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Ruby Wax: We must stop linking comedic genius with depression Ruby Wax: We must stop linking comedic genius with depression
(about 2 hours later)
Since Robin William’s death there’s been an epidemic of articles, none of them focusing on how he was the Einstein of comedy, but fixating on his bipolar depression and the pervasiveness of this disease among comedians. The constant linking of bipolar and public figures is covertly saying you have to be nuts to perform – but especially if you’re funny.Since Robin William’s death there’s been an epidemic of articles, none of them focusing on how he was the Einstein of comedy, but fixating on his bipolar depression and the pervasiveness of this disease among comedians. The constant linking of bipolar and public figures is covertly saying you have to be nuts to perform – but especially if you’re funny.
How often can I say that this is wrong? One in four people suffer from some sort of mental disorder. A stat like that means everywhere and everyone, from Mrs Bangladesh to Mr. Leamington Spa, can endure mental illness. One in four people are not comedians – or am I mistaken? Depression is a disease like any other disease; created from that old nature/nurture cocktail. To say all comedians have it is as ridiculous as saying all weather girls get diabetes. Your insides don’t know what your outside does for a living. Let’s think of the thousands of comedians around the world, performing in clubs and on stages on all corners of the globe: now, who exactly did the gallop poll that says they all have mental illness?How often can I say that this is wrong? One in four people suffer from some sort of mental disorder. A stat like that means everywhere and everyone, from Mrs Bangladesh to Mr. Leamington Spa, can endure mental illness. One in four people are not comedians – or am I mistaken? Depression is a disease like any other disease; created from that old nature/nurture cocktail. To say all comedians have it is as ridiculous as saying all weather girls get diabetes. Your insides don’t know what your outside does for a living. Let’s think of the thousands of comedians around the world, performing in clubs and on stages on all corners of the globe: now, who exactly did the gallop poll that says they all have mental illness?
Robin Williams wasn’t brilliant because of his bipolar; he was brilliant in spite of it. When you have bipolar, you can have ups with that high octave helium hysteria, but then without any notification, you plummet into the mouth of hell. Now imagine being on stage when that happens.Robin Williams wasn’t brilliant because of his bipolar; he was brilliant in spite of it. When you have bipolar, you can have ups with that high octave helium hysteria, but then without any notification, you plummet into the mouth of hell. Now imagine being on stage when that happens.
I’m not bipolar, but I do have depression. It hasn’t helped my career; just the reverse, it got in the way of it. I can’t imagine doing a show when I’m in the midst of an episode. It would be a huge waste of money on the part of the audience, watching me lying there like a lump of clay, unable to string two words together. Unless I sold it like I’m doing it on purpose: “This isn’t stand-up, this is ‘lie down’ comedy.”I’m not bipolar, but I do have depression. It hasn’t helped my career; just the reverse, it got in the way of it. I can’t imagine doing a show when I’m in the midst of an episode. It would be a huge waste of money on the part of the audience, watching me lying there like a lump of clay, unable to string two words together. Unless I sold it like I’m doing it on purpose: “This isn’t stand-up, this is ‘lie down’ comedy.”
It’s my feeling that when you’re Robin Williams and the world adores you and wherever and whenever you open your mouth, men and woman fall to their knees, it’s pretty addictive. If you make someone laugh, it’s far better than sex: it lasts longer and there is no mess.It’s my feeling that when you’re Robin Williams and the world adores you and wherever and whenever you open your mouth, men and woman fall to their knees, it’s pretty addictive. If you make someone laugh, it’s far better than sex: it lasts longer and there is no mess.
Now imagine you’re ageing and you can’t make those sizzling synaptic jumps of logic anymore and suddenly those adoring eyes in the audience turn to pity. It would be unbearable.Now imagine you’re ageing and you can’t make those sizzling synaptic jumps of logic anymore and suddenly those adoring eyes in the audience turn to pity. It would be unbearable.
Robin Williams died at the age of 63. Age is unfair to comedians: scientists can live to 103 and be worshipped to the end, even win Nobel Prizes; if you’re an old opera star, you can get as fat as a dumpster and still get ovations. It must be hard for athletes who peak at the ripe age of 21, but then years after you got your gold, no one’s expecting you to toss your javelin or vault a pole like you used to do. But a comedian? Once you lose it, the public sneak away in the night like you’re a scoop of Ebola.Robin Williams died at the age of 63. Age is unfair to comedians: scientists can live to 103 and be worshipped to the end, even win Nobel Prizes; if you’re an old opera star, you can get as fat as a dumpster and still get ovations. It must be hard for athletes who peak at the ripe age of 21, but then years after you got your gold, no one’s expecting you to toss your javelin or vault a pole like you used to do. But a comedian? Once you lose it, the public sneak away in the night like you’re a scoop of Ebola.
Maybe at this point in life, Robin Williams recognized he was losing mental speed. Maybe he felt his outside hobbies or pleasures weren’t as exciting as the job. Add that he had the beginnings of Parkinson’s disease – to be honest, if it was me, I’d also consider calling it a day.Maybe at this point in life, Robin Williams recognized he was losing mental speed. Maybe he felt his outside hobbies or pleasures weren’t as exciting as the job. Add that he had the beginnings of Parkinson’s disease – to be honest, if it was me, I’d also consider calling it a day.
To say Robin Williams killed himself because he was bipolar suggests that the disease defined his character. That is a kick in the stomach for all of us who are trying to break the stigma. So can we stop linking bipolar to comedic genius now? Please?To say Robin Williams killed himself because he was bipolar suggests that the disease defined his character. That is a kick in the stomach for all of us who are trying to break the stigma. So can we stop linking bipolar to comedic genius now? Please?
Ruby Wax and acclaimed neurobiologist Sir Colin Blakemore will discuss depression, treatment, and its relation to the brain with the Guardian’s John Crace on 8 September. Ruby Wax is also touring the UK, ending 28 October. Ruby Wax and acclaimed neurobiologist Sir Colin Blakemore will discuss depression, treatment, and its relation to the brain at a Guardian Reader Event on 8 September. Ruby Wax is also touring the UK, ending 28 October.