Comedian: James Kim died because “Asians are such bad drivers” at Racialicious

Comedian: James Kim died because “Asians are such bad drivers”

by guest contributor Susan Ito

On Thursday, December 7th, the nonprofit group Death Penalty Focus, led by actor Mike Ferrell, held a benefit comedy night at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco. It included a great lineup of comics and stars like Aundre the Wonder Woman, Will Durst, Billy Steele and even James Cromwell, most famous for his role as the Farmer in “Babe the Pig.”

i'm an asshole But first a little-known comic named Brad Wollack came to warm up the audience. One of the first things he said was, “I’m here because of nepotism.” And I totally believed it. This guy, despite being a native of San Francisco, was so woefully disconnected to this audience. I’ve got to believe that his regular gigs must be in… um, I don’t know? Where is the most ignorant town on the planet? He made some snide comments about homeless people. And people with AIDS. Not a snicker.

Then he dug himself even deeper. He said, “Yeah, that family that got lost in the snow in Oregon. Big tragedy, yeah, I feel bad for them.” I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to hold my hands over my ears. I wanted to wing a huge glass bottle at his head. He kept going though. “What can you expect though? Of course they got lost, because everybody knows that Asians are such bad drivers.”

I really wanted to fling myself off the balcony and throttle him with my bare hands. Or weep. Or both. I really regret that several hundred of us did not rise up and throw him out on the street.

Silence. Groans. Someone yelled, “You’re a jerk!” Um, that was an understatement. I guess this guy went to the Kramer school of Komedy. So here’s his face. Here’s his name. BRAD WOLLACK. Asshole. If you’re ever in a position to pay money to go hear him, (even if you’re paid money to go hear him)… don’t.

Also, if you feel inclined to give Mr. Wollack a piece of your mind, email him at brad@bradwollack.com.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS!

Trackbacks & Pings

Crocodile Caucus » Tuesday Tidbits on 12 Dec 2006 at 3:04 pm

[…] From the ‘Things that earn a Worst Person in the World’ nomination: San Francisco comic reportedly makes racist jokes about James Kim, who died when his family was stranded on a remote road in Oregon, driving home after a Thanksgiving holiday. […]

Comments

Lyonside wrote:

Thank GOD the crowd responded the way they should have…

I love dark comedy, but this ain’t comic. The road Kim’s family was on was supposed to be blocked off in November, and vandals cut the barrier (probably a metal chain). Sick…

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 11:08 am ¶
Y. Carrington wrote:

Another marginally talented comic who makes racist jokes. And more horseshit about Asian folk. And yet evermore callous mocking of a recent tragedy, by a no doubt “hip” white entertainer.

Who still believes that it’s “just jokes?”

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 11:32 am ¶
Tariq Nelson wrote:

I’m amazed at how insensitive people can be at times. Then on top of that think that other people would find it funny

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 11:59 am ¶
Susan wrote:

Go here if you’d like to read Brad’s response to my “review” of his show.
http://readingwritingliving.wordpress.com/2006/12/08/so-unfunny/

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 12:54 pm ¶
gatamala wrote:

I’m a proud liberal myself He played the liberal card!

you might have to indict EVERY comic ever for making comments you personally deem inappropriate. “If everyone else [?] is doing it why can’t I?”

I understand how insensitive you might think my material was. However, as a comic, it is my goal and duty to tell jokes that are A) relevant; and B) pertinent. Comics have the tough task of relating what is true and possibly sensitive… Comedy is no laughing matter. Comics in America have traditionally suffered at the hands of hostile audiences. See Kosmo Kramer’s Komedy.

I never set out to offend anyone in particular “C’mon they’re like billions of Asians!”

audience full of “white guilt” Next time, try entertaining “family”.

I am a proud Jew and I make several comments about Jews that could be conceived as derogatory. I am an equal opportunity offender Exactly the point. You are a Jew. You can mock Jews until they believe you have descended from pride into self-loathing.

I firmly believe that the second we take away that liberty we are then facing a reality that we, as Americans, hope to never experience. Google Jose Padilla & then you can talk about Americans & their liberty. FYI 1st amendment deals w/ GOVERNMENT intrusion with/restraint on speech.

you might very well applaud me for telling jokes about the Nazis and the ridicoulesness of other racist and facist organization “As a Jew in 21st century America, I went out on a limb dissing these guys for you people.”

