Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Alumni siblings create sensation with Billiam the Snowman

By David Gonnerman '90
August 15, 2007

July's CNN/YouTube Democratic presidential debate featured a new format for American political debate: questions posed by users of the popular video site. The questions, broadcast on a large screen during the debate, were pretty standard fare that ranged from healthcare to energy to taxes.

HamelsBilliamSnowman
"St. Olaf made me a lot more funny," says Nathan Hamel '03 (at right), pictured with his brother, Greg '06. The statement probably applies to both siblings.
But one individual stood apart from the others. His name was Billiam, and he was a snowman. He asked the candidates about global warming and what they would do to ensure that his son (who also is made of snow) has a "full and happy life."

"It's a funny video, it's a serious question," said moderator Anderson Cooper as the candidates and studio audience sniggered.

Billiam first appeared this spring in a stand-alone short by Greg Hamel '06 and his brother, Nathan '03. Then the duo got the idea of submitting a video to the debate. They suspected that the irony of a snowman posing a question about global warming might create just the type of video that CNN was looking for. They were right.

Since the debate the Chicago Sun Times has declared "Snowman wins," and the Wall Street Journal ran a story under the headline, "Snowman ... chills some politicos." Billiam's video has been viewed at YouTube nearly 107,000 times and generated more than 200 comments.

Future plans
CNN and YouTube hope to sponsor a similar event for Republican contenders that will take place in Florida, but not all candidates are on board with the idea. "I think the presidency ought to be held to a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman," Mitt Romney declared after the first debate.

Billiam has plans to respond to Romney. He'll also come up with a new question that he hopes will be aired during the Republican debate. Then he'll work to increase public awareness of global warming and climate change (he has the Hamels working on t-shirts to promote his cause).

The brothers give credit to St. Olaf for helping foster their creative juices. "St. Olaf encouraged us to think about issues from all the angles," explains Greg.

"St. Olaf made me a lot more funny," adds Nate, who fondly recalls two-hour lunches in the college cafeteria. "And as all Oles know, the 'cafe' is the place where good jokes are forged."

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.