There was a time when Robin Williams was one of the funniest people around, but, as with all great comedians other than George Burns, if they don't die young they simply start to get old and annoying. Williams is at the "family fun" stage of his career, which appeals to the older generation that grew up with him and now has kids. As such, I've lost a lot of respect for him as a comedian. Plus, whenever he's interviewed he always seems to be doing schtick. It annoys me.
However, in the above interview with Jimmy Fallon, Williams gains back a whole lot of ground by admitting that he named his daughter Zelda after the character of the same name from The Legend of Zelda series. In the brief second that Willams allows Fallon to speak Fallon asks about Williams' gaming habits (18:11). While his "routine" on ten-year-old boys insulting him in Call of Duty is older than dirt and has been done to death, you have to respect his gaming cred for naming his daughter after a famous game character. I've been informed that this may already be common knowledge, but the chance to make fun of Jimmy Fallon and Robin Williams in the same post was something I could not pass up.
While I have your attention, I've seen Old Dogs and I'd try to avoid it if you can.
Matthew Razak is Destructoid's Associate editor and co-founder of film site Flixist. He began as community member "cowzilla" and was since sequestered to write brainy features material. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife.
Likes
Games! Movies! Hats!
Meet the rest of the team
@Matt
Old Dogs was probably the worst Robin Williams movie ever made: and I'm counting that horrible romantic comedy with Mandy Moore (where he played the preacher).
Ugh, Robin Williams being interviewed by Jimmy Fallon. All it needs is some Dane Cook to make it the most loathsome combination of comedians I can think of. Even videogame discussion can't make me want to watch that video (although being in Canada I'm screwed for using Hulu anyway).
Eh, Robin Williams may not be so great a comedian anymore (at least not in his current movie roles), but I respect his gamer skillz and I've always liked him as a comedian in general. If it was Mike Meyers I might have to throw up in my mouth a little, but Williams is pretty cool I guess.
I had to keep it to my top hitlist to keep from making an anti-comedian rant. Jeff Dunham and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour (Larry the Cable Guy specifically) are definitely up there as well.
Robin Williams is like a lot of stand-up comedians- when he's forced to do schmaltzy flicks, he sucks. Give the guy something with more fo a bite, and I bet he could do it.
I don't really like this article either. I mean, Robin Williams is a comedian. You should expect him to tell jokes if you're interviewing him. It's not as though he's a famous firefighter and when he's interviewed he sprays hoses and shit. I'm pretty sure the only funny thing I read is that you went and saw Old Dogs, probably expecting it to be a good movie. You obviously hate Robin WIlliams, why spend the $12 to see him in a movie and waste 2 hours as well?
You totally didn't even watch Old Dogs, and you didn't make fun of Jimmy Fallon yet either.
Where Jimmy Fallon failed on SNL, he shines as a late-night host. His audience participation bits have a lot of energy, he has the most relaxed interviews on late-night (i.e. his guests seem to enjoy his company more than other late-night hosts), and he's even showing off that he may have been holding back on SNL (his impressions are far better here, as is his ability to hold himself during the show). Seriously, give his late-night show a chance. I'm 90% positive you won't regret it.
Here's his impression of Neil Young covering Will Smith just to give you a taste: http://www.hulu.com/watch/110736/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-neil-young-sings-fresh-prince
Robin Williams was one of the funniest guys back in his day because he stole jokes from other comedians. He was basically the Carlos Mencia of his day.
Funnily enough, he's also an Evangelion fan, which earns him a combination of my respect and ire (due to my distaste for the fandom's insane fetisisation of Rei).
As for his performance as an actor, if you want to see him in a good movie, check out World's Greatest Dad. It may singlehandedly revise your opinion of the man.
"Williams is at the "family fun" stage of his career, which appeals to the older generation that grew up with him and now has kids"
Well, as a 30 year old family man, I hardly feel I'm over the fucking hill. At least until someone reminds me that there's an age where things like "marriage" and "kids" and "ew... cooties" seems like the realm of the geriatric.
Eh, call me strange but I like Robin Williams. Like every single other comedian out there he has had some really crappy roles. But, he's a great stand-up comedian and he's had some great roles in film, not all of them being funny either.
