John Waters Saved Fred Armisen's Life by Legitimizing Weird
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2019
- Fred Armisen felt like a "weirdo" from a very young age, and at a certain point thought that it might become a problem, until he found John Waters' book 'Shock Value' and discovered that being a "Weirdo" isn't actually a bad thing.
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Oh shit I unexpectedly cried when Fred said John wrote back. When people are in the public eye it's a burden I'm sure to be a role model but they can really be life savers & life changers. How magnificent that he took the time to respond to Fred. Those were different times too, when people did write snail mail & life was slower. I'm so pleased john wrote back back to that little child who knew there was nothing wrong with him & found one beacon of understanding in a vanilla world he didn't fit into. Thank you for existing John Waters I know you've been a beacon to thousands of not millions!
Tears in my eyes, too. I think I immediately realized what Fred subsequently said, that he was a kid, lost, unsure of his identity, being told that he was fundamentally wrong, and then this response from Waters would be that beacon that says, you're OK, it will be OK, and you can be who you are. That's huge.
You'd be surprised about actors now too. If you write a meaningful letter and include a self addressed return envelope some will genuinely write back. Jon Hamm actually gave that advice to me, I met him once back when he was doing Mad Men and I said that I always wanted to write him for something he'd said in an interview that struck a chord with me. He said that he loved fan mail and that if more people included a self addressed return envelope that he'd be willing to write back to more. I've since done this with a few musicians and actors and about 80% of them have written back, some small notes, others genuine responses and it's really quite sweet. I think the notion of taking the time to write something meaningful and mailing it is not lost on people, particularly in this age of social media where people just tweet at or comment on something and that's the extent of it.
@@neokoga is that right?! Wow, I've never thought to do it because I figured they'd get thousands of Communications a week or something & be too up themselves to give a shit these days. I've written to a small Australian band & an Australian author via email & both wrote back & I cherish them. I'd have never written to Metallica or John Hamm or anyone huge though. Thanks for letting me know this, perhaps I should write to my favourite authors ✍️
@@aussiejubes The worst thing that can happen is they don't write back, and you never know :D
Not that serious to cry about
What a special story. John Waters really did save Fred. Blessings on Waters for taking the time.
Hey Fred if you ever read this, when I'm feeling bad I watch any clips I can of you on SNL and it really makes me feel better if even just for a moment. Thanks for that
You and me both, man. I hope Fred sees your comment. He seems like a great guy.
@@itgetter9 I absolutely agree. I feel so bad for kids that feel lost of an identity in school and what they don't realize is how intelligent and special they really are. Always, always, always make kids feel confident and special so they don't ever have to second guess themselves leaving them wondering if being different is ok when being different is the greatest thing you can be.
Aww me too. Him and Carrie created universes...
@@TheNormanmurk Right on!
@@stacyyoust Yes!! I love Carrie too.
I’m 14 and Fred is to me essentially what John Waters was to him. Pretty much this whole story is the same just with us two haha. I wrote to him and everything. It’s a real cool feeling to have validation from your hero...
WOODY I AM FINDING YOU EVERYWHERE WTH
@@angelicarivas5063 GIRL LMFAOOOOOOOOO
Fred is truly a comedic genius, I can see why he's your hero
Look at Weird Al, he's had a successful 40 year career being a weirdo. :-)
If you watch his interview he talks about being ruthlessly bullied for being different and when he was only 16 years old, his classmates in college called him Weird, so he decided, "Okay, I'm weird", and the rest is history.
JoannaT He also has a dark sense of humor, although he mostly uses it in his original songs. I love songs like "Good Old Days" and "I Remember Larry".
The more I learn about John Waters, the more and more convinced I am that he is truly a genius.
Seeing Fred in this video in such a relaxed, and most open framing was fully enjoyable and helpful. Thank You.
How wonderful for John Waters to grow up from people treating him like a freak in a derogatory sense to an adult who champions being weird as personal expression and art. God bless John Waters for taking the time to write back to Fred Armisten to let him know that there was a place for him, to help steer him to positive weirdness, and to let him know that he was loved.
