Seriously.
Don't believe me?
Click here.
Ok... slow down, Michael. Just because America is almost, maybe, possibly, hopefully, about to elect its first black president, doesn't mean that we're ready to open up the floodgates. It is no indication that we're ready for THIS!
Look, Michael... If we look at this over an infinite time line... when the day comes that America elects its first (alleged?) child molester president THEN you can MAYBE think about making a comeback. But until then, enjoy living a in country where apparently a man of your proclivities is welcomed.
P.S. Michael, don't think you can hide by coming back with the Jackson 5. You are certainly someone who sticks out in a crowd.
P.P.S. Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of Thriller. It is still on eof the best and most influential albums of all-time. And I believe the impact of that album will never be duplicated. For that you should be celebrated... FOR THAT!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Racists for Obama.
Article on Politico
My "favorite quote" from the article is...
“If you go to a white neighborhood in the suburbs and ask them, ‘How would you feel about a large black man kicking your door in,’ they would say, ‘That doesn’t sound good to me,’” said Democratic political consultant Paul Begala. “But if you say, 'Your house is on fire, and the firefighter happens to be black,' it’s a different situation.”
In summary... we're doomed.
My "favorite quote" from the article is...
“If you go to a white neighborhood in the suburbs and ask them, ‘How would you feel about a large black man kicking your door in,’ they would say, ‘That doesn’t sound good to me,’” said Democratic political consultant Paul Begala. “But if you say, 'Your house is on fire, and the firefighter happens to be black,' it’s a different situation.”
In summary... we're doomed.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What happened to Chris Cornell?
Oh Chris Cornell!
How did you go from this guy...
--- God of Seattle (grunge-- Whatever THAT meant) RAWK! The lead singer and songwriter of SOundgarden, who in my opinion were the best Seattle band of the Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden Trio ---
to THIS guy...
The leader of a new movement: ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROCK AND ROLL... (And yes, I know Audioslave was half the fault of the musicians from Rage Against the Machine.)
and then to what I think is a commercial for long distance phone service or lady products...
to the theme from a JAMES BOND MOVIE?!!! Which puts him in the distinguished company of Sheena Easton AND Sir Paul MacCartney's LIve and Let Die. (Yucky!)
See if you can guess what THIS IS a cover of...
And finally he lands on this. The theme song of a TV show...
The sad thing is I don't actually hate this last one (aside from the clips from the show being dropped in). Chris's new album is produced by Timbaland --- who could make a Mormon funky --- but I do miss my old "friend" the screamer, the shouter, the angrier, Chris Cornell.
He was cool. Remember THIS guy...
Well now, he's THIS guy...
I blame the mustache.
How did you go from this guy...
--- God of Seattle (grunge-- Whatever THAT meant) RAWK! The lead singer and songwriter of SOundgarden, who in my opinion were the best Seattle band of the Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden Trio ---
to THIS guy...
The leader of a new movement: ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROCK AND ROLL... (And yes, I know Audioslave was half the fault of the musicians from Rage Against the Machine.)
and then to what I think is a commercial for long distance phone service or lady products...
to the theme from a JAMES BOND MOVIE?!!! Which puts him in the distinguished company of Sheena Easton AND Sir Paul MacCartney's LIve and Let Die. (Yucky!)
See if you can guess what THIS IS a cover of...
And finally he lands on this. The theme song of a TV show...
The sad thing is I don't actually hate this last one (aside from the clips from the show being dropped in). Chris's new album is produced by Timbaland --- who could make a Mormon funky --- but I do miss my old "friend" the screamer, the shouter, the angrier, Chris Cornell.
He was cool. Remember THIS guy...
Well now, he's THIS guy...
I blame the mustache.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The real problem is WHITE PRIVILEGE
I've come to believe that the real problem isn't racism... it's white privilege.
To get an idea of what I am talking about, check out this vlog (what a dumb word) from Penn "Apparently I'm not as cool as you thought" Gillette.
OK... It must be easy to explain that things aren't as bad a we "the dummies" think they are as you sit in your rich man's compound in the middle of the desert. Don't believe me? Check this out. You don't have to read the whole thing. You'll get the gist...
USA Today Article on Penn's House
When you sit in your rich man's palace, railing against the confused proletariat who believe that the powers that be do not have their best interests at heart, while you stroke your stringy hair like a mid-eighties-Timothy Dalton's James Bond villain, you are study in how white privilege crosses all lines, except for color.
Penn's greatest trick was making us all believe that he was cool. I never thought I would see a magician fall off more than David Blaine. Penn has somehow made this guy look better...
