Saturday, October 28, 2006

Gene Simmons = Krusty the Clown

It's true. I've often wondered if the writers intentionally based Krusty the Clown on Gene Simmons, because when you look at the side by side comparison, it's pretty interesting.

Let's go down the list, shall we?
  • Both non-practicing jews
  • Similar hairstyles
  • White face
  • Both value money over everything
  • Amazingly shoddy product lines
  • Willing to market ANYTHING
  • Krusty's Clown College = Gene Simmons' Rock School
I'm sure there's more, but the one that really drives it home for me is the episode where Krusty becomes respectable and shuns his former ways, then sells out and starts shilling the Canyonero.
It totally mirrors the early 90's when Gene was stating that all the 'toys and the merchandising' got in the way of the music. But when Kiss did their reunion tour in 1995, Gene took the opportunity to market absolutely everything, even going so far as to have other guys dressing up as Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, just to keep the money train rolling!

Another interesting point is that Krusty's show started out as a serious talk show but gradually devolved into a kid's show, not unlike Kiss, starting out as a band and basically becoming four clowns, what with all the toys and Gene still threatening to do the Kiss saturday morning cartoon.

I guess I'll end with some quotes. From Gene: “We're starting a cable network and a boxing venture, getting involved in Indy car racing, Warner Brothers is starting work on the 'KISS Babies' cartoon show, and the KISS Broadway musical is commencing production.”

I was looking for a good Krusty quote, but somehow this one from Sideshow Bob (while dressed as Krusty) semed more apt: "Hand over all your money in a paper bag"

posted by Delicious Candy!* @ 10:06 AM Comments: 2