Dear Steve,I have decided to toss aside formalities as I see you as just another human being. An extremely talented, gifted, and funny human being, but a human being nonetheless. I've learned many years ago that all of my heroes are human beings, just like me, you, and all those oddballs walking up and down the streets, driving in their cars, holding signs on the corner, etc. So, I've decided to show my respect for my heroes by treating them just like they are fellas I work with or meet around town. Thus, it is nice to meet you Steve (at least in the internet informal non-face to face world). My name is Eugene.
I listened to your autobiography yesterday on CD (I assume it comes in book form as well) read by you called, "Born Standing Up." I must say, Steve, that few books make me laugh, cry, think, have fun, and fill with anticipation and excitement for the next event as yours has led me. The only other book I read of yours was "Cruel Shoes," which was rather funny, but that was years ago and memory fades. Maybe I'll have to read it again.
I had been encouraging my wife to do stand-up. She is pretty funny. After "Born Standing Up," however, I informed her last night that I will no longer encourage her to walk that path. Those imediately around her, however, will have the full benfit of her humor. Steve, stand up seemed to have been gruelling. You struggled your way to the top and being at the top, folk worked on shooting you down. I must say, though, Steve, having grown up with your humor, your comedy and American Icon status brought me much joy in a rather troubled childhood as well. I informed my wife last night that I had your second album, "A Wild and Crazy Guy" completely memorized and entertained my family to tears of laughter immitating you. Unlike you, Steve, comedy wasn't really my thing. History is, however. I don't do the research so much myself as I benefit from those who dig up the bits of history we all don't know much about. Culloden, Native American genocide, the Gulag system of the USSR, eugenics, Nazi supporters, unheard or unremembered war reporting from WWII, etc. These things fascinate me. These things are tough learning about, but humor helps bring one through all that type of crap. Your humor has been a part of that support for me, Steve, and for that, I thank you. It supported me through my family dysfunction and to a lesser extent, through my education about the darkside of history and current events. Mind you, I learn about the good things as well, but I don't like to keep it to one thing or the other. I like getting as much of the whole picture as I can.
Funny that your first job was at Disneyland the year it opened up. Funny how you made your connections with showmanship. When you mentioned learning rope tricks, it made me think of the times when I lived with a clown and his family. His name is Leapin' Louie Lichtenstein the Lithuanian Cowboy. He rides around on a unicycle performing rope tricks and juggling. Like you, he is well versed in comedy history. Funny fella. His whole family is funny. His wife told me one time, "There is such a thing as 'Clown Culture.'" Even his kids are hilarious. Check this out, Steve. One day when my wife and I were over at their place for dinner, their teenage son tells his sister, "we're so weird that even the weird kids at school say, 'Wo! Those kids are weird.'"
Sorry to hear about your parents, Steve. That was the part that made me cry. My dad died 28 years and 3 days ago. Drank his liver down to 5% and lived for two years after. He wasn't mean to us kids, however. He loved my sisters and I, and let us know. We got the good and bad all in one package. Maybe that is why I look at history the way I do?
It's funny that you wrote for the "Sonny and Cher" show. I used to watch that all the time when I was a kid. I never missed it. I was recently listening to Teri Garr's autobiography, "Speedbumps: Flooring it Through Hollywood." She mentioned having been Cher's friend in skits on the show. I had forgotten about that. If I remember correctly, she even mentioned you having written for the show. All the interconnectedness. Neat.
Elvis telling you that you have an "oblique sense of humor" and that he had an oblique sense of humor himself, was hilarious. We Indians do have an "oblique" sense of humor. That oblique sense of humor was why I had been encouraging my wife, Shusli, to do stand-up. Maybe an open mic or two. But she's a nurse and that is trouble enough. Do you know any nurses, Steve? Toughest profession in the world. I've read some crazy stories about nurses besides just hearing the crazy ones my wife comes home with everyday. I rub her feet and do my best to make her feel good in the midst of recovering from the chaos. I Love her!
Anyway, Steve, I must say it was great growing up with your humor and great listening to your wonderful book.
Much success in your continued career/s.
Your Internet Amigo,
Eugene Douglas Johnson
PS If you are ever in Portland, Oregon, Steve, contact us. We'd like to have you over for dinner sometime. My wife made a fantastic homemade Maccaroni and Cheese the other day. I capitalized that to emphasize the yummy goodness that we enjoyed. What kind of food do you like? Do you like Two Buck Chuck? That is a wine Shusli and I indulge in every once in a while.
PPS I moderate my comments, Steve, so if you want to send a message (not that I really think you'd read this letter) please do. If you don't want me to, I won't publish it.
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