Louie – So Did the Fat Girl

This is what music used to do. And movies too.

Truth. The human condition. The disconnect between fantasy and reality. Where are we supposed to see this?

Television.

Used to be books. Before “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Now fantasy rules there too.

But being human is hard. Because being human is about being imperfect, in a world where it’s constantly reinforced that you can’t be.

George Clooney, Jennifer Lawrence… Their lives are better than yours will ever be, but if you could just meet them…

And sure, it’s been this way forever, star adulation. But never have we seen the stars’ warts so clearly, yet people still believe, that there’s something better out there for them.

Kind of like the single guys. They can’t date someone imperfect. Not only will it wreck the public’s perception of them, but their own self-image.

And the truth is no one cares. There you’ve got it. No one cares about you. Except maybe your mother and father, your sisters and brothers. The rest? Rise above and they’ll put you down, but truly, no one goes to bed thinking about anyone other than themselves.

So therefore, people are afraid to start. The whole world is about being afraid to start. Looking stupid, making a mistake. Forget all this hogwash about tech stars failing. They succeeded so much before that. Went to an Ivy League school, raised millions of dollars. They’re the outliers. You? You’re just a regular guy.

But the sport of guys is putting each other down, saying how much better they are. And you can’t reveal something that will have you sliding down the totem pole. So you must constantly burnish your image, play up who you know, where you’ve been, your privilege and accomplishments, otherwise… Otherwise WHAT?

I’m not saying every guy should hold hands with a fat girl.

But I am saying if someone is nice to you, and understands you, and complements you, you’ve got to overlook some imperfections.

And women… You say you want a guy, but so often you don’t. You’re caught in the nest of your girlfriends. Spewing inaccurate flattery left and right.

Yes, it’s different for girls. They’re not putting each other down. But they’re also setting men up on blind dates with their perfect friends with no idea how guys see them. She’s single, you are too, VOILA!

But it’s more than that, it’s chemistry.

And chemistry happens when you least expect it, when you’ve got your guard down. Like life.

All this hogwash about preparation. You can’t prepare for life, you can’t visualize what’s coming. Sure, learn math and science, get the basics, but a good life lived well is all about the unexpected.

And when it comes to love, that’s what it’s all about, you find it when you’re not looking.

Assuming you’re looking.

If you never come up to bat, your chops will be poor when you meet someone right.

So in this “Louie” clip Sarah Baker is so honest that she becomes beautiful, she becomes attractive, because that’s what we’re all looking for, some truth and honesty in our lives.

Instead we get an endless parade of “winners” and lies. As if everybody didn’t put their pants on the same way.

But they do!

And sure, if you lose thirty pounds, more guys will chase you. But are those the ones you want? The ones you can’t eat around?

And guys… If you make a million dollars and dress like you’re in a magazine your sexual options will increase, but is that truly your desire, to date V. Stiviano?

And I don’t expect anything to change.

No, maybe that’s wrong.

I don’t expect anybody in a traditional power position to effect change.

But I do know that art changes people.

I’ll make it this simple. MTV decreased barriers against gays and minorities. I’m not saying MTV eviscerated them, but by watching a rainbow coalition of people on the “Real World,” those at home had their horizons broadened.

And now “Louie” is doing the same thing.

That thing we used to do in music. Where how you looked wasn’t as important as how you played. Where you didn’t want to make the music everybody else did. Where you didn’t want to sell out to the corporation. Because it undermined your credibility, and credibility was everything.

And Louis C.K. is all about credibility, getting it right.

He’s a schlub living a schlub’s life.

He didn’t graduate from college.

He’s not beautiful.

But sheer talent has given him a platform.

And what is he doing with it?

Not flying around to private islands with famous actresses, not plying the red carpet, not appearing on TMZ… But pushing the limits of his art.

Not only is Louis C.K. the anti-Kim Kardashian, he’s the anti-Top Ten, he’s doing what musicians used to do so much better.

What kind of ridiculous world do we live in where television is more honest than music?

One in which the talent wakes up and realizes it’s not a cog in the system and employs its power and insight to go deeper to reveal the human condition.

I can forget your record in five seconds.

I’m not gonna forget this fat girl episode.

Because this is guys. Boasting to their friends, leaving potential happiness behind.

As for women…

You’ve got all the power, Sarah utters a taboo, that the men know and the women will never articulate, that a female can have sex whenever she wants.

But with whom?

Her pickings are slim.

But utilize your wiles and you can get any man you want.

Just by being truthful, honest and open.

Those are the keys to our heart.

And after our heart comes our body.