AUTHOR: Dave Sypniewski DATE: Friday, August 26, 2005 ----- BODY: When I heard that the Empire Carpet Man passed away recently, at least I knew why I haven't seen him on those commercials anymore. He vanished quicker than a grape juice stain on a rug being cleaned with OxyClean. I had originally heard that he collapsed while on the job at someone's home. I had also heard that he sold the business and died not too long thereafter. Some of the stories of his demise have taken on a life of their own like Mikey from the Life cereal ads dying from eating "Pop Rocks" and drinking 7up at the same time. They call these stories Urban Folklore. Do a little research and you can find the truth somewhere. In this case, Lynn Hauldren (AKA: the Empire Carpet Guy) is not dead, he just got booted out because the times have changed and so has Empire Carpet's name which is now known as Empire Today. Since 1973, Mr. Hauldren and the accompanying jingle have spoofed every major (and minor) holiday from Flag Day to Halloween and everything in-between. When Mr. Hauldren first buttoned up the famous blue shirt he was merely a writer for the very commercial he starred in. The REAL actor never showed up, so Lynn jumped in and from then on, the job was his. Contrary to what people think, Lynn has no financial interest in Empire and doesn't go out to the job sites to lend a hand with carpeting, flooring, windows, or installing vertical blinds. What Mr. Hauldren does do however, is sing. He's been in a barbershop quartet for years and has even recorded some of the songs. For now anyway, Lynn is satisfied with singing but we may not have seen the last of him on TV either. According to Empire Today's website, this is sort of a transition for the company. Empire wants to make sure that people realize they're more than carpets. Before the sometimes cheezy commercials were pulled, the website boasted of it's 600 employees across the country. It wasn't just a Chicago thing. Lynn still is recognized wherever he travels. There's no doubt about it that Lynn is a good guy that doesn't have a bad word to say about Empire...that indeed makes it very clear that he has never spent the day on the job with the buffoons! THAT'S the way I see it today! Remember, you have to dial (800) first. -------- Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE!: Getting called on the carpet...where did the Empire Guy go?

Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE!

Friday, August 26, 2005

Getting called on the carpet...where did the Empire Guy go?

When I heard that the Empire Carpet Man passed away recently, at least I knew why I haven't seen him on those commercials anymore. He vanished quicker than a grape juice stain on a rug being cleaned with OxyClean. I had originally heard that he collapsed while on the job at someone's home. I had also heard that he sold the business and died not too long thereafter. Some of the stories of his demise have taken on a life of their own like Mikey from the Life cereal ads dying from eating "Pop Rocks" and drinking 7up at the same time. They call these stories Urban Folklore. Do a little research and you can find the truth somewhere. In this case, Lynn Hauldren (AKA: the Empire Carpet Guy) is not dead, he just got booted out because the times have changed and so has Empire Carpet's name which is now known as Empire Today. Since 1973, Mr. Hauldren and the accompanying jingle have spoofed every major (and minor) holiday from Flag Day to Halloween and everything in-between. When Mr. Hauldren first buttoned up the famous blue shirt he was merely a writer for the very commercial he starred in. The REAL actor never showed up, so Lynn jumped in and from then on, the job was his. Contrary to what people think, Lynn has no financial interest in Empire and doesn't go out to the job sites to lend a hand with carpeting, flooring, windows, or installing vertical blinds. What Mr. Hauldren does do however, is sing. He's been in a barbershop quartet for years and has even recorded some of the songs. For now anyway, Lynn is satisfied with singing but we may not have seen the last of him on TV either. According to Empire Today's website, this is sort of a transition for the company. Empire wants to make sure that people realize they're more than carpets. Before the sometimes cheezy commercials were pulled, the website boasted of it's 600 employees across the country. It wasn't just a Chicago thing. Lynn still is recognized wherever he travels. There's no doubt about it that Lynn is a good guy that doesn't have a bad word to say about Empire...that indeed makes it very clear that he has never spent the day on the job with the buffoons! THAT'S the way I see it today! Remember, you have to dial (800) first.

posted by Dave Sypniewski at Friday, August 26, 2005

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