Times The Class Clown Went Way Too Far
Reddit user Sharp_Emu6639 asked: 'When did the class clown go too far?'
When we hear the term "class clown," we inevitably can think of a specific person who filled that role when we were growing up.
And in some cases, we can recall a time when they took their role much too far.
Curious about jokes gone wrong, Redditor Sharp_Emu6639 asked:
"When did the class clown go too far?"
Cancer Isn't Funny
"Kept making ‘Yo Mama’ jokes to my friend who’d just lost his Mom to cancer. My friend snapped and broke his nose."
- darksaber522
The Speed of a Fire
"When I was in High School, we had a Firefighter Explorer program where we could go and do shadow work at a few of the local departments."
"One all-volunteer department let some of us Juniors and Seniors respond to specific calls to do minor light work (hold stop signs, carry the ladders, fetch tools, etc.) and allowed us to have a code to their cipher lock. They gave the code to the four local kids so we could get there, unlock the doors, and open the bays and get trucks started and ready to roll."
"One night, the class id**t decided to go into their fire department and play 'pranks' on them. Took all their hoses off the trucks, strung them around the bays and looped them through the axles, discharged all the foam out of the main engine, and screwed with everyone’s bunker gear by swapping boots and removing the liners of structural gear among other things."
"Naturally, it ended very badly when a call came in for a structure fire and when the actual firefighters showed up the entire house was in such disarray that no truck could even leave."
"They ended up calling a town 20 minutes away to respond."
"Two people passed away in the fire. Naturally, all four of us were the top suspects, and it didn’t take the police long to figure it out as the place was full of surveillance cameras. He was arrested, his parents got the bill for all the damages, and we never saw him or his family again after that. They just skipped the area and vanished overnight."
"The fire department killed almost all ties with the Explorer Program and stopped allowing us to respond to minor calls. I went on to get certified as a firefighter and spent five awesome years with them where I still seasonally volunteer (during wildfire season) with them."
- JimSpieks
A Ruined Presentation
"We had a student teacher for like six months when I was in sixth grade, and towards the end of her time with us, she had to record herself teaching a lesson to the class and then provide the video to her school (as a final exam or something)."
"We had this class clown who had to sit in the back, which happened to be near the camcorder. During the recording, he kept saying things like, 's**t, pen*s, f**k,' quiet enough for no one in class to hear but loud enough to be obvious on the recording."
"The student-teacher ended up having to redo the entire video and we had to sit through the exact same lesson a week later without the class clown present."
- sloppyjoesandwich
Deflected Trouble
"Art class. Teacher leaves. Class clown says, 'Dare me to eat this paint!?'"
"My buddy and I ignored him. He got real pushy about eating paint."
"We told him to do whatever the h**l he wanted. He stood on a chair and ate two bottles of paint before the teacher walked back in."
"He got marched to the nurse. We breathed a sigh of relief that he was gone."
"Later that day, my buddy and I got called to the principal's office. We were informed he was at the hospital getting his stomach pumped and it was OUR fault."
"I had never been in trouble before. I spent one hour in isolated detention to see if I 'wanted to share more,' literally just locked in a tiny a** room."
"I got a really long lecture about if I told someone to jump off a bridge and they did it, it would be my fault. I denied any fault again. Then I got put back in isolation until the end of the day."
"My parents went nuclear when I got home and told them what happened."
"The clown showed up the next day just grinning and laughing because he heard we got in trouble."
- Remz_Gaming
Boy Cries Wolf... Or Eats Candy
"Slightly off-topic, but our class clown choked on candy. We thought it was another one of his jokes."
"The whole class laughed at him, even the teacher. Then his face started to go red, his eyes got bloodshot, and he started slamming the table violently."
"Luckily somebody gave him the Heimlich maneuver and saved his life."
"Dude nearly died while everyone sat laughing at him."
- seneca_7
Enough Said.
"A classmate thought it would be funny to light somebody's mullet on fire in the middle of class."
- DrDWilder
A Graduating Vandal
"He came back to the school after hours and put caulking in the locks, and spray-painted pot leaves everywhere."
"Of course, he didn’t know there were cameras so it didn’t take long for him to be caught."
