Serving the Loop and Near North neighborhoods of downtown Chicago
State Street Bridge stars in Conan flying bratwurst stunt

Turner Broadcasting System

June 12, 2012 – (Above) A ten-foot bratwurst makes the jump from one raised end of the State Street Bridge to the other in a video that was shown to an audience Monday at the Chicago Theater. Conan O’Brien is taping his nightly show there through Thursday.

“Gorgeous,” O’Brien called the State Street Bridge. “There’s one thing I notice is that when they raise the drawbridge up, it almost looks like a ramp. A ramp that when you think about it just a little bit, is perfect for jumping insane Chicago-related things off of.”

Six objects were launched on Sunday morning – the bratwurst, a fake cow, tiny car, and replicas of “The Bean” and the Picasso sculpture at Daley Plaza, and a dummy on a scooter. Each object was on wheels that appeared to be connected to a long rope that pulled the object up the ramp and then released it as it reached the gap.

Clearly, the bratwurst had the best landing – crashing onto the other side but coming to rest upright.

O’Brien told the audience, “Why are we doing this? To prove that America is still the greatest nation on earth.” After the video was shown, the audience briefly chanted, “USA! USA!”

(Click on image to view larger version.)

Mortgage rates hit 7.28%, tightening squeeze on North Side buyers
Mortgage rates hit 7.28%, tightening squeeze on North Side buyers
Former Royal Sonesta quietly rebrands as Hotel 505 following sale to Canadian developer
Former Royal Sonesta quietly rebrands as Hotel 505 following sale to Canadian developer
Goodbye, 5% mortgages: Rate creep and inventory slump pinch Chicago buyers
Goodbye, 5% mortgages: Rate creep and inventory slump pinch Chicago buyers
Crossing the river: A Chicago fan’s game-day guide to the Chiefs’ new home in KCK
Crossing the river: A Chicago fan’s game-day guide to the Chiefs’ new home in KCK
Cook County homeowners bear brunt of $744M tax hike as commercial values lag
Cook County homeowners bear brunt of $744M tax hike as commercial values lag
Why Cook County’s senior property tax freeze should be automatic—and permanent
Why Cook County’s senior property tax freeze should be automatic—and permanent
Mayor’s ‘PRO’ renter ordinance could backfire with higher rents, landlords warn
Mayor’s ‘PRO’ renter ordinance could backfire with higher rents, landlords warn
Data center redevelopment at 300 West Adams approved
Data center redevelopment at 300 West Adams approved
At CTA stop, Bailey pledges SAFE-T Act repeal and property tax cap
At CTA stop, Bailey pledges SAFE-T Act repeal and property tax cap
Court backs City Hall in Streeterville pot shop ruling
Court backs City Hall in Streeterville pot shop ruling
ChicagoFilming.com Chicago MLS Pro Aqua Condo Homes Marina City Condo Homes West Town Condos Chicago MLS Pro