To get an idea of what I am talking about, check out this vlog (what a dumb word) from Penn "Apparently I'm not as cool as you thought" Gillette.
OK... It must be easy to explain that things aren't as bad a we "the dummies" think they are as you sit in your rich man's compound in the middle of the desert. Don't believe me? Check this out. You don't have to read the whole thing. You'll get the gist...
USA Today Article on Penn's House
When you sit in your rich man's palace, railing against the confused proletariat who believe that the powers that be do not have their best interests at heart, while you stroke your stringy hair like a mid-eighties-Timothy Dalton's James Bond villain, you are study in how white privilege crosses all lines, except for color.
Penn's greatest trick was making us all believe that he was cool. I never thought I would see a magician fall off more than David Blaine. Penn has somehow made this guy look better...
Friday, October 24, 2008
An Awesome write-up on Flavorpill
Flavorpill
Last year, W. Kamau Bell's critically acclaimed one-man show turned heads with its candid approach to celebrity racism, social norms, the nature of language, and everything in between. Now, with current political events underscoring the importance of race issues, Bell Curve returns with a newfound ferociousness. A self-proclaimed "professional talker," Bell has a merciless wit and a genuine sincerity towards his topic, which results in a hybrid of comedy and poignant realism. By making no subject off limits, keeping no discrimination too taboo, and leaving no room for self-denial, Kamau's Bell Curve is not only a powerful comedic performance but an outlet for a necessary dialogue.
– Laureen Mahler
Note:
Bring a friend of a different race and get two-for-one admission.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Siskel & Negro Podcast episode 19
I never do enough to promote this podcast which is a shame, because it is HILARIOUS. For those of you that don't know. It is a semi-regular podcast that is hosted by Roof Top Comedy and available on iTunes, and it stars ME, my comedic cohort Kevin Avery and, that undiscovered and under used comedic genius, Katherine P. MacMurphy. Teh topic of the podcast is supposed to be the entertainment industry but is just as likely to be us all making fun of each other. I really think we are getting better and better at it, and even my mom listens to it.
Enough with the pitch... Here's the latest episode.
We have begun to do more and more, even though Kevin has moved to Los Angeles, so keep on the look out for more. I'm really happy to be doing more, because doing the podcast is much more simple fun than ending racism in about an hour.
Enough with the pitch... Here's the latest episode.
We have begun to do more and more, even though Kevin has moved to Los Angeles, so keep on the look out for more. I'm really happy to be doing more, because doing the podcast is much more simple fun than ending racism in about an hour.
I have a NEW website!
For real this time.
No more MySpace or Facebook or Friendster (Oh, poor Friendster.) I HAVE A WEBSITE!
Well, of course I'll still be doing those things too... mostly just to play online poker and to not respond to event invites. But now I have a real professional style website. It is still under construction but go check it out.
www.wkamaubell.com
Special thanks to William at Design Action in Oakland. And this wouldn't have happened without Lisa Marie Rollins and Ilya Tovbis.
No more MySpace or Facebook or Friendster (Oh, poor Friendster.) I HAVE A WEBSITE!
Well, of course I'll still be doing those things too... mostly just to play online poker and to not respond to event invites. But now I have a real professional style website. It is still under construction but go check it out.
www.wkamaubell.com
Special thanks to William at Design Action in Oakland. And this wouldn't have happened without Lisa Marie Rollins and Ilya Tovbis.
Hari Kondabolu is my NEW favorite comedian
And this is kind of a big deal. I haven't had a new favorite since me and Jason listened to that Bill Hicks' cassette tape (THAT'S RIGHT CASSETTE TAPE!!!) of Relentless. Well, I had the enduring pleasure of working with Hari this past week in several Laugh Out The Vote comedy shows here in San Francisco. The shows were organized by my political mentor and fellow comedian, Nato Green. I have feeling Nato knew that I would like Hari.
Watching Hari work onstage is like watching Malcolm X on a talk show, extremely angry, extremely eloquent, scathingly hilarious, and truthful... without ever raising his voice. I can't stop quoting his jokes. My favorites are Smithsonian Diamond Exhibit, When in Rome, and Sandnigger (my title.. not his) My future wife, Melissa, must be getting tired of me doing his jokes.
He has several clips of his stand-up available online at his website www.harithecomic.com, but I think you should start with his critically acclaimed short film, Manoj...
MANOJ (Unedited Festival Version)
Hari also has some of the coolest friends you'd ever want to meet.
