1. Cal Ripken Jr. wrote:

Cal Ripken Jr.

Totally overrated.

2. yaboy wrote:

You forgot to add the following:
Alexander the greek(there’s nothing great about him),
Hippocrates,
Thales of Miletus,
Socrates,
Archimedes,
Emperor Constantine.

3. Antonio wrote:

this is awesome. reposting to FB

4. MG wrote:

I feel dumber for having read your column. How are you employed at Columbia University?

5. J.Joseph wrote:

Thank you for writing my mind! You are absolutely one the most brilliant, truth teller on pop culture, BAR NONE! Lol. After reading the NYT, u check your editorials online in the Metro(Boston edition). Keep your opinions coming whether people agree or not!

6. booklover17 wrote:

Diana Krall – She’s an okay jazz singer. She does not deserve all of the awards and album sales that she garners. There are many singers who are more deserving but not blonde. Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson,

7. J.Joseph wrote:

I submitted something earlier but it didn’t post…oh well.

My sentiments exactly, MLH thank you for writing my mind! One of the best commentators on pop culture, BAR NONE! Lol…Speaking the truth as usual always makes my day after reading the NYT and catching your column in the Metro (Boston edition)

8. james wrote:

booklover17, while i can certainly understand impetus to view these black women as not being as recognized as much as their white counterparts, in this case, i don’t think your example holds up very well. and while i have more cassandra wilson albums than diana krall albums, i view the jazz community as a fairly marginalized but level playing field, at least in 2009. krall may get more slightly more media attention because she is white and married to elvis costello. krall also plays piano very well, while reeves and wilson, are mainly known for their voices and arrangements. as for awards, they’ve all gotten grammy’s at one point or another. reeves seems to have the most out of these women.

9. Dave wrote:

Ruth . . .

1) Was a great pitcher before he became a great home run hitter.

2) Was a fine defensive outfielder.

2) Hit 60 home runs in 1927, which exceeded the total number of home runs of any major league TEAM (except, of course, the Yankees).

Perhaps these are among the reasons that he, “rather than Hank Aaron or Willie Mays, is the single most celebrated player in the history of the sport.”

10. Miss Me wrote:

I have to say that your list is pretty on point.

Even though I am a fan of Eminem, your assessment was very poignant.

I would add to that list ALL of the teenage music sensations: specifically, the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus. Their shows are great for kids. I feel that they should stick to what works.

And don’t get me started on Romo…

11. Sean Christo (15) wrote:

You are the most racist pile of crap in the world. You epitomize what is wrong with lefties today; you cry about racism against Obama (and hypocritically claim that republicans are unable to substantiate their claims that you are simply using the race card, despite the fact that this is obviously what you’re doing in these claims of yours that have gone without any bolstering) and then make a list of “Overrated White People”. White people? Is the inferiority complex you suffer from this large that you had to make a list of all the white people you hate, and then try to justify it by throwing in the adjective “overrated”? I guess I should just make a list called “Stupid Black People” and act like there’s absolutely nothing wrong with segregation based on race (so long as it isn’t my race), since that’s precisely what you’re doing here. Freaking disgusting that people as narrow-minded as you still exist in America, let alone that you’ve actually been able to get other bigots who think like you to spoonfeed you the support and attention you so long for.

12. Sean Christo (15) wrote:

Also, learn a thing or two about baseball before attempting to play all 52 of your race cards at once. Ruth is regarded as the best because he’s a Yankee, not because of race, you idiot.

13. TRUTH-HURTS wrote:

@Dr. Hill… Please don’t delete my comment; I just want to keep it 100% real.

Overrated white people: Hilary Clinton,Winston Churchill,Marilyn Munroe,Megan Fox,The Beatles,Henry Kissinger and almost all white people in the media.

Overrated black people: Barack Obama,Black Pastors,Martin Luther King Jnr.,Nelson Mandela,Desmond Tutu,Halle Berry.80% of the rappers and 95% of black people celebrated by the media.

14. zak wrote:

Marc,

You. Me. Eye to eye on Bill Walton.

