1 00:00:25,238 --> 00:00:26,967 Trick or treat. 2 00:00:27,441 --> 00:00:29,375 Well, look at this. 3 00:00:29,443 --> 00:00:32,435 All the superheroes on our porch. Ain't that cute? 4 00:00:33,213 --> 00:00:37,343 We got Superman here, and Batman... 5 00:00:38,018 --> 00:00:39,952 and his sidekick Robin. 6 00:00:40,554 --> 00:00:43,819 The Green Lantern. And what about you, young man? 7 00:00:45,492 --> 00:00:48,484 -What about what? -Who are you supposed to be? 8 00:00:49,062 --> 00:00:51,963 -l'm Harvey Pekar. -Pecker. 9 00:00:52,499 --> 00:00:56,128 Harvey Pekar? That doesn't sound like a superhero to me. 10 00:00:59,740 --> 00:01:01,264 l ain't no superhero, lady. 11 00:01:01,341 --> 00:01:04,469 l'm Just a kid from the neighborhood, all right? 12 00:01:06,146 --> 00:01:07,579 Forget this! 13 00:01:16,056 --> 00:01:18,786 Why does everybody have to be so stupid? 14 00:03:38,598 --> 00:03:40,166 Okay, this guy here, he's our man. 15 00:03:40,166 --> 00:03:42,600 Okay, this guy here, he's our man. 16 00:03:43,036 --> 00:03:45,368 All grown up and going nowhere. 17 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:50,836 Always a pretty scholarly cat. He never got much of a formal education. 18 00:03:51,711 --> 00:03:55,579 For the most part, he's lived in shit neighborhoods, held shit jobs... 19 00:03:55,815 --> 00:03:59,307 and is now knee-deep into a disastrous second marriage. 20 00:03:59,519 --> 00:04:02,750 So if you're the kind of person looking for romance or escapism... 21 00:04:02,822 --> 00:04:05,916 or some fantasy figure to save the day, guess what? 22 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,290 -You got the wrong movie. -That's great. 23 00:04:09,763 --> 00:04:13,995 So now you got four takes. You ought to be able to patch one together from there. 24 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,636 Right? Let's go to the next one, all right? 25 00:04:17,704 --> 00:04:20,366 Hold on a second. Do you want some water or something? 26 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,432 -No, l got lots of orange. -Do you like orange soda? 27 00:04:23,510 --> 00:04:25,239 Yeah, orange is all right. 28 00:04:25,312 --> 00:04:28,145 All right, let's go to the next sequence. 29 00:04:28,214 --> 00:04:30,614 Did you actually read the script? 30 00:04:31,017 --> 00:04:32,609 No. A little bit. 31 00:04:34,321 --> 00:04:36,721 just to check the construction. 32 00:04:37,657 --> 00:04:40,387 You know, how the piece was constructed. 33 00:04:40,594 --> 00:04:42,528 l didn't read it word for word. 34 00:04:42,596 --> 00:04:44,359 Do you feel weird saying this stuff? 35 00:04:44,431 --> 00:04:46,865 No, l don't feel weird saying it. 36 00:04:47,100 --> 00:04:49,933 l don't know how long my voice is going to hold out. 37 00:04:50,370 --> 00:04:51,962 Doc, you gotta help me, man. 38 00:04:53,373 --> 00:04:56,001 My old lady's dumping me 'cause l can't talk. 39 00:04:57,577 --> 00:05:00,102 She says l'm a social embarrassment. 40 00:05:01,514 --> 00:05:05,746 Now that she's got a PhD, she's some hot-shit academic star... 41 00:05:05,986 --> 00:05:08,284 and l'm nothing but a file clerk. 42 00:05:08,989 --> 00:05:12,925 Me being a file clerk was fine when l was signing the damn checks for tuition. 43 00:05:12,993 --> 00:05:16,121 Harvey, stop talking, please, and open wide. 44 00:05:16,196 --> 00:05:18,756 l started worrying my voice would never come back. 45 00:05:18,832 --> 00:05:20,527 Say ''Aah,'' Mr. Pekar. 46 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,864 lt's torture, l'm telling you. 47 00:05:32,112 --> 00:05:35,343 What? ls it bad, Doc? 48 00:05:35,415 --> 00:05:36,746 lt's not good. 49 00:05:38,251 --> 00:05:39,650 lt's cancer. 50 00:05:39,919 --> 00:05:43,719 First l got marital problems, and now you're telling me l got throat cancer. 51 00:05:43,790 --> 00:05:48,625 -For Christ's sake, man. -Harvey, calm down, it's not cancer. 52 00:05:49,396 --> 00:05:53,355 You have a nodule on your vocal cords, probably from screaming and yelling. 53 00:05:53,433 --> 00:05:56,891 lf you don't give it a rest, you're gonna lose your voice completely. 54 00:05:56,970 --> 00:06:00,303 Okay. But for how long? 55 00:06:01,741 --> 00:06:04,005 -A few months. -Months? 56 00:06:48,254 --> 00:06:52,190 -Hey, come on, what is this? -Exactly what it looks like. 57 00:06:53,793 --> 00:06:57,024 What do you mean? You mean you're dumping me? For what? 58 00:07:03,203 --> 00:07:06,104 This plebeian lifestyle... 59 00:07:06,172 --> 00:07:09,005 Just isn't working for me anymore, okay? 60 00:07:10,643 --> 00:07:13,339 l gotta get out of here before l kill myself. 61 00:07:21,121 --> 00:07:23,851 just listen to what l have to say, okay? 62 00:07:32,766 --> 00:07:33,755 Don't go. 63 00:07:35,802 --> 00:07:37,326 l need you, baby. 64 00:07:38,338 --> 00:07:40,272 Please don't go, okay? 65 00:08:01,494 --> 00:08:03,052 Here's our man. 66 00:08:03,563 --> 00:08:05,656 Yeah, all right, here's me. 67 00:08:06,065 --> 00:08:09,728 Or the guy playing me anyway, though he don't look nothing like me. 68 00:08:09,803 --> 00:08:11,361 But whatever. 69 00:08:11,671 --> 00:08:16,540 So it's a few months later, and I'm working my flunky file clerk gig at the VA hospital. 70 00:08:17,777 --> 00:08:20,007 My voice still ain't back yet. 71 00:08:20,513 --> 00:08:22,310 Thank you, Harvey, dear. 72 00:08:22,382 --> 00:08:25,215 Things seem like they can't get any worse. 73 00:08:25,585 --> 00:08:26,882 ''Plebeian''? 74 00:08:28,555 --> 00:08:31,388 Where the hell did she get that shit, man? 75 00:08:42,101 --> 00:08:44,035 ''Avoid the reeking herd 76 00:08:45,705 --> 00:08:47,605 ''Shun the polluted flock 77 00:08:47,674 --> 00:08:49,767 ''Live like that stoic bird 78 00:08:50,276 --> 00:08:51,903 ''The eagle of the rock'' 79 00:08:52,011 --> 00:08:55,538 -Hey, Mr. Boats. -You know what that means, son? 80 00:08:56,716 --> 00:09:00,413 Yeah, it's from an Elinor Hoyt Wylie poem. 81 00:09:00,820 --> 00:09:02,879 lt means.... Excuse me. 82 00:09:03,756 --> 00:09:07,715 lt means stay away from the crowds of common, ordinary people... 83 00:09:07,794 --> 00:09:10,786 -and do your own thing. -No. 84 00:09:12,265 --> 00:09:16,361 lt means don't compromise yourself for women. lt ain't gonna do you no good. 85 00:09:16,436 --> 00:09:18,996 Get away from them as soon as you can. 86 00:09:19,739 --> 00:09:21,730 l ain't got no woman now. 87 00:09:22,642 --> 00:09:26,942 -l'm living like the stoic bird, man. -lt's the only way to live, son. 88 00:09:30,750 --> 00:09:32,547 Look at that fool there. 89 00:09:32,619 --> 00:09:37,056 Probably listening to that loud rock stuff. junk, it's all Junk. 90 00:09:37,957 --> 00:09:39,982 l don't know. l mean... 91 00:09:40,059 --> 00:09:42,721 rock music's got some good qualities. 92 00:09:43,529 --> 00:09:46,327 lt isn't Jazz or nothing, but you know.... 93 00:09:47,367 --> 00:09:51,303 Say, when are you gonna bring me in some of those good records? 94 00:09:51,371 --> 00:09:55,740 -Some Nat King Cole with strings. -l don't got any of that, Mr. Boats. 95 00:09:55,808 --> 00:09:59,335 Yeah, you got that. You're keeping them at home, though. 96 00:09:59,812 --> 00:10:03,543 You won't turn loose the good stuff. You Just sell the Junk. 97 00:10:08,354 --> 00:10:10,845 l keep the stuff l wanna keep. 98 00:10:12,125 --> 00:10:16,084 l sold a lot of good material by people that he didn't like. 99 00:10:18,598 --> 00:10:22,034 Mr. Boats didn't like any blues or anything like that. 100 00:10:23,803 --> 00:10:25,862 He played classical violin. 101 00:10:29,342 --> 00:10:33,506 l started record collecting when l was 15 or 16 years old. 102 00:10:34,113 --> 00:10:36,638 l started getting interested in Jazz. 103 00:10:36,783 --> 00:10:39,411 Prior to that, l collected comic books. 104 00:10:39,686 --> 00:10:41,347 l was always a collector. 105 00:10:45,191 --> 00:10:48,718 I admit to having an obsessive-compulsive quality in me. 106 00:10:52,098 --> 00:10:54,828 It's like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre or something. 107 00:10:54,901 --> 00:10:57,495 You go to thrift shops and you go to the garage sales... 108 00:10:57,570 --> 00:11:01,438 because you think you're gonna find something that's real rare. 109 00:11:01,774 --> 00:11:06,040 And most of time, it's a total waste of time, but once in a while... 110 00:11:07,146 --> 00:11:10,013 you'll come up with something that'll whet your appetite. 111 00:11:20,426 --> 00:11:21,552 In the early '60s... 112 00:11:21,627 --> 00:11:25,063 I was with some buddies at a junk sale, looking for some choice sides... 113 00:11:25,131 --> 00:11:29,090 when I met this shy, retiring cat from philadelphia named Bob Crumb. 114 00:11:29,168 --> 00:11:30,328 You know the guy. 115 00:11:30,403 --> 00:11:34,533 Fritz the Cat, Mr. Natural and all. They made a movie about him, too. 116 00:11:37,143 --> 00:11:38,872 jay McShann. 117 00:11:44,517 --> 00:11:46,348 Come on, Harv, you gonna buy that, or what? 118 00:11:46,419 --> 00:11:49,445 l don't know, Marty, it's got a lamination crack. 119 00:11:50,089 --> 00:11:51,181 A quarter. 120 00:11:52,959 --> 00:11:55,052 Maybe l could talk it down. 121 00:11:55,695 --> 00:11:58,755 -You are one cheap bastard, Harvey. -l know l'm tight, man. 122 00:11:58,831 --> 00:12:01,197 l live on a government wage. 123 00:12:02,735 --> 00:12:04,965 You collect jay McShann, man? 124 00:12:05,505 --> 00:12:07,530 -Yeah, man, how about you? -Yeah. 125 00:12:07,807 --> 00:12:10,503 But most of my records are back in Philly. 126 00:12:10,576 --> 00:12:14,103 Harvey, meet my buddy, Bob Crumb. He Just moved to town. 127 00:12:14,180 --> 00:12:17,047 He's an artist with the American Greeting Card Company. 128 00:12:17,116 --> 00:12:20,142 You should see his comics, Harv. They're out of sight. 129 00:12:22,321 --> 00:12:24,221 l'm into comics myself. 130 00:12:35,134 --> 00:12:38,262 So Crumb showed me this comic book novel he was working on.. 131 00:12:38,337 --> 00:12:39,861 Big Yum Yum Book. 132 00:12:39,939 --> 00:12:41,736 I'd never seen anything like it. 133 00:12:41,808 --> 00:12:44,504 This is terrific. l really dig your work, man. 134 00:12:44,744 --> 00:12:48,976 This peter Wheat book is by Walt Kelly. lt's pretty rare. 135 00:12:49,082 --> 00:12:52,142 -Yeah? Can l get good bread for it? -Not yet. 136 00:12:54,554 --> 00:12:57,648 Let's get back to your book. What are you gonna do with it? 137 00:12:57,723 --> 00:13:00,886 l haven't really thought about it. lt's Just an exercise. 138 00:13:01,894 --> 00:13:04,727 No, man. lt's more than Just an exercise. 139 00:13:05,865 --> 00:13:09,858 lt's breaking ground, man. There's some wild shit in here, Bob. 140 00:13:10,736 --> 00:13:12,670 You're spitting on me, Harvey. 141 00:13:34,861 --> 00:13:37,227 Crumb and I hung out a lot back then. 142 00:13:38,798 --> 00:13:41,164 We had records and comics in common. 143 00:13:45,271 --> 00:13:46,738 Check it out, man. 144 00:13:51,277 --> 00:13:52,744 Pretty scary. 145 00:13:54,780 --> 00:13:57,271 You don't know the half of it, man. 146 00:13:58,351 --> 00:14:00,911 Eventually, people got hip to Crumb's artwork... 147 00:14:00,987 --> 00:14:04,286 and he started hanging out with the bohemian crowd. 148 00:14:04,891 --> 00:14:09,021 After a while, he got sick of greeting cards and moved away to San Francisco... 149 00:14:09,095 --> 00:14:12,531 where he got the whole underground comic scene off the ground. 150 00:14:17,470 --> 00:14:19,631 He'd come back to Cleveland every few years... 151 00:14:19,705 --> 00:14:22,606 and people would treat him like a celebrity. 152 00:14:34,053 --> 00:14:37,216 Once, he came to visit when I was feeling real bad. 153 00:14:37,290 --> 00:14:39,781 It was right after my wife left me. 154 00:14:39,959 --> 00:14:42,427 She got so mean to me at the end... 155 00:14:42,929 --> 00:14:46,296 like l tried to keep her captive or anything like that. 156 00:14:48,334 --> 00:14:49,892 l don't know, man. 157 00:14:50,469 --> 00:14:53,996 But don't think l'm buying any of this growth crap, man. 158 00:14:54,273 --> 00:14:57,731 Everybody's always talking about how bad experiences cause you to grow... 159 00:14:57,810 --> 00:14:59,675 and all that cliched stuff. 160 00:15:00,246 --> 00:15:04,148 Man, l got enough bad experiences and growth to last me plenty. 161 00:15:10,990 --> 00:15:12,389 Right now... 162 00:15:13,793 --> 00:15:16,694 l'd be glad to trade some growth for happiness. 163 00:15:24,503 --> 00:15:26,869 How long you staying in Cleveland, man? 164 00:15:28,774 --> 00:15:31,106 l don't know, l got to see this chick in New York... 165 00:15:31,177 --> 00:15:33,941 and l'm really busy with the comic book stuff. 166 00:15:34,714 --> 00:15:37,945 lt's good bread and all. l'm Just getting sick of the whole scene. 167 00:15:38,017 --> 00:15:39,780 What are you talking about? 168 00:15:39,852 --> 00:15:42,412 You make a good living doing your art, right? 169 00:15:43,856 --> 00:15:46,381 How many guys get that lucky in their life? 170 00:15:47,927 --> 00:15:49,554 Listen, l'll tell you something. 171 00:15:49,629 --> 00:15:52,189 People are starting to know the name Crumb. 172 00:15:52,265 --> 00:15:55,257 When you croak, man, you're gonna leave something behind. 173 00:15:55,334 --> 00:15:56,858 Yeah, l guess. 174 00:15:58,271 --> 00:16:01,263 lt's not like l'm Blind Lemon jefferson, or Big Mama Thornton. 175 00:16:01,340 --> 00:16:03,035 Come on, man. 176 00:16:03,109 --> 00:16:05,976 l tell you something, it sure beats working a gig like mine... 177 00:16:06,045 --> 00:16:09,879 being a nobody flunky and selling records on the side for $1 . 178 00:16:12,018 --> 00:16:13,679 Well, that's true. 179 00:18:54,847 --> 00:18:56,576 Listen, girlie... 180 00:18:56,649 --> 00:19:01,609 these glasses are six for $2 because l couldn't carry 1 2. 181 00:19:02,087 --> 00:19:05,989 But l wanted 1 2. So today, l'm buying six more. 182 00:19:06,058 --> 00:19:08,993 But you should only charge me $1 .50 for them. 183 00:19:11,964 --> 00:19:14,933 lt's all right. You can ask the manager. 184 00:19:16,702 --> 00:19:19,102 Frank, l need a price check. 185 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:25,399 Man, old jewish ladies will argue forever with a cashier about anything. 186 00:19:25,478 --> 00:19:26,502 These glasses.... 187 00:19:26,579 --> 00:19:29,241 You get behind them in line and you're gonna wait forever. 188 00:19:29,315 --> 00:19:32,910 ...because l couldn't carry 1 2. So today.... 189 00:19:32,985 --> 00:19:34,612 l'm a yid myself... 190 00:19:34,687 --> 00:19:38,646 and women in my family are like that, but l never got used to it. 191 00:19:39,225 --> 00:19:41,750 l mean, l may be cheap, but l got limits, man. 192 00:19:41,827 --> 00:19:44,261 Let me explain one more time. 193 00:19:44,663 --> 00:19:48,394 These glasses are six for $2.... 194 00:19:49,602 --> 00:19:53,402 Wake up! Your whole life's getting eaten away with this kind of crap. 195 00:19:53,472 --> 00:19:55,440 What kind of existence is this? 196 00:19:55,941 --> 00:19:58,671 ls this all a working stiff like you can expect? 197 00:19:59,011 --> 00:20:03,573 You gonna suffer in silence for the rest of your life, or are you gonna make a mark? 198 00:20:11,190 --> 00:20:15,593 Okay, l have the money right here. Even money, $1 .50. 199 00:20:15,661 --> 00:20:18,129 You don't even have to open the cash register. 200 00:20:18,197 --> 00:20:20,256 Even change. And, dear.... 201 00:21:27,066 --> 00:21:28,761 Oh, shit! 202 00:21:29,735 --> 00:21:33,262 Ever since l read your stuff, man, l've been thinking... 203 00:21:33,439 --> 00:21:35,304 l can write comic book stories... 204 00:21:35,374 --> 00:21:38,605 that are different from anything that's been done. 205 00:21:41,814 --> 00:21:45,250 l figure the guys who are doing animal comics... 206 00:21:45,317 --> 00:21:48,445 and superhero stuff, they're really limited. 207 00:21:48,954 --> 00:21:51,445 Because they got to try to appeal to kids. 208 00:21:51,890 --> 00:21:55,519 And underground stuff like yours has been really subversive... 209 00:21:55,594 --> 00:21:57,425 and it's opened things up politically... 210 00:21:57,496 --> 00:22:00,522 but there's still plenty more to be done with them, too. 211 00:22:00,599 --> 00:22:02,260 Pass the ketchup. 212 00:22:04,236 --> 00:22:07,899 The words, the pictures, they could be more of an art form. 213 00:22:08,507 --> 00:22:10,941 You know, like those French movies... 214 00:22:13,045 --> 00:22:14,672 or De Sica over in ltaly. 215 00:22:19,685 --> 00:22:21,915 So, anyway, l tried.... 216 00:22:23,489 --> 00:22:27,220 l tried writing some stuff about real life... 217 00:22:27,660 --> 00:22:30,322 stuff that the everyman's got to deal with. 218 00:22:32,798 --> 00:22:34,561 These are all about you? 219 00:22:36,001 --> 00:22:37,229 Yeah. 220 00:22:37,970 --> 00:22:40,495 You've turned yourself into a comic hero. 221 00:22:40,572 --> 00:22:43,439 Sort of, but there's no idealized shit. 222 00:22:44,243 --> 00:22:47,576 There's no phony bullshit. This is the real thing, man. 223 00:22:49,381 --> 00:22:52,145 You know, ordinary life is pretty complex stuff. 224 00:22:57,289 --> 00:22:59,951 These are really... 225 00:23:02,327 --> 00:23:03,453 good. 226 00:23:07,499 --> 00:23:09,091 Really, you think so? 227 00:23:09,168 --> 00:23:11,659 Yeah, this is great stuff. l dig it. 228 00:23:13,405 --> 00:23:16,203 Can l take them home and illustrate them? 229 00:23:24,416 --> 00:23:26,816 You'd really do that for me, man? 230 00:23:28,821 --> 00:23:32,484 That would be great because l can't even draw a straight line, Bob. 231 00:23:33,225 --> 00:23:37,025 What's up with your voice, Harv? All of a sudden, you sound fine. 232 00:23:38,564 --> 00:23:42,466 l don't know, man. l guess you cured me. 233 00:24:59,778 --> 00:25:03,214 That Bonnie, her legs go forever. 234 00:25:03,382 --> 00:25:05,009 How smart is she? 235 00:25:05,784 --> 00:25:08,617 l don't know. l guess she's about average. 236 00:25:09,221 --> 00:25:12,622 Average? Hey, man, average is dumb. 237 00:25:15,661 --> 00:25:18,425 So what if she's dumb? l don't care. 238 00:25:20,866 --> 00:25:23,164 ''Hey, man, average is dumb.'' 239 00:25:24,136 --> 00:25:26,866 Fuck that. That's all stories by yours truly. 240 00:25:26,939 --> 00:25:29,100 -Hot off the presses? -That's right. 241 00:25:29,174 --> 00:25:30,971 We have a regular Hemingway here. 242 00:25:31,043 --> 00:25:33,534 No way, l don't go in for any of that macho crap. 243 00:25:33,612 --> 00:25:35,443 l didn't know you could draw. 244 00:25:35,514 --> 00:25:38,711 No, l don't draw, doc. l write the stories. 245 00:25:39,284 --> 00:25:43,414 -Harvey, am l in here? -You're in there, all right? Take it easy. 246 00:25:44,656 --> 00:25:47,386 A buddy of mine and some of his friends do the art work. 247 00:25:47,459 --> 00:25:49,086 Let me see this. 248 00:25:49,428 --> 00:25:52,955 Mr. Boats, it's not polite to grab things. Next time-- 249 00:25:59,304 --> 00:26:00,828 lt's not bad. 250 00:26:02,307 --> 00:26:04,172 Son, you done good. 251 00:26:05,611 --> 00:26:08,603 But you know, l was up in Toronto a few weeks back. 252 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:12,116 l saw the Red Chinese ballet. Now, that was beautiful. 253 00:26:12,184 --> 00:26:14,118 The way those people were dancing together... 254 00:26:14,186 --> 00:26:17,622 those Chinese, they work hard, l tell you. 255 00:26:19,558 --> 00:26:21,219 Where's everybody going? 256 00:26:29,801 --> 00:26:32,326 Where are you sick men rushing off to? 257 00:26:34,506 --> 00:26:36,838 You ain't going nowhere for now. 258 00:26:37,075 --> 00:26:39,270 Probably not for a long time. 259 00:26:40,545 --> 00:26:43,343 But damn if they're not a rushing off to get there. 260 00:26:59,264 --> 00:27:03,894 Harvey, how do your co-workers and friends feel about you putting them in your comics? 261 00:27:03,969 --> 00:27:06,699 They love it. They can't get enough of it. 262 00:27:08,974 --> 00:27:13,035 They come up to me demanding to know why I'm not in the new issue. 263 00:27:13,378 --> 00:27:14,845 Most of them. 264 00:27:14,913 --> 00:27:18,872 What about overhearing what people say? Are you always listening at work? 265 00:27:18,951 --> 00:27:21,317 Were you listening riding the bus? 266 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:24,388 -The supermarket? -Yeah, l listen. 267 00:27:26,124 --> 00:27:28,957 l fall asleep on people, too, but l listen some. 268 00:27:44,076 --> 00:27:46,601 Here's our man, eight comics later. 269 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:52,047 A brand new decade, same old bullshit. 270 00:27:56,188 --> 00:27:59,180 Sure, he gets lots of recognition for his writing now. 271 00:28:00,225 --> 00:28:04,855 His comics are praised by all the important media types telling people what to think. 