That’s a line in the R.E.M. song It’s the End of the World as we Know it (And I Feel Fine), and also where I first heard the name Lenny Bruce. I was a teenager so I didn’t know or care who he was.

I’d again heard the name several times throughout the years, but only paid real attention when The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel first aired in 2017. In the show, the fictional title character, Midge Maisel, befriends Lenny Bruce, the real-life, controversial, stand-up comedian.

I love the show but I really love it when he’s on, because the chemistry between the two characters is through the roof.

I started reading up on him and learned he paved the way for comedians like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Dave Chappelle – because in a time when all the jokes were, “Take my wife … please! 🥁”, he was commenting on social issues and turning a mirror on the world, exposing its hypocrisy.

He did it with the 1st Amendment in mind, yet was arrested and persecuted for the content of his act, and for using words like “Fuck” (gasp 😲); precisely what that amendment is supposed to protect us from.

In case anyone needs to brush up, it states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Last night we watched the documentary Looking For Lenny. I could tell PJ didn’t really want to, but since he’s been subjecting me to re-runs of Quantum Leap almost every night, I really didn’t care.

The documentary was made in 2011, and showcased how Bruce’s life and performances in the ‘50s & ‘60s compared to events in that moment. The commentary is still as fresh and relevant today even though many of the commentators: Phyllis Diller, Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams, and Hugh Hefner are no longer with us. It also features interviews with Richard Lewis, Jim Norton, Henry Rollins, a drop-in by one of my favorites, Lewis Black 😍 and many more, but my favorite part was at the very end while the credits were rolling.

Actor/comedian Orlando Jones breaks down one of the topics in the movie: Michael Richards going crazy and screaming the N word at audience members during one of his stand-up shows.

Jones said, “When Bruce used similar language on stage – often incessantly – it was to expose its absurdity. The real crime in the Richards case, was that “there was no punchline.”

I was so happy to hear that, because I’ve been having a bit of a struggle within myself lately regarding the same thing.

I’m a huge Howard Stern fan, and when one of my friends posed the question on Facebook along the lines of “Why does Howard Stern get a pass in this ‘cancel culture’ when his show has so many racial jokes?”

Well let me start by saying this – there are 2 things I never want to be and try to check myself on both often: a plagiarist (to me the lowest form of theft a person can commit), and a hypocrite.

So as much as I wanted to pretend I didn’t see the question and keep scrolling by, I couldn’t stand seeming hypocrital when it came to the fact that I stand up for racial injustice but then allow for it on a show just because I love it.

I answered as honestly as I could and said, “What Howard is doing is comedy. He’s in on the joke that if you’re at home agreeing with the racial things he’s pointing out, you’re the moron.” I also added that I think comedians should get a pass if they’re clearly just trying to go for the laugh. It’s why I wouldn’t be offended if a black comedian was making fun of white people if what they said was funny and true.

Afterwards I wasn’t sure if my answer came across as weak even though it was my truth. I even considered cancelling my Sirius subscription.

But hearing Jones break it down by basically saying what I had replied, made me feel justified in my answer, and well I’ll just say it … I was right again 😆