[Demko]

Round one brings us a matchup between a British Executive Transvestite and a really hairy alien from a planet called Ork.

Izzard talking about British vs. American movies:



Robin Williams talking about cocaine:



Poll will stay open until next Saturday night at midnight EST. Until then feel free to make whatever arguments you like. YouTube clips are encouraged to support your argument.

[Stu]

Death Star Canteen

WWII

[punk/core]

Robin Williams is an annoying piece of shit.

[Demko]

May 31, 2008 11:28:13 GMT -5 punk/core said:

Robin Williams is an annoying piece of shit.

Yeah, he was another one I was surprised made it into the top 16. He's a much better actor than he ever was a comedian. He got by on nanu-nanu jokes for pretty much his entire standup career. And then, by the time THAT died down, he had combined to form Roblyoopi Wilstalburg during the Comic Relief years.

[Dr. Muerto]

Fuck. I hadn't been paying attention and I clicked on the link to vote for Kat Williams. then i got here and saw it was Robin Williams. While, I appreciate how cutting edge he once was, like most others, I've grown to hate his shtick. Convince me that Izzard deserves a vote.

[Riot Act]

Undecided on this one as well. I think I just said that Cross/Black was the toughest first round match-up for me, but this one is even worse.

You know what, though? I think I may be a bit biased here because of my respect for Williams acting career and the fact that he's supposed to be a pretty damn great guy. I mean, he does a tour and an HBO special, what, every 4-6 years? Plus, there's all the stories of joke-stealing, which I talked mentioned briefly in the nominations thread.

Still greatly undecided, though.

[Andy]

You want to count acting ability? Watch one episode of The Riches then watch one episode of Mork & Mindy and we'll talk.

[Lucky]

How about we watch Good Will Hunting and Mystery Men instead? Works both ways.

[creepy]

Drama Robin Williams is good stuff. Comedy Robin Williams is bad stuff.

I still need to watch this Izzard guy.

[punk/core]

I can't fucking stand Williams. I think I hate him most during interviews though. He always fucking has to be "on." He can't just sit there and talk like a normal person... he's gotta be bouncing all around, going in and out of character voices. Christ... he's like a kid with ADD and it's so fucking annoying.

[Byrntrigan]

or maybe he's still just a cokehead

[The Jewish Cunthead]

Jun 1, 2008 17:18:34 GMT -5 punk/core said:

He always fucking has to be "on."

I think that's why I always appreciate his dramatic roles since it's nice to see him dial it down every now and then.

[Jack Quinn]

that was the same reason I really started disliking Jim Carrey early in his career, he could never turn it off, he always had to be "on" and man was it irritating. I assume he has toned it down some, I haven't seen him do an interview in forever.

[salmonjunkie]

I like Robin Williams the dramatic actor. I like Robin Williams in some funny-man roles. I liked Mrs. Doubtfire (except when he does rap stuff). I've even did improv with him once, and he was hilarious and great to work with.

But as far as stand up comedy, I prefer Eddie Izzard's work. If we let acting career base our voting, then Chris Rock won;t go very far at all (except CB4 was awesome)

[Demko]

And don't you dare forget his role in 'I'm Gonna Git You Sucka'!

"How much for 1 rib?"
"Fuck it, just pour it in my hands."

[Lucky]

And he was Pookie in New Jack City!

[Lucky]

I know I'm in the minority but I like Williams stand up. I mean he can totally get annoying and he can get too out of control. God knows voices and crack induced screaming can wear thin on you over 90 minutes. But sometimes that frantic shit can crack me up.

Williams on Golf and the Scottish always amused me.


And Aladdin was amusing when I was a kid.

I do like Izzard as well, though. Although I'm kind of sad that he's gotten pretty mainstream and my "Cake or Death?" shirt is now recognized by enough people that I don't really want to wear it in public.


Interestingly while watching a Williams clip on Youtube I found it amusing that a "related clip" was "Amy Winehouse takes a bump of cocaine." I can't argue.

[Demko]

Actually, I'd noticed that too, Lucky. I got a huge kick out of that.

[Jack Quinn]

the Williams bit on golf was great. Actually that whole CD is good if you listen to it a little bit at a time, but two hours of Robin Williams can get a bit tedious.

[Lucky]

Yeah, I absolutely agree. Its where he loses you. He's SO fucking full of energy he can't help but wear you down after awhile unless you too are hopped up on something. Which is probably why I loved his stuff when I was a teenager all hopped up on soda playing video games all night.

Which in fairness is probably a negative to his standup. If he can't keep you for the length of time he tries to, that's probably a pretty clear flaw. But I think his rep takes a hit and his great stuff is lost in the basic exhaustion people have and the "SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SOMEONE TRANQ HIM ALREADY!" reaction it creates.