# Explain the appeal of Bill Hicks (a bit of a frustrated rant) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 26, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046 "2010-07-26T14:35:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/21 "2010-07-26T20:55:17Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Because the posthumous lionization was beginning. What are you talking about? _Beginning?_ Letterman aired that routine a year and a half ago. Tool put him on the inside of one of their albums in 1996. There’s been something of a cult around him almost since he died, which was back in 1993. I was also wrong about that Letterman appearance - it wouldn’t have been the high point of his career. He’d been on Letterman a bunch of times, so people knew who he was. It would’ve been his last TV appearance, though, since he was dying of cancer. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/22 "2010-07-26T20:55:42Z")
I only knew about this guy from listening to _Tool_. He’s not very funny. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/23 "2010-07-26T21:57:12Z")
He was a comedic philosopher, and, to many fans, including me, a genius. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/24 "2010-07-26T22:37:54Z")
I saw him live and have heard pretty much all his (recorded) routines, and I don’t think he’s very funny. I agreed with a lot of what he said, but I didn’t laugh. He was more a ranter than a comedian, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/25 "2010-07-26T22:50:33Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > > [@Ogre](#): > > > > I contend that he’s famous because his career was cut short, and he’s being relentlessly memorialized by a bunch of fanboys who want him to be remembered as being greater than he actually was. > > That’s a rather facile explanation because it doesn’t take into account why they want to remember him in the first place. I agree with this. > [@Marley23](#): > > Some of his stuff is regular straight-up funny (I think Dinosaurs in the Bible probably works best there), but a lot of what I like about him is the anger, at least at the end. He’s bitter in a way that most people who are performing will not admit. It’s not always funny but I respect it. Why? What’s so admirable about being bitter? > [@newcomer](#): > > Here’s one that may not work well in terms of gaining popularity in US: > > "I’ll show you politics in America. Here it is, right here. “I think the puppet on the right shares my beliefs.” “I think the puppet on the left is more to my liking.” “Hey, wait a minute, there’s one guy holding out both puppets!” Not very profound and potentially very damaging to the country. I’ve always hated this attitude. While both sides may be seriously fucked up, one side is far more fucked up than the other. And promoting the attitude that both sides are equally bad turns people off when it comes to participating. Currently, the far right feels one side is significantly worse than the other. Much of the left in this country is currently feeling that one entity if controlling both “puppets”. What will be the outcome? The more I think about it, the less I like Hicks. I hate the nested quote feature. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/26 "2010-07-26T23:00:55Z")
I think people paid too much attention to his “philosophy”, which could be a little sophomoric. I mostly ignored that stuff and just enjoyed his glorious way with words. I think he was at his best when he wan’t trying to make any particular point. The stuff about how the System is keeping us all down… meh. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/27 "2010-07-26T23:02:22Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Not very profound and potentially very damaging to the country. I’ve always hated this attitude. While both sides may be seriously fucked up, one side is far more fucked up than the other. And promoting the attitude that both sides are equally bad turns people off when it comes to participating. > > Currently, the far right feels one side is significantly worse than the other. Much of the left in this country is currently feeling that one entity if controlling both “puppets”. What will be the outcome? The more I think about it, the less I like Hicks. I would think your attitude is damaging with this idea that “my side” must be better. Explain then, for example, new financial reform bill that Volcker is disappointed with, or Congress and Senate letter of more than 80% signatories both yours and theirs to the White House not to mistreat Israel despite public provocations, or largest ever military program in history with new order of more than 2000 F35 jets. And on and on… On a second thought, don’t bother. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/28 "2010-07-26T23:32:42Z")
His routines seemed OK enough for me, but he’s no Gallagher. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/29 "2010-07-26T23:45:28Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > I would think your attitude is damaging with this idea that “my side” must be better. > > Explain then, for example, new financial reform bill that Volcker is disappointed with, or Congress and Senate letter of more than 80% signatories both yours and theirs to the White House not to mistreat Israel despite public provocations, or largest ever military program in history with new order of more than 2000 F35 jets. And on and on… > > On a second thought, don’t bother. If you want to talk politics, start a thread in GD or the Pit. Cafe Society isn’t the appropriate place for it. **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/30 "2010-07-26T23:49:09Z")
