What an idiot.

CNN Story

[ February 15, 2005, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

Oh come on! His remarks were funny!! And I have to agree with him too.

Bobby, you know better than that.

[ February 15, 2005, 07:55 AM: Message edited by: Allen ]

Did you even read the Entertainment Weekly interview? It didn't come across as either homophobic or racist. And if you've witnessed any of his stand up, you'd see that he's pretty gay-friendly.

I'd avoid a knee-jerk reaction to comments taken out of context.

Yeah, Chris Rock is cool. He can be brash and uninhibited, but he uses his humor to make some good points about things most people won't speak of for fear of not being politically correct. Don't judge him too harshly.

Seriously. People need to stop tripping every f**king time someone opens their mouth and says something. I'm sure that GLAAD will jump right on this and try to make Rock apologize/wear a rainbow ribbon/do a duet with Elton John...

This is such a non-story.

I don't know many straight men who will consciously sit down & watch the Oscars.

We were actually having this conversation the other day at work. I work with a bunch of 20-something straight men and I asked them if they watched the Oscars and their response was pretty much "Not by choice". I also asked them if they ever went/threw an Oscar party and they all gave me the "WTF are you on?" look.

Hopefully Chris will make the usually boring Oscar telecast fun to watch.

I think the above highlighted parts of Rock's interview is what really bugged ol' Bobby the most...

[ February 15, 2005, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: Lil J ]

This is just that worthless piece of garbage Drudge trying to stir up trouble. That interview appeared a few weeks ago. No one gave it a second thought until now.

Joe

I've been to comic shows and heard this type of hard-core comedy before. When I went to see Eddie Griffin a long time ago I found him to be real hard core. I had to have real thick skin sitting in the audience listening to him up there completely belittle white people and gays. But this is the type of stand-up comedy that gets laughs most times in front of a predominantly black audience. You will hear jokes like "what straight black man watches the Oscars?" all the time if you tuned into "Comic View" on BET. And the audience laughs.

Chris Rock is not as hard core as Eddie Griffin but he's close. But the Oscars people should know if they're going to give Rock this job they will expect this type of off beat comedy comes with him. He will most likely be telling black and white jokes all night at the Oscars. Do you want to be as clean as Billy Crystal? No way. It won't happen. This is Chris Rock.

[ February 15, 2005, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

What would happen if Billy Crystal were to say, "The only time I watch is when white people are nominated"? He'd be banned from the show for life. What gives one race the authority to demean another race and get away with it? Are we regressing in time? You are right, this did (and still does) piss me off.

If Billy Crystal only watched when white people were nominated, he'd watch every year, so it'd really be a non-issue.

Chris Rock is very smart and I'm sure he knows just how far to push his comedy on Oscar night without going too far. The important thing is he's funny ... and I'm willing to sacrifice a little bit of political correctness for the sake of being astutely entertaining.

One of the Indigo Girls - I think it was Emily - once said, "You have to be able to laugh at yourself. Otherwise, you'd cry your eyes out." Maybe there will be jokes at the expense of white people or gay people on Oscar night (or whatever group you may belong to ... those are just my categories), but I'd rather laugh than cry.

Still, if any white entertainer made demeaning jokes about Blacks, Hispanics, Asians (anyone other than white folks), he'd deservingly get into lots of trouble. Why is absolutely okay in the 21st century for other races to pick on us white people? Can someone answer that question for me?

What goes around comes around, Bobby. White folks are due. wink I really wouldn't let it get to you ...

When you think about it, there are so many bigger problems in the world: starvation, political corruption, murders, etc. You have to pick your battles. I understand it's a sensitive topic and something that upsets you, but in the end, you have the choice as to how much to let something like this affect you.

Funny or not, we as a society do not progress if we are constantly playing get even.

[ February 15, 2005, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

Bobby go rent any of the 3 stand up specials Rock has done for HBO he is the least racist comedian I have ever seen.
I think the second one he does this routine about
blacks blowing things out of proportion.
It goes something like
"Black people always crying that Tupac got assassinated, Biggy got assassinated.
NO sir JFK got assassinated, Martin luther king etc. Those other niggers got shot!"
This is a quote from Chris Rock so flame away Lil J!
His statement about not watching the Oscars is totally valid to me!
IMO he is one of the smartest comics out there.
If he is allowed to run free I'll bet he puts Billy Crystal to shame!

