Saying it to his face. (It's a roast so obviously NSFW.)

Be honest, how many of you would love to have had the opportunity that Lisa Lampanelli had that night?

I can certainly think of some rather off color remarks I would like to say to his face.

Comedian Joe Rogan thinks that Alaskans are "gangster as shit."

I just stumbled across this audio of Joe Rogan telling another comedian about his visits to Anchorage, and thought that his description of my state and my city were just about the best ones I had ever heard.

It is a little under a minute and a half long so give it as listen and tell me if that does not sound like a place you would want to visit.

Australian comedian explains reverse racism. Absolutely worth your time to hear.

I had never heard of this comedian before but his explanation is so spot on that I thought it was worth sharing.

Well there is one group who will relish the election of Joni Ernst to the Senate, comedians.

Courtesy of Ria Novosti:  

The winner of Tuesday’s Iowa Senate Race, Republican Joni Ernst will be featured regularly in political comedy shows because of her extreme beliefs, a political strategist told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. 

“Joni Ernst has said some things that are on the fringe of American politics - which the press hasn’t covered very well. She referred to [US President Barack] Obama as a dictator. Not to mention she’s into all kinds of weird conspiracy theories. She’ll definitely make good fodder for Jon Stewart for the next six years,” Iowa-based political consultant Pete D'Alessandro said. 

D'Alessandro, who has also worked on a number of election campaigns, also pointed to some alarming statements Ernst made regarding gun ownership, including the one in which she stated that she would need a gun to defend herself against the government. 

“I would say she’s a less intelligent Sarah Palin [Former Alaska Governor]. Sarah Palin is actually smarter, politically,” the strategist claimed.

Wow, dumber than Sarah Palin. Is there any worse allegation than that for a politician?

I agree that Ernst is going to attract a lot of attention from comedians and satirists.

I can already visualize the SNL skit based on her acceptance speech, where she brayed like a donkey the entire time.

As for being dumber than Palin, I will have to see a little more evidence before I am willing to hand the Queen of Stupidity crown over to Ernst. Maybe if her family got shitfaced and attacked an innocent homeowner I might consider it.

A word about the wonderful Robin Williams.

Here at IM I do not typically remark on the passing of famous comedians or actors, but Robin Williams was so much more than that.

There are some people in this world so unique that you know you will never see their like ever again.

Robin Williams was one such individual.

I grew up in the seventies so of course Robin Williams is an important part of my adolescent memories.

In fact I first heard some of his humor coming out of the mouth of a friend of mine who had gone to San Francisco for a school break and watched his act before he became famous.

I thought my friend was incredibly brilliant, and as he regurgitated the comedian's jokes he had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes.

A bit later I saw Mork completely blow the Fonz's mind on Happy Days, and I went "Hey wait a minute...."

Later Robin was on Mork and Mindy, which was "must see TV" in my house.

I remember seeing his first appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and how unlike every guest in the history of the show he refused to remain in the seat to be interviewed, but kept jumping up to act out bits and to do crazy voices. 

Robin did not have restless leg syndrome, he had restless everything syndrome.

After a few minutes Carson was laughing so hard that I wondered if he could finish the show.

After that I NEVER missed an interview with Robin Williams on late night television.

I have worked with kids much of my life so I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have seen Aladdin, Jumanji, or Hook, but it has been a lot.

For myself my favorite performances were in Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and Good Will Hunting. (For that last one Robin improvised this scene which cracked both Matt Damon and the cameraman up so much they barely got through it.)

I could literally go on forever about the talents of this man, and his enormous impact on my life, and the life of others.  But that would be self serving, and there are other, infinitely less important things we must discuss today.

I am going to try and crack a smile or two in memory of this comedy god, and I suggest that you do the same.

After all he would want us to laugh, not cry.

Personally I think I might do a little of both.

It's official, Stephen Colbert will replace the retiring David Letterman on the Late Show. Update!

Courtesy of Politico:  

Stephen Colbert will replace David Letterman when he retires from "Late Show" next year, CBS Television announced on Thursday. 

Colbert, the host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," has signed a five-year deal with the network set to begin when Letterman steps down in 2015. 

“Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television,” CBS President Leslie Moonves said in a statement. “David Letterman’s legacy and accomplishments are an incredible source of pride for all of us here, and today’s announcement speaks to our commitment of upholding what he established for CBS in late night.” 

“Stephen is a multi-talented and respected host, writer, producer, satirist and comedian who blazes a trail of thought-provoking conversation, humor and innovation with everything he touches,” Nina Tassler, the Chairman of CBS Entertainment, said. ”He is a presence on every stage, with interests and notable accomplishments across a wide spectrum of entertainment, politics, publishing and music. We welcome Stephen to CBS with great pride and excitement, and look forward to introducing him to our network television viewers in late night.”

Okay I am a little torn here.

I read earlier that Colbert would be playing this straight, and appear on the show as himself, rather than in character.

That raises conflicted feelings in me.

Because while I really like Stephen Colbert, I really LOVE Stephen Colbert.

I mean Stephen Colbert is a gifted performer and quite entertaining, but Stephen Colbert is a genius.

I guess what I am saying is that I don't know if I can enjoy watching Stephen Colbert, while at the same time mourning the loss of Stephen Colbert.

Okay now I have a headache again.

Update: For any of you who are worried that Stephen will be bullied by CBS into being non-controversial or into watering down his comedy, I remind you that the man has the biggest set of balls in all of comedy.

Behold his 2006 appearance at the White House Correspondent's Dinner.

There is so much truth to this.

Yeah this drives me crazy.

Almost as crazy as all of the Republicans screaming about reducing the size of government, yet when they get into the White House they ALWAYS seem to expand it while also increasing the spending on military defense after running on a plan to reduce the debt.

David Chappelle IS Nostradamus.

Okay you have to admit, that is one bizarre coincidence.

(For those who don't know who David Chappelle is.)