FENCES Clip: HOW COME YOU AIN'T NEVER LIKED ME?

[QuincyCarrierACTOR]

They play the role 2 completely different ways , James earl jones plays it strict , serious and angry , While Denzel plays it more smooth i like both and respect there diffent styles

[sueranae]

i like this video like love it sooo much I AINT GOTS TO LIKE YOU

[Husius]

denzel way more natural and better than JEJ

[CrackedCisternMusic]

Those comparing Denzel's and Jame's performances should also take into account that Denzel's plays more to the modern family. In Jame's Earl Jones version, the son is far more fearful of his father, but this version is much more defiant and somewhat of a smart alec (especially with his tone of "cuz you like me!") that also changes the dynamic of Denzel's reaction. Denzel's character is pouring salt on his son's wound with irony and and very subtle humor. Its a very effective way to communicate.

[darock06]

@CrackedCisternMusic Exactly. Apples and Oranges.

[MstrOpaI]

Denzel is a better actor than James. He's much more of a natural when it comes to acting.

[EmSquaredTV]

i think it's also because the time this play was being played has something to do with the laughter, back when james earls jones was doing it...it was VERY dramatic, because the audience is farther away from segregation they took it as a joke. all in all denzel did a great job, just the audience didn't understand the meaning of the scene.

[DisfiguredUnicorn]

i really don't understand why theres so much laughter! his son is asking why he never liked him, i think its sad

[raiden41x]

denzel brings a different kind of troy but a good troy. He did the best to bring the character to life

[Teezer44]

I think Denzel is doing his best in a role which he isn't quite right for. I don't think he has the toughness or the depth for Troy, which is probably why he chose a comical angle rather than a serious one. When reading the play, I instantly thought of James Earl Jones as being much closer to Augusts description of Troy - physically big and strong yet with a past of struggle and warmth behind that - qualities i attribute to Earl Jones, and he was utterly convincing, serious and moving as Troy.

[vintage1911]

I see two different types of fathers although I prefer James Earl Jones choice. Also, I think the director ALLOWED Denzel to play his choice. Perhaps to try to find some humor & irony in this situation. Whether right or wrong; Mr. Jones's choice wasn't a negative one and neither was this. Sometimes, what can happen is a star of Denzel's magnitude comes to a play & instead of directing the star they director stays in awe of the actor & assigns the actor certain magical qualities.

[kubrox91]

sealed the deal: one of my favorite actors.

[karma312000]

@imjqharmon You are so right. 

[thesingerperson]

I remember watching this scene along time ago when Denzel first did fences, and then when I revisited it today after seeing James Earl Jones, I really like the differences. I can appreciate both, because I wouldn't want to see the same thing done over and over again. Each actor has their own strengths, and approaches to a character. Acting isn't mimicking someone else, acting is being that person the best way you know how. I love both versions.

[kyleanthonyowens]

I like that people laugh at Denzel and sit quietly in aw at James Earl Jones

[forulimu]

JEJ is way better cuz it was so much more real and solemn. denzel should have yelled or portrayed it so the crowd wouldn't laugh...m

[Ayowryaful]

anybody who says denzel made this shit funny is a joke, the audience is laughing, you ever see denzel crack a smile? nope. Audience made it funny, 1 person laughs nad people think it's spose to be funny.

Denzel is sick. but yeah JEJ is sooo much sicker on this scene, JEJ killlllllllllls

[uqsuknow]

what act is this?



[LaLaLeague]

@uqsuknow act 1 scene 3

[ravenseldon]

DW makes this look like some afternoon family comedy... JEJ is far more deep.

[MrGabeBoi]

with all due respect to Denzel, James Jone performed this scene better

[seanmichaelloftus]

It's a different take on the scene. I think the audience had a lot to do with the lightening of the mood, but you do get a sense of Denzel playing to crowds sense of excitement. Check out the James Earl Jones version if you haven't.

I do think its superior, but that's art. Different takes/different time/different expression is what its all about.

[carbine36]

james earl jones is his father

[bondiger1]

james earl put more soul and fear in me

[LIS6thGradeGuitar]

James Earl Jones is 10,000x more superior!

[Xelanderthomas]

@LIS6thGradeGuitar You got that right. There is no comparison. Denzel is a great actor but I don't care how great you are this was only about the 2nd time he had stepped on the stage in 20 years. At the time Jones did that role in those clips you see on You Tube he had been busy doing almost exclusively stage plays for last 20 years - he's chops for the stage where highly tuned. No matter how good D is you can't do compete with that.

