Posted on 12/1/2007, 12:42:09 AM by SandRat
11/30/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- American Servicemembers were treated to a United Service Organizations show where they were exposed to the "Mind of Mencia" Nov. 28 in Southwest Asia.
Comedians Carlos Mencia, who stars in the Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," and Brad Williams entertained more than 600 servicemembers with two shows.
Mr. Mencia is familiar with the hardships servicemembers endure. Having five cousins in the Marine Corps, performing for servicemembers is nothing new.
"After shows, I meet with servicemembers and there's always some kind of cool sentiment from them to me," Mr. Mencia said. "I find it a little embarrassing. People are out here making the ultimate sacrifice and they're looking at me like, 'Thank you for what you're doing' and I just think, 'Hey, I tell jokes. What you do is on another level.'"
Mr. Mencia has wanted to come out to the Middle East for a while, but problems with content restrictions had put a damper on things. This was his first show in the Middle East, and he said he has plans to return once a year.
"I was thinking if I can't put on the show these guys want me to do, it might bum them out morale wise, and that's something I don't want to do," he said. "I wanted them to feel good about what they're doing and I wanted this to be a positive experience for them."
Coming to the Middle East to see servicemembers was an eye opening experience for Mr. Menica.
"Unless you see it, you don't know. It's going to be a time to touch on the realness; the humanity of things," Mr. Mencia said. "The media refers to you as 'troops' and when they do that it makes everything benign. But when you see faces, you start thinking differently. You just want to see the truth and make your own decisions."
Above all, Mr. Mencia wanted to show servicememmbers a good time.
"It's all about making them laugh," Mr. Mencia said. "I want servicemembers to remember that they're out here for a good reason."
FR WAR NEWS! Carlos . Bless You...
In honor of the USO, Mencia stole Bob Hope’s old jokes...
Had to get in a little dig, but he really does deserve commendation for going into the war zone.
It would appear that Carlos gets it. First and foremost, morale depends on knowing that the mission matters.
If you’re easily offended by bad language, Carlos Mencia is not going to be your cup of tea. But if not, he’s hilariously funny. Nobody in comedy is more un-P.C. than he is!
The Asian American Electronics technicians and the black guys doing drive-bys was the best.
I was there, he was incredibley funny. Not for anyone easily offended though. I was smiling and laughing for so long my face hurt after the show.
The picture is from the second show he put on, there was such a big turnout for the first one that once he heard some folks couldn’t get in, he volunteered to have a second show. Then he stayed for at least 3 hours after to sign autographs.
It was great for him to do this and he deserves big kudos.
I always thought Mencia was a stand-up guy...yuk yuk
"but problems with content restrictions had put a damper on things"
I hope he let it all hang out when he got there...Carlos is hillarious...((;O)
Believe me, he let it ALL hang out.
Glad you enjoyed his appearance and support. Thank You for your service.
And thanks for being there...
My fav Mecina bit it was Dee dee song
To explain it kinda un PC Carlos sing a song dedicated to people who dont’ have lots up stairs LOL!
Interesting, but not relevent aside: Carlos’ real name is Herman, and he’s more German than Latino. Doesn’t matter much anyway, he’s still funny.
ping
Carlos is hysterically funny and is one person that can make me laugh out loud. He also makes you kinda go hmmmmmm with some of his remarks.
Thanks for all you do. Our prayers are with you.
Our son also was able to see Carols and talk with him on Thursday night. Carols went out of his way to talk with the guys and hang out before and after the show with them. At Annaconda he put on an extra show because there were so many people who wanted to see him.
Thank you and your family for your service. Your time is precious.
I have followed Mr. Mencia for a couple of years and always thought he had a tremendous familiarity with the Corps. I think he is hilarious. Foul language but he can rip Political Correctness like a tank shooting sabot.
Thank you for your service!
TS
Can’t stand him. He isn’t funny... heck, he’s not even inventive! His “jokes” are telegraphed,obvious, and uninspired.
It is nice he is entertaining the troops, of course, but I find him quite unfunny.
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