tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post4296866825783676622..comments2024-02-17T04:06:00.805-05:00Comments on Just Not Said: Robin WilliamsJohn Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-44171743122657196862014-09-14T05:07:04.551-04:002014-09-14T05:07:04.551-04:00Anon --
The fact that he entertained the troops wa...Anon --<br />The fact that he entertained the troops was certainly ago his credit, but it doesn't negate anything I said about him. John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-65169908885323496112014-09-13T06:59:52.531-04:002014-09-13T06:59:52.531-04:00Anon --
Agreed on all counts.
I like your descri...Anon --<br />Agreed on all counts. <br /><br />I like your description of "the lowest common denominator -- people who would laugh at almost anything." That was his fan base alright. John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-44856882765716589172014-09-13T02:36:29.923-04:002014-09-13T02:36:29.923-04:00I so agree with everything that you said. You saw...I so agree with everything that you said. You saw what I saw. Sorry that he took his own life, but I always saw a man in constant need of attention. I remember an Oprah episode , that poor ignorant attention grabbing thing, Oprah that is, that featured him and 3 other rising comedians. He never let one of them answer her questions because he had to steal the spotlight every time. The curious thing was that the audience laughed along nervously even though he wasn't funny. So did Oprhrass. Most people are like he was, I'm guessing. He was not a comic genius... he pandered to the lowest common denominator, ie people who would laugh at almost anything. He made me nervous with his constant, almost hysterical attempts to make people laugh. They laughed even though most of it was not funny. They laughed anyway. I thought he had a lot of serious problems and am not surprised that he ended his life. No, I am not a horrible person, this is my own observation. Very telling that his new wife slept in a separate bedroom and never checked on him before she left in the morning. So horrible that I should mention this! I am a despicable person!!!<br />Interesting that she said he had recently been diagnosed with a disease. The message sent is that when you reach 65 and find out you are a little sick... take your own life. What kind of message is that for the little cancer inflicted girl he had recently championed for St. Judes? Kudos for his humanitarian efforts, but not a great example to set for people who have health issues. I am not saying that he did not have talent. He was not my cup of tea, but he made many people laugh. L thought his talent lied in his more serious roles. Strange that he starred in 2 movies that dealt with loved ones who commit suicide yet still chose to take his own life. I have read about what a dark place place he must have been in to take his own life. Let's see, fame, fortune, beautiful healthy kids, and a new young wife. Life is sooo horrible!!!<br />No sympathy here! Yes, am a horrible person. NOT!!!<br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-28915115224880135432014-08-27T03:36:55.686-04:002014-08-27T03:36:55.686-04:00Hooter --
I think that was just a typo, on the key...Hooter --<br />I think that was just a typo, on the keyboard the "c" isn't far from the "g" and the "s" is net to the "d," and if you move your hand a bit to the left the fingers could land there. <br /><br />Agreed. The Left always accuses the Right of whatever it is guilty of. (Hate, racism, dishonesty, etc.)John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-37542816761055332762014-08-26T23:38:23.909-04:002014-08-26T23:38:23.909-04:00What are 'coos' Christians? Did he mean go...What are 'coos' Christians? Did he mean good Christians, as you assumed?<br /><br />I run into folks assuming I'm a Christian as well, particularly when I make arguments against abortions on demand. It's always a bit odd, because my reasoning runs along, mainly, libertarian lines. It's always jarring coming across these supposedly scientific, open minded folks and seeing how provincial they really are.lowlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02503732259562252160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-2922534211841244972014-08-26T07:45:34.757-04:002014-08-26T07:45:34.757-04:00Loving anonymous person --
