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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2008 > February > 13 > Entry
Pay attention to this mindless humor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Steve Martin once said “Comedy may be big business but it isn’t pretty.”
That’s true—especially if it’s not funny. Funny is in the eyes (and ears) of the beholder. There are some universal funny-isms such as small kids hitting dad in the crotch with a wiffle-ball bat or drunk guys with mullets running from the cops. (As you may know, in my experience, they tend to run slightly to the left meaning they’ll be back sooner or later.)
There are few funny people that I like to read—“funny” being the key word. I guess my favorite mindless reading comes from Dave Barry. He hits the hard issues like why is there a giant eyeball on the dollar bill? (There are only a few of us who really want to know that.)
I occasionally read Lewis Grizzard’s column. I enjoyed his views on the ridiculous.
Another humorist that I enjoy reading and now listening to is Red Neckerson. If you are one of the two or so dozen people who are actually from Atlanta, you’ll remember Red was a daily contributor on the Gary McKee morning radio show. He started in Atlanta with WQXI as program director. Red’s opinion, on just about anything, was never wishy-washy. He was never on the fence no matter how confused he might have been at the time.
Red, among other things, is a great one of those, who I like to call, “perspective writers.” Somewhere along the line, he gives his perspective. Sometimes his “perspective” could be called bitching. It’s not what you bitch about— it’s how you finesse it. He is a regular columnist for the Hudspeth Report, a local paper covering bars, restaurants and who went to them, what they did, who threw up afterwards.
(What a great job. You go out to the bars and you write about it. How would it go: “Last night I covered the opening of the Sacred Goose Bar and Grille in downtown Ball Ground. All of the city’s social upper crust were on hand, dancing to the music of Skeet Jacobs and his Magical Dulcimer.
The “Goose” although elegant, is affordable. Of course, prices will go up with time, but they still classify as “affordable,” especially since an ample mixed “mystery” salad or soup (spoons extra) is included with the entrees for both lunch and dinner. (Dinner comes with a complimentary raffle ticket for a NASCAR die-cast race car on Saturdays only.) The after-dinner entertainment included “Nick Skinner and the Bombay Beatniks” belting out Slim Whitman’s greatest hits until 11 p.m. when Nick, according to the court order, had to be home.”)
The Hudspeth Report had a section of bars and restaurants opening and those that were closing. In between there were a lot of photos of fine looking girls, talking, smiling, and holding drinks as they posed. Beside them were the guys who paid for the drinks. In the photo, the guys aren’t smiling as much as the girls. I think it’s because it was getting late and they had just realized they blew $150 for what was likely to be a handshake at the end of the date.
My favorite part of the report was reading Red Neckerson’s column. Being a fan of mindless humor, I enjoy his complete observations of what you may think are subjects that have already been completely discussed. Regardless of what you think you may know about something, Red’s perspective will cover uncharted territory.
I‘ve known Red for a few years now. His grandson played baseball for me for a number of years. I know his wife “Nectarine” and one of his “Yard Apes.” Red is a quiet guy. At first he sort of keeps to himself but when approached, he normally puts the gun down, and engages in whatever topic comes up. Unfortunately, we’re always at a baseball game so as coach I don’t have too much time to chat. I’m needed on the field to conduct coach’s duties such as spitting.
Aside from his columns, Red could be heard on Capt’n Herb Emory’s Nascar Racing Show on AM 750 WSB. If you’re a NASCAR fan, check out Red’s CD entitled: “Red Neckerson—Stock Car Comedy.” Check them out at www.redneckerson.com.
Comments
By Political Foreskin
February 13, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Explains a lot.
By El Bubba
February 13, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I’ll admit that I find some occasional humor in stupid criminal stories.
I wish there was more serious discussion here about social problems. Like how we could lower crime rates, it seems that locking people up and fining them isn’t solving any problems…
One of my favorite subjects is the Taser. Lt. Steve never got back to us on how it was to actually get shot with one. We might also discuss the fact that criminals are now using them.
