Spider

Kenneth "Spider" S. Osgood Sr. 1929 - 2012
Was a lifelong resident of Laconia, New Hampshire.
In his youth, Mr. Osgood was a Golden Glove boxer. He was an amazing short
order cook who got his nickname of "Spider" from his ability to multi-task while working at the Shore Diner and Paul's Diner.
In the early 70s, I was a musician looking for food after the gig. I discovered Spider at 1AM on a Saturday in Lakeport NH.

[@roadrunner3505]

I spent many nights with a front row seat. One of my favorite memories was some Drunk pawing at Buffy, the waitress, and in a flash Spider was in his face with that big carving knife. Well , the place went silent , and the guy apologised and promised to behave and ...presto Spider is back at the grill and the joint was jumping again. If you were lucky and sat in the front row you never got a chance to light your cig (Everyone smoked then) And often your fork magically appeared in your shirt front pocket. I worked with him a few times and he was sober, sane , funny and very honest. A clock repairman on his day shift. a real gentle man. I still miss him. Eric in NM

[@barbaraghiroli8246]

That was AMAZING. What a memory to have.....he is like a SUPER HERO of cooking short order💛💛💛

[@jeffwatters7902]

Awesome story!

[@socallawrence]

Looks like you can only order water or coffee

[@chrisirving8712]

What did he pass from?

[@MultiDooder]

He worked a day shift too? Goddam

[@paulodgren1196]

I can't believe this is here!! Brilliant. I spent the summer of '67 with my band at Weirs Beach. If we had a little money, we'd go watch the Spider show. I've told dozens and dozens of people about this phenomenal guy ever since. One night, a guy in a booth needed a fork. Spider said, "Don't move," and tossed it like a dart from behind the counter right into the guy's shirt pocket, tines up. He never wrote anything down, he'd watch the waitresses as they listed everything ordered by a booth, and he'd nod a little and say, "unh huh," after each item, and never screw anything up. What a blast. Never saw anything like it before or since. Thanks for this!

[@jeffwatters7902]

That's great, thank you for the story! The tines-up fork is incredible.

[@paulodgren6780]

+Jeff Watters heh. yeah, I had a seat at the counter and it went right past my head. Couldn't believe it, but there it was.

[@McRemmyBaby]

Paul Odgren and guess what, if he was black u wouldn't give a shit about him, and say he must be on drugs! Sad isn't it?

[@McRemmyBaby]

Nat Defozzi I speak the truth! 😂💯

[@paulodgren6780]

you don't know me or what I gee an f about, but color me an anti-racist activist fyi, ding dong.

[@albrenner]

Good grief. Many years ago (50 or more) my friends would take the 40 mile drive to Laconia in the early morning to have coffee and watch Spider operform. What a treat.

[@roadrunner3505]

I was just on a camping trip to Colorado and telling a friend about Spider, got home and found this through google.....wonderful memories for me. ! We did the run from Tilton many nights !

[@anchortaxi]

I had the pleasure of working at The Shore Diner when Spider was there., maybe around 1952 or so. I wasn't much more than 15 years of age. I don't want to repeat what Road Runner has already said, but Spider was a show all by himself. Getting a spoon into your pocket was amazing., you hardly knew it was there. Geez, the guy was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I got to know him. I've watched this video 2 dozen times in the last 2 days. Those were great years, never to be repeated.

[@mrvlts1]

I remember Spider from the 50s. Our family would go up to NH and always stop at the diner. He and my Dad were good friends. May he RIP

[@igottaspeak]

I worked a little highway joint in Three Rivers, Michigan as a sophomore. After a week my step Mom left me to run by myself. I lived for the rush that came at noon. Burgers, hot dogs, polish, Rueben's, sides milk shakes, etc. All honor to the short order cooks of the world. A real art form in the kitchens..

[@sjtom57]

Doesn't matter what the job, I love watching a master at work. Nice vid.

