Kennedy Center: You’ve Made A Big Mistake
Today, the Kennedy Center announced its list of honorees which include the worthy (Brian Wilson and Martin Scorsese), the sorta-worthy (Diana Ross), and the ubiquitous “classy” pick (pianist Leon Fleisher). But there’s one honoree I think the Kennedy Center should reconsider: “Comedian” Steve Martin.
Martin hasn’t been “wild and crazy” for years, decades even. His SNL schtick doesn’t even hold up as either still-funny or period kitsch. While he has attempted to evolve into a “serious writer,” contributing to the New Yorker, he still makes really lousy films. I would know. I sneaked into Cheaper By The Dozen 2. I caught a solid 15-20 minutes of that crap vehicle and I have two words for Mr. Martin: no laughs.
I sneaked in expecting some old fashioned entertainment—hilarious ball-in-groin shots, water-ski-based pratfalls, and can’t-miss skunks-really-smell jokes. I’m pretty sure I caught some of these gags. And still no laughs.
If Martin can’t deliver some good yuks during a 20-minute sneak-in, what good is he? That’s more than enough time for a 2007 Kennedy Center honoree to deliver!
One more point. Martin seems to have made a career making this face. Not exactly genius!
32 Responses to “Kennedy Center: You’ve Made A Big Mistake”
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September 11th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
If your argument is that Steve Martin shouldn’t be honored because he hasn’t done anything worthwhile lately, how do you justify Brian Wilson’s impending honors? Don’t misunderstand, I like both of them quite a bit. But your logic seems flawed. Stupid, in fact.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Agreed. I like Martin, and maybe in 10-15 years he might be more worthy of a KC honor, but there are other comedians more worthy of recognition right now: Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis and Mel Brooks, to name three.
September 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Maybe the KC honors should be excused on sentimental grounds for those of us of a certain age. As a kid, I thought his SNL bits were hilarious, though in retrospect, very much overrated. I had the ubiquitous “Best Fishes” poster (along with Farrah Fawcett) in my bedroom. Later, he was pretty good in The Jerk, and in Pennies from Heaven. So, I think a KC award for Steve Martin is justifiable, though definitely not based on more recent crap like Cheaper By the Dozen 2.
September 11th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Jason Cherkis, what have you ever done that’s of significant interest–and inspires high regard–from anyone but your parents (who I suspect considered your moving out of the house a great accomplishment)? Your cynical comment, intended to amuse, is quite stupid…All the honorees have contributed to American culture…Do your research before you comment on matters beyond your comprehension…
September 11th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
My post was meant partly as sarcasm. I wouldn’t judge anyone on 20 minutes of just one crap family movie. But seriously–Martin is an overrated hack. He’s the Paul Simon of comedians! He tries too hard.Each new project is heralded as art or at least bathed in Charlie Rose’s drool. I just felt like the Kennedy Center was reaching. Shit, “Shopgirl” was creepy. I don’t think Martin has done anything as innovative or ground breaking as some of the comedians mentioned above.His best work has been as an awards show host.
Brian Wilson, on the other hand, made lasting contributions to pop music. Fifty percent of indie rock is based on what this man did. Not to mention, Wilson, just a few years back, finally released “Smile.” Come on!
September 11th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Diana Ross sorta worthy? What’s the matter with you?
September 11th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Cherkis: You spent 20 MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE watching that crap. Those are 20 minutes you could have spent teaching children, or petting puppies, or sniffing underwear, or adding new and exciting binder clips to your shirt. If I were you, I would not just insult Martin. I would hunt him down and choke him till he hacks up the 20 minutes he owes you.
Like Robin Williams and Eddie Murphy and Cuba Gooding Jr. (Daddy Day Care 2? Have you seen previews for this burgeoning shit-sack?), Martin’s fallen into the pit of talented comic actors who wouldn’t know a decent script if it sauntered up and punched them in the crotch. My guess is all these guys have gambling debts, coke habits, or vicious ex-wives to pay off.