One person's hatemo...Loving anonymous person --<br />One person's hatemonger is another person's truth teller. <br /><br />And, after all, what are you doing here but being judgmental and condemnatory -- and hateful -- yourself?<br /><br />By the way, I don't call myself a good Christian. I'm somewhere between atheist and agnostic. But it sure sounds to me as if you're "hate mongering" against Christians.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-70454462149212749952014-08-26T02:37:11.060-04:002014-08-26T02:37:11.060-04:00wow most of these comments are so venomous and hat...wow most of these comments are so venomous and hatefilled it makes me cringe and I bet most of you claim to be coos christians. I'm so ashamed of all of you, try operating thru love and compassion. nobody knows what this person suffered thru and he was far more humanitarian than any of you hatemongers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-88275002301109169912014-08-16T18:16:42.009-04:002014-08-16T18:16:42.009-04:00Steven --
Yes, when he underplayed it Williams cou...Steven --<br />Yes, when he underplayed it Williams could be a god actor, as he was in Good Will Hunting (which I saw, and thought was okay, not great) and I heard he was in Awakenings, which I never saw. But too often he chewed the scenery even when he wasn't supposed to. <br /><br />In Mrs. Doubtfire, the comedy was built around his female impersonation, but even given that, he hams it up way more than necessary. I realize I"m of the minority opinion on this, but I always found his overacting off-putting. <br /><br />When I heard he was a plagiarist, that made me feel justified in writing what I wrote. And when I heard his cast mates all disliked him, that confirmed what I had always felt. John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-84606337603388473812014-08-16T16:15:00.458-04:002014-08-16T16:15:00.458-04:00I understand what you are saying about Mrs Doubtfi...I understand what you are saying about Mrs Doubtfire but that's kind of what he was supposed to do in that film and it was entertaining. A lot of people enjoyed that film a lot. He played it well. I don't know if he hogged the scenes but he was good.<br /><br />What about awakenings with De Niro? Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15276736643046430370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-71258969795088595422014-08-16T16:11:52.183-04:002014-08-16T16:11:52.183-04:00I never said you said he was a sociopath. I just s...I never said you said he was a sociopath. I just said that he wasn't, that he was a flawed human who suffered a lot at the end and I felt sorry for him.<br /><br />I don't think you shouldn't speak ill of the dead and I can understand why you wanted to write your heterodox view of him. I just felt that at least the immediate aftermath of such a horrible death (I can only imagine killing yourself is one of the most horrible and psychologically negative circumstances in which to die) was more a time for humanity than criticism and I would only withhold that courtesy to a sociopath. <br /><br />Perhaps this is also influenced by the fact that I admittedly found him likeable. I'll also admit I thought he had some gift for comedy, certainly in terms of delivery. I also think he was a good actor who could play subdued characters as well as frenetic ones and was good at conveying wonder and sensitivity. <br /><br />This isn't bad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-gZintWDc<br /><br />I now think this film is cheesier than I realsied when I was younger but this monologue did bring tears to my eyes as a 16 or 17 year old. I still like it.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15276736643046430370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-26979589840365353712014-08-15T08:15:27.602-04:002014-08-15T08:15:27.602-04:00Gethin --
Honestly, I didn't think the film wa...Gethin --<br />Honestly, I didn't think the film was horrible, and as much as I despised Robin Williams, I thought it was one of the few instances where he managed to restrain himself and didn't hog all the scenes he was in.<br /><br />You should check out "Patch Adams" or "Jack" or "Mrs. Doubtfire" if you want to see him at his most Robin Williams-ish.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-75143520596859383762014-08-15T05:48:05.343-04:002014-08-15T05:48:05.343-04:00I don't really know much about Robin Williams,...I don't really know much about Robin Williams, but I watched 'Good Will Hunting' last night because it happened to be on TV. It was quite possibly the most tedious film I've ever watched because hardly anything happens in it. I could have saved two hours by just reading the "plot" on Wikipedia. Williams didn't even play the protagonist. If they thought of showing a film as a tribute to him, surely they could have done better than that.<br /><br />- GethinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-71940781236814039812014-08-14T07:51:17.197-04:002014-08-14T07:51:17.197-04:00Andrew --
