Goodbye Jerry. He was a genius at making comedy and presenting a concept. I read the biography of Charlie Chaplin long ago, and he made me realize that the best comics have an intimate awareness of both exhilarating joy and the darkest kinds of sorrow. One has to be acquainted with both ends of the emotional spectrum before you can create. Otherwise, a performer simply becomes an expert at pantomiming the gestures of others. Charlie's early life was very sad, full of rejection and neglect. It read like something out of Oliver Twist. Yet, he knew what it meant to become lighthearted and fun. Jerry knew both ends of the spectrum in full.
It is well known that most comedians suffer from severe depression.
Regarding Charlie's early life, read up on Don Knott's early life. Terrible what he went through. Same with Richard Pryor. His father was a pimp and his mother was a whore in a whore house.
I used to enjoy the local cut aways to Channel 2. Kind of nice to see a sense of community depicted on TV. My favorite part of the telethons were when Jerry would take the tie off, unbutton the caller and pretty much threaten, dare, or shame people into donating. "Hey man - it's all relative. How much is it worth to YOU to have a healthy kid?"
Goodbye Jerry.
ReplyDeleteHe was a genius at making comedy and presenting a concept.
I read the biography of Charlie Chaplin long ago, and he made me realize that the best comics have an intimate awareness of both exhilarating joy and the darkest kinds of sorrow. One has to be acquainted with both ends of the emotional spectrum before you can create. Otherwise, a performer simply becomes an expert at pantomiming the gestures of others. Charlie's early life was very sad, full of rejection and neglect. It read like something out of Oliver Twist. Yet, he knew what it meant to become lighthearted and fun. Jerry knew both ends of the spectrum in full.
It is well known that most comedians suffer from severe depression.
DeleteRegarding Charlie's early life, read up on Don Knott's early life. Terrible what he went through. Same with Richard Pryor. His father was a pimp and his mother was a whore in a whore house.
He made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me weep, he made me sigh. Not necessarily in that order. R.I.P. Jer
ReplyDeleteHe was the original Trump supporter (2015).
ReplyDeleteHe had a creative spirit and brilliant mind. RIP.
You knew his brain was gone when he started supporting Trump.
DeleteHuge Lewis fan...loved the Nutty Professor and The Bellboy. Would watch his telethons every year as a kid in the 70's. Another legend is gone.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy the local cut aways to Channel 2. Kind of nice to see a sense of community depicted on TV.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the telethons were when Jerry would take the tie off, unbutton the caller and pretty much threaten, dare, or shame people into donating. "Hey man - it's all relative. How much is it worth to YOU to have a healthy kid?"
Loved Jerry in Cinderfella & The Bellboy. Godspeed to the Iconic Jerry Lewis. And also Godspeed to another Comedic Giant, Dick Gregory.
ReplyDelete