That’s his fault, then, isn’t it? He should listen to more of Madonna’s music.
Bill Hicks and Denis Leary. They used to be friends, and then Denis Leary pretty much stole one of Hicks’ stand-up shows (along with his on-stage persona) wholesale, excised the controversial parts and made it all mainstream- and television-friendly.
Hicks was understandably a tad miffed about the whole deal :).
The worst part about it is Leary’s inability to openly admit it, so many years after the guy’s been in the ground.
Joke-thievery amongst comedians is no joke. My favourite story involves Tom Posten beating the shit out of Robin Williams after having some routines ripped off by Mork. It’s still a sore point to Mork, even after so many years.
Huh? Are you talking about Tom Poston?:
I couldn’t find any evidence of a comedian named Tom Posten. Tom Poston wasn’t a stand-up comedian. He was a comic actor. How could Williams have ripped off a routine from him? What evidence do you have that Poston beat up Williams?
The sad truth is, jokes don’t belong to the guy who wrote them or even to the guy who told them first. They belong to the guy who told them best.
My bad, I mean to write Tom Dreesen. Tom Poston did in fact work on Mork & Mindy, though.
Krokodil: What you’re saying is a load of shit. I prefer Hendrix’ cover of “All Along The Watchtower” to Dylan’s, so now it belongs to Jimi? Because he performed the shit out of it?
Dude, Rush was** 7 years away** from marrying when that post you quoted was made. Elton and Rush have obviously gotten along since then.
Not sure why u mad bro.
[QUOTE=Bob Dylan]
I liked Jimi Hendrix’s record of [All Along The Watchtower] and ever since he died I’ve been doing it that way… Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it’s a tribute to him in some kind of way.
[/QUOTE]
Even Bob Dylan himself acknowledges that Jimi “owns” the song, in the context of “owning” meaning performing the canonical version. This is as true of music as it is of jokes, stage roles, and almost any other artistic endeavor. It is not the actual creator, but the most iconic performance that “owns” the material.
This is clearly the context that Krokodial was using, and it’s no “load of shit”, it’s how it is.
Mississippienne: Really interesting post. 
Further evidence to our “zombie” problem.
Agreed. I haven’t read it since it was first published, but still remember two laugh out loud moments: Brando talking about how disgusted he is by “the viscosity of some people’s saliva”; and his low opinion of Bob Hope-- “Bob Hope would accept an award from Thom McAn for wearing their shoes.” Definitely one of PB’s best interviews.
“Bob Hope would attend the opening of a gas station in Anaheim provided there were three cameras there.”
He skewered him pretty thoroughly.
That ain’t quite right. Trent Reznor admitted that Johnny Cash’s version of *Hurt *was better than his, and subsequently gave him all the rights to that song. It is, now and for all intents and purposes, a Johnny Cash song that NIN happened to perform first. There’s mutual respect going on. That’s cool.
Leary not only stole Hicks jokes without asking (or being given assent), he told them worse. Sanitized all that was truly funny and thought-provoking in that show, the better to make ratings & money. That’s shitty. Most professional comedians who knew Bill Hicks agree that it’s a travesty. Leary won’t ever get respect - not from his peers, and not from me.
See the distinction ?
Ahhh, good point. It’s like "When I’m King, Rule #43: You are not allowed to do a cover of a song unless you do it differently, and better."
Same would apply to a stage persona (I would’ve told a young Christian Slater to stop trying to be Jack Nicholson, and shut down Denis Leary), and jokes. (Hmm, would’ve been tricky once I’d heard Gilbert Gottfried’s version of The Aristocrats…)
Music and comedy are apples and oranges. There’s a long and honored history of covering songs, and royalties are paid so everything’s legal and above-board. There’s no such protocol in comedy: either the material is your own, or you stole it.
Mississippienne, fascinating post, Thank you
I too would also love to see the former/present members of Marilyn Manson on some trashy talk show 
Jeremy Kyle would be a good one or maybe they could all go on Dr Phil and talk through their “issues”!
[QUOTE=LotusPotus;15394506I too would also love to see the former/present members of Marilyn Manson on some trashy talk show Jeremy Kyle would be a good one or maybe they could all go on Dr Phil and talk through their “issues”![/QUOTE]
I don’t care for Marilyn Manson, don’t listen to his music.
But I would totally watch that show with one condition.
They all have to be in street clothing, no make up, using their real names.
Is that beside my quote, or instead of it? Have I misremembered the Thom McAn reference from somewhere else? Enquiring minds gots ta know. Thank you for your cooperation.
The distinction is between people who get butthurt over the theft of jokes, and the vast majority of people who couldn’t give a fuck.
Call me butthurt, then. I challenge your assertion that the vast majority of people don’t give a fuck - a comedian’s material is his or her livelihood, and pride.
Carlos Mencia’s reputation is evidence that professionals do give a fuck.