I used to be a comedy junkie and went to a comedy club about once a week. Seems like almost all of the comedians I met after the show were rude, nasty as could be, just total A-holes. A few were nice but stand-offish. I just sent an email to a comedian saying how much I enjoyed the book he had written with another comedian and asked when volume 2 was coming out because they had mentioned a few stories that would be upcoming in the next book. [and it was only a two sentence question]. The e-mail I received back was snarky and condescending. So if volume 2 ever comes out I WON'T be spending any of my money on it.
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Celebrities: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Thread starter Stanislav
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Here in San Antonio, back in the late 60's and early 70's, we had a children's cartoon show called "Capt Gus and Popeye Show". It aired live M-F 3:30pm featuring those ancient Popeye the Sailor and Bugs Bunny cartoons, with a live studio audience, hosted by some old cuss in a red wig and sailor suit, known as Capt Gus. On TV and at public appearances, Capt Gus seemed to be the friendliest and most charming of local TV show hosts. But in the studio it was a different story. I was a member of the studio audience in 1966 and in 1968. In 1966, I was too young to notice how Capt Gus offered different levels of service to certain kids in the studio audience. But in 1968, it was very evident that not all of us kids were welcome aboard Capt Gus's ship, regardless of the content of our character. When it came time for the sour old Capt to introduce each kid in the studio audience, by asking their name, age, school, hobbies, etc, he had all of the time in the world for the kids from 'that side of town'. But when it came to my brother and me and others like us, we got the 2nd class, back of the bus quickie. Just your name, age and on to the next kid. It was at that time that I also detected the potent fumes of the Capt's 80 proof aftershave. I always wondered why the good Capt ran across the studio and out a side door, as soon as the studio lights went out and magically reappear seconds before the studio lights came back on when we went live. Off camera he had no interaction with us and never even acknowledged our existence, except only when needed for the show. I stopped watching that show after my enlightening experience. I don't even know how long the show lasted or when it was finally put out of its misery. At the time, my parents told me that there were still some people who didn't believe that our constitution applied to all of our native born citizens, regardless of their tan or lack of one.
Met Betty White at the American Veterinarian Association's convention a few years back here in Louisville. After ten seconds, you wanted to go out and run errands for her. She was SO gracious and sweet...it was like you were out working and ran into your mom or auntie!
While working on Paul Hornung's cable sports show from 1992-2002, I met dozens of sports figures and really can't remember a particularly unpleasant guest. Tom Lasorda, Pete Rose, Gale Sayers and the late Ray Nitsche (sp?) were always particularly friendly, and most guests really relatead to the live audiences. I remember one show when we had to hide Brett Favre in the production truck and sneak him into and off the set (at a restaurant) to escape the masses of autograph seekers who swamped the location! He wasn't being un-friendly...he just couldn't accommodate 500-600 folks that evening.
While working on Paul Hornung's cable sports show from 1992-2002, I met dozens of sports figures and really can't remember a particularly unpleasant guest. Tom Lasorda, Pete Rose, Gale Sayers and the late Ray Nitsche (sp?) were always particularly friendly, and most guests really relatead to the live audiences. I remember one show when we had to hide Brett Favre in the production truck and sneak him into and off the set (at a restaurant) to escape the masses of autograph seekers who swamped the location! He wasn't being un-friendly...he just couldn't accommodate 500-600 folks that evening.
YEKIMI said:
In college I had a job driving comedians from NYC to a club in North Jersey. A solid 1 1/2 hours of abuse from every one of them from the time they got in the car til they got in the club. I've noticed most comedians are usually sad or angry off the stage.
On the other side, wrestlers were mentioned earlier. I got to meet Randy "Macho Man" Savage once and, even with his bad rep, he was genuinely a nice guy. It was amazing to see "Macho Man" show up when the mics were on, and as soon as they were off, he talked with everyone (normally), posed for pictures, signed autographs, a hell of a nice guy.
Also had the chance to meet John Astin (Gomez) once. He was gracious, open, and friendly. Of all the "stars" I've met in this business, he always stands out as the most sincere and real.
