Doug Stanhope on suicide, Robin Williams, and his appearance on Louie
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2016
- This is a mash-up of Doug's stand up from his special 'There's No Place Like Home' and his appearance on Louie, episode 'Eddie' (season 2, episode 9). This has been edited to give context to Doug's bit.
"life is like a movie, if you've sat through more than half of it, and it's sucked every second so far. It probably isn't going to get great right at the very end for yah to make it all worthwhile. No one should blame you for getting up and walking out early." -Doug Stanhope 
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The main thing that this clip gets right is that depression is not about feeling sad, its about not giving a shit anymore.
Yup. Thank you...
I haven't even a half a shit to give
...more importantly it's not being sad (at least for me) about who you are or your situation in life, the sadness (or depression) *Is* about those (society) around you who really believe what they think.
@@ohd00bley damn i wish i could like your comment 1000x Real Shit.
timwins31 That’s way too close to home man, wow. I’ve never heard it described so accurately.
That actually was the most powerful conversation on suicide I've ever seen air on tv. That was crazy good. And hilarious. "Yes I can, I have a note from my doctor."
...and this is the one of the problems of society that makes so many become hopeless (or want less). I was born and raised in California, specifically the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland, Berkeley). Why would you and those who up voted you think almost 40 million people need to kill (themselves) itself. You probably haven't been to California and only know what you heard (read).
_________
I like this performance, and enjoy Stanhope's comedy. I'm a bit older than he is, Afro American (yeah, that's how much older), and ain't necessarily straight.
ohd00bley you're from the bay area, but do you still live there? I lived there a few years ago. it's a piss stench, shit everywhere on the streets type of place. not something to brag about, really.
I do still live in Berkeley. It does smell like pee in congested areas (i.e. downtown) I have never seen any human defecate in public, maybe I'm just lucky. I remain here mostly because of the climate (weather) and where am I bragging?
...and we just had an earthquake but it wasn't a monster.
ohd00bley you are full of shit
I just moved out of that hell hole couldn't move quick enough
MOREOVER I could kick myself for not moving sooner
California is about to introduce a test pilot of the universal paycheck giving money to people with no strings attached to create even more problems
for the already bankrupted shit hole that it is ( there are always strings attached Taxes will go through the roof)
San Francisco Berkeley Stockton Los Angeles Vallejo now San Diego ARE some of the worst fucking places in California
by the way California is extremely overrated STOP trying to tell people they have something bad to say
assuming they have never been there
Do you have people that work in Silicon Valley as well as NASA that can't even afford to buy a fucking home they have to live out of their cars and RVs
I live here, he ain't wrong lol
As a 41 year old the line, "Not wanting anything anymore" was hard to hear.
Try it as a 34 year old
Try it as a 26 year old
21
3
31. C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!
"Life isn't for everyone."
Doug Stanhope
"Life is like a movie. If you sat through more than half of it and it sucked every second so far it'll probable not get great at the very end. No one should blame you for walking out early." 😄
Life is like an animal porn: It's not for everybody.
....isn't for everyone and yet, we force it onto everyone.
Some artists speak to you. Some, hauntingly, speak FROM you. Fuck.
eric snow Yep. yep.
Yeah, especially the absence of wanting. Depressed people just want to want again.
Sutibu San That's definitely a facet for many, yes.
When you've been depressed for years you lose even the ambition to give a fuck. It becomes mystifying that anyone even does give a fuck. Despair is your bleak companion and only friend.
eric snow that's goth as fuck
I read an article on suicide which said that most suicides are rational.. Which makes it even more difficult
Stanhope captures the mind set of a suicide, perfectly
It's widely reported that people expressed joy and happiness in the days/weeks leading up to their suicide, because they are finally taking control; they finally have something to look forward to.
It's easy to rationalize if you hate yourself is the problem. No one who truly loves themselves could rationalize it, or who loves the ones closest to them. It's a rational irrationality.
@Barbara Sher Do you remember the name of the article or the publication you read it in? I'd love to read it! Can you link it for us?
