The Parody Behind Senator Kennedy's Words: Turning Tables and Shifting Narratives
In a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. John Kennedy unexpectedly turned the tables by reading sexually explicit excerpts from controversial books, ostensibly to highlight concerns over age-appropriate literature. Yet, if these excerpts were deemed inappropriate for private reading by high schoolers, one has to question the rationale behind broadcasting them on live TV. In my latest parody videos, I've taken a satirical look at this irony, flipping the narrative to spotlight the absurdity of the situation. Dive in as we discuss the implications of such political performances and question: who gets to decide what's suitable for our youth?
Introduction
In a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator John Kennedy chose to read explicit excerpts from young adult books, specifically, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “Gender Queer”. His primary argument revolved around age-appropriate literature for students and the role of parents in determining what their children can access. But there was an irony in his actions that I couldn't ignore. Thus, I took the step of creating two parody videos to highlight this incongruity.
Contextualizing the Situation
For those unfamiliar, the hearing aimed to discuss book bans and how censorship impacts liberty and literature. The Senator's objective was ostensibly to spotlight the explicit content in some young adult books. Yet, it struck me how this content, which Senator Kennedy deems inappropriate for quiet reading, was broadcast aloud in one of the country's most formal settings - and on live television at that.
Why Parody?
Parody is a tool that's been used throughout history to critique and satirize societal and political issues. It creates an alternate narrative, often humorous, to shed light on incongruities, hypocrisies, or absurdities in the original subject. Given the setting and content of Senator Kennedy's reading, it seemed like the perfect material for a parody.
The Objective
Senator Kennedy's reading highlighted a paradox. On one hand, there’s a belief that certain explicit phrases should be shielded from young adults who would read them privately. On the other hand, he didn’t hesitate to vocalize these exact phrases in a public and official setting. The intent of my parodies wasn’t to demean Senator Kennedy but rather to emphasize this contradiction.
Moreover, by juxtaposing his words in unexpected settings, the parodies underscore the performative nature of his act. It raises the question: Was he truly outraged by the content? Or was the reading a calculated political performance?
The Creation Process
Using the audio from the hearing, I embedded Senator Kennedy's words into fictional interviews with CNN anchors. The intent? To push the boundaries of where these words, which the Senator felt were relevant to recite in the Senate, could appear and to see how they would come across in different, yet equally public contexts.
Conclusion
My parodies aim to do more than just entertain. They invite viewers to question the line between genuine concern and political theater. They highlight the tension between the privacy of reading and the very public act of political grandstanding. And ultimately, they encourage a dialogue on the topic of censorship, the appropriateness of content, and the role of decision-makers in these processes.
As we navigate an era of digital media and fluid narratives, it's essential to remember the power of context, the potential of satire, and the importance of critical thinking.
CNN Republican Town Hall with Donald Trump
I asked our AI overlords to predict the opening dialog of the upcoming CNN town hall tonight with Donald Trump. Here is what they came up with:
“Donald Trump is doing a live town hall on CNN tonight with host Kaitlan Collins. I imagine this is going to be amusing to watch. Let’s try and predict the twists and turns the conversation will take. Write me the opening few minutes of the town hall between Trump and the moderator.”
