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15 Years Later, CBS Friday Finally Aired Bill Hicks’ First, Last & Only LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN Performance!!

Definitely check it out... by mr_macphisto	Jan 30th, 2009 03:01:15 PM
...Bill Hicks was the man.
Letterman's kind of an asshole... by jimmy rabbitte	Jan 30th, 2009 03:03:41 PM
...but his announcer is a bigger asshole.
Humbling... by The Shyster	Jan 30th, 2009 03:04:32 PM
wow. Never thought this would see air on national TV. Kudos to whoever greenlit this!
... ellipses for everbody... by The Shyster	Jan 30th, 2009 03:06:09 PM
ellipses make things dramatic... ... .
oh hell... by Bloo	Jan 30th, 2009 03:12:54 PM
...everyone else is...so yeah I'll be checking this out
I don't know if Letterman's an asshole by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 03:13:05 PM
but he usually always found room for his fellow stand-ups from his early days. Who else would book Jimmie JJ Walker on their show. The late George Miller was on his show constantly, along with Jeff Altman.
will dave touch her inappropriately? by Bob C. Cock	Jan 30th, 2009 03:14:07 PM
just like every other female guest he has on?
Letterman is a crazy old fool. And an asshole. by Cotton McKnight	Jan 30th, 2009 03:21:00 PM
He should have quit about 5 years ago, before he became an angry, bitter activist. I don't mind political wit with my comedy, in fact I love it. Letterman, though, comes across as an angry old fool that waxes on and on about things that bug him. Night after night after night.
WOW. This is pretty far-out news. by Mr. Nice Gaius	Jan 30th, 2009 03:22:29 PM
I wonder why they have decided to show the segment after all this time. This is VERY interesting as the incident with Hicks has become one of the more memorable moments in the history of Dave's show. I'm curious to hear what Dave says about the segment. I don't know if I'll be able to catch it tonight but kudos to TPTB for finally getting around to this. Hicks always deserved better.
What year is it? by Erik E Erik	Jan 30th, 2009 03:53:45 PM
If the episode was taped in '93, and they're showing it in '09, how is that 14 years later?
Actually Cotton... by MurderMostFowl	Jan 30th, 2009 03:57:38 PM
I'm not a big liberal or fan of letterman, though I've been known to watch. Letterman got angry some time after September 11th. But I think the turning point for his political stuff came when he went and put the beatdown on Bill O'reilly 2006ish He was very vocal early on about former President Bush's mishandling of Iraq... Particularly about moving away from Afghanistan so quickly onto Iraq for weak reasons ... oh and of course we now know that proved to be correct.
Shit. by Fawst	Jan 30th, 2009 03:57:44 PM
I thought Tool was performing or something.
Harvey Pekar? by Cletus Van Damme	Jan 30th, 2009 03:58:10 PM
How about some Splendor love?
Thanks for posting this Herc by slayme	Jan 30th, 2009 03:58:23 PM
emailed Harry bout it last night but was in such a rush i just kinda pasted the info.. anyways yeah seems like bout 15 1/2 years to me but who's counting.. just glad we're finally gonna get to see it.. can't wait
Dennis Leary by RenoNevada2000	Jan 30th, 2009 03:58:48 PM
Dennis Leary hasn't had a funny thing to say since Hicks died.
This is by gavdiggity	Jan 30th, 2009 04:06:50 PM
the best birthday present I will receive this year.
Hicks' set will seem relatively safe in 2009 by Det. John Kimble	Jan 30th, 2009 04:16:01 PM
As compared to 1993. If Letterman had any real sack, he would have aired Hicks' stuff on George H.W. Bush & Iraq during W's administration: the material was still spot (and prescient) on 10 years after the fact.
We all know Dave is da man. by mistergreen	Jan 30th, 2009 04:20:20 PM
He's always been socially relevant. It's good to see he battled CBS to put this on TV.
Woah... Cool news indeed. by FilmZ0mbie	Jan 30th, 2009 04:32:31 PM
Wow, I've never been more excited about a late night talk show. Also, big ups to any TOOL fans on the TB.
Why now? by ltgalloway	Jan 30th, 2009 04:46:53 PM
Did I miss the explanation?
The Late Show by CyG	Jan 30th, 2009 04:51:20 PM
is pretty boring but I will definitely be watching this.
Herc by mr.brownstone	Jan 30th, 2009 04:53:13 PM
thanks for posting this.
RenoNevada2000... by rhett beavers	Jan 30th, 2009 05:09:17 PM
You friggin' nailed that one, man!