I'm too terrified of death and the likely nonexistence that follows, so I just keep carrying on... I don't want to die, it scares the shit out of me.
@@Macabresque the way I rationalize it is that death is inevitable, it doesn't matter if I kill myself today or die naturally after 20 years, in both cases you have to deal with it.
I’m very proud of this comment section. People admitting their lack of want and being so honest about their lives, but I hope this is a step to gaining it back: realizing you’re not alone.
I may not be alone in being alone but I am alone.
@@Mutterschwein 🎶 message in a bottle yea 🎶
Louie saying, "Why are you here telling me this right now" has a ton of emotion in it. You can really hear him choking up towards the end of the sentence.
Man! That choking. Didn't notice it untile I read this comment.
It's really subtle
You fuckin' right, didn't notice. Anywy, I think that's the kind of things that go straight to your mind without you even noticing. Good acting.
He's probably thinking "why me?" because now if the guy does kill himself Louie is going to be plagued with guilt that he should have stopped him somehow
Choking up was the most human thing he could have done. No one even in acting wants to hear someone be okay with ending it.
I've been battling deep depression for most my life, had/have full burnouts, and I've weathered it all.... but when in the last year the "want" went, it was Stanhope's words in this clip that made me get up and go out on spontaneous searches for the "want", entirely against my own will. Not all were as successful as I had hoped and I'm not there yet by any stretch, but a few splashes of color have emerged from this sea of grey.
To be honest, Stanhope has saved my sanity and even my life more times than I could express. My obsession with his work was and is the best self-care I could provide when times became rough.
I like how you say "entirely against your own will" . I have also experienced this over the last 6 months or so. No want , no conscious will but only pain becoming unbearable and then driving you reluctantly to something different. I felt suicidal recently and the next day went on a 3 week trek. It took away the feelings I couldn't cope with. I don't know what's next but it's like there's no point me planning it. I feel like I'm on a path now, finally, although day to day life is still really hard and I'm not entirely sure I will make it but what else is there?
The grey is what I think people without suicidal thoughts don’t get. Your not fighting anything, your just wading through it.
I just read your comment and I hope there have been more instances of colour since you posted it.
Honestly? This comment could be what makes me give it a couple more of the ol' colllege tries. Thanks.
Here here. When I was homeless and living in and out of hostels i was taking lsd and watching Stanhopes gigs. It helped got me through rough times. Then the bit in the TV show loui about the suicide. It was something that affected me Aswell. I wonder if that's what the writers intent was
I'm 37 and this episode spoke to me. I don't have depression, I've lost the 'want.' I'm not envious of anyone or a lifestyle. I have no desire for family, and relationships bore me as I've been in too many. I'm not suicidal, I just lack the want.
There's a chemical name for 'want' its called dopamine. There are even ways to get it that don't involve taking pills. But you'd have to want the 'want', therein lies a problem...
Would simply taking dopamine create the want, eventually ?
If you want the want enough to start increasing dopamine levels to acheive higher levels of want.
So......you want me to start smoking crack. Got it.
lol
Man, there is 'dark', and then there is 'jet black in a coal mine', and then there is this video.
Vantablack is what I think your looking for.
Mahatma Coat
And then there are people waiting for Stanhope's next special.
It's funny i don't see it that dark. Maybe it's because i've contemplated it several times. Yeah, that must be it.
It’s “blacker than black” cuz it’s real life. Behind the curtain of popular quotes and sugary social media, death and aging and disease keep chugging along 24/7 with no media team keeping them afloat. Sometimes an artist or writer comes along, and just MENTIONS them because they’re honest -“guys death and suffering is kinda everywhere but we don’t talk about it eh-“ suddenly they scare the crap out of the rest who avoid these thoughts like the plague.
Eventually, it becomes “illegal” to notice futility, to really wonder why one is alive. Keep those thoughts to yourself, unless you wanna get locked up “for your own good.” A few people like Buddha have admitted that life as it’s normally lived seems brutal and incoherent once you look at it directly. There used to be places to unload and process, but since we’ve ditched religion it’s kinda tough to take religious “solutions” seriously. Maybe all our pain will push us to a new “spiritual” take on the pointlessness of normal life.
