All you have to do is look up Montel Williams on Wikipedia and you see this guy is no fucking joke. His life story reads like a goddamn adventure novel. From ambitious ghetto youth to decorated military man to inspiring talk show host, Montel's life has been nothing short of spectacular. There was even a brief stint as a rodeo clown in Switzerland before he became famous, and if you don't think he banged about a hundred Swiss women while he was there, you're fooling yourself. His TV show was always above-board and on the level, if you ask me. Never went for the real sleazy stuff like Springer or Jenny Jones. The Montel Williams Show made you feel good about people for once. Montel was always a class act.
Then, Montel Williams was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. A lesser man-- namely every one of you retards reading this shit-- would have gotten bitter, cursed the world, curled up in a ball for a few days. But not Montel. It doesn't slow him down one bit. He instead goes on to become a key player in the battle against MS. He uses his starpower and charisma to raise awareness and funds to combat the fearsome disease. He started the Montel Williams MS Foundation. I'm sure some of you detestable jerks are probably thinking that he wouldn't have made Multiple Sclerosis his life's crusade if he weren't stricken with the disease himself. The nerve of you guys. It's readers like you that make me wonder why I even bother with people. Your cynicism is a real drag. Montel Williams does yeoman's work, and you'd be lucky to develop into a fraction of the man he is. Seriously, what have you ever done?
Anyways...
In the midst of this adventure called Montel's Life, our hero also found time to marry a burlesque dancer and have a few kids. Now he's married to an American Airlines stewardess. And yes, one of the hot ones, asshole. Not one of the old busted stewardesses you see a lot these days. Here's her picture-- doesn't Montel look happy as a pig in shit?
In closing, I defy any one of you scumbags to find a person who can compete with Montel Williams in the Larger Than Life category. Why this guy was never elected Permanent Ruler of All Mankind will remain a mystery. That is all.
"...would have gotten bitter, cursed the world, curled up in a ball for a few days."
ReplyDeleteYea? Well, this just shows you haven't read any of Montel's propaganda. He was devastated and depressed - not an immediate superhero. Geez.
I could point you to many individuals who are doing much greater, more meaningful things for others with multiple sclerosis. But I don't really think that you are interested in that - so I won't bother.
Whatever your agenda, good luck.
Lisa-
ReplyDeleteYour cynicism comes as no surprise. Most of my readers tend to be cruel and embittered jerks. Welcome to the party, grab a chair.
I'd actually like to hear about these individuals you mentioned who have done more meaningful things for others with MS. I'm willing to bet you dollars to dimes that none of them were also rodeo clowns in Switzerland.
Just what do you have against Montel anyway? Is it his exemplary life of service and adventure, or just his dashing good looks and 32 inch waist? Some people see a guy who has it all and they just want to tear him down. Me? I want to be him...
I have no agenda, I just believe in Montel Williams.
Hey Cool, you responded.
ReplyDelete"Most of my readers tend to be cruel and embittered jerks."
I'm sorry for that since it might influence your choice of communication style as well.
According to Montel's own spiel, he suffered severe depression after his MS diagnosis. That's part of his story told many, many times.
I certainly do not see "a guy who has it all" and I wouldn't want to be him. Having his financial resources would make some aspects of life easier, but it doesn't make the MS go away. MS doesn't discriminate between rich or poor, but it is an expensive, incurable, progressive, and potentially debilitating disease.
Do you have MS? And has Montel really done anything meaningful to help others who are living with MS. Certainly he began his foundation after signing up with Spotlight Health, an LA talent agent who markets celebrities who could represent a specific health issue.
A portion of the money collected by The Montel Williams MS Foundation (MW-MSF) provides grants for MS research, some goes to 'public awareness' campaigns, but none of it goes to helping existing MS patients. Oh, there is a forum on the website, but it is little used and doesn't add much value to the foundation.
One aspect of Montel's professional life which does bother me as an MS patient is his deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Later this month, the MW-MSF is holding its annual gala honoring none other than Billy Tauzin, CEO of PhRMA which is the lobbying organization for the pharma industry.
The biggest, public relations scam which PhRMA has undertaken in an attempt to improve the image of pharma is the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPArx). How do I know that PPArx is ineffectual in adding any new value to the patient? Because of personal experience and research, I know.
Montel chose to take this job and helps to perpetuate the illusion. At first I wondered, "does Montel really know how this 'program' works or doesn't work?" If the answer were "yes" then shame on him. If the answer were "no" then shame on him.
Unfortunately, his efforts are not truly helping MS patients and he is beginning to resemble a "snake-oil salesman" more and more as time goes by.
Since you wish to be him, I hope that you would desire to find more meaningful ways to actually help others living with MS. Certainly, celebrities do not have an obligation to use their status to help others who share their struggles. But when they use their celebrity to bring awareness to a cause, I do believe that they should back that up with more than their face, name, or slick words alone.
Some folks with MS love Montel and some do not. I am disappointed in hypocrisy and illusions. Unfortunately Montel seems to be aligned with organizations who are misleading, deceptive, and only interested in protecting their own financial interests.
As for other individuals who are making a difference, no matter how large or small, I wouldn't place that bet with you. Admittedly I do not know anybody personally who has served as a rodeo clown in Switzerland, much less a pharma representative.
According to readers of my blog, I am making a difference in their lives through my words, research, and little inspirations. That makes me feel useful in some way.
Sometimes it's not the popular celebrity who makes a difference, it is the vast number of little guys who collectively support each other. This is what Montel cannot accomplish because of his celebrity.
Again I would not want to trade places with him. What is it about Montel's life which makes you want to be him? And if you were, what would you do with that?