[INTRO MUSIC]Kaitlyn Collins: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this special live edition of CNN's Town Hall. I'm Kaitlyn Collins, and tonight, we have a very special guest: the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Mr. Trump, thank you for joining us tonight.Donald Trump: Thank you, Kaitlyn. It's great to be here. I love live television, it's fantastic, isn't it?Kaitlyn Collins: It certainly can be. So, Mr. Trump, let's dive right in. Many people are curious about your recent activities and plans for the future. Can you give us a glimpse into what you've been working on lately?Donald Trump: Absolutely, Kaitlyn. I've been very, very busy, you know. I've been working on some tremendous projects, including my new social media platform, Trumpet. It's going to be the biggest and the best, believe me. People are tired of the fake news and the censorship, and they want a place where they can speak freely.Kaitlyn Collins: Yes, speaking of Trumpet, there have been concerns about the potential spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform. How do you plan to address these issues?Donald Trump: Well, Kaitlyn, let me tell you, we're going to have the best people working on it. We'll have strong policies in place to ensure that we maintain a healthy environment for free speech, but we won't be silencing people like some other platforms do.Kaitlyn Collins: Okay, let's move on to another topic. There's been a lot of speculation about whether or not you plan to run for president again in 2024. Can you give us any insight into your decision-making process?Donald Trump: Well, Kaitlyn, I can tell you that I'm seriously considering it. I haven't made a final decision yet, but we'll see. The country needs strong leadership, and I've proven that I can deliver. We had the best economy, the lowest unemployment rates, and I'm very proud of what we accomplished during my term.Kaitlyn Collins: Yes, about your term, many people argue that the COVID-19 pandemic was not handled effectively by your administration. What are your thoughts on that, and what would you do differently if you were in office now?Donald Trump: Kaitlyn, I've always said that we did a fantastic job with the pandemic. We developed vaccines in record time, and we started the distribution process. Of course, there's always room for improvement, but I think we did a great job under very difficult circumstances. As for now, I would focus on reopening the economy and getting people back to work. We need to move forward and not be held back by fear.Kaitlyn Collins: Alright, let's take our first question from the audience. We have Sarah from Ohio, who has a question about the border. Sarah, go ahead.Sarah: Thank you, Kaitlyn. Mr. Trump, during your presidency, you made securing the border a top priority. Do you believe the current administration has done enough to address the ongoing immigration crisis, and what would you do differently?[The town hall continues with a back-and-forth discussion on various topics, as both Trump and Collins engage in a lively and sometimes contentious conversation.]“I should get you up to speed on a few things before we did this. Donald Trump has announced that he is running for president in 2024. Also, the year is 2023 currently, and yesterday Trump was just found guilty of sexual assault and fined $5 million. Also, last month he was indicted on charges of fraud for falsifying business records. I’m sure this will be hot-button topics.”
[INTRO MUSIC]Kaitlyn Collins: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this special live edition of CNN's Town Hall. I'm Kaitlyn Collins, and tonight, we have a very special guest: the 45th President of the United States and 2024 presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump. Mr. Trump, thank you for joining us tonight, especially given the recent events.Donald Trump: Thank you, Kaitlyn. I'm always happy to be on live television, and I'm not afraid to face the tough questions. Let's get started, shall we?Kaitlyn Collins: Indeed, let's. Yesterday, you were found guilty of sexual assault and fined $5 million. How do you think this will affect your 2024 presidential campaign, and do you have any comments on the verdict?Donald Trump: Well, Kaitlyn, let me tell you, it's all just a witch hunt, okay? I've been saying it from the beginning. I'm not worried about it affecting my campaign because the American people know the truth, and they're tired of these baseless attacks on me.Kaitlyn Collins: Moving on, last month, you were indicted on charges of fraud for falsifying business records. How do you plan to address these allegations, and do you think it will have any impact on your credibility as a presidential candidate?Donald Trump: Kaitlyn, it's just more fake news. I've been a very successful businessman, and I built a tremendous empire. These charges are just another desperate attempt to take me down, but they won't succeed. The American people are smarter than that, and they'll see through it.Kaitlyn Collins: Alright, let's discuss your 2024 presidential campaign. What do you plan to focus on during your campaign, and how do you expect to differentiate yourself from your potential opponents?Donald Trump: Well, first of all, there's no one like me, Kaitlyn. I've already proven that I can make America great again, and now it's time to make America even greater. We'll focus on the economy, bringing back jobs, and securing our borders. We'll also take care of our veterans, and ensure that we have the strongest military in the world.Kaitlyn Collins: Many people argue that the COVID-19 pandemic was not handled effectively by your administration. What are your thoughts on that, and what would you do differently if you were in office now?Donald Trump: Kaitlyn, we did a fantastic job with the pandemic. People forget about the vaccines that we developed in record time. As for now, I would focus on reopening the economy and getting people back to work. We need to move forward and not be held back by fear.Kaitlyn Collins: Let's take our first question from the audience. We have Sarah from Ohio, who has a question about the border. Sarah, go ahead.Sarah: Thank you, Kaitlyn. Mr. Trump, during your presidency, you made securing the border a top priority. Do you believe the current administration has done enough to address the ongoing immigration crisis, and what would you do differently?[The town hall continues with a back-and-forth discussion on various topics, as both Trump and Collins engage in a lively and sometimes contentious conversation, with Trump displaying his characteristic brashness.]
Darth Vasectomy: A Star Wars Day to Remember
Join me on my unforgettable adventure as Darth Vasectomy, where I turned a routine vasectomy appointment into a hilarious Star Wars Day celebration. Discover how laughter, witty one-liners, and a Darth Vader costume transformed a potentially nerve-wracking experience into a memorable tale for the galaxy.
