A couple of cows are getting arrogant out there…
There are so many people that go to comedy or spoken word shows and don’t realize that the comedian is not talking directly to them. The person on stage is not opening a discussion. They are giving an opinonated and hopefully cathartic speech on the subject; if one disagrees, then one can probably still agree that it is funny and/or thought-provoking. If one wanted to have a debate with them, one could probably 1. find a more learned, open-minded, or local person with which to debate and 2. open the topic at a more appropriate time, like when everyone in the room hasn’t paid hard-earned money to be entertained (i.e., write them a letter, talk to them after the show, etc.)
Too many comedy recordings involve these wannabe stars from the crowd making loud remarks about the show. Comedians are often witty enough to shoot them down, but it is rude and STUPID for an audience member to believe that every bit is aimed at them or invites comment on their part. At two consecutive spoken word concerts put on by Henry Rollins, the audience (and the technicians) have been unable to contain their chattering long enough to avoid Hank’s understandable ire.
I am willing to pay a large price to see the man speak, as he is able to create an experience which challenges your ideals, makes you laugh at the ludicrousness of life, and leaves you feeling fulfilled. But, to watch him angrily ignore members of his audience who cannot keep their damn mouths shut in order to salvage the show’s energy (which, by the way, he does admirably) dampens my enjoyment.
So, please, be a proper human being, show some class, and realize that the Renaissance Faire is where audience participation is encouraged. And then, when you visit the Renaissance Faire, don’t be quiet when the performer is trying to get you involved.
And don’t you dare talk to a movie screen and get all uppity when the civilized people in the audience tell you to shut the fuck up. You’ll be first against the wall.
Someday, I’ll stop being so angry, but that day is not today.
I likes me Hank Rollins. He is my favourite muscly ball of rage. Except for STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN!!!!111.
Comment by Linus — 7/27/2004 @ 12:26 pm
Well said. It almost made me want to cry when people kept interrupting Hank….
Comment by Alfalfa Martini — 7/27/2004 @ 12:46 pm
Linus: What?!
AM: Amen. I feel like if it were a different time, a different place, we all would have watched while Hank strode into the audience and pounded some sense into the offender. But, litigation is as litigation does.
Comment by steelbuddha — 7/27/2004 @ 2:58 pm
At an Iron Maiden concert in Milwaukee a few years ago, some drunken idiot kept splashing beer at the stage, and ultimately threw the beer bottle at Bruce Dickinson. My boy Bruce, he stopped the song they were doing, picked up the beer bottle, and threatened to put it in a very uncomfortable place on the drunken idiot’s person (the back seat of a VW?). It was an entertaining solution to an obnoxious situation, and the drunken idiot was restrained by his buddies for the rest of the evening.
Comment by Tazja — 7/27/2004 @ 3:44 pm
Can we make an island for idiots and send them all away? Actually, the island would cumble from all the weight. Ah, just let em drown.
Comment by Kittenhead — 7/28/2004 @ 5:19 am
Maybe another venue would solve the problem (well, the first problem you mentioned anyway). How about “A fireside chat with Uncle Hank”?
Comment by Bjorn — 7/28/2004 @ 1:29 pm
Yo, SB: You trying for my minister position, your majesty?
Comment by czeltic girl — 7/29/2004 @ 9:41 am
I need to work with this, usa visa play with this. There’s something green card to be done with it. Another green card point Phil made in an entry dv2006
Comment by Green Card Lottery — 9/1/2004 @ 4:12 pm