Seems like it wouldn't be possible but the accepting nature of Sams interviewing style seems like it would be a safe place for an interview with John Waters. Such an extraordinary person with a lifetime of stories. Might have to shoot it in his living room with his babydoll in Baltimore but it would be amazing.
Sam should do a documentary on the outsiders of cinema like Waters, Lynch, Shane Carruth for example
I've always thought that Fred Armisen is the Andy Kaufman of our generation. Sometimes I show some of my favorite Armisen stuff to someone, and if their like "...... whaa???", then I know we're not intellectually compatible. I sometimes wonder if he has aspergers because of how "out of the box" his comedy is, his musical capabilities, and how his exes have desrcibed him as a sociopath (one of his artist exes actually painted a portrait of him called "the sociopath"). For me: top five comedic talents, hands down.
This is such a great story. You can tell that this experience really changed his life!
What a beautiful story of reaching out to someone you don't know because they need your help.
Wow. Never heard this story before. So cool.
Both Fred and John are legends and we must protect them both at all cost🤘
Oh how I wish I could have had this interview to listen to when I was 13!
Yet another reason to love John Waters.
One of the best, inspirational short bio/interviews I've seen in a bit. Thanks!
Fred and John are two of the guys who can crack me up easier than anybody else. I love them so much, they always put me in such a great mood!
I read “John Waters saved Fred Armisen’s life by legitimizing weed” lol
Yesss I'm not the only one 😆
Fred Armisen is one of the most talented "freaks" there ever was. Bill Hader says he was like a method actor, constantly maintaining his character throughout the day. Awesome talent.
I hope he was only in one sketch on snl then. lol. If you are a method actor on that show then you would have multiple personality disorder.
This is such an incredible story! To all the weirdos out there, there's an avenue for you to be creative and people that will enjoy what you do. Keep being weird.
Hey, my grandson dipped his pb and j sandwich in ketchup the other day. That is weird. But we must never forget that we all do something weird and that God loves weirdos.
@@vanmoody Exactly, tell him he's right on track! Dip the shit out of that sandwich, bro
This is my favorite interview ever
Dear Fred, I know we'll never be penpals but I wanted you to know I'm the 51 year old guy lugging an amp & pedalboard to the Open Mic at Uncommon Ground on Devon in Chicago you dreaded becoming. It's wonderful. Hope the fame is keeping you warm. Love, Greg
#FredArmisen
Ammmaaazzzinnnggg, Fred. and your Weird work is so refreshing & creative. Thank Youuu
This brought a tear to my eye. Big fan of both.
Fred seems like such an amazing grounded person, plus I hear he is a metalhead so that is cool too
I love weirdos. I love Fred. I am a weirdo, too.
This is just magnificent! I've gotten the vibe for a while that John is a real human being, but this is phenomenal. It goes to show that everyone, John Waters or John Doe, can have the biggest impact on another person if we take the time to listen and relate.
This interview is so touching and relieves my 13year old me , when i thought being weird and clown was bad
I love this man. I discovered him through Schmigadoon (we don't have SNL in England), and I wanna try and watch everything he's in now
This story legitimately made me cry.
So crazy. John Waters did a critique of my painting class in college. It was pretty wild.
I wrote the only Danish book on John Waters in 1998, Fred's story is my story, Waters made it cool to be a freak and a misfit and use it creatively! A few years ago Waters did introduce Devo at a punkfestival with Fred on drums. America is still great with guys like John and Fred around!
That's an incredible story.
This one of your top 2 interviews!
What a great interview, Fred. Kudos to John Waters for listening to teenage Fred
John mentions the letter on David Letterman Aug. 24 1982
Love you Fred. You are incredibly talented, but more importantly - a sweet person.
That's not what the women he's slept with have said.
@@MattFoleysGhost i couldn't care less Dan.
Hi Pam. I have to go to the bank this morning and then I have CBT at 11.45 so I don't think I will get there. I am going tomorrow though. Xxx
This interview is really beautiful! Thank you for this. Fred is a hero of mine.
I love that John Waters an fred Armisen are connected
This really speaks to the lack of value and understanding about creativity and, probably more importantly, individuality in the public school system.
