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[Dr. Feel Good]

O & A > the fuck out of Howard. They do have bad days.

Hahahaha. Please.

 

[PhoenixDark]

He's a racist piece of shit, shouldn't be surprising. It's his job to be an asshole, I see no point in getting upset about it.

 

[Alienous]

He's a racist piece of shit, shouldn't be surprising. It's his job to be an asshole, I see no point in getting upset about it.

Racist?

 

[PhoenixDark]

Racist?

Is this where you lecture me on how many black friends he has?

 

[Courage]

Racist?

Come on dude, you tell me that Obama rant isn't racist with a serious face. He brands black people as so irresponsible, lazy and simple-minded.

 

[Alienous]

Is this where you lecture me on how many black friends he has?

No, it's where I ask you what makes him seem 'racist' to you?

I'd also appreciate if you found out the entire story.

It is the action of a douchesplash, but it comes with the territory of being interviewed by 'shock jocks' as a homeless person (and this homeless person knows Opie and Anthony, as he had a relationship with the radio show preceding this).

It was a cake the homeless guy got out of the garbage, likely inedible due to being past its expiration date. He was given $100 by Opie, and another $100 by the people around him after the cake was smashed.

It was maximum douche, but it wasn't entirely inspired by Satan.

I think that calling somebody a racist isn't something that should be done without evidence. Or is it just a feeling you have?

Come on dude, you tell me that Obama rant isn't racist with a serious face. He brands black people as so irresponsible, lazy and simple-minded.

I thought this thread was about Opie, not Anthony. And even in that case, it would be useful to see more than one video before you decide that someone is racist. Anthony has done many rants, and explained his views.

 

[Batigol]

Don't worry, he made up for it by smashing Sandy Kane's guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqaoQMDgKbU

How has anyone not honestly knocked him the fuck out? Is he surrounded by guards or something

 

[PhoenixDark]

I thought this thread was about Opie, not Anthony.

The thread seemed to move to discussing the obviously racist rant and Anthony, hence the post; although let's not kid ourselves, it's not like Opie hasn't said similar shit in the past.

 

[SneakyStephan]

And let's be honest, $100 > that stale ass cake, that managed to partially retain its shape when being stomped on.

It's 'shockjocky', but I don't think anybody was worse off for than transaction.

How about I take a piss on your face when you are down, I'll give you 100 dollars for it if I get to post a video of it on youtube.

I don't think anyone would want to sell their dignity for 100 dollars, unless they already worked in marketing anyhow.

 

[soundscream]

listen to his post election rank. hilarious as fuck. By hilarious I mean racist.

To be fair that's Anthony not Opie.

 

[BakedPigeon]

O and A have always been assholes, with that said I still find them funny. Norton is the best of them all though.

 

[Acorn]

How about I take a piss on your face when you are down, I'll give you 100 dollars for it if I get to post a video of it on youtube.

I don't think anyone would want to sell their dignity for 100 dollars, unless they already worked in marketing anyhow.

Damn

 

[Alienous]

The thread seemed to move to discussing the obviously racist rant and Anthony, hence the post; although let's not kid ourselves, it's not like Opie hasn't said similar shit in the past.

In which case I think you get into a realm where talking about the general actions of a race of people unfavourably, as you perceive them, as being racist.

Regarding the Obama rant, I think he makes fair points. Generalizations, sure, but he isn't saying "A black president is useless". What he describes is a lot of what I've heard about 'impoverished' black people who vote, who have no idea about policies, but vote because of the fact that the president is black. He's talked about meeting black people who felt they were able to do things because "Obama is president now". It's his experiences, and they are tinted with racism, but I wouldn't call him a racist. I haven't seen him attack black people because of the colour of their skin, but rather because of the actions that he finds mostly identifiable with black people.

On the show itself he seems to exaggerate most of the 'racist' qualities people see in him, for comedic effect.

How about I take a piss on your face when you are down, I'll give you 100 dollars for it if I get to post a video of it on youtube.

I don't think anyone would want to sell their dignity for 100 dollars, unless they already worked in marketing anyhow.

