Steve Martin: My Attempt At Moonwalking (VIDEO)

New Yorker:

As a dancer, Michael Jackson was great. He was like Fred Astaire. This video, a parody of the "Billie Jean" video, was done for "The New Show," which was a prime-time NBC program that Lorne Michaels did in 1983-1984, when he wasn't producing "Saturday Night Live."

Read the whole story: New Yorker

Comments

[lisakaz2]

That was awesome. I love Steve. What a goof!

[timmmahhhh]

I remember watching this and I regularly watched The New Show. Nice memory - thanks for the video and article.

[katocat]

I remember this when it aired too... It was funny then and it's still funny now. I love the part where he goes back to light a square he missed.

If anything Steve showed us it's not as easy as it looks!

Thanks for sharing it again... It's amazing how Michael's work affected so many parts of our culture.

[robXdion]

I remember when this aired. Black people were PO'd. There was a little controversy when it aired. You have to understand it wasn't like it is now. Few blacks were acknowledged in mainstream award shows (or even nominated). "Billie Jean" was the first song from a black artist shown on MTV. So although blacks weren't good enough to be shown or participate in mainstream events, Steve Martin (funny guy that he is) was seen as mocking MJ's talent. It seemed insulting given the social circumstances. I'm just stating the context this vid was presented in back then. But we can all laugh now. Times are different.

[funkalicious]

Steve Martin what can I say about Steve Martin. Well Steve Martin is wonderful at Parodying Michael Jackson. I mean who else But Steve Martin would attempt such a portrayal. The close up of Steve Martins well turned ankle with the glittering socks and the rhinestone encrusted shoes. It would not be cruel to say those shoes of Steve Martin probably upstaged the Man himself I mean Steve Martin in his rendition of Billie Jean... well Brilliant like a megawatt Star that shines from above.

If Anyone could have then did it is Steve, Steve Martin one of the best Steve's of the many talented Steve's that are still alive today.
When you think about that performance Steve Martin , not Steve Jobs or Steve Wolfram.. or any of the other Steve's could have pulled it, pulled it off like that for such a spectacular finish.

My hat is off to Steve Martin, my hero.

[duncansdad]

I don't find him funny at all. Never did. Most of his recent movies are remakes of other peoples ideas.

[jwill9981]

Sorry boomers. Steve Martin's just not funny.

[SolarPowerGuy]

I was perhaps 13 years old when this skit first aired. I loved it then, and I love it now.

[BlueKansas]

Steve Martin is the only person who could have pulled that off. Bravo.

[SolarPowerGuy]

Thank you, Steve! This made me laugh so hard when it first came out. And I got a good laugh once again.

[thisoldbroad]

2 legends at the top of their game. I still loves me some Steve Martin!

[maxwellinformed]

I think you was really trying to dance. Poor thing.

[SouthJerseySteve]

That was very funny! Steve Martin has always been a classy guy!

[ppp1604]

90% of humanity have an average knowledge of music. Simply Average.

The reason Jackson got so wealthy is you have such a large pool of "average" music buyers buying average music. Simply Average.

[Hirnlego]

Not really a Jackson fan..but curious..what is non-average music?

[mapleaforever]

Probably jazz or classical.

Gotta love music snobs.

[scottarino]

Jackson also got wealthy by owning the publishing to Lennon/McCartney's catalog. That alone will make anyone filthy rich.

[Earl]

Why'd he die $400 million in debt, then?

[truthbetold99]

Way to cash in on Michael's death, Steve. I wonder if after you die, youtube posts lots of videos of guys saying "Well, excuuuuuuuuse me."

[Freesia2]

That was uncalled for.

It was a little tribute to Michael. Not just anybody could dance like him - as Steve showed us. And the original video was an instant classic and he took it out for another airing with his parody. He wasn't making fun of Michael or cashing in - he was acknowledging him.

And I'd say that they probably will. We'll have the rubber chicken song and Two Wild and Crazy Guys, and King Tut and clips from "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and especially "The Nerd". But hopefully that will be many years from now.

He paid tribute the Steve Martin way.

[xanbix]

It's "Rubber Biscuit," and that's by the Blues Brothers, and it's not "The Nerd." Jerk.

[temenos]

Oh lighten up. A multi-talented artist such as Steve Martin doesn't need to "cash in" on Jackson's death. He was paying homage in the way that he does best, through comedy. Too bad that it went over your head.

[Haze]

How is Steve cashing in? By sharing a free Youtube video? By doing what he does best? Being a comic in 1984.

[Walter Balkwill]

This was done in 1983, not after MJ's death. ever hear the phrase about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery? a grip and then a clue!

[nycvagabond]

comment fail

[callings]

martin is a genius at physical comedy, and some of his dance is uncannily close to Michael- not there, of course, as it could not be, but both a tribute and a send up all at once. I think there's more love for MJ than there's been in twenty years. Let the weird stuff go and keep the marvels.