John Waters is a genuinely good person. I love him. I interviewed him over the phone back in the early '80s, and he couldn't have been sweeter.
This was so cool to hear. Thank you Fred.
Devin WHAAAAAAAAT! ARE YOU DOIN HERE !
Stay off the 405!
@@dielaughing73 😂😂😂😂😂
This interview saved me
I love Fred and this video gave me life. Thank you!
this made me cry
These interviews are great! It's interesting to see that Fred is basically like any artist, but he got lucky. He is the 0.0001% who get the golden Ticket, but he might as well be a nobody today, giving acting lessons in a small room or maybe a music teacher at a public school.
Just subbed because JW and Fred are truly unique. I miss Portlandia.
I want Fred to go on Redlettermedia and just have a discussion with Jay. I’m not a big John waters guy, his movies are probably the exact opposite of how I see the world. However, his perception, while contrasting my personal view, is still fascinating. With that in mind, for those who are connected with Water’s take on the world, the only two people I feel like could emphasize Waters interest well enough is Jay Bauman(RLM) and Fred Armison.
Picked up a woman who in a SOHO bar one night.
She was from Valley Stream.
She gave me crabs.
Sorry to hear that, even though it made me laugh.
What a GREAT story. Cheers to the pantheon of weirdos!
Keanu Reeves next please!
I hope so much Fred gets to do John's new movie.. it's supposedly in pre-prediction based off one of his novels. Even in a small role that would be bloody amazing and ironic.
Awhh a shout out to Richard “Beebo” Russell!!!! RIP ❤️🙏❤️
i really liked the movie he did together with Maya Rudolph:"Forever".
Great soundtrack, too.
(or was it a series on hbo or sth....)
I grew up in Valley Stream! I've always wanted to ask Fred Armisen about his growing up, to see if we went to the same schools, grew up near each other, liked the same stores and hang-outs, etc. I am pretty sure we went to the same high school. I wonder if I possibly knew the teacher who sent him to the school psychologist??!?
John Waters is not weird.
He his honest and forthright in his opinions.
John Waters is a godsend that makes life better and funny.
Kids and teenagers need way more people like John Waters (and Fred Armisen, for that matter!) to tell them that being a weirdo is ok, that being different is fine, that being an individual is normal.
Thank you John Waters for Portlandia!
When I was 12 I liked the song echo beach so I wrote to the band Martha and the muffins and
they wrote back I still like their music
This is the same interview they used on Pet Sounds.
Wow that is awesome!
Great segment
Wow…that says a lot about what a nice guy John Waters is. Fred was just a kid with no direction in life, and John took the time to mentor him.
He was married to Elizabeth moss. And she said he was a seriously disturbed narcissist. Lol i believe her. But i still love fred.
He's getting help and I still love him too :)
😭😭😭😭😭👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️beautiful!!
That's what I said about John Waters on MY show too
I wish Fred knew he saved my life
I would to here a follow up, like did Fred ever contact John Waters after he got on SNL, did they ever meet in person?
Jay Pharoah can play every black person
Bill Hader can play every white person
Fred Armisen can play any race and gender
Nothing wrong with the other kids wanting to see their family, etc. I’m surprised he still makes it sound like they were boring. If there’s nothing wrong with being weird then there’s nothing wrong with not being weird.
@Don G.: Very true on all counts. The difference is that the kids who wanted to see their grannies weren't sent to the school psychologist for analysis.
Fred's take on his schoolmates' choices is just another example of his unusual sense of humor.
It's still a pretty generic answer for a writing assignment, and a student deciding not to give the same boring answer everyone else was likely to give doesn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't also want to spend time with their family if it actually was the last day of the world, and there would be no harm in smashing things if the world actually was ending. A hypothetical situation is supposed to give you more leeway to be creative, and it was wrong to treat him like a freak for being creative. If an adult was asking another adult this question, it would be likely to be as an opening to ask about what crazy thing they would do if they didn't have to worry about the consequences. Nobody asks just to get the obvious answer of contacting loved ones.
well if i remeber correctly an ex girl of fred told the press that he spend a lot of time to pass himself like a sane person
He gave in interview recently where he admitted to his narcissism and sexual addiction, he is getting help.
