What The Fuss Is All About

jamesurbaniak:

alisonagosti:

I am a little late to the Segway death party, and for that, I apologize. I thought a lot about what Ryan said, and the dignity in death every human being is entitled to.

Jimi Heselden’s dying doesn’t seem particularly funny, per se. But one cannot argue that it is ironic. And, certainly the picture the Huffington Post used is kinda funny. Also, a weird looking dude, to be sure. But! It’s not funny that he died, not at all.

It just reminded me so much of this episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, where Chuckles the Clown dies. According to Wikipedia:

Chuckles the Clown was an often-mentioned, but seldom seen, fictional children’s television show host on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS,1970-1977). Chuckles was known for his popular philosophy in verse.

“A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.”

Anywho, he dies. They fucking killed him off. Ripped limb from limb by an elephant while wearing a peanut costume. Everyone in the office thinks it’s a riot, except, of course, for Mary. She chastises everyone for being so insensitive. Which they are absolutely being.

The funeral comes around, everyone has gotten their act together, and is sitting there silently through the service. All, except for Mary, who is laughing hysterically.

Life is funny. No wait, I meant The Mary Tyler Moore Show is funny.

I thought of this same exact episode yesterday. I also almost posted a chastising tweet about the jokes but decided against it. I don’t necessarily enjoy those kind of jokes but they are —in their vulgar, predictable way— a kind of response to the fact that we too will go over the cliff one day.