Fan Fatale: The 40th Anniversary of "The King of Comedy"

 

 

by Michael Lyons    

 In our current world, filled with fandom that ranges from obsessed to "toxic," it's fascinating to watch 1983's The King of Comedy, forty years later.

Director Martin Scorcese's dark comedy is not just ahead of its time; it's almost scarily prophetic. A box-office disappointment that has faded from memory for many over the past four decades, this original, skewed, tragic movie is so worthy of a re-visit.

The King of Comedy centers on Rupert Pupkin (Robert DeNiro), an amateur - very amateur - comedian who is obsessed with talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), a Johnny Carson-like, legendary TV icon, who has hosted his show for many years.

Rupert desperately wants to appear on Langford's show and perform his stand-up routine, so much so that he works with his friend Masha (Sandra Bernhard), who is equally obsessed with Langford. They hatch a plan to kidnap the talk show host, and as part of the ransom agreement, Rupert wants to be the headlining act on Langford's show.

DeNiro is perfect in a role much different than any he had done before, almost a "gentler" version of Travis Bickle from one of his other Scorcese collaborations, Taxi Driver. He creates Rupert as the ultimate fanboy, seemingly safe one minute and unknowingly dangerous the next.

As a nice, added touch, he still lives in his parent's basement, where he records his stand-up act and even has a recreation of The Jerry Langford show set, where he pretends to be a guest.

Jerry Lewis is, interestingly, the "straight man" to DeNiro's off-kilter performance. This is a role audiences aren't used to seeing Lewis in, and he does a great job at playing the simmering slow burn that eventually boils over.

Then, there is Sandra Bernhard, in her major debut, as a fierce force of nature, as she crafts Macha into a unique, unhinged character. 

This is also a much different outing for director Scorcese.  His sweeping, kinetic camera work is nowhere to be found.  And in its place is a very straightforward, grounded direction, which makes The King of Comedy more realistic, and chilling at times.

While it didn't ignite the box office, The King of Comedy has been very influential for several filmmakers, including Todd Phillips, who has credited the film as an inspiration for 2019's Joker (which featured DeNiro in a supporting role).

Released on February 18, 1983, The King of Comedy speaks to how being a fan, and trying to live out your fantasies, can quickly consume your life. It resonates, even more today, as social media has turned so many into celebrities and has brought celebrities that much closer to their fans.

As critic Roger Ebert perfectly stated, The King of Comedy is "...frustrating to watch, unpleasant to remember, and in its own way, quite effective."

 Source: rogerebert.com 

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You've Gotta Love Football: Celebrating The Super Bowl and Valentine's Day with "Frasier"

 

by Michael Lyons

 

Just as they did this time last year - worlds are about to collide, as The Super Bowl and Valentine's Day will happen just days apart. 

While these two extremely popular and special days couldn't be more different, there are ways to celebrate both, with none other than the noted psychiatrist Frasier Crane.  Two separate episodes of the hit, long-running sitcom Frasier have centered on the big Super Bowl game, and he day of love, Valentine's Day, along with the love and neurosis that comes with both.

 

"Our Parents, Ourselves," Originally aired:  January 21, 1999

A very poignant episode in which Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Roz (Peri Gilpin) attempt to play matchmaker between Frasier's Dad, Martin (John Mahoney), and Roz's mom Joanna (Eva Marie Saint).

It all falls apart, as Martin isn't interested, and Joanna is.  To make matters worse, Frasier secretly invites Roz and Joanna over to Martin's Super Bowl party, not knowing that Martin has invited another date, Bonnie (Alice Playten).

There lots of good jokes sprinkled throughout, centering on Frasier and Niles knowing nothing about football. This includes a great opening in which Roz has to mime different plays so that Frasier can converse about football with one of the callers on his radio show.

"Our Parents, Ourselves" ends on a very touching note. After their matchmaking has gone awry, Frasier and Roz have a very frank discussion around the fact that they did it because they not only hate seeing their parents alone, but they're also afraid of being alone someday.

A feeling that's as universally shared as the Super Bowl itself.

 

"Three Valentines," Originally aired:  February 11, 1999

This Valentine's Day episode centers on three stories.