Watching Hari work onstage is like watching Malcolm X on a talk show, extremely angry, extremely eloquent, scathingly hilarious, and truthful... without ever raising his voice. I can't stop quoting his jokes. My favorites are Smithsonian Diamond Exhibit, When in Rome, and Sandnigger (my title.. not his) My future wife, Melissa, must be getting tired of me doing his jokes.
He has several clips of his stand-up available online at his website www.harithecomic.com, but I think you should start with his critically acclaimed short film, Manoj...
MANOJ (Unedited Festival Version)
Hari also has some of the coolest friends you'd ever want to meet.
A Cool Interview of Yours Truly by Jesse As Is
From Jesse As Is
W. Kamau Bell was recently crowned “Best Comedian in San Francisco” in SF Weekly Magazine. In this clip you’ll understand why as he addresses the term “people of color” and how it sounds like a “hug that goes on too long.” Recently W. Kamau took the time to talk about everything from his parents high fiving after his show to his brief role in the Matrix 2. Special thanks to W. Kamau for making this happen. Hit the jump for the interview.
Jesse as is.: Please describe the chain of events that lead you to choose a career in comedy?
W. Kamau Bell : When I was a kid being a comedian was the only thing that I wanted to be other than a superhero. When the X-Men never showed up on my door to recruit me, and I never got the good fortune to be bitten by a radioactive spider or to be hit by gamma rays in an explosion, I decided to try the comedy thing.
I have very clear memories of seeing Jerry Seinfeld on The Tonight Show and thinking, “I want to do that, but too bad my life isn’t as interesting as his.” One of the first videotapes my mom ever rented for me from the video store was Bill Cosby: Himself. It changed my life. It was equally smart and funny. Then later I saw Eddie Murphy: Raw in the movie theater the day it came out. I remember people in the theater laughing so loud that you couldn’t hear many of the punchlines. The energy in the place was amazing, and we weren’t even seeing it live. That also changed my life.
Eventually after dropping out of college I let my best friend Jason know that I wanted to do stand-up, and he, on his own, found an open mic in his neighborhood, and called me up and we started going together… just to watch at first. A month later I went up, and then a couple days ago you asked if you could interview me. I think that just about catches us up.
Jesse as is.: What are some of your most memorable shows? What makes these shows stand out?
W. Kamau Bell : My first memorable show was a show I did about a year into doing comedy. I was performing on a benefit for the homeless that some local comics organized. My mom and dad were there. They were looooooooong separated so this was a BIG deal. It was the first time my dad had ever seen me perform. And after my set my parents high fived, which is kind of like John McCain high fiving a Muslim.
Another show that I’ll never forget was one afternoon I got a call that Dave Chappelle was doing a gig that night and needed an opener. I had opened for Dave before but only in small clubs. The show was in a college basketball arena and it held like 6000 people. This was right after he had gotten back from Africa so this was a biiiiiiiiiig deal. It was pretty intense. Right before I was to go on, I was waiting backstage, the lights went down, people cheered, I was waiting to be introduced and the stage manager looked at me confusedly and said, “Go!” As if, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?” There was no introduction. Nothing. I grabbed the mic and ran out onstage, the crowd had no idea who I was, I introduced myself and it was one of the best sets I have ever had. Dave watched from the wings and later said the most complimentary things that anyone has ever said about me. I’ll keep those to myself.
Jesse as is.: What are the most important issues to you in the upcoming election?
W. Kamau Bell : The most important issues in the election to me are getting white men out of the office of president for AT LEAST the next four years and getting gay marriage made permanently legal in the state of California. It’s not that long ago that interracial marriage was illegal in many states. I think about that often, especially as me and my white fiancee prepare to get married next year. Everybody — no mater what their sexual preference — should have the right to go through the same ridiculously stressful wedding planning that we are currently going through.
Jesse as is.: What projects do you have in the works? What should we be on the look out for?
W. Kamau Bell : Currently, I am performing my own one person show, The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About An Hour. If you bring a friend of a different race it’s two for one. Seriously! I’ve been doing it for about a year and the response has been awesome. I get to do everything that I have ever wanted on stage… stand-up, drama, showing pictures, playing video clips, making THE MAN sweat, EVERYTHING. The SF Weekly named me the best comedian of 2008. November 7th we are opening three days a week at the Climate Theatre in San Francisco. Check out more info at www. WKamauBell. com.
Jesse as is.: How did your role in the Matrix come about?
W. Kamau Bell : Ummm… if you ever watch the Matrix 2 (which most people rightfully did not), you’ll quickly see (and I mean quickly, because if you blink you’ll miss it.) that my role is in the horribly nonsensical rave/dance party scene at the center of the Earth. At one point they scan the crowd and I jump up and give the black power fist. I had short dreadlocks at the time. It filmed during seven days of the hottest Bay Area summer in memory, and I was basically wearing a parka, just what you would wear if you lived at the center of the Earth. Don’t blame me that The Matrix 2 sucked. I was an innocent bystander.
