The lameness, that is. I’m talking, of course, about his abysmal cameo on last night’s Idol Gives Back special, where he played the "Russian Idol," complete with a pathetic attempt at an Eastern European accent and some embarrassing "in my country" gags. The random user who added it to YouTube (below) titled it "VERY FUNNY Robin Williams On American Idol Gives Back 2008," which makes me wonder if this person is actually Robin Williams. Let me put this in the simplest terms possible: Mediocre Borat impressions from people who are not Sacha Baron Cohen are not funny anymore! (For that matter, neither are Brokeback jokes like the one Williams snuck in there — though apparently the studio audience loved that line, which probably says something about the maturity level of the people who show up for an Idol taping.) After forcing myself to endure that laughless slog again for this post, I’m feeling like I need some serious charity myself. Don’t you?
Apr 10
2008
09:03 PM ET
Memo to Robin Williams: Please, make it stop!
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Look, Moscow on the Hudson was a funny movie. Him redoing the character again? Not so much. Borat called and said no.
Simon, I think you need to work on your sense of humor and then get a f*cking clue! To accuse a comic genius like Robin Williams of doing an impression of Borat is not only stupid, but uninformed. Williams was doing this kind of Russian impression as far back as the late ’70s; so I would say it’s Sacha Cohen who has copied Williams (badly, I might add!)
I thought he had a couple funny moments. Unfortunately, the bit went on about 10 minutes too long…just like everything else he does these days.
Oh Simon, lie down with dogs, your going to get fleas.
That was painfully unfunny. I don’t understand why Robin Williams gets to do anything.
Ugh. He’s the big special guest for SVU‘s 200th episode. They need to aim higher.
Awful. Truly awful.
Hey Simon, how old are you anyway? Robin Williams was doing his Russian impression long before any freakin’ Borat character came out. Sacha Baron Cohen who? Let’s see if he’s still around in 30 years. I think NOT!
Look, I’m not crazy about RW but this wasn’t all that bad (the Brokeback thing was a bit pathetic though). I think you just don’t like him Mr.S-Levinson. If you don’t like him, fine. I don’t like Jimmy Kimmel, even if he is funny. Robin W. movies may suck but he’s still ‘got it’ on stage even though he’s not as good as he was 20+ years ago.
He made me smile. So sue me.
Come on, the “Midnight Train to Georgia” joke was legitimately funny. The one about 200 pounds and facial hair and the men are a little taller was worth a chuckle too.
1. On Robin Williams, he drink to much coffee high on caffeine.
2. Carrie Underwood she’s beautiful but I did not understand a single word when she sing. I tried the best I can to listen to it but to no avail nothing. I only understand the word: PRAY. To much concern about how she looks.
I was only commenting to say the same thing as Gina V. that RW started doing that character in 1984 (Check out Moscow on the Hudson) and it wasn’t even remotely a Borat ripoff!!!!
robin williams stopped being funny in the 70′s
Agree with Mel. From the post I anticipated a debacle, but it’s Robin being Robin. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I find his ranting amusing. And to claim it’s a Borat ripoff? As others have said, get a clue.
I normally don’t like Robin Wms in ANYTHING….I will not pay to see him in a movie….but — he had some funny moments on AI. He needed that gig because he hasn’t done anything noteworthy lately.