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 2:09 pm ¶
dcase wrote:

Sick people out there; this is why I don’t really enjoy the current comedy paradigm both in standup and movies. Too much reliance on racial jokes/stereotypes or generally crass and unsophisticated behavior for laughs.

I would love to see another film like my favorite comedy “Being There” to be released but I guess Peter Sellers is dead.

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 4:38 pm ¶
Brad Wollack wrote:

Wow. First, I appreciate all of your concern. However, I would like to make a few points…

1) I have been misquoted. If you are going to deride me for making jokes you didn’t like, I think you should accurately relay the joke. The actual joke AS IT WAS SAID is “Did you all hear about this tragic story of the Asian father who took his family to Oregon? And he drove down a closed road and they got stuck and he passed away while trying to get help. Very tragic. The saddest part is that it just reinforces the stereotype that Asians are bad drivers.”

It is important to note that my joke was relayed out of context b/c the way Susan writes it — versus what I ACTUALLY SAID — makes it more of a personal view than a global “perspective”. I was VERY deliberate in the way I wrote and TOLD the joke. I am a professional comedian, and unlike John Kerry, I typically deliver my jokes as written. Furthermore, what makes the joke “funny” to many IS the fact that it is such an outdated and ludicrous stereotype. Without diagramming the entire joke and dissecting comedy, the comedy in this joke comes from taking a relevant, topical situation and associating it with an old and cliche stereotype. Clearly there was no connection between the two. That’s the “outrageousness” of the statement that makes it funny to me and others. The humor is in the ability to trivialize a horrible tragedy. I find that humor to be wonderful, you may not. I respect that and I hope you respect my tastes.

2) Additionally, I never actually SAID I was there b/c of nepotism. However, it is true. My father is on the board of Death Penalty Focus which I believe is a great cause… as I do most liberal causes. I’m a proud liberal myself.

3) As you admit, you clearly do not attend many comedy shows. And before you decide to call out the troops and indict me, you may want to investigate the world of comedy. Then you will realize that, along with me, you might have to indict EVERY comic ever for making comments you personally deem inappropriate.

4) I understand how insensitive you might think my material was. However, as a comic, it is my goal and duty to tell jokes that are A) relevant; and B) pertinent. Comics have the tough task of relating what is true and possibly sensitive… despite what may be the popular belief.

I never set out to offend anyone in particular, but I do intend to be current and pertinent. I apologize to all of those who think it was a poorly timed joke. I respect that as well. However, we all deal with tragedy in our own ways. Both in my personal experiences — and with global experiences — I have ALWAYS dealt with tragedy via humor. It is my nature as a human, and it is my coping mechanism. That’s my own choice, and I made the mistake of misreading the crowd and not understanding how sensitive the crowd would be. We’ve all made mistakes — both personally and professionally.

It should be noted that I am a proud Jew and I make several comments about Jews that could be conceived as derogatory. I am an equal opportunity offender. And I firmly believe that the second we take away that liberty we are then facing a reality that we, as Americans, hope to never experience.

5) Do I find tragedy in the Kim family’s situation? Absolutely. Do I ever intend to stop telling jokes based on current events? Never.

For as much as you might degrade me for telling jokes about the Kim family and their tragedy, you might very well applaud me for telling jokes about the Nazis and the ridicoulesness of other racist and facist organizations.

I apologize that you were offended, but I hope you appreciate the freedom we have as Americans to say whatever we like whenever we’d like. That is the freedom we cherish and that is the freedom I love.

After all, freedom of speech is what this country is built on. I hope you embrace that.

6) Along those lines, Susan, you note that Aundre the Wonder Woman was fantastic and that you’re a big fan. I agree that she was terrific, but nearly 100% of her funny stuff was based on racial stereotypes - of liberals, whites and blacks. So, if you’re going to chide me for telling a joke you deem insensitive and inappropriate, you might want to also question what you find so fantastic about Aundre’s material.

7) I truly hope you all take the same time and energy you have put into deriding me, and help the Kim family in some fashion. Perhaps by making a donation.

And rather than threatening DPF by saying you won’t make a donation until they issue a public apology, I encourage you to reconsider that. They are a fantastic organization already working tirelessly to rid our system of this unjust form of “punishment.” So rather than asking them to take the time to issue an apology to, well, essentially YOU, I think you should let them continue to focus on their important task. I don’t speak for DPF and they are in no way responsible for my actions. Do not penalize them for my words.

9) Lastly, someone on another blog stated that they hoped I would “die in a fire.” Wow. For someone preaching tolerance it doesn’t seem like he practices it much. I would never wish death upon anyone, and in truth, that is probably the most offensive thing you could ever say to someone, and I would imagine the thoughtful people on this blog would agree.

But, again, I will NOT apologize for any of my material — ever. I think, as many have expressed over the years, that my material is insightful, asks tough questions, points out hypocricy within our society and serves to enlighten folks more than anything.

Thanks, again, for all of your concern and I think it is wonderful that there are people out there willing to have this discourse.

Cheers,
Brad

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 5:54 pm ¶
jadepark wrote:

(I tried to post this on ReadingWritingLiving, but the thread is now closed to comments, due to really unproductive, racist comments).

I guess brad–in the end, it’s questionable whether we should accuse you of racism, but definitely clear that you are a bad comedian. (if you have to EXPLAIN why your joke is funny….)

also–please note the racist one liner posts on ReadingWritingLiving

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 6:25 pm ¶
jadepark wrote:

ugh why didn’t the second half of my post go through:
(I tried to post this on ReadingWritingLiving, but the thread is now closed to comments, due to really unproductive, racist comments).

I guess brad–in the end, it’s questionable whether we should accuse you of racism, but definitely clear that you are a bad comedian. (if you have to EXPLAIN why your joke is funny….)

also–please note the racist one liner posts on ReadingWritingLiving:
A “DaveDuke” who says, “Gooks quit whining. Go back to doing math or picking rice or whatever James Kim lol, what a stupid gook.”

Someone with the moniker of “James Kim’s Ghost” comments, “CHINGCHONNG ME SO SOLLY LAWL”

You claim you’re innocent. You refuse to apologize for the material in your joke, as you commented on ReadingWritingLiving. But know that your refusal to apologize gives permission to those who are unapologetic racists. By refusing to apologize, you refuse to take social responsibility.

Before you say that social responsibility must be divorced from comedy, please take note of the Great Comedians (all of whom take on the challenge of being socially responsible): Margaret Cho, Dave Chappelle, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, John Stewart, Stephen Colbert for starters.

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 6:32 pm ¶
HighJive wrote:

Wow, did Brad Wollack REALLY post the comments above?

If so, here’s some advice for the “professional comic” to consider:

1. Don’t post a 9-point response defending your professional skills — and then utterly fail to make a single amusing point. It kinda counteracts your contention that you’re a professional comedian.

2. As a professional comedian, you should be familiar with the term “comedy killers.” Yeah, your line of work demands being current. But being current doesn’t require being an asshole. Just a thought.

3. Sorry you were misquoted. But your actual joke is no funnier than the alleged misquoted version. If you have to clarify and explain a joke, it probably isn’t properly conceived, well-written or funny.

4. A person’s familiarity with the world of comedy clubs should not prohibit them from thinking you suck as a comedian. Surely you don’t expect every audience to be comprised of “professional clubbers.” Perhaps you’re better suited for sitcom work, where canned laughter can be edited in after a lame performance.

5. As a professional comedian, you should have studied the Michael Richards scenario. Next time, take a moment to consider how you respond to hecklers, which is essentially what Ms. Ito became, even though her heckling took the form of an online post. Your response here appears as misguided and ugly as Richards’ rant and subsequent apologies. But to be fair, that’s just my opinion.

Cheers (but not for your comedy routine),
HighJive

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 8:43 pm ¶
Brad Wollack wrote:

If you consider me a “bad comedian”, than that’s fine. It’s your right. However, if I am correct, you didn’t even attend the event. Therefore, this is the only joke of mine you’ve ever really heard, and it was relayed out of context. I think that’s fairly judgmental. Don’t you?