I'm watching CNN right now and in the scroll, it said that GLAAD has issued a statementd defending - that's DEFENDING, Bobby, Chris Rock. Saying that he wasn't making fun of gay people...

Don't watch this year's Oscars' Bobby, because Chris Rock's brand of humor might be abit too much for you.

Well, to progress as a society we have to first progress as individuals ... what that means to you and what that means to me seem to be radically different viewpoints. I personally think it's easy to be overly sensitive about something like this and, for me, it's easier to laugh than cry. As far as "getting even," well, I don't think it's that big of a deal in the first place. That seems a bit escalated and melodramtic to me. I was just trying to provide some perspective.

I'm honestly sorry you feel so offended by Chris Rock's comments and about racial politics in general, Bobby. I wish there was something I could say to help you feel better about it all, but I just don't see any reason to be upset in this instance, so I'm not going to be any help in answering your questions.

Well, at least you and I will always have Josh Gracin.

Good Lord! Chris Rock has been on Graham Norton's shows many times! He even talks about gay rights too.

Man ... get over it! :mad:

Too. true.

All my life, my mother criticized me for laughing too loud. Anyone that's met me knows that I let it loose when something's funny - not a hee-haw, not a snort, but just a full-volume belly laugh. It's just what I do. One day I decided that my mom was full of sh*t and I adopted a personal life motto:

"It's better to laugh too loud than to cry too hard."

bobby, you know I love you, but Gaga, SPG, et al. have some very good points.

And Gaga - what is this with you quoting Emily and worshiping a certain hot tennis player? Are you sure you're not a lesbo trapped in a gay boy's body? Get thee some Tevas, brotha.

I also own quite the collection of flannel! I've been accused of being a lesbian trapped in a gay man's body on more than one occasion. Ha ha.

But I don't know what Tevas are.

LMAO! Since I'm sometimes a great big gay boy in a lesbian's body, I guess that makes us twins in a really weird way. :cool:

Enjoy your new shoes.

Oooh! I like the "Classic Teva":


I can't think of a better Outsporter to be bizarro twins with than you, GJ! At least not until Gaby Sabatini joins the board!! :cool:

Shhhh! Don't tell BostonGirl! wink

But truthfully, do you ever comment favorably on a a black man, or a dark-skinned latino, or an arab man, or an asian man, in your posts? I mean, come on! I once asked you about this and you didn't respond. Does it bother you that noteveryone's fantasies and interests are centered ONLY around white people? (Condoleezza, calling Condoleezza....)

Also, Billy Crystal, who is Jewish, makes Jewish, white, black, Mexican, etc. jokes. As does George Lopez. Have you ever watched his routine? Lord knows, he doesn't get lynched by Chicanos and Hispanics but he lets them have it. And then there's Margaret Cho, who sends up everybody. As does Chris Rock. A What is that one guy's name, Mario something, who was on "Sex and the City." He is hilarious. Or RuPaul, etc. I guess you'd be ready to call the PC police out on Dave Chappelle (who does make fun of black people, among everyone else)!

He's also a Dummycrat, if his political donations betray his beliefs. These contributions are from tray.com.
^^^

Rock, Chris
6/24/2002 $500.00
New York, NY 10019
Self Employed/Actor Comedian -[Contribution]
CITIZENS FOR WATERS


Rock, Chris
7/26/2004 $2,000.00
New York, NY 10019
CHRIS ROCK ENTERPRISES/ACTOR -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC


ROCK, CHRIS
6/29/2004 $2,000.00
NEW YORK, NY 10019
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY -[Contribution]
OBAMA FOR ILLINOIS INC

Chris Rock is an equal opportunity slammer. He's made "politically incorrect" jokes/comments about every race, creed, color, ethnicity, sexual preference, whatever (watch his HBO specials) and makes me laugh all the time. My problem with him hosting the Oscars is that he won't be allowed to be Chris Rock.