Who's That Friggin' Tool Asking the Questions? by Read and Shut Up	Jan 30th, 2009 05:11:57 PM
"Humm." "Uhhh." "Sure." Mouth breather.
Now that Bush is gone everyones balls grow back by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World	Jan 30th, 2009 05:21:03 PM
Boy oh boy do I hate them fancylads
Randy Hickey's first interview gig. by Loosejerk	Jan 30th, 2009 05:36:28 PM
I don't know...you got idiot interviewers, but I don't like interviewers who think they know everything either (i.e. Snyder).
Outside of the US by Lloytron	Jan 30th, 2009 05:53:37 PM
Hopefully we can see this too - this is very cool news indeed.
Ever think Letterman didn't want to piss off by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 05:57:14 PM
his bosses at CBS just one month in? Sure, I'm sure he had a contract, but lets live in the real world shall we? Not in a "I can do whatever I damn well please, and fuck the consequences" fantasy world.
This time delay is weird though.. by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 05:58:53 PM
does Hicks tell us who really killed JFK, and where is Hoffa's body?
Ummm neat by technotranceporter	Jan 30th, 2009 06:13:05 PM
I don't want to sound like a twat or anything but why is this relevant at all. Who the fuck is Bill Hicks? And why did we send a car to pick up the limo driver? Seriously though, I thought I knew a lot about comedy and I have never heard of this guy or his amazing Letterman performance. Is this the same guy that Jerry Lawler bitch slapped? J/k. Seriously though, who is he?
BTW that was Andy Kaufman by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 06:16:34 PM
that got bitch slapped.
WTF? by Hikaru Ichijo	Jan 30th, 2009 06:27:08 PM
Why? Why Now? What is the occasion?
Musical Performances by Hikaru Ichijo	Jan 30th, 2009 06:28:51 PM
Hicks gets tons of cred for being a great songwriter as well as a funny man.
Does Bill Hicks stand on stage on chant by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 06:29:25 PM
"Kill Bush, Kill Bush" for 5 minutes?
Letterman is a supporter of comics.... by Quake II	Jan 30th, 2009 06:35:09 PM
He has always given comics his stage and even brought many back multiple times. Dave is as close to Carson as we have. Period. Leno is annoying and giggles at his own jokes. Plus Leno kisses 100% of the celebrity ass that sits beside him. Dave will start shit if he doesn't like someone. Obviously Letterman doesn't have the final say if the network's sponsors are upset. The fact that Hicks was on 11 times shows that Letterman liked the guy!
Thank you Quake by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 06:40:04 PM
.
The old Letterman show in the 1980's... by Quake II	Jan 30th, 2009 06:40:53 PM
was about as underground and cool as network television ever got. Seriously. Look up Letterman NBC on youtube and check out the genius of that show. Now he's safe and family-friendly. I watched Dave at midnight (after Love Connection) all through high school, and was always tired the next day...but man did I have some great laughs as a payoff.
Thank you by technotranceporter	Jan 30th, 2009 06:45:31 PM
But I knew it was Andy Kaufman, and it was hilarious! Thanks skimn! Bush killed JFK however and Rosie O'Donnell ate Hoffa's body...
However by technotranceporter	Jan 30th, 2009 06:47:44 PM
Letterman is an ass. He WAS totally funny in the 80's make no mistake but now he's just kind of an old bastard. Still, he is funnier than Leno. But I digress, time to watch Lost again.
Letterman, yea, when he was young by skimn	Jan 30th, 2009 06:59:55 PM
he had that spirit of anarchy. Now he's the kind of cranky old uncle, who tells off the young 'uns (Paris Hilton, anyone from The Hills), and the BS'ers.
Bill Hicks was a genius! Dennis Leary... by CaptainBass	Jan 30th, 2009 07:12:31 PM
can SUCK SATAN'S COCK! That plagiarist cunt should just fuck off and die...Anyway, it's Jesus for Miller...
I recently just read the whole Preacher comic series... by The Dum Guy	Jan 30th, 2009 07:22:29 PM
And Bill Hicks was kinda funny it.
^"in it" by The Dum Guy	Jan 30th, 2009 07:23:19 PM
stuped spelling mistakes.
So why is Letterman airing this now? by dumbpeoplesuck	Jan 30th, 2009 07:31:26 PM
And having Hicks' mother on the show? Seems like Dave has never forgotten the whole thing himself, and I'll accept this as his way of showing it, if that turns out to be the whole point after all this time. So chill out on the Letterman. I'll give Dave the benefit of doubt anytime over that retard Leno.
if anyone here is in advertising... by menstrual_blitz	Jan 30th, 2009 07:35:03 PM
kill yourself.
and by menstrual_blitz	Jan 30th, 2009 07:37:30 PM
advertising is why they didn't show it then, and advertising is exactly why they've decided to show it now... oh were he alive to see all the bullshit these days...