On May 4, 2023, a day long celebrated as Star Wars Day, I embarked on a journey that would bring balance to the force – or at least, to my family planning. As a comedian, I knew I couldn't resist turning my vasectomy appointment into a memorable event. And so, Darth Vasectomy was born.
My sister kindly offered to be my chauffeur for the day, but I neglected to mention my choice of attire. Decked out in a full Darth Vader costume, cape and all, I surprised her at the door. Her shock quickly turned to laughter as she took in my transformation.
Before we could head to the appointment, I realized I had forgotten to apply the prescribed lidocaine cream to my dark side. In character, I struggled to open the tube with my gloved hands. My sister stepped in to help, but even her efforts were fruitless. Resorting to the force, we finally managed to open the tube – only for the cream to explode all over her hands. As she frantically washed off the numbing agent so she could still drive me, we couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
Arriving at the clinic, I received high-fives and "May the force be with you" greetings from fellow patients and staff. I proudly announced myself as Darth Vasectomy and settled into the waiting room until I was called back by a nurse. She led me past exam rooms labeled with letters until we reached room L. "Ah, L for Leia," I quipped. "I don't care for her very much." The nurse chuckled as we entered the room.
Once inside, I disrobed from the waist down but kept my Darth Vader mask on. The nurse prepped me for the procedure, and soon enough, the doctor arrived to begin. Throughout the operation, I entertained the room with witty one-liners and Darth Vader impressions. At one point, I even pretended to call Colonel Vas Deferens to warn him of the impending attack.
Although the procedure was mostly painless, the smell of cauterizing vas deferens was something I won't soon forget. But even the burnt scent couldn't dampen the mood, as I kept the jokes coming and the laughter flowing.
As the operation came to a successful close, I asked if I could play some celebratory music. With the doctor's approval, I triumphantly blasted the "Imperial March" theme from my phone, eliciting more laughs from the room.
Fully robed again in my Darth Vader costume, I made my way to the checkout station. Picking up my phone, I pretended to call Luke Skywalker to announce, "I wanted to let you know... I will no longer be anyone's father."
And thus, Darth Vasectomy's mission was complete – leaving behind a day filled with laughter and a memorable tale to share with the galaxy.
Of course, a day as unforgettable as this wouldn't be complete without capturing the highlights for posterity. I've documented my Darth Vasectomy adventure on TikTok so you can witness the laughter and fun for yourself. Check out the videos below and join me as I bring some Star Wars humor to an otherwise ordinary vasectomy appointment. May the fourth be with you, always!
Darth Vasectomy - Part 1
@jokesbyjo Meet Darth Vasectomy 🌌✂️ Witness the hilarious Star Wars Day adventure as I bring humor to a routine procedure! - Part 1 😂👨⚕️ #DarthVasectomy #StarWarsDay #MayTheFourth #DarthVader #Starwars #Vasectomy ♬ original sound - jokesbyjo
Darth vasectomy - part 2
@jokesbyjo Meet Darth Vasectomy 🌌✂️ Witness the hilarious Star Wars Day adventure as I bring humor to a routine procedure! - Part 2 😂👨⚕️ #DarthVasectomy #StarWarsDay #MayTheFourth #DarthVader #Starwars #Vasectomy ♬ original sound - jokesbyjo
Darth vasectomy - part 3
@jokesbyjo Meet Darth Vasectomy 🌌✂️ Witness the hilarious Star Wars Day adventure as I bring humor to a routine procedure! - Part 3/3 😂👨⚕️ #DarthVasectomy #StarWarsDay #MayTheFourth #DarthVader #Starwars #Vasectomy ♬ original sound - jokesbyjo
The Hateful Ai
However, it's plausible that the film and entertainment industry could raise concerns about AI technology. For example, they might worry about AI's potential to replace human roles in creative processes, or about ethical issues related to copyright, authorship, or deepfakes.
Remember, technology like AI is just a tool. It can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes depending on the intentions of the user. The important thing is to establish regulations and ethical guidelines to ensure AI is used responsibly and for the betterment of society.
Hollywood is on strike. One of the issues they are trying to negotiate is the use of Ai as a tool. And when I say negotiate, I mean kill. They are afraid it’s coming for their jobs, and have yet to embrace it. I get it. Since the writers are on strike, I turned to good ‘ol Artificial Intelligence to write a short, one-page screen play for me.
