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Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
Video: Tyra Banks' Union Square "Flash" Mob Should Be Read the Riot Act
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Valerie Flame
10/30/09

PSH standing on Union Square, 14th near Park, 5:45 PM, looking for someone. Wearing grey hoodie, backpack, holding a double-size binder. Hair was long but groomed. Looked slightly lost and less schlubby than usual.

#stalker #phillipseymourhoffman #unionsquare
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Niko Bellic
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
So what's the message here? "Just play ball or be an entertainer"? How's that new for black? #tracymorgan
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dolly_doo
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
I saw Tracy do stand up once, and at one point he was making fun of handicapped people. Little did he know there was a guy in the audience in a wheelchair who didn't take too kindly to the comments. The wheelchair guy screamed "Fuck you!" and left the room. Tracy was totally caught off guard.

After that, Tracy got so serious...started talking about how he had a brother (I think) who was handicapped, and how making jokes was his way of dealing with it and the other stuff he went through. It was really sad the way he explained it. Luckily this happened toward the end of his set, because it was downright uncomfortable...but it made me think of him in a whole new light. #tracymorgan
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Maxichamp
10/23/09

@dolly_doo: His older brother is handicapped (got spinal meningitis as a kid). #tracymorgan
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TheUptightMidwesterner
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
I kind of believe that if anyone does spontaneously combust in real life, it is gonna be this guy. #tracymorgan
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SpyMagician
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
Folks, I was there. I bought a book and he signed it. It wasn’t a laugh fest but it wasn’t a 100% downer. I mean, the book might be a tad ghostwritten but it’s the story of his truly hard life. I mean, how can you make an upper out of sharing the fact you’re dad died of AIDS after being a heroin addict which started because his dad was a helicopter gunner in Vietnam?

And also where do you folks get the idea that comedians live happy lives and their bios will just be filled with wackiness? Most comedians have had horrible lives and are really miserable.

That said, Tracy Morgan is great because he was STILL funny. He was talking about comedy being a job to him and if that didn’t work out he’d get a soda delivery route or work for UPS. And when people laughed at that, you know what he talked about how you might think that’s funny, but that’s the truth and the truth is what comedy is about and that’s why he’s so funny.

And your reporter failed to mention how he hilariously ripped into the first questioner who grilled him on Rachel Dratch being replaced by Jane Krakowski on "30 Rock." First, ripped into the guy for falling for Internet rumors. Second, he grilled him on why he cared at all. If he liked comedy why didn’t this guy become a comedian? Went further to say the guy was limp enough to not even get to the level of observational comedy. So his career advice: Stop spreading Internet rumors and start telling poop jokes. A poop joke is more valid than what this guy is doing because at least everyone poops so there’s a good chance someone will laugh...

Blah, blah...

Tracy Morgan is/was great. And as far as pride goes, watching him tear up talking about his life was awesome. You know how rare it is to see that? The guy’s had a fucked up life but the fact he can be honest about it and him is pretty awesome. By that fact he’s already better adjusted than most of the miserable asshats in comedy nowadays. #tracymorgan
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Conchie Birdie
10/23/09

@SpyMagician: Thank you for your take on it. I've been wondering why people have this false expectation that all comedians are always funny, all the time. I'd be seriously concerned if he was laughing and making fart jokes about his dad dying of aids. #tracymorgan
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Pope John Peeps II
10/23/09

@SpyMagician: but that’s the truth and the truth is what comedy is about and that’s why he’s so funny.

This is what people say, but comedy's not really about the truth. Anyone can say the truth. Not everyone is funny. #tracymorgan
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SpyMagician
10/23/09

@Pope John Peeps II: You’re a dink. Who said truth intself is funny? "Hey you have cancer!!! HAHHAHAH!" That’s not funny.