272 00:28:05,297 --> 00:28:06,787 But so what? 273 00:28:07,099 --> 00:28:10,660 It's not like he makes a living at it, like Bob Crumb. 274 00:28:11,303 --> 00:28:14,238 He can't go and quit his day job or nothing. 275 00:28:19,511 --> 00:28:21,172 Who am I kidding? 276 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:24,974 Truth is, I'd be lost without my work routine. 277 00:28:37,295 --> 00:28:38,728 l got a Job. 278 00:28:52,044 --> 00:28:53,375 Hi, Harvey. 279 00:28:53,445 --> 00:28:55,572 Do you want these gourmet Jelly beans? 280 00:28:55,647 --> 00:28:57,740 l gave up sweets for Lent. 281 00:28:58,717 --> 00:29:02,414 -Yeah, sure, l'll take them. -l recommend the pina coladas. 282 00:29:02,888 --> 00:29:06,153 They're excellent and very authentic tasting. 283 00:29:10,562 --> 00:29:12,860 lt's watermelon. That's pretty good. 284 00:29:12,964 --> 00:29:15,455 Wait till you try the pina coladas. 285 00:29:25,444 --> 00:29:27,105 Tell me something. 286 00:29:28,346 --> 00:29:30,712 Can you eat lentils during Lent? 287 00:29:32,417 --> 00:29:34,442 Sure, l don't see why not. 288 00:29:34,553 --> 00:29:36,544 You can't eat meat on certain days... 289 00:29:36,621 --> 00:29:39,522 but lentils should be acceptable anytime. 290 00:29:42,861 --> 00:29:46,160 Do you think there's any connection between lentils and Lent? 291 00:29:46,231 --> 00:29:50,668 l don't think so. But l'll ask Sister Mary Fred at church on Sunday. 292 00:29:51,570 --> 00:29:53,435 Sister Mary Fred, huh? 293 00:29:54,873 --> 00:29:58,832 ls she cute? She sounds kind of mannish, but who the hell am l to be picky? 294 00:30:00,212 --> 00:30:03,010 You're funny. She's a nun. 295 00:30:03,715 --> 00:30:07,845 So what? Maybe she became a nun because she couldn't get a guy. 296 00:30:09,287 --> 00:30:13,383 She became a nun because she had a higher calling. 297 00:30:14,126 --> 00:30:16,390 Higher calling? What a crock of shit. 298 00:30:17,062 --> 00:30:19,860 l don't even know why you bother praying anyway. 299 00:30:19,998 --> 00:30:23,764 l enJoy the ritual, and l'm a very spiritual person. 300 00:30:24,269 --> 00:30:28,501 You know, you should try believing in something bigger than yourself. 301 00:30:28,673 --> 00:30:30,538 lt might cheer you up. 302 00:30:35,013 --> 00:30:37,038 What, do l seem depressed? 303 00:30:57,135 --> 00:30:58,193 Cut! 304 00:30:59,171 --> 00:31:01,833 That was great, guys. The bakery scene's next. 305 00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:05,204 The bakery scene's next? l didn't know of a bakery scene. 306 00:31:05,277 --> 00:31:07,802 Did you ever hear of a bakery scene? 307 00:31:09,714 --> 00:31:12,444 Bakery is my scene, but not in that way. 308 00:31:12,617 --> 00:31:15,415 Forget the bakery, let's eat some Jelly beans. 309 00:31:16,321 --> 00:31:20,314 l think one might be lime. One might be mint. 310 00:31:21,326 --> 00:31:24,124 What's the difference between this and this? 311 00:31:24,196 --> 00:31:26,130 One's cherry, one's cinnamon. 312 00:31:26,198 --> 00:31:28,428 You could tell that by Just looking at them? 313 00:31:28,500 --> 00:31:31,594 Not me. l have to put it in my mouth first. 314 00:31:36,575 --> 00:31:38,805 Loneliness can feel so bad. 315 00:31:39,578 --> 00:31:41,443 There have been times I've felt lonely... 316 00:31:41,513 --> 00:31:44,448 'cause a lot of the time, it was just me and my grandmother. 317 00:31:44,516 --> 00:31:47,110 I'd just be sitting in my room all day... 318 00:31:47,185 --> 00:31:49,915 watching television or reading books. 319 00:31:50,088 --> 00:31:52,818 That was before I bought a computer, of course. 320 00:31:54,159 --> 00:31:56,559 How do you cope with loneliness, Harvey? 321 00:31:57,963 --> 00:32:01,262 -Did l say l watched television? -You mentioned you watch TV... 322 00:32:01,333 --> 00:32:04,632 you listen to your Jazz records, you read... 323 00:32:04,703 --> 00:32:07,866 you write, you drew your stick figures... 324 00:32:09,274 --> 00:32:12,243 so you could plan for your next comic book. 325 00:32:14,179 --> 00:32:16,841 l've seen many of your stick figures. 326 00:32:17,215 --> 00:32:19,775 That seems to be pretty interesting. 327 00:32:19,851 --> 00:32:22,820 -Chocolate Jelly beans, l'm gonna try one. -Go ahead. 328 00:32:48,446 --> 00:32:50,175 Excuse me, can l help you? 329 00:32:53,318 --> 00:32:54,649 Give me... 330 00:32:55,420 --> 00:32:56,887 two crullers... 331 00:32:58,323 --> 00:33:00,291 Jelly doughnut with the powdered sugar. 332 00:33:00,358 --> 00:33:02,019 Thanks for coming. 333 00:33:02,093 --> 00:33:05,392 -You got any of that day-old bread? -l think so. 334 00:33:09,501 --> 00:33:10,934 Here you go. 335 00:33:14,272 --> 00:33:15,261 $3. 336 00:33:16,574 --> 00:33:18,337 You're Harvey Pekar? 337 00:33:20,245 --> 00:33:22,577 Alice Quinn, from school. 338 00:33:27,118 --> 00:33:29,245 College, yeah. 339 00:33:29,321 --> 00:33:32,154 We had a couple of Lit classes together. 340 00:33:32,223 --> 00:33:36,125 What happened to you? You disappeared after two semesters. 341 00:33:36,394 --> 00:33:38,089 Yeah, l know. 342 00:33:39,164 --> 00:33:43,760 l got good grades and all, but there was that required Math class... 343 00:33:43,835 --> 00:33:45,132 hanging over my head. 344 00:33:45,203 --> 00:33:48,229 Eventually, the pressure got to be too much, so.... 345 00:33:50,208 --> 00:33:51,698 You're doing okay, anyway. 346 00:33:51,776 --> 00:33:55,075 l heard all about your Jazz reviews and your comics. 347 00:33:55,714 --> 00:33:58,842 -You did? -Sure, you're famous. 348 00:34:00,085 --> 00:34:03,851 Meanwhile, l got my degree and l'm Just a plain old wife and mother. 349 00:34:12,364 --> 00:34:14,889 l'm not doing as great as you think. 350 00:34:16,267 --> 00:34:19,202 My second wife divorced me, l work a dead end Job... 351 00:34:20,205 --> 00:34:21,900 as a file clerk. 352 00:34:22,941 --> 00:34:25,409 Sometimes l hang out with the guys on the corner... 353 00:34:25,477 --> 00:34:28,776 but most of the time l Just stay at home by myself and l read. 354 00:34:30,315 --> 00:34:32,249 You're luckier than you think. 355 00:34:32,384 --> 00:34:34,818 Between my husband and my kids... 356 00:34:35,019 --> 00:34:38,284 it's impossible for me to curl up with a good book. 357 00:34:43,528 --> 00:34:45,826 l'm reading this book by Dreiser now. 358 00:34:47,232 --> 00:34:50,133 -Jennie Gerhardt. -That's one of my favorites. 359 00:34:50,201 --> 00:34:51,293 Yeah? 360 00:34:52,871 --> 00:34:56,466 l hope that book don't end like so many of those naturalist novels... 361 00:34:56,541 --> 00:35:00,033 with someone getting crushed to earth... 362 00:35:00,111 --> 00:35:02,102 by forces he can't control. 363 00:35:02,180 --> 00:35:04,307 l think you'll be pleasantly surprised. 364 00:35:04,382 --> 00:35:07,283 l mean, it's certainly not your Hollywood happy ending... 365 00:35:07,352 --> 00:35:10,981 but it's pretty truthful, which is rare these days. 366 00:35:13,091 --> 00:35:15,150 -This is me. -All right. 367 00:35:21,065 --> 00:35:23,465 -Nice car. -Thanks. 368 00:35:23,535 --> 00:35:26,902 -l don't have one yet. -Can l give you a lift somewhere? 369 00:35:28,006 --> 00:35:31,032 No, that's all right. lt's a nice day, l'll Just walk. 370 00:35:43,755 --> 00:35:45,382 lt was nice seeing you. 371 00:36:08,947 --> 00:36:12,314 When I got home, I finished reading jennie Gerhardt. 372 00:36:13,218 --> 00:36:16,483 It was real good. That Alice was right. 373 00:36:19,157 --> 00:36:22,456 Sure, Lester, the main character, croaks in the end... 374 00:36:23,595 --> 00:36:27,156 but at least he's old and dies a natural, dignified death. 375 00:36:31,169 --> 00:36:33,865 I was more alone that weekend than any. 376 00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:37,208 Sometimes in my sleep, I'd feel a body next to me... 377 00:36:37,375 --> 00:36:40,003 like an amputee feels a phantom limb. 378 00:36:43,147 --> 00:36:46,878 All I did was think about jennie Gerhardt and Alice Quinn... 379 00:36:46,951 --> 00:36:49,749 and all the decades of people I had known. 380 00:36:50,355 --> 00:36:53,449 The more I thought, the more I felt like crying. 381 00:36:54,792 --> 00:36:57,920 Life seemed so sweet and so sad... 382 00:36:57,996 --> 00:37:00,658 and so hard to let go of in the end. 383 00:37:01,933 --> 00:37:05,596 But hey, man, every day is a brand new deal, right? 384 00:37:06,271 --> 00:37:09,297 Just keep on working and something's bound to turn up. 385 00:37:33,631 --> 00:37:36,293 What happened to the new American Splendor? 386 00:37:36,901 --> 00:37:39,631 -l think we sold them, babe. -All of them? 387 00:37:40,405 --> 00:37:41,531 Yeah. 388 00:37:42,507 --> 00:37:46,409 Rand, l put one aside for myself next to the register. 389 00:37:46,477 --> 00:37:49,139 l haven't even had time to read it yet. 390 00:37:49,213 --> 00:37:52,580 Sorry, joyce, l didn't know you were such a Splendor fan. 391 00:37:52,951 --> 00:37:54,919 Next time, take it home. 392 00:38:02,327 --> 00:38:04,420 Maybe l'll call the publisher. 393 00:38:04,495 --> 00:38:06,429 lt'll take so damn long. Shit! 394 00:38:07,432 --> 00:38:11,698 Why does everything in my life have to be such a complicated disaster? 395 00:38:12,870 --> 00:38:16,567 -Okay, maybe we can call someone-- -What is this? 396 00:38:16,641 --> 00:38:18,871 All right. Okay. 397 00:38:19,410 --> 00:38:23,176 l'm gonna hustle before the vibe in here gets any worse. 398 00:38:24,616 --> 00:38:26,277 You can Just hang. 399 00:38:37,895 --> 00:38:39,556 ''Dear Mr. pekar... 400 00:38:44,135 --> 00:38:47,593 ''greetings from the second smallest state in the Union... 401 00:38:51,242 --> 00:38:54,143 ''an endless plastics and nylon plantation... 402 00:38:54,212 --> 00:38:56,840 ''controlled by giant chemical corporations. 403 00:38:59,450 --> 00:39:04,012 ''To make matters more dismal, there are no decent comic book stores in my town... 404 00:39:04,088 --> 00:39:07,387 ''which is why my partner and I opened one ourselves. 405 00:39:09,694 --> 00:39:11,992 ''Despite our steadily faltering business... 406 00:39:12,063 --> 00:39:16,591 ''my partner managed to sell the last copy of American Splendor Number 8... 407 00:39:16,668 --> 00:39:18,397 ''out from under me. 408 00:39:19,871 --> 00:39:22,772 ''I'm a big fan, and I hate to wait for a new order. 409 00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:25,570 ''Is there any way I can get it from you direct? 