"This was right before graduation too so needless to say, he didn’t walk at graduation and his parents had a hefty damage bill to pay."
- Ozziwulf
Senior Prank Week Gone Wrong
"In my school district, it was tradition for the exiting seniors to pull a prank. One year, a few of the class clowns decided it would be funny to cover all the tile floors with cooking oil, cover the handrails of stairs with Crisco, and put large puddles of oil at the top of each stairwell."
"A girl already on crutches broke her jaw. We had to be evacuated to the bleaches outside. It was super not cool."
- QueasyAd7509
A Ruined Graduation
"Public school, small town. The graduating class only had 54 students in it."
"The kid smeared his s**t all over the bathroom. Walls, floor, sinks, everywhere. The principal had no way of knowing who it was, so the solution... they took the bathroom doors off the hinges."
- PhatWhiteCheeks
No Future in Serving Drinks
"He spilled formic acid on another kid who ended up with some light scarring on his chest."
"To be honest, it was a terrible call from the teacher to get him to carry it around for people to smell."
- CoolioMcCool
Substitute Teaching is Already Hard Enough
"They put staples in the substitute teacher's coffee... I went to school with some real monsters."
- This-Ad-1886
A Traumatized Teacher
"In seventh grade at a public school, our class was on the second floor."
"The class clown stood up in the middle of class, said 'I can't take it anymore,' and ran to the back of the classroom, opened the window, and jumped."
"The teacher screamed, and we all laughed. There was an addition to the building and the roof was under the window where the class clown was standing with a big grin."
"The teacher quit shortly after due to this and several other incidents in her class."
- OMOAB
Targeting the Substitute Teacher
"Sophomore year biology class, we had a substitute teacher during fetal pig dissection week."
"She had stepped out of the classroom for some reason while we were working on the dissection."
"The class clown took out his shoelaces, wrapped one end around the piglet, and rigged the other end to the door so that when the door was opened, his piglet would raise to eye level."
"He scared the teacher when she came back in and he was suspended for a few days."
- Ambitious_Misgivings
Caught Butter-Handed
"We had this kid who would take the small butter packets from the cafeteria and bring them to fifth-period history class. At some point, he would scoop out a glob with his pen and flick the dairy bullet on our history teacher's a** when he walked by."
"He did this probably five or six times without getting caught."
"One day, he f**ked up and scraped the teacher's butt with his pen."
"The teacher checked his pants and found the butter smear."
"The kid's eyes got super wide like a true deer in headlights. He had no excuse for why he did this prank. He just kept apologizing like it was an accident."
"Lol (laughing out loud). Who accidentally flicks butter on an old man's a**?? I'm pretty sure he never graduated. Not surprisingly."
- CannabisaurusRex401
Fun for the Students, At Least
"He stole the English teacher's substitute plans and rewrote them, giving us all a free period instead."
"Terrance, wherever you are, you're a f**king legend."
- jeconti
We can all agree that these pranks, jokes, and even assaults went much too far, whether the class clown was of minor age or not.
Sometimes a prank can be funny, when when it scares someone, severely scares them, or even injures them, it's obviously much too far. A joke is only funny if everyone involved is genuinely laughing.
Wendy Williams Apologizes After Being Called Out For Mocking Joaquin Phoenix's 'Cleft Lip'
As humans, we all make mistakes, and it's important to recognize that and atone for the messes we make.
Wendy Williams is learning that lesson this week after comments she made about Joaquin Phoenix's appearance.
While doing a recap of the Golden Globes on her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, Williams focused first on Beyonce's decision not to rise for the standing ovation given to Joaquin Phoenix after his win for Joker. At first, in what seemed like a commentary on Beyonce's refusal to rise, Williams asked who Joaquin Phoenix is, but very quickly any point she was trying to make got lost in the weeds.
Instead of focusing on Phoenix's win for Joker, or other ways he's contributed to the acting community, she instead focused on his appearance.
Williams confessed:
"By the way, I think I've shared this with you before: I find him oddly attractive. He played that Johnny Cash. It wasn't Reese [Witherspoon] who kept me. It was him."
While referencing a picture from Joker, Williams said:
"This right here, I don't know anything about this."