[@LinkRocks]

There's a rhythm with everything he's doing. It's his way of making sure he does everything that needs to be done in the correct order. And of course there's some showmanship too, which makes him so fun to watch.

[@WHDRWN]

Don't forget the bigger picture, conserving energy/your body while working fast hence how light his movements are

[@newhampshiremovies]

Thanks for the comment I was in exactly the same situation in '71, Playing in a band and looking for a place to eat after the gig, watching Spider at 1AM and saying, wow , I think there's a movie here. Gary

[@nowake]

"It's easier than workin!" Gotta love it when a person finds their craft.

[@socallawrence]

Not only an awesome cook but you can tell he had a good heart

[@Rhapbus1]

Having been a diner cook for my entire (short 6 year so far) career as a line cook right now im blown away, this guy should be the patron saint of greasy spoons right here. hats off to ya, spider

[@mark4m541]

Your best assets in a restaurant is your chef 100%

[@lovetoall8852]

This guy was an Einstein, a Mozart, a Buffet, at his particular trade! So cool to watch him work!

[@AsstVillageIdiot]

He was a boxer earlier. You can see how the bobbing and weaving must have worked.

[@daniellack3559]

What a show the Spider put on....I would have sat eating my meal for an hour at the counter, just to watch the short order magic...I have seen many others over the years, and many were very good, but Spider looks like he enjoys it, moreso than anyone else I've seen

[@newhampshiremovies]

Old is a relative term, I'm now older than Spider, I'm still amazed at how he moved. Please let the family know it's on KZbin. Thanks

[@elusivegroove]

Cocaine is a helluva of a drug! LOL This dude is lit!

[@w2sw2s]

I have clear memories of my dad bringing this movie home from the Public Library in Bloomington, IN on 16mm film. He would bring his projector home from the office and play this for my sister and I. It would have bene in the early 1980'2 I would have been about 7 yrs. Probably one of the reasons I went to film school. I have thought about this movie often over the last 35years. No idea why it took me so long to google....

[@jeffwatters7902]

That's actually really cool, and must have been awesome for you to see it again online. Thank you for sharing!

[@RevolverOcelotMGS2]

ive worked in a bunch of kitchens and nothings changed from this except the health codes

[@deenaclevenson7654]

And he whistled while he worked!

[@blackwidowfan2349]

I can't stop watching this. I wish there was more. This is truly legendary.

[@dougtaylor7724]

I have watched this vid about 15 times myself. When I was a teenager (in the 70’s) people like spider seemed to be in every little town. There was always that one place that was as much show as food. Now those days are gone. Seems there are just random chain places with no real characters.

[@bmcsue7973]

A Real character From a By Gone era , you Don't find them like that any more

[@ben__6180]

Run into a lot more of the dude from 5:13 these days... but there's still some spidery types out there

[@xTBrown13x]

I can watch him all day!

[@jediarco]

I love this video and find it absolutely fascinating. So good God Bless Spider, wherever he is.

[@katedimler6157]

Wow what a treat to watch...I hope everyone enjoyed his talents, personality, and what looks like one hell of a work ethic to boot!

[@daniellack3559]

I love the old style white refrigeration units..they look like "lockers", and must have been built in the 40s-50s....and were built to last...and bet they kept the food real cold....

[@MrWeitblick]

Absolutely amazing! This Man was a real Artist.

[@misterblack6521]

It's a damn shame cooks don't get paid high wages. It's an overlooked profession. Spider is great!

[@nerdygamerguy8378]

Because it's an entry level job depending on location.

[@unclebuck6250]

@@nerdygamerguy8378 Livable wages are for everyone.

[@eddiewramos]

We don't do it for the money

[@LinkRocks]

@@nerdygamerguy8378 No it isn't.

[@LinkRocks]

@@unclebuck6250 Yep!

[@georgeluna5845]

What a man. He’s a tribute to the great American work ethic.

[@timetowakeup6302]

Yeah... Those days are long gone

[@vissitorsteve]

A dying breed. What a great character.