But having the skill to objectively look at something and even look at the ugliest things in the world and transform it into a joke: THAT is the essence of comedy. #tracymorgan
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mademoisellekiwibelle
10/23/09

@SpyMagician: I've always have been of the mind set that behind every joke is a little bit of tragedy. Comedians develop their talent as a defense to deal with issues/life.
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goetz
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
So is he going to be in the next Spike Jonze short? #tracymorgan
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Christopher Chambers
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
"I wasn't expecting him to dance like a monkey, but...

Hmm... not the best choice of words.
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eatsshootsleaves promoted this comment Edited by Christopher Chambers at 10/23/09 1:00 PM

MissNormaDesmond
10/23/09

@Christopher Chambers: Especially since it seems fairly plain that they were, in fact, expecting almost exactly that. #tracymorgan
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ericacartman
10/23/09

@MissNormaDesmond: So was Terri Gross, though. The awkwardness of the NPR interview was palpable. #tracymorgan
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MissNormaDesmond
10/23/09

@ericacartman: I've never much liked Terri Gross, for just that sort of thing. She's incredibly condescending to anyone she doesn't consider an intellectual. #tracymorgan
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cellardoor
10/24/09

@MissNormaDesmond: I don't like her because half of her questions are irritating as shit. She really pissed me off last night when she was commenting on Tracy Jordan's reactions and tone of voice. "Wow, you sound really upset." And when he replied he was just "passionate" she returned with words that sounded like she was saying, "OK, whatever you say. Just calm down." It was so incredibly inappropriate. Here is an authentic, interesting person telling some pretty crazy stories about his intense life, and she's got to pull the "whoa, calm down there buddy" lever? Fuck you Terri. Rude. Unprofessional. And again, irritating as fuck.

I know people have complained about some of his cringe-worthy bits in his act, but fuck, who's perfect? I thought he was one of the most interesting people I've heard on NPR in a long time. Next to Maurice Sendak, who has killed every time he's interviewed. But back to Tracy ... raw, real, and obviously still processing his stuff. TMI or fantastic insight into a fellow human - either way, I felt alive listening to that. #tracymorgan
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pureblarney
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
I just finished listening to his NPR interview, and... wow. I has a sad and a happy for him. #tracymorgan
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richardmarxhatesmyhair
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
worst book experience since Where's Waldo went to the barber pole factory. #tracymorgan
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freedc
10/24/09

@richardmarxhatesmyhair: :) #tracymorgan
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goetz
10/23/09

In reply to Tracy Morgan's Book Reading Wasn't the Laugh Fest You'd Expect
Someone should tell him to watch 30 Rock. They've got this great character named Tracy Jordan who is a laugh riot. Ought to cheer him right up. #tracymorgan
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Aidan_
10/23/09

@goetz: Snare drum. Everybody laughs. #tracymorgan
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goetz
10/23/09

@Aidan_: See Gregoire's comment for the original punchline. #tracymorgan
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SuchAndSuch
09/06/09

In reply to Video: Tyra Banks' Union Square "Flash" Mob Should Be Read the Riot Act
That's two more Emmys than the entire staff of Gawker, past and present, combined!

Don't worry Foster, you'll get one someday...
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Foster Kamer
09/06/09

@SuchAndSuch: TyTy?!?
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WackoJacko
09/05/09

In reply to Video: Tyra Banks' Union Square "Flash" Mob Should Be Read the Riot Act
2 Daytime Emmys for Most informative Talk Show, folks. TWO.
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Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate
08/19/09

In reply to Hippie to be Square
What, they're too good for pogo-sticks?
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OrneryBabe
08/18/09

In reply to Hippie to be Square
Am I the only one grossed out by the fact that she's wearing no shoes in Union Square park, with random shit (literally and figuratively) possibly underfoot?
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SpyMagician
08/18/09

In reply to Hippie to be Square
You know, it’s like 94 degrees here in NYC and humid. At this point swinging a hula-hoop barefooted in the shade is acceptable. She’s cool.

But the first stinky hippie Phish-head to show up in Union Square juggling sticks should be tossed to the curb. Yeeech!
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