America's Controversial Comedian

“This is not a book for the faint of heart, or the Politically correct, or the weak, or the extreme right wing or the left of center leftist Democrat or nuns or any member of any organized religion or New York Yankee’s fans.” --- Denis Leary about his book “Why We Suck”.

So start’s Leary’s Satirical treatise on 21 century American life.

Born in Worchester, Mass in 1957, Denis Leary is perhaps America’s top Comedian.

On route to a career which has included roles in such movies as: “Demolition Man”, True Crime” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.” Leary staked out his claim as George Carlin’s heir apparent with the 1993 CD “No Cure for Cancer” and his no b---s--- style of humor.

In 2005 Leary won a Golden Globe Award for his role as Tommy Gavin on his hit show “Rescue Me” on FX; which is in its fifth season. That same year Leary was honored with a PhD. from Emerson University, Leary’s alma mater.

“Why We Suck: a feel good guide to staying fat, loud, lazy and stupid” is brutally frank.

On the back cover Leary has several priceless quotes:

“If I could read a book, I’d definitely read one of yours.” --- Paris Hilton, upon meeting an author on the red carpet.

“Whenever I watch TV and I see those poor, starving kids all over the world I can’t help but cry. I mean, I would love to be skinny like that, but not with all the flies and death and stuff.”--- Mariah Carey

In his book Leary states, “Responsibility, research and actual factual thinking have gone out the window. If most people in this country see something on TV it must be true/news/necessary/important. Therefore, when things go wrong — how can the innocent citizen/TV watcher be at fault? “

Leary’s book drew criticism from actress Jenny McCarthy. In an Interview with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, McCarthy, the former Playboy Playmate and host of MTV’s “Singled Out”, blasted Lear’s book.

McCarthy, who’s son has autism, said, “This community has been through so much and to compare and use the world ‘dumb-a** lazy’ with autism, it’s just not fair.”; However McCarthy said, “I have not read his (Leary’s) chapter that he ( Leary) has said, he has been misunderstood.”

In chapter six, called - “Autism Shmautism” - Leary describes how he believes that many people who claim to have Asperger’s syndrome ( a high functioning form of autisim) are “Stupid or Lazy or both.”

Leary describes how autistic children “… Have individual talents and abilities that would lay your empty little tyke’s video game-addled soul to waste.”

As someone who has a friends with Asperser’s, I should take offense as McCarthy did, however the caustic critic Leary does separate those with autism.

Leary sites talents such as memorizing historical dates and song lyrics; However Leary’s description of autistic children is limited to what would be considered an Autistic Savant.

“ I recently heard an interview with the brother of acclaimed author Augusten Burroughs (John Elder Robison).” ,said Leary.

--- Robison was a sound technician with Pink Floyd and Kiss who designed the trademark exploding- guitar used by Gene Simmons. Later Robison went on the Oprah Winfery show to discuss his battle with asperger’s syndrome ---

Leary - “ Odd? Yeah- you became a roadie for a rock band that dresses up in superhero costumes and wears twenty-seven pounds of makeup? Where and when is that normal. AND you made money at it? Sorry, pal You don’t get to make guitars blow up for a living and then stake a claim as some kind of social retard. Lucky? Yes. Rain Man? No. Not on my planet.”

While Leary may be wrong in his criticism of Robison and of Aspergers, it is refreshing to know that there is at least one voice out there, who is willing to question politically correct thinking.