Martha in Portland, Oregon, has long joked about having an imaginary boyfriend named Raoul. Then she discovered that two friends of hers also joke about their own imaginary boyfriend named Raoul. Then a third friend told her about yet another woman whose imaginary boyfriend named Raoul. What’s going on? Was there some pop-culture ur-imaginary boyfriend named Raul or Raoul? It might be inspired by the short-lived 2005 TV sitcom Committed, in which Jennifer Finnegan has an imaginary boyfriend she calls Raoul. Do you know of any other imaginary boyfriends named Raoul? This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Why Do So Many People Have an Imaginary Boyfriend Named “Raoul”?”
Hello, you have A Way with Words.
Hi, Grant. Hi, Martha. This is Martha.
And I’m calling from Portland, Oregon.
Hey, Martha.
Can’t have too many Marthas.
No, you can’t.
So I was recently hanging out with some friends,
And one of them made a crack about her imaginary boyfriend named Raul.
And I thought that was pretty funny because I have an imaginary boyfriend named Raul.
And then a third friend who was there was also like,
Wait what I have an imaginary boyfriend named Raul and so we’re all kind of like how do we all have
An imaginary boyfriend named Raul and we figured that oh we’re friends maybe one of us mentioned it
A while ago or something and got it in our minds but then the next day I was talking to another
Friend totally outside that social circle told her about this and she said no way I know somebody
With an imaginary boyfriend named Raul so this is four people with a Raul yes and we’re all pretty
Much the same age and and I’m thinking well this is more than just a coincidence there has got to
Have been a Raoul in popular culture that, I don’t know, that we knew about but forgot about.
And I’m just wondering what the explanation could be.
Well, first of all, let me just tell you right away, this will maybe add to the fire of your amazement, is that there was a short-lived TV show called Committed on the air in 2005. Just it lasted one season. It starred Jennifer Finnegan, and her character has an imaginary boyfriend named Raul.
What? No.
Yes.
Okay, I’ve never heard of that show though. Yeah, it would have lasted one season.
I mean, she’s a great actor, but it just didn’t catch, you know.
So it didn’t get renewed.
So that’s five Rauls out there in the world.
Anybody in that bunch a fan of Phantom of the Opera?
I’m thinking about the lead guy in that.
No.
He’s sort of dashing.
Oh, yeah. So Martha, important. Let me ask you, is there something about Raul that suggests, say, you know, your summer abroad or your gap year or someone that you might meet on on your travels?
You know, is there something about Raul that suggests not the guy next door?
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I think that’s probably where I thought I came up with a name was just, you know, somebody who is completely outside of my sphere and seems like he must be suave and exciting.
Yeah.
Well, Martha, this is a real mystery.
We might have to put this out to our listeners.
We are going to put this out.
We are.
We’re going to crowdsource this thing.
What is your imaginary lover’s name?
Are there more Rauls out there?
Yeah, if you’re out there, Raul, give us a call.
Show yourself.
When you joke about having an imaginary boyfriend or girlfriend, what name do you give them?
Let us know.
And Martha, we’re going to find out exactly who this Raul is.
I was hoping you guys had an answer.
We’re working on it, Martha.
You can hear us vamping.
We’ll find out.
Martha, important.
Thank you so much for your call.
Take care now, all right?
Thank you very much.
Bye-bye.
We appreciate it.
Bye-bye.
All right.
Who is your imaginary boyfriend or girlfriend, and what name do they have?
Are there more Rauls out there?
Let us know.
Email words@waywordradio.org or talk about it on Twitter @wayword.