Thank YOU. You described my initial reac...Andrew --<br />Thank YOU. You described my initial reaction to him perfectly: am I missing something? But, soon enough I realized I wasn't, he was just this manic man onstage pretending to be funny when he really wasn't.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-46518109663532534662014-08-14T03:03:33.714-04:002014-08-14T03:03:33.714-04:00I felt a bit guilty a few days ago because I just ...I felt a bit guilty a few days ago because I just don't find him funny. <br /><br />Confused because thinking back everyone was laughing at something I couldn't see. <br /><br />I felt a bit disgusted too as he knew he had an incurable STD and passed the STD onto his girlfriend(very selfish as she wasn't told, but she sued him).<br /><br />His movies were good though.<br /><br />Hey John thanks for this blog it's a bit like a gasp of oxygen!?<br /><br />AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-8900853489187262952014-08-13T22:35:02.374-04:002014-08-13T22:35:02.374-04:00My parents attended a fund raising dinner for the ...My parents attended a fund raising dinner for the Michael J Fox foundation, and Robin Williams was the entertainer. Williams included a vicious assault on Republicans, making my parents quite uncomfortable. Does he really think every person in attendance is a Democrat? <br />EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-1080144464588344542014-08-13T21:31:04.272-04:002014-08-13T21:31:04.272-04:00Anon --
ECT used to be a big thing before 1950, th...Anon --<br />ECT used to be a big thing before 1950, then it was considered too barbaric and they discontinued it, but I know recently it's come back into fashion. <br /><br />Somehow, intuitively, it does seem as if it would work, disrupting all your brain waves and literally shocking you out of your current state of mind. <br /><br />My sister tried it, though it didn't do her much good. John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-78477190604885619922014-08-13T18:10:17.071-04:002014-08-13T18:10:17.071-04:00Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is underrated and ...Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is underrated and should be used more on those who are depressed.<br /><br />I had a neighbor growing up who was bi-polar. She was a very nice lady, but would get seriously depressed every few years and she swore by ECT, as did her husband. <br /><br />Her grandson also was bipolar , they put him on prozac when he was 20 and he hung himself soon after turning 21. <br />He was just 3 years older than me and was raised by his grandparents so I knew him quite well. His grandparents spoiled him, but he never knew his father and his Mother basically abandoned him with her mother and alcoholic father.<br /><br />I always wish they had given him shock treatment, as his grandmother raved about it. She was a very kind women and lived until the age of 90.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-49443789880874731602014-08-13T17:19:51.588-04:002014-08-13T17:19:51.588-04:00I have trouble believing he was facing bankruptcy ...I have trouble believing he was facing bankruptcy , unless his third wife was a spendthrift ....<br /><br />he was still earning several million per year, and had real estate holdings worth 35 million. He was trying to sell his ranch for 29.5 million, but only had a 5 million dollar mortgage on it. His current home was worth 4 million, and was bought in 2009 for $2.7 million at the bottom of the market.<br /><br />I assume the bi-polar disorder was the real reason for the suicide, but it must have been harder to deal with as his career was in decline and he no longer was living with his children.<br /><br />Could be that in the past he used drugs and booze to self medicate his depression, but his last stretch in rehab convinced him that the booze was his main problem. Instead of going back to rehab in July he should have been getting psychiatric treatment and electro-shock treatmentsjovahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17255734827055994617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-22559101116952654692014-08-13T16:32:35.168-04:002014-08-13T16:32:35.168-04:00I enjoyed watching many of Robin Williams' mov...I enjoyed watching many of Robin Williams' movies, thinking that he was a good actor. Personally, it bothers me that his parents (who shouldn't have had kids, in my opinion) ignored and neglected their son, causing him to grow up with a lot of insecurities (that he spent his life trying to cope with and/or overcome). He may have had some annoying qualities about him (who doesn't) but, I think that he was a walking wounded soul (in pain), probably doing the best that he could. I hope that he is at peace, in heaven, finally having what he lacked in life. God bless him.<br /><br />-birdie Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-80671588349513381792014-08-13T16:09:39.713-04:002014-08-13T16:09:39.713-04:00Allan --
