|
|
Mikael Eriksson Inner circle None of your business 1064 Posts |
I just watched the movie "Man on the Moon" about Andy Kaufman. After the movie was finished I did a search on the internet and found a very interesting article about Andy's life, and especially the match between him and Jerry Lawler. This article has some food for thought if you are a magician. There is even a comparison made between magicians and wrestlers. If you want to know how this is possible, read the article
It also talks about stage personality, the line between it, who you really are, and publicity. Andy Kaufman seems to have been a master at it, because although he died 1984, there are still people who think he is alive. Maybe you had to have seen the movie first to be able to fully appreciate this article, but I think it will give you something, even if you have not. The article Mikael |
dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Andy Kaufman is a god to me. I have even performed (not magic or mentalism) as Andy. If you ever meet me, ask me to show you
"Andy", and I will be MORE than happy to do so. Tank you, veddy much. |
Jason Wethington Special user Orlando, Fl 615 Posts |
I agree Kaufman was/is a god. For me, he ranks up there with Chaplin and Lloyd. Good stuff there. Dpe, would be really interested in your interpretation.
All the best, Jason. "Here I come to save the Day"! |
jonesc2ii Loyal user Oxford, England 235 Posts |
Few acts genuinely deserve the title comedy genius, Kaufman certainly did.
And Man on the Moon is one of the few videos I watch over and over. Jim Carrey is brilliant in it.
www.ixyl.co.uk/forums - for when you fancy a debate or a quiet chat.
|
JesterMan Veteran user Maryland, USA 319 Posts |
The most amazing thing about him was, even though he had great success with the safe "Latka" character, and with his hysterical Elvis impersonation routine, he left that all behind to push the envelope far, far out. We may not all agree that he pushed in the 'right' direction, but you have to respect his courage. Most people would have ridden Latka and other 'acceptable' humor into the sunset. (Of course, most people would have stayed on their meds...)
Oh, and Jones... too true; Carrey WAS Kaufman! JM
JM
Balloons, Magic, Mayhem & More! www.AArdvarkEntertainers.com www.JesterMan.com "... destined to take the place of the MudShark in your mythology... " FZ |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Andy went way out to explore performing and comedy. He went so far as to disconnect from the normalcy that allows us to deal with much of what the world provides. You could argue that the muses took him.
There is a quote somewhere about the use of method acting being fatal in our world. Andy's fate seemed to support that argument.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
|
irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
I agree with ALL of the above statements. I never thought much of Andy Kaufman until I saw "Man On The Moon". I don't know how much of the movie was "real" or "Hollywood" but the movie is GREAT. There were times in the movie that Jim Carey WAS Andy Kaufman and I think that Jim Carey was worthy of an Academy Award.
I think that Andy Kaufman not only enjoyed acting out his wild imagination but enjoyed his audience as well. I really think that the world was a little better off with him in it and has lost a little with his passing. I would love to see his performance on Saturday Night Live when he did his Mighty Mouse routine, "Here I Come To Save The Day". God Bless Andy Kaufman, the world misses him. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
|
Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
Oh man, I just don't get it. I always thought he was an idiot man-child who got paid to never grow up and then tried to sell it to us as "genius". Oh well.
|
ellisd Veteran user Sacramento 330 Posts |
I thought that the funniest bit was where he read a book until the audience almost got violent with boredom and anger. He then gave them the choice to listen to a record instead. Of course the record was a recording of him reading the book right where he left off. Am I twisted too?
|
Leeman Special user Hollywood, CA 709 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-02-03 07:37, irossall wrote: You can rent the very first episode of Saturday Night Live from Hollywood Video or Blockbuster. The Mighty Mouse bit is on there. |
irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
Thanks Leeman, I'll be checking out both stores this weekend. I'll also give E-Bay a try.
Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
|
filem New user 47 Posts |
I think there is much to learn from Kaufman in terms of marketing for a magician who isn't afraid of diverging from the norm. I doubt there are many to compare with him in any city or geographical area so I guess the spot is there to fill.
|
davidcarlo New user 55 Posts |
Iven--
The movie was a bit contrived chronologically for dramatic purposes (read the book which is more accurate) but the interpretation of his performances was right on. I was at his Radio City Music Hall performance for my 16th birthday which to this day remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life. 3 things that stand out show how he connected/manipulated the audience so unbelievably well (can't remember if this was portrayed in the movie: (1) he had his grandmother come up on stage at the beginning of the show to watch from there after telling a touching story about her--at the end of the show after sitting up there silently the entire time, Andy took her wig off revealing it was Robin Williams; (2) he had an elderly woman from the audience fake a heart attack on stage. The house lights were turned on, he ran off stage, they asked for a doctor in the audience--needless to say our perception of what was entertainment/reality was shaken at that point and (3) at the beginning of the show, he told the audience if we were a good audience, he would give us a treat at the end of the show. At the end of the show, there were dozens of busses waiting outside to take us to a local NYC school Caféteria for milk and cookies. Amazing. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Not very magical, still... » » Andy Kaufman, interesting for magicians? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |