A Bowl of Stupid

I’m sure you all remember my post about “The Biffy,” the latest in fully automated, computer operated, portable, retractable toilet bidets.

Now, even further proof of the decline of western civilization — “The Stadium Pal.” This time, however, the description of this handy little devise already comes pre-packaged with sarcasm by way of Mr. David Sedaris, who describes “The Stadium Pal” as:

“An external catheter currently being marketed to sports fans, truck drivers, and anyone else who’s tired of searching for a bathroom.”

If you’re unaware, David Sedaris is arguably one of the wittiest American humorists to come around since Garrison Keillor. He is well known amongst the “New Yorker” intellencia set for his short stories, as well as his appearances on the NPR show “This American Life.” Others may better know of him through his sister, Amy Sedaris, the actor/comedian star of “Strangers With Candy.”

Much of Sederis’ humor is autobiographical and self-deprecating, concerning his large family life, Greek heritage, various jobs, drug use, education, and his life in France with his partner, Hugh (Sedaris is openly gay).

Admittedly, I probably would not have found him as funny as I now do had I started reading his work before I lived in the Bay Area and here in Miami Beach, where I lost the silly homophobia I once had when I was younger. Indeed, much of his funniest work involves the disparity between his homosexuality and his North Carolinian father’s … well, … “non-homosexuality.”

I had the opportunity to see one of his book readings down here in Miami several years ago at probably the only independent book store in South Florida — Books & Books. Although his work translates very well at such “readings,” I still think his stuff is best absorbed through the actual reading of his written verse.

That being said, while visiting One Good Move today (yet again), I came across this clip of him performing a reading on the David Letterman Show just recently. The clip fits in very well with the whole vapid American “Super Bowl” mentality which I was disparaging last week. However, whereas my material is just plain “surly,” Sederis’ is actually very funny and entertaining.