Williams then tried to make a point, before the whole commentary turned ugly:
"He knows how to transform. When he shaves [his beard] off... The way he looks at you... he's got that good nose... He's got that, what do you call it? Cleft lip. I find that to be very attractive."
Williams then pulled up her lip in a mocking way and held the gesture for an upwards of ten seconds for the camera.
Fox
Comments started pouring in quickly regarding Williams' insensitive actions.
Many said this qualified as bullying against those born with cleft palates or cleft lips and demanded Williams respond and apologize for her behavior.
Day 3 We are still waiting for a @WendyWilliams apology to the cleft community. Outside of that, seeing everyone c… https://t.co/32Xb9aTP1C— Adam Bighill (@Adam Bighill) 1578871314.0
@WendyWilliams should feel ashamed for being so disrespectful joking about Joaquin Phoenix cleft lip, not only to h… https://t.co/BX9t07f0TK— brandon (@brandon) 1578507362.0
@WendyWilliams - as the mom of an 11 yr old girl who was born with cleft lip & palate, I was horrified to see you m… https://t.co/04w3zkfCLa— Julie Snyder 🧢 (@Julie Snyder 🧢) 1578498859.0
One of the most vocal critics was Canadian football player Adam Bighill, whose young son, Beau, had surgery just this week to repair his lip.
Today is Beau’s big day. He is getting his lip repaired today in Winnipeg by the fantastic Dr. Ross. Thanks to ever… https://t.co/oXAPoHIj6b— Adam Bighill (@Adam Bighill) 1579106292.0
He called Williams out for promoting "bullying."
Thank you @FarhanLaljiTSN at the end of the day this is something we can all rally behind, and that’s a mission to… https://t.co/MngHJ0eBFu— Adam Bighill (@Adam Bighill) 1579108235.0
After several days of silence, Williams offered an apology to Bighill and the cleft community while asking her fans to donate to a charity that helps those with facial deformities through free corrective surgical procedures.
. @Bighill44 We’re thinking about Beau today as he is in surgery. I want to apologize to the cleft community and in… https://t.co/J4dSywb298— Wendy Williams (@Wendy Williams) 1579135247.0
Many, however, were unhappy with the brief apology and pointed out that it was more of an ask for donations.
Williams also appears to attempt to buy her way out of her behavior with her show's donations to the two causes.
She also didn't apologize to Phoenix specifically, who was the target of her original comments.
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate So it's ok to be a bully if you can pay your way out of it?— Golden Goose (@Golden Goose) 1579143650.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate BYE WENDY, BYE! #Shameful #heartless— Annette Tucci (@Annette Tucci) 1579138796.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate Your apology doesn’t change the meaning you are awful pe… https://t.co/mPz2gX8z5z— ⭐️✨POSH🌟💫 (@⭐️✨POSH🌟💫) 1579140542.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate What you did was totally unacceptable. I’m a speech pat… https://t.co/itmZXbvuTK— Robert Evans (@Robert Evans) 1579144417.0
@kuhnperalta @WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate She’s not sorry-only doing it to hang on to… https://t.co/XUlvOvKUuU— Joan Young (@Joan Young) 1579157343.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate I have a cleft lip and palate and had multiple correctio… https://t.co/Kx0nbLs5ZK— a Millennial (@a Millennial) 1579143474.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate Too little, too late... a grown woman should know better… https://t.co/niypV5aIhS— Lynda S (@Lynda S) 1579135395.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate As a person with a cleft lip your so called apology isn’… https://t.co/AvzhWErx1u— Paul 🏳️🌈 (@Paul 🏳️🌈) 1579141502.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate Too little too late. You’re always running that big mout… https://t.co/YbpmHwiiMA— #RIPKevinBacon (@#RIPKevinBacon) 1579137685.0
Whether or not Williams will expand upon her apology and include Joaquin Phoenix this time remains unclear.
But many hope Williams will think before she speaks in the future.
Awards season is on everyone's mind as the films of 2019 compete for the prestige and box office money that comes from winning.
Joker is making waves all on its own, with two wins at the Golden Globes this year, including the first solo woman to win Best Original Score.
The movie's excellent award season is bringing those involved into the spotlight, which for Joaquin Phoenix, brings its own controversy. The actor is as well known for his eccentricities as he is for his performances.
