# 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:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/21 "2010-03-14T21:58:01Z")
I thought this was a joke. Everyone’s serious. K. I’ll check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/22 "2010-03-15T20:54:14Z")
I haven’t liked anything Robin Williams has done since Popeye. But I’ll take y’all’s word for it. I just put it in my queue. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/23 "2010-03-15T21:07:24Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > 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. I could prolly get behind this idea. Both are very talented, but often seem to have chosen a role because it will be a vehicle for them, rather than just be a good movie. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/24 "2010-03-15T21:15:07Z")
Huh. Okay, I’ll take your word for it. I just added it to my Instant Queue on Netflix, so I’ll try to watch it sometime this week. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/25 "2010-03-15T21:22:43Z")
I watched it last month or so, and I really liked it. Strangely enough, I didn’t like it much while I was watching it, but for me it’s one of those movies that kind of grows on you. Especially Robin Williams’ performance. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/26 "2010-03-15T21:30:33Z")
I heard Bobcat talking about this movie on NPR a little while and watched in on Netflix shortly thereafter. I think I knew a bit too much going in, but it was still a really good movie. I was surprised by how badly I wanted the kid to die. Between the writing and the acting, they did a great job of making that kid a pretty reprehensible waste of space. I was kind of impressed that the movie was able to evoke that in me. ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/27 "2010-03-15T21:41:55Z")
For some more Bobcat goodness, give his comedy album a listen… “I Don’t Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait”. Good stuff. Very little of the cliched bobcat voice, so don’t let that scare you off. Very funny. He is very aware of how little he is taken seriously as well, so there is a lot of self deprecating humor in there. All in all a very underrated comedian. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/28 "2010-03-15T21:56:57Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > I haven’t liked anything Robin Williams has done since Popeye. But I’ll take y’all’s word for it. I just put it in my queue. you liked popeye and didn’t like any of his subsequent works? i DIDN’T like popey and loved… Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, Fisher King, 1 hour photo. As far as his comedies go, I liked Jack, Mrs. Doubtfire, and his voice acting in Fern Gully and Aladdin. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/29 "2010-03-16T02:32:41Z")
> [@CutterJohn](#): > > For some more Bobcat goodness, give his comedy album a listen… “I Don’t Mean to Insult You, But You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait”. Good stuff. Very little of the cliched bobcat voice, so don’t let that scare you off. Very funny. He is very aware of how little he is taken seriously as well, so there is a lot of self deprecating humor in there. > > All in all a very underrated comedian. Sorry, a guy does not get to spend years sneering at Bob Hope, and then take big paychecks to star in “Hot to Trot” or “Police Academy 20.” Goldthwait was an arrogant, smug asshole. He doesn’t deserve to get off lightly for that, just because he now does a few self-deprecating jokes about his career choices. When you go on “Today” and smirk, “When’s the last time Bob Hope made you laugh,” you’d BETTER produce comedy gold yourself. HE almost never did. Bob Hope made some real stinkers, but on his worst day, he would’ve thrown the “Hot to Trot” script in the trash. ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/30 "2010-03-16T03:28:16Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > you liked popeye and didn’t like any of his subsequent works? i DIDN’T like popey and loved… Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, Fisher King, 1 hour photo. > > As far as his comedies go, I liked Jack, Mrs. Doubtfire, and his voice acting in Fern Gully and Aladdin. I was about 8 when I saw Popeye. But I should clarify that, while he has done well in his dramatic roles, I haven’t liked a COMEDY of his since Popeye (when I was too young to know anything.) I think his comedy act is way overplayed, and that’s why I hate him as a comedian. It’s been the same gimmick for decades. But I’ll give this a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/31 "2010-03-16T06:17:40Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > As far as his comedies go, I liked Jack WHAT?! I can hardly _think_ of that movie without getting all choked up! ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457/32 "2010-03-16T15:36:13Z")
> [@](#): > > What an era-defining film. No? No. While its a good black comedy, I think its strengths is more in its tasteless humor and amusing premise than the ham-fisted social critique it tries. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-bobcat-goldthwait-become-the-greatest-writer-ever/521457.md?page=1)