15. de wrote:

for a hot second i thought you were talking about rihanna instead of elvis. she’s got overrated tattooed on her forehead (pun intended)

16. Sonia Wilson wrote:

You are wasting your time and intellect. This ‘White People’ foolishness is counter-productive

17. robby wrote:

john mayer, coldplay, ashton kutcher

18. Tamara wrote:

So true about Ruth & Walton!

19. @cprater wrote:

Dr. Hill:

I agree with your assessment of all of the above btw, with the exception of Babe Ruth bc I just don’t know enough about football to have an opinion.

What’s with the segregated lists and the swat at Columbus Day? How about an overrated people list. Period.

Although, you got me to look didn’t ya?

20. Victor wrote:

I’m a white guy that grew up in the sixties and seventies. Elvis never resonated with me. Then I listened to my first Chester Burnett, aka Howlin’ Wolf, album and that’s when I discovered the true king of rock ‘n roll.

21. Martin wrote:

Chase Utley

22. Michael27 wrote:

Overrated White People

John McCain
John Kerry
Paul Krugman
Dick Morris
John Stewart
David Letterman
Bill Mahr
Wade Radke
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Gerald Celente

Overrated Black People….

Oprah
Bertha Lewis
Shaq
Dr. Mark Lamont Hill

PS: I am white, and think this list should have been about overrated people, not black or white. Besides, there are overrated Asians too. This is tongue-in-cheek though as I know you were just having some fun. Dr. Hill, you speak well, but I don’t hear you say “I don’t know” enough nor have I ever heard you say you might be wrong. Anyone who doesn’t is overrated to me. In my own mind, I’m overrated too, so what do I know?

How about Underrated People?

Cheers to you all!

23. Tom Penn wrote:

“Schmarack Chlobama” ??? Dr. Hill cannot be referring to the man who just won the Nobel Peace Prize now could he?

24. zak wrote:

chase utley? C’mon, there’s always a little room for Chase Utley. The defeated brad Lidge on the other hand.

25. james wrote:

brad lidge is not over rated. he was perfect last year, not perfect this year. perhaps he needs his team to be coming from behind to perform well. last year the phillies were chasing and praying; this year they were in command and kicking ass.

26. Bitter Brother wrote:

Barack Obama partially qualifies for the most overrated White people list indeed since he is, in fact, half White. Support for this man has gone from credulous, blind-loyalty to outright madness….The Nobel Peace Prize??? So you mean to tell me that his 9-month body of work is enough to qualify him for the most prestigious accolade, given to men of Dr. Martin Luther King’s ilk who have, literally, given their life to the pursuit of peace? Knock it the f#$% off.

27. james wrote:

yes, bitter brother, apparently the nobel judges felt that obama brought a significant change of tone to the world — enough change to merit awarding obama this prestigious honor.

who was your choice?

28. ~JJG~ wrote:

Marc, you go to take Justin Timberlake off this list. . .Futuresex / LoveSounds is on point. If you look at the pool of the black male R&B singers today. . .they ain’t doing it!

29. Nutty Proffessor wrote:

Marc .. I gotta tell ya – you’re a funny guy ! I am doubling over with laughter at your lack of journalistic credibility. Your chioices for this particular argument would only demonstrate that. You think from the chip on your shoulder and not from what’s between your ears. If you want to be credible you have to show a number of important components toward supporting your argument. You have to show an even keel in your assessments, but you are way too slighted in one direction to be considered credible. It indicts your judgement straight away. And the other key characteristic is to show some genuine intelligence on a subject: Tell me more about that white guy: Columbus… didn’t he marry Pocahontas? And didn’t she give birth to two sons … Lewis & Clark … yeah sounds close enough – PRINT IT!
You should add your name and FOX salary to the top of your Overrated Black People list.

30. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

Bitter Brother – just how bitter are you today?

Please at Brett Farve, all of the Kardasian sisters, Amber Rose, Bill O’Reily, and Rush Limbaugh to this list. Thank you!