Good luck to all those looking at the darkness. You’re not as alone as you may think.
It's called "the tears of unfathomable sadness"
"Louie look me in the eye and tell me I have one good reason to live."
My life every day.
You’re good buddy.
yes
@@kirinmaciel3740 ???
I really appreciate this episode. It wasn’t didactic, no Full House Message about “How there’s always something to live for!” And “Suicide is never an option!”. It was just a brutally honest episode about a really important topic, and as someone who has struggled with this and has almost attempted suicide in the past, it really speaks to me.
Profound. He's spot on about the lack of want.
Just get some booze and you will get it back
@Lats Niebling So you got to be wasted to want to live? That's a sad dependency.
Phenoidrine...?
@ElijahMFearon Jogging could help too.
And I know because I'm badly out of shape.
However, the past two days I've done it once or twice each day- trying to get back into boxing.
And it really helps free you and make you more confident.
Seriously, have a run- pace yourself and ignore the pain- and then go walk into the city with your sweat and smell. You'll feel confident, even animalistic, in a second.
@@JJDvorshak
Its also a difficult thing to do when you cant walk.
As someone who has always been attracted to the darker side of things, I truly think Doug is one of the all time greatest. You can tell he's a tortured soul, just like all the other greats in the entertainment world. Hope he finds peace someday, he definitely deserves it
The writing and acting on this show is beyond amazing
"Killing yourself is eco-friendly." - DS
native americans would be eaten after dead and it would be a huge honor for them, much better and planned out than the current system of "locking you inside a concrete box" if you ask me... Oh no, but we are evolved, aren't we?
@@xzShsjmwnj Not if you only eat grass fed vegans.
Damn, Stanhope can act.
Lol it read like a rehearsed self eulogy
Malone Jr exactly! Brilliant, touching, funny. And a bit scary...
I don't think he's acting, which is why it hits so hard.
The look on his face made it so fucking real.
No shit. And that did hit hard.
Stanhope is the ONLY guy that would be able to pull this off
Jeff Carro hey, he's got a note from the doc.
Id love to see Buscemi do this scene
@Ryan Rentz
That literally made me laugh out loud. Not even joking. You, sir, just won the internet.
@@jackyt3404 check out Horace and Pete, Steve was great in it.
3:50 is a brilliant moment. The determined "Because!" and then suddenly the scared "Oh shit, I got nothing to back that up"
What a great actor. Even the nervous laughter seemed real.
I watch this endlessly
on gp
I feel like like it's very difficult once you reach adulthood not feel the way Doug's "character" feels in that episode. Unless you find a career you are truly passionate about like being an athlete, actor, musician, doctor, teacher etc., life will always seem extremely meaningless and unfulfilling.
Day after day after day, waking up absurdly early, wearing some stupid ass outfit, dealing with a hellish commute, then going to the same office to see the same people on basically and endless loop for 40 years, I've gotta ask, how would that NOT drive you fucking insane, or make you stop wanting to live.
I just turned 30, and it really feels like my best days are behind me. Friends all but gone, family spread out throughout the country, and now my entire life revolves around some job I don't give a fuck about. And damn, did that scene really hit home. He brings up a good point, besides having children, which sounds awful, what purpose do we have in this life?
I find myself having less of an answer to that everyday. And it's not like I want to be dead, but I really don't want to live either. I strongly dislike life, the excruciating repetitiveness and the complete joylessness of it all. I don't know where we as society went wrong, or what the solution is, but I've come to believe life honestly isn't worth it
i just turned 25 and have been feeling this way for a few years now.
I'm 27. Might become part of the club
Truth is imho, Both options are equally selfish and selfless in their own right.
To continue to suffer in silence is to rob yourself of gods gift of free will, a disservice to your own health(ironically) and a waste of your time assuming you lost the want.
