Please, No "Marcel Marceau Has Died" Jokes

R.I.P.A.Q.

Yes, he was a mime, and everyone hates mimes - even mimes hate mimes. Self-hate is one of the great motivators in show biz.

But no one hated Marcel Marceau who died yesterday at the age of 84...except maybe for the dog he insisted on taking for walks whenever the wind built up to unwalkable strength. Spitting into the wind? Try peeing into it.

See. That's what I would write if I were one of those obnoxious comedy writers who only goes for the most obvious joke; jokes that are likely to appear any moment at The Onion or on Leno Monday (or on Sunday night at the Comedy and Magic Club).

I'm not.

But if I were...

I would expect mimes around the world to stop working endlessly boring parties for a moment of conversation, shedding a tear that was painted on their face.

That he was at the end of his rope that didn't exist.

That he be buried in the same box he was unable to get out of for years.

And that his last words were:

See. If I did write those easy gags, it would not only show me to be a shameless exploiter of a man's death, but would also send a clear signal that I have no idea what satire is supposed to be.

So, please. If you have a shred of decency, let the man lie in peace...

and quiet.

(Next Column...The Homage...)

Disclaimer: Steve Young is author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful" (www.greatfailure.com) and his "All The News That's Fit To Spoof" appears in L.A. Daily News opeds every Sunday

Comments

[jnik]

03:28 AM on 09/27/2007

Okay, Steve - not a word.

[TurgidCaterwauling]

07:54 PM on 09/26/2007

I'm speechless­.

[rini]

08:30 PM on 09/25/2007

This is wrong....s­o wrong.

teeheeheeh­eehee

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

11:05 PM on 09/23/2007

To paraphrase comedian Steven Wright:

To honor Mr. Marceau, I'm going to put an Edith Piaf CD in the stereo, turn it off, and crank it up to 11.

[tcagle]

08:55 PM on 09/23/2007

His last words:

[LittleBrother]

04:24 PM on 09/23/2007

Monsieur Marceau died as he lived-- soundlessl­y.

RIP.

[Janco54]

03:37 PM on 09/23/2007

His spokesman had no comment.

[CammyV]

03:23 PM on 09/23/2007

I'm sure he passed quietly.

[grendl]

12:01 PM on 09/23/2007

He thought inside the box.

[mommadona]

11:51 AM on 09/23/2007

Mime, as an art is best appreciate­d
by those most sincere in their attention to it
which is the wonderful child sitting at the front on the sidewalk who suddenly bursts out in a gleeful bellylaugh at the scene in front of them.

Fare thee well to a wonderful artist
of the sublime silence.

[FaberCollege1976]

10:32 AM on 09/23/2007

He was a great talent.
This loss should be treated with the proper measure of respect.
I suggest we all observe a moment of noise to reflect upon his passing.

[Skandal]

11:12 AM on 09/23/2007

My tribute is a re-watchin­g of the Mel Brooks film, SILENT MOVIE, in which Marcel Marceau had the only speaking role and it consisted of a single word: NO!

S,
The best!
SY