Last Friday (June 1st 2001) I was in a situation that I never thought I�d ever be in. I was sitting by the stage in Stanford and Son�s comedy club, drinking a club soda and a few feet away from me the guy who played Screech in �Saved by the Bell� (Dustin Diamond) was telling jokes. Now I know what you�re saying, �That�s not that unusual.� Let me tell you what made the entire experience very mind-boggling. I was laughing at all of his jokes.
Yeah you heard me right, Dustin Diamond is actually really funny. For years I�ve been watching �Saved by the Bell� and seeing his escapades as a nerdy geek, never in a million years would I find myself actually laughing at him. Maybe I laughed because he was just making fun of himself. He of coursed mentioned his tenor on the kids sitcom in his act, but he didn�t act like Screech on the stage. Except for the times where he began to curse and yell obscenities. But other than that his act was refreshing to see. It gives hope for those stars that are widely typecast.
Maybe it was just the situation that really made the experience worth while. I mean here�s a guy I�ve watched on TV on the same show for over nine years. He hasn�t done anything other than this damn show, and now here he is telling jokes and making the whole crowd laugh. Is that bizarre or what?
I have to admit I did go there to see if he would fall on his face. In fact my friend Paul had a great title for his act. �Humor comes to a SCREECHING halt.� I heard rumors that his material was less than grade A, number one stuff. Well rumors aren�t worth a hill of beans compared to actually going and finding out yourself. Screech might remind you of the embodiment of everything unfunny in the world, but Dustin Diamond gives you hope that an actor can have a successful life after being typecast. Next week the guy who played Skippy on �Family Ties� is going to be there. I wonder if he�ll be just as funny too? |