Sigh, I shouldn’t try to multitask. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/31 "2010-07-27T01:23:44Z")
From a link provided by **yojimbo** above, re gays in the military: “Anyone dumb enough to want to be in the military should be let in.” Re military commenting on the issue: “AREN’T YOU ALL FUCKING HIRED KILLERS? SHUT UP! You’re thugs, and when we need you blow the fuck out of a nation of little brown people, we’ll let you know.” Philosopher? Genius? Glorious way with words? Do you really expect me to take any of those descriptions seriously? ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/32 "2010-07-27T01:46:33Z")
Reading through that Wikiquotes page, he seems like the type of person I leave the room to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/33 "2010-07-27T02:10:50Z")
“A lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. You think when Jesus comes back he ever wants to see a fucking cross? It’s like going up to Jackie Onassis wearing a rifle pendant.” “I don’t mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that’s how it comes out.” “The worst kind of non-smokers are the ones that come up to you and cough. That’s pretty fucking cruel isn’t it? Do you go up to cripples and dance too?” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/34 "2010-07-27T02:18:00Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > I think people paid too much attention to his “philosophy”, which could be a little sophomoric. Not for a stand-up philosopher! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/35 "2010-07-27T02:21:27Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > Read through [Bill Hicks - Wikiquote](http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bill_Hicks) > > He’s funny. I just have. He’s not. Really – is that the best he could do? It’s just warmed over George Carlin at best with “insights” that date from before he was born. I was especially unimpressed with “All governments are lying cocksuckers.” How witty! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/36 "2010-07-27T03:07:45Z")
Good comedians go off about ‘us’ rather than ‘them’. Good rant comedians - like Carlin, Bruce, and Lewis - hold the unspoken premise that _ **we are better than this.** _ ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/37 "2010-07-27T07:50:36Z")
I do think Bill Hicks had an outstanding comedic timing and was a smart person. There was more to him and his material besides the actual topics, which, as noted, can be pretty sophomoric or superficial. When he goes on a rant on how marijuana should be legalized because it’s less threatening than alcohol, I just have to roll my eyes, because it’s such a weak argument. Nevertheless, he keeps me interested, especially since he kept pouring from himself regardless of what the audience felt. He had integrity. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/38 "2010-07-27T14:06:28Z")
I got a chance to see Hicks a few times in person, back in the '80s. To be honest I don’t recall a lot of his material, but I remember his presence. It was impossible _not_ to hang on his every word. He simply owned the room, and that was a big part of what made him special. Half the battle in stand-up is keeping the audience’s attention, and boy, could he do that. As his reputation grew, he was one of the most talked-about and respected comedians _among other comedians_ that I ever heard of. That’s saying something. But, by most accounts he was not an easy guy to be around. He definitely had emotional issues, and toward the end he let his personal demons take over his act. I think most of the video clips you can find online are from this period and don’t necessarily reflect his best work. Even at his best, though, he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea. And if you didn’t enjoy what he did, I bet he’d be the first to tell you he didn’t give a fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/39 "2010-07-27T14:32:54Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > But, by most accounts he was not an easy guy to be around. He definitely had emotional issues, and toward the end he let his personal demons take over his act. I think most of the video clips you can find online are from this period and don’t necessarily reflect his best work. Even at his best, though, he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea. And if you didn’t enjoy what he did, I bet he’d be the first to tell you he didn’t give a fuck. If he did, then you could tell him he’s full of shit. It was obvious that he cared a great deal what other people thought. Other comics think very highly of him, and I respect their opinions on the matter. Otherwise, he doesn’t do much for me. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046/40 "2010-07-27T15:19:53Z")
Seems to me he could be pretty juvenile, but was at least angry at the injustice of the world, and the thick veneer of bullshit which disguises this. There are a fair few smug people in this thread who have left behind these cares for a homely self-interest. I don’t find _that_ very funny, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-bill-hicks-a-bit-of-a-frustrated-rant/548046.md?page=3)