The Real Story Behind Jamie Foxx Nearly Killing Doug Williams’ Career At Emmitt Smith

[TMC]

http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/201...st-real-story/

June 2003 was a transitional period for Shaquille O’Neal. The month prior, he and Kobe Bryant’s quest for a four-peat – something only the Boston Celtics had ever accomplished – went up in flames at the hands of the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. Later that same summer, Kobe’s life would change forever with the allegations of sexual assault, an accusation sending the Lakers into a drama-filled 2003-04 season Scandal enthusiasts would need blood pressure medicine for. It wasn’t all melancholy for The Diesel, however, who saw the release of his second All Star Comedy Roast on DVD.

The target was former Dallas Cowboys running back and the NFL’s all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith. O’Neal pegged Jamie Foxx as the roast’s host, a selection which has since become the most hilarious and memorable takeaway largely due to Foxx’s priceless and embarrassing one-sided sparring session with comedian Doug Williams.

Williams, at the time, was new to the scene, but blessed with the opportunity to share the stage with names like Foxx, Michael Irvin, Mo’nique, Jimmy Johnson, Stuart Scott, Shaq and others. The moment was one any comedian covets, a proving ground to showcase to more successful peers they were capable of – in the words of Martin Lawrence – “stomping with the big dogs.”

Williams, in fact, made a name for himself. It just happened to be for all the wrong reasons. His jokes fell despondently flat, and as a desperation move, directed a quip towards Jamie which made about as much sense as the time Darrick Martin provoked Michael Jordan or Michael Spinks taunted Mike Tyson.

Things went to hell in a hand basket (or in 2014 lingo, “0-100 real quick”). Foxx mimicked Williams’ conscience for the remainder of his stage time, leaving the crowd wiping away tears of laughter and Williams with what later became known in Internet circles as the “Jason Terry face.” Or worse.

The comedian admitted years later to LAist.com the moment was one he was unprepared for.

A year earlier in 2009, Foxx sat down with then-Shade 45’s Angela Yee. The Ray actor explained roasts were venues where one rule existed: there weren’t any rules. Anything was fair game, citing a Billy Crystal rib shot during his formative years. Roasts were comedy’s version of a steel cage match. And even then, Foxx claimed to have spoken with Williams beforehand with words of advice.

Before the show, Jamie informed Doug and others to joke on him if they needed on the spot material. Williams did, and had they gone over well, the end result could have been completely different. Those jokes, much like the rest of his routine, were far more miss than hit. Mo’nique’s attempts to provide moral support off-camera went in vain. The moment gravitated between hilarious and uncomfortable, a real-life Southwest Airlines “Wanna Get Away?” commercial for all intents and purposes.

In order to save the set from completely bombing, Foxx took over with God-given comedic and impersonation abilities and a smidgen of liquid courage.

The moment became a microcosm for both careers.

Foxx remains one of the world’s more recognizable celebrities. Williams found marginal success, scoring a short-lived Comedy Central bit and currently hosts the Starz series, StaannDUP. Meanwhile, his website sports a jackleg design and appears to have not been updated in quite sometime. Infinitely more important, though, Williams’ home life appears to be in order, with his Twitter serving more as a makeshift scrapbook of his wife and kids.

Doug Williams, by most accounts available through a Google search, leads a comfortable life. He never assumed the status of the Jamie Foxx’s, Dave Chappelle’s, Kevin Hart’s or an up-and-comer in the vein of Hannibal Burress’ of the world. And that’s fine. Everyone can’t be top dog.

Plus, if the moment people remember most from your career is another comedian Randy Orton RKO’ing you at your own game, at least let it be a guy who made the President and Vice President kneel over in laughter.