Ellen was very good with some of the jokes, especially with Bruce Dern and Meryl Streep, but fell - as some comics do from time to time - on the Liza "sir" knock (because so many drag queens imitate Liza and her Mother, Judy Garland among others famous divas. Also, she knocked June Quibb with a hearing / aging jab, also not funny. The body part joke with the actor in Wolf of Wall Street was typical of any comic (low brow stuff) along with the persistence with him and "not wanting to see it", falling flat big time.
The thing is, sometimes shock jokes cause us to laugh or gasp or just stare. I prefer the kind of clever joking such as the ones Ellen did with Bruce Dern and Meryl Streep. When she came out as Glenda, the good witch from Wizard of Oz, that was excellent ! Gently spoofing the movies is great as they all can be poked fun of rather than taking a chance on a joke on one individual, then having it upset the receiver as it did with Liza Minelli. She and her sister Lorna Luft, and their younger brother Joe came to the Oscars on Sunday because of the 75th honor of the Wizard of Oz. All of which was very well done, and Pink was terrific !
So, in going forward, those who host shows (unless doing a roast, and the roastee knows what's coming) should review their material with a cross section of piers, and others before heading out on stage. Improvising can be a lot of fun to watch, such as when Bill Murray threw in other movies in one of the award presentations (of which he was in at least one or two of those as I recall). Funny, as it was because of his former co-star in the early days in his career who had past away recently. When heading to the edge, comics should always compliment their targets who are there, and not just end on a questionable joke at their expense. Last year, Seth McFarland did some clever staging, danced well, sang well, but blew it on some other stuff that most definitely offended people. The Oscars shouldn't have this stuff. I'd take a boring host over a jerk. Even if the person is liked most of the time, they can slip and fall big time, and that is what happened with Ellen. Liza still likes her, but sometimes friends do embarrass friends.
Norma W. - 10 years ago
C'mon...it's the Oscars. You know the host is going to "pick" on everyone!
Warren Pistol - 10 years ago
I agree with Katie. There are at least a few thousand impersonators who love to do Liza. It was not meant to demean the way she looks (though she looked pretty weak). This is Hollywood, and as long as there is a Hollywood, there will be people laughing at other people. It is usually in the name of fun, and that is where Ellen was going last night. I did notice that Liza was not happy with the line, but again, this is Hollywood.
katie did - 10 years ago
I thought the joke was in reference to all the transvestite impersonators who idolize Liza Minnelli, not her appearance or haircut. Is it possible that the joke just went over (or under) everyone's head?
Christine - 10 years ago
I truly find your survey, whether another persons comment is mean or funny, interesting. On your own morning show, you belittle individuals regarding their weight, their looks, their lack of talent etc. laughing at their expense to keep your show alive. Are you saying it was mean" because the person was in the room.
Your show has millions of listener and many young people who learn that it's ok to disrespect others because you laugh about them over the microphone. Is that what makes it okay? I really had a hard time understanding what you consider ok on show yet mean by someone else!
Perhaps one day when we all start taking responsibility for our actions, have compassion for one another rather than criticizing and belittling to make our selves feel better at the expense of another the world will be the better place it can be.
Ellen was very good with some of the jokes, especially with Bruce Dern and Meryl Streep, but fell - as some comics do from time to time - on the Liza "sir" knock (because so many drag queens imitate Liza and her Mother, Judy Garland among others famous divas. Also, she knocked June Quibb with a hearing / aging jab, also not funny. The body part joke with the actor in Wolf of Wall Street was typical of any comic (low brow stuff) along with the persistence with him and "not wanting to see it", falling flat big time.
The thing is, sometimes shock jokes cause us to laugh or gasp or just stare. I prefer the kind of clever joking such as the ones Ellen did with Bruce Dern and Meryl Streep. When she came out as Glenda, the good witch from Wizard of Oz, that was excellent ! Gently spoofing the movies is great as they all can be poked fun of rather than taking a chance on a joke on one individual, then having it upset the receiver as it did with Liza Minelli. She and her sister Lorna Luft, and their younger brother Joe came to the Oscars on Sunday because of the 75th honor of the Wizard of Oz. All of which was very well done, and Pink was terrific !
So, in going forward, those who host shows (unless doing a roast, and the roastee knows what's coming) should review their material with a cross section of piers, and others before heading out on stage. Improvising can be a lot of fun to watch, such as when Bill Murray threw in other movies in one of the award presentations (of which he was in at least one or two of those as I recall). Funny, as it was because of his former co-star in the early days in his career who had past away recently. When heading to the edge, comics should always compliment their targets who are there, and not just end on a questionable joke at their expense. Last year, Seth McFarland did some clever staging, danced well, sang well, but blew it on some other stuff that most definitely offended people. The Oscars shouldn't have this stuff. I'd take a boring host over a jerk. Even if the person is liked most of the time, they can slip and fall big time, and that is what happened with Ellen. Liza still likes her, but sometimes friends do embarrass friends.
C'mon...it's the Oscars. You know the host is going to "pick" on everyone!
I agree with Katie. There are at least a few thousand impersonators who love to do Liza. It was not meant to demean the way she looks (though she looked pretty weak). This is Hollywood, and as long as there is a Hollywood, there will be people laughing at other people. It is usually in the name of fun, and that is where Ellen was going last night. I did notice that Liza was not happy with the line, but again, this is Hollywood.
I thought the joke was in reference to all the transvestite impersonators who idolize Liza Minnelli, not her appearance or haircut. Is it possible that the joke just went over (or under) everyone's head?
I truly find your survey, whether another persons comment is mean or funny, interesting. On your own morning show, you belittle individuals regarding their weight, their looks, their lack of talent etc. laughing at their expense to keep your show alive. Are you saying it was mean" because the person was in the room.
Your show has millions of listener and many young people who learn that it's ok to disrespect others because you laugh about them over the microphone. Is that what makes it okay? I really had a hard time understanding what you consider ok on show yet mean by someone else!
Perhaps one day when we all start taking responsibility for our actions, have compassion for one another rather than criticizing and belittling to make our selves feel better at the expense of another the world will be the better place it can be.
I just has to start one person at a time!