31. Tom Penn wrote:

Actually, the Nobel Prize Committee had a deadline to make their decision two weeks after President Obama took office. Their choice was based on the rhetoric and the ideas which then Senator Obama spoke about during his campaign for office.

I think it was a brilliant choice by the committee. I also think that ALL Americans, including Dr. Marc Lamont Hill should rejoice in this selection, because by choosing OUR president, it means America won as well !!!

32. jordan wrote:

Addition to Mrs. Rivers’ list: Glenn Beck. He started his career as a member of a zoo morning crew before he became The Most Important Political Voice in America (not my opinion). When Robin Quivers becomes the most important political voice in America, he can come off the list.

33. phyl wrote:

Correction-You should check with Little Richard, BB King etc before you make your uncalled for remarks. These two have great admiration for Elvis Presley.
Did you ever stop to think he has millions of fans that do not take kindly to your (unjust remarks) I happen to be one of those kazillion fans. Elvis was a great humanitarian, helped quite a few BLACK PEOPLE when White was not cool. So what he did not write his own songs, the were great and feeling songs. There is not that many singers today who write there on.
Elvis Presley – Elvis didn’t write his own songs, barely played the guitar, and was a worse actor than the entire cast of Belly. Despite being a cheap facsimile of Little Richard, he is still known as the “King of Rock ‘n Roll.” Only in America (NOT ONLY IN AMERICA, you need to read more Elvis was and still is GLOBALLY KNOWN and fan clubs are popping up more and more each day.)
Are you a racist. this is crap I wish people could just get along, sure would make the world a better place.
Professor indeed!!!!

34. Linda Lou wrote:

Lay off Elvis!!!! He did more for the nmusic world than alot of these so called black artists….

35. Linda Lou wrote:

Lay off Elvis!!!! He did more for the music world than alot of these so called black artists….

36. Judy Ri Chard, President wrote:

How Dare you put Elvis down??? He was the MOST down to earth man there ever was. He gave 110% to alll his fans, charties, etc. He had AWESOME TALENT that still to this day thousands of fans still go to Graceland. Thousands of ETA’S sing his songs..and GIVE to charties..So Elvis is still giving back thru all of us. Thirty years after his death he is still with us.. YOU can’t say about any other entertainer. IF fact Elvis did not know the difference between White & Black. I guess YOU have a problem…..I have a club here in Las Vegas
All Shook Up N Vegas and we are very proud of our guy ELVIS.. God Bless

37. Bitter Brother wrote:

Tom,

How do we all win whenever America wins? The prosperity and wealth begotten by our savage brand of capitalism, by its very nature, preys on the indigent and powerless masses to acquire wealth for the very few. Contrary to the beliefs of those with their eyes wide shut, Obama offers nothing transformative about his office besides the hue of his skin. He represents the same immutable politics repackaged. How does one deserve this honor premised on an affirmed set of goals rather than merit? This is not the vitriolic rant of someone who hates Obama, I consider myself a supporter. But not at the expense of my principle, common-sense, and judgement!

Mrs Rivers,

To answer your question, I am more bitter than usual. Y? Because awarding someone credit for what they dont deserve discredits the esteem of the award, and it casts aspersion on future, valuable accomplishments of our people. This is based on fanfare and politics.

38. L.C. wrote:

Elvis Presley had more talent in his little toenail than you can ever hope to have in your lifetime.

Here’s my nomination for overrated black person: Marc Lamont Hill aka The Tool

39. Pamela wrote:

I am still laughing!!! This was a joke, right? It is apparent that you haven’t been to Graceland to the Trophy Room, and not to mention your not in touch with MUSIC. ELVIS was/is the greatest Intertainer of all times, you name it, he sang it, country, Gospel, blues, ballads, I could go on but I won’t, and he sang these song with a voice that was a gift. You amaze me, maybe your heads been in the sand for awhile!!!!

