In 1969, Mackey was at the Shrine Circus at Medinah Temple for a special performance for visually and hearing impaired children. Mackey, who has been blind since birth, called Mathie out of the blue.
Of course, Mathie remembered him- and had a blooper from the interview where Mathie asked him what sound he liked best at the circus.
"I like to hear the lions and tigers roar ... and I like to hear the elephants fart," said Mackey.
Mackey said he didn't realize he'd said a naughty word.
"The lights went off and that was the end of the interview. So either I had something right or wrong. I wasn't sure. But I knew I was going to be on TV," said Mackey.
Mackey was used on TV, but that word was bleeped out so viewers would not hear it.
"When I realized you and the cameraman were laughing I figured I hit a chord," said Mackey.
Now, in 2008, that word's not so bad. So, an un-bleeped version can run of the infamous interview. Is it still funny?
"I suppose, I suppose it's a proud moment, Frank," said Mackey.