I wouldn't exactly say he has his dignity when he scavenges an entire cake, thrown away because of being past its expiry date. He got $200 from the entire engagement, and probably avoided being sick by eating an expired food product. The cake was inedible, and Opie destroyed it. Perhaps he could have done it in a non 'shock jockish' way, but he chose to do it for the views.

 

[docbon]

How about I take a piss on your face when you are down, I'll give you 100 dollars for it if I get to post a video of it on youtube.

I don't think anyone would want to sell their dignity for 100 dollars, unless they already worked in marketing anyhow.

Up the ante to $1,500,000 and 60% of ad revenue from youtube views and you've got a deal.

Spoiler

I wonder if they make the money back from youtube views. That would actually be super shitty.

 

[Fury Sense]

Is this real? They should pay homeless people to eat glass. Giving a few hundred bucks makes up for it, right?

 

[PhoenixDark]

In which case I think you get into a realm where talking about the general actions of a race of people unfavourably, as you perceive them, as being racist.

Regarding the Obama rant, I think he makes fair points. Generalizations, sure, but he isn't saying "A black president is useless". What he describes is a lot of what I've heard about 'impoverished' black people who vote, who have no idea about policies, but vote because of the fact that the president is black. He's talked about meeting black people who felt they were able to do things because "Obama is president now". It's his experiences, and they are tinted with racism, but I wouldn't call him a racist. I haven't seen him attack black people because of the colour of their skin, but rather because of the actions that he finds mostly identifiable with black people.

On the show itself he seems to exaggerate most of the 'racist' qualities people see in him, for comedic effect.

So saying 96% of black people are stupid idiots isn't racist? Or that the vast majority of black people don't know Obama's policies and just vote for him because he's black...isn't an ignorant stereotype?

90% of black people voted for Al Gore in 2000. Did they vote for him because he was white? Or because, like everyone else, they voted for who best serves their interests? Why is it that only black people are mindless voters who apparently only vote for race, nevermind that we've only had one black candidate nominated for president. It's an ignorant assumption that I have only seen hurled at black people, despite the fact that Obama won virtually every minority vote by large margins.

 

[Lefty.Mode]

Even though the Stern show is a watered down version at 3 days a week (if even that) than what it used to be, it is still better than O&A could ever dream of being.

Think what you will about Stern, but he would never do something that mean to one of his wack-packers and then throw money at it. Despite his neurosis and and excessive need to be accepted underneath all his on air persona Stern is very much a decent guy. Something the media and non show listeners who've already decided what they think of him never seem to get.

O&A are just pure assholes, always have been. Jim Norton is the only good thing that show ever had.

Pretty much this.

 

[peteykirch]

People bash Opie for this, but forget when they had the Homeless Shopping Spree.

 

[Alienous]

So saying 96% of black people are stupid idiots isn't racist? Or that the vast majority of black people don't know Obama's policies and just vote for him because he's black...isn't an ignorant stereotype?

90% of black people voted for Al Gore in 2000. Did they vote for him because he was white? Or because, like everyone else, they voted for who best serves their interests? Why is it that only black people are mindless voters who apparently only vote for race, nevermind that we've only had one black candidate nominated for president. It's an ignorant assumption that I have only seen hurled at black people, despite the fact that Obama won virtually every minority vote by large margins.

Which is why I'd view it as ignorant, rather than any kind of hatred because of being racist, which I would say is an intolerance of other races.

It's just ignorant that he thinks that it was solely black people who got Obama re-elected, ignoring the other ethnic groups. He ignores that people might have simply not believed that Romney would be a better president, but that is an ignorance disassociated with race.

I certainly don't defend Anthony's claims, but I'm just hesitant to call them racist. They are exaggerated beliefs from a narrow viewpoint.

 

[Devolution]

Which is why I'd view it as ignorant, rather than any kind of hatred because of being racist, which I would say is an intolerance of other races.

It's just ignorant that he thinks that it was solely black people who got Obama re-elected, ignoring the other ethnic groups. He ignores that people might have simply not believed that Romney would be a better president, but that is an ignorance disassociated with race.

I certainly don't defend Anthony's claims, but I'm just hesitant to call them racist. They are exaggerated beliefs from a narrow viewpoint.

It's gone beyond ignorance when they have the means and the ability to educate themselves.

 

[Restrain This]

This show is only worth listening to if Louis CK or Patrice O'Neal is on. Otherwise, they are pretty insufferable.

 

[ryutaro's mama]

Even when something is clearly racist, a wild apologist appears.

This is why a true discussion about race can never happen.

People view the world through their own prism and refuse to acknowledge any possibility even when it's pretty blatant.

 

[jon bones]

and here comes the racism defense force

at least it makes it very easy to see who gaf's least intelligent posters are

 

[Dude Abides]

These guys are entertainment for mouth-breathing simpletons, so this is par for the course.

 

[Mully]

I listened to them when I was in high school because I was immature. I don't listen to them anymore.

 

[Alienous]

Even when something is clearly racist, a wild apologist appears.

This is why a true discussion about race can never happen.

People view the world through their own prism and refuse to acknowledge any possibility even when it's pretty blatant.

and here comes the racism defense force

at least it makes it very easy to see who gaf's least intelligent posters are

I just try to understand both sides. No need to call people unintelligent. You say something is racist, I ask why, you explain. Simple.

But, whatever, you've clearly shown that there is no way to have any meaningful debate. Heck, this thread isn't even about racism. But calling people unintelligent or calling them racism apologists, as if to belittle any point they would try to make, just stalls any discussion.

But clearly you are knowledgeable enough about the show to determine that somebody is racist. Hopefully you don't make that decision on a 6 minute, out of context clip from a radio show spanning hundreds and hundreds of more than 2 hour sessions. Surely not.

People don't understand the context of the cake smashing clip, and as soon as I identify it, everybody goes silent. Good. But should I just accept "Yeah, horrible racists" without questioning it? Wondering why you think that, or where it came from? "No, he's a blatant racist, I know that from the clip I just saw".

PheonixPause made the best points, and even then they are hurt by not understanding the wider context of the Opie and Anthony show. Calling the guy a racist is a damaging claim, and I don't think its fair, on the basis of a single clip. I'm not saying he's wrong, but I'm just trying to understand where his understanding comes from.

But, again, forget it. You keep adding whatever you add to the wider discussion. I appreciate people like PheonixPause indulging my questioning, in an effort to reach a better general understanding.

 

[vas_a_morir]

Even when something is clearly racist, a wild apologist appears.

and here comes the racism defense force

Oh man Jon Bones! Your insightful and creative contribution was just beaten by 10 minutes.

Are you a vapid cowardly sycophant? Just curious.

Anyway, I'm a fan of the show, but Ant (or at least his character) most certainly is a racist. So is Louis CK, so is Patrice O'Neal, so is Jimmy to a lesser extent. I've never been under the impression that Opie was racist in the context of all the racially charged banter that goes on in that show. HOWEVER, Phoenix is right about one thing: in the context of the world of political correctness that we live in (for the better 90% of the time), he most certainly would be considered a racist. And a homophobe, for that matter.

 

[Alienous]

Oh man Jon Bones! Your insightful and creative contribution was just beaten by 10 minutes.

Are you a vapid cowardly sycophant? Just curious.

Anyway, I'm a fan of the show, but Ant (or at least his character) most certainly is a racist. So is Louis CK, so is Patrice O'Neal, so is Jimmy to a lesser extent. I've never been under the impression that Opie was racist in the context of all the racially charged that goes on that show. HOWEVER, Phoenix is right about one thing: in the context of the world of political correctness that we live in (for the better 90% of the time), he most certainly would be considered a racist. And a homophobe, for that matter.

Exactly, but they can only be 'outed' as 'racists' by speaking openly about race. Is Anthony racist in his day to day life? Probably not. On the radio? Yep, I suppose so. He shouts, screams and exaggerates. Maybe it's a reflection of who he is, but I have yet to hear a story of Anthony treating somebody a different way because of the colour of their skin, in any way intended to be harmful at least. But if racism is a way of thinking rather than acting, I think racism is much more prevalent than anyone could anticipate.

I do think it takes a larger understanding of the show to call a person a racist.

 

[Battersea Power Station]

Oh man Jon Bones! Your insightful and creative contribution was just beaten by 10 minutes.

Are you a vapid cowardly sycophant? Just curious.

Anyway, I'm a fan of the show, but Ant (or at least his character) most certainly is a racist. So is Louis CK, so is Patrice O'Neal, so is Jimmy to a lesser extent. I've never been under the impression that Opie was racist in the context of all the racially charged banter that goes on in that show. HOWEVER, Phoenix is right about one thing: in the context of the world of political correctness that we live in (for the better 90% of the time), he most certainly would be considered a racist. And a homophobe, for that matter.

My optic nerves are aching from the massive eye roll they just did.

 

[Big Baybee]

Only time I've ever listened to them is when Patrice was on.

 

[ryutaro's mama]

My issue isn't with someone choosing to be racist or as Chapelle might say, wearing a racist's uniform. I realize that people like that exist and it honestly doesn't bother me nearly as much as people that fall over themselves to apologize or give the benefit of the doubt where it simply shouldn't be.

Like I said, when you are unable to even see how something that is pretty obvious might be categorized that way, it's impossible to have a serious open dialogue.

Not everything that happens is racist--some of it is vague but it seems with any topic of race, there is a contingent that is either unwilling or unable to even entertain the possibility.

 

[vas_a_morir]

My optic nerves are aching from the massive eye roll they just did.

This is another cowardly post. It's condescending in order to create the pretense of intelligence, all while never putting your thoughts out there for scrutiny. I don't care if you are rolling your eyes, so if that's all you have to say, keep it to yourself.

Exactly, but they can only be 'outed' as 'racists' by speaking openly about race. Is Anthony racist in his day to day life? Probably not. On the radio? Yep, I suppose so. He shouts, screams and exaggerates. Maybe it's a reflection of who he is, but I have yet to hear a story of Anthony treating somebody a different way because of the colour of their skin, in any way intended to be harmful at least. But if racism is a way of thinking rather than acting, I think racism is much more prevalent than anyone could anticipate.

I do think it takes a larger understanding of the show to call a person a racist.

Honestly, if Ant ain't a racist, I'm not sure what is.

My issue isn't with someone choosing to be racist or as Chapelle might say, wearing a racist's uniform. I realize that people like that exist and it honestly doesn't bother me nearly as much as people that fall over themselves to apologize or give the benefit of the doubt where it simply shouldn't be.

Like I said, when you are unable to even see how something that is pretty obvious might be categorized that way, it's impossible to have a serious open dialogue.

Not everything that happens is racist--some of it is vague but it seems with any topic of race, there is a contingent that is either unwilling or unable to even entertain the possibility.

Good points. I personally think in order to have a discussion about race, people need to be able to have a divergent opinion without being called a racist. Racism is still alive and well in today's American society, and it is a sensitive point for nearly everyone involved. There are people alive today who saw a time when someone wasn't allowed to use the same public facilities as others because of the color of their skin. It's very recent, in the grand scheme of things. I'd go as far as to say the spectre of racism still haunts every facet of American society, and as the TM incident proved, we still have a long long long way to go. (For example, the mischaracterization of black men as criminals) So, I personally think we still have too much work left to do in our everyday lives before we are at a point where we have the right to talk about race openly.

 

[Roland1979]

Which is why I'd view it as ignorant, rather than any kind of hatred because of being racist, which I would say is an intolerance of other races.

Maybe that's your definition of racism.

Racism is usually defined as views, practices and actions reflecting the belief that humanity is divided into distinct biological groups called races and that members of a certain race share certain attributes which make that group as a whole less desirable, more desirable, inferior, or superior.[1][2][

Sounded racist to me.

 

[Alienous]

Maybe that's your definition of racism.


Sounded racist to me.

Fair enough. I'd wait for Anthony to do something practically racist before I cast judgement on him.

 

[Effect]

The episodes with Patrice O'Neal are fucking Gold.
I wouldn't listen to their show if there wasn't a very funny guest on, but when Patrice was on, it was always golden.
Also stuff with Louis CK, but to a very lesser extent.

http://youtu.be/wKQ4cOig0xE

Patrice O'Neal and other comedians that appear on the show were the main reasons I even bothered to listen to Opie and Anthony in the past. I tended to like Jim Norton more then them as well. Even then I was young and immature. I did like listening to them more then Stern. However the asshole nature of them got old after a while. I had stopped listening long before the Obama rant but when I heard that I was so glad I had stopped listening by the time that happen.

 

[Battersea Power Station]

This is another cowardly post. It's condescending in order to create the pretense of intelligence, all while never putting your thoughts out there for scrutiny. I don't care if you are rolling your eyes, so if that's all you have to say, keep it to yourself.

Oh, come off it.

My view is that all the cries of "racist" towards O&A are probably misguided, and that entertainers like them are ignorant of historical context and socioeconomic factors that give them a negative impression of certain races or ethnicity. There is a general lack of understanding among some working-class white males of just what the Black American experience was and how in many ways post-slavery and post-segregation, black urban areas were economically stifled even systematically. The fact that the aforementioned working class whites have a hard life only feeds their resentment and absence of empathy towards other ethnic groups, because they see themselves on the same level, yet only notice blacks as the recipients of social sympathy and "political correctness." They do have an argument that all lower- and middle- class people of the US have been mistreated in recent decades, but to become angry at those who are still hyper-sensitive to racism (casual or institutional) is regressive and counter-productive.

I guess the TL;DR version is that, yes, many American blacks, and many liberals of all colors, are very cautious of racism, and ready to point it out even when perhaps it is not there; that's the way it's going to be for a while and perhaps that's the way it should be. But to perceive that as some kind of slight or persecution of yourself, your culture, or your beliefs is misguided.

 

[vas_a_morir]

Oh, come off it.

My view is that all the cries of "racist" towards O&A are probably misguided, and that entertainers like them are ignorant of historical context and socioeconomic factors that give them a negative impression of certain races or ethnicity. There is a general lack of understanding among some working-class white males of just what the Black American experience was and how in many ways post-slavery and post-segregation, black urban areas were economically stifled even systematically. The fact that the aforementioned working class whites have a hard life only feeds their resentment and absence of empathy towards other ethnic groups, because they see themselves on the same level, yet only notice blacks as the recipients of social sympathy and "political correctness." They do have an argument that all lower- and middle- class people of the US have been mistreated in recent decades, but to become angry at those who are still hyper-sensitive to racism (casual or institutional) is regressive and counter-productive.

I guess the TL;DR version is that, yes, many American blacks, and many liberals of all colors, are very cautious of racism, and ready to point it out even when perhaps it is not there; that's the way it's going to be for a while and perhaps that's the way it should be. But to perceive that as some kind of slight or persecution of yourself, your culture, or your beliefs is misguided.

Fair enough. I apologize for being snarky earlier. My point being, this was a great post, and I would have preferred if you just gave this kind of explanation instead of being mean.

It's important to differentiate between the O&A show and the rest of the world. The format is one of those 'anything goes; nobody gets offended' formats. I don't think it's easily digestible for sensitive folks. Where else could you hear this kind of discussion? At the first listen, it would probably make you feel uncomfortable. However, in the context of the format, it doesn't really get to you, I guess. I guess you get desensitized to things that otherwise would be a record-scratcher stop on GAF, in the office, or at political functions.

 

[Battersea Power Station]

Fair enough. I apologize for being snarky earlier. My point being, this was a great post, and I would have preferred if you just gave this kind of explanation instead of being mean.

I was in the wrong also; because you seemed relatively intelligent I just decided that we should have a natural understanding without me having to type shit out I'm lazy.

 

[vas_a_morir]

I was in the wrong also; because you seemed relatively intelligent I just decided that we should have a natural understanding without me having to type shit out I'm lazy.

I presumed you were rolling your eyes at something different, so I'm a dummy.

 

[Ysiadmihi]

Not surprised to see this thread become about Ant's racism.

Very surprised the Stern defense force still exists.

 

[pj]

Opie is pretty worthless on the show, at least since I started listening a couple years ago. He's not funny at all and they don't do shock jockey stuff anymore so he has nothing to do except take bad phone calls and complain about the Islanders. When other people on the show are being funny, Opie usually knows his place and keeps his mouth shut.

If you download the show and fast forward through anything involving race, politics, free speech, or taxes, the show really can't be beat in the amount of funny content it pumps out. Anthony and Jim Norton are amazingly quick witted. 15+ hours a week of new material goes a long way in keeping me from blowing my brains out at work.

 

[peteykirch]

Not surprised to see this thread become about Ant's racism.

Very surprised the Stern defense force still exists.

Especially since he's a shell of his former self, and turned into everything he destroyed Imus over.

 

[Ysiadmihi]

Opie is pretty worthless on the show, at least since I started listening a couple years ago. He's not funny at all and they don't do shock jockey stuff anymore so he has nothing to do except take bad phone calls and complain about the Islanders. When other people on the show are being funny, Opie usually knows his place and keeps his mouth shut.

I can't disagree about Opie being not funny, but he really does know how to run a show. The Anthony Show usually turns into long boring segments about his money, his guns or his racism, and nobody is there to tell him to move the fuck on when Opie is out.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Especially since he's a shell of his former self, and turned into everything he destroyed Imus over.

That doesn't erase how amazing he was during his peak (which lasted well over 10 years).

 

[PhoenixDark]

Which is why I'd view it as ignorant, rather than any kind of hatred because of being racist, which I would say is an intolerance of other races.

It's just ignorant that he thinks that it was solely black people who got Obama re-elected, ignoring the other ethnic groups. He ignores that people might have simply not believed that Romney would be a better president, but that is an ignorance disassociated with race.

I certainly don't defend Anthony's claims, but I'm just hesitant to call them racist. They are exaggerated beliefs from a narrow viewpoint.

Again, when you suggest 96% of a race is stupid...that's a racist statement. He is suggesting that a near entire race is mentally deficient, and that most of them are bottom feeders who are being propped up by the (white) people who pay taxes. Never mind that there are more white people on welfare.

There's a fundamental lack of understanding going on here, with respect to what is and isn't racist. You don't need to burn crosses in order to be racist. This goes beyond simple "ignorance." This is America, there is very little innocent ignorance in 2013 here. Instead there is a deliberate ignorance, the type that repeats the same blatantly false statements and purposely stereotypes groups with the express intent of suggesting some races are dumber than others.

 

[pj]

I can't disagree about Opie being not funny, but he really does know how to run a show. The Anthony Show usually turns into long boring segments about his money, his guns or his racism, and nobody is there to tell him to move the fuck on when Opie is out.

Yeah, and I don't hate it when Opie starts playing candy crush whenever Anthony starts talking about some dumb shit that he's said 50 times before. He keeps the show moving pretty well. The only thing I don't like is when he talks.

 

[akira28]

I personally dislike them both. When try tried to get on in the DC area I immediately marked them as asshole and started listening to indie music instead of shit talk comedy radio.

Yeah they're funny (or rather the show can be funny) but they're also people I really don't like, so I can't even enjoy the humor, and I realllly hate that.

 

[peteykirch]

That doesn't erase how amazing he was during his peak (which lasted well over 10 years).

You can go back into the Howie archives, and pull out tape after tape of him saying he doesn't want to cheat the fans, and they deserve someone who will give it their all, and that if you're not there M-F then you're doing a disservice to the fans and industry.

He did groundbreaking stuff, that's not in question, but he's been mailing it in for a long while now.

 

[Gr1mLock]

Hahahaha. Please.

Robin? Is that you??

 

[jred2k]

If you download the show and fast forward through anything involving race, politics, free speech, or taxes, the show really can't be beat in the amount of funny content it pumps out. Anthony and Jim Norton are amazingly quick witted. 15+ hours a week of new material goes a long way in keeping me from blowing my brains out at work.

Even those segments can be good, the problem is when they don't have a counter-point. Ant and Jim disagree sometimes, but Jimmy usually doesn't get dragged in to the yelling matches with Ant. The segment with DL Hughley a couple weeks ago was the best TM discussion I've heard on the show because DL was as educated on the case as Ant, but had a completely different viewpoint.