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[Dalek]

Joe Pesci’s recent advice to Louis C.K.: Stop doing stand-up, you’re not funny

C.K.’s interview with Howard Stern Monday mostly made the rounds because he revealed that he’s millions in debt after fronting the money for his new web series, “Horace and Pete.” But let’s not overlook C.K.’s hilarious revelation that not only did Pesci turn down a part in the show, he advised C.K. to get out of stand-up comedy completely.

C.K. started the story by saying he offered roles in “Horace and Pete” to Steve Buscemi, Jessica Lange and Edie Falco, all of whom quickly said yes after reading the script. However, things took a turn when he snagged the famously-reclusive Pesci’s number from his manager and called to ask if he was interested. Pesci’s first words: “Where the f— did you get my number?”

Pesci, of “Goodfellas” and “Home Alone” fame, went on to say he had seen some C.K.’s comedy and wasn’t a fan. C.K. quoted Pesci as saying, “I watched your stand-up, which I can tell you’re just trying, and you’re no good at it…quit that now.”

“Was he kidding?” Stern asked in disbelief.

“No, he was being serious,” C.K. assured him. “He said, ‘As an actor, you’re okay, but the stand-up? Get out now. It’s not for you.'”

“This is the greatest story I’ve ever heard,” Stern said, as he and sidekick Robin Quivers cracked up.

“It was the greatest phone call of my life,” C.K. agreed. “He doesn’t think I’m funny.”

The story ended somewhat happily, as C.K. (who called Pesci “a lovely guy&#8221 wound up driving to Pesci’s home in New Jersey to further persuade him to join “Horace and Pete.” After the two had dinner and hung out for awhile, Pesci admitted that he actually liked the script, yet still said no.

Here's a video of that segment from the interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83g5udjMeAQ

 

[Oppo]

he doesn't seem like a lovely guy. but if I read the quotes in my head in Lethal Weapon Pesci, it's sorta funny.

 

[Nokterian]

Recreation of the scene.

 

[-Plasma Reus-]

It looks like he couldn't sanction his buffoonery.

 

[Odrion]

Holy crap, Louis CK is now millions in debt?

 

[Dalek]

It looks like he couldn't sanction his buffoonery.

That was the first in my "recalls working with" series....
Jim Carrey recalls working with Tommy Lee Jones on Batman Forever

Holy crap, Louis CK is now millions in debt?

He didn't seem bothered by it either.

 

[JadedWriter]

he doesn't seem like a lovely guy. but if I read the quotes in my head in Lethal Weapon Pesci, it's sorta funny.

I read the quotes in my head in Goodfella's/Raging Bull era Pesci...

 

[Agnostic]

Holy crap, Louis CK is now millions in debt?

I doubt it is personal debt and probably tied to his production company or something.

 

[Ban Puncher]

Holy crap, Louis CK is now millions in debt?

Take the easy way out and co-star in Adam Sandler films.

 

[Steamlord]

You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but you're funny how, I mean funny like you're a clown, you amuse people? You make them laugh, you're here to fuckin' amuse them? What do you mean funny, funny how? How are you funny?

 

[HStallion]

Hasn't Pesci basically retired from acting for years now? I can see why he'd not want to be in a show with Louis regardless of how good the script was or if he thinks Louie is funny himself. Though the bit about him just shitting on Louie for his comedy and stand up is amazing.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Pesci is the man. Have to respect someone who speaks their mind like that.

 

[dave is ok]

As much as I love Pesci, Alan Alda was really great in that role.

 

[John Kowalski]

Oh that guy from Home Alone.

 

[Dalek]

Oh that guy from Home Alone.

 

[Nokagi]

Louis C.K is funny and amusing like a clown. He makes me laugh.

 

[tearsintherain]

Pesci should start a new phone service where people can call him and he just shits on them, their job, and their life. I'd totally pay $100 for a 15 minute Pesci call like that.

re: LCK being in debt, thats a bit disingenuous. He borrowed money to finish filming the series, since he didn't want to pull the money out of his own bank account. The only place you can get it right now is on his web site for like $2-5 an episode. Obviously enough people aren't going to buy it to cover the costs (the debt).

But at some point he is going to sell the series to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, TBS, or Russian TV ("Dumb Americans TV show"). They will pay him a lot of money, he will pay off the debt, and he will make money. He just wanted to put out a show with absolutely zero word of mouth or advertising or anything and see what happens. as expected, a few people are REALLY into it and talk about it a lot but most of the world doesn't care and has no idea.

