Not So Dumb And Dumber

 

1995. That was just ten years ago. Ok, thirty. I was a young mom just trying to be Martha Stewart. Our house was a wreck after we decided to modernize our log cabin. Rain poured in one night after someone who shall remain nameless (the ex) tore off all the roof shingles and said a tarp wasn't necessary. I have to shake my head when I see timelines on Bluesky railing that these are the worst of times. They're too young to remember a young man blowing up a building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, among them nineteen toddlers who were attending a preschool class in the building. They don't remember the slow drive through Los Angeles by OJ Simpson who was charged, then acquited of cutting the throat of his ex-wife and a young man who was at the wrong place wrong time. Time's Man of the Year was Newt Gingrich and Bill Gates was the richest man alive with 12.9 billion. He's now listed at a lowly thirteen with only $115 billion. 

Another thing that was big was MTV. Music. Television. Videos. It was a big deal, as if this was some newly discovered art form when in fact The Beatles were making music videos way back when. Most of 1995 was hazy for me because I was no longer me. I was the appendage of my husband. I listened to his preferred music. I watched his favorite sports and made his favorite food. I was buried somewhere in there so it doesn't surprise me when just this year I became aware of an incident that happened at an MTV award ceremony that year. I can't say I was a huge fan of Chris Isaak because I think he was just a one hit wonder with the song 'Wicked Game,' which was a hit in 1989. But, I thought he was cute. Why I just recently saw a video of Isaak and Cameron Diaz on stage presenting an MTV award is a mystery, but what I saw made me angry, appalled and disgusted by Isaak's behavior. The award was for best kiss in a movie where Jim Carrey won starring in, 'Dumb and Dumber.' Apparently Isaak considered it a good moment to try and kiss Diaz, who was clearly uncomfortable and even leaned away from him, all the while the audience goading Isaak to kiss her. They laughed as the cringe worthy scene unfolded. And then the camera turned to Jim Carrey who sat in the front, watching- a Grinchy smile upon his face.

Carrey is not everyone's cup of tea. The first time I saw him was when he was part of the cast of 'In Living Color.' He was insanely high strung and off the wall creative and talented, so it's no wonder he became a huge star. Thirty years ago he did something that makes me admire him for once again going against the grain. As the audience cheered and goaded Isaak on, you can hear him say, "Come here, baby," as he finally kissed her, adding, "I knew you'd come around," Carrey made his way on stage, grabbed Isaak and kissed him on the mouth. The look on his face as he pushed Isaak off was pure Carrey. Isaak stood back, wiped his mouth, then walked away. The audience loved it, not realizing what exactly that moment meant. I'm assuming they thought it was all part of an act. Grabbing women, forcing them to acquiesce or be considered a bitch. Funny stuff. To this day I don't believe anyone involved has mentioned the incident. Isaak has remained silent. Diaz said years later, in an interview during the height of the MeToo movement that there is always one guy in the room who make women uncomfortable. Watching Isaak that night I can only assume she was thinking of him. He's no longer cute and I can't listen to 'Wicked Game,' anymore. One man, in his unique style, stood up for every woman who has dealt with creeps like Isaak. 

I will always love you for that, Jim Carrey.