best of the best bizarre submissions. Imagine if you were a first time visitor and after perusing the amazing sights of the museum, you rounded the corner and found ancient Astrelopithecus Spiff-arino heads and prehistoric Frisbees.🤣

[@RICDirector]

Aaaand that is how P.T. Barnum became a rich man. 🤣🤣🤣

[@NightRunner417]

@@RICDirector 🤣🤣 Ladies and gentlemen, *_The Greatest Show On Earth®!!_*

[@alexia3552]

Duude excellent idea. I bet that would up visitor numbers

[@NightRunner417]

@@alexia3552 I think it would be really cool. I mean, as it is, the place is just breathtaking. After being blown away by so much input of things you might have heard about but never expected to see, especially in person, I think it would be a huge comic relief to see things people _tried_ to pass off as real. Ultimately, like you say, it might become a "Oh! Don't forget to look for the cray-cray part of the exhibits!" kind of thing. 🤣

[@eric2500]

I think we need this and other opportunities to confront and mock ignorance.

[@cacampbell3654]

Key did an almost perfect job of staying in the incredible humour and outrageousness of this letter’s subjects, without belittling, patronizing, condescending to the author! No mean feat!!

[@WinkLinkletter]

The letter was excellently written by the Smithsonian author, as far as the deeply tongue-in-cheekiness "critique" of the contributor goes, read properly and with nuanced understanding by the exacting Key.

[@retroboomer3197]

Every thing about this was belittling, patronizing, and condescending to the author, but okay.

[@WinkLinkletter]

@@retroboomer3197 So are you saying Key was belittling the Smithsonian, the authors of the letter, or that Smithsonian was condescending to the doll head contributor?

[@thisguy916]

@@retroboomer3197 i was thinking the same thing

[@JesusProtects]

I know about another outrageous claim but no one is calling out museums for this. Dinosaur bones are not real bones, they are created for the exposition, and on top of that the full skeleton is imagined out of just a few pieces like a jaw, a few teeth and a few vertebrae. Basically 90% of the skeleton is made up, but they are presented as undoubtedly real and factual things. And if you try to see the supposed real bones the museum will never let you do it, or will just tell you that they are not there but somewhere else. I call bs on this.

[@1969Kismet]

I want to work with someone who would write this sort of letter.

[@fes5956]

Yes!

[@Altinget]

Always treat a fellow scientist with respect...🤓

[@somedaypilot]

I also want to work with the kind of person who is creative enough to provide this kind of entertainment to the Smithsonian. "Making strangers' days just a little bit weirder" is a delightful hobby

[@ianashmore9910]

@@Altinget "Fellow scientist" is an awfully big stretch here... Lol

[@tarmaque]

You're welcome to work with me. Can you drive a Kenworth?

[@lindascott3386]

When we were doing research in Peru, local people reported every ruin as an "Inka pyramid." Some of them were fascinating in their own historical right -- old missions and convents, pre-Inka Moche or Chimu sites, etc. People get excited about something they've been thinking about and come up with explanations. That said, people should always be encouraged to reach out and share with/learn from professionals. I think it's a positive thing that some people share their finds instead of hoarding "treasure."

[@UnitSe7en]

I think it's more that people are mostly ignorant on a topic and what you see is Dunning-Kruger. Everything is an Inca pyramid because Inca pyramids are the only thing they know about.

[@panzerswineflu]

Oh I'd love to see the non "known" sites. I went to peru in 2017 and fell in love with the country. Made it to kuelap last November shortly before they closed it

[@alexia3552]

That’s such a wholesome attitude I love that

[@smartereveryday]

Amazing.

[@donavanclark9433]

Hey, can I come learn something from you?

[@zupra5638]

Why are you here arnold

[@colorado841]

Learn something new everyday.

[@trillium.3.24]

His delivery is spot on, from his tones to his facial expressions and body language. Well done!

[@jasonvoorhees895]

The fact that Harvey "Fought tenaciously" for him and wants to fly him to D.C. was the icing on the cake. And I need a picture of that special shelf in the director's office 😂

[@OddWomanOut_Pi81]

When I saw that Keegan would be reading, I KNEW this would be gold. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I wasn't wrong!