I do think you unfairly skimmed over Martin’s New Yorker essays. Those attempts to become a “serious writer” contain some of the funniest writing I’ve ever read; the ones called “Public Apology” and “Side Effects” are genius. They’re best when he reads them, but they’re online here if you want to get your 20 lost minutes back in a way that won’t get you arrested.
http://www.compleatsteve.com/essays/index.htm
September 11th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hate to be harsh but Diana Ross is just a second rate singer. Fine for oldies radio and a Kennedy nod but really no big deal.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I’d say that Ross, for better and worse, along with Aretha Franklin did the most to introduce the diva concept in a Rock Era format; that alone has turned out to have a huge influence on female singers since. Also, she had the advantage of singing several classic songs by Holland-Dozier-Holland, one of the greatest songwriting teams ever (and three who oughta be considered for KC honors.) She’s not anywhere near Franklin’s league as a singer, but it’s hard to go wrong with those Motown songs.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Maybe ” NO BIG DEAL” to you. But she was the first black woman to become internationally know for her talents. I do not think a second rate singer could really do that. Have you really looked at her career….she STILL IS one of the most successful female singers of all time…….end of story. Look at Britney just the other night, then ask yourself again….Diana Ross, second rate singer? That’s what I thought!
September 11th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Marie–come on! Diane as “first black woman to become internationally known….” What about Billie, Ella, Josephine Baker?
September 11th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Jason, no love for Three Amigos?
September 11th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I meant Diana. Not Diane…And yeah, I have no love for Three Amigos.
The Kennedy Center should have picked Bill Murray.Anyone want to argue that pick?
September 11th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Lo Siento……She was the first to achieve superstar status! All three of them were only know throughout American and parts of western Europe. Diana Ross was those places and Africa and Asia and so on.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
There is no argument on this one. Take the time to look at her career a little more, then you may make your opinion…..I do agree with you though on Bill Murray over Martin.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Murray’s not the showbiz schmoozer that Martin’s become over the last 20-25 years, and I think that hurts him — he’s still more a “cult figure” among the hip than a universally recognized comic genius like Martin supposedly is. That will change, I would gather, as he expands his body of work. His time will come.
The more I think about, the more I’m convinced that Mel Brooks wuz robbed. I mean: four decades of movies; quality TV (Your Show of Shows, Get Smart), the pinnacle of Broadway, longevity, industry respect, enough highbrow to balance the lowbrow…what the hell is the KCH waiting for?
September 11th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I agree with Greg T. as well about Brooks. I’m shocked that he hasn’t been honored yet.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Geez, what does Cloris Leachman have to do to deserve a Kennedy Center Honors seat? Steve Martin gets his at age 62, but 81-year old Cloris Leachman has won an Oscar, 9 Emmy Awards, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and then has Mel Brooks snooker her out a chance at a Tony….
September 11th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Nobody who willingly made 20 “Facts of Life” episodes deserves a Kennedy Center honor. Sorry.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Rats. That lousy KenCen panel.I heard that the DC Arts Commission nominated M.C. Hammer. How long does the guy have to wait?
September 11th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
LA Story and Parenthood both worked for me.
September 12th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Councilmember Mary Cheh is sponsoring her first-ever Ward-wide Back-to-School BBQ.
YES!
