TV Chimp Peddles His Own Painting
By WILLIAM E. WALD
United Press Staff Writer
NEW YORK, May 11. -- Kokomo, Jr. is a TV performer who writes poetry, paints, has a tuxedo and will travel -- preferably up trees.
Kokomo, a 20-month-old chimpanzee, currently graces the cast of NBC-TV's Today show, having replaced J. Fred Muggs, another simian entertainer, on March 4. Born abroad, Kokomo has taken up residence in Manhattan where he shares bachelor diggins with Nick Carrado, a human being.
What I'm trying to do is raise Kokomo just as I would a child," said Nick as he introduced his room mate. Kokomo shook hands gravely and sucked on a lollipop.
"He has a room of his own in my apartment, his own furniture and he owns 50 suits -- that's 48 more than I have," continued Nick. He has a tux, sport outfits, a sailor suit, a baseball suit, five pairs of shoes, three pairs of sneakers and all kinds of hats.
"He has his own bet, radio TV set..."
Barks at Horses
His own TV set?
"Sure," said Carrado. "He's crazy about programs with horses and dogs in them . He likes to bark at horses."
Kokomo gazed curiously at Carrado and stood briefly on his head.
"I treat him as I would any child," said Nick. "We eat together and he uses a spoon and fork. I take him to restaurants, drive-in movies. He likes dog and horse movies. What I'm trying to do now is get him to obey basic commands -- open, close, pick up, and back, smile..."
Smile?
"Smile," repeated Carrado. He turned to the chimp and asked him to smile.
Kokomo stood on his head again.
"Smile," said Carrado, "Like this."
Kokomo smiled.
Ghastly.
Paints, Writes Poetry
"You know, there have been reports of chimps talking and eventually, I hope to teach him some simple words," continues Carrado.
"We've had him writing poetry on a typewriter on the Today show, and lately we've had him painting. He works with water colors. We sold one of his paintings to a fellow from Texas for $60 and we've also received an offer for Kokomo to paint a book cover. It's something called "Guerrilla Warfare," I think.
Kokomo smiled and stood on his head again.
Kokomo is a little too young for girls yet, but Nick, 26, isn't. Because of Kokomo, Nick has his problems.
"I'd like to get married," said Nick. "But when I find a girl who likes me, she looks at Kokomo and says -- you mean I got to take that, too? And when they like Kokomo, they just look at me and say "Ugh."
Kokomo smiled.