I wasn’t sure whether to be amused, honored or offended by the Conan O’Brien show on Feb. 26 – featuring “Fred Simmons, King of the Demo” a supposed Tae Kwan Do instructor from Concord, NC. The hilariously moronic “guest” shared the stage with Will Ferrell (who filmed Talladega Nights in Concord, as he tries to tell the oblivious Simmons), showing a mix of idiocy, misplaced self-confidence, and hilariously awkward martial arts skills.
Who is Fred Simmons? Is he real? I almost wish he were – but alas, he is the creation of comic actor Danny R. McBride for the film The Foot Fist Way, a low-budget comedy filmed here in Concord. In the film, a down-and-out martial arts instructor from Concord goes on a pilgrimage with his buddy and two of his students to see his hero, Chuck “The Truck” Wallace. The film was completed in 2006 but isn’t being released until this year – hence Simmons’ hilariously awkward spot on Conan. In addition to The Foot First Way, McBride is starring in several high-profile films being released this year: the Judd Apatow-produced Pineapple Express, the Owen Wilson comedy Drillbit Taylor, and the Ben Stiller comedy Tropic Thunder.
So what do you think – should Concordians be offended or amused? I, for one, felt it was a funny tribute to an “everyman” who is a legend in his own mind. Fred Simmons could just as easily be from Wisconsin, Arizona, or Massachusetts – what is hilarious about him is his amazing self-confidence in the face of utter awkwardness. It is a humor reminiscent of The Office.
Anyway, perhaps we can all learn something from Fred Simmons! I, for one, look forward to seeing The Foot First Way when it comes out. Who knows? Maybe one day it’ll be a classic and we’ll be inviting people to take tours of the historic Concord Tae Kwan Do studio. Stranger things have happened.
March 5, 2008 at 4:20 am |
Wow, that was painful. And bless his heart, he had no idea how awkward it all was.
March 13, 2008 at 4:32 pm |
Julio Chavez played by Spencer Moreno in “The Foot Fist Way” is not only my son, but an hilarious young individual with a huge amount of talent. I wish I could have half of his energy. My wife and I have been waiting patiently for this film to come out, and now our dreams come true. The Conan Obrien show was stupidly funny and not alot of watches knew how to take Danny McBride (Fred Simmons). I think this was the extra boost the movie needed. Hope you enjoy the movie as we did. Thanks for your article.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. Thanks Again.
Best Regards,
Rick Moreno
2110 Foster Ct
Indian Trail, NC 28079
ph# 704-282-0823 Cell 330-401-7117 & 704-458-6197
March 21, 2008 at 1:30 am |
[...] Coming Out May 30 The film “The Foot Fist Way” (see trailer), referenced in an earlier post, is going to be released nationwide on May 30. The director, Jody Hill, is from Concord and the [...]