[@mrkenray]

ah, remember when pharmaceutical speed was legal....Benzedrine was a brand name for amphetamine sulfate. It was used to treat many different conditions from the early 1930s to the 1970s. Misuse of the drug eventually led to a major decrease in production and tighter control of the drug by 1971.

[@WHDRWN]

this video must be a great gift for his family!

[@E3Ops]

This was an amazing watch! As someone who has cooked in many busy restaurants, I can really appreciate this man. I've known a few like him.

[@blackmetalotaku8898]

This guy needs to be a remembered.

[@PamManneyNH]

What a great film! I worked the bar rush at Steve's Diner on Elm Street, Manchester NH for 13 years. We had the best, fastest, cook ever, too!

[@Heavy-P]

Incredible, like poetry in motion.

[@SFConifer]

My favorite food video. I always watch this before I head out for a late-nite snack...

[@matthewbarnes7029]

3:39:'...I mean all this noise ya know you shut it out you don't even pay no attention to it...you just uh concentrate on the food that's the uh thing that you're working with' - Spider Guys...this is the heart and soul of what line cooking has always been and will never not be. From three Michelin stars to the Waffle House 3 miles away it's the same mentality of taking what you got and making it the best that you can in as short a time as possible for as many people as possible. The ratios of quality of product to quantity of time taken to produce it may vary from one restaurant or diner or bar or grille or cafe to the next, but there is a harmoniously linear trend which links the best of the best at any level. Maybe I'm trying too hard to mince words. It might be better just to compare Spider to Bruce Lee and leave it at that... To those of you who had the pleasure of watching this man live: I will forever envy you.

[@newhampshiremovies]

Thanks for a great comment, I can tell you are in the business

[@newhampshiremovies]

Thanks for your comment, He was quite a guy. I spent many Saturday nights watching him

[@swimXY]

That whistling would drive me insane after a few minutes.

[@gordongiobanni7543]

You just had to.ruin it didnt you

[@janjenkins9670]

He was amazing!! Went there many times and ate.

[@777rickster]

"easier than working" lol :) gr8 attitude!!!

[@zach1268]

To this day being a line cook is still my favorite job I've ever had.

[@brainscott8198]

Cocaine a helluva drug...

[@scottjones3038]

If this guy was still alive Gordon Ramsay would hire him.

[@anchortaxi]

I keep looking for myself at the counter b/c I used to live in Laconia at that time, but alas, I am no where to be found. I must have been away somewhere...

[@JesusVazquez-xv9ex]

Ohh wow you are my inspiration spider ❤️

[@safetydave720]

Spider is an American Hero

[@lotharroberts5978]

This is circa '71. Very few had hair and beards that long in 1965.

[@anchortaxi]

More like 1955!

[@josephlangley5997]

This guy is a legend in my book

[@newhampshiremovies]

Sure, I was a UNH alumni. This was shot 3 years after I graduated while playing with The Spectras nearby.

[@paulodgren6780]

spectras! Saw you guys at the Hampton Beach Casino. We were the Spectres and changed our name cause of you, to the Wednesday Review. See my comment above about seeing Spider after gigs. Cheers. Paul Odgren.

[@cavalcadegavin]

Guy Have Bullet Time for a Cook... Much Respect 👍

[@MultiCrusher2]

there will never be another Spider Osgood.

[@WilliamTell1313]

Mmmmm, I bet the food was banging too!

[@ariesunique3757]

Rip spider

[@shadowking03]

Would love to have met this man..

[@Mr-kq8xs]

Spider moves to fast for the germs . The waitress served a table chili fries with a guy smoking a cigarette, who cares.

[@Familyguyex]

5 second rule, he never touched the food for more than five seconds so the germs legally couldnt move.

[@gdogvibes1]

Now that's work ethic! I wonder if he's still alive..

[@UnrealRope]

He died in 2012

[@ptrips1]

UprootedEagle :(, when is this video from? Looks like the 70s?

