Some of the greatest comic geniuses are often troubled people. Many of them needed the attention comedy gave them to make up for something else they lacked in their childhoods. Many have turned to alcohol and drugs to help silence their demons. So what is up with Andy Dick? I must admit, sometimes I do find him quite funny. But, most of the time, he is so over the top; it is more uncomfortable than funny to watch him.
Case in point – he was recently forcibly removed from the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show. He was on the same night as Ivanka Trump (Donald’s daughter) and kept touching her without her permission. Ivanka was there to promote “The Apprentice” – she and her brother Donald Jr. are appearing on the show this year. Andy kept rubbing her legs and touching her hair while she was talking. He even asked her to give him a “big, fat sloppy wet kiss right on the lips.” When he grabbed her arm, Jimmy called for security and they carried him off the stage.
So was it a joke or for real? Ivanka herself said, “That was brilliant. See, that was a much more entertaining segment. I could sit here and talk to you about the buildings I’m building in Chicago and Las Vegas, but I’m sure you’d much prefer to see Andy Dick actually forcefully removed from a stage.” Sometimes Andy Dick reminds me a bit of Andy Kaufman (maybe it is just comedians named Andy – no Andy Griffith is okay). Andy Kaufman was also funny at times, but just scary strange other times.
Andy has had a few bizarre incidents in the past. In 1999, he drove his car into a telephone pole. Once the police showed up, they found cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his car. He was charged with possession of those items plus driving under the influence as well as hit and run driving. He completed an 18-month drug diversion program and upon that completion, the felony and misdemeanor charges were dropped by the judge.
He was acting as if he was under the influence of something when he appeared at the Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner. He licked the faces of Farrah Fawcett, Carrie Fisher, and Patton Oswalt and just generally acted peculiar. I remember one other roaster saying they felt like Courtney Love (also known for run-ins with the law and drug problems) had killed Andy Dick and was wearing his skin.
After Michael Richards has his meltdown on stage, Andy Dick did the same thing, interrupting comedian Ian Bagg at the Improv with jokes about the Seinfeld star and even addressed people in the audience using the n-word.
So is the Kimmel thing just another example of Andy’s whacky behavior or it is time for rehab again?