Could this be the next Glenn Beck?
I don’t really understand the Ted Williams thing.
I’ve always had mixed feelings about “nobodies” finding fame from YouTube videos. While it’s great to know that, in America, anyone at any point can go from covering Justin Timberlake songs in their living room to spreading Bieber-fever in the nation, it’s bothersome to know that a 13 year-old kid is granted money and fame because he posted a video of himself—covering Justin Timberlake songs in his living room.
It’s strange how demanding and unforgiving the world can be on the common man, but how readily accepting it can then be on the common man who shamelessly broadcasts himself.
Not too long ago a homeless man named Ted Williams, once an alcoholic drug addict, was videotaped skillfully intonating radio announcements with his baritone voice. His “golden voice,” as it is now named, made Williams a radio DJ before he became addicted to substances and was put in jail in the mid-90s.
Williams, baby daddy to nine children, has been sober for the past two years. Allegedly. In this time he became well known for his robust voice, but it wasn’t until someone posted a recording of it on YouTube that Williams went from a smooth-talking hobo to a smooth-talking hobo on the “Today Show.”
I’ll give him more credit than that: Since his discovery, he’s done a Kraft Macaroni and Cheese commercial, voiceovers for MSNBC and will be appearing on “The Jimmy Fallon Show.”
I consider myself somewhat of a humanitarian, so it makes me happy to see a person who was once struggling pick himself up and make another attempt at a successful life.
I’m conflicted in this though—he didn’t pick himself up. YouTube picked Ted Williams up. YouTube gave Williams another attempt at a successful life.
Living in New York City, seeing homeless people is a daily occurrence. Many are too incapacitated to even ask for money, but many others sing, play guitar and try to sell awful-smelling perfume.
If someone videotaped one of these people, certainly the more pathetic yet endearingly charming ones, they might have a chance at a better life, too—but alas this social media fame is too much of a phenomenon too occur too frequently.
Yet it happens. And I wonder—should it? And if it should happen, should it happen more often? Is it fair that Antoine Dodson is blowing up iTunes and making appearances on “Lopez Tonight” just because he gave an earnest yet hilarious warning to his sister’s attempted raper?
Justin Bieber, but really Justin Bieber’s parents, worked semi-hard to film and put up those videos that led to his fame. People like Williams and Dodson, however, were filmed by strangers and were made famous without any sort of concerted effort.
So I, like any southern Republican who works at a grocery store (I know many), have to ask: What did they do to deserve their fame?
I’d also like to note that Glenn Beck used to be a drug-addled alcoholic before becoming a radio host. Maybe the bigger question here is how many now-sober, once drug-addicted people should we let talk to our nation? It’s a rags to riches story I’m a little sick of, and if this one ends in a “Restoring Honor” rally I’m leaving the country.
January 07, 2011 at 10:48 pm, BSTEWART69 said:
GOOD FOR HIM
January 07, 2011 at 11:00 pm, guest963258741 said:
Kwitcherbitchin.
January 07, 2011 at 11:01 pm, Trisha said:
Whatever “NUT” wrote this article should be punched in the face. Just give credit where credit is due and be done with it. I am not a big fan of the whole dead beat baby daddy nine times over but because I live in a glass house I am not going to be the one to throw stones. We all fall short of perfection. If it's time for him to be relieved of his struggle then good for him!
January 07, 2011 at 11:14 pm, Carmel Lobello said:
“Punched in the face”? This is that really necessary? This an Op-ed about a current news event, get ahold of yourself. Also, why is “NUT” in quotes?
January 08, 2011 at 12:31 am, Stuffleho said:
If Colleen Stufflef*** isn't too busy taking a steamy dump on Susan Boyle or working a double in the Gun section of her local Walmart, she should find a way to rid herself of fingers. Nut is a compliment given the disgust she shows for stories of triumph. I ask you this, Stuffbag: When you lose your job and are forced to beg on the street for money, what will you do when someone thrusts a camera in your face and gives you a chance to better your situation? Because articles like this are just not going to cut it. I'm sure you'll enjoy writing your homeless sign, unless you don't understand the unemployment thing either.
January 08, 2011 at 5:13 am, Colleen Stufflebeem said:
I actually kill hobos often; I just don't understand unemployment.
January 16, 2011 at 4:34 am, guest-o said:
Usually, when I see someone making so many bad last name puns, it’s a bully in a shitty tv show.
January 08, 2011 at 6:01 am, Guest0 said:
um, huh?
January 07, 2011 at 11:12 pm, Guest1204203 said:
Um, I think worse things have happened than a homeless man being discovered for his talent.
January 07, 2011 at 11:53 pm, Doug Cooke said:
Author forgot that Obama admittedly was in a “drug induced haze” for several years in college. That man is supposedly running our nation.
I don't care how many commentators are drugs to riches. This has nothing to do with Beck, but while we're on the subject: Beck makes a lot more sense than Obama.
January 07, 2011 at 11:58 pm, Carlalym34 said:
very nice I hope the best for him,everyone dessert a second chance.
January 13, 2011 at 1:46 am, backusjenn said:
I think everyone deserves dessert too! Cheesecake for me, please!!
January 08, 2011 at 12:43 am, Airforce35 said:
This was a ridiculous article and whoever wrote it should leave this country. Shame on you Colleen and I hope you loose your job over this.
