Jake Byrd, the celebrity-obsessed character of sketch comic Tony Barbieri, appeared on the Thursday night "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show to discuss his impromptu performance behind O.J. Simpson's lawyers.
He didn't say much, the clips said it all. Barbieri's performance was picked up by all of the cable news channels. WMV video available here.
Is Jake Byrd set to become the next Borat? Quite possibly so and for exactly the same reason. He makes a smart cultural critique in a silly and funny way.
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It was just so great to see
September 21, 2007 - 07:53 ET by Hero SquadIt was just so great to see him at the press conference, and no one had the heart (guts?) to get him out of the way.
Since it got such wide coverage, I wonder if this is the stunt that will make it more difficult for Barbieri to succeed next time around.
No, he'll probably still be able to trick someone into thinking he's superderanged fan #1.
*****
"I heart famous people."
Jake Byrd Fan
September 21, 2007 - 08:20 ET by P.J. GladnickI became a big Jake Byrd fan when he appeared at the press conference where it was announced that Paris Hilton would have to go back to jail and he yelled "NOOOOOOOOO!" All the reporters got really angry with him but, hey, wasn't this really a circus? Yet the reporters were taking it soooo seriously. Jake Byrd put it all in the proper perspective.
I love the Abrams interview
September 21, 2007 - 08:57 ET by SMGalbraithI love the Abrams interview where he asks Jake whether he (Byrd) is a loser or a winner.
Let's see: Abrams has spent years and years studying the law and working in journalism along with spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for his education. And after all that effort, he ends up working for MSNBC and interviewing one Jake Byrd.
So, who is really the loser here Dan?
You gotta love this guy.
September 21, 2007 - 09:03 ET by PeskyDaneYou gotta love this guy. He really makes a mockery of all the elites who think they are so safe in their comfortable little cocoons.
Sort of reminds me of that urban legend - can't remember his name - anyone? - who was supposed to be the world's greatest gate crasher. There was this guy who was supposed to turn up everywhere - Malta, Hitler's seat at the 1936 Olympics when the Furher left the stadium.
Anyway, hope Barbieri keeps at it.
Zelig? ***** "I heart
September 21, 2007 - 09:12 ET by Hero SquadZelig?
*****
"I heart famous people."
Genius
September 21, 2007 - 09:52 ET by Dave PierreMS: "He makes a smart cultural critique in a silly and funny way."
Exactly. This guy is a genius! We all know this O.J. thing is a circus, and he exposes it even further by bringing it all over the top.
Simply hilarious. (Thanks, Scott W., for the video the other day. I was howling!)
I find him annoying and ridiculous!
September 21, 2007 - 10:49 ET by LibraryLadyThe comments here surprise me. I wanted someone to smack him in the face and drag him away.
He is a waste of time and a nuisance.
And who watches Jimmy Kimmel????
This guy right here watches
September 21, 2007 - 13:42 ET by Hero SquadThis guy right here watches JKL!
I think that's the point. you are supposed to want to see someone smack him in the face and drag him away. And yet, no one does. Rather than quietly or tazerly removing him from the scene, they let him remain. Methinks that while this is going on, the media can't help but think they've latched on to something great... a typical fan of OJ... and they watch in awe and excitement as they believe he represents something as being more common than it actually is.
But I guess it's a taste thing. Some people loved "Borat," others found him uncomfortable or despicable.
*****
"I heart famous people."
Andy Kaufman and Jake Byrd
September 21, 2007 - 11:19 ET by Lame CherryTony Barbieri is as rare as Andy Kaufman in playing roles so in depth that they actually seem the person. My favorite Jake Byrd is when he jumps into interviews of "thoughtful people" talking about OJ or MJ and spouts off, "WE love guys who know how to end marriages.....or.......WE love guys who sleep with little boys". The people about faint being painted like that.
Kimmel though might have overplayed Byrd as the burned all the news programs into thinking this was a real guy. I just hope that Barbieri makes a bundle of money off of this as he will not be able to Jake Byrd people any more.......perhaps he can become his own entourage now "being bigger than the OJ event".
Jake Byrd, the groupie, bigger than the story.......his commentary would be more adept than what the MSM puts out.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Can you spell M-I-S-T-R-I-A-L!
September 21, 2007 - 19:02 ET by w0tmMISTRIAL!!
As we all know, all trials of celebrities and politicians are now held in the "court of public opinion" so OJ will soon be a free man! And, this time, he gets to keep the cash (in some O.S. bank account of course) from the megabucks book deal and blockbuster movie.
Title? "I Gave the World the Byrd (Again)!"
(with the word "if" in number .04 pica type off-set in white in the Big I.
Hillarious
September 21, 2007 - 20:14 ET by american-americanI tuned in to Kimmel Live last night for the first time (I avoid ABC like the plague... ) to see if he had anything about Jake...
Low and behold, there he was next to him on stage. I set record so I could show my husband just how funny this guy is. In this day and age, it is really nice to have something to really laugh about. ( bonus after Jake was Dane Cook, my favorite comedian, he is so dreamy... lol )
I wish he was on another network, as I have a strong distate for ABC so I avoid it at all costs... But I have liked Jimmy Kimmel everywhere else I have seen him. The ManShow re-runs.. even as a female I enjoy that show. Loved him on Win Ben Stein's Money.