Also, I still like Robin Williams. He's not cutting edge like he used to be, but he still manages to be funny from time to time. Didn't think his gaming routine was that bad.
Aw come on, Robin Williams is still comedy gold, as with any other comedian, you have to watch his stand-up.
No, seriously... besides, I bet no one here could pull off what he's done, I know I can't, I'm pretty boring.
One time, I let my buddy play Dead Space, and he found some Line Racks (ammo, if you haven't played) and I yelled "Wine Racks" BECAUSE IM FUCKING HILARIOUS.
He kicked me out of his house. Ok, maybe not, but he wanted to.
Good job trying to plug Fallon, but I definitely fall into the 10% that absolutely regretted it. Maybe it's not him, though, and I just don't 'get' it. But all I know is that the few times I tried to watch Fallon's Late Night, I was glad I keep all firearms under lock and key.
@Everybody Else
Robin Williams might be doing a fair amount of family movies, but if you think he's completely sold out, you'd be wrong. As mentioned twice before, see 'World's Greatest Dad'. Proof positive that Williams isn't always after just a paycheck.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
10:00 PM on 11.28.2009
| 
Old Dogs was probably the worst Robin Williams movie ever made: and I'm counting that horrible romantic comedy with Mandy Moore (where he played the preacher).
God how the mighty have fallen.
EVER.
Jeff Dunham & the entire "Blue Collar Comedy" gang would make this my dream terrorism target.
I had to keep it to my top hitlist to keep from making an anti-comedian rant. Jeff Dunham and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour (Larry the Cable Guy specifically) are definitely up there as well.
watch robin williams live on broadway also he has a new one coming i think next week on hbo ill leave my judgements on him till seeing that
when it comes to robin williams hes good at stand up
I've always wanted to see more mainstream coverage about this game. It's one of my favourites.
If I ever have a child that I name after a character in a video game (film and books count too), I should hope that people would hate me.
Didn't see Old Dogs, but I did see Wild Hogs, and that was enough to convince me not to see Old Dogs.
While I still kinda respect Williams, he passed his peak long ago. I certainly don't hate him like I hate Dane Cook, Carlos Mencia and other hacks.
You totally didn't even watch Old Dogs, and you didn't make fun of Jimmy Fallon yet either.
Here's his impression of Neil Young covering Will Smith just to give you a taste: http://www.hulu.com/watch/110736/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-neil-young-sings-fresh-prince
Hollywood has been slowly turning it every so often ever since.
this was meant for the KoF trailer.. which I have since commented on. Please read in context, as I am actually quite witty.
I mean, I was totally aware of his daughter's name and it's meaning. I'm sure I heard about it at least some years ago...
Just google it and see how old some of the finds are...
As for his performance as an actor, if you want to see him in a good movie, check out World's Greatest Dad. It may singlehandedly revise your opinion of the man.
Did you really just compare Robin Williams to Carlos [s]Asshat[/s] Mencia? To much hate in this place.
Lern2BBcode.
Well, as a 30 year old family man, I hardly feel I'm over the fucking hill. At least until someone reminds me that there's an age where things like "marriage" and "kids" and "ew... cooties" seems like the realm of the geriatric.
regards
your reader that can't access any HULU content because he isn't in US and A
ditto, in Canada, can't watch.
No, seriously... besides, I bet no one here could pull off what he's done, I know I can't, I'm pretty boring.
One time, I let my buddy play Dead Space, and he found some Line Racks (ammo, if you haven't played) and I yelled "Wine Racks" BECAUSE IM FUCKING HILARIOUS.
He kicked me out of his house. Ok, maybe not, but he wanted to.
Good job trying to plug Fallon, but I definitely fall into the 10% that absolutely regretted it. Maybe it's not him, though, and I just don't 'get' it. But all I know is that the few times I tried to watch Fallon's Late Night, I was glad I keep all firearms under lock and key.
@Everybody Else
Robin Williams might be doing a fair amount of family movies, but if you think he's completely sold out, you'd be wrong. As mentioned twice before, see 'World's Greatest Dad'. Proof positive that Williams isn't always after just a paycheck.
Also a blacklisting is called for. So Matthew Razak and those sheep who joined in, you've been put on notice. >:(