[@chrisball3778]

I once had a job where I was the main public point of contact for a small organisation. During my time there, I got a few emails I thought were probably pranks, but wasn't 100% certain weren't written by someone truly deluded. I was expected to reply politely to every email, so had to create these carefully-worded responses that took their wacky email at face-value so I didn't come across as mocking them if they were serious. That's what I thought of watching this.

[@GedMaybury23]

A challenging job, Chris! Props to you for acting with integrity and respect. (And I'm fairly sure that some of submissions to the Dept of Main Roads would been seen in a similar light!)

[@maxleveladventures]

Similar experience working as a content/social media manager. I couldn't just not respond to someone who was either faking or had a disability. I don't think anyone actually required me to do so, but it felt wrong to assume it wasn't legit, so I always took them seriously and took time to respond. I got the sense that some of them were just lonely and wanted someone to talk to.

[@GedMaybury23]

@@maxleveladventures You're a thoroughly decent human being, Max. Keep it up!

[@TacosAreWizard]

I hate formal business polite talk. Just tell people to stop being stupid, straight up.

[@donmiller2908]

@@TacosAreWizard - Sometimes the writer is sincere but deluded. If you rudely tell them they are stupid there is a chance they'll never submit another finding as you'd have squashed their desire to discover. I can't think of any situation in which rudeness should be the preferred response. A little empathy goes a long way.

[@archygirl1750]

As an archaeologist, I am constantly besieged by "artifacts" from neighbors, friends, relatives, people in stores, complete strangers. I applaud the Smithsonian for their sweet letter, and the lessons therein. The challenge is real. There is a fine line between compassion and sarcasm.

[@benzaiten933]

did those around you ever bring you something of value? I myself once found a fossilized clam on a rock while hiking in the alps. but I've kept it as keepsake (and I couldn't exactly pinpoint where I found it anymore).

[@deathwrenchcustom]

I ran across this letter when the internet was in it's infancy. It made me laugh so hard that I saved it in an email folder. Decades later, whenever I'm feeling down, I read it. I get about halfway through before I'm laughing so hard that tears are streaming down my face. I'm glad that it gets a new lease on life all these years later!! 😂😂👍🏿

[@nunja_business]

Yes, I think it was one of the ones routinely forwarded around IBM in the mid-80s, along with the one about mouse balls.

[@babababad]

​@@nunja_business this particular one was written in '94, but it's definitely in the spirit of those early chains

[@dlanska]

This man is hilarious. I remember when he was Obama's "anger translator" during the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Such timing and delivery! Just amazing.

[@acchaladka]

He and Mr. Peele are possibly the most underrated comedy team in the US.

[@Drnaynay]

@@acchaladka Underrated is THE most overused word on KZbin comments.

[@Hazor7]

@@Drnaynay's comment is underrated.

[@DiffEQ]

"hilarious" if you're twelve years old.

[@ariochiv]

@@DiffEQ I guess some people just can't make it through the day without randomly shitting on someone else.

[@rsrt6910]

I know the letter is a hoax and not the first time I've read/heard this letter but Keegan sells it so well I needed to hear it again. He sold it SO well, in fact, that I feel like someone should approach Key to do a movie/series based on either: a) the curator of antiquities, b) the dude digging up things in his back yard or c) the ravenous man eating clams roaming the pliocene.

[@KingdomFantasy669]

And y'know. I have absolute faith he'd do amazing at all three of those roles. Hell, just have him play all three roles in the same film!

[@intercat4907]

"fought tenaciously" just hurt me. I love every move this man makes.

[@rachelmckoskybennett8285]

I think about this letter a LOT. It was circulating via email around 1997. I loved it then. I love it now. I occasionally treat myself to signing off “Yours in Science,”.

[@lenandov]

"...and you may be quite certain that those of us who are familiar with your prior work in the field were loathe to come to contradiction with your findings..." Brilliant

[@truerthanyouknow9456]

‘Yours in Science’, what a great salutation. I’m keeping it.

[@megwilcox2878]

This is wonderful! As a museum professional myself, I have every confidence that there will one day be an exhibition of this "citizen scientist's" collection and correspondence.

