For some reason, Norwegian comedians thought that City Councilman James Oddo would be a perfect target for their program, "Rikets Rost." Oddo, a Republican and the minority leader in the Council (he's recently supported legislation such as banning aluminum bats and giving the Department of Transportation the authority to name streets), apparently consented to the interview because the request was to discuss presidential politics.
But the questions posed by Pia Haraldson were more of the potentially incendiary and embarrassing kind, asking whether Barack Obama could run for President since he's not American and then asking about Hillary Clinton's "incident with a cigar." Oddo gets wise, and tells Haraldson and her crew in no uncertain terms to "Get the f--- outta my office before I beat the f------ s--- out of all of you." He also yells at his staffer for booking the interview! The Daily News counts at least 16 f-bombs.
When the Advance spoke to him, Oddo said, "They wanted reality TV. My reality is, if you come to my office to waste my time and goof on me, the Clintons, Barack Obama, I'm going to throw you out of my office. Am I sorry I embarrassed my mother, my constituents? Yeah, I am. Emotionally, those were the perfect words. Intellectually, they weren't."
I'm frankly impressed that there is a politician out there tuned-in enough to figure out, and quickly, when he's being set up.
Most politicos would be unwilling to believe it until too late.
Coulda used fewer "f--ks" but what the hell?
guest
ITS GOOD TO SEE COUNCILMAN ODDO IS HUMAN. HES DONE SO MUCH FOR STATEN ISLAND. I WOULD HAVE REACTED THE SAME WAY. LET THEM PLAY THEIR PRANKS ON THE HOWARD STERN SHOW. WHEN YOU BELITTLE ODDO, YOU BELITTLE THE COMMUNITY HE STANDS FOR.
Mike D
He could've been more polite about it, but this is EXACTLY how I wish people would respond to Borat/Ali G/Daily Show style mock interviews that are selectively edited and staged to make people look bad.
I'm glad he was quick enough on the uptake to realize what was going on and stop it. I just wish he'd done it with a little more civility.
guest
I've only ever voted for a republican candidate twice in my entire life. I don't even live in Oddo's district, but frankly, I'd vote for Oddo tomorrow if I could. I LOVE how he took off his jacket while that asshole norwegian is going "let me explain, let me explain". I LOVE how he threatened to throw their shit right out the window. Does the swearing bother me? Hell no! It's real life, get over it! Like he said, they wanted reality? THEY GOT IT. Fuck 'em. This man can represent me any day.
guest
If Oddo had a metal baseball bat in his office, he wouldn't have problems like this.
guest
Oddo's not cool. He just played into the hands of that Norwegian comedy (supposedly) group.
What's with all his ranting? My guess is that Oddo has the reputation of being wound too tight, and this group was aware of that and tried to exploit that trait.
Looks like the Norwegians got their wackadoo video after all.
guest
Well, what can you expect from our City Council members? A lot of them seem to be a little loopey.
guest
Geez, unfortunately Oddo comes off like the stereotypical Brooklyn guido.
This guy is a politician?? He couldn't find a better way to deal with the situation than to blow up and drop f-bombs?
guest
This guy can represent me anytime. Im a New Yorker, and he said what any true pissed off New Yorker would say to someone doing this. Real. Honest. Direct. To the point.
guest
I love it when he throws down his jackets and "cocksteps" for lack of a better word. I'm surprised he didn't run out after them and hunt them down in his IROC.
Monster_mash
Politicians are so damn sensitive. If this guy had any brains he would have played the schtick for a few minutes and ended the interview.
What was he going to do? Offend his Norwegian constituency? Instead he comes off looking like a spaz and ends up all over Youtube and local blogs like this. Can you hear him calling for his press aide, like he's going to rip him a new one? How lame.
Everything has to be so stage-managed and message controlled in politics. It's pathetic that one (kinda cute) interloper, from Norway no less, can ruin this guy's day this way. He needs to relax and enjoy his job a little more, tell a few funnies around the office, play a few practical jokes....
mattyp4
Kane is right.
guest
splashcastle, the reason its funny when the dailey show does it is because they are much smarter about it. Any idiot can lead with stupid questions, the true skill is in twisting the logic right around on the interviewee..... This is like a bad rip-off. But his reaction was way over the top, I mena a minor inconvenience and he's all up in their face, what the hell will happen when presented with real problems, slap someone? shoot someone? Not a good quality in a representative.
PS Go Pandas!
guest
I think Oddo should go back to work at the pizzeria.
Something tells me that this guy would blend in nicely at the Joizy Shore. I'll bet he listens to KTU and pronouces mozzarella like "muht-zah-rell".
splashcastle
These stunts are only funny when the Daily Show does them to other countries. Not when other countries try to goof on US Americans. For shame.
MarygraceNYC
More like makes one sound low class and undignified to have a position in public service and carry on like that. Diplomatic he is not. I would not want him to represent me.
guest
I'm glad he got pissed. Norwegian Comedy's pretty lame.
guest
More about Oddo here - he presents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn. And Oddo also believes Ann Coulter is an idiot. If anything, we think this will win him some fans.
"Presents" parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn??
Nice spell check Jen. Maybe you meant represents?
Glad to see you guys are keeping up with the Post in the daily typos category.
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