I don't know who he is, but I assume he is rodentish?
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 6 April 2003 09:25 (twenty-two years ago)
James Lipton hosts a show on a cable channel over here called
Inside the Actors' Studio. He's a university professor and the presentations are part of a large lecture series as I understand it -- packed audience at a theater wherein he gets in some well-known actor to talk about his or her work. He's got a very curious style of presenting -- lots of frowns and extremely low-key 'uh-huhs.' My mom initially hated him but now finds him a pretty funny presenter whose style you have to get used to, but DB clearly still hates. I find him rather unsettling myself.
Mike Nelson of the MST3K bunch made fun of him on the show once, as well as in print in an essay. The beginning should give you an idea:
"The Bravo cable network...occasionally gives airtime to an interview show called Inside the Actors Studio. On it, the unctuous host, James Lipton, fawns over celebrities, doing everything short of serving them rich paellas and giving them scented oil rubdowns.
Just in case Mr. Lipton ever calls me, I have my script ready for how I want the show to go:
LIPTON (with immense weight): Ladies and gentlemen of the acting program, if you would kindly remove your shoes. Our next guest has not acted for some time, but probably could if he wanted to. Would you please welcome Michael...J....(thirty second pause)...Nelson.
(Light applause, some shouts and groans. An empty milk carton just misses me.)
LIPTON: First of all, let me say how tenderly I love you.
ME: I know."
And so forth.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 6 April 2003 13:40 (twenty-two years ago)
I am a big fan of the Actor's Studio (we get it on the Biography channel over here, UK people!!!), but for all the wrong reasons. This is because I am a superior bastard who loves to laugh at the geeky acting students and their funny teacher. It's amazing how NOT revealing it can be sometimes, too, for all it's apparent "enquiry"-the recent Johnny Depp show being a case in point.
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Sunday, 6 April 2003 18:53 (twenty-two years ago)
"And THEN...(pause)you made a WONderful MOOOVIE called...(longer pause)...WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD"
Huge applause follows.
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Sunday, 6 April 2003 18:55 (twenty-two years ago)
I am a Lipton-hata, he's like Charlie Rose but even worse. But Johnny Depp couldn't be interesting even if he was being interviewed by Studs Terkel.
― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Sunday, 6 April 2003 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)
David Cross does a pretty good bit on this guy in his last HBO special. He seriously fawns all over rather mediocre talents on a regular basis.
― David Beckhouse (David Beckhouse), Monday, 7 April 2003 00:29 (twenty-two years ago)
David Cross also played him on Mr. Show once talking to a Keanu Reeves clone.
audience member: yeah, I've got a question for the actor...
Cross (anointing the actor's feet): YOU DARE QUESTION THE ACTOR????
James Lipton does me the simple favor of redefining the universe. I wish I had the temerity and tenacity to mic him.
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 7 April 2003 00:31 (twenty-two years ago)
and actually, I find the show impossible to watch. Aside from being painfully slow, it's like watching a troll masturbate.
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 7 April 2003 00:37 (twenty-two years ago)
No one has mentioned Will Ferrell's spot on impersonation of J. Lipton.
― Carey (Carey), Monday, 7 April 2003 02:01 (twenty-two years ago)