To yeet yourself into oncoming traffic is to take the happiness of others away temporarily for your final fulfillment ,a disgrace to your ancestors for bearing throughout all of creation, and quite possibly taking away someone else's want.
Like the guy above me said quoting the bible. The gift of life is a continuation, we may lose but in loss we gain. It's up to us to decide to carry on for the great payout whatever it may be, or decide the peak is here and u wanna be remembered for who u were now and not what you'll become.
Regardless of the choice thereon after. At least we aren't suffering in silence, us weirdos of the comments section. At least we have eachother. See y'all later if you stay. Peace, if you don't.
Study fungus, it gave me a reason to live. 🍄
I come back and watch this a lot. For some reason it helps.
Stanhope was not acting
Agreed. And many will fail to see this as a warning. The cycle repeats
Don't doom the guy. He's obviously very talented. You don't have to be truly suicidal to play a convincing suicidal character.
I thought years ago before Louie was even a show, that Stanhope at some point would commit suicide. Everything he does adds to his legacy. He's a great guy and has a great heart, but he definitely is also the purest darkest comedian. He lives what he talks about. I don't think it's a want to commit suicide, I just think that when his health goes down he'll cash out. His an atheist and lives with no regrets and death is a part of life. He assisted his mom in her suicide. His career isn't an act.
I think he was acting but he's been to that point before. He understands it. The way he talks about suicide, he's contemplated it before and is speaking from the heart.
It was probably extremely natural for him yeah
I've been coming back to this video regularly for the past couple of years. It oddly helps me feel better for some reason, when I know it shouldn't. I'm only 27, but I've fucked my life up so much because of drinking and doing drugs, mixed with bad social anxiety and depression, which I had long before I ever touched a drug or a drink. Now it feels like I've burned all those bridges, roads, and trails that he talks about. I just stopped enjoying life and this world in general long ago.. I just don't know how to turn things around at this point. I really feel him when he says "I got nothing, I got nobody. And I dont want anything, I dont want anybody."
If you're only 27 you still have a chance. You could turn it all around by the time you're 30. If you let it get to 40 then you really have problems. Trust a 40 year old who said the same things at 27.
Doug Stanhope is so under rated ,hes 1 of the best comedians alive today and doesn't get the recognition he deserves.
Because the type of comedy he does is niche. It's one thing to joke about abortion but to openly "endorse" it like Stanhope? I don't think that'll do well with most people and that's why he wasn't as big like Louis.
Stanhope knows he'll never get big doing the kind of comedy that he does but he didn't change it. He doesn't want to be big--and that's respectable.
He doesn't want it
"I've burned the bridges, I've burned the roads, I've burned the trails, I've burned the hiking path..."
thehurt e Relatable
@violentauntie you feel better now?
I'm at that point to. I'm in my garage with the door down
That's the line I love the most. I know i still have a few avenues left b4 I check out early, I'm 35 and have no reason to live, I'm gonna give 5 more years and see where I am then. I'm trying to get help with all my depression and loneliness and some of it seems to help sometimes. Still, as Stanhope says, if you've sat through a movie and got to the half way mark and its sucked all the way no-one should blame you for waking out early. I see 40 as the half way mark, so when I reach it if nothings helped and I'm still like I am now i am checking out early, probably gonna ride a motorbike at 200mph naked late at night on an empty motorway and deliberately crash into the barrier in the middle. A death I can enjoy.
@@bambam859 life is all we have. Use it. Kiss
It kinda seems like 1 LOUIS CK episode spoke more about suicide than 13 Reasons Why ever could.
Because netflix shoes are pablum
If you're still using Netflix you should seriously reconsider your life decisions.
For one thing, it gets the at-risk demographic of suicide right.
When he asks Louie to give him one good reason to live, that's heart rending. Stanhope is utterly believable because he's wide open. It's the ones who've cracked that the light shines through. I love the man
3:22 The way Louis says, "Why are you here telling me this right now?" portrays so many emotions at once. At first he's in disbelief, then he's angry at Eddie, and the way his voice quivers at the end shows sadness. This is such a powerful scene.