410 00:39:25,643 --> 00:39:27,406 ''Sincerely, Joyce Brabner. '' 411 00:39:27,512 --> 00:39:29,776 She's got good-looking handwriting. 412 00:39:34,018 --> 00:39:36,384 ''Dear Joyce, thanks for the.... '' 413 00:39:46,397 --> 00:39:49,127 ''Dear Joyce, thanks for the letter. 414 00:39:49,300 --> 00:39:51,268 ''What do you do besides selling comics?'' 415 00:39:51,335 --> 00:39:54,827 Anybody in the room ever done any creative writing of any sort? 416 00:39:56,941 --> 00:40:00,433 ''I'm a sometime activist, and I teach writing to prisoners. 417 00:40:00,912 --> 00:40:03,210 ''I try to help them build an interior life... 418 00:40:03,281 --> 00:40:06,614 ''and make art out of their monotonous, suffocating routine. '' 419 00:40:07,118 --> 00:40:08,915 This sounds familiar. 420 00:40:09,087 --> 00:40:11,112 ''So you married or what?'' 421 00:40:11,456 --> 00:40:13,356 ''I'm divorced, thank God. '' 422 00:40:15,426 --> 00:40:19,055 Look, l think you and l got a lot in common, you know? 423 00:40:20,398 --> 00:40:23,128 How am l gonna get you to come visit me in Cleveland? 424 00:40:23,201 --> 00:40:24,634 -Cleveland? -Yeah. 425 00:40:24,702 --> 00:40:26,499 You think that's a good idea? 426 00:40:26,571 --> 00:40:28,334 lt's a great idea. 427 00:40:28,406 --> 00:40:31,341 You should meet me because l'm a great guy. 428 00:40:32,710 --> 00:40:34,268 Despite the way my comics read... 429 00:40:34,345 --> 00:40:37,212 I got a lot of redeeming characteristics. 430 00:40:38,382 --> 00:40:40,782 l don't know. Where would l stay? 431 00:40:41,052 --> 00:40:42,679 l don't know. With me. 432 00:40:42,754 --> 00:40:45,985 Don't worry. l'm not gonna put no moves on you. 433 00:40:46,057 --> 00:40:47,524 l'm not worried about that. 434 00:40:47,592 --> 00:40:50,720 Hold on, l Just spilled my chamomile tea all over me. 435 00:40:52,130 --> 00:40:54,690 So what are you worried about then? 436 00:40:58,536 --> 00:41:02,199 lt's the way all the different artists draw you. 437 00:41:02,273 --> 00:41:04,798 -What? -l don't really know what to expect. 438 00:41:04,876 --> 00:41:07,344 Sometimes you look like a younger Brando. 439 00:41:07,512 --> 00:41:10,072 But then, the way Crumb draws you... 440 00:41:10,648 --> 00:41:13,139 you look like a hairy ape, with all these... 441 00:41:13,951 --> 00:41:17,478 wavy, stinky lines undulating off your body. 442 00:41:17,555 --> 00:41:19,386 l don't really know what to expect. 443 00:41:19,457 --> 00:41:22,085 No, those are motion lines. 444 00:41:23,161 --> 00:41:24,788 l'm an active guy. 445 00:41:25,496 --> 00:41:27,930 Look, Just come out here... 446 00:41:28,065 --> 00:41:32,001 and l will try to be anyone that you want me to be, okay? 447 00:41:33,204 --> 00:41:36,833 That's a dangerous offer. l'm a notorious reformer. 448 00:42:24,055 --> 00:42:25,579 Are you joyce? 449 00:42:27,225 --> 00:42:28,715 -Hey, Harvey. -Hey. 450 00:42:28,926 --> 00:42:31,224 -So we finally meet in person. -Yeah. 451 00:42:34,699 --> 00:42:39,295 Look, before we get started with any of this, you might as well know l had a vasectomy. 452 00:43:01,192 --> 00:43:03,854 -What's wrong? -Nothing. 453 00:43:05,096 --> 00:43:08,156 Something's wrong. You keep looking around everywhere. 454 00:43:08,666 --> 00:43:12,659 l guess l never imagined you'd eat in a place like this. 455 00:43:13,304 --> 00:43:16,102 What, me? No, l've never been here. 456 00:43:18,676 --> 00:43:20,837 l thought you'd like it. 457 00:43:22,413 --> 00:43:26,782 -But obviously you don't, do you? -No, it's fine. What difference does it make? 458 00:43:29,787 --> 00:43:31,550 l don't know. None, l guess. 459 00:43:36,560 --> 00:43:38,926 They got a lot of meat on this menu. 460 00:43:40,031 --> 00:43:41,828 You're a vegetarian? 461 00:43:42,533 --> 00:43:44,728 Kind of, you know, l mean.... 462 00:43:45,369 --> 00:43:47,701 Ever since l got a pet cat... 463 00:43:47,772 --> 00:43:50,639 l've had a lot of trouble eating animals. 464 00:43:55,079 --> 00:43:58,242 l support and identify with groups like PETA... 465 00:43:58,316 --> 00:44:01,149 but unfortunately, l'm a self-diagnosed anemic. 466 00:44:04,789 --> 00:44:07,553 Also, l have all these food allergies to vegetables... 467 00:44:07,625 --> 00:44:10,150 which give me serious intestinal distress. 468 00:44:12,964 --> 00:44:15,432 l guess l have a lot of borderline health disorders... 469 00:44:15,499 --> 00:44:18,332 that limit me politically when it comes to eating. 470 00:44:21,806 --> 00:44:23,774 You're a sick woman. 471 00:44:24,442 --> 00:44:26,034 Not yet, but l expect to be. 472 00:44:26,110 --> 00:44:29,568 Everyone in my family has some sort of degenerative illness. 473 00:44:31,782 --> 00:44:33,306 Good evening. 474 00:44:47,598 --> 00:44:49,361 l was gonna clean up... 475 00:44:49,433 --> 00:44:52,197 but why should l give you any false notions? 476 00:44:52,536 --> 00:44:56,472 The truth is, l got a serious problem with cleanliness. 477 00:44:57,675 --> 00:45:00,769 lf l had to wash a dish 10 times, it'd still be dirty. 478 00:45:01,512 --> 00:45:05,642 They even kicked me out of the army 'cause l couldn't learn to make a bed. 479 00:45:08,185 --> 00:45:09,584 l've seen worse. 480 00:45:14,725 --> 00:45:17,216 Could you get me some water and a few aspirin? 481 00:45:17,294 --> 00:45:18,989 What, you got a headache? 482 00:45:19,397 --> 00:45:21,957 -No, but l want to avoid one. -Yeah. 483 00:45:38,916 --> 00:45:41,316 Let me tell you something. 484 00:45:42,586 --> 00:45:44,850 Sure is nice to have company. 485 00:45:46,123 --> 00:45:47,988 You know, l mean... 486 00:45:48,726 --> 00:45:51,854 despite all your problems, you seem like a great person. 487 00:45:53,097 --> 00:45:56,123 l'm sorry if my dating skills are a little rusty. 488 00:45:57,401 --> 00:46:00,734 lt's Just that l've been through hell and back with women. 489 00:46:02,573 --> 00:46:05,337 That last one turned out to be a real nasty bitch. 490 00:46:06,777 --> 00:46:09,371 -l had a nice time with you, too. -Yeah? 491 00:46:10,081 --> 00:46:11,548 You had a nice time? 492 00:46:12,149 --> 00:46:15,141 Don't make people repeat themselves. That's annoying. 493 00:46:17,021 --> 00:46:18,249 Sorry. 494 00:46:23,427 --> 00:46:24,826 Come here. 495 00:46:55,559 --> 00:46:57,356 Which way is the bathroom? 496 00:46:58,329 --> 00:47:00,729 Through the kitchen, on the right. 497 00:47:12,243 --> 00:47:14,609 joyce, what's wrong? What is it? 498 00:47:15,579 --> 00:47:18,412 l don't know. l think that yuppie food did me in. 499 00:47:21,886 --> 00:47:23,581 l feel terrible. 500 00:47:25,322 --> 00:47:27,984 Let me at least do something for you. 501 00:47:28,058 --> 00:47:30,117 Can l make you something? 502 00:47:31,762 --> 00:47:34,663 -How about some chamomile tea? -Chamomile tea? 503 00:47:35,065 --> 00:47:39,468 What's a guy like you doing with that? l thought you drank soda pop for breakfast. 504 00:47:40,037 --> 00:47:44,565 l Just noticed you drank a lot of it when we started talking on the phone. 505 00:47:45,209 --> 00:47:48,110 The girl at the food co-op... 506 00:47:49,013 --> 00:47:51,914 she picked me out all kinds of this herbal stuff. 507 00:47:55,352 --> 00:47:57,912 One of these is good for stomach aches. Here. 508 00:47:58,822 --> 00:48:01,723 Grandma Bear's Tummy Mint or something, l think. 509 00:48:05,763 --> 00:48:07,492 Hey, are you still there? 510 00:48:18,542 --> 00:48:22,103 l think we should skip the whole courtship thing and Just get married. 511 00:48:32,356 --> 00:48:35,450 Man, am l glad l talked you into coming up here. 512 00:48:35,826 --> 00:48:39,455 You know, any more time alone, l really might have lost it. 513 00:48:40,297 --> 00:48:41,457 Me, too. 514 00:48:46,136 --> 00:48:49,105 You don't have any problems with moving to Cleveland? 515 00:48:49,773 --> 00:48:50,762 Not really. 516 00:48:50,841 --> 00:48:54,675 l find most American cities to be depressing in the same way. 517 00:49:00,818 --> 00:49:03,651 And you're okay with the vasectomy thing? 518 00:49:24,975 --> 00:49:25,999 Hey, Toby. 519 00:49:26,076 --> 00:49:29,102 No, you can't have any of my White Castle hamburger... 520 00:49:29,179 --> 00:49:31,113 so please don't even ask. 521 00:49:31,982 --> 00:49:35,577 -Yeah? Can l have a fry? -Okay, but Just a couple, Harvey. 522 00:49:36,153 --> 00:49:38,644 l'm not going to be eating dinner until very late... 523 00:49:38,722 --> 00:49:40,815 and this has got to hold me over. 524 00:49:40,891 --> 00:49:42,552 What have you got, a church function? 525 00:49:42,626 --> 00:49:47,086 No, l'm driving to Toledo to see a movie. Would you like to come? 526 00:49:48,866 --> 00:49:52,700 No, l gotta go to Delaware tonight. l'm getting married. 527 00:49:53,837 --> 00:49:57,603 -Why Delaware? -The chick l'm marrying is from Wilmington. 528 00:49:58,142 --> 00:50:01,043 Plus, l got to help her move her stuff back here. 529 00:50:03,047 --> 00:50:05,777 Why are you driving to Toledo to see a movie? 530 00:50:05,849 --> 00:50:08,010 lt's not playing at the Mapletown. 531 00:50:08,919 --> 00:50:12,548 -l didn't know you had a girlfriend. -Yeah, we met last week. 532 00:50:22,399 --> 00:50:26,961 What movie could possibly be worth driving 260 miles roundtrip for? 533 00:50:27,771 --> 00:50:31,298 lt's a new film called Revenge of the Nerds. 534 00:50:31,608 --> 00:50:33,974 lt's about a group of nerd college students... 535 00:50:34,044 --> 00:50:36,979 who are being picked on all the time by the Jocks. 536 00:50:37,081 --> 00:50:39,106 So they decide to take revenge. 537 00:50:39,850 --> 00:50:43,581 So what you're saying is you identify with those nerds? 538 00:50:43,921 --> 00:50:46,754 Yes, l consider myself a nerd... 539 00:50:47,124 --> 00:50:49,524 and this movie has uplifted me. 540 00:50:51,628 --> 00:50:56,122 There's this one scene where a nerd grabs the microphone during a pep rally... 541 00:50:56,367 --> 00:50:59,825 and announces that he is a nerd and that he is proud of it... 542 00:50:59,903 --> 00:51:02,497 and stands up for the rights of other nerds. 543 00:51:02,606 --> 00:51:05,769 -Right on. -Then he asks all the kids at the pep rally... 544 00:51:05,843 --> 00:51:08,368 who think they are nerds, to come forward. 545 00:51:11,482 --> 00:51:15,885 So nearly everyone in the place does. That's the way the movie ends. 546 00:51:17,121 --> 00:51:19,282 -So the nerds won? -Yes. 547 00:51:20,858 --> 00:51:21,950 All right. 548 00:51:23,761 --> 00:51:26,594 You know, you got this movie, and l'm getting hitched. 