W. Kamau Bell was recently crowned “Best Comedian in San Francisco” in SF Weekly Magazine. In this clip you’ll understand why as he addresses the term “people of color” and how it sounds like a “hug that goes on too long.” Recently W. Kamau took the time to talk about everything from his parents high fiving after his show to his brief role in the Matrix 2. Special thanks to W. Kamau for making this happen. Hit the jump for the interview.
Jesse as is.: Please describe the chain of events that lead you to choose a career in comedy?
W. Kamau Bell : When I was a kid being a comedian was the only thing that I wanted to be other than a superhero. When the X-Men never showed up on my door to recruit me, and I never got the good fortune to be bitten by a radioactive spider or to be hit by gamma rays in an explosion, I decided to try the comedy thing.
I have very clear memories of seeing Jerry Seinfeld on The Tonight Show and thinking, “I want to do that, but too bad my life isn’t as interesting as his.” One of the first videotapes my mom ever rented for me from the video store was Bill Cosby: Himself. It changed my life. It was equally smart and funny. Then later I saw Eddie Murphy: Raw in the movie theater the day it came out. I remember people in the theater laughing so loud that you couldn’t hear many of the punchlines. The energy in the place was amazing, and we weren’t even seeing it live. That also changed my life.
Eventually after dropping out of college I let my best friend Jason know that I wanted to do stand-up, and he, on his own, found an open mic in his neighborhood, and called me up and we started going together… just to watch at first. A month later I went up, and then a couple days ago you asked if you could interview me. I think that just about catches us up.
Jesse as is.: What are some of your most memorable shows? What makes these shows stand out?
W. Kamau Bell : My first memorable show was a show I did about a year into doing comedy. I was performing on a benefit for the homeless that some local comics organized. My mom and dad were there. They were looooooooong separated so this was a BIG deal. It was the first time my dad had ever seen me perform. And after my set my parents high fived, which is kind of like John McCain high fiving a Muslim.
Another show that I’ll never forget was one afternoon I got a call that Dave Chappelle was doing a gig that night and needed an opener. I had opened for Dave before but only in small clubs. The show was in a college basketball arena and it held like 6000 people. This was right after he had gotten back from Africa so this was a biiiiiiiiiig deal. It was pretty intense. Right before I was to go on, I was waiting backstage, the lights went down, people cheered, I was waiting to be introduced and the stage manager looked at me confusedly and said, “Go!” As if, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?” There was no introduction. Nothing. I grabbed the mic and ran out onstage, the crowd had no idea who I was, I introduced myself and it was one of the best sets I have ever had. Dave watched from the wings and later said the most complimentary things that anyone has ever said about me. I’ll keep those to myself.
Jesse as is.: What are the most important issues to you in the upcoming election?
W. Kamau Bell : The most important issues in the election to me are getting white men out of the office of president for AT LEAST the next four years and getting gay marriage made permanently legal in the state of California. It’s not that long ago that interracial marriage was illegal in many states. I think about that often, especially as me and my white fiancee prepare to get married next year. Everybody — no mater what their sexual preference — should have the right to go through the same ridiculously stressful wedding planning that we are currently going through.
Jesse as is.: What projects do you have in the works? What should we be on the look out for?
W. Kamau Bell : Currently, I am performing my own one person show, The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About An Hour. If you bring a friend of a different race it’s two for one. Seriously! I’ve been doing it for about a year and the response has been awesome. I get to do everything that I have ever wanted on stage… stand-up, drama, showing pictures, playing video clips, making THE MAN sweat, EVERYTHING. The SF Weekly named me the best comedian of 2008. November 7th we are opening three days a week at the Climate Theatre in San Francisco. Check out more info at www. WKamauBell. com.
Jesse as is.: How did your role in the Matrix come about?
W. Kamau Bell : Ummm… if you ever watch the Matrix 2 (which most people rightfully did not), you’ll quickly see (and I mean quickly, because if you blink you’ll miss it.) that my role is in the horribly nonsensical rave/dance party scene at the center of the Earth. At one point they scan the crowd and I jump up and give the black power fist. I had short dreadlocks at the time. It filmed during seven days of the hottest Bay Area summer in memory, and I was basically wearing a parka, just what you would wear if you lived at the center of the Earth. Don’t blame me that The Matrix 2 sucked. I was an innocent bystander.
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