Often times a parody is lost in translation if you don’t know the source of what is being parodied.
Such was the case when I was watching “The Colbert Report” and Steven Colbert went ballistic on Steve Martin, dropping f-bombs on the seasoned comedian for walking across the set.
Stephen Colbert Goes Christian Bale on Steve Martin (click here to see video)
What I didn’t know is that this was a parody of a recent on-the-set tirade by the Dark Knight Christian Bale, who unleashed his sexually-repressed Bruce Wayne alter-ego on an unsuspecting photographer who broke his Zen-like acting concentration.
Christian Bale Explodes on Set (audio version)
The sign of a good parody is when it can stand alone and is funny without depending on the original source for comedic effect. The Colbert bit was funny, but after I did my homework, the bit was even more funny. Clearly it’s time to schedule another dentist appointment, so I can get caught up on the last six months of “People Magazine” gossip.
In the meantime, Bale’s tantrum has gone virtual, landing on David Letterman’s Online Top Ten Contest this week. Had I known my obsession with trying to win the holy “Late Show Online” t-shirt would involve Christian Bale, I would have chosen another obsession — say chasing parked dreams.
For those of you who are counting (thanks mom and Irene), here’s the latest tally for my quest against the Artificial-Intelligence computerized intern over at CBS:
H.A.L 9000: 4 T.M. Lindsey 6800: Zero
Last week’s failed bid for the topic, “Top Ten Signs You Won’t Be Winning a Grammy Award,” was “Grammy Foundation discovered you owe $127 in back taxes.” Speaking of the Grammys, I watched them up until my ears began bleeding, literally, during the Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder hook up. Shame on you Grammys; you should know better than taking advantage of a blind man.
Just think, with your help, all of this could be mine
At the threat of sounding like a broken record (or cliché for that matter), I will continue my quest to win the Holy Late Show Online t-shirt, but again, I cannot do this alone— so I’m soliciting your help, dear reader. I’ve written ten possible entries for this week’s list, and it’s up to you to help me choose the ONE from the list (for I can only submit one) that you think has the best chance of winning this week’s contest.
This week’s list: Top Ten Signs Christian Bale Is Your Valentine
10. Two of you met at anger management retreat in Gotham
9. His term of endearment for you is Poopsie Woopsie F*ckface
8. The Joker forbade your love
7. Recently hired as Bale’s star-crossed cameraman
6. He asked you out on blind date to “My Bloody Valentine”
5. Your love for Bale parodied on “The Colbert Report”
4. He sent you box of heart-shaped “Be My Verbal Whipping Bi-atch” candies
3. Co-starring with Bale in Albee adaptation: “Who’s Afraid of Christian Bale?”
2. Showed affections for you by tearing down streetlights in front of your house
1. D: It is written
Don’t forget to let me know (in the Comments) which ONE of these I should submit.
Say Something Funny 