So this has never aired due to Bushdom?? by performingmonkey	Jan 30th, 2009 07:45:28 PM
And they didn't dare air it during the Clinton years because they knew another Bush would take office next? There's probably some truth in that. The rest of the truth is that CBS and Letterman probably couldn't give a rat's fuck any more.
Advertising by technotranceporter	Jan 30th, 2009 07:51:31 PM
Odd statement dude. Btw, if anyone here is in the computer business, kill yourself.
ive read the transcripts for the set by Timahh	Jan 30th, 2009 07:59:36 PM
id be shocked if its aired in its entirety. definitely worth a tivo.
Dave's awesome. So, he fucked up with Hicks...big deal. by Bob Cryptonight	Jan 30th, 2009 08:02:38 PM
He knows it. Letterman is a guy who is best when he's not second-guessing himself or, more importantly, letting Bob Morton control things. Does anyone know if Morty was the producer back then?
crypto by MeshGearFoxx	Jan 30th, 2009 08:18:15 PM
per wikipedia, "Morton went with Letterman to CBS in 1993 to serve as executive producer of CBS' Late Show with David Letterman from 1993 to 1996. He left the show in 1996 after trying to move the show to ABC and upsetting Letterman as a result."
DAVE hasn't been much fun by frank cotton	Jan 30th, 2009 08:35:07 PM
since he quit destroying things
If Bill HIcks Were Alive Today........ by thelordofhell	Jan 30th, 2009 08:43:14 PM
He would have trashed Bush II like there was no tomorrow. He would have had to move out of the country because all the right wing jackoffs would have "Dixie Chicked" him out of the US.
Thanks for the tip, Herc. by ebonic_plague	Jan 30th, 2009 08:50:20 PM
I'll have to DVR this. Seen it already, of course, like all Hicks' material (I think they aired it in the "Outlaw Comic" special) but I'd like to see how Dave handles it. Dave's a class act, anyone who says otherwise is a dittohead or a douchenozzle (somewhat redundant, actually.) You fucking retarded feral talkback children who don't find Hicks funny are the living punchline to most of his jokes, "every word that comes out of your mouth is like a turd falling into my drink." Suckers of Satan's scaly pecker, all of you. It's no sympathy night. It's "you're wrong" night.
Hicks Rules by Il Buono Il Brutto Il Cattivo	Jan 30th, 2009 08:52:34 PM
Even though the material he did in this set has been available on his CDs with the added benefit of profanity, I've always wanted to see this legendary performance. Bill Hicks is my favorite comedian and it's mighty big of Letterman to man up and admit his mistake after all these years, because the set being cut from the show back in 1993 was his and producer Robert Morton's idea. Letterman's lost some of his edge but between this and his trashing of McCain back during the election has earned him a little of my respect.
nooneimportant by thelordofhell	Jan 30th, 2009 09:05:57 PM
Never have I seen a name more appropriate on this sight. Get your racist ass off this board.
No, that wouldn't be "edgy." by ebonic_plague	Jan 30th, 2009 09:07:56 PM
It would just mean you're just another ignorant cuntstain on society and a waste of a bullet. Which, apparently, you are. So, I invite you to fuck right off and kill yourself, in that order. Do that and get "mad props."
thelordofhell by menstrual_blitz	Jan 30th, 2009 09:09:02 PM
yeah, that guy's a douche. you beat me to it!
thegaylordofhell by JoseJones	Jan 30th, 2009 09:14:06 PM
i still like a little sophomoric humor, anyway, what did the right wing jackoffs do to all the other comedians and entertainers that were extremely anti-Bush for 8 years? what did they do? were they kicked out of the US? was their free speech taken? what was so bad that all the right wing jackoffs did?
Bill's final set by menstrual_blitz	Jan 30th, 2009 09:19:04 PM
is up on youtube (along with pretty much everything else he did) if anybody hasn't seen it. One Night Stand and Revelations are also available and required viewing for the unacquainted...
nooneimportant by DrBrianOblivion	Jan 30th, 2009 09:44:28 PM
i just dont get what the point of your post is. Are you trying to be funny, or just making a point about language?
nooneimportant by bobwiley	Jan 30th, 2009 09:50:43 PM
How's the family size bag of cheetos and World of Warcraft going?
btw nooneimportant... by bobwiley	Jan 30th, 2009 09:52:45 PM
What comics were making fun of right wingenuts in the 80's or early 90's? I don't remember Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld or Paula Poundstone really getting political.
nooneimportant by DrBrianOblivion	Jan 30th, 2009 09:55:18 PM
What your doing really isnt the same though.