Holy shit. That punchline is SO dark, but I feel like it's the kind of thing Robin Williams would have liked.
The true genius of this dialogue is at 3:41. If you watch the series, you understand Louie himself deals with suicidal thoughts constantly, and only admits it to those of which he deems close and important. Here we have Eddie, who acknowledges he only knows Louie to the degree of old friends and admits his want of suicide which disturbs Louie. However, Louie is confronted with Eddie, who seems to be a chaotic counterpart to his personal inner turmoil. Eddie is comfortable expressing himself because he does not need to cloak these feelings like Louie. Louie has children, dear friends, family, and understands that his loss of life would indeed have an impact. Despite the struggles that are prevalent in having those challenges in life, we as a viewer and the character himself ( Louie ) recognize these issues as chosen adversity and worthy of a prosperous life. This is combated by Eddie who " has no bridges left " and confides to him without any of those factors playing a part in his life. Alike in their professions and disdain for life, they are still entirely different people. Louie at first plays to his good nature as one does. He is an empathetic and reasonable person who of course is distraught at the thought of Eddie wanting to commit suicide. He is alienated from the idea until in one moment, one stroke of personal reflection, he is stuttered. It is this moment. He truly looks his friend in the eyes and with what could be perhaps observed as personal guilt, he lashes out with a rather infantile remark.... " BECAUSE ! "
In this moment Louie truly is frustrated. He is looking at the worst part of himself. But Louie is steadfast, and defends his point. An extremely human moment in this comedy.
Couldn’t agree with this analysis more
shyaddap 😉
"Oh yes I can. I have a note from a doctor." - What a great line.
Louis and Doug knocked the scene out of the park. I really gotta watch this entire show.
I'm British and went to see Doug Stanhope film a special in London. He talks himself down maybe for comedy effect but he is a globally respected comedy star. We all know who he is, right.
I got to this point 2 years ago. Don’t know why I’m still here. It’s not for myself I can tell you that.
"when you lose the want" . been there , its scary as shit ..
when you have no reason , you kinda have to make one up .
We were born without a reason daddy, we've always had to find one. Thats what Doug is saying - once the interest in finding a reason leaves, then you find yourself in the boat dougs character in Louis played
Been there too man. I got so much want now. Thank you for sharing this. I hope you are well.
I still can't believe I got over that dark phase in my life. Only way to make it out alive out of it is to keep doing simple human shit everyday. It's hell but you gotta take it to make it through.
I've seen a few comedians doing their acting part in films/series...But this is on another level, the dude can act.
I just always remember how many other people go through the same thing so at least we have each other in this crazy life
I loved Doug Stanhope way before the Louie performance, I totally adored him after this aired. What powerful dialog and what a great delivery...
I wish Doug would act more in shows, but it's probably not his scene. What a phenomenal performance on Louie!
well said
He's in a new movie called The Road Dog. Just won best actor and best director at some film fest.
Stanhope's face when he says "Louie look me in the eye and tell me I have one reason to live" from a joking smile and laugh to just dry
R.I.P Greg Giraldo
He wasn’t acting on the Louie episode, that was Doug expressing himself
No it wasnt. Stanhope tells some dark jokes but he isnt suicidal.
@@BM-is5ei Suicide is just around the corner for ANYONE.
I feel this at 25. I don’t want to live past 30. Definitely sounds like it just gets worse. And the reality is most people don’t have a good reason to give you to live. They might say “but the world’s so beautiful, there’s flowers and colors and friendships and blah blah blah” but I can’t even appreciate the little stuff to make living feel worth it.
Why what's wrong with your life?