40. Jennie wrote:

I must say right off that you are certainly an OVERRATED BLACK PERSON. Mister Marc Lamont Hill, you obviously you are a RACIST yourself and people like you are who keeps hatred growing. Before you criticize and abuse, you need to walk a mile…. . Obviously, you know nothing about Elvis and should have researched rather than speak ‘off the cuff!’ Elvis was color-blind when it came to the Blacks and Whites! Had it not been for him, Little Richard, Bo Didley, BB King or the multitude of other Blacks would have never been allowed on the airwaves. Had you done your homework before speaking your biased, prejudiced opinion, you would have known about the poor Black woman Elvis gave a wheel chair; Cadillacs to other Blacks, and much more. And furthermore, you are a professor – big whoop, you obviously missed your basic cultural education! Plus the fact, obviously you do not know much about your Black entertainers either – BB King, Little Richard, et al, have always had nothing but gratitude to Elvis for breaking the color barrier.

41. Lyn wrote:

YOU and your whole column/article is overrated.

42. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

just as i thought. . . .what did Kat Williams say about haters? stay bitter my brotha….

43. mike wrote:

Elvis overrated? I think not. He is the King and will always be the King no matter what. I will s admit that some folks do get hi rates just because they were the 1st to do what they did (Babe Ruth and all the myths), but still deserve the recognition they get. As far as the rest of your list. well, I don’t really care for any of them,so I’ve no problem with that. My only gripes are Elvis and The Babe. But that’s cool. We all have opinions and can learn from eachother.

Mike

44. L.C. wrote:

I’m still stung by your comment about Elvis. I think if you gave it some thought you’d realize that he made a lot of headway in breaking down the monumental color barriers back then and helped pave the way for greats like B.B. King, Little Richard, Chuck Berry (too many to list!) to be more widely accepted. The has never been — nor will there ever be — anyone even close to Elvis. He was truly one of the hardest working men in show business, and a very charitable soul. He appreciated his fans, and gave his all for them. I’d appreciate it if you’d give him another in-depth look; it may change your opinion.

I have to say I agree with you on Obie-Wan…. I think a lot of us are abolutely STUNNED that someone so undeserving was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and it makes me ill. Must be something in the water supply…. This guy must have someone powerful behind him…… and it isn’t GOD if you catch my drift….

45. JB wrote:

List of Overrated White people classic. Don’t forget Al Sharpton.

46. James Short wrote:

Overrated in your eyes,but who are you? Elvis was named the King of Rock & Roll by the DJ’s, the media, and the fans of that era. Michael Jackson is the “self proclaimed” King of Pop, which means that he NAMED HIMSELF that., and as for Little Richard and many other great black artists of the day, they would never have gotten air play on “white” radio stations if not for Elvis & Sam Phillips and thus may never have been heardby the masses. Sounds to me that you are the kind of guy who wants to keep people stirred-up.

47. Sir_Arthur wrote:

What a crock of S**T this message is!!!! Name me one entertainer known world wild by ONLY their first name! Only ELVIS! Little Richard had his time but he was not managed and promoted as Elvis was. True Elvis did not write any of his song, so it was and is with many big named stars white and black, yet his voice was immaculate! Elvis never accepted any award he did not feel he earned! He donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities.

As for Elvis ability as an actor he was superb in his more serious roles as in “King Creole”, “Flaming Star”, “Charro” and “Wild In The Country”.

I am asking you to retract your statement about Elvis and let’s give the man credit where credit is due!

You can have the rest of your list. I just hope you start off your list of overated blacks with the name Barack Obama!

48. Vicki wrote:

Who is Marc Lamont Hill to decry Elvis Presley.

What has Marc Lamont Hill ever done? I haven’t heard of him.

Will Marc Lamont Hill have 60,000 in his hometown paying their respects to him 30 years after he passes away? I think not.

49. lovely209 wrote:

@ Bitter Brother: Honestly, BB I have learned that you can’t criticize President Obama in the presence of Black folks…. Sigh. It’s sad I know, but oh so true.