And there were many who found the joke to be quite funny. I was only offering an explanation to those who don’t find it amusing of why others found it funny. And I think having a clear, valid explanation supports why it does work.

I have not claimed “innocence”. Mainly b/c I feel there is nothing to be guilty of! I told a joke you didn’t like. If you want to assign guilt then, yes, I am guilty of telling a joke you and a some others didn’t like. Okay. Now what?

Again, those people posting those silly comments are just trying to rile you up.

And regarding your “Great Comedians” list, you A) forgot one of the greatest of them all, Chris Rock; and B) all of these performers have made jokes that I guarantee you wouldn’t agree with or find funny. They take risks. I took a risk and, in your opinion, struck out.

For you, the great news should be that since the joke about Mr. Kim is “timely” and I don’t have any stand-up dates planned through the new year, I probably won’t have the chance to use it again. Additionally, it’s not a feature of my act, and I encourage you not to judge one comic’s act based on one bad joke, or one bad set. After all, Stephen Colbert BOMBED at the White House Press dinner, and told jokes that may deemed “inappropriate” for the room, but we don’t judge his entire career on that one night.

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 9:00 pm ¶
Brad Wollack wrote:

HighJive, I appreciate your thoughts. I am sorry that I did not respond to any of the comments with “wit” or “humor”. I was attempting to have a serious discussion. See above re why I felt inclined to explain the joke.

If you feel I was as misguided and ugly as Michael Richards than I really can’t help you.

I am sorry you don’t like me, my material or my responses. But fortunately we never have to meet or be friends!

For a group preaching tolerance, many, not all, but many of you are clearly lacking the ability yourself.

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 9:08 pm ¶
HighJive wrote:

Brad,

You really need to consider your responses to hecklers, dude.

Again, try to analyze the Michael Richards scenario. Attacking hecklers in this manner is never a good idea. Many professional comedians have spoken out about Richards’ response and offered good tactics for dealing with hecklers. Do a google search and gain some knowledge.

Happy holidays.

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 9:20 pm ¶
Rob wrote:

Has it ever occurred to you that the ones that are laughing at your jokes are the same ones that posted those racist comments on the ReadingWritingLiving site?

Or perhaps that it promotes more racial stereotyping that individuals have to life with on a constant basis? It’s people like you that keep any racial dialog and progress from being made.

It’s sad that this day and age, individuals such as yourself are constantly hiding behind the 1st amendment and American flag to spew your racial intolerance. I give more respect to white supremacists because at least willing to admit racial stereotyping.

I make no apologies as to what I said to you. Individuals such as yourself give closet racists an excuse to deride Asian Americans are second class citizens and how basic human respect towards them is not warranted.

I mean it. Apparently, whites are afraid to insult blacks for fear of physical violence. I think it’s about time Asian Americans are known for the same. It’s the only way people such as yourself really learn.

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 11:52 pm ¶
merq wrote:

Brad:

1. First, let me commend you for actually having the balls to face your critics head-on… well, as “head-on” as an online message board allows. It’s something most “comics” fail to do once their celebrity affords them the chance not to (but I’m sure you won’t have to worry about that anytime soon).

2. I’m with you when you say you shouldn’t have to apologize! I don’t know what the hell this country has become, where we practically demand everyone apologize when they offend us. I don’t know about you, but I don’t care for canned apologies from racist douchebags with no real contrition.
America has become a place where “I’m sorry” are magic words that are supposed to wash away all hurt, and turn offended parties into assholes if they dare refuse to declare everything fine and dandy after hearing them.