Not OT at all. Yes, the hypocrisy of the ...Allan --<br />Not OT at all. Yes, the hypocrisy of the politically correct is nonstop. And good to see Bernard Manning vindicated, even if it's after his death. John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-82280851009163545422014-08-13T15:24:13.246-04:002014-08-13T15:24:13.246-04:00Julie --
My understanding was that Williams was of...Julie --<br />My understanding was that Williams was often manic even when he wasn't onstage, always trying to get people to appreciate him. (I've hear Jim Carrey is the same way.) They're always on, everything is always an act, they always have/had to be the center of attention. it's sort of pathetic, and sad. In that Wiki article on Williams it said that he made jokes to his mother from an early age as a way to get her attention. (And it sounded as if his father was distant.) <br /><br />I've known a few people like this personally, it's always painfully obvious that their parents didn't pay them enough attention when they were growing up, so they will do anything to get attention. Maybe I should be more understanding, but I don't have a lot of tolerance for that. <br /><br />At least with Williams he was honest about it, and characterized himself as having the "love me syndrome." The fact that he admitted that was to me the one thing that actually made him sort of lovable. (Too much on the other side of the ledger for me to be a fan though.)John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-50943830785494392232014-08-13T15:15:23.024-04:002014-08-13T15:15:23.024-04:00Allan --
Couldn't agree more, I've known a...Allan --<br />Couldn't agree more, I've known a lot of people who were funnier than your average professional comedian. And it was in large part because they didn't feel obliged to observe the usual liberal pieties, so their humor could be harder-hitting and more savage. (And savagery is, at heart, what much of the funniest humor is really about.) John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-62662360798057483042014-08-13T15:11:35.925-04:002014-08-13T15:11:35.925-04:00Steven --
You're right, I am being insensitive...Steven --<br />You're right, I am being insensitive by putting in this criticism of him right after he dies. (I almost put in a line at the end of the post saying, "Okay, go ahead and tell me what a horrible person I am for writing this.") But I was moved to write this post after reading all these fawning obituaries about him which basically described him as both a genius and a saint. I didn't see him as either. <br /><br />I agree, he wasn't a sociopath; but I didn't say that, and I don't even think I implied it (though, as a guy who had to be the center of attention and who didn't mind plagiarizing, he probably qualified as a narcissist).<br /><br />I did read in one of the NY Post articles that he was on the verge of declaring bankruptcy in 2013, and that he was still trying to unload his house, and that all he would talk about to people recently was his financial woes. Maybe his current projects would have reversed that; who knows. <br /><br />I know they say you're not supposed to speak ill of the dead, but why? Does someone deserve more respect because he died? Anyway, my opinion of him hasn't changed because he's dead, and I've been sort of disgusted by all the recent tributes, so I wanted to give a dissenting obituary.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-82792251206004224402014-08-13T14:58:59.759-04:002014-08-13T14:58:59.759-04:00John, Robin Williams never really made me laugh, ...John, Robin Williams never really made me laugh, either. (Nor Jim Carrey, for that matter.) You are so right that he embodied the neglected child syndrome. I read in one of the many articles about his death that he was overweight and largely friendless as a child, and spent a lot of time in his room playing with toy soldiers. His loud, hyper manner reflected the type of speech a child would use thinking he was alone in a room with his toys. Making jokes about "safe" types probably stems from his desire to make friends and not offend anyone. By entertaining us, he was trying to ingratiate himself to us. Sadly true of many comics. Surprising how many are described as quiet or withdrawn in their personal lives. JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-43321098959962376372014-08-13T14:10:26.012-04:002014-08-13T14:10:26.012-04:00I don't put much stock if any in professional ...I don't put much stock if any in professional comedians.<br /><br />I hear more authenic humor and insight at a blue collar break room or veteran's hospital waiting room.Quartermainnoreply@blogger.com