You might have seen these two clips in the past week. If not, they’re worth taking 15 minutes out of your day. Craig Ferguson, a very funny guy, has a gut check, and takes it live on camera. I loved it.
This is him, a few days later, reflecting on it with a reporter from CBS (she’s annoying, he’s fantastic).
5:25 - “One thing led to another, and I forgot to kill myself that day.”
I love the second one where he’s amazed that NOT poking fun at someone has become a news story. And I loved his point about how screwed up it is that CNN sent an on-the-scene reporter to the autopsy room where Anna Nicole was gonna get looked at.
I can’t freakin’ watch the news anymore because it just seems like the commercialization of man’s capablity to inflict damage. …ESPECIALLY when it comes to news about the USA or local news.
Good for him that he didn’t do it. It takes a lot in that industry not to follow the crowd and poke fun at someone just because everyone else is.
I’m impressed. I had just about given up on people like Craig Ferguson and Jay Leno (and I don’t think he would ever do what Craig Ferguson did by the way) who are still making jokes about OJ Simpson…did they forget that two people were brutally murdered? How is it possible that anything like that becomes late-night comic material? I am now a fan of Craig Ferguson. You’re right Karen, it takes a lot of guts to take a stand that could basically cost you your livelyhood. My mother was an alcoholic who recovered when I was a Junior in high school and remained sober for the next 32 years until she died in my arms Sept. 8th, 2001. I feel sorry for the pople who have alcohol or drug problems and all of the people that are affected by it. I don’t find it funny at all. Craig Ferguson’s “rant” isn’t really about Britney Spears, he’s right, its just about being able to look at yourself in the mirror. Yes, he’s a comedian, but there’s plenty of material out there…he doesn’t need to pick on a sad case like Britney. When I find myself being critical of someone’s lifestyle or life choices these days, I try to remind myself that before I found Christ, I, too, had a totally different perspective and lived my life differently. Making fun of someone who is clearly having significant life issues may be a quick laugh, but it really says a lot more about the person making the joke.
[quote comment="53898"]Making fun of someone who is clearly having significant life issues may be a quick laugh, but it really says a lot more about the person making the joke.[/quote]
I feel the same way about some of the people who audition for American Idol.
What - that the people making fun of them are dicks or the fact that many of them are so laughable?
Cerise
P.S. My vote’s for the former.
I just get this sick feeling, like some of the people who come to audition have real, significant mental problems, and we parade them in front of the camera like dancing monkeys.
The one’s who are raging ego-maniacs with no real talent, I have no problem with. They deserve to get some nationally-televised smackdown. But this guy? That’s just cruel.
One of the Idol contestants actually participated in the Special Olympics. I saw in an entertainment blurb somewhere that when the show was confronted on this, the quote was something like, “We can’t do background checks on every participant.” This is true… but I can stop watching until I’m comfortable in my own home (the final 12).
To sound like a completely old lady, it is hard to teach compassion to elementary school kids, and then hear them the next day say, “Did you see that loser on American Idol?” (The one that was in the Special Olympics?) They are acting out meanness, and yet they are only repeating the behavior they’ve seen modeled by adults.
So I agree. Good for Craig Ferguson.
The late show comedians *think* they’re being sensitive by joking about O.J. and not Nicole or Ron. During one season of life I was watching Letterman, and he made Gary Condit jokes every night, of course never saying the name Chandra Levy. That’s as sensitive as it’s going to get (save Craig Ferguson).
I agree with you both. I don’t get the Fox channel (gee, what a pity), but caught a lot of preliminary try-outs on YouTube and got stomachaches from some of it. God. Poor loves. If I’d gotten my musical comeuppance that way I’m not sure I’d have survived. Though I think Simon et al are extremely good at speaking the truth to the, as you said, raving egomaniacs that show up.
I had some time to really closely watch Craig Ferguson’s talks. He is a prince. Not only is he taking responsibility for his OWN actions, he is NOT taking any for the actions of Britney or his peers. I’ve been a fan of his since “Saving Grace” (if you haven’t seen that movie put it in your queue, by the way), and as a Scot I have to give him two pints up.
On another note, regarding Britney, I follow celebrity news as a guilty pleasure (or pain, in this case) and am appalled by the vitriol spewing from the blogs of some liberals (who are supposed to be my people) who speak of her with contempt and even anger - no compassion evident. No horror at the pain that she and her sons must be experiencing. I felt the same way watching Michael Jackson implode, knowing that they have almost no one who can speak the truth to them, no one who isn’t paid to show concern. The same angry bloggers then indict Americans (or society) in general for caring more about Britney sneezing than the fact that Iran is defiant in the face of almost world-wide concern for their nuke program. Well, as someone who follows nukes as closely as Brit’s sneezes, I say to you contemptuous liberal bloggers: Stuff it. Maybe I’ll be some sort of moderate…
Cerise
Cerise, I believe in my heart that you are actually a libertarian, you just don’t know it yet.
Come join us. It’s the party of compassion.
I’ll look it up - thank you, my dear. Maybe I’ll learn compassion from the libertarians. The libs are killing me. At least the Seattle ones…
Cerise
I am an aggressive moderate.
I’m like an angry Switzerland.
[quote comment="53748"]5:25 - “One thing led to another, and I forgot to kill myself that day.”[/quote]
Whether he knew it or not, when he told his story in front of so many people, he humanized the struggle of addiction to the lay people who don’t get it.
Good on him for his bravery, good on him for taking a stand, and good on him for telling the story of so many people.
Quite right, Cass.
Just out of curiosity, why do you find the interviewer annoying? She asked a few legitimate questions and Craig is the one of them spending most of the time talking.
I applaud Craig Ferguson for taking such a personal stand with this issue and being completely open and honest about it. I’ve only recently started watching his show and I love it. He’s witty, funny, but also remarkably compassionate (the other late night guys just don’t compare). His decision to not poke fun and mock a person who so desperately needs help should be followed by the others. His little stories about his bout as an alcoholic, while quite funny at times, really brings the issue home, especially to those of us who don’t have firsthand experience. I turn 21 next month and was looking forward to going out and getting totally wasted at a club or bar or whatever (you know, the usual 21st birthday thing) but I don’t know now. It just doesn’t seem fun?
As a legal drinker for ten years now, I opine that you should definitely not get wasted (esp. if it’s not your first time). Get happy.
Cerise
I remember seeing this show when it first aired, and I was amazed at Mr. Ferguson’s courage and compassion. I’ve never been a fan of Brittney’s, but I feel much the same way as he describes himself feeling “I don’t think this girl is well, and I don’t want to talk about sick people like that.”
I liked him before his stand on this and I not only like him even more but respect him now. If others would follow his example, the world would be a much better place.
Addition is the hardest thing to admit, especially to yourself. Even after losing a one and only brother to the demon of alcohol and drugs, I remain in denial; but your presentation of your personal battle has opened my eyes to the “slight possibility” that I too am helpless to the whims of alcohol. Continue your witnessing. My brother died of heart complications at the young age of 35 due to the damage done by drugs and alcohol. My only comfort is that he spent the last six months of his life telling others his story and had actually became a AA sponser. Thank you for being honest. It takes humility and guts, both of which I have yet to obtain.