I fear Chris Rock + Oscar censors divided by Jack Valenti may equal Sinbad!

Just be thankful they haven't asked Robin Williams or Jim Carrey to host. That's an Oscar broadcast I'd watch with the mute button on.

...aaaand, so the f**k what?

It's called a double standard. Live with it.

No, "work within" to end it! wink

It wasn't until I saw who posted it that I got the full irony of this. Well done.

I really don't see how Rock's comments can be construed as either homophobic or racist. He made a statement, which, in his eyes, is true. I happen to be a gay white male who does not watch those types of shows because I think they are dumb and self-serving. As a matter of fact, I don't watch much television at all, unless it is a program which I am on. Why is it o.k. for minorities to pick on whites? Simple answer...not once in my life have I ever been denied a cab ride because of the color of my skin. Not once in my life has a group of thugs shouted the "N" word at me from a moving car. Not once in my life have I ever had a problem with retail store security. Not once in my life have I been denied entry to a restaurant, gas station, wash room or drinking fountain. Not once in my life has anyone ever told me I can't live where I want. Hopefully, you get the point. All this by birthright? I am indeed very lucky to be the race I am. Let anyone say whatever they want about my race and sexual orientation. It all goes back to the old elementary school saying...stick and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. I also must add that I agree 1000 percent that we ALL must work within to change the type of thinking that is bringing this nation down. There. Now I will step off the soapbox and give someone else a chance to vent. Thanks for listening.

Y'all do realize all this Drudge-induced mania about a comedian's comments about an extraordinarily dull, over-produced awards show can be summed up in one word: ridiculous.

I love Chris Rock, I think he's the funniest guy out there easy.

Yes, I did not respond to a race-baiting tactic in that other thread. As to your current dumbass accusation, I defend all sorts of people and speak out against any type of hatred or bigotry in my posts (find one of my posts where I didn't and post it as a reply if you have proof as to your implication) -- you obviously have no idea what you are talking about when you say such stupid, ignorant things about me. Scroll back up a little bit and read where I said if a white person said racist things, he would deservingly be punished.
I can't respond about Billy Crystal because I have never liked his humor (as far back as his SNL days) and I try to avoid him as much as I can. As for George Lopez, I have heard his routine (even watched his crappy show a couple of times) and from what I can tell, he focuses his humor on HIS community. I don't agree with it, but, still, he is not attacking someone outside of his communtiy.

Bobby, the aspect of your argument that I just can't understand is the idea that a comic can only make fun of his/her own culture. Chris Rock's show targets everybody--blacks, whites, men, women. And instead of doing it in a malicious way, he picks up on real cultural foibles of each group (e.g. his perspective on the OJ verdict: "Black people too happy, white people too mad!") Isn't the ability of a comic to have broad cross racial appeal, even while making lighthearted fun of multiple segments of the population, evidence of forward movement in race relations in this country? To wit, I've seen quite a few white comics on BET's Comic View in recent years, and they've been warmly received by the black audience even while making jokes about black folk. To me, that's progress. Your worrying about white folk getting picked on only sounds like a reification of the racial politics of the past.

Bobby, I understand where you're coming from and your sentiments....but I have to ask about this:

You then go into a number of complaints about what gives one race the right to demean another and why is it OK for everyone to pick on whites now? But, take a breath, go back and read Chris Rock's quote again. There is no mention of white people anywhere, nor does he make fun of white people. The only people he refers to are blacks.

The fact that Chris talks about ignoring the show when his race isn't represented is what I was addressing. I wonder if he ignores other shows when his race isn't represented? How many of us white folks were loyal to "The Cosby Show", "A Different World", "Sanford & Son", "The Jeffersons" and many other minority-oriented shows for many years? Had Chris Rock been a white guy, he probably would have never watched a single episode. Also, the fact that he sees men (particularly black men) who watch the Oscars as flaming queers is the other point I was addressing.

Oh, for the love of God. Thanks for looking out for us poor, ig'nunt black folk who don't have a politically (hyper)sensitive representative who can dissect to the Nth angstrom every word that proceeds from the mouth of a f**king comedian.