El Bubba
By Cassie
February 13, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Criminals using tasers? La, what will they think of next.
Well, I am not exactly sure locking folks up is much of a deterrent anymore. I read a few studies last year that indicated whether or not someone was incarcerated for a crime made no difference when it came to recurrence of said crime.
Sad to say, crime is brought on my poverty, and laziness (I think, anyway) and in some cases pure a***** like mischief. We can’t cure poverty, never will, but why can’t we make committing a crime more painful?
By Bubba, Jr.
February 14, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Dave Barry used to appear in this fish wrapper. I guess he became too cerebral for the likes of the staff, and I haven’t read a new Lewis Grizzard column in quite some time now…
By Cindy
February 14, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Bubba Jr,
Brace yourself sweetie. Lewis Grizzard is dead. There will be no new columns written by him.
Sorry.
Still love ya though, Cindy
By Cassie
February 14, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Oh, Lewis! Reminds me of Sweats BBQ in Soperton….That was some darn good food! A bag of divinity for a dollar! Brunswick stew!
Forgive me while I gone off and sulk in a corner and wax nostaligic about the Georgia of my childhood.
By SallieT
February 14, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Lewis Grizzard ruled! What a loss it was when he passed. Dave Barry is great, I think he quit writing columns to focus on his books (and his band The Rock Bottom Remainders). Who knows what happened to Gary McKee? He was on 92.9 for a while and I think he got disillusioned and quit. I loved listening to him. How about Willis the Guard? Who remembers him? We need a club for us old Native Atlantans to reminisce.
By RED TEAM
February 14, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
$$$$OOOOOUUUUUWWWWWOOOOUUUUUPPP
Ea$t Atlanta 59 bounty killa blood gang
WE HERE!!!!!!!!!!! $hout$ to that P $tone Blood Gang over on $impson!!!
If you aint bangin red you might be dead
Oh yeah f******* the police!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By RED TEAM
February 14, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
$$$$OOOOOUUUUUWWWWWOOOOUUUUUPPP
Ea$t Atlanta 59 bounty killa blood gang
WE HERE!!!!!!!!!!! $hout$ to that P $tone Blood Gang over on $impson!!!
If you aint bangin red you might be dead
Oh yeah f******* the police!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Fred
February 14, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
While we are bemoaning great dead Atlanta Urinal-Constipation writers, I miss Celestine Sibley.
As far as the “criminal problem”? If everyone was armed folks would be more polite to each other. :)
By Memory Lane
February 14, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
I haven’t thought about Red Neckerson in years!! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I’ll have to check out The Hudspeth Report to see what he’s been up to.
By ElBubba
February 14, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
About Lewis Grizzard,
Always amazed me that a pig vavle would work in a human heart. He wrote an article once about feeling guilty when he ate pork
By Bubba, Jr.
February 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Lewis Grizzard is dead? I guess he won’t be making a comeback, huh? Gary McKee used to own a “teen” nightclub in the Suburban Shopping Center located in Decatur back in the mid 60’s. I saw the “Tams” perform there - “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” and I received my draft notice shortly thereafter. I’m not sure of the correlation…
By Cassie
February 14, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
My granddady had a pig valve too, and it worked fine up until he died.
I realized the other day that I have enough artillery in my house to arm…oh…Luxembourg.
Celestine was wonderful too; the way she wrote about her trips to the island made me absolutely long for my childhood summers on Jekyll.
Oh well, don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone…
By Lt. Steve
February 14, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
El Bubba: The taser sucks man. Like a thousand needles in your back at the same time. It makes you do the dinosaur-dance, the one where you tuck your arms in and wiggle! I’m just happy I didn’t wet myself.
By Gern
February 14, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
I see the RED TEAM hasn’t taken the February required monthly drug screen by the probation officer. Better living through chemistry?