"cutting edge" by menstrual_blitz	Jan 30th, 2009 10:03:25 PM
who the fuck cares? is that why you think people like bill hicks? "language has uses"...mmmm, no shit. really? sort of sad that you can't find a better use for it than spouting reactionary garbage. you're playing the little racist, what, to be provocative? wow...reactionary provocation....so "cutting edge"! and the bit about "woe unto you if you dare make fun of the left"? woe unto you? how so, exactly? what, is the 'left' going to kidnap your babies and eat them or something? What is this woe of which you speak? Or do you just mean people vocally disagreeing with you? ...pretty pathetic that you equate 'the left' with not being a fucking racist, by the way. if that's all it takes to be branded left-wing, we're all pretty fucked.
Letterman is Krusty the Clown by catlettuce4	Jan 30th, 2009 10:04:36 PM
Seriously. A lot of Simpsons writers at the time were former writers for Letterman and they've made no secret of the fact that Krusty was modeled on Dave's off-camera persona. It was their way of saying that Letterman was really a bitter, money hungry, angry asshole who treated people like shit.
I just find it amazing how conservatives are losing... by DrBrianOblivion	Jan 30th, 2009 10:11:02 PM
their shit since democrats have been elected to office these past few years. Like its really that big of a deal. Take a fucking Xanax or something. Its just the ebb and flow of life. And Nooneimportant, I think most people would agree with you that yes, raccoons are silly looking. Just remember though, if you see one during the day outside your trailer park digging through your trash they probably have rabies. You know what though, from the looks of it, you might already be infected.
Overrated somewhat. by Toonol	Jan 30th, 2009 10:19:05 PM
His political viewpoints weren't any better-thought-out than a random talkbacker; standard reactionary blame-assignment. It's easy to become popular with a group when much of your schtick is "your group is so much smarter and better than other groups". There's as much real insight in there are there are in "look, the French are surrendering" jokes. He was talented, though. Also, sadly, his death is probably distorting judgments of his performance. That happens, look at JFK.
JoseJones by thelordofhell	Jan 30th, 2009 10:47:43 PM
There are left-wing jackoffs in the world too. The point I was making was the crap that the Dixie Chicks put up with would be nothing compared to the shit-storm that Hicks would have got if he was still alive.
nooneimportant being racist again by thelordofhell	Jan 30th, 2009 10:52:03 PM
Spouting racial epitaths doesn't make you "cutting edge", it just makes you an idiot, just ask Michael Richards. And also, in case you didn't know, there are some conservative comics out there. Of the top of my head I can name Larry The Cable Guy and Dennis Miller.
here comes GLAAD by v1cious	Jan 30th, 2009 11:18:51 PM
to complain about Letterman airing homophobic material.
interesting by Hikaru Ichijo	Jan 30th, 2009 11:25:18 PM
I can see how that wouldn't air back in '93. Hopefully Dave is going back over his tenure and digging up more trashed segments.
The audience was homophobic, not Hicks. by Flim Springfield	Jan 30th, 2009 11:26:15 PM
He was doing the old "lesbians are hot, gay dudes are icky" joke, but the crowd cheered the set-up a little too loudly.
I just watched it and it was funny. by chrismata	Jan 30th, 2009 11:29:49 PM
It wasn't hilarious but it was dam funny!
Hicks by JoseJones	Jan 30th, 2009 11:34:03 PM
His genius was not in his political commentary. It was quite reactionary and not all that thought out. However it was better than anything Lewis Black or anyone else this past decade has done. He always seemed like he was so torn. he had a love/hate relationship with humanity and expressed it thoughtfully in an often vulgar way. I feel he would hate today's culture much more than anything of the 80's, would loathe bloggers and would think talkbackers were mental midgets. and he would be spot on. He certainly wasn't left wing in many respects and in a lot of ways he was a South Park Conservative. I'm not making much sense and it is ridiculous for me to try and define his comedy or get into his head. he was a walking contradiction.
Bill's mom by MeshGearFoxx	Jan 30th, 2009 11:41:23 PM
I thought she was great. She's a straight shooter but was very gracious. Bill's segment was quite funny even 15 years later. RIP.