3. Come on, man. Your version of that joke is so obviously bogus, I’m even more offended that you think we’d buy it.

4. In defending your routine, it’s like you’re reading directly from The Cornered Racist Comic’s Handbook.
- You’ve insulted the intelligence/questioned the sophistication of your critics. It’s not your fault their feeble minds couldn’t grasp your comedy genius.
- You’ve brandished your Klan hood by calling all Caucasians who dared be offended yellow-bellied sissies, plagued by “white guilt.” So by your logic, any “normal” white person should share your sentiments??
- You’ve waved the Bill of Rights in one hand, the American flag in the other, and held your 2nd-Amendment-sanctioned, NRA-approved rifle with your toes, challenging any yeller, un-American Commie to challenge your freedom of speech.
- You’ve “grossly” and “unrelentingly” abused your right to use “quotation marks.”
- You’ve tried demonizing the offended parties by creating a false dichotomy of reactions– “support the Kims financially or not at all.” Thus, if we haven’t given money to the surviving Kim family, we’re just as bad as a comic who throws stones at them.

5. You’re really not very good at defending your stance, so please stop. Now.

Stay golden,

Merq

Posted 11 Dec 2006 at 11:56 pm ¶
Rob wrote:

Also, I never said I was tolerant. I’m not.

I’ve been “tolerating” enough when I see Asian Americans in this country treated as secondary citizens. Your personality and persona embodies how and why this happens so my comment still stands firm.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 12:00 am ¶
Rob wrote:

Additionally, what’s even more insulting is that you attempted to clean up your joke to make it more palatable and sympathetic towards yourself.

Now, I didn’t hear your show, thank god, because I would have jumped the stage, but it doesn’t sound like how a racial joke would be presented. In other words, I’ll take the word of the original author over yours because you have something to gain by sanitizing it.

Also, don’t insult comic legends by comparing yourself to them. Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock make it a point to point out how individuals that use racism are the ones that are mocked whereas you’re a dime a dozen by making Asians the butt of all the jokes.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 12:21 am ¶
Brad Wollack wrote:

I’m sorry that you all would think I would change my joke after the fact.

I know what I said. Susan, who started this dialogue, knows what I said, as do the hundreds of others who were there. I have nothing to gain by clarifying it — you’ve already villified me and are going to say what you want about me. But I think you should at least have all of the correct facts.

But why are you so outraged that I would want to clarify how the joke was told? Is it the fact that you can see the actual joke was delivered with a lot less venom than Susan’s recounting? Maybe the joke wasn’t as much of an assault on the Asian community as some have suggested? Maybe it didn’t come from a place of hatred? Maybe it doesn’t warrant the length people have gone to assassinate my character and my integrity?

I thank you for acknowledging my willingness to engage in this discussion.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:11 am ¶
kim wrote:

Merq:

this one gets passed around.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:12 am ¶
kim wrote:

Rob:
“Apparently, whites are afraid to insult blacks for fear of physical violence. I think it’s about time Asian Americans are known for the same.”

Hey Man! You should have stopped BEFORE you went there. Seriously.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:18 am ¶
Marshall wrote:

Brad, joking about a man a week after he died is low class. You suck at comedy. Stop trying to rationalize it and just shut up.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:28 am ¶
Sewere wrote:

Rob,

“Apparently, whites are afraid to insult blacks for fear of physical violence. I think it’s about time Asian Americans are known for the same.”

My guy you argument looses credibility when you start using the “oppression olympic” argument of what blacks will and will not tolerate. Many and varied are the forms of discrimination that Asian and Asian-Americans face in this country but you do no justice to your opposition to anti-Asian racism by invoking a racist trope of African-Americans.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:34 am ¶
DaveDuke wrote:

This comment has been deleted by the moderator.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:39 am ¶
fgs_sfdg wrote:

DaveDuke wrote:

[redacted by moderator]
This better not be you, Brad.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:45 am ¶
Brad Wollack wrote:

Not me.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 2:17 am ¶
jadepark wrote:

I have heard 2 accounts of what was said at the show, and now I hear that Susan’s account is accurate. Does someone have this on YouTube?

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 2:44 am ¶
HighJive wrote:

Brad,

For the record, I did not acknowledge or commend you for engaging in this discussion.

In fact, I continue to question your intelligence for jumping into it with such clueless bravado. Although I guess I shouldn’t expect much from a third-rate wannabe comedian.

I honestly hope that someone is actually ghostwriting the comments being attributed to you.

