Sunday Opinion
Joel Berry recalls the last time America laughed together
Ashlee Simpson, Monty Python, And The Last Time America Laughed Together
I still remember one of the last times America shared a laugh. It was a silly blunder that occurred on “Saturday Night Live,” involving an unfortunate rising pop-star named Ashlee Simpson. By now, you might already recall the story. While performing her hit single “Pieces of Me,” poor Ashlee flubbed her lip-syncing, stopped performing, looked around awkwardly, and began dancing the hoedown to her own vocal track. Fade to commercials. Oof.Today, such a story might be mentioned on a few entertainment sites or be shared on a few neatly curated social feeds, but this was 2004. Netflix was still a DVD mailing service. Our entertainment options were limited. “SNL” was still funny. And everyone saw it.The following Monday, school was buzzing with talk of Simpson’s slip-up. Millions of little conversations and shared laughs. Millions of little human connections. Thanks, Ashlee! And sorry for your luck.The very next year, YouTube went live for the first time. Two years later, Netflix began streaming. Then, the iPhone hit store shelves, and we all know the rest. America’s shared culture...
