My friends Greg and Kim are brilliant writers, and wonderfully creative
people. I met them at ACME, where I had the pleasure of performing
with them both, and writing with Kim.
Greg has a company called Mediocre Films ("They’re better than they sound") that has created some hilarious shorts, including Phone Call to God and Shoes. Kim is the executive producer on a web-based series called The Guild, which just won a YouTube award, (it will sit nicely on a shelf with the eleventy billion other awards they’ve won) and the two of them collaborate on the Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show.
Greg and Kim have a friend named
Ponce, who has Down syndrome. Ponce is an actor and a comedian, and
they worked together to come up with a series of comedic shorts they
could release on YouTube. They call it Retarded Policeman, and it’s
really, really funny.
Greg and Kim are doing with video and
sketch comedy what I’m doing with publishing: refusing to take the
traditional route to reach an audience, and having a lot of fun while
we do it. Greg and I have been trying to find a way to do a Mediocre
Film together for a long
time, so when Greg offered me a chance to work on Retarded Policeman, I
grabbed it.
I’m sure this will offend some people, but I want to
make it clear that nobody is exploiting or making fun of Ponce, or anyone who has Down syndrome. If that was the case, none of us would have done it. If
anything, it’s making fun of how arbitrary and, well, retarded police
stops can be. This episode makes a reference to Episode 4, which was
really funny until it wasn’t.
If you liked this, you should totally watch Episode 6, which I think is absolutely hilarious and the funniest one yet.
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Starting countdown until someone tries to come to the rescue of all exploited Downs people everywhere because of this video. Despite what Wil said.
10…
9…
8…
You know that someone, somewhere, is going to have issues with this video. But not me, I thought it was FUN-NY.
I think this is brilliant! My other half has mild cerebral palsy. People constantly tip toe around him in order to save his sensibilities. Problem is, his IQ is so high it scares me, he was a world class gin player, and now he deals poker here in Vegas (and Wil, you’ve met him although you probably don’t know it) so very little offends him.
My point is people always assume that just because another person isn’t *normal* that they must be handled with extra special, fuzzy bunny, rainbow care when in actuality most just want to be treated like everyone else. That includes making jokes about yourself and your abilities. I know the other half secretly dreams about starting a gimp revolution…..
After seeing your episode, I took a look at the other ones, and while some of them were just “eh” funny, there are a couple that literally make me lmao.
I love “The Guild.”
Funny stuff!
“EXACTLY!”
…Brilliant.
I have to agree that episode 6 is very funny. But… for some reason I had to watch all the others to get into the mood for it. Just watched each video twice… and 6 made me lol.
I feel like I should feel dirty, or rude or something… but I don’t.
Wil this rocks – thanks for sharing.
I’ve seen a few of these before, and they are hilarious. I think the Policeman himself has been interviewed or quoted saying that he loves doing them and thinks they are funny. He’s obviously intelligent.
And likes spooning. If you change your mind…
I’ve always been able to make fun of my shortcomings (HA! SHORTcomings…I’m 4’10”..get it?..get it?!..oh, nevermind.) and I love it when other people are able to do the same. That way, we can all get over our hang-ups and laugh at things that are really funny – like the fact that I’m 30 years old and I still jump up onto my kitchen counter to reach things. 🙂
Oh, and some fangrl (or fanboi) is going to be up all night trying to unscramble your license plate number.
I found this gem of an episode on youtube a little while ago, it was such a pleasant surprise! The whole series was a bundle of unexpected hilariosity.
“Damn you, lady! Damn youuuuu!”
Holy crap! That’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. (Well, seven of them.) I am now going to watch everything Greg and Kim have ever made. So much for turning in early tonight.
I’m certainly not one of the most politically correct people in the world, but I honestly was expecting to cringe through that.
I didn’t. I thought it was hilarious. Well done, to ALL involved. Funny stuff.
@Kathleen: Here is Ponce’s video comment about Retarded Policeman.
That was hilarious! It had the same bizarre humor I expect from Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show.
Also – this is weird. My boyfriend is friends with Kim and Greg and has worked on some shorts with them. People say LA is huge, but I’m becoming convinced it is just a small town, and 95% of the population is merely set dressing.
OMG, I was cracking up when you blinked twice. Awesome stuff! Now I have to watch ALL of their stuff. So much for working today, huh?
After the initial “shock”. I watched all of the episodes. I think I prefered the first 2 as they’re just more random. 😛
I was expecting to cringe a bit, too. I work in the disability advocacy field and all too often people with disabilities aren’t in on the joke. Clear that’s not the case here, as I think the drivers looked more ridiculous than the cop.
And btw – you’re all spelling it wrong! It’s “retardid”
Hrmm… I didn’t really find yours all that funny. Number six, however, was awesome. “Touch your nose. Now touch your other nose. Now touch my nose.” “Eww, it’s wet.” “That means I’m healthy!” 🙂
Ok, now you’ve done it.
Spew alerts, next time, please?
::wiping pecan flavored coffee off verrry expensive monitor::
LOVED it.
Wil, I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. I have no problem with the subject matter, the actors, or the Down’s Syndrome jokes, but this was genuinely un-funny. In a very not-funny way. Didn’t even crack a smile. Sorry.
Hey Wil
Much as I *love* your work, I have to say this didn’t do it for me. Aside from the fact that it didn’t make me laugh (not the subject matter, just not funny, sorry), it felt too ‘acted’. It got better towards the end of the scene, from the part about the writers strike onwards, but the first part just feels so stilted, and barely lifted off the page, especially when compared with some of the performances in otyher episodes (esp. the guy in ep. 6) I don’t know if those other guys are professional actors, but I don’t know, I just felt you could have done better. Sorry Wil, I don’t like to rubbish anything creative anyone does, but I thought you might appreciate honesty, even though my opinion matters not in the least.