[@parmesanzero7678]

I can tell the person who wrote the responses back to this contributor really enjoyed writing it.

[@nardo218]

Keenan is a national comedic treasure. I'm so glad he was invited to participate in this event!

[@julienotsmith7068]

This stuff is why I’m so proud to have them as our national museum system.

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

The author of this letter must have had a blast writing it. I can imagine members of his staff chiming in suggestions. A fun morning.

[@Dom_Maretti]

I actually knew someone when I was in Utah who showed what he thought was a fossilized dinosaur egg to a curator at the SLC Natural History Museum. He'd found the object among rocks at a reservoir...and he'd actually found a real fossil. It wasn't a dinosaur egg though...it was part of a vulture's cranium, and it was actually a proper mineralized fossil. It was from a turkey vulture, and the museum didn't need it as they are a contemporary species and there was no indication that this fossil was older than the other known samples. Still...his fossil was probably more interesting to most than either of the ones I've found (both plant fossils, neither representing anything particularly uncommon).

[@pathevermore3683]

there is always private collectors, better yet, keep it. fossils are cool and make great conversation pieces.

[@Dom_Maretti]

@@pathevermore3683 I still have them in my minerals case.

[@MrJackWorse]

Someone at the Smithsonian obviously really enjoys their job! Kudos to them and kudos to Key for the perfect delivery!

[@LususSaule]

This letter has been doing the rounds on the internet for at least a decade. Its a known fake, but the idea of someone digging up junk from their backyard and constantly sending it to the Smithsonian Institute alongside outlandish theories is hilarious.

[@OleanderSmoothie]

it reminds me of the Calvin and Hobbes comic where Calvin digs up garbage and thinks it's dinosaur bones😂😂

[@steveom5479]

Was it ever passed as real? I would've assumed from this video that it was a script but haven't seen anything else from this series.

[@tallspicy]

My guess this actually happens with spectacular frequency! It is funny, hoax or not

[@justvisitingterra6459]

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A COMEDY ROUTINE. MAXXAUS.

[@catmatt777]

@@tallspicy Its gotta be happening so often. There is zero chance anybody working there has enough time on their hands to go through them all looking for the fun insane ones, let alone pen semi-serious responses before either throwing the package out or slapping a return label on it.

[@eattherich5409]

honestly, having your own personal cryptid that only you and your coworkers know about sounds like the best addition to a job possible. assuming its like this; harmless, wholesome, and unhinged

[@lisar3944]

ahhhhh I remember my first exposure to this letter. 1999, it was a "viral" (for the time) email running around at that time. The email was sourced from someone at MIT as I recall (no idea if it was a legit address) which made it instantly suspicious. My coworker forwarded it to me and I struggled to read it at my desk without howling - by the end I couldn't breathe I was laughing so hard! Mr Key certainly did it justice - I'm crying!!!

[@paulking4594]

I was there on the evening and he read this very well.

[@LHyoutube]

Because we wouldn't have ascertained that from the video alone? 😛

[@ashtonandkylievideos2929]

@@LHyoutube you can't tell he was there from the video

[@LHyoutube]

@@ashtonandkylievideos2929 - LOL not that we could have known Paul King was there from the video, I mean that we could have known Key read it very well from the video alone 😂

[@brucecarter8296]

yes, he's so articulate

[@ashtonandkylievideos2929]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5bZm5mwi5lgp7M

[@sarahleonard7309]

I love this video so much! Whenever I'm feeling gloomy, I watch this and feel uplifted by the kind humor of this busy scientist. OK, I mostly just giggle at the mental image of the shelf of contributions and their speculative conversations. But the wit displayed in this letter gets me every time.

[@dsantamaria713]

I love these letter readings...🤣🤣 Keep them coming! ❤❤

[@Doooooooooooood]

What a spectacular letter, I hope we never ever stop sending letters to one another.

[@magsj6474]

I remember reading this online in 1999-2000 somewhere in there. It cracked me up. Still pretty funny.

[@skakdosmer]

I already knew this letter well, and I occasionally re-read it when I need to be cheered up. I've even read it aloud to myself and, I might add, done so very well. However, I'm pleased to say that this performance is even better! Thank you, I needed this!