At the same time, you should realize your words on this thread have probably inspired more laughs than any routine you’ve created to date — but not as you might have intended.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 2:52 am ¶
HighJive wrote:

jadepark,

would either version be acceptable to you? trying to elicit laughs from such an event is in poor taste, regardless of any real or perceived racial overtones. trying to defend or justify it is even more pathetic. brad may have delusions of being edgy, but he is not. brad whines that people on this thread “assassinate my character and integrity.” reread the comments, folks. brad has presented no evidence of having character or integrity.

really, brad, you ought to study the michael richards scenario — and add the gaffes of the late al campanis and jimmy the greek. you do not want to be associated with these guys. i hope.

goodnight, gracie.

p.s., brad, assassinations are considered “comedy killers” too.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 3:12 am ¶
missasianamerica wrote:

Stephen Colbert was hilarious at the White House Press dinner - he was playing to much bigger room. Most of the people actually there would probably find your James Kim joke funny (I mean hey, they laughed at W.’s inane attempt at humor).

Are you sure you’re a liberal?

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 3:45 am ¶
Rick wrote:

Brad, you may think you are funny or have some insight. Not a trace of it so far.

James Kim died horribly, so I say bring your sorry ass up to southern Oregon and we will drop you off out there. We will give you 1 jar of baby food, 1 cracker and some snow. You can sit in your car for one week. Then, you get to walk 11 miles uphill,and then when perhaps totally confused, 5 miles cross country.

Good luck, city slicker.

You can claim to be a comic but that does not excuse you from having compassion or some understanding of a terrible death.

Also, as I read, James was born n the U.S., and grew up here. He was no worse driving then the rest of the jerks out there. You were trying to be cute or insightful—and failed miserably.

Hope your career is over. No room for you.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 6:56 am ¶
Rick wrote:

One more thing.

I find your joke insulting to Orientals. Of all places, you are in San Francisco. Get real. These is suppost to be a city of tolerance and multi-racial.

James Kim, like a good friend of mine, is Asian American, but as much American as any of us so called white folks. We are all immigrants to this fair land.

You refuse to apologize, which indicates you lack depth or much knowledge of human nature. Most people accept apologies and see it as a start to recovery or a different route. At this point, you may have waited too long.

You are not new, insulting Borat nor a comic with much to offer. You are the joke.

Rick

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 7:12 am ¶
Rob wrote:

I got some great material you can use next time, Brad. It’s in the news so you can use it as current material and it affects lots of white Americans.

Make fun of all those dead soldiers coming back from Iraq and how they should fire up the grill because they look like charred hamburger.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 12:04 pm ¶
Dawn wrote:

Wow — this is the line that got me, “Comics have the tough task of relating what is true and possibly sensitive… despite what may be the popular belief.” What a hero, eh?

Seems like if people are saying, “I’m Asian and I felt the joke was racist” that maybe the joke was racist. So you’ve got two choices: own your racism and decide the joke is so goddamn good that you’re going to use it anyway; own your racism and decide the joke isn’t worth insulting your audience. Does your joke have any value as the “truth” you say you’re committed to upholding? Are the racists in the audience going, “You know, he’s really held a candle up to my ‘Asians are bad drivers’ racism and forced me to confront the TRUTH.” ? Umm, doubt it. So it’s a bad joke, it insults your audience (as the audience is telling you repeatedly, and it doesn’t do much for your “truth” commitment as a comedian.

Want to handle this with grace? Say, sorry then drop the joke from your act. Spend YOUR time on better joke writing instead of hanging out here getting defensive about comments.

I’m just sayin’.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 1:26 pm ¶
Bill wrote:

Message to BRAD: Dude, the joke about James Kim was not amusing at all. But the worst part? You online messageboard-hopping to try to explain yourself after being called out for it. No one wants to read all that long-winded crap.

Essentially, you suck at comedy. I’m basing this not only on your poor attempt at a James Kim joke, but your humorless, pedantic, poorly-written, rambling responses on this website’s comment section.

Maybe you can find another job that might be more suiting for you, like opening a deli or becoming a tax accountant. Because I really doubt your “comedy” is going to get you anywhere.

Tata.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 4:00 pm ¶
dcase wrote:

Wow…with all the caustic commentary, I thought this was an Amerie post or something.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 6:14 pm ¶
james kim wrote:

This comment has been deleted by the moderator.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 6:43 pm ¶
HighJive wrote:

Bill,

You wrote: “Maybe you can find another job that might be more suiting for you, like opening a deli or becoming a tax accountant.”

Please don’t insult deli owners and tax accountants by implying Brad may have the skills to succeed in those professions. Based on what’s been revealed here, he clearly does not.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 7:04 pm ¶
Jaye wrote:

Brad,

Your actions have consequences. Did you honestly expect that nobody would call you out for that comment, in whatever context it was spoken? You’re the one who brought up that Asian stereotype and you were the one who decided to include it into a comedic set.

Mrs. Kim and her family deserve to never hear your comment but someday they will. Her daughters are children now but they will grow up and their father’s death and the media coverage is bound to crop up from time to time. And they’ll have a name to a face. Knowing that, how does it make you feel?

Are you sorry about what you said or are you sorry that people are taking it very seriously?

If I ever see you on stage, like it or fucking not, I will be coming to introduce myself to you. You embarrass me in public by perpetuating this bullshit stereotype, I will certainly embarass you.

Jaye
Boston, MA

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 7:46 pm ¶
Christopher wrote:

“If I ever see you on stage, like it or fucking not, I will be coming to introduce myself to you. You embarrass me in public by perpetuating this bullshit stereotype, I will certainly embarass you.”

Excellent idea, Jaye.

Actually, an equally great thing for EVERYONE to do is to tell everyone they know about this “Brad Wollack” guy who made a racist joke about a man who died trying to save his family, a week after the event happened and in the very city the man lived (brilliant move, Brad).

Let’s make it so that Brad Wollack is forever associated with the James Kim joke. It will do wonders for his struggling career.

Making a concentrated effort to spread the word around might also ensure that not just Jaye will be ready to “introduce” themselves should they ever come across Wollack, anywhere, and in any club. LOL. I find that to be very comedic.

Posted 12 Dec 2006 at 8:17 pm ¶
Dave O. wrote:

While I agree with much of what is said here, I’d caution two things:

First, by spreading the word about Brad’s act you are actually only helping his cause. You’re essentially giving him free publicity.

The second thing is that your indications that you’ll “introduce” yourself to him if you ever see him on stage can be considered physical threats, especially when you use quotations. And I think taking the time to go to one of his shows to beat him up is not only wrong, but a waste of all of our time. Physical violence solves nothing, and you could be held liable if, in fact, he ever is attacked.

Though I don’t agree with most of what he said, I think the best course of action would be to ignore this punk and move on. That will do more harm for him than anything.

FYI: DVD sales for Seinfeld shot up 50% after Michael Richards appeared on Letterman to apologize. Just proof that publicity only helps these people.

Just my two cents.

Posted 13 Dec 2006 at 4:00 am ¶
Jaye wrote:

For the record, when I say introduce that’s exactly what I mean, it’s not a euphamism for physical violence and that’s not at all what I’m suggesting.

What would get the point across better, a beat down or shaming someone by talking one-on-one about a topic they’d rather forget happened? By Mr. Wollack’s responses on this board and on the author’s blog, it looks like it bothers him very much that this has blown up in his face.

Posted 13 Dec 2006 at 9:31 am ¶
lewis wrote:

I met Brad Wollack at an open mic night in a Chinese Restaurant in San Gabriel where he was trying out some new Asian material in front of a non-English speaking crowd, though at the time I didn’t know his name was Brad Wollack, or that he was a little known comedian. He seemed very earnest and nice, and the waiters clearly appreciated his hysterical pronunciation of one of their popular dishes as “flied lice.”

It’s hardly my place to defend him, but I think I can shed a little light on this brouhaha.

First, Brad got the gig warming up the Death Penalty Focus event after his biological father, a DPF board member, commented that “Brad could be the poster child for the death penalty,” and, well, things just kinda got out of hand from there.

Second, I only caught a few minutes of Brad’s act that night at Sarajevo Jade Palace and I don’t know much about comedy anyway, but someone does. And by that I mean the U.S. Government, whose very own CIA tapped Brad to be their “unofficial” representative at the current Iran Holocaust Denial Trade Show and Convention. Believe me, those guys over there know funny! So how did our self-loathing sephardic prince do in front of that discerning crowd? Well, according to the web site, Brad is killing there, and his patter song “Arbeit Macht Frei” brought down the house. Maybe Bill and Rick (the guy who refers to Asians as Orientals) would like to revise their opinions.

Finally, a lot has been written about Brad and Michael Richards. Okay, so Brad wrote Michael Richard’s act, but that part where Richards went off the rails (or however you say it) and went after some hecklers was not written by Brad. He wrote only Jewish insults there; Richards, rightly or wrongly (you decide), decided on the spur of the moment to go after blacks instead, feeling that Mel Gibson pretty much owned the Jew thing, and he didn’t want to seem like he was copying Mel just to get a little shine. Richard has already admitted the error in judgment, and said that next time he’ll attack a minority that people care even less about — like Eskimos or dermatologists or people that send in comments to blogs. The point is you can’t blame Brad for this.

Sure, you can still blame him for the whole macaca thing, but don’t we all have better things to do? I might.

Posted 13 Dec 2006 at 5:50 pm ¶
Minter wrote:

It doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day the audience rejected him and his attempt to incite humour by being controversial. Whether he was a closet racist or just trying to get their attention, fact is he’s a nothing.

It’s when people actually find it funny, or don’t realise the racism, that’s when it gets out of hand.

Posted 13 Dec 2006 at 6:11 pm ¶
Minter wrote:

ok, just read the comments here too due to time restraints earlier.

brad mate, i don’t know where you are now on the comedy career ladder, but I sincerely wish you the best of luck in dropping down rapidly.

oh, and this goes for lewis too, but how about making jokes, i don’t know, that actually don’t feature race in the equation? A true comedian has enough material not to stoop so low.

and brad - if your comment on stage was taken out of context and the above was what you really said - was bother making it all? You were apparently expressing your condolences, which really is pointless if you’re trying to entertain them. I can only imaigne it was said in a sarcastic tone.

Yes, there are such things as racist jokes. People will laugh. But if you truly aren’t one, and furthermore don’t want to reinforce existing ones further, then DON’T MENTION THEM. It’s only an issue if you make it.

Posted 13 Dec 2006 at 11:04 pm ¶
Koko wrote:

Point blank Mr. Wollock. It was a joke in bad taste. Those two,little girls have to grow up without a father and you have the audacity to make a joke about it. And only a week after. You disgust me. And then to make it worse a racial joke! C’Mon. You would think with Micheal Richards you would learn your lesson.

Posted 14 Dec 2006 at 1:17 am ¶
sk wrote:

What a disgustingly insensitive thing to say. I was recently on the receiving end of such a statement. My father-in-law passed away and we had to complete some ceremonies before his cremation. One asshole acquaintance says, “So you had your “weekend at bernie’s” moment, huh?” WTF???!!!

Posted 16 Dec 2006 at 9:41 am ¶
coke wrote:

I WAS at the DPF show at Cobb’s. Mr. Wollack defends his position by way of his “context,” audience make-up (”white liberal guilt” and inexperienced comedy clubbers), being misquoted, and the like. Bottom line, from someone who WAS there, was that his entire act was just weak all over the map precisely as it was delivered, and the James Kim joke was the epitome of his lack of comedic skill, judgment and ability. Sitting there listening, having heard already–was it from Mike Farrell?–that Mr. Wollack was brought in through nepositm, my impression was that Mr. Wollack, unlike the other comics there, had not yet cut his teeth on the stand-up ladder, and had not in fact earned the right to be up there. Impression validated. How horrible I felt on behalf of DPF, for what they were trying to accomplish that night. Trying to tie-in Mr. Kim’s death to the stereotype of Asians being bad drivers was a cheap, inexperienced attempt at comedy, pandering to unoriginal, old-ass racist impulses, and the attempt to connect a case of the hiccups to a case of AIDS…what was up with that?

Actually, I don’t know if comedy is what you need to work on first, Mr. Wollack. It’s as if you need to work on living in the real world. I think some of your critics can actually help you to do so.

Posted 18 Dec 2006 at 4:50 pm ¶