Another cool celeb was John Mellencamp. He was being interviewed at the height of his popularity, and a big group of fans had formed outside the station. Mellencamp sent an intern out to find one person that looked like a real fan, and bring them up to the studio. This fan was hyperventilating the entire time, and John made him feel totally at home. I've never seen anyone do that before, or since.
Speaking of wrestlers, I interviewed Bruno Sammartino, the old WWF champion, a few years ago. He was very grandfatherly -- extremely nice man.
Another nice guy, believe it or not, was Oliver North, the old Iran Contra figure. I couldn't disagree more with his politics, but a radio station I worked for about 10 years ago invited him to town to give a speech and meet some listeners. He could not have been more gracious.
Another nice guy, believe it or not, was Oliver North, the old Iran Contra figure. I couldn't disagree more with his politics, but a radio station I worked for about 10 years ago invited him to town to give a speech and meet some listeners. He could not have been more gracious.
Another one, speaking of radio, was Rush Limbaugh. Now this was 20 years ago, before he became extremely popular. Maybe he's changed over the years, I don't know.
I was a part-timer at a radio station that sponsored a speech of his at a local high school. We got to meet him backstage after the event. You could tell he was a little bit full of himself, but he was certainly friendly. It was sort of a salesman-type of friendly, but that's OK. He shook everyone's hand and signed autographs for all of us.
I was a part-timer at a radio station that sponsored a speech of his at a local high school. We got to meet him backstage after the event. You could tell he was a little bit full of himself, but he was certainly friendly. It was sort of a salesman-type of friendly, but that's OK. He shook everyone's hand and signed autographs for all of us.
sack said:
I have heard the exact same thing thing from others over the years.
When I first got into radio ( 1991 ) my co-worker was one of the those "old timers". having been in the business since 1948 and sadly had since passed on. One day during lunch he told me about all the comedy stars he had met back in those days such as Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, Vivian Vance etc....and according to him most of them were actually either "very sad people" and/or just plain angry at the world. The worst he told me was the late Joan Davis. According to him every other word out of her mouth was either a four letter word or "..I am going to sue !!!". No surprise there since Joan Davis was known as being "sue happy".
The only nice comedy people? He told me it was the Three Stooges ( He LOVED Moe Howard and this is from someone who didn't even like their brand of comedy ), Arthur Lake & Penny Singleton ( Blondie & Dagwood ) and Lou Costello though in the case of Lou he was all ears when it came to discussing his various business ventures ( I believe Lou Costello had invented the machine that makes ice ) but when it came to talking about Bud Abbott..well he told me that was one subject Lou would quite quickly change the subject.
mleach said:
Doesn't surprise me in the least. I've never read of anyone seriously disliking Moe. Off-screen, he was the complete antithesis of his film persona -- sweet, kind, gentle, friendly. Definitely the most fan-friendly of the Stooges (and Stoogeophiles can be among the most rabid, hardcore fans around). I've read accounts of fans writing him, and Moe inviting them to visit him at his home when they traveled to L.A., then following through on that invite and being a gracious host along with his wife, Helen.
The fact that he essayed a long and successful career playing a (comically) tough, blustering, abusive, misanthropic character just adds credence to my recent discussion about actors being at their best when playing opposite their real-life personality. If Moe Howard had been even remotely like his character IRL, I don't think his screen portrayal would have been nearly as funny and iconic.
I think most people are aware that Jack Benny wasn't
at all like his comic persona, that he was actually one
of the most generous people in Hollywood, both with
his money and his time. Two incidents stand out:
one night in a restaurant he left a large (almost too-
large) tip; the server handed it back to him, saying,
"Please, Mr. Benny, leave me some illusions." The other
involves his coaching comic Tom Dreesen, then new to
the business, before the latter's first appearance on "The
Tonight Show." In effect, Benny reminded Dreesen that
he was a relative unknown, not to start in on what he liked
and disliked about the world (because the audience, not being
all that familiar with him, wouldn't really care) but to talk about
things like his childhood in a Chicago suburb, so the audience
could get to know him. How many established comedians would
go out of their way to help a newcomer make a hit? I venture to
say, not very many.