Councilmember Mary Cheh
Department of Consumer and Regulator Affairs
Department of Health
D.C. Firefighters
Department of Park and Recreation
Department of the Environment Energy Efficiency Workshop
Fire Truck, Friends of Friendship Park &
Verizon
Featuring…Moon Bounce, Raffle, Free Food and Beverage, Softball Game, Skate Mobile, D.C. Nationals’ Mascot, Music, Free Goodies from the D.C.Nationals, Cotton Candy, Snow Cones and Popcorn
WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 15
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Friendship “Turtle” Park
Van Ness and 45th Streets, NW
Councilmember Mary M. Cheh and the nice people of Ward 3 hope that you will adopt a homless person and either give them a ride to the BBQ or at least bus fare. Yes, bring tears to the eyes of the residents of Ward 3 by bringing as many homeless people as you can to this compassionate, liberal outing.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Jason, you’re not really accusing someone ELSE of trying too hard, are you? Because your posts feel more and more like you’re trying to just get a rise out of people. It surprises me that a reputable paper has seen fit to give you a forum when you clearly know so little about pop culture.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Also, you’re justifying Brian Wilson by citing “Smile” as something he’s done in the last few years? He wrote all that material around 1966. He only re-recorded it recently. Maybe you were thinking about his other recent effort, “What I Really Want for Christmas.”
September 12th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
fuck, martin deserves the honor for shopgirl the book (not creepy at all) and LA story (cherkis, give it a watch, you cynical bastard) alone. or wait, just for his face in dirty rotten scoundrels when he pees. come on, people. he’s a goddamn gem.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Shopgirl is bad Woody Allen, bad late-period Woody Allen. LA Story is a middlebrow Short Cuts. If I’m not down with honoring a comedian who’s made only a few good movies–nothing that would ever crack the Criterion collection, but still–apologies. I expect more from the Kennedy Center! Hey JC–Steve Martin hasn’t been important in pop culture for decades.
Again, Bill Murray would have been the far superior choice.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Yeah, I liked Shopgirl the book. Shopgirl the movie, though, gave me the heebie-jeebies.
K — I can’t believe I forgot Martin as Ruprecht the Monkey Boy! You’re right, that one role adds a HUGE notch in his belt. The peeing thing, the “Oklahoma Oklahoma!” banging-on-the-pots romp … and the classic:
Caine to Ruprecht: What did we do when Uncle Teddy was here?
Ruprecht (makes confused face, crosses to mantelpiece and puts on latex glove and squeezes petroleum jelly all over it)
Caine: No, Ruprecht. After that. We APOLOGIZED.
September 12th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
shopgirl the book blew. if any 1st time novelist had written it there wouldn’t have been any acclaim.
the pleasure of my company, on the other hand, was excellently written and a great story to boot.
September 12th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Jason–you are confusing Martin’s admittedly paycheck-driven recent movie career with his original cultural impact. As has been stated, none of the “honorees” have done much of note lately. Beside being a blatant ploy by the KenCen for dollars and respect, the awards are a lifetime achievement thing.
You’re probably too young to remember that after Martin’s initial appearance on the scene (The Tonight Show and other variety programs before SNL), every office funnyman was running around doing the “Excuuuuuse me!” bit. Plus, every other would-be comic was donning a white three-piece suit. I witnessed several such horror shows.
Martin has made just enough quality movies–we may have to agree to disagree. And coupled with his undeniable impact as a standup and his comic and “serious” writing, he’s a multi-hyphenate as worthy as anyone for this list. Which is the real point you should address: Why does anyone care about the KenCen Honors?
September 12th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I’d forgotten Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. That absolutely had flashes of brilliance that were due, exclusively, to Martin.
What, no takers for the dildo as flashlight scenes or Keanu’s self-parody about his hair in Parenthood? Jeez, lighten up, people. After all, the most serious this argument gets is whether Murray or Martin is the more serious clown.
September 16th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Wow! The Diva is having a huge year… a sold out world tour, private performances in the Hamptons, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, music charting on Billboard, and now the KC award… you go Ms. Ross. Get your props — you earned them!
September 24th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I read the list of those who made the selection of the five honorees. I recognized over half of them as major contribtors to our culture. I assume its my own ignorance for not knowing the other half. But who is this critic Jason Cherkis? He needs to try to understand why these experts made the choices they made instead of blasting the reasons he only imagines they had. Maybe he’s only trying to create controversy. There are so many of that type in the media today.