Make some new friends buddy, there's always other people who may be in the same boat
I've felt like my 20s and going into my 30s has mostly been painful. More bad than good. I suffered from abuse when I was a child and I'm so tired of feeling hopeless. It's scary to feel like you don't want to see anyone you even used to care about or even step outside. I hated myself for feeling like I was hurting for no reason or being "ungrateful", like telling myself my feelings aren't legitimate. It made myself feel worse because I know I have a lot I SHOULD feel thankful for. But it doesn't work like that. Your own brain will beat you down and strangle you and not give you any insight as to why. Everyone can say to eat well, exercise, pick up an instrument- all good things that can help. New research into psychedelic drugs is exciting- those have helped me. If you can, make a dramatic change of scenery - move to another part of the country/world. That was the best thing I've ever done and was the happiest I've ever been until returning home. For me, traveling was tremendously healing. I never thought I'd be able to travel because I have no money and student loans. But I applied to jobs obsessively for 2 years and got a job teaching military children in Japan. You're strong enough to make a positive drastic change rather than a negative one . I'm writing this for anyone who might find it helpful. Of course, I'm helping myself as well for writing this down and talking about it. Love you all. There is plenty of beauty and good out there that I try my best everyday to actively notice rather than overlook. But it can still be a lot of work. People love you, be strong
Sup. It's been 5 years and I'm wondering if you're 30
Damn i was binge watching standup and ended up crying ❤
I like how these clips form a complete story. Nice job.
Robin would've dug this. (Or maybe not, I dunno what the fuck Robin liked)
I watched both the clip and the full Stanhope special. Robin like the Louie episode but wasn't around for the Stanhope joke. THAT'S what he would've loved (maybe).
isn't it nah no nah nook
Finally, someone who acknowledges they don't know anything about the people we're talking about. Well done, sir.
He would have stole the bit if he had a chance
Robin was dark as fuck, i bet he loved stanhope
I come back to this too often. I just wish that the last part of this dialogue was included in the video. When Louie says that he really hopes that Eddie won't kill himself, but he has to go now because he has to pick up his kids in the morning.
Damn. So honest and real.
Louis CK and Doug are great minds.
Thank you so much for making this 😭 incredible to watch 😍
thanks for putting it together
This specifically is why I love Doug Stanhope; amazing ability to be in touch with reality.
That was the most honest dialogue about suicide I've ever heard on tv. I was really sort of moved by that whole episode when I first saw it years ago. It made me appreciate Doug and Louie even more. The second best chat about suicide was between the dentist and Andy Sipowiz on the NYPD Blue episode called "Jumpin Jack Fleischman". It's much briefer but just as honest.
Teared up. This was emotionally powerful!
Doug Stanhope was really good in this episode
"If I leave a note it is just going to get burned with my clothes..."
Stanhope, one of the greatest minds in contemporary America
Doug five!
I mentioned this scene in my suicide note and I have been trying to find a reason to keep going but I think the Eddie character says it perfectly why there is no reason to keep going.
eh Luis uh you there buddy?
That episode is amazing, got chills after watching that scene for the first time.
I was 18 when I discovered Louie, not soon after I came across that "Eddie" episode.
It remains as profound a depiction of depression as I've ever seen. I know that 'Louis is CKancelled' but for those moments of atypical powerful and poignancy, I'll always be so grateful. I cried. I smiled. I identified.
Also I loved Doug Stanhope's guest star, with Michael Rapaport as a close second, they're the best in the series.
New to Doug Stanhope, and can't get enough of these videos. Seems like a modern day Bukowski with a sense of humor to me
Wow. Never thought of it like that, but that's a damn good description of him.
good call.
That line from Louie, "So you're going to quit comedy?" Is comedy gold
I watch this at least once a week
Louie said last season he wanted to do a four episode story line of the return of Eddie, they need to make a fucking movie and it shouldn't have a happy ending.
Doug did a bit about having a "killer closer" where he discussed not killing himself yet because he couldn't think of a unique and funny way to do it. The ending would have to be Eddie disappearing into a motel room and cutting to someone getting the news that he found some borderline funny, totally bananas way of killing himself.
Well... none of this is ever happening, now. RIP Louie's career.
+Gunkey O'Stanky
Nah, his career isn't over, despite what melodramatic, sensationalist Twitter posts might indicate. He didn't rape anyone, he just did a dumb thing like 15 years ago. Louie's just in "time-out" right now. He'll be back. If anyone can pull out of it and turn it into something creative, it's Louis CK, one of our great current-day artists.
