OK, I do not keep up with “celebrities”, “gossip” and all that — but I got onto a story recently that made me reflect about how far comedy should go, and also about how much a relationship can be expected to bear — especially a public one. It’s a funny story, but there’s a moral — and a sting in the tail.
The story in question is obscure if you’re not from North America. My own quick survey at work here in the UK, showed that while people knew Robin Williams, most had only heard of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (but couldn’t say why, couldn’t pick them out of an ID parade, and knew nothing of their work until prompted).
- Not a single soul had heard of Sarah Silverman (37) or Jimmy Kimmel (40)! The story is about these two.
I have to say I have no idea who Jimmy Kimmel is, but I like comedy and had seen some stuff by Jewish Radical Comedienne Silverman. I think she did an awards ceremony once and I looked her up on the internet and watched some vids on YouTube.
Anyways…
It seems that Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel were a couple. A celebrity couple — and that they had been together for five years (which is remarkable apparently). They were very comfortable playing jokes on each other — even in public.
Kimmel has a long-running chat show, and he does a long-running joke about having Matt Damon as a guest, but always running out of time before the interview can take place. Sometimes Matt Damon is actually there, and one time he acts angry at getting “bumped” yet again!
So that’s the scene all set. Then at the top of 2008, Sarah Silverman’s Fifth anniversary gift to her partner, Kimmel, was a video of her song “I’m Fucking Matt Damon” — premièred on Kimmel’s talk show! How weird is that?
This goes down a storm in the USA, and on YouTube gets millions of hits.
So then — to get back at her, Jimmy Kimmel does a video response song, “I’m Fucking Ben Affleck”!
Once again, this goes down a storm, and is posted up on Youtube for millions of hits. Not only does this video have the real Ben Affleck, but also Robin Williams, Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Meatloaf, Huey Lewis, Joan Jett, and even singer Macy Gray and others known better statesside… Don Cheadle, Rebecca Romijn, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Dicky Barrett, Christopher Mintz-Plasse aka Mclovin, Lance Bass, Dominic Monaghan, Pete Wentz, Perry Farrell and Josh Groban.
Well, then.
The next thing you know, and the couple have split up!
Now I am not saying for one minute that she actually did have sex with Matt Damon (or anyone else for that matter), or that Kimmel was unfaithful either… but it just goes to show that some things should not be put “out there”. I’m serious; I think this shenanigans caused them to break up. You cannot even kid about being unfaithful, the idea shouldn’t be discussed, even in fun. Really.
At the end of the day, Sarah Silverman is looking at forty. A 40 year old spinster. The public have always been divided on her looks — some guys thinks she’s “hot”, others think she’s a “rat face” — there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground or grey area; you either love her or you hate her, lookswise. One thing’s for sure, if you think she’s hot, for how long will that be true?
For Kimmel, just like for all guys, it’s a different story. On top of which, he’s a TV personality — and Silverman managed to make him famous world-wide on Youtube!
They spilt in July 2008 — and on mid September, Silverman’s song from the Video “I’m Fucking Matt Damon” wins an Emmy!
An Emmy!
For The Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category. Jeez, they announced their split just two days before her nomination was released, and she won! Talk about Bittersweet!
In her acceptance speech she actually said:
…” To the person for whom this was made, Jimmy Kimmel, who broke my heart … oops … I mean, who will always have a place in my heart.”
Ouch! I feel sad for them. I feel especially sad for Silverman. She makes her living from comedy that is on the edge, and I think she’s felt just how sharp that edge can be.
Lessons to be learned: make fun of almost anything, but stay away from pissing on your personal relationships (especially in public).
davedevine 