link--this

Ahh. That sort of brings us back to the discussion we had here about Roman Polanski a few months back. I believe you have to separate the art from the artist. Polanski had sex with a young girl, and that makes him a disgusting individual. However, he makes great movies, and if he continues to make them, I'll continue to pay to watch them.

I don't see why I should regard Tyson any differently. As a person, he's a thug and a lowlife. But at one point, he was one hell of an athlete, and worth paying to watch. Nowadays, I think those of us paying to watch his fights (and yes, I sometimes do), are paying to see either a) a glimpse of the incredible fighter he used to be, or b) him get his ass kicked. Either is well worth the price.

Think about it. If you used character as a means to select entertainment, you'd have to stop watching the NBA and the NFL, you'd rarely find a movie you could watch, nor could you listen to much music.

¤ ¤ credit: dave | 05.29.03 at 02:07 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

I wish Tyson would rape Rome and get 'em both out of the picture.

¤ ¤ credit: Kevin | 05.29.03 at 02:43 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

I had Outside The Lines on last night, while trying to go to bed, and this interview was the topic at hand. On it, people were defending him! Even if he was seen only at dollar signs as a teenager, he's an adult now and it seems he rather be a monster instead of trying to work on a better life.

I don't see how people still can't see what the monster he can be after the ear bite.

They did say last night, while discussing the original rape case, he admited to someone that he didn't believe he should have been in jail over the rape but that he did belong in jail for other things he did in life. They didn't get into specifics.

¤ ¤ credit: Shawn | 05.29.03 at 03:02 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

I've responded in more detail in my blog, but since when did expecting a public figure not to commit violent acts against women become too much to ask?

¤ ¤ credit: Zuly | 05.29.03 at 04:30 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Why limit it to public figures? We should expect that of everyone, should we not? There's no reason that I can't find Mike Tyson a disgusting, reprehensible person and still enjoy watching him fight. I feel the same about Woody Allen, but he's my favorite film maker. When I watch a fight or a movie, I'm buying a product for my enjoyment. I can't be concerned with the personal lives of the people who produced it. If I was, it would be hypocritical to stop with entertainers. I'd need to make sure nobody who makes my car, my food, my clothes, or anything else I buy, was a bad person. And even if I could do that, why should I deprive myself of the things I want in life because the person who produces those things is an asshole?

¤ ¤ credit: dave | 05.29.03 at 06:07 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Never being a fight fan, I can safely say that I could live without ever seeing that thug again. There are several 'entertainers' who I think have revolting lifestyles. Some I can ignore while enjoying their work, others not so much.

I must say that I rarely if ever listen to Wacko Jacko anymore. He's just done too much for too long and it's always in the media and in my face. I saw Polanski's The Pianist the other week and it was one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen. I also think Woody Allen is a dirty little swine, but enjoy his movies. Then there's the wife beating James Brown .... Hang on, I'm getting typers elbow here. There's too many of them!!

¤ ¤ credit: Jessica Parker | 05.29.03 at 06:48 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

My point exactly.

¤ ¤ credit: dave | 05.29.03 at 06:53 PM | link--this ¤ ¤