Strollerderby : chris rock

Comedians From The Past Weigh In On The First Black President

Brett Singer — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Barack Obama being elected is a historic moment. One way to realize just how historic is through comedy. OK, we don't actually need to realize how historic this moment is. But it is interesting to look at how the idea of a Black President was viewed in the past.

First up, this Richard Pryor sketch where he plays the leader of the free world. It's a little long, and it was the 70's, so some of the humor is a little dopey and dated. For example, there's a moment towards the end when a reporter asks about his mother. Pryor as President responds, "What did you just ask me?" The reporter says, "I’m talking about your momma!" Etc. Here's the video:

Richard Pryor, 1st Black President

This is much more interesting. Remember Eddie Murphy's Delirious? Easily one of the funniest comedy albums/tv specials of all time. Eddie had some things to say about African-American politicians, in particular Jesse Jackson running for President. Here's the video, which is riddled with four-letter words and is NOT safe for work or children (unless you decide it is):

Eddie Murphy on the First Black President

That was 1983. Looong time ago. I'd love to call Eddie Murphy and ask him if what he thinks of this election. Sadly, Eddie's not talking to me right now.

Last (this is in chronological order), here is a Chris Rock bit about a Black VICE president from Saturday Night Live. Chris said (this was many years ago, as you can tell by his unfortunate hairdo) that the country would never have a Black Vice-President. So far, he's right. As for the notion that we'd never have a Black President? Luckily, everybody was wrong about that one. (If the clip won't play, click here.)

Chris Rock, first Black Vice President

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Chris Rock could be Barack Obama's running mate

Brett Singer — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Barack Obama and Chris Rock think alike.

Last week, Barack Obama made a speech on Father's Day in which he discussed the rising rate of absent fathers, specifically in the African-American community. "Too many fathers…are…missing from too many lives and too many homes. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men."

When I heard this I said – hang on. That sounds familiar. Who said that before?

Oh! Chris Rock. In 1996.

According to Trey Ellis, Obama mentioned Rock's routine, "albeit cleaned up a lot." (I hope so!)

Video of Rock's bit and Obama's speech are below. But basically, here's the crux of it:

Barack Obama: Black men need to take more responsibility for their children.
Chris Rock: "I take care of my kids!" What do you want, a cookie?

Ellis also makes an interesting point: "The other side to this story, however, the one that is rarely reported, is the demonization of far too many dads after a family splits. I've heard from men who wanted to be involved dads but have been barred from seeing their kids by an unfeeling and decidely anti-male family court system." I'm sure that's true. But I don't think that diminishes Obama's (or Rock's) message.

Chris Rock (Not safe for work)

Barack Obama (probably safe for work but a little long)

image: huffpost

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Father's Day Cards That Don't Suck

Amy Kuras — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:25:00 GMT

As Father's Day looms, the annual search for a card begins. One would think this would not be such a challenge, given that there are rows upon rows of them.

However, this makes me nuts every year. Every card refers to 1) dad's fixing things 2) dad's love for tools, golf, fishing and sports 3) his bonding with his recliner and remote 4) general ineptitude 5) strong, silent nature.

Now, both men I buy Father's Day cards for (my father and my husband) are handyperson-challenged, golf and fish infrequently, are competent human beings and quite articulate. They are also excellent fathers who give (or gave) real, geniune care to their kids, and I'd like to find a card that reflects that instead of putting them down or poking fun at their foibles ('cause the remote thing, for both of them? Totally accurate).

Some retailers are rising to the challenge, offering cards that show some degree of appreciation or sentimentality. Even funny ones are trending more positive, like this one featuring Chris Rock:

"Nobody ever says, 'Hey, Daddy, thanks for knocking out the rent. I sure love this hot water. It's easy to read with all this light.' " The inside of the card says "Once a year, maybe. Happy Father's Day."

So it doesn’t work for all the stay-at-home dads out there, but it's better than the "Happy Father's Day, you incompetent boob – now have a beer" type cards.

Chris Rock Might Be Someone Else's Daddy Too

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:04:00 GMT

You know that hilfreakingarious bit Chris Rock does about how your only real goal as the father of a girl is to keep her off the pole? Good Lord, that's given me the giggles more times than I can count. It's funny because...well, it's pretty true.

It seems that Mr. Rock may need an addendum to that bit. One that includes what your goal should be in raising a son. After not even knowing for sure if he's your son until he's hit those awkward early teen years.

Although there are still a lot of ifs involved, Rock has asked the court to determine if he is the father of a 13-year old boy as indicated in paternity papers filed by Georgia resident Kali Bowyer. Rock's done the deed of releasing a good "daddy" statement, saying he wants to "contribute to the support, maintenance, and education" of the child if papahood's proven.

All this DNA mania makes me wonder if it's time to form a Tuesday afternoon Baby Daddy playgroup where a diplomatic Chris, a pissed off Eddie and a - God help us - anger management therapist-mandated near-silent Mel can offer up advice to Big Lar on Danielynn's poopsplosions and whether or not her cough is a little croupy or just a spring-time cold. Maybe Chris can workshop his set up for that new bit. Sigh. Good times.

[photo credit: Caroline Torem Craig/LFI]