You’re kidding, right? Just because his style may grate on you does not mean that he is untalented. Are you a greater arbiter of talent than, oh, let’s say, David Letterman? Letterman practically falls over while paying homage when Rickles is on his show. Personally, there was a time when I couldn’t stand him, but he is absolutely brilliant at little things, stuff you may not notice, and he is incredibly quick witted.
For a slightly different role, check him out in Innocent Blood. He was pretty good in that role. (And, as a side bonus, you get to see Anna Parillaud nekkid.)
Do those that dislike Rickles find Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog funny?
Actually, I find his bit on the Star Wars fans hysterical. (“How does it feel to have your choice of men with no idea of how to please you?” “This is what a nerd circle jerk looks like.”) I’ve not seen Rickles stand up, most of what I’ve seen of him has been limited to him playing a Constipated Old Man[sup]TM[/sup] who screams, “Hockey puck!” at someone. That’s it. I posted the OP, because I thought that there might be something more to Rickles (I was giving him the benefit of the doubt.) that I hadn’t seen.
I believe this is a Don Rickles story, though I could be confused. So Don Rickles is in Vegas, it’s like the mid 60s. He’s at a casino, which a very pretty young lady. He sees Sinatra, and approches him.
“Frank, can you help me out? I’m trying to impress this broad over here, and if you could just come over and shake my hand or something in front of her, I think it would really help me score.” Frank agrees. So Don saunders over to his date. Shortly thereafter, Frank approaches the table. Don turns and says:
“Frank! Jesus! I’m here with this beautiful lady, and you interrupt our conversation? Learn some manners, will ya?” Frank turns around, says something to one of the casino bouncers, and Don is removed bodily from the casino and thrown literally out on his ass.
Don’t mess with Sinatra, baby.
I haven’t seen a couple of these performances that people seem to think are best. (Disclaimer)
I am Sparticus and Muad’Dib added a useful perspective – which is that his comedy came from a different era.
However. I’m extremely fond of humor (you can stop being shocked, now) and I’ve found to glean the essence from some performers it’s necessary to come back many times – in different settings. Your attitude is all important. Some people are funny almost all the time. In other situations, the dated Marx brothers movies come to mind, they can be hilarious, yet at another times the exact same material just falls flat.
I have never found Don Rickles funny, however. He’s a one trick pony whose only routine is pathetic presentation while trying to shock.
I haven’t researched it to make a definite opinion, but his whole act suggests being a remote part of the “Rat Pack”, a group of stars who dominated Las Vegas because organized crime said so.
That’s a great story. Some Budweiser ad exec must have heard it somewhere too, because there’s a commercial with Busta Rhymes that is exactly like that (minus the guy getting roughed up and thrown out).
Well, that and thier stupendous popularity and immense talent.
Shall we agree to disagree now or later?
That group of idiots who were barely able to hold a microphone to their face – let alone sing – had talent – like a fat ass whore long gone to seed – that was mostly collected in one place. Sinatra knew how to sing almost as well as his daughter – who’s actually slightly accomplished. His stuff is boring, composed on a Hollywood treadmill, and unrememberable.
I can remember more Alvin and the Chipmunks songs than “Frank originals”.
Gone, and soon, forgotten. Bye, guys. Thanks for not corrupting anything of any actual artistic value.
partly_warmer, I won’t debate with you about the talents of Sinatra, et al, only because your mind seems to be firmly made up. But if organized crime did keep them in the spotlight, it would have been because they were profitable. And for them to be profitable, a whole lot of people had to think they were worth watching/listening to.
Rilchiam, there’s a great deal to what you’re saying.
Although I believe there are artistic absolutes, I also believe that any time anyone provides someone else with an artistic experience, it’s a valid artistic expression. In that sense, the whole group of them were perfectly valid artists.
My comments probably would have been better directed in person to the one who seemed to be anticipating (hoping for) an emotional response.
I personally think caustic review of art is hysterical – to such an extent that I’d willingly listen to it if was targeted to my most favored and treasured artists. (For example, I think “Bored of the Rings” is just wonderful. I’ve read it many times.)
There is a certain extent to which relatively objective criticism does creep into views about art. Hoping to get more insight into what those sorts of things might be, I opened this thread.
Thanks for your comments.
I don’t know how funny Rickles was before, but whenever he is on Letterman, he is fucking hilarious!
Well, thank you, partly_warmer!
(spoilers)
“Maybe we can make deal. Maybe he’s a Republican.” 