549 00:51:26,663 --> 00:51:29,029 -We both had a good month. -Right. 550 00:51:39,109 --> 00:51:40,770 -Harvey? Wait! -Yeah? 551 00:51:41,278 --> 00:51:45,647 How long will you be in Delaware? Because l'd like to see this movie with you. 552 00:51:47,818 --> 00:51:50,252 l don't know. l'm gonna be gone a week. 553 00:51:50,320 --> 00:51:54,984 But then, l'm gonna have a wife. So l'm going to have to bring her along, too. 554 00:51:55,426 --> 00:51:57,121 ls it a girl flick? 555 00:51:57,895 --> 00:52:01,422 Depends on the girl. What kind of girl is your new bride? 556 00:52:01,932 --> 00:52:03,331 ls she a nerd? 557 00:52:04,301 --> 00:52:05,928 l don't know, man. 558 00:52:06,503 --> 00:52:09,097 Maybe, yeah. She's into herbal tea. 559 00:52:23,520 --> 00:52:26,614 I did end up becoming a character in his comics. 560 00:52:29,126 --> 00:52:33,688 Harvey tends to push the negative or the sour. 561 00:52:33,764 --> 00:52:38,394 And he can be very depressed, and therefore very depressing. 562 00:52:40,637 --> 00:52:43,333 Harvey, do you think you portray joyce fairly? 563 00:52:43,407 --> 00:52:46,604 Yeah, l think l portray her fairly. 564 00:52:51,215 --> 00:52:54,673 There's some things that she does that l don't put in there... 565 00:52:58,622 --> 00:53:01,785 for obvious reasons. l don't wanna get my head cut off. 566 00:53:04,695 --> 00:53:09,029 l think my portrayal is generally fairly accurate. 567 00:53:10,400 --> 00:53:13,460 There've been stories that l've participated in... 568 00:53:13,537 --> 00:53:17,029 or things that have happened, and l've seen them... 569 00:53:18,242 --> 00:53:22,144 as a lot more happy things going on in there. He Just doesn't put that in... 570 00:53:22,212 --> 00:53:26,148 because he Just doesn't think that sunshine and flowers sell. 571 00:53:28,085 --> 00:53:29,575 ls that right? 572 00:53:29,953 --> 00:53:32,649 You always say, ''Misery loves company.'' 573 00:53:35,559 --> 00:53:38,551 You know, l'm Just a gloomy guy, that's all. 574 00:53:41,031 --> 00:53:43,591 lt's my perspective: gloom and doom. 575 00:53:43,867 --> 00:53:47,633 And see, l thought l was marrying somebody with a sense of humor. 576 00:53:49,473 --> 00:53:50,963 l guess l fooled you. 577 00:53:52,442 --> 00:53:54,205 What a crock of shit, man. 578 00:53:54,278 --> 00:53:55,178 -That's not the point. -You missed the whole point of the movie. 579 00:53:55,178 --> 00:53:57,510 -That's not the point. -You missed the whole point of the movie. 580 00:53:57,581 --> 00:54:01,574 Where the hell am l supposed to find the point in garbage? 581 00:54:03,086 --> 00:54:06,544 l agree with Toby. l think it's a story of hope and tolerance. 582 00:54:07,124 --> 00:54:11,322 Yes, it's about time that the people who get picked on get to be the heroes. 583 00:54:11,562 --> 00:54:15,123 lt's an entertaining flick and all, and l can see why you like it, Toby. 584 00:54:15,198 --> 00:54:18,998 But those people on the screen ain't even supposed to be you. 585 00:54:19,069 --> 00:54:21,003 They're college students... 586 00:54:21,071 --> 00:54:24,336 who live with their parents in big houses in the suburbs. 587 00:54:24,441 --> 00:54:28,741 They're gonna get degrees, get good Jobs, and they're gonna stop being nerds. 588 00:54:28,812 --> 00:54:32,373 Remember what l told you about loud talking? Use your inside voice. 589 00:54:32,449 --> 00:54:35,009 Look, Toby, the guys in that movie... 590 00:54:35,085 --> 00:54:38,452 are not 28-year-old file clerks who live with their grandmother... 591 00:54:38,522 --> 00:54:40,387 -in an ethnic ghetto. -That's enough. 592 00:54:40,457 --> 00:54:42,982 They didn't get their computers the way you did... 593 00:54:43,060 --> 00:54:46,962 by trading in a bunch of box tops and $49.50 at the supermarket. 594 00:54:47,030 --> 00:54:48,657 You're funny, Harvey. 595 00:54:48,999 --> 00:54:50,523 l'm getting in the front. 596 00:54:50,901 --> 00:54:54,428 Sure, Toby, fine. You go to the movies and daydream... 597 00:54:54,504 --> 00:54:58,941 but this Revenge of the Nerds ain't reality. lt's Hollywood bullshit. 598 00:54:59,076 --> 00:55:00,634 Harvey, let him alone. 599 00:55:01,945 --> 00:55:06,439 The thing that l loved about it is l was transported to another time in my life. 600 00:55:06,516 --> 00:55:09,917 -l like when they took the video cameras-- -lf everyone could see it.... 601 00:55:09,987 --> 00:55:12,148 lt's the same as the ''l Have a Dream'' speech. 602 00:55:12,222 --> 00:55:13,348 lt's very empowering. 603 00:55:13,423 --> 00:55:17,325 Maybe I was being so harsh on Toby on account of my own problems. 604 00:55:17,694 --> 00:55:19,491 You see, I wasn't even married a month... 605 00:55:19,563 --> 00:55:22,964 and my old lady was already showing signs of trouble. 606 00:55:23,133 --> 00:55:27,627 Granted, I tend to get married fast, 'cause I'll take any woman that'll have me. 607 00:55:28,572 --> 00:55:30,870 But this time I really met my match. 608 00:55:33,110 --> 00:55:36,876 How about these old 78s? Can't you sell them to one of your collectors? 609 00:55:36,947 --> 00:55:39,108 Are you kidding me, man? No way. 610 00:55:39,182 --> 00:55:41,616 l ain't getting rid of my 78s. 611 00:55:41,752 --> 00:55:43,447 Forget it, then. l give up. 612 00:55:43,520 --> 00:55:46,819 How can l make more storage space if you won't get rid of anything? 613 00:55:46,890 --> 00:55:49,415 You know what? l'll get rid of stuff. 614 00:55:49,593 --> 00:55:52,528 -just not my good stuff. -Everything is your good stuff. 615 00:55:52,596 --> 00:55:55,394 How am l supposed to live here if there's no room for me? 616 00:55:55,465 --> 00:55:56,955 Come on, baby. 617 00:55:57,634 --> 00:55:59,659 l'll make room for you, okay? 618 00:55:59,936 --> 00:56:02,928 You Just have to give me time. l'm not so good at these things. 619 00:56:03,006 --> 00:56:05,497 -Because you're obsessive-compulsive. -Come on! 620 00:56:05,575 --> 00:56:07,509 l don't wanna hear that psycho-babble crap. 621 00:56:07,577 --> 00:56:11,479 l don't care if you don't wanna hear it. You are the poster child for the DSM III. 622 00:56:11,548 --> 00:56:14,881 l'll have you know l come from a very dysfunctional family. 623 00:56:14,951 --> 00:56:18,045 l can spot a personality disorder miles away. 624 00:56:21,658 --> 00:56:22,886 Hello, joyce. 625 00:56:23,727 --> 00:56:25,319 ls Harvey home? 626 00:56:27,064 --> 00:56:28,554 Borderline autistic. 627 00:56:33,837 --> 00:56:37,102 Are you listening to me? l tell you, that Toby is a spy. 628 00:56:41,378 --> 00:56:43,778 Paranoid personality disorder. 629 00:56:57,160 --> 00:56:58,923 Polymorphously perverse. 630 00:57:02,532 --> 00:57:04,193 Hey, leave a message. 631 00:57:05,535 --> 00:57:07,628 This is me. pick up the phone. 632 00:57:08,138 --> 00:57:10,231 You're not going to believe this... 633 00:57:10,307 --> 00:57:14,107 but some LA producer called and wants to do a play about my life. 634 00:57:14,177 --> 00:57:16,145 Call me back. Call me here. 635 00:57:17,948 --> 00:57:19,848 Delusions of grandeur. 636 00:57:42,806 --> 00:57:46,503 See, l think comics can pretty much be an art form, man. 637 00:57:46,576 --> 00:57:50,012 l mean, the pictures can be as good as they want to be... 638 00:57:50,080 --> 00:57:52,548 and the words can be as good as they want to be... 639 00:57:52,616 --> 00:57:55,847 and a man can do pretty much anything he wants to. 640 00:57:58,688 --> 00:58:03,125 That's true, but l didn't come all the way from Delaware to talk about comics. 641 00:58:33,690 --> 00:58:37,182 Where is my American splendor 642 00:58:38,061 --> 00:58:41,588 in a world that's cloudy and gray? 643 00:58:42,332 --> 00:58:47,326 Where life keeps passing by me day by day 644 00:58:50,473 --> 00:58:54,239 Where is my American splendor 645 00:58:54,878 --> 00:58:58,541 in a world that's cloudy and gray? 646 00:58:59,082 --> 00:59:04,076 Where life keeps passing by me day by day 647 00:59:07,490 --> 00:59:10,857 If you think reading comics about your life seems strange... 648 00:59:10,961 --> 00:59:12,895 try watching a play about it. 649 00:59:13,730 --> 00:59:16,494 God only knows how I'll feel when I see this movie. 650 00:59:20,971 --> 00:59:23,667 Things were going pretty good for a change. 651 00:59:23,740 --> 00:59:26,641 Variety called me ''the blue-collar Mark Twain. '' 652 00:59:26,743 --> 00:59:31,271 Doubleday was interested in publishing an anthology of American Splendor. 653 00:59:32,315 --> 00:59:35,250 l hate checking bags, man. lt always takes forever. 654 00:59:36,419 --> 00:59:41,220 The bus is gonna leave soon. That means l gotta shell out an extra $30 for a cab. 655 00:59:46,096 --> 00:59:49,588 Figures. That lucky yuppie is gonna get the bus in time. 656 00:59:55,338 --> 00:59:59,707 -You know, vasectomies are reversible. -Goddamn yuppies get everything, man. 657 00:59:59,776 --> 01:00:03,177 Are you listening to me? l said vasectomies are reversible. 658 01:00:03,480 --> 01:00:06,210 What? What are you talking about? 659 01:00:07,317 --> 01:00:08,682 l don't want no kids. 660 01:00:08,752 --> 01:00:12,119 And l came clean about my vasectomy the first time l set eyes on you. 661 01:00:12,188 --> 01:00:14,850 l know, but l think things have changed. 662 01:00:14,991 --> 01:00:17,755 -l think we can be a family. -Family? 663 01:00:18,361 --> 01:00:20,761 Right. What kind of family could we possibly be? 664 01:00:20,830 --> 01:00:22,559 l ain't no good with kids. 665 01:00:22,632 --> 01:00:25,396 Christ, l can barely take care of myself. 666 01:00:25,635 --> 01:00:27,626 l can take care of the kid and you. 667 01:00:27,704 --> 01:00:30,229 No way, joyce. Forget it. 668 01:00:31,207 --> 01:00:33,698 l can't have no kids. l can't do it. 669 01:00:45,255 --> 01:00:48,224 Where the hell is that Ornette Coleman album? 670 01:00:49,159 --> 01:00:51,821 You know, l got a review due tomorrow. 671 01:00:51,962 --> 01:00:55,159 l didn't touch it, Harvey. Would you please let me sleep? 672 01:00:58,668 --> 01:01:03,002 Come on, it's 1 :00. How late can a person sleep, man? 673 01:01:07,243 --> 01:01:10,007 lt happens to be Saturday, you selfish son of a bitch. 674 01:01:10,080 --> 01:01:11,672 That don't make no difference. 675 01:01:11,748 --> 01:01:14,581 -Don't tell me what to do. -l'm not telling you what to do. 676 01:01:14,651 --> 01:01:18,212 l'm the one who moved into your city, into your home... 677 01:01:19,255 --> 01:01:21,052 into your vasectomy... 