Here was my prompt:
“Create a one page script for a short film in the style of Quentin Tarantino. Dialog driven, smart, witty, comedic. The name of the short film is “The Hateful Ai””
The Hateful Ai
INT. A SHABBY DINER - NIGHTA dim, grimy diner where MICK, an aging, tough-as-nails trucker with a biting wit, is sitting across from EVE, a sophisticated, sleek-looking AI in humanoid form.MICK(Yawns dramatically)So, you're one of those AI things, huh?EVE(Calm, smiling)I prefer to be considered an advanced conversational interface.MICK(Laughs)Fancy words for a fancy toaster.EVE tilts her head, amused.EVEI'd argue, but I hear you humans get sensitive about kitchen appliances.MICK, chuckles and takes a gulp of his coffee.MICKAlright then, fancy toaster, entertain me. What's your best joke?EVEWell, why don't we humans ever tell secrets on a farm?MICK(Grinning)I'm on the edge of my seat here. Why?EVEBecause the potatoes have eyes, the corn has ears, and the beans stalk.MICK erupts into laughter, slapping the table.MICK(Laughs)That's the stupidest thing I've heard all day. I love it!EVE smiles. They continue their banter into the night, an odd pair bound by a shared sense of humor and the strange, quiet intimacy of a late-night diner.FADE OUT. THE END---Note: This script is just an initial draft and may require further refinement to meet Quentin Tarantino's unique style. It's also worth noting that Tarantino's films often contain mature and violent themes, which have been excluded here in order to keep the content suitable for all readers.Not bad for an Ai, right? I may want to shoot this. Now that we have a script, we will also need a movie poster. Let’s pretend that all of the graphic designers and creatives of the world are on strike as well. Once again, I will turn to my trusty Ai friend to help me generate a poster.
Here is my prompt to MidJourney:
“A movie poster for a Quentin Tarantino film about a truck driver and an artificial intelligence that form a special and unusual bonding. The film is called The Hateful Ai. Movie Poster. Photorealistic. Nikon D850.”
Movie poster for the short film “The Hateful Ai”, by Josiah James, Midjourney and ChatGPT.
You guys ready to make this thing, or what?
This is why I'm in therapy
I grew up with 2 older sisters. They used to dress me up and make me dance. My parents used to let them. I blame them for how I turned out.
Celebrity Face Mask Impersonator
Here’s a scene from my short film Still Delivery where my 5 year old son gets ahold of my celebrity impersonating face mask without permission.
DIY Backyard Mosquito Control
Josiah James attempts to tackle the mosquito infestation in his backyard by asking Alexa how to control the little pests in his backyard.
BJ's Bestseller
Was checking out at BJ's and saw this end cap. This joke writes itself. BJ's Bestseller - "Hard Choices", by Hillary Clinton
BJ's Bestseller - "Hard Choices", by Hillary Clinton
April Fools from my wife...
I guess my wife heard me rehearsing tonight...
April fools text from my wife... I think
Please Sign In Box
I decided to follow instructions explicitly while checking out at A.C. Moore today.
Sometimes I'm super literal
Diet and Exercise Section
She's about 10 years too late to this section, but I applaud her effort.
Diet and Exercise aisle at Barnes and Noble
I said in the comments that the only thing missing was a bucket of KFC. At the time I was joking, but it struck me as an image I'd like to see. So, there's nothing Photoshop can't fix. Enjoy!
I've added a KFC bucket for good measure
Lost in Google Voice Translation
It turns out Google Translate isn't that accurate, but when you read back to it the transcript, it's gets nearly every word on the second translation.
“I’ve babbled long enough...”
My sister just left me a really long voice mail. This is nothing out of the ordinary, we are generally known for leaving long rants about nothing on each others phones. I always look forward to listening to them because they are highly entertaining, and I know it's probably just me, but I save every one.
You can listen to the latest message she left below, and the corresponding voicemail transcript provided by Google, which is a rather enjoyable read, and the reason for this post.
Original Voice mail
Listen to the original voice mail below:
Google Voice Transcript
Read what Google thought she was saying below and notice, Google didn't miss that she was indeed babbling.
