Liberal Arts Blog — Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004) and the Art of Self-Deprecation
Liberal Arts Blog — Sunday is the Joy of Humor, Food, Travel, Practical Life Tips, and Miscellaneous Day
Today’s Topic: Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004) and the Art of Self-Deprecation
Self-deprecation is in general more of a British thing than an American thing. Americans tend to celebrate self-confidence and braggadocio. But there is a strong self deprecatory streak in Jewish humor — with Woody Allen and Joan Rivers being notable exemplars. But, in this genre, Rodney Dangerfield was king. Today, a few notes on the man who got “no respect.” Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.
THE RADIO, THE TOASTER, AND THE PSYCHIATRIST
1. “I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a radio and a toaster.”
2. “When I was a kid, my parents often moved a lot, but I always found them.”
3. “I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous — everyone hasn’t met me yet.”
NB: “Last week my house was on fire. My wife said to the kids ‘Be quiet, you’ll wake up daddy.’”
THE MISERABLE CHILDHOOD BEHIND THE JOKES
1. Dangerfield was born Jacob Rodney Cohen. His father, a Vaudevillian performer named Philip Cohen, “was rarely home. His son normally saw him only twice a year. Late in life, Cohen begged for, and received, his son’s forgiveness.”
2. “Dangerfield’s mother was cruel and cold to him his entire life. Throughout his childhood she never kissed, hugged or showed him any sign of affection.”
3. He was also the victim of child molestation by a man in his neighborhood who would “pay Rodney a nickel and kiss him for five minutes.”
THE LEGACY: Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central Tributes, his epitaph
1. “In memoriam, Saturday Night Live, ran a short sketch of Dangerfield (played by Darrell Hammond at the gates of heaven. Saint Peter mentions that he heard Dangerfield got no respect in life, which prompts Dangerfield to spew an entire string of his famous one-liners. After he’s done, he asks why Saint Peter was so interested. Saint Peter replies, “I just wanted to hear those jokes one more time” and waves him into heaven, prompting Dangerfield to joyfully declare: “Finally! A little respect!”
2. On September 10, 2006, Comedy Central’s Legends: Rodney Dangerfield commemorated his life and legacy. Featured comedians included Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Jay Leno, Ray Romano, Roseanne Barr, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Saget, Jerry Stiller, Kevin Kline and Jeff Foxworthy.”
3. Epitaph: “There goes the neighborhood.” (chosen by his wife, Joan)
FOOTNOTE ON SELF-DEPRECATION (and “modest diffidence”)
1. “Self-deprecation was recommended by philosophers of Stoicism as a response to insults. Instead of getting defensive, we should join in by insulting ourselves even more. According to the Stoics, this will remove the sting from the insult. It will also disappoint our interlocutor because we failed to show upset in response to words that were supposed to hurt us, thereby reducing the chance that they will try to upset us like that again.”
2. “In traditional British-English culture, self-deprecation is considered to be an element of modesty. Modesty is considered a virtue, often contrasted to the North American demonstration of self-confidence, often taken for boasting. This is characteristic such as in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, where “blowing one’s own trumpet” is frowned upon. In stereotypical English behavior, belittling themselves means appearing polite by putting someone else first.”
3. Miles Davis (allegedly): “If you don’t toot your own horn, there ain’t no music.”
NB: I am also reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s story how as a young man he was brash and cocky but came to realize that this attitude was not in his self-interest and replaced it with one of “modest diffidence” which was more conducive to learning from others. Franklin quotes Alexander Pope: Men should be taught as if you taught them not, And things unknown propos’d as things forgot.” (See last link).
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/78470.Rodney_Dangerfield
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
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YOUR TURN
Anything miscellaneous to share? Best trip you ever took in your life? Practical life tips? Random facts? Jokes? Or, what is the best cartoon you have seen lately? or in the last 10 years? or the last 50? Or what is your favorite holiday food? Main course? Dessert? Fondest food memories? Favorite foods to eat or prepare?
This is your chance to make someone else’s day. Or to cement in your mind a memory that might otherwise disappear. Or to think more deeply about something dear to your heart. Continuity is key to depth of thought.