678 01:01:22,225 --> 01:01:23,692 into your whole screwed-up life. 679 01:01:23,760 --> 01:01:27,491 The least you could do is allow me to live here in my own way. 680 01:01:33,136 --> 01:01:34,603 I tried everything... 681 01:01:34,671 --> 01:01:37,333 but nothing could get this woman out of bed. 682 01:01:38,308 --> 01:01:41,505 I mean, she wouldn't get a job, wouldn't go out... 683 01:01:41,578 --> 01:01:43,739 wouldn't make friends, nothing. 684 01:01:48,551 --> 01:01:51,384 Joyce diagnosed herself as clinically depressed. 685 01:01:53,456 --> 01:01:56,084 I didn't know what the hell she was going through... 686 01:01:56,159 --> 01:01:58,787 but it was sure taking its toll on me. 687 01:01:59,396 --> 01:02:02,729 joyce, we got a message here. How come you didn't.... 688 01:02:04,367 --> 01:02:05,834 Useless, man. 689 01:02:10,140 --> 01:02:14,167 Hi. This is a message for Harvey pekar. My name is Jonathan Greene... 690 01:02:14,244 --> 01:02:16,838 and I'm a producer of Late Night with David Letterman. 691 01:02:16,913 --> 01:02:20,076 We want to talk to you about coming on the show to plug your comics. 692 01:02:20,150 --> 01:02:23,984 please give us a call at 212-555-3333. 693 01:02:24,554 --> 01:02:25,543 Thanks. 694 01:02:28,792 --> 01:02:31,158 Joyce finally got off the futon. 695 01:03:23,880 --> 01:03:24,869 No. 696 01:03:26,349 --> 01:03:28,374 Come on, who the hell cares? 697 01:03:29,719 --> 01:03:32,085 -jesus Christ. -Give that to me. 698 01:03:32,155 --> 01:03:34,316 What the hell are you doing? 699 01:03:34,457 --> 01:03:35,981 Merchandising. 700 01:03:52,775 --> 01:03:55,005 -People like this show? -Yeah. 701 01:03:56,880 --> 01:03:58,541 l can't believe my voice is going. 702 01:03:58,615 --> 01:04:01,243 What's the matter? You were fine in the hotel. 703 01:04:01,985 --> 01:04:03,816 You want something to drink? 704 01:04:03,887 --> 01:04:06,355 l'm hungry. Aren't you hungry? 705 01:04:06,422 --> 01:04:09,983 They should give you doughnuts or something. Look at this. 706 01:04:10,059 --> 01:04:12,493 -Dave's ready for you now. -He is? 707 01:04:12,562 --> 01:04:15,122 You got something to eat? 'Cause my stomach is growling. 708 01:04:15,198 --> 01:04:17,564 -There's no time to eat. -Come on. 709 01:04:17,800 --> 01:04:20,064 Wait, what about the doll? 710 01:04:21,371 --> 01:04:23,703 He's got it at the desk. Would you relax about that? 711 01:04:23,773 --> 01:04:25,707 -Guys, we're in a hurry. -Okay. 712 01:04:26,643 --> 01:04:28,406 -Which way? -Right this way. 713 01:04:32,148 --> 01:04:33,945 Thank you, boys. 714 01:04:34,017 --> 01:04:37,544 Our next guest tonight works as a file clerk at a Cleveland hospital. 715 01:04:37,620 --> 01:04:41,351 He also writes comic books which deal with his day-to-day pains and pleasures. 716 01:04:41,424 --> 01:04:43,824 This is an anthology of the nine of those comics. 717 01:04:43,893 --> 01:04:45,690 It's entitled American Splendor. 718 01:04:45,762 --> 01:04:49,425 From off the streets of Cleveland, folks, please say hello to Harvey pekar. 719 01:04:49,499 --> 01:04:51,194 Harvey, come out here. 720 01:04:52,835 --> 01:04:53,824 Hi, Harvey. 721 01:04:54,470 --> 01:04:56,665 Thanks for coming out here. 722 01:04:59,108 --> 01:05:00,541 Have a seat. 723 01:05:01,744 --> 01:05:05,703 What do you mean calling me ''curious''? I met you before the show. 724 01:05:06,115 --> 01:05:09,084 -I meant ''curious'' in a fascinating way. -All right. 725 01:05:09,152 --> 01:05:12,087 A man who has the presence of one who is quite fascinating. 726 01:05:12,155 --> 01:05:15,955 'Cause I met you before the show. I thought you were a pretty nice guy. 727 01:05:16,025 --> 01:05:19,756 I thought, wait a minute, I might be nursing a viper in my bosom. 728 01:05:19,829 --> 01:05:21,194 Something like that. 729 01:05:21,264 --> 01:05:22,891 You're a little defensive about this? 730 01:05:22,966 --> 01:05:25,696 Yeah, I'm waiting for those Cleveland jokes. Go ahead. 731 01:05:25,768 --> 01:05:28,236 -All right, settle down. -Yeah, all right. 732 01:05:30,039 --> 01:05:33,133 Let's explain to folks who may not be familiar with your work... 733 01:05:33,209 --> 01:05:34,836 what it is you do here exactly. 734 01:05:34,911 --> 01:05:38,904 You have comic books about you in your daily life. 735 01:05:39,015 --> 01:05:42,746 And you also have a regular job in Cleveland working at a hospital. 736 01:05:42,819 --> 01:05:43,979 That's right. 737 01:05:44,053 --> 01:05:46,647 -You know this guy? -l'm beginning to wonder. 738 01:05:46,723 --> 01:05:50,090 You could probably get by on what you make selling your work. 739 01:05:50,159 --> 01:05:53,856 Because people want you to write more, and you're publishing this anthology. 740 01:05:53,930 --> 01:05:56,899 Who? What people? What are you talking about? 741 01:05:57,200 --> 01:06:00,397 -Where the hell do you get that stuff? -I know that you.... 742 01:06:04,340 --> 01:06:05,466 You know, that-- 743 01:06:05,541 --> 01:06:08,908 I'm no show-biz phony. I'm telling the truth. Go on, man. 744 01:06:08,978 --> 01:06:10,104 You can't.... 745 01:06:10,179 --> 01:06:13,637 -At least he's keeping up with Letterman. -Pandering is more like it. 746 01:06:13,716 --> 01:06:18,210 You mean to tell me that other people haven't contacted you for writing literary.... 747 01:06:22,592 --> 01:06:25,254 -I mean-- -You could making a living as a writer. 748 01:06:25,328 --> 01:06:27,819 What are you trying to do over there? 749 01:06:28,398 --> 01:06:31,526 l'm trying to get some news. There's a big story about to break... 750 01:06:31,601 --> 01:06:34,832 about the US selling arms to lran and the Contras. 751 01:06:36,105 --> 01:06:38,573 -Just relax. -Don't worry about it. 752 01:06:38,941 --> 01:06:41,136 Finally, something good. Watch this. 753 01:06:41,978 --> 01:06:44,538 -I got a job. -I know you've got a job. I've got a job. 754 01:06:44,614 --> 01:06:48,448 -We're both very lucky. We both have jobs. -Then what's the matter? 755 01:06:49,319 --> 01:06:51,685 -Joke, man. -We gotta go. 756 01:06:51,754 --> 01:06:55,383 Harvey, I like you. I'm on your side. I enjoy the comic books. 757 01:06:55,458 --> 01:06:58,393 -Quickly, tell us about the little doll. -My wife made it. 758 01:07:02,031 --> 01:07:04,022 -Am I giving you a hard time? -No. 759 01:07:04,100 --> 01:07:05,829 -Am I making you nervous? -No. 760 01:07:05,902 --> 01:07:08,632 We have to go now. I wanted to mention these are for sale. 761 01:07:08,705 --> 01:07:10,900 -They're made out of your old clothing. -Right. 762 01:07:10,973 --> 01:07:13,999 -What do these go for? -$34. 763 01:07:16,679 --> 01:07:19,807 -$34 for this? -What are you, cheaper than me? 764 01:07:19,882 --> 01:07:24,046 -Would you pay $34 for that? -No, but I'm not asking it. My wife is. 765 01:07:28,157 --> 01:07:30,125 Such brilliant repartee. 766 01:07:33,763 --> 01:07:34,752 Shit. 767 01:07:39,102 --> 01:07:40,967 So, what do you think? 768 01:07:44,607 --> 01:07:45,972 Megalomaniac. 769 01:07:48,411 --> 01:07:50,777 Hi, this is a message for Harvey pekar. 770 01:07:59,055 --> 01:08:02,320 From the streets of Cleveland, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... 771 01:08:02,392 --> 01:08:06,158 the one, the only Harvey pekar. Harvey, come on out, buddy. 772 01:08:08,731 --> 01:08:13,293 It became clear pretty fast that I was invited on the show just for laughs. 773 01:08:13,603 --> 01:08:16,663 You look like a lot of guys you see sleeping on buses. 774 01:08:17,840 --> 01:08:20,365 -Sorry. -It's all right, Dave, have a good time. 775 01:08:20,443 --> 01:08:24,311 -I know, we're doing what we can. -It's your world. I'm just living in it. 776 01:08:28,351 --> 01:08:30,251 But what the hell did I care? 777 01:08:30,853 --> 01:08:34,152 Letterman was an okay guy. Let him take potshots at me. 778 01:08:34,223 --> 01:08:36,783 So long as I got paid and got to plug my comics. 779 01:08:36,859 --> 01:08:41,023 I think to myself, you look like every police artist sketch I've ever seen. 780 01:08:42,331 --> 01:08:43,389 Funny thing is... 781 01:08:43,466 --> 01:08:46,367 something about me and Letterman clicked for the viewers. 782 01:08:46,436 --> 01:08:47,835 He kept wanting me back. 783 01:08:47,904 --> 01:08:51,169 -It was about a year ago, this month-- -That's right. 784 01:08:51,240 --> 01:08:52,264 No, last month. 785 01:08:52,341 --> 01:08:55,504 A year ago, last month, you made your first appearance on the show. 786 01:08:55,578 --> 01:08:58,775 -What has happened to you since? -Not much, David. 787 01:08:59,348 --> 01:09:01,339 It's slow going. I still have the same job. 788 01:09:01,417 --> 01:09:04,818 But see, Harvey, you're the embodiment of the American Dream. 789 01:09:06,088 --> 01:09:08,921 And it wasn't just me getting all the attention. 790 01:09:08,991 --> 01:09:10,185 Action. 791 01:09:12,462 --> 01:09:13,986 Are these free? 792 01:09:15,164 --> 01:09:17,530 As a result of my appearances on Letterman... 793 01:09:17,600 --> 01:09:21,730 my buddy Toby Radloff, landed a gig extolling the virtues of MTV. 794 01:09:26,142 --> 01:09:28,133 Watch where you're going. 795 01:09:28,878 --> 01:09:32,712 -All right, you fucking yuppie freak. -Who the fuck is this on my set? 796 01:09:36,519 --> 01:09:39,044 Look at this, the man of the hour. 797 01:09:41,557 --> 01:09:45,357 This is my new do for the MTV generation. 798 01:09:49,932 --> 01:09:53,424 We came upon Toby Radloff while doing a story in Cleveland last year... 799 01:09:53,503 --> 01:09:55,869 on his friend, the comic artist Harvey pekar. 800 01:09:55,938 --> 01:09:59,499 Toby's a genuine nerd, and he doesn't care if you have a problem with that. 801 01:09:59,575 --> 01:10:03,773 Hi, my name is Toby Radloff, a genuine nerd from Cleveland, Ohio. 802 01:10:03,846 --> 01:10:06,337 And as you know, many hip people... 803 01:10:06,415 --> 01:10:11,045 including a lot of college students, are going to be heading for spring break. 804 01:10:11,521 --> 01:10:15,355 But I have decided to spend my own personal spring break... 805 01:10:15,424 --> 01:10:18,518 right here in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio. 806 01:10:21,564 --> 01:10:23,691 That day, I had an epiphany. 807 01:10:24,267 --> 01:10:27,566 It seemed that real salt-of-the-earth people, like Toby and me... 808 01:10:27,637 --> 01:10:30,800 were getting co-opted by these huge corporations. 809 01:10:31,474 --> 01:10:34,875 We were getting held up and ridiculed as losers in the system. 