It would be the most awesome comeback ever. They are both kicked down to gutter but eventually still get back up. LEGEND Stanhope never wanted the fame that Louis got and eventually got shot down for nothing. 2 of the greatest stand up comedians ever (well Burr is up there) doing a season of what ever I would absolutely steal it from the web.
They did. It’s called Horace and Pete.
I have depression. I'm taking medications. I have a pretty good, comfortable life. I have a wonderful little daughter. Drugs get me on my feet, but every time I'm alone, the only thought that brings relief is the thought of suicide. I don't know how long I can hold on. Suicide occurs suddenly, no one is expecting. Either I win or it'll be over.
Good luck stranger. Good luck.
dark moment on louie, deserves an award. brings attention to the misery of some of our people like the homeless.
It's one of dozens of powerful scenes in Louie. That show was excellent and I'm glad I watched nearly every episode as they came out.
I listen to stand up religiously as someone who works in their car and have heard this bit but never seen the clip. It's very touching. She was there when his mother committed suicide and receives letter specifically one from a fan name Clark Adams worth looking up for those who don't know. Thank you very much for the posting the video
Everyone before I suicide: ugh, I don’t need to hear about your problems, go see a therapist
Everyone after I suicide: I wish he would have said something, I would have been there for him
You absolutely nailed it. There are so many hypocritical and fake people in this world. Their so called "support" really just comes from a place of wanting to feed their own ego, and not from wanting to make a genuine effort at understanding.
Yep. Same vacuous thing as sending thoughts and prayers. Ive heard it said that therapy is where you go when nobody else wants to deal with your problem. And when therapy is the last branch to cling to... well, its no wonder people shuffle off when they are that alone. Doug went to louie in hope that louie did indeed have a reason. All louie had to do was give him one. But we are imperfect humans. And the show illustrates that more than anything else.
Larry! This is what happens when you FIND A STRANGER IN THE ALPS!
False
Exactly
A few years ago a friend called. We kept in touch via social media, but he moved away and we hadn't spoken in years. It was Sunday and I was watching football, so I call screened it to voicemail. The next day his brother posted on Facebook that he had taken his life. So, I listened to the message. It rambled a bit, but one thing was clear... he was calling to say goodbye. His brother assured me that a couple of other people had gotten a similar call and that there was nothing I could have said or done to stop it. The help he needed was years before, but when the call comes it's just to say "goodbye".
This performance just completely floored me. Not just on its own terms, but the fact that all I had remembered of Stanhope up until I saw him on Louie was his time on The Man Show. Couldn't believe it was the same guy. Needless to say I've gone back and delved into the rest of his body of work. The guy is staggeringly brilliant.
This scene was so powerful that it stuck with me, I remembered his name, and now he’s coming to my city. How is he not more well known?
stanhopes pretty well known, he's probably your favorite comic's favorite comic.
I’m about 5 years away from being Eddie.
That episode probably saved my life too 🙏
This clip is incredible. Sums up basically how I feel about life and the joke at the end is 'I have a note from a doctor'. God damn Louie was a great show and Doug Stanhope is a fucking legend.
“I don’t want anything. I don’t want anyone. And that’s the worst part. When the want goes, that’s bad.” Jesus, that may be one of the most disturbing lines of dialogue I’ve ever heard. You don’t usually hear stuff like that on tv or in movies... cause it’s way too realistic.
I wonder how much of it is written/directed by Louie and how much is just Doug. If it's mostly Louie, he nailed Doug's voice and style.
Incredibly well done. Comedy may be the most powerful, yet most slighted art form.
I'm 17 (almost 18) and this man is my spirit animal. I've felt this way since a long time ago. I don't 'want' anything from this life.
