The Slap

-

I don’t watch the Oscar’s.

I think that awards shows are pretentious and self-serving.

The only thing I enjoy about the show is the comedian ripping on everyone sitting there.

Ricky Gervais was particularly brutal in his assessment of Hollywood elites…

…so he wasn’t asked back.

Chris Rock got the job, and he’s one of my favorites. Rock is always great in interviews and his stand-up is edgy and great.

We all know what sort of a comedian he has been for about 30 years.

He told a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Evidently he hit a nerve because she has a medical condition. She got upset evidently and then, so did her husband.

I watched the uncut version from a Japanese feed and it’s pretty disturbing in real time.

Will Smith got up, walked onto the stage and slapped Rock. He returned to his seat and screamed “Keep my wife’s name outta your f****ng mouth” twice.

Disturbing.

Now, believe it or not, I’ve been in Rock’s spot on stage. I’ve done a number of speeches where I was hired to be funny.

The people who hired me (and who still hire me) know exactly what I bring to the job.

“Make it interesting for my employees and make them laugh.”

I’ve had a couple of instances where a joke I told fell flat and instantly angered someone in the audience. I spun out of it, and usually headed right back at them in an attempt to win them over.

In recent years I’ve found myself censoring some of the jokes and much of the language.

I also love the art form.

Being funny isn’t easy.

Chris Rock can teach a master class on it, and sometimes he drifts close to a line that can be considered insensitive.

The hell with that!

Don Rickles, Redd Foxx, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, Dave Chapelle, Norm McDonald, Gilbert!

Are you kidding me?

They’ve all told way ‘worse’ jokes.

They never had to worry about being assaulted on-stage.

And what will happen now?

People charging the comedy stage when a comedian claps back at a drunk who is heckling him from the bar?

There’s also been a whole bunch of “they were both wrong”.

I couldn’t disagree more.

Chris Rock was hired to bring it. 

He did. 

If Will Smith or his wife had a problem with the joke than, for sure, call Rock out for it, but walk up on the stage and assault him?

No freaking way.

Here’s the thing about being on the stage and going for the joke…

…none of it is malicious! 

I’ll often target someone and then immediately go and shake his hand as the joke lands.

I have one where I call on someone to explain a rule (which they can never do) and then later say, “that’s what OSHA does. They look for the dumbest-looking guy in the room and ask him to explain.”

The joke hasn’t failed in about 25 years.

I lead with the handshake and the guy who just took it laughs too.

Can he come up and slap me?

No. 

And I’m not being malicious. I’m making them laugh.

And men and women have been doing it for years.

We all know the rules of engagement.

Will Smith owes the apology.

Chris Rock shouldn’t apologize to anyone.

No way!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more