And who cares whether or not Rock-as-a-white guy would have watched The Jeffersons or Sanford and Son or not? Apparently, a LOT of white people did watch those shows, so your argument simply does not follow.

bobby, normally I agree with your posts, but seriously, dude. Laugh a little. And don't sweat the small stuff--I'm a helluva lot more concerned with the shit spewing forth from places like Virginia and Tennesse and the mouth of the Prez than I am a minor comment by a comedian blown WAY the f**k out of proportion.

[ February 16, 2005, 07:36 AM: Message edited by: kalabro ]

Bobby ... I'll tell you what my Grandma lovingly told me when I was growing up about certain things. Now, listen closely ...

You're making mountains out of molehills! KNOCK IT OFF!! :mad:

Isn't Grandma wonderful??

[ February 16, 2005, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: Allen ]

Allen, my Grandmother (rest her soul) would have just given me this befuddled look, shook her head, and said, "Bless your heart." (Translation: "Boy, you're being silly, but I love you anyway.")

That, by the way, is the look I am giving this whole "controversy."

Grandma is, indeed, wonderful.

Thank you, some white people watched those shows and still were as racist as all get out, so whoop-de-dizzle! Bobby doth protesteth too much. As for race baiting, as I said, I think you need to look at what's at the end of of your fishing pole first, chile!

I am SO OFFENDED -- on behalf of all poor dear ig'nunt minorities everywhere -- that you said "boy." wink

I think political correctness is being taken too seriously. So much so, I find it boring.

Chris Rock's comments are funny to me because I find some truth in what he's saying. In my opinion, I think that is why most jokes make poeple laugh.

I grew up in Hawaii, where there are so many cultures. If you listen to the comedians there, they all make fun of all of the different races and cultures. I don't see anything wrong with that. We have to stop being overly sensitive and realize there are more important things in life to focus our energy.

In my opinion, most straight men in general don't watch award shows or even musicals for that matter. So what? Many gay people in general do watch awards. So what? What's so offensive about those kinds of comments? It's not a big deal.

People all over the world are being killed everyday through war, poverty, disease and starvation. AIDS is taking over and many people are ignoring the whole thing (even within our community). Gay people in the United States are not free and equal in a country that says all men are equal.

Many of us like watching award shows...so what? Many of "them" don't. So what? He's just making a humorous observation that I personally find to be true. It's the truth in his observation that makes it funny.

Let's try and focus on more important issues.

[ February 16, 2005, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: Jorel ]

Thank you Jorel. You are absolutely right!!

Y'all, don't give Bobby too hard of a time over this. We all know that he typically is championing the cause of all minorities. But, I have to agree that you overreacting to Rock's comments. Lord knows, he's harder on black people than he ever has been on white people. The instructional video on how NOT to act to police if you are pulled over is the funniest thing I have ever seen.

I have to agree with Rock. I watch to see how self-absorbed each acceptance speech is.

As I wrote in an earlier post, Chris Rock is a stand up comic and I'll bet when he made these comments they were made in the same form as when he delivers in his stand-up act. It's all about the delivery. The delivery, my good men.

I remember D.L. Hughley (a black comedian) doing material on "how come black folks still have things on layaway"? And the audience laughs.

And then you have John Leguizamo, a well known latin comic. He's done entire skits in which he knocks hispanics. And the audience laughs.

I guess a lot of this comes down to taste. One thousand opera fans would not crowd into an auditorium to watch Madonna. Or five thousand hip-hop fans would not squeeze their way into Radio City Music Hall to see Garth Brooks. I could go on and on.

[ February 16, 2005, 09:00 AM: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

It's time that bobby got a group hug.

((((((((bobby)))))))))

I'm a bit late to this party, but here's my 2 cents worth:
Rock did not say that men (particularly black men) who watch the Oscars are flaming queers. Making a comment about not knowing any straight men that watch the Oscars cannot be construed to mean that Rock thinks any man that does watch is a "flaming queer". You've taken a pretty tame statement and blown it up so far you can't even see what the original statement was anymore. I can't believe I even have to point this out - this thread is so damn ridiculous.

Oh, and I don't ever watch BET. What's that say about me?

I can't wait to see the Oscars with Chris Rock. He CRACKS ME UP!