I always come back to this episode from time to time because it really is the most honest, brutal and poignant reflections on how certain people get driven to suicide while others overcome it. And the brilliant thing about Louie’s writing in this episode and in his show in general, is that it’s done in a way where it’s two people in the show conversing, but its also clearly reflective of the fact that Louie experienced the same thing and has had this conversation with himself in his head a million times. And in the episode what ends up separating Louis from his friend is that one of them has burned all the bridges to friends and family in his life, while Louie still has people who depend on him. It’s just such a beautiful and honest way to look at reality, because there’s no noxiously optimistic sendoff for Louis where everything is solved, but he learns to accept his depression by realizing that as long as he is nested in a social structure where people depend on him, he has no right to take his life because it’s not technically his. And seeing the dark and pitiful reflection of a man who rejects the one thing that provides meaning to Louie's life is what gives him the courage to continue living. I truly believe that without this episode I would have taken my own life a long time ago.
25, felt like this the last 2 years
Daniel K. have you tried therapy or medication?
ill do it with you? we can do something funny
Man how are you holding up?
Daniel K. 28 here, still. Feeling it
you're good my dude, find a passion.
It's simplicity, empathy and neutral stance to me is what makes it so profound. Honestly one of my favorite things in movies or television.
iv listened to this so many times and every time i do im like i get it this hits so close to home its sad
Stay strong
dark joke but a good one ... pretty much sums up the style of Doug Stanhope
love it
Richard Evans the joke ends with him saying maybe i influenced the great robin williams in the last days of his career maybe i gave him the courage to put that belt around his neck and his last thoughts were of me or something to that tune
You can see from Doug's face when he's acting that he might have some experience with this. Truly incredible stuff. Doug, you are my hero!!
I've dealt with depression most of my life but thankfully I've always had a reason not to give up. Life is still a blessing. Enjoy it while you can. On a side note if I was ever in this dark a place I wld never tell anyone I'd just end it.
That scene introduced me to Doug Stanhope and I've been following him and his pod casts ever since.
He has a podcast, I must check it out!
"I would fuckin' miss ya like shit bro..." would be a proper response. Several years ago my best friend asked me, "What would you do if I died?" "...DO? I don't know what I would *do*...", I'm pretty sure I replied. If only he had asked me how I would _feel._ He unexpectedly passed away not too long after that...
You said it all Doug, you said it all. The character Eddie was made just for you. Nobody else could have nailed it the way you did. I know you won't get a emmy or anything like that because corporate America gives you no recognition. Your take on your mothers death was priceless and you handled it like a boss. To coin a phrase "Life isn't for everyone", I'm going to borrow this from you and put it on my own tombstone.
Fuck. Thank you again for making this. So cathartic.
Ever notice how comedians put out amazing dramatic performances, and some of the best dramatic actors display impeccable comedic timing. I'm constantly amazed at the overlap.
The honesty in this scene..wow
Stanhope is a surprisingly good actor. I realize it wasn't much of a stretch, but even still.
I remember this when it aired. It hit super hard.
When I met Doug he was exactly how you’d expect him to be, super nice guy but as real as they come. The guy has a big heart
Love this. It neither glamorizes nor condemns suicide. It's just a brutally honest look at what it's like to be inside the mind of someone who is at the end of their rope and no longer gives a shit about hoping for a better tomorrow.
I'm one of those guys who quit caring. I attempted suicide when I was 31 years old. Spent a lot of time in mental hospitals. I lost everything I owned or cared about after that attempt.
What I learned was, this life is fleeting and I want to enjoy things in my own way.
No one visited me in the hospital after my suicide attempt, and no one was at the finish line for my first marathon. One can learn from that.
Life is selfish in nature. Not to be mean to others who take it all lightly, but I feel like they don't get it. If they did, they'd want to die too.
And thus a healthy version of me exists now. If you feel this way, know that the Order of the Sponge also understands.
We simply observe and absorb.
The phrase "thats the worst part, when the want goes, thats bad" resonates to much. When things are so bad and you cant see a light at the end of the tunnel, your body doesnt work and you feel like a burden to the world, you lose any pleasure in thing that used to make you happy. When you lose enjoyment in everything you begin to feel less than human and death does not seem so very far away or wrong in any way