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Rest In Peace Richard Jeni

They say.. by Kristian66	Mar 12th, 2007 04:39:41 AM
..that comedians are deeply unhappy people
I heard that also Kristian66. by mrfan	Mar 12th, 2007 04:44:04 AM
Enjoyed his work. RIP.
More on Jeni's Death from the LA Times by kevinwillis.net	Mar 12th, 2007 05:05:10 AM
http://tinyurl.com/39ls2p
Sad... by Quintus_Arrius	Mar 12th, 2007 05:15:28 AM
... and disturbing news indeed. Hail Jeni!
Damn Shame by Jinxo	Mar 12th, 2007 05:34:25 AM
I'm probably the only one but I remember his sitcom that aired on UPN during it's first year on the air. Actually thought it deserved better success than it had. At the same time I thought he was a real true stand up comic. I mean, some comics clearly go into standup to eventually become a TV or film actor. Jeni seemed to be first and foremost about standup. Just recently saw one of his cable specials and he was just so funny. Damn shame.
RIP but... by darquelyte	Mar 12th, 2007 05:38:30 AM
He was a talented guy who seemed to get confused with Kevin Pollak. Maybe that's what really caused his suicide. I read this somewhere, and agree with it for the most part: I believe that unless you have a debilitating disease and can make a sane judgment to end your life, suicide is not a viable answer but a pretty good indication that you have a mental illness -- even if it is temporary. For Mr. Jeni to kill himself in such a violent way with his girlfriend in the house indicates that he was very selfish or crazy or both. The fact that she cared enough to cook breakfast for him tells me that she won't be getting over his passive aggressive "f--k you" any time soon. If he was doing this because he had a physical illness, really, he could have waited for her to leave or sent her away before he shot himself after he called 9-1-1 so he would have been found by emergency responders and not by somebody who cared about him. But that's not what he did.
Um by Mister Man	Mar 12th, 2007 05:54:39 AM
This talkback has already gotten weird.
being a comedian doesn't sound very fun by durhay	Mar 12th, 2007 06:15:47 AM
It always seems like a job for people who aren't well-adjusted.
It's To Bad by CutAndPaste	Mar 12th, 2007 06:29:18 AM
I think the problem with being a comedian is that everyone else gets to laugh, but you don't. I mean, everyone else in the room could be rolling on the floor, but they have to keep a straight face (or at least their composure) and move on. That must suck. And it's to bad about Mr. Jeni.
Anyone Remember by Ron Mexico	Mar 12th, 2007 06:35:17 AM
that Family Guy where Peter was laying in bed fantasizing about Richard Jeni? "Oh and what a sweet ass".. that's some funny stuff. Too bad he did what he did.
It is now 4:40 am where I live. by buttsniffertown	Mar 12th, 2007 06:43:19 AM
I think I will pop in Jaws 4 and watch it in memorial.
This has been a depressing weekend... by tonagan	Mar 12th, 2007 07:07:47 AM
Andy Sidaris dies and now Richard Jeni? Man...
He just had an HBO special about a year ago... by RetroActive	Mar 12th, 2007 07:17:21 AM
what a shame.
awful news by BizarroJerry	Mar 12th, 2007 07:23:36 AM
I always liked Jeni. I think I got most familiar with him back in the era when Comedy Central was basically 24 hours of stand-up comedians. It says he was most recently working with Chris Rock, wrote for the Academy Awards and showed up on his sitcom. This suicide always makes these stories even sadder, because you wonder how messed up he was. Sad news.
Wow, this is a shock... by Otter	Mar 12th, 2007 07:32:41 AM
Geez, I always liked the guy. When I saw that he'd passed, it bummed me out, but when I saw how he passed, that really was a punch to the gut. I really liked him in "The Mask" too, and I really liked his other appearances. Someone once said that he was sometimes confused with Kevin Pollak, who I always used to confuse with Kevin Spacey. Hope you can find some peace now, Rich.
can someone shoot joe rogan and carlos mencia... by samuraiyao	Mar 12th, 2007 07:44:16 AM
anyone???
"seemed to get confused with Kevin Pollack" by bah	Mar 12th, 2007 07:53:37 AM
Thank you! I've been trying to remember his name all morning. "Was he the one in 'A Few Good Men'? No, that was that other guy. 'Usual Suspects'? No that's that other guy, too." Thanks for giving me the name.
