Tainted
Rodney Dangerfield brings ‘La Contesa,’ his twisted view of
love, and a career of comedy to Ackerman Grand Ballroom today
By Rodney Tanaka
Daily Bruin Staff
Love, Rodney Dangerfield style:
"I married a wonderful girl. Her name is Joan; she’s from Utah;
she’s a Mormon. I’m very happy with her. In fact, next week I’m
marrying her sister. And I got my eye on her brother, too."
The voice is unmistakable. The ironic tone that launched a
thousand "I don’t get no respect" jokes manages to dispense serious
and humorous insight into love and marriage. The comedian spends
Valentine’s Day with UCLA students today in Ackerman Grand
Ballroom. In keeping with the romantic day, he explains how his
wife has changed his life.
"When you’re married, you learn a lot," Dangerfield says. "I
learned that I’m sexually self-sufficient." He continues, "Your
need for other means of excitement is diminished," Dangerfield
says. "You don’t have a desire to go places or do things if you
like the person you’re with. And someday I hope we get to that
point."
Dangerfield’s steady home life has allowed him to address
risqué material in his new compact disc, "La Contessa." The
story follows the sexual adventures of a ladies’ man on the prowl,
with a large dose of Dangerfield’s brand of edgy material.
"It’s every man’s dream to be this character in ‘La Contessa,’
and right now the character is me," Dangerfield says. "It’s my
torrid love affair."
The names and events are fictional, but real life couples can
benefit from the CD.
"You’ll find it a different kind of trip," Dangerfield says.
"It’s a lot of fun. Play it with your girlfriend, but she can’t be
thin-skinned. She has to be a liberal sophisticate to enjoy
this."
Dangerfield offers a Valentine’s day suggestion: "Sitting in a
bath of roses and listening to ‘La Contessa’ – that’s a romantic
way of spending an hour."
The comedian’s advice for Bruins looking for love on this
romantic day becomes a tad more serious.
"The truest statement ever said was ‘you can’t tell a book by
its cover,’ yet people will look at someone and, based on their
appearance, say ‘yes, I love them.’ Or they disregard every other
quality – just what he looks like," Dangerfield says. "If someone
doesn’t turn you off and if your heads meet and you think alike,
then all her physical virtues will become amplified if you get to
know them in the mind and if you can talk together. My advice is
don’t fall in love too quickly, get to know the person, don’t just
fall in love on looks."
Dangerfield’s popularity took some time to catch on. He began
working nightclubs as a teenager, using his given name, Jacob
Cohen, but struggled to make ends meet. At the age of 40 he changed
his name to Rodney Dangerfield and found success onstage and in
movies, such as "Caddyshack" and "Back to School." In his latest
movie, "Meet Wally Sparks," Dangerfield will play a loud talk show
host. However, the comedic stage is still his first love.
"I was working nightclubs when I was 19 in tough little places,
but it was always a kick to me because when you do it in front of
people that’s show business, that’s the immediate reaction,"
Dangerfield says. "When you do a movie, the star of the show is the
editor.
"It’s not the same; it’s a real different medium," Dangerfield
adds. "Live (performance) will always be my preference because it
was my first thing I did as a kid."
Dangerfield’s live appearance at UCLA allows him to interact
with a college audience, a demographic with which he feels a
connection.
"College kids get a kick out of me," Dangerfield says. "I guess
I’m across the board from little kids to old people.
"Everyone feels they get no respect, whether they’re 6 years old
or 80. College kids are included; they feel they are treated
wrong," Dangerfield continues. "College kids are a little hipper;
they can grab onto what you’re saying quicker. I find I have a good
rapport with them."
SPEAKER: Rodney Dangerfield in Ackerman Grand Ballroom today at
noon. Admission is free.
Rodney Dangerfield brings ‘La Contessa,’ his twisted view of
love, and a career of comedy to Ackerman Grand Ballroom today
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