I had the pleasure recently of getting to know Jackie Mason through his trusty associate and technological genius Steve Sabaugh. Although I sent the questions by email as I always do, Jackie responded to me digitally. I was going to transcribe the video and turn it into a written format, but he has such an enjoyable presence that I decided to leave it as is. Also, transcribing is tedious work, I don’t have a secretary, and a lawsuit against Jackie for carpal tunnel syndrome was not a sure thing, even if I went before a left wing judge.
On 9/11 I met Jackie Mason for coffee. The interview had already been completed, so this was more of an informal get together. Jackie, Steve and I (in addition to a friend of Jackie’s who joined us) sat around talking about anything and everything, from politics to women to donuts. It was heartening to see that many Jewish republicans in the same room. Jackie and Steve have a relationship that is a comedy routine itself. They argue back and forth, but when all is said in done, beneath the jibes (there were plenty), there is a healthy degree of respect and admiration.
Jackie even spoke to my father on my cell phone for a few minutes. I called up my dad and asked, “Dad, have you got a sec?” He said he did, so I told him, “I have a friend who wants to say hello to you.” When Jackie asked what my dad did professionally, my dad stated that he was retired. Jackie didn’t miss a beat, challenging my dad. “You’re retired and your son needs to ask if you have a sec? Of course you have a sec. You don’t do anything.” I got nervous when Jackie and my dad commiserated that I was still single, but thank the heavens neither of them brought up my slightly longer than nice Jewish boy standards hair.
Although it is occasionally tough to hear the questions, Jackie repeats them in his answers, which is helpful. Jackie is also not shy about letting me know when my questions are not up to snuff. I was not expecting as the interviewer to be a target of some of his jokes, but I have to admit, he is as quick as he is funny. He is also very deep on certain issues as well.
http://www.jackiemason.com/showarchive/archives/9
For those of you who have trouble with the link, stop being lazy and just cut and paste the thing. If I am forced to transcribe it, I will put in subliminal messages asking you all to elect me President for Life…actually, not a bad idea.
To say that Jackie Mason and his sidekick Steve were generous with their time would be an understatement. For further updates about the world that is Jackie Mason, including his upcoming comedy show in March, go to http://www.jackiemason.com
Despite his unwillingness to do Caddyshack 3, he remains the Ultimate Jew, a good republican, and one of the all time great comedians. In addition, his family and my family are both proud of him and expect more big things from him.
eric
http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/21020
Well, nothing against Jackie, but I wasn’t able to finish listening to the interview. I’ll just leave it at that. I didn’t know that he was a Rabbi. That was new to me. He is a good comic, though, and a true American icon. No wonder he couldn’t name a singular favorite contempory. The Borscht Belt has produced so, so, so many greats. Rodney was my personal favorite pure stand-up of the bunch. I love Woody, especially his early writing. But there were just sooooo many greats. Mel Brooks, for example, is my favorite comedy movie maker. And Buddy Hackett, filthy lunatic that he was, was still funny as all hell. I won’t get into Jackie’s politics or some of the things he said in the interview here and now. I might write about it on my blog and “BRINGITON!” and send some hits to you and Jackie in doing so. I have to have a drink to get through it, though, and I only drink in the evening. But let’s just leave well enough alone for now. Mason is a funny guy. That alone is good enough for me.
JMJ
Ahhh, the wisdom of the elders. Old farts are always good to talk to, or interview.
Hmmm….President…..for life……now for that, I might register at that website. ;->
If I elect you President for Life then you will without question give me a “Jack Bauer” level position on your security detail. hehehehehe
For Life ?
I would only impose one stipulation.
You have to promose to take care of yourself.
Then what exactly would you be president of, Micky? ;)
JMJ