I hate when people kill themselfs... by Drworm2002	Mar 12th, 2007 08:12:08 AM
...but I still shed a tear.
Not a good way to start the week... by tie3456	Mar 12th, 2007 08:16:49 AM
Seems like celebrities go out in groups. Every time there is a RIP article on AICN, it's almost surely followed by a couple more in the same week. Like airplane crashes and train derailments...once one happens, there will be a few more shortly thereafter. Just one of those phenomenons. Anyway, sad to see Jeni go, he was surely a very funny man.
First Brad Delp and now this... by ron2112	Mar 12th, 2007 08:20:35 AM
This sucks. That's enough celebrity suicide for this week, please. Man, depressing as hell.
RIP boy from NYC by theonecalledshoe	Mar 12th, 2007 08:21:22 AM
There are a lot of sad souls out in the world. I figure he'd be up in heaven and Richard Pyror would be telling him he came too early.
How to become a "genius" in comedy by Razorback	Mar 12th, 2007 08:24:35 AM
Die.
poor comic, but sad story by Rupee88	Mar 12th, 2007 08:29:19 AM
He wasn't funny, but I guess lots of people loved him, just like they love Ellen who isn't funny either. That sucks that he sunk to such depths of depression....very sad.
JAWS 4 stupidest movie ever made by NapoleonDynamite	Mar 12th, 2007 08:37:43 AM
That was a classic bit.
Jeni and Brad Delp? by Lerkst	Mar 12th, 2007 09:00:43 AM
Anyone who compares the two is DEAD wrong. Delp died of health issues, not by his own hand...he will me missed. Jeni wussed out, and killed himself. Plus, he didn't even do it with originality---or even successfully! He died on the way to the hosipital! What a chump! Off yourself like a man.
Larry the Cable Guy: Read this by CTU Mole	Mar 12th, 2007 09:14:08 AM
If you killed yourself, you could be remembered fondly just like Richard Jeni. Do it, Mr. The Cable Guy. Just one second's courage and it's done. Unless you fuck up like Richard and you linger on for an hour but no matter! Think of your legacy and more importantly, society. Do it, Larry. And if you can enter a murder/suicide pact with the rest of the Blue Collar comics, by all means. And not like the other pact you have, with all the buttsex. I mean a pact where you all die. But I digress.
Jeni's material always had a hint of rage... by Billyeveryteen	Mar 12th, 2007 09:17:24 AM
Sure, most comics do, but I would never have suspected him of being happy. Damn shame...
too sad by Bloo	Mar 12th, 2007 09:18:43 AM
I also remember Jeni from the MASK and a few other films I can't name off the top of my head. I too remember his cable specials because I was a stand up addit myslef, watched a lot of Night at the Improv on A&E that's probably where I caught Jeni first. It's sad that for whatever reason he felt he needed to take his own life.
Hmm...Richard Jeni... by SPECTRE Agent	Mar 12th, 2007 09:20:20 AM
Your HBO comedy special brought pleasure to millions...And what a sweet ass.
He was Terminally ill by tile_mcgillus	Mar 12th, 2007 09:24:59 AM
A good friend of his just came out and said it. So he died on his terms. He was a fucking funny guy.
Very Sad by shellfishh	Mar 12th, 2007 09:27:22 AM
I liked him. He had a very funny stand up act. But the girlfriend is saying he shot himself in the face. The head, yes. But who shoots themself in the face? Anyone else having a Phil Hartman flashback?
After Larry the Cable Guys reads this . . . by Olsen Twins_Fan	Mar 12th, 2007 09:34:32 AM
please forward to Tim Allen, Jeff Foxworthy and Carlos Mencia - the comedy Axis of Evil.
Amazing how everyone wants to pass judgment... by Alonzo Mosely	Mar 12th, 2007 09:45:25 AM
Based on the inital news story, minus any facts. Save the coward comments at least until something close to the full and real story is known. As to Jeni, well I think it is interesting that he was a better known and more popular comic than Seinfeld, Roseanne, Tim Allen or any of the other stand-ups that got sit-com breaks and went on to fame in the late 80s early 90s. Oh, and the Jaws IV routine was great... http://tinyurl.com/24akd7
RIP whether it was suicide or not by Doctor_Sin	Mar 12th, 2007 09:53:13 AM
Funny guy - one of the few who stayed funny.