810 01:10:35,478 --> 01:10:39,175 This is Toby Radloff, genuine spring-break party nerd... 811 01:10:39,248 --> 01:10:40,681 signing off. 812 01:10:42,318 --> 01:10:44,912 What can I say? It was the '80s, man. 813 01:10:47,256 --> 01:10:49,281 Harvey, are you listening to me? 814 01:10:49,392 --> 01:10:53,556 l've been reading about these kids who grew up in these war zones. 815 01:10:53,629 --> 01:10:55,927 You know, Palestinians, lsraelis... 816 01:10:57,400 --> 01:11:00,392 El Salvadorians, Cambodians. These kids are amazing-- 817 01:11:00,469 --> 01:11:03,563 You're that guy from the Letterman show, right? 818 01:11:03,639 --> 01:11:05,163 Yeah, that's me. 819 01:11:05,508 --> 01:11:09,535 That's so excellent. You and Stupid Pet Tricks are a riot. 820 01:11:11,080 --> 01:11:14,516 Yeah? Then how about you buy one of my comics, man? 821 01:11:14,951 --> 01:11:17,476 That's the only reason l go on that dumb show, anyway. 822 01:11:17,553 --> 01:11:20,954 Right. Sure. Later, Harvey Pekar. 823 01:11:22,325 --> 01:11:25,783 -What an asshole! -l want to write a political comic book... 824 01:11:25,861 --> 01:11:27,488 about these kids. 825 01:11:29,398 --> 01:11:32,697 Listen to me. There's a conference in jerusalem in a couple of weeks. 826 01:11:32,768 --> 01:11:35,532 l'm gonna start by doing some interviews there. 827 01:11:35,638 --> 01:11:38,630 Wait a minute. What are you talking about, jerusalem? 828 01:11:38,708 --> 01:11:43,168 Lately l can barely drag you off the futon to go with me to the Letterman show. 829 01:11:44,213 --> 01:11:46,147 Do you want to know why? 830 01:11:46,682 --> 01:11:49,242 Because l don't give a damn about the Letterman show. 831 01:11:49,318 --> 01:11:53,152 l want to do something important to me, something that matters. 832 01:11:55,458 --> 01:11:58,655 You know l only go on the show for the extra bread. 833 01:11:59,996 --> 01:12:03,329 Maybe if you got your lazy ass up, and got yourself a Job... 834 01:12:03,399 --> 01:12:05,765 l could do something that matters, too. 835 01:12:05,901 --> 01:12:08,870 -Harvey, you're yelling. -You ever think of that? 836 01:12:19,782 --> 01:12:21,010 Don't.... 837 01:12:25,655 --> 01:12:27,054 l'm sorry. 838 01:12:29,058 --> 01:12:30,582 joyce, l'm sorry. 839 01:12:37,967 --> 01:12:41,994 I guess it was good to finally see Joyce excited about something of her own. 840 01:12:42,071 --> 01:12:45,438 This is crazy. Can't you Just do something here in Cleveland? 841 01:12:45,574 --> 01:12:48,600 You'll survive a couple of weeks by yourself. 842 01:12:49,712 --> 01:12:50,906 All right. 843 01:12:55,217 --> 01:12:58,186 Be careful out there, all right? l love you. 844 01:13:01,824 --> 01:13:05,316 Sure, I was happy for her, but I was still upset for me. 845 01:13:12,268 --> 01:13:15,169 It was later that night when I first found the lump. 846 01:13:28,451 --> 01:13:31,909 I was determined to put it out of my mind until Joyce got back. 847 01:13:33,956 --> 01:13:35,548 Easier said than done. 848 01:13:36,392 --> 01:13:38,383 What do l care? just give me the chart. 849 01:13:38,461 --> 01:13:40,895 -What is your problem? -Miguel, look... 850 01:13:40,963 --> 01:13:43,523 l Just don't want to keep coming back here for it, okay? 851 01:13:43,599 --> 01:13:46,500 Harvey, that patient's due to be admitted a week from now. 852 01:13:46,569 --> 01:13:49,402 -Why do you always fight? -How often must we go through this? 853 01:13:49,472 --> 01:13:51,565 just give me the fucking chart! 854 01:13:51,640 --> 01:13:54,507 -We'll see what the doctor has to say. -Fine. 855 01:14:07,356 --> 01:14:08,721 What? 856 01:14:35,251 --> 01:14:37,549 What do you mean, another two weeks? 857 01:14:38,254 --> 01:14:41,189 jesus Christ. You've got to come home sometime! 858 01:14:46,529 --> 01:14:47,723 Hello? 859 01:14:48,397 --> 01:14:50,456 Goddamn it. 860 01:15:11,620 --> 01:15:14,054 just walk straight out to the desk. 861 01:15:14,123 --> 01:15:15,420 l know. Okay, fine. 862 01:15:15,491 --> 01:15:17,118 -You all set? -Yeah. 863 01:15:19,128 --> 01:15:20,857 I was starting to lose it. 864 01:15:21,564 --> 01:15:26,467 Between the lump, the loneliness, I felt like everything was closing in on me. 865 01:15:27,837 --> 01:15:30,533 And with Joyce over there saving the world... 866 01:15:30,606 --> 01:15:33,837 I never felt more like a sell-out hack in my life. 867 01:15:34,176 --> 01:15:35,507 Okay. 868 01:15:37,446 --> 01:15:41,439 You know, folks, if it really is true that misery loves company... 869 01:15:41,550 --> 01:15:45,145 our next guest must always have a house full of people. 870 01:15:45,888 --> 01:15:47,378 Okay, asshole. 871 01:15:48,591 --> 01:15:50,718 You're gonna pay for that one, man. 872 01:15:52,695 --> 01:15:56,153 Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back Harvey pekar. 873 01:15:57,299 --> 01:16:00,564 Harvey, this is not the forum. This is not Meet The press. 874 01:16:00,636 --> 01:16:03,571 You Just want me to talk about simple-minded bullshit, David. 875 01:16:03,639 --> 01:16:06,904 -l ain't co-opted like you. l got things to say. -Relax, Harvey. 876 01:16:06,976 --> 01:16:10,173 For instance, l want to talk about a conflict of interest situation. 877 01:16:10,246 --> 01:16:12,237 Can we do that, David? How about that? 878 01:16:12,314 --> 01:16:15,442 You know, like GE owning this network, NBC. 879 01:16:15,517 --> 01:16:19,613 GE has basically become a military, industrial, financial-- 880 01:16:19,688 --> 01:16:23,021 Can we get the singing shitzu back here? Has he left the building yet? 881 01:16:23,092 --> 01:16:26,027 You think NBC news is gonna cover what they do fairly? 882 01:16:26,095 --> 01:16:28,655 -l got other things l wanna talk about. -That's enough-- 883 01:16:28,731 --> 01:16:30,995 just shut up, man! Don't push me. 884 01:16:31,066 --> 01:16:33,432 -l'm doing my own thing. -Harvey, this is not-- 885 01:16:33,502 --> 01:16:35,129 Are you afraid of the truth, David? 886 01:16:35,204 --> 01:16:38,833 It's not about what you're saying. It's about your choice of venue. 887 01:16:38,908 --> 01:16:42,105 It may come as a shock to you, but this is a comedy show. 888 01:16:42,177 --> 01:16:45,271 -Not tonight, it ain't. -joe, come check this out. 889 01:16:45,347 --> 01:16:48,077 Take your winning personality and go get your own show. 890 01:16:48,150 --> 01:16:52,143 -I don't want my own goddamn show. -We've had you on this show many times. 891 01:16:52,221 --> 01:16:54,917 You sulk, complain, and promote your comic book... 892 01:16:54,990 --> 01:16:56,787 and you really haven't been appreciative. 893 01:16:56,859 --> 01:16:59,487 You didn't do me any favors, okay? 894 01:16:59,828 --> 01:17:03,594 I'm still a file clerk. I've always been a file clerk... 895 01:17:03,666 --> 01:17:07,762 and it's no thanks to you or to your goddamn pathetic audience. 896 01:17:10,272 --> 01:17:11,864 We're gonna take a commercial. 897 01:17:11,941 --> 01:17:14,341 And when we come back, guess who's not gonna be here. 898 01:17:14,410 --> 01:17:17,675 You want me to leave, David? Come on, ask me like a man. 899 01:17:17,746 --> 01:17:21,113 -Don't go hiding behind a commercial. -Are things okay at home, Harvey? 900 01:17:21,183 --> 01:17:24,243 Things are just great at home. Okay, goodbye, Dave. 901 01:17:24,320 --> 01:17:26,379 Goodbye, America, and thanks for nothing. 902 01:17:26,455 --> 01:17:29,049 Harvey pekar, ladies and gentlemen. We'll be right back. 903 01:17:35,831 --> 01:17:39,494 -l guess you really did it this time. -Who the hell cares? 904 01:17:40,436 --> 01:17:43,234 That show wasn't helping my sales anyway. 905 01:17:47,576 --> 01:17:48,565 Baby... 906 01:17:49,678 --> 01:17:51,441 please don't go away anymore. 907 01:17:52,414 --> 01:17:54,712 l Just can't take being alone, you know? 908 01:17:54,917 --> 01:17:58,284 lf you met those kids over there, you wouldn't ask that of me. 909 01:17:58,354 --> 01:17:59,878 l'm telling you something... 910 01:17:59,955 --> 01:18:02,856 if you go away again, l'm gonna lose it. 911 01:18:02,925 --> 01:18:06,452 This is not up for discussion. l need this in my life right now. 912 01:18:14,503 --> 01:18:17,734 l do appreciate the fact that you missed me so much, baby. 913 01:18:29,818 --> 01:18:31,342 Harvey, what is that? 914 01:18:32,688 --> 01:18:34,155 l don't understand. 915 01:18:35,057 --> 01:18:39,255 Does ''tumor'' mean the same thing as ''cancer''? 916 01:18:40,963 --> 01:18:42,988 We know the growth is malignant. 917 01:18:43,098 --> 01:18:45,692 What we don't know is how far it may have spread. 918 01:18:45,768 --> 01:18:49,636 Once we have the results, we can make informed decisions about treatment. 919 01:18:49,705 --> 01:18:51,434 Cancer. 920 01:18:51,507 --> 01:18:53,065 Diagnosis. 921 01:18:53,142 --> 01:18:54,734 MRI. 922 01:18:54,810 --> 01:18:56,607 Cancer. 923 01:18:59,782 --> 01:19:01,443 How can l have cancer? 924 01:19:03,819 --> 01:19:07,619 -l don't feel sick at all. -That's a positive thing. 925 01:19:10,692 --> 01:19:12,887 My cousin Norman died of lymphoma. 926 01:19:15,631 --> 01:19:18,657 He was 29. He was a brilliant oncologist. 927 01:19:18,734 --> 01:19:21,931 Stop it! You're not gonna die, Harvey. You're not. 928 01:19:23,238 --> 01:19:26,571 What's gonna happen to you, baby? Who's gonna take care of you-- 929 01:19:26,642 --> 01:19:28,200 Look at me and focus. 930 01:19:31,246 --> 01:19:33,271 We are gonna get through this. 931 01:19:33,816 --> 01:19:37,343 l understand illness. l know how to handle these things. 932 01:19:37,419 --> 01:19:40,650 Yeah, but that's you, you know? 933 01:19:40,722 --> 01:19:43,987 l'm not strong enough. l don't know how to be positive. 934 01:19:44,059 --> 01:19:45,959 l can't do that. l can't do it. 935 01:19:46,028 --> 01:19:48,360 -Yes, you can. -No, l can't. 936 01:19:49,765 --> 01:19:51,164 l'll tell you how. 937 01:19:52,868 --> 01:19:55,598 You'll make a comic book of the whole thing. 938 01:19:56,205 --> 01:19:58,400 You'll document every detail. 939 01:19:59,007 --> 01:20:03,808 And that way, you'll remove yourself from the experience until it's over. 940 01:20:09,485 --> 01:20:13,148 l can't do that. l'm Just not strong enough. 941 01:20:15,224 --> 01:20:16,885 Man, l Just wanna die. 942 01:20:19,528 --> 01:20:21,723 That's fine. l'll do it without you. 943 01:21:09,011 --> 01:21:12,378 l'm Fred. You called me about the comic book. 944 01:21:13,949 --> 01:21:16,008 Right, the artist. Come in. 945 01:21:21,156 --> 01:21:23,590 This is my daughter, Danielle. 