TCA Press Tour: Robin Williams returns to stand-up, tests out new material on critics
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
But was it a good idea?
A relatively restrained Robin Williams took to the stage this afternoon to hawk for his HBO stand-up special “Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction.” The program will be taped during his November appearance in Washington, D.C., one of the stops on his sold-out national tour.
Williams had heart surgery in March, and the comedian was clearly making an effort to stay calm -- calmer than his usual uproarious antics -- while trying out some new material on critics in attendance.
You can be the judge. Here’s a sampling:
On why he was returning to touring and stand-up: “I’ve run out of money from ‘Bicentennial Man.’”
On his reaction to the Rachel Maddow tea-bagging comment: “It’s like saying Anderson Cooper’s the king of strap-ons.”
On having sex now that he allegedly has a cow valve in his heart, post surgery: It’s like “a duel to the death between your penis and your heart. It’s like a civil war reenactment in a wheelchair.”
On his latest film “World’s Greatest Dad”: “It’s like ‘Dead Penis Society.’”
On how to find humor in Obama: He’s ‘a combination of Walter Cronkite and Paul Robeson.’
On Twitter etiquette: “Is it proper etiquette to Twitter during sex? ‘OMG. OMG.’”
On whether the press counted as a test audience: “You are a test audience -- and a tough one at that.”
Williams added: “I just realized I got a…load of work to do, but I got three months, so this is a good beginning.”
“Weapons of Self-Destruction” airs Dec. 6.
-- Denise Martin
Photo credit: Associated Press