[@Promses2Keep]

These letters are GOLD. I just discovered this channel, and I have to say it has brightened my week!

[@sean.butterworth]

It’s just so refreshing to listen to reading of such high calibre. Honestly it’s, very sadly, extremely rare these days.

[@truegrit7697]

I read this letter online almost 25 years ago - hysterical! 🤣

[@andrewcharles459]

This letter was clearly inspired by the short story "A Preliminary Investigation of an Early Man Site in the Delaware River Valley" by Timothy O'Leary and Charles Ward found in the anthropological science fiction anthology "Apeman Spaceman" (Doubleday, 1968).

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

YES I knew it eerily familiar in a roundabout way!!

[@granthurlburt4062]

A friend of mine was the very patient Assistant Curator of a museum. When visiting him at the museum, I'd be amazed at his patience, in long phone conversations,saying over and over "Well,nooo...., actually..." over and over again. Never sounding frustrated. The hilarious letter read out here is over the top, but it is amazing how dedicated people can be to their broken piece of rock that "looks like something". Often people bring in cow or sheep bones found on the river-it is very easy to conclusively identify a cow or sheep, or even deer leg bone- and sometimes go away quite miffed and suspicious to be told what they have is not a dinosaur or mammoth or early human.

[@LauraC369]

A visit to the department of antiquities is now on my bucket list, a must see, not to be missed display 😉 . I am in tears, sir... 😂

[@19Edurne]

Alas, I don't think the director's office to be included in the price of admission, which is where we could admire these "amazing artefacts". ;)

[@helenbeahan2024]

There is no department of antiquities at the Smithsonian. The letter, while hilarious, was written by a bored medical student and is entirely fictional.

[@LauraC369]

@@helenbeahan2024 - Thank you for the clarification. My response was in tune to the humorous reading... it was on my list, right after the Room of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic, London... shame, one less to visit.

[@chefbanjo8139]

Key is such a good actor that it’s easy to imagine him telling this to the man himself.

[@michaelarrowood4315]

The perfect letter combined with the perfect reader.

[@tonyw1w1w14]

This guy is brilliant, he has a wonderful sense of humor. The staff at the Smithsonian must eagerly await his next submission as it would add a great distraction from their daily grind. Well done sir, you are spreading nothing but good vibes via your actions, I love this little story, I fully expect you to be flown to the Smithsonian to present all your discoveries.

[@alliet.7582]

“Clams do not have teeth” had me dying! I’m pretty sure my coworkers now think I have some sort of epilepsy as my body spasmed with silent laughter.

[@RICDirector]

I suggest you communicate that dosorder to them as expiditiously as possible, then!

[@milktenders6219]

I think Keegan should narrate books, I love how he talks

[@jlb9368]

So elegantly read! Love anything this man does!

[@johnnytarponds9292]

Clearly these submissions are prized and appreciated by the museum's staff for the very obvious comedic effort involved with the crafting of these letters. "Well done!" for the museum and "keep up the good work" for the submissions!

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

Keegan-Michael Key is an international treasure.

[@robertacomstock3655]

BIT-CONNNECCTT!

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

@@robertacomstock3655 is this a Key and Peele reference I’m not remembering?

[@54tisfaction]

I can't believe that the contributor so blatantly disregarded the obvious conclusion that this two million years old Malibu Barbie proves that Time travel works!!!

[@jon780249]

This is great and delivered brilliantly.

[@leejudith5209]

Beautiful read and written ....love it

[@cardinalgin]

Just delicious ! The letter in itself is a work of humorous art and the delivery !!!!

[@cindycole4326]

Keagan-Michael Key is a great member for Letters Live! His voice inflections are perfect. His actions and his expressions are a plus! Thank you KMK!

[@carlfranz6805]

Wow. This showed up again. I remember reading this, I believe, in the mid 80s. Still a hoot, though.

[@micahphilson]

You know this guy makes their week with his new findings! I would love a video recording of him visiting the office, meeting his fans in the staff, and expounding for hours on his revolutionary theories!

[@lfilm3]

I like everyone involved in every part of this. They all committed to the bit.

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

I love this bloke, so talented. He was the highlight of the film 'Why Him'.

