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Comic asks for one million dollars on YouTube; millionaire offers it
By Jeff MillsJanuary 19th, 2011, 4:30 pmComments (27)
Two months ago, Brooklyn comedian Craig Rowin made a YouTube video in which he simply asked if anyone could give him one-million dollars. For no reason. Just to give it to him. Today, Rowin confirmed that his ridiculous request was actually fulfilled by a mysterious millionaire named Benjamin. As proof of this unbelievable act of random largesse, Rowin made another video in which he produced a notarized letter from the man's lawyer and played a telephone message from the man left on his answering machine. He told the Daily News: "I'm overwhelmed right now. I'm trying to figure all this out right now." Rowin said he would collect his check at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Manhattan, where he performs improv, on February 2.
In the original video, celebrities Rowin asked for money included Lady Gaga, Warren Buffett, Gary Busey, Tom Seaver, Nelson Mandela, James Earl Jones, Rudy Giuliani, Ed Koch, Will Smith's kids, and the Chilean miners, apologizing if they weren't millionaires. The story appears to be legit, but we'll have to wait a couple weeks to know for sure. If it is legit, then I am officially asking Benjamin for a mere one-hundred-thousand dollars, as I expect Benjamin to be deluged with requests as this story circulates.
Commentarium (27 Comments)
What??? If its that easy, why didn't I think of that...
Cant wait to see him spend it all away within five years. I mean, how many lottery winners go bankrupt? a whole lot of them do. thats why most people have to earn their money, because they have a better understanding of what that amount of money is and how to keep making more. not just blow it.
He better pay the taxes right up front, otherwise he will be sharing a cell with Wesley Snipes in a couple of years.
SOCIALISM! Why aren't the Republicans all over this??
Socialism?! The comedian did NOT use the force of law backed by violence. The idea of freedom FROM socialism is to let you do what YOU want do with your money. When you vote for the guy who promises to take OTHER peoples' money by force to "give to the poor", you get absolutely no brownie points for charitable giving.
This guy is trying the same thing! Only he's about $999,997.50 short
http://www.makechadrich.com
No gift taxes incurred there. Gift taxes don't kick in until over $1.5 million, IIRC. Even if there were...gift taxes are paid by the giver.
Charity is *not* socialism.
It's people coming together. Read a damn book already...
Figures the first comment would pop off about what he should do with the money. Sadly, all he had to do was ask for it and he got it. However, the punk up top still has to tell him about everything he will do wrong. I bet you are a broke idiot...just sayin'
@mark
Gift taxes are applicable to the donor, not the recipient. He'll have to pay gift taxes on the full million, considering the donor's probably already hit their $1,000,000 lifetime maximum for untaxed gifts. Interestingly, the comic probably won't have to pay taxes on it, considering it's a gift.
Some sort of stunt--like Dennis Rodman's wedding.
Zimbabwe Dollars?
That picture is of more like $10 million, file name not withstanding.
MC, why are you so convinced he's going to blow it all? The reason most lottery winners go bankrupt is because lottery winners are self-selected lottery players, who tend to be very bad with money. Unless you have pictures of this guy buying lottery tickets, theres no reason to assume he'll be as bad with his newfound wealth as the average lottery winner.
Hey guy. Congratulations!
Well, if it's that easy...how about a thousand??:)
The gift tax exemption is only $13,000. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=108139,00.html
Dear "Benjamin,"
I'm just asking for $10k. It's enough for a downpayment on a house. That's it. Pretty please? $10k. You can mail that check to: P.O. Box 441, Houlton, ME 04730. If it helps motivate you, I'll do a little tap-dance routine. Ready? *tap tap tappity tiptipttaptap tappity tappity taptaptap*
It is not a supply problem. It is a distribution and lack of faith problem. Some people do not believe they can scrape by on less than a six figure income.
I have a feeling that the profession of struggling, penniless stand-up comedians is one that can appreciate the value of a dollar... let alone a million of them. I think he'll do alright with it.
A Million US dollars? Big deal
Ya ok scoff. You say a million no big deal. Obviously it is a big deal to you or you wouldn't be on this web page throwing in your two cents. But hey...it's only 2 cents...No big deal right???
This is almost certainly a hoax. What is really happening here is a comedian looking for a way to promote his comedy group though in a very interesting and unconventional way. What signs point to this being a hoax?
1. Craig has set up the receipt of his "check" at the theatre in which he and his group performs on a specific date.
If this was for real money and not for publicity, he and the millionaire (Benjamin) would make this a private affair and he would simply show the check after he received it to truly prove that he got it. There is no purpose to having it in a location where people need to pay to get in. He’s going to get a million dollars, why would he need to do anything more than create a video showing the huge pile of cash he has once he cashes the check?
2. Benjamin stands to gain not just nothing from this stunt if he were a real millionaire, but he would also lose a lot from this "deal."
Craig described Benjamin as an investment banker. So this is a person who worked for his money and has clients who are interested in ensuring Benjamin has a firm grasp on how to make them money and never does stupid things like giving money away. If Benjamin were a millionaire, he would get a ton of unwanted publicity and will always be known as "that guy who gave a million dollars to a comedian for no reason." No one in the investment banking industry can afford to risk tarnishing their hard earned reputation with a silly stunt like this.
He will be villianized by many who will believe if he was going to give away a million dollars, there are many better causes to donate to than some smarmy comedian. He would lose clients who want to work with someone who is a bit smarter in the realm of handling money.
Lastly, millionaires did not become millionaires by having the propensity to behave in this way. They know the hard work it takes to earn money. Millionaires are going to be the most demanding that they get proper value for their money and are not willing to give money away for nothing.
All you need to do is think about this for a few minutes. Craig claims the check will be given to him on a specific date at a specific location, which just happens to be the venue for how he makes his living. No doubt people who are looking to see him get this check will need to pay for tickets to get in and I would imagine they will be told they need to sit through a performance of his improv comedy act and the last item of the night will be the handing over of the check. They will probably go through this little "ceremony" where there is a great amount of cheering or whatever when the check is handed over (Benjamin will probably be played by one of his troupe or an outside actor hired for that night).
The hoax may or may not be admitted that night, though I personally believe he will. He is likely figuring that people who cam will be in good spirits after seeing his show. In that case, he will fluff over an apology where he hopes that, though he didn't get the million, everyone enjoyed the show. He also likely has an elaborate plan in place to turn it all into one big convoluted joke. The point here being that many people would have heard about him and the show which could get him gigs in larger venues.
Or maybe it will be "found out" that Benjamin is a fraud and never had the million or otherwise does not intend on actually handing over any money. This way, Craig can save face and Benjamin is never heard from again. Whatever, I can't really guess how he's going to do it, but Craig is not getting a million dollars.
No way ...
Which, intrested in sendig me $1 million?!!!
Visit:
www.youtube.com/CALMlimited
Or my blog (don't just view, donate too!)
i would not even need that much. the ideas that i have for my family and friends to have a good life and to be able to help others to do the same would require allot less than that. if you want to know my ideas let me know. that's only if you have the money to help!! if you need help in doing anything you can also email me and i will do my best to help others as i have been helped. that is once i have been helped!! lol email me @ j_hunley1@yahoo.com
I wouldn't need that much. Just some to take care of my seven children to make sure they have food in their mouth and clothes on their back. Having seven kids can get very hard at times but you have to do what you can. GOD bless you and enjoy all he have bless you with.
Trudy-w@hotmail.com
Now you say something