Andy's PBS special in July 1983 entitled "The Andy Kaufman Show" is unique in a number of ways. First, it was his final TV special before his death. Secondly, the show had little to no budget, allowing him to do virtually anything he wanted with the time allotted. While the show is definitely entertaining in parts, it's mostly a long, drawn out display of Andy's many fascinations--Elvis, wrestling, Tony Clifton and all the rest--that come across as slow and largely unfunny. It's clear that Andy's purpose wasn't to blow any minds, win over any new fans, or elicit unstoppable belly laffs, so what exactly WAS his purpose with this generic, low-budget special for a network that's not considered one of the majors?
The answer is clear: to speak to his diehard fans about his latest obsession--his upcoming demise, in hopes that some of them will understand his plan after the fact.
Farfetched as it may seem, Andy was a person who put a lot of thought into his act, giving everything special meaning and doing nothing without purpose. Everything was calculated, so to speak, and he put much planning into every word he spoke and every gesture he made so as to achieve the desired effect.
The following is a list of subliminal "clues" from The Andy Kaufman Show that point to the fact that Andy faked his death:
1. In his interview with Elayne Boosler, he repeats the phrase "dead comedians" and "death is a no-no in comedy" many times. He even stops her to say, "So a comedian did (material) about death?" Kaufman was a "comedian", who would face his own "death" not a year later. Elayne then drops a numerical hint with the phrase, "You brought up the Catskills 16 times!" Why mention that specific number unless it's scripted for you to do so? Why not "15 times" or "10 times"--a nice, round number? As we all know, Andy died on May 16, 1984.
2. Andy mentions that his hair is "thinning" and "is getting thinner and thinner as time goes on" in his segment with Dr. Alex Shorr, which is the understatement of the century considering his total baldness in the coming year. Losing his hair was a major part of the illusion that made people believe he was really sick, hence the repeated mention of it.
3. In the "Has Been Corner", Jim Brandy shows a picture in which he's wearing a shirt that says, "Earth Angel" with a number underneath the text. Unfortunately, all we can see is the number "1". Could it say "Earth Angel May 16?" Even if it doesn't, the whole "Earth Angel" thing is a little strange considering Andy's status as a "living legend" after his death. Angels imply death, while Earth signifies life--a contradiction as grand as Andy Kaufman himself.
4. After going "too far", Andy is kicked off television. He argues with a judge and the screen goes black. This is eerily similar to what happened in his real life--his tyrades caused him to lose gigs and fans, forcing him to have to disappear (die) in order to salvage his career. He's banished to a remote island, and it's only then that he feels guilt over what he's done. He repeats the phrase "connect the dots", which most people wouldn't think twice about, unless...Is Andy asking us to connect the dots regarding what this particular segment symbolizes? As in, "connect the dots, you obtuse fools?" Food for thought.
5. When introducing Martin Harvey Friedburg, Andy says "midnight on Tuesday nights" more than once. Considering he died on a Wednesday, and midnight on Tuesday is technically Wednesday...well, you do the math.
6. Later in the same skit, Martin Harvey Friedburg screams out "It's GROWING! GROWING...and it's finally OVER!" Meanwhile, Andy's in stitches in the background. The viewer is left stumped as to what's so funny, as the punchline is purposely omitted. Is it just me, or is this a perfectly orchestrated scene symbolizing Andy's cancer diagnosis ("growing and growing"), untimely death ("it's finally over"), leaving the public in the dark about his plan (omitting the punchline), and his dark sense of humor about the whole thing (the incessant laughing)?
7. AND NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF. The lyrics to Andy's farewell song have stuck out as startlingly obvious since the beginning. Anyone with any sense of perception should pick up on this, yet it's never been mentioned once. The lyrics are as follows:
The answer is clear: to speak to his diehard fans about his latest obsession--his upcoming demise, in hopes that some of them will understand his plan after the fact.
Farfetched as it may seem, Andy was a person who put a lot of thought into his act, giving everything special meaning and doing nothing without purpose. Everything was calculated, so to speak, and he put much planning into every word he spoke and every gesture he made so as to achieve the desired effect.
