Re: Robin Williams If you’re easily offended, you may not want to read any further. I want to start by saying that I was saddened and then shocked speechless by the news about Robin Williams death. I grew up watching him when he was on Mork and Mindy and then was blown away by his comic genius and unearthly improvisational ability. My brother and I grew up addicted to comedy albums, and his were at the top of our list. I’ve spent most of my life doing comedy and working on the craft of improvisation. Williams was for decades the King of the Hill and NO ONE could knock him down. To say that his work influenced me would be an understatement. He was the improviser we all wanted to be. But there is and will never be anyone who can come close to what he’s done. I feel a large disturbance in the comedy ‘force’ and it will be a very long time before things feel right again. Now for the controversial thoughts- WHAT WILL IT TAKE for the leaders of this country to recognize that mental illness is a serious problem reaching epidemic proportions? Something like 1 in 4 Americans suffers from a mental illness and still we shy away from meaningful discussion and continue to stigmatize people with these disorders. Why can’t WE the PEOPLE recognize Mental Disorders as a Health concern? Why can’t we treat people with Physical Health and Mental Health problems equally and with more efficiency? What will it take? Depression is just ONE of the many serious issues our society should be dealing with. We’re failing as the world leader on so many issues and this one is just embarrassing. How sad that a man who is BELOVED by countless millions in the world found himself so sad and depressed that he just gave up. I hope and pray (secular prayers of course) that his death and struggle with depression start a National discourse on the state of our Union’s Health policies. I feel sad for his family. I feel sad for Comedy. I hope we find ways to help people with depression. And finally- If you haven’t seen The World According to Garp…PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE see ASAP. John Irving’s book is amazing but his performance along with John Lithgow’s are some of the most indelible in my mind for all eternity. I still feel it is one of his very best-
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:57:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015