January 13, 2011 at 1:43 am, backusjenn said:
I hope you “loose” your job too. It’s LOSE, genius. Tip for the future: grammar check would be a GREAT tool for you to use before berating others…
January 08, 2011 at 1:46 am, Laura said:
Actually it was the reporter that “picked him” up….which means he gave him the opportunity to shine and Mr. Williams did just that. Cannot fathom how anyone can find anything negative to say about this story. Its amazing and all my positive thoughts are behind him. Wish him lots of support and success!! Success stories are what make Youtube.
January 13, 2011 at 1:42 am, backusjenn said:
Wondering if you’re still feeling the same way now that he’s been arrested??
January 08, 2011 at 3:06 am, IJAbraham said:
Colleen Stufflebeem, you should leave the country now. Please do not want for the further success of the redeemed among us. I have to wonder how your life became so empty and useless. Perhaps you need a “Youtube” moment for your own salvation. May GOD save you too.
January 08, 2011 at 5:18 am, Colleen Stufflebeem said:
If you think I hate homeless people, please read:
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.co…/
You guys are silly.
January 09, 2011 at 8:04 pm, Bastian Avser said:
>>>ARIZONA SHOOTING OR FREE JARED NOW<<< http://www.causes.com/causes/5…
OBAMA = STALIN = BUSH
USSR = USA
Not able to afford own family,our kids dyeing in school shootings, our people dyeing in foreign wars and suiciding during so called economic crises..everything after 911 or overture in so called crises-genocide during which and despite unemployment, foreigners are plundering our countries and during which everything traditional European(values) had to be destroyed including religion ! Crises during which Sodom and Gomorrah were allowed to display all contempt for dignity, pride, and honor…
In sequence…
OVERTURE IN >>YOUR<< SOCIAL CRISES
8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
BUSH
43
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
BUSH
44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
BUSH
45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
DEFINITION OF TERROR
41
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
WHEN KIDS ARE DYEING
26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
DIAL 911 FOR >>TERRORIST<< ASSISTANCE
46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
47
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
PRODUCT OF 911
48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
49
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
While Stalin alone murdered 50 million whites in post WWll, Western world democracies over 250 http://www.causes.com/causes/5…
THE REAL DON'T ASK; DON'T TELL, BUT QUIETLY DIE !!! MORE THAN ANYTHING TIME TO RE-OPEN AND RE-TRIAL NÜRNBERG TRIALS !!! ! MUST READ VIDEO TEXT
69
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
& REAL WIKI LEAKS OR CIA http://www.causes.com/causes/5…
YOUR GOVERNMENT FINANCED THEM, SO THEY FINANCE CIA-WIKILEAKS $$$ TODAY IN ORDER TO GET YOU AND YOUR FAMILY >>KILLED<<
12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
THEY HAVE STOLEN YOUR RETIREMENTS, MARRIAGES, STUDENT LOANS, FAMILIES, HOMES, HEALTH, LIVES, DIGNITY PRIDE, HONOR ETC. AND DEMAND DEATH FROM YOUR KIDS…GRANDKIDS !!! ASK THEM WHY DO THEY HATE US SOOOO MUCH !!!!
SPAM OR PRICE ON YOUR LIFE(censorship) http://www.causes.com/causes/5…
ARIZONA SHOOTING http://www.causes.com/causes/5…
Welcome to planet APES or YOUR SOLD KIDS/GRANDKIDS = EQUAL = http://www.businessinsider.com…#
BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL LOST CHILDREN IN A LOST EMPIRE !!!! YOU ARE PRISONERS IN YOUR OWN STATE…STATE OF TERROR AGAINST YOU AND YOUR OWN FAMILY !!! EMPIRE OF “YESSS, WE CAN” !!!! NO DIFFERENT FROM ANIMALS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
January 12, 2011 at 10:35 pm, Memichelle77 said:
I agree with you Colleen. This is guy who stole, abandoned his family, and abused substances. Now he is being paraded around like a hero, and his children and mother are being coaxed into forgiving him publicly as a result of the media frenzy. I’m not against second chances, but I do think they should be earned and not accompanied by fame and fortune.
January 17, 2011 at 3:24 am, Dennis said:
“Treat other how you want others to treat unto you” I think Mr. williams said that on the Today interview!
January 18, 2011 at 7:26 am, Buck Cronkite said:
It ‘warms the cockles’ to be lectured by Matt Lauer on the trials, tribulations (and once again, the implied failure of America) regarding their cause du jour Ted Williams. But we owe you, Colleen, a deeper debt: in making us aware of the real heroes, Mrs. Williams and his progeny. Another fail for lib media elites.
February 08, 2011 at 1:00 am, john charles webb jr. said:
WELL
RAGS TO RICHES
OR
RAGS TO BITCHES
ONE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOTEX
THE OTHER IS FROM GODDESS :
March 08, 2011 at 2:22 pm, guest1 said:
This MAn is SEXY!!!!!!
February 09, 2012 at 11:15 am, Vender ouro said:
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February 09, 2012 at 5:34 pm, Lee Robinson said:
Hobo of the year!
December 24, 2012 at 3:12 pm, Ted Williams Arrested: Oprah Will Have to Wait | Death and Taxes said:
[...] week Death and Taxes writer Colleen Stufflebeem criticized the national spirtual orgasm America was having over Ted Williams, the homeless man [...]