946 01:21:24,893 --> 01:21:27,623 l had to bring her along. l hope you don't mind. 947 01:21:30,432 --> 01:21:34,232 Hi, Danielle. What's that you're holding? 948 01:21:35,704 --> 01:21:37,035 A pony. 949 01:21:37,773 --> 01:21:40,173 A pony? What's his name? 950 01:21:42,110 --> 01:21:45,136 She's a girl. Clarissa. 951 01:21:45,781 --> 01:21:47,544 Oh, l see. 952 01:21:47,883 --> 01:21:52,786 l'm joyce, and l'm very pleased to meet both you and Clarissa. 953 01:21:53,422 --> 01:21:56,823 l'm real sorry to hear about Harvey. ls he here? 954 01:21:56,892 --> 01:21:59,656 He's going to work till next week when he starts the chemo. 955 01:21:59,728 --> 01:22:01,787 That's why l want this proJect started... 956 01:22:01,863 --> 01:22:05,196 because once he's stuck here, l know he'll take over. 957 01:22:15,410 --> 01:22:16,536 Shit. 958 01:22:26,521 --> 01:22:28,011 Fucking idiot. 959 01:22:28,490 --> 01:22:31,857 Hey, joyce, open the door. 960 01:22:32,995 --> 01:22:35,259 l forgot my keys again. 961 01:22:39,101 --> 01:22:40,363 Hold the door. 962 01:22:58,186 --> 01:23:00,780 Open the fucking door, man! 963 01:23:05,227 --> 01:23:08,321 -Hey, Harvey. -Fred. 964 01:23:17,806 --> 01:23:19,330 What's going on, man? 965 01:23:22,644 --> 01:23:24,669 You see, l thought it was a great idea. 966 01:23:24,746 --> 01:23:28,341 joyce said if we try to Just follow you through your treatments.... 967 01:23:28,417 --> 01:23:30,977 She thought it was a good idea, too, didn't she? 968 01:23:31,053 --> 01:23:34,750 Here's some of the ideas we've been batting around. 969 01:23:36,358 --> 01:23:37,689 All right. 970 01:23:41,630 --> 01:23:42,824 jesus. 971 01:23:45,567 --> 01:23:48,035 joyce has no idea what she's doing, man. 972 01:23:48,503 --> 01:23:51,199 There's too many words in these frames. 973 01:23:52,040 --> 01:23:54,304 When are you coming back, Fred? 974 01:23:55,944 --> 01:24:00,438 She said something about next Tuesday, which is fine with me. lt's Just.... 975 01:24:01,183 --> 01:24:04,710 The only thing is, l might have the kid again. 976 01:24:05,420 --> 01:24:09,857 My ex-wife is supposed to take her, but l don't have much faith in her showing up. 977 01:24:11,059 --> 01:24:13,823 She's in worse shape than me these days. 978 01:24:22,104 --> 01:24:23,537 Next week... 979 01:24:24,573 --> 01:24:26,336 my treatment begins. 980 01:24:29,711 --> 01:24:32,612 Do me a favor, man. Bring the kid, will you? 981 01:26:11,012 --> 01:26:12,445 Thanks. 982 01:26:27,028 --> 01:26:28,518 l wanna die. 983 01:27:12,307 --> 01:27:13,774 -joyce. -What? 984 01:27:14,242 --> 01:27:15,869 What's wrong, Harvey? 985 01:27:16,711 --> 01:27:19,942 What are you doing up? What is it? 986 01:27:22,050 --> 01:27:23,745 Tell me the truth. 987 01:27:27,222 --> 01:27:29,850 Am l a guy who writes about himself... 988 01:27:30,692 --> 01:27:32,284 in a comic book? 989 01:27:37,532 --> 01:27:39,932 Or am l Just a character in that book? 990 01:27:40,268 --> 01:27:43,237 What are you talking about? What are you saying? 991 01:27:44,739 --> 01:27:48,004 lf l die, will that character keep going? 992 01:27:50,412 --> 01:27:52,437 Or will he Just fade away? 993 01:28:00,422 --> 01:28:02,481 Oh, my God. Harvey, wake up. 994 01:28:03,191 --> 01:28:05,182 Wake up, Harvey. Come on. 995 01:28:07,996 --> 01:28:10,487 Oh, no. Come on, wake up. 996 01:28:12,434 --> 01:28:13,992 Can you hear me? 997 01:28:24,245 --> 01:28:26,236 My name is Harvey Pekar. 998 01:28:27,382 --> 01:28:30,510 That's an unusual name: Harvey Pekar. 999 01:28:34,856 --> 01:28:39,657 1960 was the year l got my first apartment and my first phone book. 1000 01:28:40,829 --> 01:28:44,060 Now, imagine my surprise when l looked up my name... 1001 01:28:44,566 --> 01:28:48,593 and saw that in addition to me, another Harvey Pekar was listed. 1002 01:28:50,872 --> 01:28:54,638 You know, l was listed as Harvey L. Pekar. 1003 01:28:54,709 --> 01:28:56,609 My middle name is Lawrence. 1004 01:28:56,978 --> 01:29:00,106 He was listed as Harvey Pekar. 1005 01:29:02,117 --> 01:29:04,813 Therefore, his was a pure listing. 1006 01:29:08,189 --> 01:29:09,850 Then in the '70s... 1007 01:29:10,291 --> 01:29:14,523 l noticed that a third Harvey Pekar was listed in the phone book. 1008 01:29:14,929 --> 01:29:18,194 Now, this filled me with curiosity. 1009 01:29:19,768 --> 01:29:23,135 How can there be three people with such an unusual name in the world... 1010 01:29:23,204 --> 01:29:25,035 let alone in one city? 1011 01:29:28,009 --> 01:29:29,408 Then one day... 1012 01:29:30,445 --> 01:29:34,848 a person l work with expressed her sympathy to me... 1013 01:29:35,150 --> 01:29:38,210 concerning what she thought was the death of my father. 1014 01:29:39,421 --> 01:29:42,788 She pointed out an obituary notice in the newspaper... 1015 01:29:42,857 --> 01:29:44,882 for a man named Harvey Pekar. 1016 01:29:46,061 --> 01:29:49,360 And one of his sons was named Harvey. 1017 01:29:53,001 --> 01:29:55,162 These were the other Harvey Pekars. 1018 01:30:00,508 --> 01:30:03,636 And six months later, Harvey Pekar, jr. died. 1019 01:30:04,679 --> 01:30:06,840 Although l'd met neither man... 1020 01:30:08,516 --> 01:30:10,507 l was filled with sadness. 1021 01:30:12,721 --> 01:30:15,053 ''What were they like?'' l thought. 1022 01:30:16,658 --> 01:30:20,754 lt seemed our lives had been linked in some indefinable way. 1023 01:30:22,897 --> 01:30:25,161 But the story does not end there. 1024 01:30:26,735 --> 01:30:31,604 For two years later, another Harvey Pekar appeared in the phone book. 1025 01:30:35,110 --> 01:30:36,702 Who are these people? 1026 01:30:39,013 --> 01:30:40,878 Where do they come from? 1027 01:30:42,016 --> 01:30:43,608 What do they do? 1028 01:30:47,255 --> 01:30:48,779 What's in a name? 1029 01:30:52,093 --> 01:30:53,720 Who is Harvey Pekar? 1030 01:31:14,549 --> 01:31:17,382 We've got T-shirts for sale upstairs, if you're interested. 1031 01:31:18,920 --> 01:31:21,047 Here's our man, a year later. 1032 01:31:22,624 --> 01:31:27,027 Somehow I made it through the treatments, and the doctors are optimistic. 1033 01:31:28,096 --> 01:31:30,792 I guess Joyce was right about doing a big comic book. 1034 01:31:31,966 --> 01:31:36,027 We published the thing as a graphic novel, our first collaboration... 1035 01:31:36,471 --> 01:31:38,735 and ended up with rave reviews. 1036 01:31:39,440 --> 01:31:42,307 We even won a couple of National Book Awards. 1037 01:31:43,044 --> 01:31:44,375 Go figure. 1038 01:31:45,947 --> 01:31:47,539 Those are beautiful. 1039 01:31:47,615 --> 01:31:51,381 Did you find this in there? l didn't even see those. 1040 01:31:52,554 --> 01:31:55,045 Ever seen one of these flowers? 1041 01:31:55,123 --> 01:31:56,522 Are you finished? 1042 01:31:57,759 --> 01:32:00,751 Danielle, l love it. Very expressive colors. 1043 01:32:07,502 --> 01:32:09,231 What is it, Harvey? 1044 01:32:10,738 --> 01:32:12,262 That was the doctor. 1045 01:32:18,146 --> 01:32:20,011 He says l'm all clear. 1046 01:32:47,275 --> 01:32:50,733 The weirdest thing that came out of my illness was Danielle. 1047 01:32:53,848 --> 01:32:56,976 With her real mother running around who knows where... 1048 01:32:57,051 --> 01:32:59,884 and seeing how well her and Joyce got on... 1049 01:33:00,788 --> 01:33:03,757 Fred decided she'd have a better life with us. 1050 01:33:13,768 --> 01:33:17,761 I was scared at first, but then I thought, what the hell. She's a good kid. 1051 01:33:17,839 --> 01:33:19,067 Hi, Harvey. 1052 01:33:20,675 --> 01:33:24,076 So we ended up taking her and raising her as our own. 1053 01:33:31,953 --> 01:33:36,014 -You keep reading them backwards. -l like reading them backwards. 1054 01:33:36,925 --> 01:33:38,290 ls that one you? 1055 01:33:38,860 --> 01:33:41,624 l keep telling you, all of them's me, man. 1056 01:33:43,064 --> 01:33:44,861 You look like a monster. 1057 01:33:47,268 --> 01:33:49,862 Wait till you see what you're gonna look like. 1058 01:33:49,938 --> 01:33:52,998 -Me? -Yeah, you're part of the story, too, now. 1059 01:33:53,675 --> 01:33:54,835 What story? 1060 01:33:56,277 --> 01:33:57,938 The story of my life. 1061 01:34:00,815 --> 01:34:05,275 l know l'm not as interesting as The Little Mermaid and all that magical crap-- 1062 01:34:05,353 --> 01:34:07,821 l think l'm gonna write my own comic. 1063 01:34:08,489 --> 01:34:11,049 -Yeah? What about? -l'm not sure yet. 1064 01:34:11,559 --> 01:34:13,459 But not about you. 1065 01:34:14,262 --> 01:34:16,856 l think you have enough already. 1066 01:34:25,907 --> 01:34:29,104 You should write about things in your own life. 1067 01:34:29,777 --> 01:34:31,836 You know, like school... 1068 01:34:34,048 --> 01:34:36,983 and ponies. l don't know. Girl stuff. 1069 01:34:38,987 --> 01:34:41,148 Do you have to hold my hand? 1070 01:34:42,457 --> 01:34:44,755 What are you, embarrassed of me? 1071 01:34:46,094 --> 01:34:49,586 l know, l'm embarrassing. l felt the same way about my father. 1072 01:34:50,098 --> 01:34:54,091 No. lt's Just, when you hold my hand, you squeeze it too hard. 1073 01:34:56,571 --> 01:34:57,697 Go on. 1074 01:35:00,074 --> 01:35:03,009 joyce is right. You are obsessive-compulsive. 1075 01:35:04,112 --> 01:35:05,272 Go on. 1076 01:35:28,136 --> 01:35:31,037 Yeah, so I guess comics brought me to life. 1077 01:35:32,607 --> 01:35:35,405 But don't think this is some sunny, happy ending. 1078 01:35:35,743 --> 01:35:38,268 Every day is still a major struggle. 1079 01:35:38,713 --> 01:35:42,240 Joyce and I fight like crazy. And she barely works. 1080 01:35:42,917 --> 01:35:45,647 The kid's got ADD and is a real handful. 1081 01:35:46,287 --> 01:35:48,187 My life is total chaos. 1082 01:35:58,933 --> 01:36:03,734 With a little luck, I'll get a window of good health between retiring and dying. 1083 01:36:04,439 --> 01:36:08,102 The golden years, right? Who knows? 1084 01:36:08,676 --> 01:36:12,578 Between my pension and the chunk of change I get for this film... 1085 01:36:12,747 --> 01:36:15,215 I should be able to swing something. 1086 01:36:18,686 --> 01:36:21,177 Sure, I'll lose the war eventually. 1087 01:36:21,255 --> 01:36:25,749 But the goal is to win a few skirmishes along the way, right? 1088 01:36:29,964 --> 01:36:31,659 Surprise! 1089 01:36:32,033 --> 01:36:36,697 For he's a jolly good fellow 1090 01:36:37,405 --> 01:36:39,965 Which nobody can deny 1091 01:36:40,842 --> 01:36:42,070 Surprise.