[@newhampshiremovies]

ptrips1 shot in 1971, released in '72

[@newhampshiremovies]

UprootedEagle I'm looking for info on Ken Osgood, Do you have any?

[@ptrips1]

newhampshiremovies Hi, I know you weren't asking me but I found his obituary, it's quite detailed...www.currentobituary.com/Memory.aspx?Memory_ObitdID=105171

[@taylormurphy2840]

No I thought you said you was alright Spider

[@someguybreaks]

I AM alright, you studderin' muddafcuka you.

[@YZ-dp9oz]

get a double cheese, and a order of those well done pancakes, and some berry syrup.

[@cyrusgraham292]

When everything is mise en place things run like clockwork

[@martymcfly2857]

all those hipsters i hope they tip or spider aint washing his hands

[@plissabarrett7358]

Poetry in motion, respect 😑

[@dadadark401]

thats amazing. no wasted movement,use ur whole body, everytime he swings his arm its to grab something or move something.

[@skzybuddahhm]

Haha!!!! Amazing little dude. Thanks for posting it up.

[@bestofvenicex3804]

After 12 years..

[@RK831]

Ken Osgood the legend!

[@nychenyc6620]

Thats a special man right there

[@Achw3l]

He's really good at what he's doing, but he acts like he's on coke

[@FreeSeoul]

He honestly could be on coke...

[@TheAGCteam]

TheOblivionGate Cocaine didn't get really big until the 80s but you are right.

[@FreeSeoul]

I wouldn't doubt Americans had cocaine as a personal thing earlier than the 80s.

[@raycarbone5163]

I think we may have been thinking of "Coke", not coke.

[@PowerofwilXD]

Achw3l acts

[@daviduuwastaken]

Do you have the source material for this little doc? I'm assuming this would've been shot on film, but it looks like a video transfer. I'd love to someday see a higher-res version of it! I can't even remember how I first found this but I've often come back to it over the past 10 or so years. One of my all-time favourites.

[@newhampshiremovies]

Shot on 16mm reversal film, transfered on standard def telecine, but I have plans to do an HD transfer from original internegative soon. Thanks for your interest.

[@daviduuwastaken]

@@newhampshiremovies that would be incredible. I look forward to it!

[@Me-eb3wv]

@@newhampshiremoviesgo for it 😊

[@MotuSethGopangamDas]

Fantastic kitchen talent.

[@SwissMarksman]

4:20 guys, you can't fucking convince me that this guy wasn't on something. Either that or he has something mental going on.

[@socallawrence]

No, he was just a hard worker. Obviously you wouldn’t know anything about that

[@coolyajets8638]

The call that work ethic back then - ADHD today RIP Spider

[@lenmcdaniel5728]

Amazing video. Yeah Kenneth Osgood passed away in 2012 there is an obiturary online that shares info bout his life.

[@abefinklestein711]

Spider is nice wit it!

[@donovan2913]

Looked like most the food was burnt. Not fast enough mister Spider....

[@shadowfoam3491]

Only a hummingbird could catch Spider at work.

[@socallawrence]

shadowfoam his name is Robert Paulson

[@kewkabe]

That onion chopping at 4:20 and 5:27 is pretty impressive.

[@timetowakeup6302]

Unbelievable

[@alexmelamed6639]

The dao of short order.

[@CB-ke7eq]

They sold rather strong amphetamines over-the-counter in these days.

[@SwissMarksman]

This guy fucking does Coke. 100%.

[@igottaspeak]

You have to understand the this line of work. You live for the rush once you got your technique down. You believe that there is no rush that can slam you.

[@SwissMarksman]

@@igottaspeak I know this line of work because I was also in the Kitchens.

[@flowerchild8450]

I don’t think so. The myth of high-productivity drug abusers in the hospitality industry seems to be largely that- a myth. At least from my personal experience. I’ve worked with cooks who I knew abused drugs and they were some of the sloppiest and slowest people I’ve worked with. Also prone to mood swings, this guy has his emotions controlled.