@ Mrs. Rivers: I think BB expresses some legitimate points, it’s just sad that you dismiss them as “hating”
I am so sick and tired of people always accusing those who are critical of Barack Obama as “haters.” I mean seriously we KNOW the man is talented and brillant; no one is denying that. If this were any other President BB you would be allowed to be critical of him and express your concerns, but since Barack Obama is BLACK you should just sit in a corner and be happy that you have someone who looks like you in office. Sigh. This is a sad day.

50. pam wrote:

that crack you made about elvis has to be the stupidest thing i’ve ever read in my life!!!! you obviously don’t know a thing about the man, so when you don’t know what your talking about the best thing is to keep your mouth shut!!!!!

51. LC wrote:

I don’t really get the point of this list (although I don’t disagree with a single name on it). Is it a way to try any put down the people on it? These people become overrated through no fault of their own (okay, maybe Paris Hilton is the exception) – they are overrated because of the media and blogs (like this one) – certainly no fault of theirs.

I’d like to see a list of networks, or better yet commentators, that are habitual “over-raters”.

Larry

52. Linda Elvis Fan wrote:

How dare you say that about Elvis?? He is and always will be the King of Rock and Roll no matter what people like you say. Come on, take that back. Why are you so bitter towards everyone? Do not like it in the USA?? LEAVE!!!

53. lennie wrote:

“Elvis Presley – Elvis didn’t write his own songs, barely played the guitar, and was a worse actor than the entire cast of Belly. Despite being a cheap facsimile of Little Richard, he is still known as the “King of Rock ‘n Roll.” Only in America.”
My comments to the idiot:
I must say right off that you are certainly an OVERRATED BLACK PERSON. Mister Marc Lamont Hill, you obviously you are a RACIST yourself and people like you are who keeps hatred growing. Before you criticize and abuse, you need to walk a mile…. . Obviously, you know nothing about Elvis and should have researched rather than speak ‘off the cuff!’ Elvis was color-blind when it came to the Blacks and Whites! Had it not been for him, Little Richard, Bo Didley, BB King or the multitude of other Blacks would have never been allowed on the airwaves. Had you done your homework before speaking your biased, prejudiced opinion, you would have known about the poor Black woman Elvis gave a wheel chair; Cadillacs to other Blacks, and much more. And furthermore, you are a professor – big whoop, you obviously missed your basic cultural education! Plus the fact, obviously you do not know much about your Black entertainers either – BB King, Little Richard, et al, have always had nothing but gratitude to Elvis for breaking the color barrier.

54. Awi Unega wrote:

I Agree with you lennie

Tohidu

55. Logic wrote:

lovely209 and BB,

It’s not that you can’t criticize Obama in the presence of Black people, its just that we understand how the world criticizes Black Folk without giving ample time to “work”. What’s the old saying, we gotta work twice as hard for half as much? GIVE THE MAN SOME TIME!!!! You dont fix a totaled vehicle overnight. If you think that 9 months is enough time to “change” the establishment, then you’re the one that is discredited!

56. crown_electric wrote:

Re: Elvis Presley

Dear Mr. Hill

I do agree with you regarding Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, and Eminem. Indeed they are waaaaaaay overrated, in fact they really don’t deserve to be under or overrated. They’re totally untalented and useless, especially Timberlake and Eminem. Those guys are the biggest poseurs on the planet. Unlike them, one thing Elvis Preley never did was make a conscious decision to ‘act black’ like both of these guys do. They’re so up their own asses to let the world know that they not only have some sort of street credibility but also the approval of the hip hop community. Guess what Justin and Eminem? You’re not black! You’re a couple of white boys that have “love me, I wanna be cool” stamped in huge letters on their foreheads. That being said I don’t think it’s fair by any stretch of the imagination to throw Elvis into the mix with these overrated underachievers. Love him or hate him, Elvis did have a significant and historical impact on popular culture. Sinatra didn’t write his stuff either. Does that mean he’s overrated? You could say that he was just another lounge singer. But most wouldn’t.

I can think of several individuals other than Elvis that deserve the overrated white people award. How about starting with Pam Anderson, Britney Spears, and Ryan Seacrest.