Hicks was the only American comic brave enough by drturing	Jan 31st, 2009 12:08:28 AM
to speak out against the Iraq War, the FIRST ONE.
Help by Fico	Jan 31st, 2009 12:09:33 AM
Saw Bill's routine but I missed the segment with the mom's interview. Did Letterman explain who was at fault for originally cutting it? Seems like there was some 'he said she said' between CBS and Letterman and/or his producers who made the call to cut the routine.
I so wanted... by The Dum Guy	Jan 31st, 2009 12:50:26 AM
To thank Hick's Mother for bringing him to this place (Earth). I also like how Dave placed the blame on himself and not anyone else. I've watched alot of Hick's stuff on DVD and Netflix (one which had Dave) and they all seemed to show how he wasn't trying to be showy, but he was just trying to tell it like he saw it, even if he was wrong on JFK.
It wasn't very funny by SexyBeast	Jan 31st, 2009 01:13:03 AM
Obviously taking into account the 15 year difference might have something to do with the quality. However, I think even 15 years ago I wouldn't have found this funny or edgy. It's not offensive to me either.
The Gaslight Anthem by Ozman X	Jan 31st, 2009 01:59:14 AM
Only reason to tune into this show.
Many talkbackers don't seem to like Hicks. by gotilk	Jan 31st, 2009 01:59:44 AM
Not that shocking. I never got a very "overall sharp" vibe from the group. Lots of exceptions, sure. Great people. But a lot of you are exceptionally dim.
The Gaslight Anthem by ChocolateJesus	Jan 31st, 2009 02:14:28 AM
Was probably one of the most uninteresting things I've ever seen.
SexyBeast, you're a souless Bastard by mistergreen	Jan 31st, 2009 02:37:33 AM
I liked it when Bill's mom told Dave the when the censorship happened, it hurt him a lot.. I choked up for a second.
The Gaslight Anthem by Series7	Jan 31st, 2009 02:41:57 AM
Is another band in a string of bands now a days that just sucks. That Bill Hicks segment was awesome. To bad Jimmy Kimmel is the only one doing funny stuff in late night.
gotlik by slayme	Jan 31st, 2009 04:07:50 AM
And they just keep proving you right. Nice call bro. Bill always recognized the ignorance of the sheeple and their shameless pride about being ignorant. Bill as an ignorant/sheeple: "Whachoo readin' for?" hah
Miss you more than ever Bill...thanks for college by Six Demon Bag	Jan 31st, 2009 05:16:40 AM

I'll write it again by Mundungus	Jan 31st, 2009 06:39:20 AM
Bill Hicks was one of the two guys I ever asked for an autograph. I had just seen a set that nearly had me pissing myself. This Letterman\cbs deal is an odd footnote to his story. It obviously bugged him somewhat so I'm glad that they finally aired the spot. I don't know how great watered down Bill Hicks could be, so it likely wasn't that supertastic, but if it gets some people who haven't heard of him to look him up on the web, I think that it is worth while. And Hicks wasn't Left Wing, he was a Humanist.
He's been better by wdennison82	Jan 31st, 2009 06:46:52 AM
I've definitely seen better bits by Hicks, but I have a ton of respect for Dave for admitting his mistake (even if it is 15 years later) and correcting it
finally, leary will have some 'new' material! by ironic_name	Jan 31st, 2009 08:54:46 AM
http://tinyurl.com/dl2uw2
Dwayne... by roundhoward	Jan 31st, 2009 09:44:10 AM
The name's Dwayne.
Letterman Sucks by medicinaluser	Jan 31st, 2009 10:16:56 AM
Corporate Cocks and always has. You know he just has to make a song and dance about finally airing this performance, fucking douche.
If you don't like Hicks kill yourself .....seriously by earlfist	Jan 31st, 2009 10:27:29 AM
This was a pretty good version of a routine, but to appreciate Hicks go to "one night stand" or "revelations" and you can see how awesome he was at full tilt. Here the poor guy knows he's dying and he's still pretty sharp. The "shock and awe" cd proves he was ahead of the game as no current comic did anything as relevant about GW2 as Hicks routines about GW1 covered it all ten years after he died. As the anniversary of Darwin is upon us also( along with the anniversary of hicks death) let's raise a glass for all those who speak out against the consensus. Even when the consensus is held sacred by the dangerous, the humourless, and the dumb.
A 39 page letter!? by JackieJokeman	Jan 31st, 2009 10:28:53 AM
God, comedians are self-important assholes.
