Another Sad Event in Entertainment

Elspode · 03-09-2004, 12:07 AM

A lot of people I meet have no idea who he was. If you spend a little time jogging their memories, they'll eventually give a sort of "oh, yeah...now I remember him" sort of response, but seldom is the light of recognition in their eyes.

Spalding Gray had a talent that I admired above most other talents...the ability to hold rapt an audience by the power of one's voice and mind alone, without props, without music, without dancing, without gimmicks. Sadly, I have learned that the body of Spalding Gray was positively identified today after having been pulled from New York's East River yesterday. Gray had gone missing from his apartment for the last two months, and had already been feared to be a suicide, due to his history. It is believed he jumped from the Staten Island Ferry, a suitably droll route to the hereafter from one of our finest neurotics.

"Swimming to Cambodia" and "Monster in a Box" are two of his filmed monologues which are fairly easy to find either in a video store, or on cable. The former is his darkly humorous tale of having been an actor in the movie "The Killing Fields". The latter is about his attempt to write the Great American Novel, and the effects it had on his life. Both are prime examples of his skill, award winning documentations of his wit and his fears.

Gray was a lifelong depressive, having come from a not too savory home life as a child (his mother was a suicide), and having battled various demons along the way. It used to make me feel good thinking about Spalding and his demons, because I reasoned that there might be some truth to the supposed value of talking out one's troubles and sharing one's experiences as a form of mental health maintenance. Certainly, if there was ever a man who needed such maintenance, it was Spalding Gray, but the process of his 'treatment' produced some of the most entertaining, insightful and profoundly humorous insights I have ever heard.

The first official date my wife and I went on together was to see him perform, in person, "Gray's Anatomy" , a reflection on depression and the gradual decay of one's body and mind over time. Despite my characterization of the theme, it actually ended hopefully, amusingly; belying little of the turmoil that must have still raged within his aching spirit.

If you aren't familiar with his work, perhaps you'll honor his memory by seeking out any of his recorded works and giving them a viewing. You'll not be disappointed.

RIP, Spalding. I wish I'd gotten a chance to meet you.

wolf · 03-09-2004, 12:30 AM

I also went to see "Gray's Anatomy" and have enjoyed "Swimming to Cambodia" several times. Gray's delivery was impeccable, and his storytelling managed to find the interesting highlights, but even keep you engaged during the sometimes boring backstory that was necessary to get you to the punch line.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-09-2004, 06:30 PM

Got me this time Els. I vaguely remember reading part of "Swimming to Cambodia", probably in Smithsonian. I'll have to check out his presentation. You done good,...again.

wolf · 03-10-2004, 01:52 AM

The man certainly has a way with a eulogy, that's for sure.

I'm not planning on needing one any time soon, but I'll tell my family to look you up when the time comes ...

Elspode · 03-10-2004, 04:56 PM

Aw shucks. How about if we both agree not to require a eulogy anytime soon?

wolf · 03-10-2004, 10:08 PM

deal!

03-09-2004, 12:07 AM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Another Sad Event in Entertainment A lot of people I meet have no idea who he was. If you spend a little time jogging their memories, they'll eventually give a sort of "oh, yeah...now I remember him" sort of response, but seldom is the light of recognition in their eyes. Spalding Gray had a talent that I admired above most other talents...the ability to hold rapt an audience by the power of one's voice and mind alone, without props, without music, without dancing, without gimmicks. Sadly, I have learned that the body of Spalding Gray was positively identified today after having been pulled from New York's East River yesterday. Gray had gone missing from his apartment for the last two months, and had already been feared to be a suicide, due to his history. It is believed he jumped from the Staten Island Ferry, a suitably droll route to the hereafter from one of our finest neurotics. "Swimming to Cambodia" and "Monster in a Box" are two of his filmed monologues which are fairly easy to find either in a video store, or on cable. The former is his darkly humorous tale of having been an actor in the movie "The Killing Fields". The latter is about his attempt to write the Great American Novel, and the effects it had on his life. Both are prime examples of his skill, award winning documentations of his wit and his fears. Gray was a lifelong depressive, having come from a not too savory home life as a child (his mother was a suicide), and having battled various demons along the way. It used to make me feel good thinking about Spalding and his demons, because I reasoned that there might be some truth to the supposed value of talking out one's troubles and sharing one's experiences as a form of mental health maintenance. Certainly, if there was ever a man who needed such maintenance, it was Spalding Gray, but the process of his 'treatment' produced some of the most entertaining, insightful and profoundly humorous insights I have ever heard. The first official date my wife and I went on together was to see him perform, in person, "Gray's Anatomy" , a reflection on depression and the gradual decay of one's body and mind over time. Despite my characterization of the theme, it actually ended hopefully, amusingly; belying little of the turmoil that must have still raged within his aching spirit. If you aren't familiar with his work, perhaps you'll honor his memory by seeking out any of his recorded works and giving them a viewing. You'll not be disappointed. RIP, Spalding. I wish I'd gotten a chance to meet you. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

03-09-2004, 12:30 AM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I also went to see "Gray's Anatomy" and have enjoyed "Swimming to Cambodia" several times. Gray's delivery was impeccable, and his storytelling managed to find the interesting highlights, but even keep you engaged during the sometimes boring backstory that was necessary to get you to the punch line. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

03-09-2004, 06:30 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Got me this time Els. I vaguely remember reading part of "Swimming to Cambodia", probably in Smithsonian. I'll have to check out his presentation. You done good,...again. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

03-10-2004, 01:52 AM	#4
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	The man certainly has a way with a eulogy, that's for sure. I'm not planning on needing one any time soon, but I'll tell my family to look you up when the time comes ... __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

03-10-2004, 04:56 PM	#5
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Aw shucks. How about if we both agree not to require a eulogy anytime soon? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

03-10-2004, 10:08 PM	#6
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	deal! __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

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