In one that opens the show, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) is preparing for a Valentine's Day date, for which Frasier has loaned out his apartment.  What follows is brilliant physical comedy from Hyde Pierce, in a sequence almost devoid of dialogue, where one hysterical mishap after another happens and snowballs out of control.  What starts with Niles looking to iron a wrinkle out of his trousers ends with him setting fire to Frasier's couch, all while Eddie the dog watches on.

The second story is about Frasier, who has been invited out on a Valentine's Day date with the station's new marketing manager (Virginia Madsen), or has he?  Frasier can't quite get a "read" on whether or not Cassandra is interested in him, made funnier by sharp dialogue, where Frasier's hopes are high one second and dashed the next.

Then, in the third story, Martin and Daphne (Jane Leeves) go out to dinner, as they have no plans for Valentine's Day. As they try to cheer each other up, they wind up inadvertently (and humorously) insulting each other.

One of the best Frasier episodes, "Three Valentines," is crafted like a great Hollywood screwball, romantic comedy.

 

So, Frasier can help you gear up for the Super Bowl or get ready for Valentine's Day. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate both, to quote this wonderful sitcom's main character, "This is Dr. Frasier Crane. I'm listening."

 

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It’s Yesterday Once More: Celebrating the 25th...wait, no...the 30th Anniversary of “Groundhog Day!”

  It’s Yesterday Once More: Celebrating the 25th 30^th Anniversary of “Groundhog Day!”

 By Michael Lyons

“What if there is no tomorrow?!?  There wasn’t one today!”

 

This line of dialogue from 1993’s “Groundhog Day” is not only witty, it’s the theme of film’s most original comedies.

 

Hard to believe that it’s been 25…wait, make that 30 years, since “Groundhog Day” debuted in theaters.  This anniversary, coupled with the fact that Punxsutawney Phil is about to emerge this week in Pennsylvania to hold our extended winter or early Spring in his little paws, it seems the perfect time to celebrate director Harold Ramis’ comedy masterpiece.

 

Anyone remotely familiar with movies, comedy, or groundhogs knows the story by now.  Bill Murray plays dour, cynical weatherman Phil Connors, who is sent to  Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual ritual reveal of groundhog Phil and the prediction for our upcoming weather.

 

A snowstorm traps Phil Connors in the small town, and, for absolutely no reason whatsoever, he finds himself re-living the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over and over and over again...until he realizes just how to make the day, and himself, better.

 

More than just a gimmick, “Groundhog Day” is one of the most reflective and philosophical comedies ever made.  If life is an endless boring replay of the same places and faces, how do we find our own inner peace and joy in that?

 

Bill Murray is at his most, well, Bill Murray as Phil.  No other comedic actor could have pulled off the smart-aleck attitude, slow burns, and eventual explosions as he does.  His performance here is a brilliant blend of the comic and the tragic. 

 

Director Ramis was given a most difficult task within “Groundhog Day.”  The film is a marvel of continuity, as the same scenes from each day are played out again and again with different reactions and scenarios.

 

All of it to hilarious comedic effect, as audiences are in on the joke, knowing how the scene should play out and waiting to see how it changes during one of the repeated days (It’s still easy to chuckle as the alarm clock changes to 6:00 am and “I’ve Got You Babe” begins to play).

 

Within these days, we get to meet the solid, supporting cast, including Andie MacDowell, bringing heart to what could have been a thankless role filled with nothing but straight lines.  There’s also the always hysterical character actor Stephen Tobolowksy, as a long lost friend of Phil’s, that he meets over and over again to hysterical effect.

 

The real wonder of “Groundhog Day” is the script, written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, who came up with the story.  Deep at the core of the film is the unspoken theme to make the most of each day, no matter how mundane or repetitive it may seem.  Like Phil Connors in the film, who pulls himself out of a very dark place to make the most of the small marvels in the small town around him, each of us can find the beauty in each new day.

 

Released on February 12, 1993, “Groundhog Day” is that rare film that’s become part of our pop culture and our lexicon.  If someone says, “I felt like I was stuck in Groundhog Day,” we know exactly what they mean.

 

Few movies have done that.  Two and half  make that, Three decades later, it’s safe to say that if there really is no tomorrow, “Groundhog Day” would be the perfect movie to watch...over and over and over and over again!

 

Sources: Wikipedia

 

If you feel like every day is the same, maybe you need to read a new book? Check out my book, Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance, available at Amazon , with personalized and signed copies available at Words From Lyons ...

...or check out more of articles and podcasts at my website: Words From Lyons !