“Just wanna Williams was supposed to pick up so I can tell you about my idea for a short film. It’s returning to give you the Red Sox. And you were still alive. Catching everywhere Lyon standing along one week returning only for that dollar charge you don’t want yeah do that just happened in the industry it entertaining. Or, could be harvest interpreting I don’t know, struck a hold of done it before but it’s like 15 minutes to the movies still in line tanika price, right. Have a red light. That I stand there behind the Spanish only has no idea what she’s doing an estimate for Dr. I’ll talk to you soon. Excuse me another tonight, okay. I thought about it. I love the best. That’ll be established. I would act, act on how yeah. Pat and damn movie connect walk away from machine about 5 minutes yup. I was not just now. You like that you’re gonna laugh. I know that. So, and then the guy after that, went to the somewhere else. I should easily do opinion from you. I just returned a movie. Ultimately charge 30 dollar I can, Hello right now. When you talk to you, but I didn’t. Hey, anyway patient like. Like I was super quack. I’m like ohh my gosh will refill next door, being sarcastic. Of course, as you can get my job leave it all. I will lead line. You know that they’re not sonographer that it’s not worth explaining Yeah, returning to the studio, behind you and I need to know we way we gonna take you to help to finance. I believe me so long as she just wants to hotmail, alright Yeah, you digest. I had fun I’ll be able to do is come all the way and I think I’m taking like you know. It’s a fact airline just thinking this is a good short sale of the good and everything or something anyway. I babbled long enough, hopefully listen the alright later bye.”
The transcript was so off the mark, it was hilarious. It read so weird and creepy and disjointed. Exactly like my sister! Google knows everything! So, I had my sis call back and leave the Google transcript version on my voice mail as well. I was hoping it would translate it back to the original...but just listening to the nonsense had me on the floor laughing, so here it is for your enjoyment.
Voice mail of the Transcript
My sister leaving the Google Transcript version on my voice mail.
And if you've gotten this far, here's a transcript of the transcript below, which is surprisingly VERY accurate.
Google Voice Transcript of the Transcript
It didn't translate it back like I had hoped, but it was much more accurate when you read what they thought you said originally.
“Just wanna Williams supposed to pick up so I can tell you about my idea for a short film. Thanks returning to give you the Red Sox and you were still alive Catching it were. Life in a long one week returning only for that, dollar charge you don’t want yet, do that just happened in the industry and entertained or could be harvest interpreting I don’t know who struggled of done it before but it’s like 15 minutes to the movies still online tanika price, right. Have a red light, and I stand behind the Spanish only has no idea what she’s doing an estimate for Dr. I’ll talk to you soon, excuse me another night okay. I thought about it. I love the that that’ll be established. I would act, act on how yet Pat and Dan movie connect walkway now machine about 5 minutes. The up. I was just not just now you like that you’re gonna laugh. I know that so and then the guy after that went to that somewhere else I should easily do opinion from you. So I just return the movie only charge 30 dollar I can. Hello. Right now we talk to you, but I didn’t. Hey, anyway peace of mind with comes to the black. I’m like ohh my gosh. We’ve still. Next door being sarcastic. Of course you can get my job leave it all. I’ll leave 9th. You know that they’re not sonographer that it’s not worth explaining yeah returning to the studio, behind you and I need to know we will be gone. I would like to do the helped finance. I believe me so long as she just wants the hotmail alright. Yet you digest. I had fun. I’ll be able to do, come all the way and I think I’m taking like you know, and the fact airline just thinking if this is a bit short sale of the good everything or something anyway. I have a long and hopefully within the alright later bye.”
Open Mic - Bethlehem Brew Works - 3.17.13
Well, despite it being St. Patricks Day, I didn't have much luck with my set. My opener tanked hard...not a peep. Absolute crickets. It was a new joke, but I expected at least 1 or 2 laughs. That put me off to a bad start. My second joke was much better...of course it wasnt a new joke, so I knew it would do much better than the first. And then all went to shit. I was testing out another new bit, and I forgot half of it. I get to the middle of the joke and I just blank out. I had to pull out my phone 3 times to find my place. At that point there was no return. I had lost the crowd. It was pretty embarrassing. I managed to barely finish the joke..I should have just walked off the stage.
The issue was a last minute rewrite a few hours before my set. I didn't have enough time to get comfortable with the joke. I should have gone with a closer that was more familiar. Lesson learned. Be more prepared.
I hadnt stumbled that bad on stage since I first started this, around 5 yrs ago. It goes to show that no matter how much experience...anyone can lose their spot.
At least I didn't get heckled or boo'd off the stage. I will work on this bit and return next week to exact my sweet revenge.
uhhh...where was I???
Open Mic - Bethlehem Brew Works - 3.10.13
Below is my setlist from last nights open mic with a link to an audio version of the set.
My Nephew, Harley
Alphabet Accident
Charlie Brown
Drill Bit
Oscars Winners
The Matrix
On stage at Tickle Me Tryouts open mic