[@cindyneff6499]

NO!!! I have got to see this shelf. And the wrench.

[@skytten64]

This is One of the best in Letters..So polyite and the eggore to resaeve next autumn to the Museum..The Ironi so sweet..Hope understand my fält in the text..Bless You för tidning this Lovely Channel..Greetings from Sweden..Happy Holidays fortwarth.. You see,just Smile and be You😊🙃😌

[@Kameleonic]

Class:) Read by a man of pure talent:)

[@katehardwick4283]

One of the best readings yet!!

[@cleverusername9369]

This letter and it's reading are both masterpieces of non-malignant sarcasm

[@SATXbassplayer]

Absolutely brilliant!!! What a kind yet funny man the writer was.

[@fluuufffffy1514]

A fascinating specimen, Mr Key

[@75blackviking]

Key's comedic sensibility breaks me in half. Hard to comment on this video through the tears in my eyes here.

[@oldzoot]

This read is classic. Bravo!

[@joxerthemighty9148]

I love how much he loved reading this. You can tell this was so far up his alley he was trying not to giggle, but he is a professional ! well done on all sides !

[@Madfattdeeb]

This is f-ing Brilliant!! 😂🤣 I want to see his collection and read the write-up of each item.

[@aleccrombie7923]

Brilliantly read. Well done sir!

[@Professicchio]

Now I really want to see the original letter from the prankster (or deluded archaeologist) who sent that Barbie's head, along with all his other 'precious' findings 😁😂

[@CharliMorganMusic]

The humor of this writer is just incredible. It isn't even sarcastic, haha.

[@seattlegrrlie]

The cranial capacity line did me in 🤣

[@ChancySanah]

The person that wrote this letter is proof that learning is in fact fun.

[@acchaladka]

Harvey Roe, Curator, Antiquities, is a bloody genius. I hope he retired to a new career writing comedy in California.

[@ev6558]

The only thing funnier than the letter are the commenters who couldn't tell it was obviously contrived. It's a joke, never really happened.

[@angelfish2529]

Certainly he can become a staff writer at the Babylon Bee.

[@RICDirector]

@EV Sure it was, does that mean we can't love it, or hope a fictional character went on to be ever more fun?

[@DanaTheInsane]

@@angelfish2529 no, they said funny.

[@Endless_Jaguar]

If everyone was treated with serious consideration, and refuted only on the merits of our ideas... What a world that would be...

[@johnladuke6475]

All you people exposing it as a fake have crushed my dreams. I really wanted to meet this generous donor and examine their archaeological dig site.

[@Denise11Schultz]

I wouldn’t be sad about it being a fake. I’m sure the real letters like this far outnumber the fakes. If you like this, you might like the young British comedian (James Leitch, I think) who starts a correspondence with spammers and phishing schemers.

[@thepochade5992]

I'd love to hang out with these kind of folk. Finding and participating in the fun along the walk of life is such a gift ;)

[@Abelhawk]

Not real, but a well-written and funny piece of writing just the same! I like all the presuppositions it makes as a return letter.

[@lindabuck2777]

😂😂😂 omg I can’t quit laughing! I laughed through the entire video! And THEN I came here knowing comment sections are the best and STILL laughing! You rock!😂😂😂🙏🏻

[@surquhart64]

".....Debbie Jellinsky: I was 10, and do you know what they got me? *Malibu* Barbie. Morticia: Malibu Barbie. Gomez: The nightmare. Morticia: The nerve..... Well, now we know what happened to the Malibu Barbie!!!! 🤣 sorry,.couldn't help myself....

[@RICDirector]

So not clams, but Cleopatra the plant?

[@vickinoeske1154]

What an excellent response by the museum. Very respectful considering. I can't imagine the number of laughs the employess got from the donor's contributions.

[@albuseisenhorn3385]

Amazing - they should open up a collection under his name to encourage his enthusiasm haha or even brought him in for a tour

[@mess4success]

I wish I were well spoken enough to deliver this level of sass professionally. Bravo.

[@DigitalNeb]

This is wonderful. Some person out there is just having fun sending in silly jokes to them, and they're eating it up. That's great.

[@slipperynickels]

some of the most respectful and personable shade ever thrown.