Mike Tyson talks to Oprah today

by SC on Oct 12, 2009 6:51 AM EDT in News Analysis Comment 10 comments

Mike Tyson speaks with Oprah Winfrey today about his daughter's death, his years in prison, his infamous fight with Evander Holyfield, and more. (Photo via img2.timeinc.net)

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Check your local listings and all that, but today is the day that former world heavyweight champion "Iron" Mike Tyson will be gabbing with Oprah. Here's the teaser. Expect emotions.

I'm kind of curious as to how this will go, honestly. Oprah does lots of these "soul-baring" interviews with crashed former superstars like Whitney Houston and MacKenzie Phillips, which are very theatrical in nature and while they produce substance, just come off as oddly pandering to me, because I just can't get into all this dramatic celebrity stuff. That's no knock on anyone or their real problems or anything, nor anyone that loves Oprah or any of the other shows, it's just not for me.

But Tyson is a really fascinating person. For those that haven't seen James Toback's documentary, Tyson, do watch it. For someone who's not a big boxing fan or hasn't really closely followed Tyson over the years, it might have seemed like a revelation, but I think a major boxing fan sees that differently. It's Tyson raw, uncut, and very real, and at times, that is scary. I think there's a genuinely good person in Mike Tyson, but there's also a frighteningly violent and insecure man, too.

I'm just wondering if the Oprah interview will be more like the Toback film, or more...Oprah-y. Oprah interviews are always done to paint the picture that Oprah and the celebrity want painted, except maybe that time Tom Cruise went all bats**t crazy, though they probably thought that was a good idea. Anyway, if this is Tyson really subdued and there's no moment where you feel almost uncomfortable listening to him speak, it's probably doctored up pretty well. Mike doesn't hold back, for better or worse.

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That’s one of my favourite culture differences between the UK and the US.

In America, that’s a cool pose.

In Britain, he’s telling the audience to fuck off!

Good old Iron Mike!

He’s at the Wolverhampton Civic soon (4th November) – I may pop down and see him!

"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."

by bazzlad on Oct 12, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes it is rather funny to see Mike grinning away in as friendly was as he can and telling me to fuck off at the same time.

by Drunken cutman on Oct 12, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what’s worse in the UK, the middle finger or the backwards peace sign?

by Polish Rifle on Oct 12, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The backwards peace sign is known throughout as “fuck off”. The middle finger has always been “up yours”.

So the backwards peace sign would be worse I guess!

"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."

by bazzlad on Oct 13, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the article i would have completely forgotten

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Oct 12, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Will he hold Oprah to his standard interview deal?

"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb

by jrok on Oct 12, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

hahaha

by Polish Rifle on Oct 12, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sweet moses almighty.

did anyone watch this? i completely forgot to set my dvr to record even after i posted the above comment :erk:

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Oct 12, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes give us the rundown

I was still hungover and not physically able to think to watch it…

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Oct 12, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Watching now....

It’s hard to watch. He can barely get a sentence out w/o getting choked up. Whether about Cus or his 4 yr old that died……so much pain in his life. He said the 1st time he fought someone, it’s b/c a guy ripped the head off of 1 of his pigeons right in his face. He finally realized how the world perceived him & that it needed to change. Yeah, nice neighborhood (I grew up in the PJ’s but not that bad!).

He calmed down to discuss Robin “Succubus” Givens. He has no hard feelings although she lied about him to the media. And he admitted hitting her but said she has hit him as well. He also said he’s NEVER been faithful to a woman (til now w/new wife). He stiffed drug dealers for money. No guilt about Holyfield’s ear & his apologies to Holyfied were “not” sincere @ the time. But he does want to give a legit apology if he ever gets alone w/him.

On to prison……he didn’t like the person he was @ that time. Prison was full of hate & he came out “angry”. Oprah can’t shut her yap now……next scene is Tyson & his wife, KiKi (are you kidding me?). Talking about losing over $300 mil! (HOLY SH*TBALLS!). KiKi hasn’t watched his documentary (denial anyone?). Brinnging out the baby now for cheap “awwwwws” from audience. Tyson getting choked up again just to say he needs to be honest w/his wife. Shows over.

Started out great. Kind of fizzled in the last half. Worth tracking down online though.

by frickshun on Oct 12, 2009 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs