Todd Glass Calls Out Comedians Who Are Bullies
Todd Glass is an L.A. comedian originally from Philadelphia, who has been doing stand up for 30 years. He may be best known for his appearances on seasons 2 and 3 of “Last Comic Standing” on NBC. Todd came out publicly as gay in 2012. Just last week Todd was a guest on SiriusXM’s Unmasked Show hosted by Ron Bennington. He talked with Ron for an hour in front of a live studio audience about his feelings on how the tone of comedy has changed since he started in the 80s, his own fears about coming out and challenging people in the media who refuse to take a side on gay equality issues, but it seemed like what he wanted to talk about most was how much he hates bullying. He won’t tolerate it in our schools, in the workplace and he especially doesn’t like hearing other comics do it. That’s why you wont hear any fat jokes in Todd Glass’ act.
During the interview on Unmasked, Todd described his own struggle with food. Even though he’s lost 30 pounds, he can sympathize with someone facing a similar battle with food addiction. He also found it unfair that eating problems are somehow acceptable material for a lot of comedians and how overweight people become the target of bullying.
“I really do have a lot of empathy for people that are…whatever you want to say, people that are dealing with 3, 4, 5, 600 pounds overweight. Even though, I don’t weigh that much, but I get it. It’s fucking hard. That’s why in my act, I took out a lot of jokes. Heavy jokes. I thought – why are they open season to make fun of? Heavy people. I think a lot of people in their lives have vices, but your vice might not be as visual. But what if your vice put a pound on you every time you did it. Whatever it is. I mean I know there’s some guy cheats on his wife or a woman that cheats and sees a heavy person and goes – Oh Jesus! Oh really? You don’t know what it’s like to do something for short term gratification? Long term horror? You don’t? You pile of fuck! Oh, just because yours, you can keep hidden better, you think that person is open season to make fun of. They don’t like it either. They’re doing what you’re doing with your habit. They’re going – I got it. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. They hate it. And as a comic, you don’t need to be bully with a microphone.”
He called out other comedians he hears doing this sort fat shaming.
A lot of comics, I listen to podcasts. Some I fucking love, others I’m like – Oh my God, they’re talking about heavy people like they’re the dregs of society. I don’t know why? And we’ll be right back after this!
When host Ron Bennington pointed out that everyone has some sort of monkey they’re dealing with, Todd had a message for the ones who think they’re exempt.
And if you don’t. If someone is going – I don’t. And you still think it’s okay to make fun of heavy people…your monkey is not having empathy. Ah, I got you, you mother fucker!!
Bullying is a subject that strikes a chord with Todd Glass. It was part of the reason that he decided to come out publicly as gay man. With the rash of suicides across the country by gay teens who had been facing bullying in their lives, Todd felt he could no longer hear about these stories without being completely honest about who he really is. He now feels he can be totally candid about his beliefs and repeat them as much as he needs to while challenging people who disagree.
“The Todd Glass Situation” is available at amazon.com.
Ron Bennington’s Unmasked with Todd Glass will premier this Friday, at 2pm eastern time on the Ron and Fez Show. You can listen on SiriusXM’s Raw Dog Channel 99. Replays of this episode will air on Tuesday at 3 pm et, Wednesday, at 7 pm et and Thursday at 3 pm.. You will also be able to hear the full hour-long interview in its entirety on SiriusXM On Demand.
Unmasked — an hour long interview show talking about creativity with comedians– is taped before a live studios audience. In addition to hosting Unmasked, Ron Bennington also hosts Ron Bennington Interviews and is the primary voice on The Ron and Fez Show weekdays from noon to 3pm et on SiriusXM. For information on how to get tickets to tapings of Unmasked, follow@UnmaskedShow on twitter.
