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Inadvertent Internet Celebrity Unearthed

Veronica Belmont interviewing Ben Schulz AKA Leeroy Jenkins

‘Leeroy Jenkins’ speaks at BlizzCon 07′

Fame has many forms these days.

Appearing at the 2007 BlizzCon convention, internet gaming star Ben Schulz (”Leeroy Jenkins”) came out of the woodwork to give a brief interview. Blizzard Entertainment hosts the event to celebrate their gaming franchises that includes the game World of Warcraft, for which Leeroy Jenkins is notably the most infamous player character.

The character because popular after a humorous video of the game involving the character circulated online faster than an internet virus. Wikipedia describes the plot as follows:

The video takes place in the Upper Blackrock Spire dungeon in World of Warcraft, inside the Rookery room, one of the most notoriously difficult sections for newcomers to the game.

It opens with the guild members discussing an impending raid via audio teleconferencing, complete with regimented battle plan and statistical breakdown of their survival.

The fastidiousness of their preparations is ruined by the sudden and unexpected actions of Leeroy Jenkins who (had been preparing chicken to snack on), being Away From Keyboard (AFK) and missing the entire conversation, runs into the area without pause, yelling “Alright, time’s up, let’s do this! LEEEEEEROOOYYY JENKINS!”

There is about a second of stunned silence from his companions, followed by carnage when they mount a rescue attempt.

The attempted raid (and video) is filled with desperate calls from the team to mount their original plan, and with insults at Leeroy, even with Leeroy calling “It’s not my fault”. It ends disastrously, with all the guild members lying dead on the floor, screaming at Leeroy for his brash decision.

Leeroy responds to the abuse - and explains that he was AFK during the raid preparations - with the retort “Least I have chicken.”

Watch the video (includes strong curse word) :

World of Warcraft video that started it all

The Leeroy Jenkins phenomenon has spread beyond the Upper Blackrock Spire dungeon and online gaming into mainstream media, with the character’s name even appearing in answer form on Jeopardy.

Get more Leeroy here, here, here, and here.

Online gaming not your thing? Don’t worry, WOW can be used for musical theatre as well:

World of Warcraft version of an ‘Avenue Q’ gem

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