at all like his comic persona, that he was actually one
of the most generous people in Hollywood, both with
his money and his time. Two incidents stand out:
one night in a restaurant he left a large (almost too-
large) tip; the server handed it back to him, saying,
"Please, Mr. Benny, leave me some illusions." The other
involves his coaching comic Tom Dreesen, then new to
the business, before the latter's first appearance on "The
Tonight Show." In effect, Benny reminded Dreesen that
he was a relative unknown, not to start in on what he liked
and disliked about the world (because the audience, not being
all that familiar with him, wouldn't really care) but to talk about
things like his childhood in a Chicago suburb, so the audience
could get to know him. How many established comedians would
go out of their way to help a newcomer make a hit? I venture to
say, not very many.
I had a run in with Jerry Lewis in Las Vegas in 1981. I was looking at his wife's legs. We had a good laugh, nice guy. We spoke of the movie "Three on a Couch" which was partially filmed down the block from when I laved at the time.
Michael Cole of the Mod Squad, class guy
Trace Adkins, A-hole
Hank Williams Jr. The first time a pure a-hole, the second time, he was on the down slide, so he was a little nicer.
Did a listener appreciation concert back in 1997, Peter Noone, Paul Revere, Gary Lewis and Lou Christie, all great guys. Little Richard on the other hand, well not so nice.
Peggy Lipton, pure class
A young Michael Jackson, great kid, curious about the radio biz.
Mac Davis just a down to earth guy.
Bill Cosby funny and friendly
Tony Orlando super nice and friendly
When I was a kid I delivered the newspaper to Dan Blocker, great guy and a really great tipper, especially at Christmas. Same route I delivered to Nat King Cole, he was a good guy.
Michael Cole of the Mod Squad, class guy
Trace Adkins, A-hole
Hank Williams Jr. The first time a pure a-hole, the second time, he was on the down slide, so he was a little nicer.
Did a listener appreciation concert back in 1997, Peter Noone, Paul Revere, Gary Lewis and Lou Christie, all great guys. Little Richard on the other hand, well not so nice.
Peggy Lipton, pure class
A young Michael Jackson, great kid, curious about the radio biz.
Mac Davis just a down to earth guy.
Bill Cosby funny and friendly
Tony Orlando super nice and friendly
When I was a kid I delivered the newspaper to Dan Blocker, great guy and a really great tipper, especially at Christmas. Same route I delivered to Nat King Cole, he was a good guy.
B
Bob1370
Guest
A couple of Baseball Hall of Famers stick out in my mind for being kind, friendly and gracious; the late Willie Stargell, and Whitey Ford (who I'm happy to say is still very much alive and well). Emjoyed extended conversations with each of those gentlemen--and gentleman is the appropriate word for them both.
Joe Higgins, he played a sheriff in some old Dodge commercials back in the late 60s/early70s. My mom was a nurse back in the 50's and early 60s and he was a patient of hers and she said he was the biggest, meanest S.O.B. she ever had to take care of, just an absolutely nasty personality.
bpatrick said:
For some unknown reason Gary Coleman was in the hospital in my hometown back in the late 80's. From what I heard, Little Gary wasn't very nice either actually he got a nurse fired when the nurse told her sister ( a second grade teacher ) that "sure..bring the kids into Gary's room he won't care !!" and her sister DID !!!
Gary Coleman needless to say wasn't very nice to the little 2nd graders.
......and people want to know why there is a need for that Health Privacy Act !!!
N
nightfly61
Guest
A relative worked at a hospital where Michael Landon was taken with, I believe a sprained or broken foot & said he was irate & mean to everyone.
A station in Findlay Ohio (Flag City, USA) I worked at in 1992 did a contest to see which local school could sell the most flags for a charity. The winningest school got Don Henley to perform live(why I have no idea why teens & pre-teens would've cared who Henley was) but anyway, Henley showed up 5 hours late to the gym of the winning school. By that time only a handful of students & staff remained & all Henley said was. "Come on, let's get this over with". NHo apology, no congrats. All stations in Findlay boycotted his solo & Eagles stuff for a while.
