Entertainment Doesn't Matter?

EXCEPT WHEN IT really does.

You might have read some stuff on this blog before about Louis CK. I've thought he was hilarious for a long time. I loved his HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. And I think it's bananas that finally, a talk show bit of his about how everything's amazing and nobody's happy has gone viral in the last few weeks.

In the midst of the sturm and drang in the culture wars and the cultural funding wars (you have to fight the latter in Canada to even get a shot at the former) it's easy to lose sight of the real reason to do a job like this. Why do you write a tv show? Why do you work in entertainment?

Because it helps people. It makes lives easier. Of course it's not as important as skin grafts or shelter-building or ensuring there's potable water and vaccinations for little kids...but when the trogs and the trolls come a-calling with their small minded bullshit, don't let them convince you that what you do isn't important, because it's "just entertainment."

From Louis C.K.'s blog about his best performance ever:

I have been warned, also, by many, to keep it clean. Not somethign I 'm great at. I've also been "taken aside" by some people, some the same who warned me, and they tell me "Look, do your show. Try to keep it clean but do what you do. This is for these kids." SO it's a little confusing.

I started to have other worries to. For instance, for the last six months I"ve been opening my shows with about five minutes about how everyone dies. Not really okay to say to a crowd of people that might die tomorrow and know someone who just did. SO I had to rethink everything.

The show started with the sargent major, who the men love, and who brought us all here. he made a boring but sincere speech thanking everyone and telling the troops to have fun.
Leanne tweeden, who emcees the show, made a long emotional speech about the troops this and the troops that and America loves you and I know what it's like to be away from home and all that.
One of the country singers (i'll give you their names later when i am coherent) went on and did about five songs. The crowd was appreciative. He also said a lot about how much america loves them and god bless and all that. The feeling I had from the crowd was "Hey, we didn't come here to be thanked. Do a show."

Then it was my turn. I had zero idea what I was going to do but as I watched the show before me I realized how politel it all was and that no one had said anything real at all.
I peeked at the audience from the stage door. eVeryone was wearing knit caps, parkas, gloves, everyone was shivering and stamping their feet. The performers were all wearing coats and puffy clothes. I was wearing a thick fleece jacket. As Leeanne said my name I muttered "Fuck it" and threw off the fleece. I went out into the cold night air (outdoor show int he middle of the cold cold desert, like being on mars) in my tshirt, just like any other show.
I hit the stage, not knowing what I would say first till the second i put the mike to my face. I looked at them all and said "how are you fuckers doing?" The place went bezerk and it became instantly plain to me what they needed and wanted and what I needed to do. "You people are in a very fucked up place. I mean, it's Kuwait, the dessert and right over there is a starbucks. I saw the sign and thought it would be a little tent with coffe, but it's a real starbucks! With the jazz music, the chess tables and the faggot with the laptop." They couldn't believe it. the laughs were enormous. I was filthy. It was awesome. People were going crazy. It was like looking out over choppy water. People rocking back and forth, punching each other, clapping, stamping. It was mayhem. Every time I went way over the line I would say "I'm so sorry. I am not supposed to be saying any of this. I"m so sorry. Am I in trouble?" which would only make them laugh more. The sargent major was in the front row, arms folded, surrounded by Colonels and whatnot. None of them laughing. All aroudn them were young warriors, men and women of all ages, laughing and cheering at things that NONE of them could think about saying on this base, EVER.

After a particularly over the top bit, i paused to let them rest. AS soon as there was quiet, a young soldier yelled out passionately "thank you sargent Major!" I was stunned. he was thanking him for bringing me there. and I felt also that he was helping me because everyone felt I was getting myself into huge trouble for their enjoyment. When he said it, everyone cheered. I said "You guys, the Sargent major is a great great guy. And what I love about him is he's just a soldier like all of you. He's not some asshole officer."
I cannot describe the reaction that this got. No one could believe I said it. They made a huge racket, a mix of "Oh my god!' "Oh shit!" and whooping and laughing. It was bannanas.
I did about 25 minutes and said "Thank you guys. Goodnight' Every single soldier lept to their feet and cheered. I yelled over them. "This is the best show I"ve done in years. Thank you thank you thank you!" I kept yelling thank you and they kept cheering. It was very very emotional. I had never felt that way on stage in my life. BEcause even in the best shows I"ve done for the largest crowds, they only laugh. These kids laughed with such relief, with such gratitude. I never made people laugh that needed to laugh that badly. It was amazing.

Back stage I was shaking. It was a stunning stunning experience. I stepped outside next to the stage and was immediately swarmed by young kids wanting a picture. I took hundreds or pictures as the next country act played.

Every single kid that came up to me said how badly they had needed the laughs. Most of them have been here for a year and will be here for another. they had all been "stop gapped" and were only in KUwait as a small break from northern hostile deployments. At least fifty of them said exactly this "I ain't laughed once since I got here last december. Can't tell you how much that meant, sir." they all called me sir.

It's not just soldiers that need that release. We all do. If that's your part in the toil, so be it. Do it with a clear mind and an open heart. And damn the naysayers. You're not doing it for their approval anyway.