After winning the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, Phoenix was brought backstage to greet the press. After joking he was tricked to come backstage, the questions began.
And the first question immediately started an online debate.
Joaquin Phoenix bristles at journalist's question about how he prepared for #Joker: "I feel like I've talked about… https://t.co/e1xmZdqBD5— Variety (@Variety) 1578291132.0
In the video above, the first question asked wondered about Phoenix's process to study for and transform into the Joker.
Phoenix's response was very incredulous.
"Isn't this old news? I think I've talked about this for six months."
"I feel like I answered these questions. You want to hear a different version of it? I can try to change it slightly, or what should I do?"
Which to be fair, is true.
Promoting the movie during production and at time of release, Phoenix spoke at length, repeatedly, about his process to prepare for the role. Googling his appearances on talk shows and his interviews about the film finds almost all interviews include the answer to this question.
That fact didn't stop people from seeing Phoenix's response as being very rude.
it's their job to ask you about the movie. and unless they're asking something genuinely rude or intrusive, it's yo… https://t.co/X2x8naPbXL— holli (@holli) 1578291848.0
y'all can think joaquin phoenix is a good actor and still acknowledge that he was a rude to that reporter, that is something you can do— amber//goodbye friend (@amber//goodbye friend) 1578399739.0
joaquin phoenix is rude and it’s not cute being talented and having anxiety does not give you a pass to be a dick— olivia (@olivia) 1578355024.0
Others came to his defense, however.
Phoenix has often been characterized as shy, and something of a recluse. He's noted for eschewing the normal Hollywood lifestyle, and having a very limited circle of friends.
Others pointed out his unconventional upbringing as to why he can appear different to other people.
And of course, Joker has been one of the biggest and most successful films of the year. Why would anyone think that question wasn't uncreative, unimaginative and lazy journalism on the reporter's part?
All of this led to debate online as to whether or not he was rude, or if he was, if we can excuse it.
@goodgirlffaith @Variety His job was to act in the movie. That's it. The end— Écrivain (@Écrivain) 1578291547.0
@JKsGirl75 @Variety He just won the damn award for the film. What else would they ask him? He shouldn’t be there at… https://t.co/CQ4VJ5yPEO— RichardG (@RichardG) 1578291653.0
One person pointed out that Phoenix only asked why he had to answer the same identical question over and over, then he answered the question anyway.
We aren’t even gonna comment on that whole Joaquin Phoenix being rude to journalists bc he was questioning why he h… https://t.co/pgpp3Eozgt— cillian murphy’s beard (@cillian murphy’s beard) 1578339831.0
@Melissssaaaaaa Chill— Socke (@Socke) 1578522375.0
On the other hand, it was pointed out that many aren't afforded these same considerations.
Women in particular often get harsher judgements if they are perceived as cold or unsociable. Many have to deal with the same questions, not just on a particular film, but for their careers.
Part of the job of an actor is to promote the movie, and that often means dealing with unoriginal journalists, asking the same question as everyone else. And it's not like Phoenix isn't used to public scrutiny.
Does this mean Phoenix's actions should be condemned? Or should we just give more leeway to other actors frustrated with the press circuit?
*jennifer lawrence is rude to journalists* “she’s so rude, she’s not funny, she’s mean, i can’t stand her” *joaqu… https://t.co/Q89vS3111k— ً (@ً) 1578406106.0
Joaquin Phoenix looks like someone who can't wait to get home because he can't stand people lol #GoldenGlobes https://t.co/f9ZYHfBywq— diana⛄ (@diana⛄) 1578283836.0
Bill Skarsgård had to answer to the same dumb questions about Pennywise for two years come on now https://t.co/dK7EemodbG— 𝔫𝔞𝔡𝔦𝔞 ⋆🔪 (@𝔫𝔞𝔡𝔦𝔞 ⋆🔪) 1578333579.0
please kate winslet have been asked if jack couldve fitted in that wood in titanic for two decades and she was neve… https://t.co/qy0GT9MceK— kat (@kat) 1578336270.0
Joker was released on home media last month, and is among the films that will be available on HBO Max when the service launches later this year.