[frost5000000]

Isn't this a serious piece? Why in the hell is there a laugh track on this?

[randomperson416]

@frost5000000 It wasn't acted out properly. Denzel did not do a good job. When a serious piece gets laughter, it's the actors fault.

[CooperHaydenn]

@randomperson416 i think weather or not he did a good job is up to the director. as the director would be the one asking Denzel to do, or not do, what he did. if he did what the director wanted, then he did a good job. maybe the director wanted laughter. maybe he did not. only the director is to say.

[lollers]

WTF james earl jones

[perrym6]

i prefer james earl jones

[emouch1]

Thumbs up is you came here because of the Wired like to the Earl Jones scene. People laugh with Denzel, they get the chills with Earl Jones...

[CamButler]

Denzel did a great job, the guy playing his son did not. I always felt this scene wasn't a comedy bit, more like the James Earl Jones version. It's still good, but the laughter takes a bit of the punch out of the great dialogue. If his son in this scene had showed a bit more vulnerability and sadness, like the JEJ version, I feel like it could have been closer to the original power that Fences had.

[wastemytime77]

interesting the differences in denzel and james earl jones production--both outstanding

[TheBlackpearl44]

Denzel is the man.

[Guiv7]

And that ladies and gentlemen is the best actor alive period.

[Npapas417]

James Earl Jones - Fences "You Ain't Never Liked Me"

Check out the original ^

[kirk52891]

@dusttracks when you're nominated 4 a Tony then u can talk...actually u can't even talk then because he has 2 oscars and a Tony 4 THIS performance which is just icing on the cake in his long list of awards...I like 2 say if u can't do something better than somebody else u can't talk about what they do so SHUT THE FUCK UP...P.S. I thought James Earl Jones's scene was better here but this was good 2 jackass

[dusttracks]

@kirk52891 NO ASSHOLE. YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP.  THIS IS AN OPEN THREAD WITH OPEN COMMENTS. I DIDN'T LIKE IT AND I SAID SO. GO TO HELL!

[tamclutcher]

I like James Earl Jones' version more. The scene's on YouTube

[sssssssssssssssss198]

there are only a few actors can have that anger

[sssssssssssssssss198]

whoa hes something else fucking awesome

[dusttracks]

yawn...that same damned head tilt he does when he gets pissed. he's not even talking 'to' his son; he's talking 'at' his son. this performance is abrasive, and without nuance. funny don't mean talkin loud in a huckabuck voice at the same volume the whole time. good lord, this is such a disserve to august wilson's words. fuck...

[born2fight99]

where and when can i see this play or any other upcoming ones???

[OTKP]

DAMN WHAT A ACTOR!

[johnqwertyful]

The people in the audience laughing kind of ruined it...

[PlainRayna]

That was awesome. That's my mom right there.

[heringtonchick]

Me and yo' mama worked that out between us, and liking yo' black ass wasn't part of the bargain.

hahahahahahahaha

[barrystatus]

@KINGOFRNB NAW I AM BEST BELIEVE THAT.... IMMA MAKE YOU EAT YOUR WORDS ONE DAY!!! LOL J/K J/K "I'M THE BEST ACTOR, IN THE WORLD"

[Koolkitties]

Denzel makes troy much more likable than the script, no matter how irrelevant liking him is.

[LexathonLA]

BRILLIANT!

[mcurt9]

i wish more kids in my generation understood the meaning of this scene-so powerful it brought tears to my eyes thinking how my father raised me...ill never forget this production

[moreofmels]

this play is already amazing! then you throw in denzel washington and viola davis and it's just perfection!

[pacopratt]

love fences and love denzel... PERIOD

[superduperlouber]

@btcmusiclover2012: by "minus the black" I'm responding to the comment: "this is great modern black theater." Why is it not just great modern theater? I know it's too much to ask that cultural variations on theater (black, Asian, Indian, etc.) be viewed as part of the same continuum as "white" theater (you never hear that expression, do you?), but here I am asking. Yes, black culture is different than white. But they ought to be viewed as part of a holistic culture of theater, IMHO.

[kimrabb]

@superduperlouber I knew August Wilson, he was very intelligent and kind but he was very devoted to the African American culture and often spoke of the ongoing differences between the all the races and how they move in the world.Yes, it is part of the holistic culture of theater but at the same time we must accept we have been so marginalized in the theater, limited voices that was often pinned by white authors. It is important to also make the distinction about great modern black theater...