 

[Odrion]

Oh that guy from Home Alone.

You should watch Goodfellas!

 

[JadedWriter]

Oh that guy from Home Alone.

But he's at his best in Raging Bull, Casino and Goodfellas.

 

[MightyKAC]

Pesci's a funny mother fucker and all but I CANNOT respect a grown ass man that refuses to eat pussy.

 

[backflip10019]

Pesci's a funny mother fucker and all but I CANNOT respect a grown ass man that refuses to eat pussy.

 

[Maxim726X]

Pesci's a funny mother fucker and all but I CANNOT respect a grown ass man that refuses to eat pussy.

Word.

Respect has been knocked down a peg.

 

[Joyful]

Oh that guy from Home Alone.

watch more movies john!

 

[FlyinJ]

The best part of the story for me is that he lives in Jersey. He's the real deal.

 

[wild wild rice]

Never knew Pesci is "famously reclusive."

 

[Anung]

I guess he wasn't funny like a clown to him.

 

[jesu]

Never knew Pesci is "famously reclusive."

He doesn't like to talk about it.

 

[Robdraggoo]

Not funny? Not funny how?

 

[nkarafo]

Not funny? Not funny how?

Well... you know... the way you tell the story... it's not funny

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

Holy crap, Louis CK is now millions in debt?

He says he needs to have financial instability to get the best out of himself.

It is actually not uncommon among comedians. Chinese Whispers have always made the rounds that a lot of comedians are crazy / psychos / depressed. The need for validation, desire to make others laugh and becoming succesful of your own self depreication, and bad life events, and those of others, can make them feel that their lives need to contain fucked up shit, to keep material fresh and their life exciting. Ain't much to talk about on stage when you're happy.



This belief exists in other arts as well. Once Metallica became uber successful, they lost their touch because they weren't hungry as much with all that success. Speilberg isn't cracking out those game changing films anymore because he has made all he set out to achieve.
When artists reach that point, it can be the point where they have to stop.



Which is why Dave Chapelle is so fascinating right now. He turned down a deal 99% of all humans wouldn't have because he was a better man, but here 10 years later he regrets it. The life he could have had.. Will he rebounce? Will we see a new chapelle show?

 

[FStop7]

I used to think Pesci was an all right guy until I saw that clip of him on SNL saying how he wanted to hit Sinead O'Connor. Yeah, fuck you, Joe.

 

[Demanufacture]

Even though Howard is a massive sell out, I still love his interviews.

 

[ElTorro]

Oh that guy from Home Alone.

His most important role is being the guy that George Carlin prays to.

 

[Aselith]

Even though Howard is a massive sell out, I still love his interviews.

What does being a sellout mean in the context of Howard Stern?

 

[Dalek]

What does being a sellout mean in the context of Howard Stern?

People hate that he hosted America's Got Talent and now hangs out with celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Anistin and George Clooney instead of bad mouthing them.

 

[JadedWriter]

People hate that he hosted America's Got Talent and now hangs out with celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Anistin and George Clooney instead of bad mouthing them.

The man has to eat. It's like people forgot he has alimony and child support to deal with from his previous marriage.

 

[Demanufacture]

People hate that he hosted America's Got Talent and now hangs out with celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Anistin and George Clooney instead of bad mouthing them.

He turned into everything he used to hate, he's a hypocrite of the highest order.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

He turned into everything he used to hate, he's a hypocrite of the highest order.

that makes me want to listen to him even more

 

[Demanufacture]

that makes me want to listen to him even more

He still does great interviews, but the stuff inbetween is so dull now. it used to be the best part by far.

 

[213372bu]

Take the easy way out and co-star in Adam Sandler films.

Play the embezzle Coke Pepto and Donut game fam.

 

[adamsappel]

Well... you know... the way you tell the story... it's not funny

I legit busted out reading this.

 

[Dalek]

He still does great interviews, but the stuff inbetween is so dull now. it used to be the best part by far.

"Anything else, Robin?"

 

[Mimosa97]

Man I'd love to have Joe Pesci call me a little punk ass bitch, tell me how my life is shit and what a loser I am.

Louis CK should feel honored to have been shit on by Joe fucking Pesci.