Sam Jones is a gifted interviewer. Warm. Engaged. Open. Present. He creates a space where his guest can feel safe and comfortable and valued. A real talent.
I am proud to be a weirdo too!
Thanks for telling the kids today it is okay to be creative or different.
It's called angst, dear #FredArmisen .
I think part of the message is...if you keep your family close enough it's ok to go nuts in your own wsy on the last day of Earth, so long as you don't cut anyone elses last day short..
baltimore here by way of portland
love waters, love fred
disappointed in him, meyers, & ceciley - not helping the poor working class by advertising for big corp.
what they would think if they had to scrape up pennies to get bus fare to a minimum wage job at walmart?
Gotta admit sometimes he falls into his comedic patterns just being him and it feels like a run of the imagination.
I've met, John.... far too many times. In my circles and about town... he's 50/ 50 pending crowd size, meaning if you didnt clamor to get to know him he didnt exist. I just know him as my bitch who complimented a drink I made him once after he and I fought in an alley over who's driving which way more legitimately, ahahah!!! (Evil laughter).
Though a john waters film isnt just hometown pride or significant events of my childhood personified (serial mom, cry baby and dirty shame), he's a goofy bitch and I love him 😩.
Hey has the word "bitch" wielded without malice become all the rage for getting people banned? Dude. This week has been nuts, first Instagram, now this?!
Mac from Always Sunny is a great interviewer
John The Mensch.
fred armisen isn't weird, he is just weird in the sense that 14 year old girls think of themselves
When I was in basic training for the Air Force we had to take a psychological test. You had to complete sentences. One sentence said, "My legs are......" So, I wrote "big". I ended up getting sent to the psychologist and he asked me about it. I said, that my Dad always said, "Son you have big strong legs". So I wrote big. He ended up sending me back and then I completed basic training. Now I am crazy in a lot of ways but not because my legs are big. I'll give one example. When I make a grilled cheese sandwich I cook it open fact to cut down time. I use american and swiss on each slice of bread. For some reason the american cheese has to be on the left side and the swiss on the right. If for some reason I put the swiss on the left I have to switch them to their natural position. How crazy is that? LoL
This comment you wrote is, uh, not, uh, normal.
Van PastorMan lol now I have to ask, what was considered an “appropriate response” to that question? My legs are HAIRY? Or was it supposed to be from the examiner’s point of view or yours?
@@amandahallman1091 It was from my point of view at least I thought it was. I'm just glad the examiner didn't know about my grilled cheese habit.
Amanda Hallman
Hmm, well I didn’t think your answer was that strange, sounds like you passed anyways! 🙂and your “grilled cheese habit” is obsessive compulsive so I bet you had high marks in the organization & fine details dept, kept a neat workspace & followed the rules! Unless it interferes with your daily life, keep on doing you!
Shock Value 🤍
John Waters inspired me from age 15 onward. All hail the Pope!
There’s No Fred without Carrie
- Mr. Waters is ok.
I delivered the 666th like for this video. I'm quite proud of that. Hail Satan.
The unfortunate thing is - it may have worked for John Waters and Fred Armisen but it's like one of those entrepreneur success stories. You hear them and it sounds great but it is so rare...
Most weird people are just alienated and/or ridiculed until they either kill themselves or die alone of natural causes at some later point.
And as an artist who actually makes a living off of it, you usually have to cater to some group, think about how to frame what you really think in a way that's marketable. Unless what you believe is already marketable of course. I for one know what nobody wants to hear what I think.
notthere83 I think the bigger point might be that even though it “worked out” for Fred in terms of success, what it all boils downs to is having a feeling of validation.
Having a mentor, someone validating your disquieting thoughts means the world to anyone. I think it goes beyond success in the entertainment industry or making a career of your weirdness. He made him feel like his “weirdness” wasn’t at all weird. Everyone can benefit from positive healthy mentors that channel our quirks (whatever they may be) so we can be contributing members of society.