I don't know if this has been said yet, and I don't feel like scrolling pages to find out, but I'm going to say it: Bill Hicks looks like John Denver here. The glasses, the hair... he is the spitting image of John fuckin' Denver. I'm a MONSTROUS Hicks fan, by the way. This was a great collection of interviews.
Don't forget that Bill is being asked about those extreme situations and not about the vast majority of nights when artist and audience "cook" together.
Re: the camerwork. Kevin Matthews was (is?) a radio personality in Chicago. He had a 3 hour show every weekday afternoon, so this may have been primarily made for radio with video for posterity.
That is so true... They really do cover some great stuff masked in comedy that you wouldn't see anywhere else on TV.. shame most people just take it as JUST a joke.
In some aspects, we haven't moved on very much from that era. Going against general consensus or established institutions is still considered taboo by many people. Often enough, they will refuse to hear any argument against their established order, and will condemn on sight. The comedians are not the only people that speak their mind. But the nature of their trade takes them (or should take them) to the front lines of free speech and thought. Democracy cannot be achieved without comedy & satire.
This comment deserves far more up votes than it currently has. But it won't get them for precisely the same reason you outline in the comment itself. "Make me laugh, but you know, try not to make me feel uncomfortable or provoke any thought in the process"
"Yeah he hit her but he's got some clever stuff." That sounds so much like something Ron White would say. I bet he an Ron cut their teeth at many of the same clubs at the same time in the early part of their careers, they have a similar sense of humor. Must be a Texas thing.
very good point about southerners being stereotyped but other groups are hands off.society just shifts its stereotypes in the direction the tube is telling them to
I agree about Patterson. In fact, I just picked up the new Booker T cd about an hour ago and I love it. The Truckers backing him up is a great mix. I responded to your stereotype of Southern people with a common stereotype of Northern people. If it offended you, then maybe you shouldn't use stereotypes yourself. You know, whats good for the goose and all. I think its IRONIC (and very hypocritical) that someone who deals in stereotypes gets so easily offended when one is thrown back at them!!
@drewster85 You know, i was going to say that but then i figured someone already had so i just searched for "3:" and sure enough here it was. Amazing jacket.
I understand the idea, but remember there are other people like Bill. Remember to see the best in your friends and enjoy getting high with fellow active minds.
yeah he was aware, but it wasn't what put him ahead of other comics. hicks voiced his own opinion on stage, which put him quite through some hassle as a result, while other comics invented characters and that they could blame if some material caused an outrage. he also broke quite a few taboos and faced the corporate media in a way that other young comics at that time, like seinfeld, didn't even dare in their dreams. actually, quite a few comics speak about that in a documentary on his life
Dear Cameraman: No need to Scorcese this shit. Just set up the tripod, turn on the camera and don't turn it off until you hear, "Okay, wow, it's been 2 hours already. Thanks for the interview. See you later."
EuchridEucrow1, There are PLENTY of "Southern apologists" who are ashamed that they come from the South, and feel that knocking it or ridiculing it somehow will ingratiate them to those not from there. If Hicks had REALLY understood the South and the way its people, both black and white, interacted with one another on a day to day basis, without outside interpretations, he would have NEVER stereotyped Southern folks as ignorant morons the way he and alot of others frequently did and do
Whistling-Dixie, None of that addresses my question. How can Bill Hicks - somebody born and raised in the Southern United States - be xenophobic about people fromr the Southern United States? Xenophobia suggests a fear of something FOREIGN. I might add, I find it mighty ironic that you come on here, attempting to clear the good name of people sterotyped as 'ignorant' and then proceed to use a word you don't even understand.
I am. And Burroughs, Thompson, Kerouac, Bukowski, and alot of others that might surpise a xenophobe like you. What's your point?? BTW, have you ever really listened to Patterson Hood?
I'm sure he didnt, but he'd be one of the first people that would condemn a Southern comic if they used a black or gay accent in a joke refferin them as stupid. There is a double standard on who we can offend in this country. Unfortunately,for me, people seem to think that the group I belong to is ok to offend. I on the other hand, find it offensive and will say so.
No, he'd be more *CONFUSED* if a comic used a _"black or gay accent"_ when doing an impression of a stupid person, because black and gay people aren't generally known as being stupid people.
Look, I understand where hes from and his accent. What I am opposed to, and not just him, but alot of other entertainers and commentarians is the exaggerated, pronounced Southern accents that they use whenever they are referring to stupid actions or people. It is obvious and has been for years. Denying it is only saying its ok to label and associate Southern folks with bad or idiotic behaviour, when such behaviours are more universal. I mean, its an "accepted" stereotype that offends me.
Well, maybe he should. Alot of people in so called entertaiment roles do it, and it is offensive to a whole lot of people. I mean, if everytime he was imitating stupid people he used a black or ghetto "accent" if you will, there would be extreme outrage, but since its just Southern folks, its dismissed. Just as you dismissed it. A little consistency on not offending people would be nice is all!!!
Fuck sake I miss you Bill. He loved talking about the assassination of JFK, I bet Bill would have saw right through the horse shit psy op that was 9/11 and Covid. Fucking legend.
