The Internets were all abuzz about Charlie Sheen and his epic bombing performance in Detroit on Saturday, April 2nd. Charlie, who has become a media phenom, decided to take his “show on the road” and bring his comedy to a stage near you. Most pundits agreed—it’s one thing to have a series of funny yet tragic interviews on television and radio; it’s another to do a comedy show night after night in a different city. Comedy is an art and isn’t something you can do overnight, no matter how funny people think you are.
According to TMZ and other reports, Charlie Sheen went on stage in Detroit and bombed. It seems as though what everyone prognosticated came true—Charlie and his “winning attitude” may have not been ready for prime time.
And while this may be a story of comeuppance to some who feel Charlie is not worthy of all of this adulation, for me, it’s something that I have been through myself—at one time or another, we have all bombed just like Charlie Sheen did.
To understand the failure, you have to look at the overall picture and retool, realign, and refocus. Failing is a part of life—I don’t think you can truly master something unless you have failed at least once trying to do it. In failure, two things are possible—you end up learning from the failure OR you give up and never realize your fullest potential.
With money on the line and mounting legal fees (as well as concert promoters who have already paid Sheen), he has no choice but to keep moving forward and continue doing the shows. But when you don’t HAVE to continue, after failure, do you keep keeping on?
I say yes. Failure is only temporary when you TRY again. It can be a lesson that can help propel and fuel your dreams. It’s not the failure that is important—it’s what you do with the failure.
By the way, Charlie did a much better job the next night in Chicago.
Do you fold ’em? Or do you go out there and be stronger, better, wiser, harder?
TS Redmond Mize says
I know I’ll get some flack for this- but I was kind of rooting for the guy. I mean, I cheered loudly every time he passed a drug test, and I was like, “All right, here’s someone who is fighting the establishment- go you!”
But I think deep down I knew, we were witnessing a self destruct. Had he gone on to rave reviews, it would have been different. I can’t help but feel sorry for him, now.
However! As you said- he’s GOT to go on, just like the rest of us do. That’s what life is all about I think- yeah, we all mess up, but if we don’t move on, that means the difference between a mistake and a real self destruct.
The Cubicle Chick says
Tori, I never watched one episode of Charlie’s show but I’ve never had anything against him. I did think that all f the publicity he received for acting like a maniac was not justified—he needed to get help, not get patted on the back for his crack cocaine habit. On the other hand, I always root for the underdog. Looks like Charlie bombed his 1st night but rebounded the 2nd. I hope he continues to do well.
afreshmusic says
I have never bombed like Charlie. Not saying I haven’t failed but never failure ddue to a druggie confidence. It was funny at first and I couldn’t get enough of Charlie Sheen and his quotes BUT now its scary. This dude has lost it and those fans in Detroit was giving him a wake up call. Us Chicagoans are a little use to nuts. Our nuts don’t even do drugs, they’re our politicians. We gave the world BlBlago. Lol
The Cubicle Chick says
Afreshmusic, you are so funny. But it looks like the crazy folk in Chicago ate Charlie up so he isn’t a fail anymore. 🙂
Ryan Biddulph says
Hi Danyelle,
Keep going…no matter what. Sheen might have some mental issues and some serious anger clearing to achieve but the man goes after what he wants, and he wants to spread his truth, whatever that is. From all accounts, his Chicago show was better because he saw the feedback, got right back to the drawing board and immediately wrote up a new format. He was nimble, and will need to continue to be nimble to impress the masses.
Thanks for sharing!
RB
Kelly Maria Clark says
Luckily, all my failures and learning have not been in the public eye. I truly feel bad for the guy that people are watching intently and picking sides. It gives me a whole new sense of gratitude that my mistakes have been small and more private.
I hope we all learn from our “failures” and use them as a opportunity to modify and change our course for the better.
Jeanine Byers Hoag says
“By the way, Charlie did a much better job the next night in Chicago.”
This is the most important sentence in your post once you know the basics of what happened. In light of that next night, his failure becomes just one thing that happened, that didn’t go well.
Could it be that way with our lives? That if we keep going, eventually, the day or week or month or year that was a little off (or a terrible failure), will just be a blip on the screen in comparison to our eventual success?
I am banking on that, myself! Not that it isn’t scary to try again. Not that it isn’t demoralizing to fail.
But it doesn’t seem to be true that future failure is inevitable. So we might as well try again.
GREAT post, Danyelle! You go, girl :).
Ty says
Yes, Charlie went back on that stage and the crowd liked him (there are mixed reviews though; can’t please everyone). But that’s Charlie Sheen. How does “Charlie Who” muster the courage to get back on his proverbial stage? Will finances or other barriers keep him from coming back after the bomb? Oftentimes, these barriers are the issues, not just the fear of trying again.
Ty
Martha Giffen says
wow! You have put an awesome positive spin on what is going on with Charlie Sheen. And I LOVE it!!! Yes, let’s applaud the man for taking chances, getting up there, and going for it! We can all learn a lesson 🙂
K'Lee Banks says
Thought-provoking post! My husband and I sporadically watch reruns of Two and a Half Men. We’ve discussed how sad it is that Charlie’s onscreen persona and his real life seem to have merged – and who knows which one came first? Did the drinking and womanizing problems occur onscreen, then seep into his real life, or vice versa?
Anyway, I find myself hoping he can get the help he needs, and find a place of restored health, in all areas (physically, mentally, and spiritually). It would also be nice to see all the crew members from that show get the compensation due them for the contract term that ended abruptly with Charlie’s firing.
Kim says
I am so not the person to kick someone when they are down. It is obvious Charlie Sheen has some issues and I hope he faces reality and gets the help he needs. Until he makes that realization, he is riding this wave out. Can’t say that I blame him. People still like him and are interested in what he will do next. And there are those who are just waiting for him to mess up (again). I find it sad when people are sitting back waiting on your failures. The first show did not go so well but like a trooper, Charlie Sheen came on to Chicago and received a warm welcome. Was the show well planned? From what I have heard, no but I will say that I like his moxsie! I too have bombed many times in life and went running for the hills never to try again. There is a lesson in all this. Great post!
Tammy Matthews says
I must admit I’ve gotten pretty good at failing! But I also must admit that I learn from everyone of my failures.
I totally agree with you in the fact that you must fail at least once so that you know what you’ve got once you succeed. Failures teach us where we’ve been so that we can truly enjoy where we’re at.
Great Post!
Tammy
Jayne Kopp says
Hi Danyelle. What a great post.
You know… I have written on failure and the fear of it many times on my blog.
All I can say about Charlie is its a huge shame the way he has allowed things to unfold and I quite feel sorry for him. After all he is only human even if he has been a little daft lately.
One thing I can say in his favour is that he had the courage to keep on keeping on.
I don’t watch TV often, but I did see a clip of him ‘failing’ and thought… “ouch… I wonder if this will drive him into the woodwork”.
In a strange way, even though I don’t agree with the way he’s been lately… I admire him for that.
We all must take at least this one leaf from his character… we can discard the rest!! 🙂
I really enjoyed this post.
Jayne