Red, White and Black

Lewis rants about his life -- Picture courtesy Wikipedia

by blogSpotter
Just finished listening to comedian Lewis Black's autobiography Nothing Sacred. The 58 year old comic is known for highly sarcastic, angry rants that are punctuated with profanity. His style is hilarious to me -- probably because I relate too much to all the negativity that he projects. He probably isn't that well known to most people, but if you catch him on HBO or Letterman you'll definitely remember him.

Mr. Black grew up in Maryland and came of age in the 60's. Popular in school, his outgoing personality led him to organize the junior prom and the senior class trip as well as to directing a senior class play. He started college in 1966 and acclimated very well to the hippy, druggie scene. He never became seriously addicted, but partook of many things. He had one bad LSD trip where he forgot his own name -- had to check his driver's license. Another time he and friends piled into a car to run an errand. It was only after 5 minutes into the trip that someone, not Lewis, noticed that the car had never left the curb. I myself think there is something almost sacrosanct about the 1960's and I envy anyone who got to experience their teen years then. In addition to being born at the right time, Mr. Black also had an enviable self-awareness that led him to different life passages.

He only ever worked in an office job once, and only for one year. He worked for the US Government as an administrator for Appalachian Child Services. He thought that the cubicle environment was so stifling that he quit and never went back. He says that he tried to get fired by the government but it was impossible; he clashed mightily with the Yale Drama department while there, but also maintained his playwright position in spite of political activism and impolitic speech. He sustained himself as playwright, theater manager, stand-up comic and actor over his post-collegiate career.

Here are some blips taken from Nothing Sacred:

"So many leaves, so little time. I will buy a leaf blower."
"If there is a hell, it is modeled after Jr. High."
"Just the memory of it makes me want to go to the bathroom."
"I was lucky to have an animal like that as my owner."
"Somehow, psychopaths always get service."
"We are passing on a legacy of shit."

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing Sacred"

In more recent years, he's been in some movies, had a regular spot on The Daily Show, and headlined at several comedy clubs. He was notably turned down in an audition to play a character based on Lewis Black. The casting agent told him in all seriousness, "We found someone who can do Lewis better than you". The pilot was never turned into a TV show, much to Lewis' relief. Lewis is a fun, funny person who lends a sense of sarcastic despair to any situation. Whether on drugs or by car, tripping with Lewis is highly enjoyable. We have to be glad that he is one of those who turned on, tuned in and 'dropped out'.

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