Aspen – Former New York Times movie critic and NPR entertainment critic Elvis Mitchell has moderated many a tribute over the years at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. But never one as funny as Friday night’s Freedom of Speech salute to “Def Comedy Jam.”
“Oh, my God,” said Mitchell. “I had to cover my mouth I was laughing so hard. Those guys would have stayed up there all night. It was just great to be around people who love each other like that.”
The people were “Def Comedy” creators Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan and Sandy Wernick – along with the talent who could make it to Aspen: Dave Chappelle, Bill Bellamy, Adele Givens and Chris Tucker. Cedric The Entertainer was snowed out.
Simmons downplayed his part in the comedy phenomenon. “The trend was already developed,” he said, referring to the burst of energy and riotous humor coming from African- American comics in the early ’90s. The comedy shows had become comedy parties, the audiences were going wild. “We just happened to be there.”
And so was HBO – and the rest is history.
B&W
People are calling this year’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival “black on white.”
Let’s face it. Aspen is a white town. “And it’s not just the snow,” “In Living Color” creator Damon Wayans told me at a party Thursday night at Sky Hotel. He sat in the VIP area as a woman softly chopped at his shoulders. He said the African-American talent turned out in force this year for Simmons and his “Def Comedy Jam.” Wayans was this year’s unofficial host of the fest – hosting shows, doing stand-up and attending tributes.
The “Def Comedy” midnight drop-in session Thursday will become legend, especially Tucker’s take on the Michael Jackson trial.
Chappelle came in to show and promote his movie “Block Party” and salute Simmons. After the screening of Chappelle’s movie Friday afternoon, he said to the crowd, “It was the biggest thrill of my life – screening this movie in the whitest place in America.”
Jokes
Garrison Keillor didn’t even mention Lake Wobegon in his show Thursday afternoon at the Wheeler Opera House – but talked of marriage; Aspen; St. Paul, Minnesota’s private eye Guy Noir and jokes.
He lamented that Americans no longer seem to share the same jokes. Besides George Bush, of course. He figures that’s the cause of our national malaise.
He sang a love song to the comedy fest, a place of “friendship and human understanding … Where people are trying to find … The joke that unites humankind.”
And he closed the show riffing with sound effects man Tim Newman, who will always be remembered by that crowd for his impression of ducks singing “Purple Haze.”
Lift lines
Sightem: Jill St. John working out at the Aspen Meadows health club … Canadian author Douglas Coupland is here with a flick of his book “Souvenir of Canada” – and holding bragging rights for inventing the term “Generation X” … Sez who: “The rules for a good marriage are the same as on a lifeboat. No sudden moves. Don’t crowd the other person. Keep all dark thoughts to yourself. Tell more jokes.” – Garrison Keillor
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