[@SwissMarksman]

@@flowerchild8450 agree

[@timetowakeup6302]

What year was this?

[@newhampshiremovies]

1972

[@poepoe47]

His voice sounds like Shemp

[@ivanrobb3900]

As one who has faced the MAX pressure where mind cracks to achieve "The Dance" Where body functions in real time with mind, This displays what is possible, every centimetre of movement thought out in advance until it become you. You become this Magnificent Beauty. I have just come across this video, I study every millisecond of movement, mood, communication, memory recall while functioning in ultimate real time. I didnt think there were any left. This is the nature of the samurai, now put a sward in in my hand and watch me dance. We Never forget. This and who shared this video, This is an absolutely astonishing clip of The dwindling population of people who had but no choice. Managing their mind and body to preserve their souls. Thankyou Spider from one to another!!!! Who ever posted this, I am humbled. If I could listen to one clip of audio forever, it would be this, because I see all moves. PS. To the man who likes to steal spiders time, Spiders say sure.. I will light that cancer stick. Why not.. lol. I can break every moment of his behaviour down to his thoughts. I am very interested in this video. And fellows should be too.

[@TheCon08]

damn he moves so fast for an old man I wish I had the talent to do that but i guess if you love what you do and you know where everything is located and you make the same things over and over you move like fire is on your ass lol

[@benzflynn]

A lefty . . . Tend to be more intuitive - and faster.

[@larrythefitz.9605]

spider .

[@skullsnbones5285]

I wish he was my father!👽

[@esperdaninja]

he's good nice form

[@RealHexJoker]

how the fawk are ya spidah!

[@danbull]

"if this was work I wouldn't do it" I love this guy. Part of the decline in western civilization is due to the decline in this kind of work ethic.

[@Drolnevar]

Nothing to do with "work ethic", this guy obviously enjoys what he does. If he hated his job he wouldn't do it like that either.

[@ben__6180]

Yeah! The white man is fucked! Please, tell me more- nothing tickles me more than hearing about "the decline of western civilization" from a gaming channel on youtube. You pretentious dick

[@billyedwards2078]

Ben - The pretentious dick is not who you think it is.

[@ben__6180]

@@billyedwards2078 You spelled my name wrong friendo

[@linnuxn00b]

That's the coolest cat I never met! A simpler, happier, more genuine time in food. Now, sea salt and 'evoo' have made everything just...sad! There's a 'culinary' school on every block and 'Flo' has been replaced by 'Heather (or Tiffany or Amber or...)' Sigh.

[@clintgirard677]

Love this

[@daniellack3559]

Approximately what year was this filmed?....and when did Spider pass on?

[@newhampshiremovies]

Filmed in 1972 and I think he died in 2012, but not sure. If you know anything about him, I'd like to put together a bio paragraph in the future.

[@thofabyq]

Any news about that bio?

[@daniellack3559]

I have always enjoyed sitting at the counter of a diner or coffee shop and just watching a great short order guy in action, especially at a busy time...with the really good ones, its like poetry in motion...I would crack under the pressure ..lol....

[@randyduncan4004]

I’d hate to have to clean up behind him … yikes !!

[@socallawrence]

He cleans as he goes just like any good short order cook

[@chelseadavis1986]

He wasnt even old then he was my second cousin

[@dankierson]

Funny these coincidences. Spider's name was Osgood - the only American I heard of with that surname. Most famous Osgood was Peter, a soccer player in the 60s and early 70s for ... Chelsea ! Good luck, honey.

[@ottooldenhardt]

If he'd removed the theatrics, he would have been even faster. It's pure showmanship when he turns his head while chopping fast. The technique is safe and doesn't depend on seeing the knife

[@mikes.7654]

Gordon Ramsay would give his left leg for a tenth of this guy's talent, class, or personality.

[@jama211]

Honestly his speed is not relaxing to watch hahaha