The following is a list of subliminal "clues" from The Andy Kaufman Show that point to the fact that Andy faked his death:
1. In his interview with Elayne Boosler, he repeats the phrase "dead comedians" and "death is a no-no in comedy" many times. He even stops her to say, "So a comedian did (material) about death?" Kaufman was a "comedian", who would face his own "death" not a year later. Elayne then drops a numerical hint with the phrase, "You brought up the Catskills 16 times!" Why mention that specific number unless it's scripted for you to do so? Why not "15 times" or "10 times"--a nice, round number? As we all know, Andy died on May 16, 1984.
2. Andy mentions that his hair is "thinning" and "is getting thinner and thinner as time goes on" in his segment with Dr. Alex Shorr, which is the understatement of the century considering his total baldness in the coming year. Losing his hair was a major part of the illusion that made people believe he was really sick, hence the repeated mention of it.
3. In the "Has Been Corner", Jim Brandy shows a picture in which he's wearing a shirt that says, "Earth Angel" with a number underneath the text. Unfortunately, all we can see is the number "1". Could it say "Earth Angel May 16?" Even if it doesn't, the whole "Earth Angel" thing is a little strange considering Andy's status as a "living legend" after his death. Angels imply death, while Earth signifies life--a contradiction as grand as Andy Kaufman himself.
4. After going "too far", Andy is kicked off television. He argues with a judge and the screen goes black. This is eerily similar to what happened in his real life--his tyrades caused him to lose gigs and fans, forcing him to have to disappear (die) in order to salvage his career. He's banished to a remote island, and it's only then that he feels guilt over what he's done. He repeats the phrase "connect the dots", which most people wouldn't think twice about, unless...Is Andy asking us to connect the dots regarding what this particular segment symbolizes? As in, "connect the dots, you obtuse fools?" Food for thought.
5. When introducing Martin Harvey Friedburg, Andy says "midnight on Tuesday nights" more than once. Considering he died on a Wednesday, and midnight on Tuesday is technically Wednesday...well, you do the math.
6. Later in the same skit, Martin Harvey Friedburg screams out "It's GROWING! GROWING...and it's finally OVER!" Meanwhile, Andy's in stitches in the background. The viewer is left stumped as to what's so funny, as the punchline is purposely omitted. Is it just me, or is this a perfectly orchestrated scene symbolizing Andy's cancer diagnosis ("growing and growing"), untimely death ("it's finally over"), leaving the public in the dark about his plan (omitting the punchline), and his dark sense of humor about the whole thing (the incessant laughing)?
7. AND NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF. The lyrics to Andy's farewell song have stuck out as startlingly obvious since the beginning. Anyone with any sense of perception should pick up on this, yet it's never been mentioned once. The lyrics are as follows:
"Well it's time to say goodbye
It's been good having you so near
Although I've got to leave, it's the end,
I'll always be stayin' right here
So, my friends, goodbye
it's just about that time
Wish that I could do just one more song for you"
In these 7 little lines, Kaufman thanks his fans for their devotion, warns of his upcoming "exit", and tells them he hasn't really died all in one fell swoop. Here the song is with a line-by-line explanation for those that really need it:
Well, it's time to say goodbye ("goodbye, adoring fans")
It's been good having you so near ("thanks for your love and support")
Although I've got to leave; it's the end ("I'm leaving the limelight")
I'll always be stayin' right here ("but I'm still here, alive and well")
So, my friends, goodbye
It's just about that time ("Only 10 more months to go!")
Wish that I could do just one more song for you
This is followed by a monologue in which Kaufman calls the viewers "sheep" who "believe anything the media tells them". Is he referring to us buying the stories of his cancer diagnosis and death? Is he challenging his true fans to suspend their disbelief for one final, earth-shattering act--his death and dramatic reappearance?
That is up to you--the people at home and in the peanut gallery--to decide.
Did you know that the area code for Great Neck NY is 516.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. I just posted an entry on it. Much appreciated.
ReplyDelete