# When did Bobcat Goldthwait become the greatest writer ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457 "2009-12-16T05:11:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/1 "2009-12-16T05:11:41Z")
If \*\*\*World’s Greatest Dad \*\*\*isn’t your #1 movie of 2009, you’re an asshole. Sorry, that was just a easy one lobbed to the anti-lissener lobby. But seriously. What an era-defining film. No? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/2 "2009-12-16T05:58:20Z")
(Truth be told, and Cabernet acknowledged, that asshole line was trolling. Please ignore.) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/3 "2009-12-16T07:50:41Z")
Is it better than _Shakes the Clown_? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/4 "2009-12-16T15:09:41Z")
Seriously, it might end up my top movie this year. I’m gonna sleep on it for a couple days, but yeah, it’s way better than Shakes. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/5 "2010-03-13T08:06:38Z")
This is a zombie thread, but we just got around to seeing this movie last night and we both loved it! I had no idea it was going to be a black comedy, I had no idea what the plot was in advance, and I’m glad. Everything was a surprise, a delightful, oh-my-god-is-that-really-happening??? surprise. I guess I’m a bit of an asshole because nothing will budge **Away We Go** and **Moon** for my favorite films of 2009, but this is definitely up there now. I wish I’d seen it in the theater. I don’t even remember it _being_ in the theater! This thread was what put the movie on my radar, tucked away in a “I’ll have to see that at some point” corner, so thanks. I saw it was available at a Redbox by my work last night, and decided to give it a try. He really was the World’s Greatest Dad. He did what he did to protect his son’s memory, even though his son was a douchebag. Then he gave himself up because he couldn’t stand the guilt and the hypocrisy of everyone in the school. I didn’t want him to get caught, but when he gave himself up, I realized it was the right thing to do. Once the shock blows over, he probably would get very famous for the stunt. It really was done out of love and he really was a great writer. The tabloids/TV shows would not be able to resist the “heartwarming” bizarre twist to the original heartwarming but somewhat mundane story. He may never be forgiven by the people at the school, but he had Richard and the zombie-loving lady, would make money from appearances and his own writing, and be famous, so who cares about the jerks at school? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/6 "2010-03-13T08:17:55Z")
I have yet to see \*\*\*Moon \*\*\*or _ **Away We Go** _, but _ **World’s Greatest Dad** _ is still my #1 film of 2009. Glad you got to see it! What did your huzbind think of it? I know he likes comedies, but I think I’ve been aware of a couple dark comedies he was less fond of than me. But yeah, it’s definitely in my top 5 dark comedy list, with _ **The Loved One, Citizen Ruth, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Trouble With Harry, Very Bad Things, Death to Smoochy** _–yeah I know I have more than 5 movies in my top 5. So get a warrant. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/7 "2010-03-13T13:15:53Z")
I liked it too. Definitely one the best dark comedies I’ve seen in while. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/8 "2010-03-13T14:47:34Z")
Huh. I’m glad I saw this thread, because frankly I would never have considered this movie just based on the cast and the marketing materials. I’m going to put it on my Netflix queue now. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/9 "2010-03-13T15:00:51Z")
It was very good, that’s for sure. The MAJOR plot turning point of the movie was spoiled by the movie description on Netflix streaming for me though. I was impressed with Robin Williams when : He found his son was actually dead. That was a really well acted scene. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/10 "2010-03-13T16:22:00Z")
Robin Williams is so good, but he generally always is. I have to see some of these other movies mentioned in this thread. I’ve only seen Very Bad Things and Citizen Ruth, and liked both, especially Ruth. > [@lissener](#): > > What did your huzbind think of it? I know he likes comedies, but I think I’ve been aware of a couple dark comedies he was less fond of than me. Uh… > [@Equipoise](#): > > This is a zombie thread, but **we just got around to seeing** this movie last night and _ **we both loved it** _! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/11 "2010-03-13T16:27:59Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Huh. I’m glad I saw this thread, because frankly I would never have considered this movie just based on the cast and the marketing materials. I’m going to put it on my Netflix queue now. Ditto - will (hopefully remember to) report back with a review shortly. ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/12 "2010-03-13T22:20:43Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > If \*\*\*World’s Greatest Dad \*\*\*isn’t your #1 movie of 2009, you’re an asshole. > > Sorry, that was just a easy one lobbed to the anti-lissener lobby. But seriously. What an era-defining film. No? No. If that makes me an asshole, so be it. It was entertaining and cute, at best. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/13 "2010-03-13T22:32:07Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Robin Williams is so good, but he generally always is. I have to see some of these other movies mentioned in this thread. I’ve only seen Very Bad Things and Citizen Ruth, and liked both, especially Ruth. > > Uh…😉 Uh . . . I thought you were talking about your imaginary friend, Wretchawry. . . . ---
**Author:** ![Chum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@Chum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chum)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/14 "2010-03-14T16:10:32Z")
When I saw this thread when originally posted, I thought it was a woosh. The cover and the title make the movie look like another sappy Robin Williams movie for families. But I watched it last night, and it was fantastic. The kid was a complete asshole, but in the most hilarious ways possible. The writing was indeed brilliant. It could very well could be my favorite movie of 2009. Thanks, lissener. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/15 "2010-03-14T18:14:59Z")
I realize it’s only tangential to the actual thrust of your OP, but Bobcat Goldthwait gets a lot less credit than he deserves IMO. The guy was absolutely hilarious back in the 80s/early 90s, and not just because of his goofy voice. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/16 "2010-03-14T18:38:33Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I realize it’s only tangential to the actual thrust of your OP, but Bobcat Goldthwait gets a lot less credit than he deserves IMO. The guy was absolutely hilarious back in the 80s/early 90s, and not just because of his goofy voice. The voice turned off a lot of people that I think would have liked his act otherwise. I thought he had some great material. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/17 "2010-03-14T19:34:45Z")
I’ll check it out, but I’m not holding my breath for it to be the greatest movie of 2009, because, **lissener** , aren’t you the guy who called The Dark Knight an “unqualified masterpiece”? Moon and Away We Go . . . I think I would give them both a 6/10. Moon’s antagonist had no motive, unless I missed something (I’ll change my mind and bump it to 8/10 if I did), and Away We Go had a charming lead female but some painfully unfunny moments, including the whole Maggie Gyllenhal sequence. > [@Revtim](#): > > The voice turned off a lot of people that I think would have liked his act otherwise. I thought he had some great material. Same goes for Gilbert Gottfried. ---
**Author:** ![Surbey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/18 "2010-03-14T19:39:14Z")
I don’t think Robin Williams is funny but that man is a good actor. I know his deep down goal is to do comedy but he really is great in non-comedic roles. Worlds Greatest Dad was absolutely amazing. I was glad I saw it on Netflix a few weeks back because I missed it in theaters. When I realized Bobcat wrote that, I definitely was impressed. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/19 "2010-03-14T20:44:59Z")
There are some actors who shouldn’t be allowed to pick their own roles. Someone should decide for them, instead of letting them do what they like. Robin Williams is one, Jim Carrey is another. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/20 "2010-03-14T20:48:30Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > The voice turned off a lot of people that I think would have liked his act otherwise. I thought he had some great material. > [@Cisco](#): > > Same goes for Gilbert Gottfried. Agreed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457.md?page=2)