A friend's wife ran into Barry Manilow & said he was a jerk when she asked for an autograph. "Don't tell anyone I'm here, will ya" was what he said. :
Cast & crew of PDQ Bach all super nice.
Don Williams of Levert, O'Jays & later with the Commodores-very cool.
A station in Findlay Ohio (Flag City, USA) I worked at in 1992 did a contest to see which local school could sell the most flags for a charity. The winningest school got Don Henley to perform live(why I have no idea why teens & pre-teens would've cared who Henley was) but anyway, Henley showed up 5 hours late to the gym of the winning school. By that time only a handful of students & staff remained & all Henley said was. "Come on, let's get this over with". NHo apology, no congrats. All stations in Findlay boycotted his solo & Eagles stuff for a while.
A friend's wife ran into Barry Manilow & said he was a jerk when she asked for an autograph. "Don't tell anyone I'm here, will ya" was what he said. :
Cast & crew of PDQ Bach all super nice.
Don Williams of Levert, O'Jays & later with the Commodores-very cool.
A few I've met in my career:
The Statler Brothers. By this time, Jimmy Fortune had joined the group. All of them are down-to-earth and have never forgotten their roots. Harold Reid is the funniest.
Rip Taylor. I shook his hand, and he complemented me on my work.
A few Miss Americas. Heather Whitestome remains my favorite, but Susan Powell was also friendly.
Clint Holmes came to a telethon we were producing. Good guy.
Marty Allen was a friend of a station owner. Warm and friendly.
Morton Downey Jr. was nothing like his on-air persona. Very nice to a fellow Irishman.
Al Alberts [Four Aces] was nice, and even nicer when he found out he my father was an old friend of his.
The Statler Brothers. By this time, Jimmy Fortune had joined the group. All of them are down-to-earth and have never forgotten their roots. Harold Reid is the funniest.
Rip Taylor. I shook his hand, and he complemented me on my work.
A few Miss Americas. Heather Whitestome remains my favorite, but Susan Powell was also friendly.
Clint Holmes came to a telethon we were producing. Good guy.
Marty Allen was a friend of a station owner. Warm and friendly.
Morton Downey Jr. was nothing like his on-air persona. Very nice to a fellow Irishman.
Al Alberts [Four Aces] was nice, and even nicer when he found out he my father was an old friend of his.
I can second that about Jimmy Fortune in particular..He is very much a regular guy..Very fan friendly.
I had done a tribute to the Statler Brothers on my Cleveland Cleveland Classic Media Blog on their induction into the CMA Hall Of Fame in 2008,(Because of their TV work) including a Canton (Ohio)Repository Newspaper ad of a Johnny Cash Concert. This was the Statlers first concert with Mr. Cash in March 1964 at Canton Memorial Auditorium..I emailed Don Reid about the tribute and thanking him for the many years of enjoyment from the Statlers..He wrote a very nice email back, saying that the ad was indeed their first concert with Johnny Cash and that they remembered the time very fondly..
For him to take the time to visit a website of someone he didnt know at all and to write back the way he did..speaks to the class act that he, and all the Statlers are..
I had done a tribute to the Statler Brothers on my Cleveland Cleveland Classic Media Blog on their induction into the CMA Hall Of Fame in 2008,(Because of their TV work) including a Canton (Ohio)Repository Newspaper ad of a Johnny Cash Concert. This was the Statlers first concert with Mr. Cash in March 1964 at Canton Memorial Auditorium..I emailed Don Reid about the tribute and thanking him for the many years of enjoyment from the Statlers..He wrote a very nice email back, saying that the ad was indeed their first concert with Johnny Cash and that they remembered the time very fondly..
For him to take the time to visit a website of someone he didnt know at all and to write back the way he did..speaks to the class act that he, and all the Statlers are..
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