I love this albumen portrait of Abraham Lincoln, taken in Washington at Alexander Gardner’s studio on 9 August 1863. Although before his election as president he had a collection of quips and humorous stories that he would embroider or simplify depending upon his audience, once our nation was torn in two, Lincoln suffered personal tragedy and the weight of our country’s problems wore him down. This photograph was taken only a month after the slaughter of Gettysburg where there were 51,118 casualties. Looking at Lincoln’s face do you think anything could cheer him up? I think what he needed was a good laugh. He gets that via Jeff Ross’s streaming presentation, Historical Roasts.
“Historical Roasts is an American comedy television series on Netflex. Based on the Los Angeles live comedy show of the same name, the series ‘roasts’ historical figures including Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Cleopatra. The 6-episode first season was released on Netflix on May 27, 2019.” – Wikipedia
While surfing through Netflex offerings last month I found “Historical Roasts.” I looked at the historical selections and chose the Lincoln program. It put me off a little bit, but I also laughed. Then I went on to find a good film or two. Over the weeks, however I kept thinking about the roast and was drawn back to it as a great piece of art will, which makes you look at it from different angles and viewpoints. You begin to see the nuances and the small touches that make you reflect, consider, understand, and enjoy.
Black humor and Jewish humor were combined in my choice of selecting the roast of Anne Frank. Jeff Ross was really criticized over this production. First of all, you must know that many of the jokes and comments made on these programs are lewd. These shows are not for the faint of heart, or prissy people. Like the old Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts of the 70’s and 80’s, a panel of like-minded people pay “tribute” to the roastee. Don Rickles, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Adolf Hitler took turns in roasting Anne before she took the lectern to make her own comments. I loved Adolf Hitler as played by Gilbert Gottfried. Don Rickles had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and his daughter, Mindy portrayed the Rickles character. She did a nice job of lampooning Anne and her father. My take-away from the presentation was questioning the work of President Roosevelt. Why did he not do more to help the Jews? He had to have known of their plight.
Prejudice and bigotry seem rampant in the lives of roastees Freddie Mercury, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., and Anne Frank. This series makes you laugh, makes you mad, makes you wonder, and makes you think. These are all good things. Really good things.
Sig Heil is my uncle. Sig thought he should be offended but then met you for coffee, and said you paid for the coffee. Though he asked for Decaf, and got Instant, but with plenty of sugar, and your humorous drivel, he said he will continue to read your screeds. Wishing you a good summer, and many lunches with wits of your own capacities.
Is it true you’re being Roasted by local chefs in Pierce County?
Dennis,
Thank you for your musings. I think drinkers of Decaf coffee have grounds for divorce.
As you well know, drivel makes the world go round. As usual you are just off the mark and Mark is getting really tired of it. I think local chefs are more boast than roast, but do a good job with toast.
On a serious note, take a look at the show if you are able. Many of the viewpoints just drive home the information detailed in the Seattle Times article yesterday on the rise of hate crimes in America, Washington, and Seattle. All along I just thought goosestep was a leisurely stroll around Green Lake. Don
My Uncle Mason – Mason Jar had a million of those stories. I wish I could remember them.
Larry,
Are we related? I had an Aunt Bee . . . Mason Bee.
I hope you get a chance to watch some of the Historical Roasts. Would love to see your opinion.
Thanks for reading and sharing.
Don