Yes he was very sick by supermarch	Mar 12th, 2007 09:55:31 AM
and had just given it all to charity prior to shooting himself. Not exactly cowardly you stupid pricks. Lerkst, do everyone a favour and be original when you kill yourself. Maybe see if you can choke on your own ass?
RIP by veritasses	Mar 12th, 2007 10:24:21 AM
He performed live at my school. Unlike most of the "comics" who think they're funny just because they have a mike in their hand and stand in front of a fake brick wall, this guy was genuinely funny. RIP.
Those Clowns by gusradio	Mar 12th, 2007 10:30:25 AM
always crying on the inside. Tally ho
I'm fucking crying. by LlGHTST0RMER	Mar 12th, 2007 10:46:30 AM
Jeni was by far my favorite comedian since I was 17. I loved Hedberg, (another one gone way before his fucking time,) and I think Eddie Murphy was untouchable when he did "Delirious," but in terms of longevity and continuous entertainment value, Jeni has always been my favorite. In fact, he's the only comic I ever put down money to buy tickets for. I saw his record his "Good Catholic Boy" special back in '97 in Santa Ana. God damn it. Rich, I hope you've found yourself in a better place, and I don't know whatever the circumstances were that made you do it, but fuck... I hate that you're gone.
what exactly by Jeff Rodie	Mar 12th, 2007 10:47:38 AM
does "My thoughts go out to" mean? I mean really? Such a wierd phrase when you think about it.
Jeff by Mister Man	Mar 12th, 2007 10:53:48 AM
I'd guess it is a secularization of "My prayers go out to...." And, it's spelled "weird."
Insane...I've worked w/ him for years! by ElectricDreams	Mar 12th, 2007 10:57:13 AM
I am sitting here in Awe. I worked with him in both Radio and TV since 92 helping to get him on shows I worked for to promote his stand-up club gigs and the last one being the NFL show he did on HBO, unbelievable...I dont know what to say right now! Speechless.
'The Kid from New York City'... by JohnRevik	Mar 12th, 2007 10:57:44 AM
...Funniest stand-up special Showtime ever aired. His disgruntled Drive-thru bit had me in tears. RIP, brother.
Goodbye, Platypus Man. by MC Vamp	Mar 12th, 2007 11:14:23 AM
My friend called and told me to check the news last night and this one really hit home. The second worst thing about this is we had basically made a pact to catch Jeni next time out because his area shows always coincided with things we couldn't cancel... sad but true. The absolute worst thing about this is how it reminds me of my late father, who died of cancer 2 years ago. Jeni was absolutely his favorite comedian. I remember we both got pissed about 10 years ago when "The Comedy Tape" got stuck in the VCR and we had to take it in for repairs. It was a VHS cassette of the old Platypus Man Special, Tim Allen's first special (back when he was actually funny, I swear) a damn hilarious Mike MacDonald Showtime special (no one else has ever heard of him but it was good) and a couple of Young Comedian-type deals (on the 6-hour setting obviously.) When we got the VCR back, the tape had vanished and the repair guy swore that they never threw away tapes, even busted-up ones. My dad (unreasonably but funnily) decided that someone at the repair shop had swiped his favorite tape on purpose and actually brought this up about five times a year for several years. If Jeni was terminally ill, I can forgive how he took himself out... (though apparently the poor guy could have aimed a little better--but he was a comedian, not a sniper.) If we go to a better place, I hope Jeni's up there getting ready to do a show, and I hope my dad has a ticket. Sorry for the ramble, but I had to get that one off my chest. Viva Jeni!
The horrible face shot... by Serious Black	Mar 12th, 2007 11:17:14 AM
...is not actually that uncommon among attempted suicides. It seems to be perpetuated by movies where you see someone off themself by pointing a gun at the underside of their chin and then pulling the trigger. Unfortunately, the bullet's trajectory just manages to take off the person's mouth, nose, and maybe one or both eyes. Often the brain is missed entirely, and even if it is hit one can live a long time with only damage to the frontal lobes. Jeni is just damn lucky that he actually died and isn't lying faceless in some hospital bed somewhere.
Goodbye, Platypus Man by TheUglyBaby	Mar 12th, 2007 11:24:24 AM
Goodbye, Richie You were a good friend for over 20 years and I will miss you. We never had a bad show together and never met a couple of drunk babes that we didn't ry to hit on. May angels guide you to your peace. Namaste'
"The most non-suicidal comedian...." by GrandMuffTarkin	Mar 12th, 2007 11:31:16 AM
Sorry, but to steal an analogy, that's like being the fattest Red Hot Chili Pepper.
BABA booey by iwontwin	Mar 12th, 2007 11:41:50 AM
last thursday on howard stern, baba booey said he wasnt a good cohost on the howard stern show...did that push him over the edge? yea right.
oh god damn it!!!! by Varakor	Mar 12th, 2007 11:56:38 AM
I can see anna nicole offin herself, but Jeni? FUCK!! He was my all time fav comedian, since his showtime special. but watching his "Big Steaming pile of me" sheesh there were since. He looked sick, but damn that show was funny. FUCK!!! rest in peace my friend, you will be sorely missed...
CTU Mole by LarryTheCableGuy	Mar 12th, 2007 11:59:00 AM
ok, i will. but still sad about jeni, i always thought he was a good comedian.
see yas. by LarryTheCableGuy	Mar 12th, 2007 12:00:35 PM
im gonna gitterdun. kamikazzi!!
Sucks by ByTor	Mar 12th, 2007 12:17:15 PM
Always thought he was funny. I even watched the Platypus Man UPN show (which, while overall not very good, had a few funny moments here and there and a couple of real laugh-out-loud bits), and his appearance in the Mask definitely stayed with me. But nothing beat his standup stuff. Very funny guy. RIP Richard.
platypus man by Shakes	Mar 12th, 2007 12:21:44 PM
Yeah, I remember seeing commercials for this show when UPN first came on. They had 3 or 4 days of sitcoms and then Star Trek Voyager. The sitcoms lasted for that one year before they dropped most of their programming and focused on a more urban audience.
Shocked. by AllPowerfulWizardOfOz	Mar 12th, 2007 12:28:39 PM
This was a very funny man. Check out his skit PMS and Red Wine http://tinyurl.com/3bdvcz VERY funny stuff. He will be missed.
...sad... by donwithnoname	Mar 12th, 2007 12:42:06 PM
I saw him in Austin in January, he was performing at a corporate event where I was doing grip work and I saw him backstage. Very sad. I watched his Jaws 4 bit yesterday. Funny stuff... R.I.P.
"Jeni, Jeni..." by Anna Valerious	Mar 12th, 2007 01:00:45 PM
"Oh Richard Jeni, your HBO standup specials have delighted millions! And what a sweet ass..." We'll miss you, Platypus Man.
Poor Platypus Man! by biggles2_22	Mar 12th, 2007 01:50:29 PM
Met the guy a couple of times, here in Detroit. Loved his stand-up work. Actually dug his TV show (was in the minority on that one). Hate to see talent wasted. Suicide, Just Say No.
Andy Sidaris by Barry Egan	Mar 12th, 2007 02:45:33 PM
This guy had to have made some of the worst movies of all time. When I was in college there was a series of his films about 2 blondes who were some sort of secret agents (the films were never clear about this). There would literally be scenes in the films where they would take their shirts off while the scene played out, show their tits, and then put their shirts back on again. His films were the sort of horrendously bad movies that are huge fun to watch.
AICN obits by Barry Egan	Mar 12th, 2007 02:48:10 PM
I love how every obituary on AICN winds up somehow being more about the person writing it than about the actual person who died.
Barry Egan by Bloo	Mar 12th, 2007 03:15:17 PM
I always view that kind of like a wake where you share memories you have of the person who died, kind of like "i remember that one time bob and i got so stinking drunk we ended up spooning" kind of deal
And what a sweet ass, too... by Lenny Nero	Mar 12th, 2007 03:28:44 PM
...I feel "Family Guy's" reference to him in a bit is a proper farewell.
fattest red hot chili peppers by BadMrWonka	Mar 12th, 2007 04:41:22 PM
that's from penn and teller! good reference, man!