If someone has a problem with ‘the king of rock and roll’ label, I can understand that much. There were, in addition to Elvis several ‘architects’ of rock and roll. No doubt Little Richard was one of them, as well as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. But that doesn’t discount what Elvis brought to the table back in the early days.

In all honesty Mr. Hill I didn’t read the article in it’s entirety, simply because this is a tired point of view that writers such as yourself like to take once and a while for one reason only. To piss people off and get noticed, which in some small way you have achieved. Congrats. It sounds like you’ve either run out of ideas or never had any original ones to begin with. Straw-Man anybody?

57. fuzzytree wrote:

The only thing overrated around here is you. To say that Elvis Presley was overrated proves my point.

58. Lyn wrote:

OH! you are soooo wrong about everything. And one day you will find that out.

59. June wrote:

Dear Mr. Hill. It truly saddens me that you, a beautiful and educated man, with the power to persuade others, should have no heart and be so ignorant about the history of music. You are so wrong about Elvis Presley, he did more for civil rights than any other white entertainer on this planet. He loved the black people he grew up with and also surrounded himself with, on the road and at home. He didn’t have to write the songs, he was the greatest interpreter of song. He was a tremendous actor and never fulfilled his dream to become a more dramatic actor because of his greedy manager. He also is and will continue to be, the greatest entertainer who ever drew breath. What did he do to you to have you tear him apart like this? You have a lot going for you, Mr. Hll, but, you are an angry man. And a racist. God help you.

60. Patti wrote:

I almost believed you were an intelligent man watching you on O’Reilly even though i strongly oppose your views but after this article, I’ve decided you belong in the catgetory with the rest of the looney left.

How dare you say Elvis Presley is an overrated white person. Elvis Presley was not only the king of rock and rock but the kindest, most generous, talented human being that ever graced the face of this earth.

I have no use to ever watch you on O’Reilly and will voice my comments to Fox as well.

Patti Ross
Beaumont TX

61. jennie wrote:

What a crock of S**T this message is!!!! Name me one entertainer known world wild by ONLY their first name! Only ELVIS! Little Richard had his time but he was not managed and promoted as Elvis was. True Elvis did not write any of his song, so it was and is with many big named stars white and black, yet his voice was immaculate! Elvis never accepted any award he did not feel he earned! He donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities.

As for Elvis ability as an actor he was superb in his more serious roles as in “King Creole”, “Flaming Star”, “Charro” and “Wild In The Country”.

I am asking you to retract your statement about Elvis and let’s give the man credit where credit is due!

You can have the rest of your list. I just hope you start off your list of overated blacks with the name Barack Obama!

62. Mrs. Rivers wrote:

@ Lovely209:

Do you really think that I support BO just because he’s black? What makes you think that?
The fact that you cheapen BO to just being black and talented is a shame in itself.

I actually do think Barack Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for being able to create positive energy and hopefullness throughout the world. Who else could go to a country where he is not even running for president and draw a crowd of over 50,000? Who else could create such momentum around an election where people who never voted before in life stood in line for hours to cast their vote?
We are always quick to criticize someone but never acknowledge their achievements. Why shouldnt he be recogni zed for what he has done so far? Just 3 years ago the world had no idea who Barack Obama was. Within that short amount of time, he was able to change the world: we now have our first black president, our kids have hope, and the world actually respects the US again. Isnt that deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Sure BO has more to prove and he has more to accomplish. But in my opinion, I am glad that he was recognized for the efforts that he has done so far. So no, its not just about him being BLACK. It’s about him doing something that our country has never seen before.

And yes, you and Bitter Brother are hating. Rid yourselves of the ‘crab in a barrel’ mentality and give the man some credit.

63. Corve DaCosta wrote:

WoW nice list of overrated white people. I am not hard on public figures, it’s a hard job what they do. not only stressing but demanding. maybe we should blame ourselves (public) for making them so huge in our lives.

Marc are you hinting that Osama I mean Obama is an overrated black man?

