♪♪
Actually now we're going to sort
of turn our attention a little
bit to the reason
that we're here.
Programs supported by Night of
Too Many Stars are providing
people with autism pathways they
need to motivate them, inspire
them and connect them to
the world around them.
And I can't think of a better
person to talk about these
incredible programs, oh really?
All right, than
Gilbert Gottfried.
Really, Gilbert Gottfried?
Take a look at these stories.
Whether it's an activity or a
passion, whatever it is, when
people with autism find a way
to connect, a door opens and the
results can be life-changing
for them and their families.
My son loves to draw, it's
his way of communicating.
And that's his reward at the end
of the day is he can come home
and draw with his family.
You never know when a person
with autism will find that
special something
that they love to do.
But it's definitely not going to
happen unless we give them the
opportunity to participate
in all sorts of activities.
Then pay attention to
what sparks their interest.
That was the first time we had a
conversation, you and me,
since you were about two.
Owen's a late onset autism guy.
You want to listen
to Mr. Beethoven.
Yeah, Mr. Beethoven.
So, he's chatting away
at two, two and a half.
By three he's lost all
speech and he's showing all the
traditional signs.
He's looking at his hands, he's
weaving around as he walks.
He can't, he
can't meet your gaze.
It's like a locked door.
You can see him on the other
side, but you can't get in there
and you feel helpless.
The only thing he loves are
the Disney animated movies.
"Dumbo", "Peter Pan", "The Sword
in the Stone", "Jungle Book".
He watches them with
peculiar intensity.
He loves them.
Seems to be the only
thing that gives him comfort.
One night I had an idea, so I go
up to Owen's bedroom and I see
on the carpet, on
the landing, a puppet.
And it's one he loves,
a character he loves.
It's Iago, the evil sidekick to
the villain Jafar in "Aladdin".
And it's played by
Gilbert Gottfried.
Jafar, Jafar.
And so, I grab the puppet
and I talk to him as Iago.
And I say to him,
[as Iago's voice] "Owen, Owen,
how does it feel to be you?"
And he turns to the puppet like
he's bumping into an old friend
and he says, "Not good.
I have no friends
and I'm lonely."
And we have a conversation
for about two minutes.
It's Owen and Iago.
And that was a big
breakthrough for us.
And so we started seeing those
movies as ways to converse.
"Happy Feet" collection!
Oh my gosh, now you've got
the whole gang, don't you?
Yes, I do.
This is a long-sought
goal of yours in living.
Yes, independent living.
Every kid deserves the
opportunity to be exposed to
lots of different things.
Even the people that are the
most challenged might find
something that
they connect with.
If they're given the chance to
participate in activities that
are available to other kids.
Early on someone said, "Expose
your child to everything because
you have absolutely no
idea what they're going
to fall in love with."
It's in there somewhere and
often the question is where are
how do you find it?
They will teach you
how to look for it.
And I think part of the idea is
you have to get in there with
them and see the world, as much
as you can, through their eyes.
And once you do that, you
find that a door opens up.
One of Owen's favorite songs
is Belle's "I Wish" song from
"Beauty and the Beast".
And Belle sings this song,
which finishes,
"And for once it
might be grand,"
♪ And for once
it might be grand. ♪
"To have someone understand,"
♪ To have someone understand.
"I want so much more
than they've got planned."
♪ I want so much more
than they've got planned. ♪
And that's an enormous, lovely,
orchestral moment for lots of
folks who have been
either ignored or discarded.
They say, "Look at me, I'm a
thing of value, I'm a person of
value, look what I can do.
[applause]
So, basically, Owen got his
speech back when his dad started
to talk to him in
Gilbert's voice.
Well, my parrot voice.
His parrot voice.
Yeah, because it's so
different from my regular.
That's exactly right.
[laughter]
And so we've got Owen here
and we're going to bring
Owen Suskind out.
[cheers and applause]
Oh boy.
[applause]
Well, hello, Owen.
Hello, Gilbert.
Oh, and you like doing
scenes from Aladdin, right?
Uh huh, I do.
You want to do one
with me right now?
Yes, I would.
Ah, which scene?
How about the lamp scene?
Okay, let me see
if I remember this.
I can't believe it.
I just don't believe it.
We're never going to get
ahold of that stupid lamp,
just forget it.
Look at this.
I'm so ticked off I'm molting.
[laughter]
[Using Jafar's voice]
Patience Iago, patience.
[cheers and applause]
[Using Jafar's voice] Gazeen
was obviously less than worthy.
Oh, there's a big surprise.
Wait a minute, Jafar, if we take
the, um, the princess,
ah, fuck it, it
was 20 years ago.
[laughter]
Do you want to do both parts?
Well, sure.
Okay.
He knows it.
[Using Iago's voice] Wait a
minute, wait a minute, Jafar,
what if you were the chump
husband, okay, okay,
you marry the
princess, all right.
Then you become the sultan.
[cheers and applause]
[Using Jafar's voice] I love the
way your foul little mind works.
[cheers and applause]
Owen Suskind and
Gilbert Gottfried.
[cheers and applause]
♪♪