[kimrabb]

@superduperlouber because we have historically and systematically been left out, it is important so other African Americans can see we have also created great works of theatrical art outside of dance and music. I do not understand concern over stating it is modern black theater, it is modern black theater and it is to celebrated as part of the American fabric. We have the Asian theater here in Seattle, it is great! I get to see life filter through an Asian perspective, nothing wrong with that.

[superduperlouber]

Uh, people . . . this isn't supposed to be funny . . .

why can't it just be great modern theater, minus the black?

[btcmusiclover2012]

@superduperlouber what do you mean minus the black?...

and this isn't supposed to be funny. you're kidding right... this show is NOT a comedy but every great drama has a moment of hilarity to ease up a little.

[btcmusiclover2012]

@superduperlouber minus the black?

[superduperlouber]

Uh, people . . . this isn't supposed to be funny . . .

[The10men]

Denzel is on fire in this play!!!

[chocothemodel]

I def love his acting, he is a beast

[TheManWhoLaughsLoud]

And yet, the Tyler Perry bullshit is considered the model of Black Theater........

Denzel is superb, and the casting is great

This is great modern black theater

[rightistheright]

Denzel is awful. He is turning this into a stereotypical black comedy. Fences is much deeper than that and he skims the surface of naturalism and the audience is provoking him. Simply awful.

[Kandimann]

@rightistheright ?????????????? WTF, You're a moron with an opinion? Anybody ever tell you to shut the fuck up? Well they don't say it enough. Denzel is so scary I thought he really was gonna whoop that kid's behind in real life. Geez, there is no helping some people.

[rightistheright]

@Kandimann

you have obviously never seen Fences with a legitimate lead protagonist.

Hear how the audience is laughing every second? He made it a comedy.

[btcmusiclover2012]

@rightistheright have you seen the entire play, played by denzel or just a few clips...because i have seen the play ON STAGE and i can honestly tell you, you are absolutely incorrect.

[rightistheright]

@btcmusiclover2012

Unfortunately I have not.

However, check out Fences with James Earl Jones, specifically the same scene. Compare the two. You will see what I mean about how Denzel makes it a comedy.

[TheRainSnake]

@rightistheright a play is dependent on the actors. how it is written and how it is read are two different things. Denzel does make it more of a comedy, but that doesn't make it any better or any worse, just different. also, to change the entire feeling of the scene using the same given words takes major acting skills. props to him for that :)

[JamesJonathon013]

Don't fuck with Denzel...he'll go training day on yo' ass!

[S0FAM0US91]

this segment was not made to be comedy geeeesh people!!!!!!

[deedixon40]

this is the bomb. Denzel is really funny and original.

[patrickbnme4ever]

if Denzel ever yelled at me, I would burst out in tears

[brth77]

OMG People! Just because the audience laughs does not take away the seriousness of what Troy is telling his son. It's not light at all but the way that Troy views life and the way that Troy responds to Cory when he comes to him honestly with the question of " Why don't you like me?" is kind of funny only because Troys response is not expected from a father. It is still a strong statement that Troy makes and that is not downplayed by the laughter.

[Husius]

denzel is really really great.convincing, real, natural, has a great voice.but what's more bothering is that in all of his movies and theatre shows he always creates a same picture about his role..always stern, dangerous,boasting..he is easy to recognise..but still he is my favourite actor and always motivates me positive

[robrisc]

He's amazing man....it doesn't get much better than that

[goodvideos101]

@David, the very fact of how serious this play is overall is why it's so important to find as much lightness in it as possible. I feel Denzel nailed that aspect of it, and Thus does the rightful justice to the epic climax this play has

[david88441]

They're trying to make this piece a bit too funny. This is a very serious piece. Denzel Washington kinda overexaggerated his role of Troy.

[S0FAM0US91]

@david88441 no it just that people dont get what hes tryin to say there so use to watchin these play that are funny like the madeas

[kennyalsenat]

Without a doubt, Denzel is the greatest actor of his generation. That man just killed this performance. Now if they could just bring this play to Canada...

[VladyandAri]

denzel washington issssssssss omg amazing he is the best

[cronaldofan017]

The best damn actor of all time.

[aDarkRage27]

@cronaldofan017 Might be right.

[congadd]

This is my friend Chris from college. Now he's up for a Tony. How awesome is that! Way to go Chris!!!

[kingofrnb]

Denzel is a beast of an actor.

[ritzreference]

@kingofrnb He is pretty ferocious. I think his finest performance was in Malcolm X... was definitely robbed of the Oscar!!