It doesn't take... by Harold-Sherbort	Jan 31st, 2009 11:12:36 AM
..a genius to look at Hicks work and see that he was way ahead of his time. Replace Billy Ray with Miley, and there ya go.
slayme by gotilk	Jan 31st, 2009 11:46:41 AM
"whatchoo readin' fer" LOL.. That pretty much sums it up. Hicks wasn't a genius after he died, like a lot of entertainers are, he was a genius while he was still with us and a lot of us knew it.
bob and tom by jccalhoun	Jan 31st, 2009 12:50:39 PM
Bob and Tom talked to Bill Scheft Friday morning about the deal with Hick's appearance. Scheft was the comic they inserted into Hick's place on that original show and worked on the staff. The pirates have put the show on the bay. Pretty interesting listening if someone wants to hear more of the inside info on the situation.
Why Hicks matters by tenaciousal	Jan 31st, 2009 01:36:57 PM
The one thing I admire about Bill Hicks is that wherever he saw what he perceived to be ignorance or injustice he spoke up about it. Hicks was a fighter, not a follower. He saw the stand-up comedian as a modern day philosopher and endeavored to live up to his own ideal. "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather."
Today a young man on acid by Turingtestee	Jan 31st, 2009 03:24:27 PM
realized that all matter is merely energy condensed into a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which is the imagination of ourselves . . . heres Tom with the weather.
And here I was by Turingtestee	Jan 31st, 2009 03:26:56 PM
thinking I was being clever for posting that. Shit!
How bout a link? by WolfmanNards	Jan 31st, 2009 03:52:53 PM
Here's the youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =G-s6Gs6Rj2U&feature=channel_p age
Yeah... torrent linkage anyone ? by dj_bollocks	Jan 31st, 2009 04:03:29 PM

Interesting by Die_Hardest	Jan 31st, 2009 04:19:45 PM
Bill Hicks contradicts himself in this interview. First he says that the media wants to keep people docile, ignorant, and apathetic. He follows this up by claiming that only irrational crazy people write letters. Hicks was pretty funny, but definitely not the genius everyone worships him as.
die_hardest by oceanic86	Jan 31st, 2009 06:29:29 PM
those aren't mutually exclusive ideas. you're stupid.
Quivering Pink Bunny Nostril by Mockingbuddha	Jan 31st, 2009 06:44:49 PM
Hicks is awesome, back in college his comedy scratched an itch I didn't even know I had. "What ya readin' fer?" "Cool! Pull up G-13!" Don't judge Bill Hicks based on this Letterman appearance, it is not his best stuff. Find something where he morphs into goat boy in the middle. The best Hicks can still make me uncomfortable and rapturous simultaneously.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Right To Lifers...? by Emperor_was_a_jerk	Jan 31st, 2009 08:10:01 PM
Topical.
I'd never heard of Hicks by malificus	Feb 1st, 2009 12:50:03 AM
But I'm glad I caught a couple minutes of his routine, he was pretty funny. I found the entire scenario very interesting, Letterman could have just forgotten the whole damn thing but he was actually pretty classy having the guys mom on and showing the clip, seemed like he was trying to do the right thing and it's never too late to do that. That being said, Letterman has sucked badly for years, I used to watch his morning show and I gave up on him years ago, every time he trots out that moldy Top 10 list I don't know who wants to kill themselves more, me or him. And Paul Shaefer, what a freakish douchebag he is, he deserves to be buried in a hole up to his neckline and have a box of hungry rats placed over his head.....you know...just for laughs.
Like it or not by The McPoyle Clan	Feb 1st, 2009 04:26:21 AM
Letterman is now the "dean" of late night hosts and isn't the troublemaker he was years ago. There are other people to fill those roles now. Almost dying of heart disease, having a kid, and just getting older in general has mellowed him a lot. I think he's content to coast along and make amends where he can, like with this Hicks thing, before he hangs it up. But if you cross him, like McCain did, he can still bite.
Letterman is no foool. by emeraldboy	Feb 1st, 2009 08:16:47 AM
he is very much a corporate player. The deal he got from CBS when he moved from NBC was the biggest deal in late night talk show history. It was huge. When it looked like dave was going to jump ship. Dave got an even bigger deal. to keep him at cbs. Cbs are the network that was featured in the insider. When The news deptartment heard that Wiggand was going to confess all, the board of CBS put huge pressure on the news department which ran 60 mins to drop it or edited accordingly. That is possibly what happened to Bill hicks and his appearance on the late show. Hicks took that very personally. But Letterman is a corporate player. And jokes about Lettermans move to CBS wouldnt have gone down well. IN the UK/ireland we know all about what happens when comics say things they shouldnt. That is what sachs gate affair was all about. Jonathan Ross gets 18million a years from the BBC. On russell brands radio show which was prerecorder. there was a massive editorial blunder the show should have been edited.. He and Guest presenter Ross, made a series of lewd prank calls to Andrew Sachs.something which is against the law in the UK it was only when the Daily Mail got a hold of this, that mumber of complaints sky rocketed from 200 to well over 40,000. The result of that furore was a debate about bad language on british tv and to what extent are the boundaries of taste. Putting lewd calls on to Andrew Sachs answerphone is not funny. The calls in question. had something to do with Brand having sex with Georgina Balillie Sachs grand daughter. Her band are called satantic sluts.com. they appeared on the late late show two weeks ago. and they did a performance. lest about that the better. oh and the same week as the brand ross affair. Tommy tiernan went on the late late show and did a routine about travellers and cracked a joke about a guy who was in the rehabilliation hospital after getting into a bike accident.
If you like Hicks - kill yourself - slowly by JackRabbitSlim	Feb 1st, 2009 10:31:27 AM
Preferably in excruciating agony - like - say - from pancreatic cancer. Thank goodness his corporate-exec daddy paid his medical bills.
The older Letterman gets. The meaner he seems to get. by Orionsangels	Feb 1st, 2009 10:57:56 AM
He ask the most blunt meaniet questions too and turns it into a joke, like asking Paula Abdul about her stalker sleeping on her lawn. It becomes awkward.
Mark Lamarr... by emeraldboy	Feb 1st, 2009 01:26:14 PM
before he..disappeared. did a terrific documentary about american stand ups. From Lenny Bruce to Rev. sam. to Bill Hicks. They all died young. They all influenced other people. But by the time of their deaths had started to delcline in influence.
Notice how Letterman.... by emeraldboy	Feb 1st, 2009 01:33:52 PM
is allowing people on to his show he fought with our blanked. Like oprah. Bill O reilly. he even invited Leno on to the show when Leno retires. Hmmm. maybe Letterman is thinking of retiring himself. Letterman doesnt do interviews and never ever appears in public. its hard to know.
I never found Bill Hicks funny by most excellent ninja	Feb 1st, 2009 01:38:49 PM
that doesn't mean he sucks or he is shit or whatever, I just don't find him funny. He's smart, the shit he says is true and I like how he spoke out against stuff but when I see stand up I want to laugh my ass off. Doesn't mean he shouldn't have done it, there are plenty of other comedians I can get that from but some people laugh their asses off watching him as if it was Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor or Russell Peters or something. Usually boring people.
Letterman 'interrogating' Paris Hilton was great by most excellent ninja	Feb 1st, 2009 01:42:19 PM
that was hilarious, he made her feel like shit and it was awesome. and you could tell he didn't give a fuck and that was awesome too.
Fucking Classy! by Kentucky Colonel	Feb 2nd, 2009 06:13:15 AM
For Letterman to appologize for making a mistake...his own call...even though it took so long was a class move. To have his mom Mary on as the only guest almost brought a tear to my eye. Bill Hicks is in a league with Pryor, Carlin, Rock....and nobody else (well, maybe Bruce). If you "never found him funny" I feel sorry for you. But then again, I have opposable thumbs, even if I can't spell. Miss you Bill. I wish you were here to see what's happened since you've gone.
PS- God is fucking with you by Kentucky Colonel	Feb 2nd, 2009 07:48:01 AM
Dinosaurs in the bible, anyone? And next year we'll be back with "Let's Hunt and Kill the American Idols"!
He was no Carlin by ArcadianDS	Feb 2nd, 2009 12:27:46 PM
but yet he tried so very hard to be one. Anyone who writes a 40+ page letter that does not start with the line "The way I cured cancer was..." is a completely self-absorbed douchebag. I dont care HOW amazing this guy may or may not have been (I didn't laugh ONCE, and the chubby cable-access guy was more entertaining), nobody needs to read 40+ pages of ranting bullshit.
ArcadianDS by Harold-Sherbort	Feb 2nd, 2009 12:37:22 PM
Actually, if you watch some of Carlins later work, he "borrowed" some of Bills jokes. I'm a big Carlin fan too, but give credit where credit is due.
