Being Likeable

Oftentimes people tell you to be yourself. If that self is likeable, I’d say go for it. Being likeable has recently taken a nose dive in stock. In the entertainment industry a lot of outside people think being a total douche equates to power. I disagree. A ton of people in power are such likeable people. They frequently ask questions such as “what can I do for you?” or “how can I make it better?” These people are awesome. And if you think you’re sucking up, think again. Doing things for others isn’t kissing their ass, it’s kissing your own. Because people like proactive driven passionate people, you are just showing that you are that person. I think there is just too much pride that we can’t deal with the criticism that a lot of people in the trenches clawing up fail to understand. Being likeable is battery acid to me. BUT, this is my problem NOT theirs. It’s no secret, Jay Leno, comedian, was seen as a shill for NBC late night. Took the crown from David Letterman, most had said. Then followed up with the fact that he was a hack comedian. Fuck you. He lasted over 30 years in show biz. Would you want his career? How about his car collection? He lives on stand-up money and invests his late night money. All for being likeable. The guy putzes around Burbank and randomly says “hi” to strangers. Partly to watch their reaction, but more because I think he genuinely likes people. I think Dave Letterman wasn’t like that. He’s REALLY respected by the comedy world. ‘Cause he’s edgy. Or takes risks. Or doesn’t suck up. Boy, does he suck up. AND he also fucks his interns. God love him. He’s got a mean dark streak, accessible to comedians. Ironic how Jay launches comedy careers, Dave doesn’t even like comedians on his show. You know what “dark edgy comics” become? On the fray and never happy. I love Louis CK, but that dude will never make the money Kimmel, Leno or Fallon make. Because he refuses to be that guy. He’d probably be the first to shit on them over it, but behind closed doors resent that he doesn’t bark like a seal for them and gets marginalized. His success is an anomaly not the norm.

Being likeable got Jimmy Kimmel his job at late night, his talent carried him to the next level. As did Jimmy Fallon. I can’t stand this dude because he’s so saccharine. SO what?...he is LIKEABLE. He has a segment for the NFL where he does “yearbook” like photos. A tougher meaner comedian would get really real, not with Fallon. You KNEW even his dig at a player’s looks was going to be middle-of-the-road chuckle. Think of Ellen Degeneres. She made a part of America believe she’s not a lesbian. Or at least not care…because she’s SO FUN. Why do you think Rosie O’Donnell can’t keep a show. Her true colors will always show. And she’ll never be a sell-out. So they stick her with the complaining hags. She’s popular in that sense, but will never excel to her contemporaries because deep down inside, she is really unlikeable.

People resist likeability. I was watching Steve Harvey. The guy is funny. If you ever watch his stand-up it’s really blue. When he use to host “Showtime At The Apollo” a lot of his comments would be terms for firing at any other job. He has that snap to him. When he got his own show and “Family Feud” boy…did he amp up his likeability. He’s had it in him, inherently, so it wasn’t a difficult move. But some people…it’s like there isn’t enough money to pretend you are a fun lovely person. The opposite of this is pretending to be likeable when you really aren’t. Robin Williams is that person. So likeable. Not really. He was hiding behind some really dark angry things. His face said one thing, his actions said another. You can tell he was in pain. His manic behavior was trying desperately to have people love him. To show how likeable he was under the guise of what he may have considered unlikeable thoughts. As was Cosby. His contempt for women was a known thing. But he was so likeable. Turns out as a front for bad behavior. A lot of people see through it.

I’m not a likeable person. Not gregarious in the right ways. I have a friend who is. Was in film school with this guy. Minute you meet him, you wanted to pick his brain about things. Man of the world. No bullshitter, and…likeable. So likeable I always had a problem having him around girls I like because this dude pulled hot tail. He’s not physically attractive, but…he just had a likeability. You’d think I’d learn from this. Nope. I’m the Rosie O’Donnell here. Should you strive to be likeable? I mean, depends if you want success. Likeable people get calls to parties. People like them around. Likeable people will get promoted. But will get spoken about poorly because of their perception of ass-kissing. Likeable people, truly likeable, will get more out of life in the end.