I had to watch it twice to figure out what was bothering me, but I finally figured it out! Wil’s not wearing his seatbelt. Scandalous! LOL
I thought it was funny, although a little awkwardly edited toward the beginning. I will have to try and find time to watch the rest of them.
Wil not wearing his seat belt? Now you’re going to have to send out a public appology like Miley Cyrus.
The Guild is teh awesomeness. The mother who ignores her children to play…I think I know some of those people.
Even though I didn’t laugh out loud on this one, Greg and Kim are still hilarious. GTCMS is the best. “Are you going to ask me any questions?” “Okay.” *silence*
Ah man, retarded policeman is genius.
And I loved ponces video to all the naysayers as well!
‘I might have down syndrome, but you are f*cking retarded’!
I have to say you look mighty hot with the facial follicles Wil.
This was funny! PC goes too far most times and sucks the fun out of life. Someone will always be offended, usually those that take life way too seriously!
There’s no need to apologize if you don’t think this is funny.
That’s the thing with comedy; what’s funny to one person isn’t funny to others.
Take the Cavemen TV show, for example: that was funny to a network executive, but wasn’t funny to everyone else in the known universe.
On a more personal note, when we would put up shows at ACME, sometimes there would be a sketch that KILLED when we pitched it, but would just fall totally flat with preview audiences. At the same time, sketches we were all “eh” on would end up being the ones they were talking about in the lobby after the show.
Comedy is like all art, and what works for one person may not work for another person. I’m not offended or put off if someone doesn’t like something I’m in, and I certainly don’t expect everyone to like something just because I’m in it.
Either way, thanks for watching and sharing your feedback.
Wil,
You were totally hot in this video. Oh, and it was funny too.
Great, now my four year old is going to hear me singing:
He is a cop
And he’s learning impaired
He’s the retarded police-man!
All day.
😉
I have a Down Syndrome, child and as much as I want to be an adult and divorce myself from my own issues to appreciate the humour, I can’t do it.
Wheaton, you’ve blown it for me. I’ve religiously read your blog since 2003, gloried in your triumphs and empathised with the lows. It has been a good ride thus far, but my own inability to step beyond the the vast amount of daily injustice heaped upon people who have no control of their condition, the limits it places on their life and life expectancy, and sheer goddamn guilt of inflicting this on an innocent child has made me file you in the “unsavoury” box and tape the lid shut.
Good luck with your future endeavours.
alikitty619: you have no idea how far I would go to trade DS for mild CP and an exceptional IQ. You comment is typical of people who equate DS with fat, cuddly, happy people stereotype. Because of an accident of conception, DS are barely human, have metabolic and physiological issues, and thanks to a vastly different brain chemistry react badly to foods you and I take for granted, resulting in long term brain function and composition deterioration. These issues can be moderated with diet, but still everyone looks at the DS ‘tard and sniggers about supposed defining personality sterotypes and exclaims that it can;t be that bad. I’ve had 2 friends watch their DS kids die with in hours of immunisation shots people take for granted. They might be DS, but we love them.
It rips me to the core to see people take the piss.
Sorry.
I watched the episode you were in a while ago but I just now watched episode 6. (And the rest.) It was awesome. (Stormtrooper?! FTW!) I don’t feel dirty laughing at it. I’m laughing at the characterizations of a zany cop who asks weird questions and the deadpan reactions of the people he pulls over. Even though the word “retarded” is in the title I’m not laughing at the DS or the actor as a person. I’m laughing at scripted characters. Not all the episodes are funny to me and that’s because I don’t find some of the writing funny or some of the acting. Some people are going to be offended and perhaps rightly so from their points of view. Art is art. It doesn’t work the same with everyone.
(For what it’s worth, even though I think Ep 6 is the best you were still very funny. Your deadpan makes me laugh.)
Dang, Wil. That sinus surgery DID change your voice quite a bit! Sweet!
Incidentally, Bob thinks that it would be funny as Hell if Ponce pulled him over in his wheelchair.
I had an uncle with Down’s syndrome. He died years ago and I barely knew him. But last night I played Wil’s Episode for my mom and my aunt (ages 71 & 72 respectively) and they both thought it was very funny. We discussed the series title, (which I don’t care for) and the idea of Ponce being “used”, (my view). But both my mom and aunt, felt Ponce undoubtedly knows exactly what is happening and probably is enjoying the hell out it. They said my uncle loved things like this and they had no doubt he would have approved. So….I guess I’ll watch it again, and try to enjoy it this time.
“I’m LAPD and I have a quota”
Worth watching all of them.
I just recommended episode 6 (obviously the funniest) to my friend, and the conversation went like this
Ian Coomber, BA (hons) says:
and episode 5 has wil wheaton in it
Muffin says:
Who?
Ian Coomber, BA (hons) says:
wil wheaton, he played wesley crusher in the next generation
Muffin says:
Ah
Ian Coomber, BA (hons) says:
only hes growed up and has a beard now
Muffin says:
He idolised Riker then
Ian Coomber, BA (hons) says:
you mean jonathon frakes, thats cos he knew him when he was cool
I love getting references into conversations that no ones else understands
People found Stepin Fetchit, Amos and Andy, and the ol’ Minstrel Shows funny too.
You were right, Episode 6 is brilliant. The timing of the ‘I have an itch on my back’ was great 🙂
And I have to say, I like my comedy with a little random storm trooper …