The prize he won recently showed he is. That’s if u ask me, not liberals which you are.

64. SuZie wrote:

Yes…..ONLY IN AMERICA can you….voice your unwanted opinion
on anything. Have you ask yourself….why ELVIS came to maid FIRST ???
Just think…..it is because HE…..ELVIS….. is always # 1 in our lives….
# 1 in te world known by HIS first name……# 1 in entertainment….world….
# 1 in HIS achievements……still # 1 over 32 years after HE left this
earthly building.
YOU having your rating of # 1 ……just think….really why you placed HIM # 1 ??
BECAUSE….. ELVIS was & is & always will be NUMBER ONE in
EVERYONEs first thoughts.
So…..your list just proves…….ELVIS is # 1 in everything……
and Always On “our” Mind.
SuZie of Al.

65. RejaneHinkle wrote:

I see by your byline that you are an activist, so I can ony assume that what you are actively doing is trying to keep whites and blacks stirred up against each other, so congratulations, you have succeeded! Your comments are nothing short of rascist dialogue! Just because YOU personally don’t like the music of Elvis Presley does not make him over rated. There are many artists of your ethnic persuasion I wouldn’t give the corner of my trash can to but I don’t spend my time trashing them in public forums.

Are you related to Mr. Sour Grapes Kanye West as well? And by the by even though I’m caucasion I am not a Taylor Swift fan and could care less about that rude incident at that awards show but you know more and more people seem to feel free to display their lack of class. No matter what you have to say about Elvis it will not change the love his legions of fans have for him or change any sales statistics. Everyone has their own taste in music, ect. and you should respect that., if you want to diss someone do it amongst a group of your friends in a hallway not in a public forum otherwise you come off looking like the jerk a lot of people now assume you are.

. .

66. DCI74 wrote:

I find Bill Walton hilarious because he knows all of his references aren’t meant to be taken serious, it just adds some silly humor to what might be an otherwise boring bball game.

For all of Eminem’s fame and catalog I have never purchased any of his stuff with the 8 Mile sound track being the only exception.

Justin is better than a lot of black r&b singers and I never understood the mentality that somehow we as blacks own the patent on singing r&b and dancing. I think too many people focus on who Justin isn’t instead of who he is which is a talented artist in my opinion. To deem him just average because he’s white would be similar to me supporting even the most lame black r&b singers simply because we share the same amount of melanin. Good music is good music.

Tony Romo is as overrated as Jamarcus Russell has dramatically under-achieved, 2 QBs that both suck.

67. Rejane Hinkle wrote:

And where are the comments I left earlier which were here and now are not?
Maybe I can send them again!

I see by your byline that you are an activist, so I can ony assume that what you are actively doing is trying to keep whites and blacks stirred up against each other, so congratulations, you have succeeded! Your comments are nothing short of rascist dialogue! Just because YOU personally don’t like the music of Elvis Presley does not make him over rated. There are many artists of your ethnic persuasion I wouldn’t give the corner of my trash can to but I don’t spend my time trashing them in public forums.

Are you related to Mr. Sour Grapes Kanye West as well? And by the by even though I’m caucasion I am not a Taylor Swift fan and could care less about that rude incident at that awards show but you know more and more people seem to feel free to display their lack of class. No matter what you have to say about Elvis it will not change the love his legions of fans have for him or change any sales statistics. Everyone has their own taste in music, ect. and you should respect that., if you want to diss someone do it amongst a group of your friends in a hallway not in a public forum otherwise you come off looking like the jerk a lot of people now assume you are.

. .
__________________
Rejane Hinkle

68. Kcj wrote:

Well first of all you can’t be AMERICAN and are very JEALOUS that you are not at top of page in highly respected people! As for Elvis he definately WAS NOT the worst actor and so he never could play guitar. CAN You? He sure made it big even though he passed early. .And how many do you know black or white is still as highly regarded as Elvis 30 + years after his death? I think some people (YOU) need to get a life and quit running everyone else down cause you are not a big deal. And if black R&B was the only so called music in this world would throw my radio -record player and all out the door.. Guess you have a right to your say now I have had my right. And really sorry you are such a bitter person! (NOT) lol!

