Cryptozoologist Bernard Heuvelmans once remarked, in essence, that cryptozoology was a field where a multiplicity of disciplines would be needed to bring to bear all the evidence to establish that new species exist.

The most recent episode of “MonsterQuest” (“Ape Island”) gave a sterling example of this principle.

Bigfoot’s Podiatrist.

Perhaps only the good doctor’s local newspaper would get the spelling of his name correctly and the title of his occupation precisely, but instant celebrity status is the outcome of Wednesday’s broadcast:

Podiatrist on History Channel show…
The History Channel TV show “MonsterQuest,” [which originally aired April 29, 2009],… feature[d] Crown Point podiatrist Michael Nirenberg and his examination of casts of footprints possibly made by the apelike creature known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot.

“MonsterQuest” producers flew Nirenberg, a forensic podiatrist, to a remote area of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to examine the footprint casts.

Dr. Michael Nirenberg’s credible appearance added greatly to the program.

Before viewing the footprints, Nirenberg said he was a bit cynical about the existence of Bigfoot, but kept an open mind.

“I met with (Sasquatch investigator John Bindernagel) and we looked at the prints, and they videotaped me talking to him about the footprints, and looking at them and studying them,” Nirenberg said. “After that, they gave me a few hours to study the footprints. They then asked me what I thought: Did I think they were a hoax? Did I think they were real?”

“At the end of all of this, there was nothing there I saw that screamed hoax. I think for someone to hoax these footprints would be very difficult.”

~Source: Elizabeth Lisican, Post-Tribune [3/16/09]

It is rather apparent that Michael Nirenberg, who understands celebrity, is rapidly becoming “Bigfoot’s podiatrist.” See also here and listen here.

Meanwhile, as the week comes to a quick close, take a moment to…

Thank You.