Last night, I watched HBO's live telecast of Will Ferrell's next to last performance of his Broadway show, You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush.
I was never a huge fan of Will Ferrell's comedy, but a couple of years ago, my father decided to follow-up our traditional, late night Christmas viewing of Christmas Vacation ("Shitter was full!") with Ferrell's Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby. I wasn't thrilled about watching it, but by the time we got to the scene with Ferrell saying grace, praying to "tiny, infant baby Jesus," I was hooked. He's a brilliantly funny man.
And his Broadway show is hilarious. I called my father to see if he was watching it, since my dad is a fan of both Will Ferrell and George W. Bush.
But my dad wasn't watching Will Ferrell. He was watching Graham Norton. So, as I told him the day I was stuck in a Chicago blizzard and he called to tell me he was at a Cher concert...
"Ummm, Dad. Exactly which one of us is the homosexual here?"
He laughed his ass off, but if I find out my father is buying Judy Garland cd's or if he starts describing things as "fabulous," the two of us are going to have a talk.
I don't mean to be a bitch, but regardless of who comes out of the closet, I'm "King of the Gay People" in my family. I claimed it a long time ago. After my brother came out, I visited him in Atlanta and he introduced me to a few of his friends. After talking to them for quite awhile, one of them asked me, "Oh, are you gay too?" I said, "No, I was gay first!"
Just sayin'...
9 comments:
My father hated Graham Norton because he thought he was too camp, but thought Elton John was a "brilliant entertainer", he didn't understand the irony of it all.
It is important to take pride in one's accomplishments.
Are you older than your brother? I assume you came out before he did anyway. Obviously that makes you King of the Gay. I'll sign an affidavit to that effect if you want me to. ;-)
I loved Talledega Nights, including that hilarious praying scene. I nearly burst when his young son said "Father, can't we solve this without the threat of violence?" or something like that.
I always liked Will Ferrell (he was one of the few truly funny people who've been on SNL since after the Hartman/Hooks/Dunn/Carvey team left.
I love me some Graham Norton, too.
i caught the last few minutes...i forgot that it was going to be on. i'm a jackass. it'll repeat and i'll catch it...and i cant wait.
I really like will ferrell, but coudln't click with talladega nights. think it was the nascar thing..and feel like i missed the boat as i don't have a clue who graham norton is..so will check it out..thanks for stopping by and saying howdy, though you had deserted me..Is it may first yet?
Not to not comment on Will Ferrell--I did enjoy Anchor Man and that skating movie--but you currently have 69 "followers." You must stop allowing more ...
Stephen, far be it from me to correct you in such a delicate time as finding out that your dad is a more successful gay man... but isn't it an oxymoron to say KING of the Gay People? Anytime we're propelling ourselves up to royalty we're automatically Queen or at least princess.
Will Ferrell is one of those entertainers that I can't figure out my fandom for. There are some things he does that make me piddle a little (the cheerleaders on SNL, etc.) but then he does those stupid (sorry) straight guy type comedies (Step Brother, that news anchor thing) and I can't take it. I do want to see this Bush thing. ANYONE making fun of Bush and showing thousands how utterly stupid he is (in case they missed that fact) 'sounds like good people to me!'
But, be careful about being mean to your dad and brother, "Anonymous" may blast you for being a family hater and a loser!
(that's right anonymous, I'm calling you on your nonsense AGAIN!)
I'm an odd man out on Ferrell's performance. To me, it was stretching a three-minute SNL sketch to an hour and a half Broadway show. A few snickers here and there...but not many large laughs.
BWT, as a former Chicagoan now living in Palm Springs, I love to keep in touch with my favorite city with your blog!
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