Carlin borrowed from Hicks... by ArcadianDS	Feb 2nd, 2009 12:43:36 PM
well you catch me where I dont know alot about the chronology, so I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the Hicks fans on that point. I just looked about about half a dozen Hicks clips on the You Tube, and it just wasn't my ball of yarn I suppose. I dont need a comedian to remind me that our planet is in a giant mess. I need one that says something funny. Guess that's why Im not even much of a Carlin fan. He would sneer, say "myeeeeaaahh" and then remind us that the world was going to blow itself apart soon. Biting insightful social commentary? sure! funny comedy? not so much (subjectively speaking).
A whisp of cotton candy framing a paper cut. by Harold-Sherbort	Feb 2nd, 2009 01:36:48 PM
Hicks definitly wasn't for everybody. It's a little aggrivating when people think your opinion is invalid if you don't find Hicks funny. The man definitly has a cult around him. He is my favorite comedian, but I certainly don't think you deserve death if you don't find him funny.
Mark Lamarr is mostly on Radio 2 these days by pokadoo	Feb 2nd, 2009 02:01:42 PM
He has a few good shows, one on Reggae, another on "50's throwback" Rock N Roll. Worth checking out. Plus, Bill Hicks is a hero of mine. Fuck Hicks-haters!
If Bill Hicks were alive today... by detinue	Feb 2nd, 2009 02:50:51 PM
...he'd be just as unfunny, bitter, forgotten, and irrelevent as he always was in life. I do love the irony of his life, though. Make a career out of telling lame jokes about how doing drugs never had any bad effects on him and then abruptly die young from cancer. Perfect poetic justice if ever I've heard of it.
detinue by Harold-Sherbort	Feb 2nd, 2009 04:16:40 PM
Who are some comedians that you like? I'm not trying to be confrontational here. I'm just curious.
RIP Bill Hicks... by DuncanDisorderly	Feb 2nd, 2009 04:55:02 PM
You just know Bill's in Heaven saying: "I don't give a fuck who you are. I don't believe in you! Now, it's a two drink minimum or you can get the fuck out of my club!"
H-S, my all-time favorite stand-ups are... by detinue	Feb 2nd, 2009 10:03:05 PM
...late 60's to early 80's Richard Pryor and George Carlin (basically until they wore themselves out on drugs and boose. SNL/Delirious era Eddie Murphy. Mid to late 80's Sam Kinison. 80's era Steven Wright. Dave Chappelle before he had his breakdown a few years ago. Some older types like Rodney Dangerfield, Buddy Hacket, and Redd Foxx are high on my list, too. My biggest problem with Bill Hicks was that he was too full of himself in his comedy routines. The best comedians laugh at themselves first to draw the audience in, and then only later get the audience to laugh at themselves. Bill never laughed at himself (at least not in any of the routines of his I've ever seen) and instead went straight into talking condescendingly towards his audience. His stuff was more bitter abuse than comedy. And to clarify my earlier post, I don't think he deserved to die or anything (no one deserves to die), it is just funny how his death flew directly in the face of one of his main comedy sets.
Sam kinison.... by emeraldboy	Feb 3rd, 2009 12:19:02 PM
That was the comedian that was part of lamars superb documentary on american standup. They all followed lenny bruce. Bruce by the time of his death had become a very big star. but his career was on the wane. and he achieved fame, fortune and celeberety. but couldnt deal with it. he became bitter and disillusioned with stand up. he became a bigger name in death. as with modern rock and roll its a case of live fast die young.
detinue by Harold-Sherbort	Feb 3rd, 2009 02:51:32 PM
I hear what you're saying, and I partially agree with you. There were times when that happened. But as much as he was a comedian, he was also pretty prophetical in his words. I know it sounds like I'm putting him on a pedistal, but some people deserve that. A lot of what he said, still rings true today. I read an interview with him, and he was talking about the relationship between him and his mother. She would say how he was this close to being a preacher, and he said that's what it felt like to him. But he had some material that showed how humble he could be too. If you go to youtube, and check out "The Point to Life" bit by him, I think it may give some perspective on where all the frustration came from. And after all is said and done, that's what it was. He was frustrated with the world, and the evil people that make up most of it. As Rodney Dangerfield put it "Here's a man who's so ahead of his time, his parents havn't even met yet." He of course, was talking about Bill Hicks.
Why Hicks was important by FilmZ0mbie	Feb 3rd, 2009 05:28:53 PM
Like Richard Jeni said... few comedians used their freedom of speech to spread truth. Bill Hicks did.
Letterman by Red Dawn Don	Feb 3rd, 2009 09:13:45 PM
At last LETTERMAN does something worthwhile. I quit watching him because I was sick of GRINDER GIRL and WILL IT FLOAT? Letterman has been phoning it in for years. His NBC stuff was much better

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