pepper by BadMrWonka	Mar 12th, 2007 04:41:36 PM
singular
Rest in Peace Platypus Man by evangelion80	Mar 12th, 2007 05:21:42 PM
God that show was awful. Not his best work. Loved the Family Guy segment tho
he did a great SHAT by caravaggio	Mar 12th, 2007 05:24:00 PM
rip
Bloody hell... by Gabba-UK	Mar 12th, 2007 05:31:43 PM
Well this is a shock. The first time I saw Jeni was on Channel4's Just 4 laughs here in the UK about 20 yrs ago. He was ripping the shit out of Jaws 4: The Revenge. I nearly choked on my drink laughing. I've always kept an eye out on things he did since. I thought he was excellent in The Mask and other stuff since. I remember him in the documentary about Bill Hicks 'Its just a Ride' speaking about how Hicks was such an influence within the stand-up community. He stuck me as a good guy. To hear he was ill and then to do this is really sad. I hope he's at peace now.
Damn it Richard Jeni by Anino	Mar 12th, 2007 06:46:34 PM
I loved the man's comedy--especially the bit about ordering live lobster in a restaurant as if you were a Roman emperor (yeah, you had to be there). His stuff's available on YouTube--what a damn shame. RIP and my prayers go to his family and friends. May you have a captive and more understanding audience in that comedy club in the afterlife.
R.I.P by wackybantha	Mar 12th, 2007 06:47:54 PM
He made me laugh.
funny guy by BadMrWonka	Mar 12th, 2007 08:37:32 PM
"I think that's how Chicago got started. A bunch of people in New York said, 'Gee, I'm enjoying the crime and the poverty, but it just isn't cold enough. Let's go west.' " "I always look for a woman who has a tattoo. I see a woman with a tattoo, and I'm thinking, OK, here's a gal who's capable of making a decision she'll regret in the future."
RIP by FakePlasticGuava	Mar 12th, 2007 09:28:32 PM
Richard Jeni was a background man. Never in front, but always pulling some strings. Chances are you've laughed at some of his jokes and didn't even know he wrote them. A good friend of Chris Rock's, Jeni has helped write his standup, award shows, and film scripts. I've seen him on cable and laughed. Rest in peace.
Too Sad. by Evil Chicken	Mar 12th, 2007 09:59:19 PM
A “Has Been” is always better than a “Never Was” and a “Has Been” may “Be” again. Too bad – sad story. By the way… RIP Brad Delp (“Boston’s” lead singer). I loved that band.
Jeni bit: "You know the difference between... by LlGHTST0RMER	Mar 13th, 2007 12:02:36 AM
...Charles Manson and every woman I've ever dated?? Charles Manson has the decency to look like a maniac WHEN YOU MEET HIM. You'd never make it all the way to dinner with the guy and then start thinking, 'This guy is fucking nuts! He asked for a children's menu and ordered a CHILD!"
Another Jeni bit: by LlGHTST0RMER	Mar 13th, 2007 12:09:05 AM
"I used to work at a shoe store selling ladies' shoes. I figured, I'm young, I'm surrounded by women all day long with short skirts, and I'm down there putting their shoes on - what could be better? Turns out that if I had to choose now between that job and, say... giving birth to a flaming porcupine, I'd probably look into the latter as a career choice."
I always though he was by Leatherneck11527	Mar 13th, 2007 08:31:05 AM
I always though he was hilarious. His bits on Carson were classic. I love stand up comics and he was a true pro. I hate suicide. My nephew took his own life last April. The only reason for it that I could ever understand and forgive would be for grave illness. While I would not wish that on anyone either I just hope if this was the truth that Mr. Jeni has found the peace and relief he was seeking.
Rest In Peace Platypus Man! by RedRum1977	Mar 13th, 2007 11:43:23 PM
He was one of the funniest comcis out there. I think I'll go watch the Belch Gourmet now. Sad news indeed!
On rifle under chin popularity in films by JackRabbitSlim	Mar 14th, 2007 05:23:41 AM
I wonder if this style of suicide in movies became popular as a result of the gun-in-mouth looking a bit too much like fellatio. Ye olde visually-stylized cock-in-mouth syndrome needed to be changed and thus the "Yes - that's it - we'll have him stick the gun UNDER the chin - looks purty cool too!" Just a thought
"The last thing that went through his mind" by JackRabbitSlim	Mar 14th, 2007 05:25:03 AM
Ah Shawshank - thou truly deserve your vaunted IMDB status.
Last... by Quintus_Arrius	May 16th, 2007 08:01:58 AM
!

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