No Comment
Adam Pally wants everyone’s voice to be heard—as long as it’s not underneath episodes of his shows
Here’s a hot take on freedom of speech: I don’t believe it should be legal to post comments on the same web page as the content—and please don’t @ me* for this. Who am I? I’m film, television and now YouTube personality Adam Pally. I’ve been in many of your favorite movies and on TV shows that haven’t been successes.
One year, I starred in a movie with dogs that finished in last place at the box office on the same day two separate networks canceled the two TV shows I was on (I’m exaggerating, though some days it does feel that way). Needless to say, internet comments have been part of my life and career since I started in comedy, all the iPhones ago.
I can honestly say I have never read one online comment that changed my life for the better. Do I appreciate the compliments? Sure, but as is human nature, the negative ones drown out the positive ones. Am I a big Hollywood snowflake baby? Probably. But what I’m asking is, Why are we so excited to hurt each other in the most visible place possible, just because we can?
I’m not saying it should be illegal for us to express our opinions on the internet. I do it regularly—on Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, subreddit, subreddit of subreddit. But I wouldn’t do it underneath someone’s content, because I’m not gonna talk shit to your face. I’m gonna talk shit behind your back, when I think there will be no consequences for you or for me. You know, like a normal human being.
I can honestly say I have never read one online comment that changed my life for the better. Do I appreciate the compliments? Sure, but as is human nature, the negative ones drown out the positive ones. Am I a big Hollywood snowflake baby? Probably. But what I’m asking is, Why are we so excited to hurt each other in the most visible place possible, just because we can?
I’m not saying it should be illegal for us to express our opinions on the internet. I do it regularly—on Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, subreddit, subreddit of subreddit. But I wouldn’t do it underneath someone’s content, because I’m not gonna talk shit to your face. I’m gonna talk shit behind your back, when I think there will be no consequences for you or for me. You know, like a normal human being.
I have no stats to back this up, but I am positive Russian bots are doctoring Happy Endings’s Hulu viewership.
It truly makes America special that people from all walks of life can voice how they feel in private or in public. As an artist—yes, I am wearing a scarf as I write this—I would never challenge anyone’s right to speak his or her mind. But if you want to comment about a video, do it on another page. I’m simply asking for a separation between the media and the opinions of the public via one small fucking link.
A comment is different from a review or an opinion. A comment is a bother. Our thoughts on what we’re experiencing shouldn’t be directly associated with the experience’s success or failure. And I see you getting ready to @ me* underneath the online version of this article, but if you do, Playboy will put the comments on another page. (I probably should have checked with Playboy first before assuming they would put these comments on another page.)
Imagine online commenting in the real world. In no way, shape or form would the Louvre let me walk in wearing a mask, tell everyone my name is baesaprocky349 and scream in front of the Mona Lisa that she’s not all that—that, actually, she’s not looking at me from every angle. I’d be taken out quicker than some of my shows have been taken off television. Am I saying my new show, Champaign ILL, on YouTube Premium, is the Mona Lisa? I sure am. I can say whatever I want; this is my article.
A comment is different from a review or an opinion. A comment is a bother. Our thoughts on what we’re experiencing shouldn’t be directly associated with the experience’s success or failure. And I see you getting ready to @ me* underneath the online version of this article, but if you do, Playboy will put the comments on another page. (I probably should have checked with Playboy first before assuming they would put these comments on another page.)
Imagine online commenting in the real world. In no way, shape or form would the Louvre let me walk in wearing a mask, tell everyone my name is baesaprocky349 and scream in front of the Mona Lisa that she’s not all that—that, actually, she’s not looking at me from every angle. I’d be taken out quicker than some of my shows have been taken off television. Am I saying my new show, Champaign ILL, on YouTube Premium, is the Mona Lisa? I sure am. I can say whatever I want; this is my article.
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Internet comments are dangerous, and they’ve been hit with restrictions due to sexual harassment, racism and anti-Semitic and homophobic trolling. So please stand behind me for commonsense internet-commenting laws. I realize this doesn’t appeal to everybody, which is why I’m trying to convince you by calling them common sense.
Speaking of trolling, I have no stats to back this up, but I am positive Russian bots are doctoring Happy Endings’s Hulu viewership. There’s no way we’re that low.
That reminds me: While I have your attention, please watch Champaign ILL on YouTube Premium. And now that I think about it, feel free to leave a comment. I’m nothing if not a man of no convictions.
*I’m still not entirely sure what “don’t @ me” means.
Speaking of trolling, I have no stats to back this up, but I am positive Russian bots are doctoring Happy Endings’s Hulu viewership. There’s no way we’re that low.
That reminds me: While I have your attention, please watch Champaign ILL on YouTube Premium. And now that I think about it, feel free to leave a comment. I’m nothing if not a man of no convictions.
*I’m still not entirely sure what “don’t @ me” means.
