What’s eating Gilbert Gottfried?
Yes, this post is about Gilbert Gottfried because I couldn’t think of a better follow-up to the previous cockroach post.
Joe and I were watching the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff tonight when Gilbert Gottfried came on. Gilbert Gottfried and that voice. That VOICE.
I’ve always wondered what Gottfried’s REAL voice sounded like. It has actually plagued me for years. When I learned that the clown was married with children I figured his voice HAD to be less irritating than the Aflac duck. How less irritating, I had no idea.
A quick Internet search turned up an old clip from the Howard Stern Show, in which Gottfried’s actual voice is revealed. You’re not going to believe how sedate it is. Gottfried sounds like a stodgy accountant. WTF?
And then I started thinking: how long has Gottfried kept up this gimmick? How exhausting must it be to squawk like that your entire professional life? So, I Googled the comedian some more and learned this bit of information: Gottfried was a Saturday Night Live cast member from 1980 to 1981, but he barely appeared in sketches. Apparently he was unfunny with an ordinary human voice.
Six years later, he landed a bit part on The Cosby Show. The role required him to be obnoxious, so he started squawking and squinting his eyes. The performance stole the scene and from that point on Gottfried became The Guy With The Voice.
In short, Gottfried has been annoying since 1987.
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I saw Gilbert Gottfried in NYC in 2008. He’s ridiculous!
August 16th, 2010 at 12:14 amThis reminded me of Fran Drescher! That is one nasal annoying voice also…but she doesn’t really sound like that either! I give them credit for their creativity, it works…
August 16th, 2010 at 7:46 amThat’s some damned fine research on your part, ma’am!
August 16th, 2010 at 10:23 pmRebecca: You actually bought TICKETS to a Gottfried show?!
August 16th, 2010 at 10:27 pmWow – I’ve always wondered that too! He definitely has a distinctive/annoying voice, but hey – it’s worked for him! (I loved the bird character from The Lion King. Should I admit that?)
September 7th, 2010 at 10:51 am