69. Bernie Jenkin wrote:

Don’t quite know what kind of Doctor you are but you need to see a doctor or at least a consultant psychiatrist.

Elvis Presley did more for black people than most black people – without him Black musicwould not have made such an early inroad to mainstream music at a time when segregation and race hatred was at its highest.

Elvis Presley in his lifetime and since has contributed to bettering the lives of black people particularly in the city he adopted as his hometown – Memphis. The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation and Presley Place fund scholarships and provide supported housing and into work schemes for the poor and needy who are predominantly black. Elvis never saw colour as a barrier more as the spectrum of life – he was weaned on black music – blues from Shakerag Tupelo and never forgot that – he more than once made wonderful gestures of personal gifts to black people that were needy. HIs estate employ far more black than white employees and they are loyal to Elvis and his memory – You Sir have no right to label Elvis Presley as an overrated white man – he was a humane HUMAN and continues his humanitarianism from the grave – more Sir than you will ever do – I doubt you will publish this comment from a White Brit in the UK but that Sir is your prerogative.

70. jarret wrote:

I must say right off that you are certainly an OVERRATED BLACK PERSON. Mister Marc Lamont Hill, you obviously you are a RACIST yourself and people like you are who keeps hatred growing. Before you criticize and abuse, you need to walk a mile…. . Obviously, you know nothing about Elvis and should have researched rather than speak ‘off the cuff!’ Elvis was color-blind when it came to the Blacks and Whites! Had it not been for him, Little Richard, Bo Didley, BB King or the multitude of other Blacks would have never been allowed on the airwaves. Had you done your homework before speaking your biased, prejudiced opinion, you would have known about the poor Black woman Elvis gave a wheel chair; Cadillacs to other Blacks, and much more. And furthermore, you are a professor – big whoop, you obviously missed your basic cultural education! Plus the fact, obviously you do not know much about your Black entertainers either – BB King, Little Richard, et al, have always had nothing but gratitude to Elvis for breaking the color barrier

71. jarret wrote:

Marc Lamont Hill you are a coward that avoid the liberty of expression. You erase theespecial notes. You are not an activist, you are a fundamentalist, a coward fundamentalist that must be behind the jail for by slanders and moral damage

72. jarret wrote:

Marc Lamont Hill you are a coward that avoid the liberty of expression. You erase theespecial notes. You are not an activist, you are a fundamentalist, a coward fundamentalist that must be behind the jail for by slanders and moral damage.
must say right off that you are certainly an OVERRATED BLACK PERSON. Mister Marc Lamont Hill, you obviously you are a RACIST yourself and people like you are who keeps hatred growing. Before you criticize and abuse, you need to walk a mile…. . Obviously, you know nothing about Elvis and should have researched rather than speak ‘off the cuff!’ Elvis was color-blind when it came to the Blacks and Whites! Had it not been for him, Little Richard, Bo Didley, BB King or the multitude of other Blacks would have never been allowed on the airwaves. Had you done your homework before speaking your biased, prejudiced opinion, you would have known about the poor Black woman Elvis gave a wheel chair; Cadillacs to other Blacks, and much more. And furthermore, you are a professor – big whoop, you obviously missed your basic cultural education! Plus the fact, obviously you do not know much about your Black entertainers either – BB King, Little Richard, et al, have always had nothing but gratitude to Elvis for breaking the color barrier

73. jarret wrote:

‘Don’t quite know what kind of Doctor you are but you need to see a doctor or at least a consultant psychiatrist.

Elvis Presley did more for black people than most black people – without him Black musicwould not have made such an early inroad to mainstream music at a time when segregation and race hatred was at its highest.

Elvis Presley in his lifetime and since has contributed to bettering the lives of black people particularly in the city he adopted as his hometown – Memphis. The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation and Presley Place fund scholarships and provide supported housing and into work schemes for the poor and needy who are predominantly black. Elvis never saw colour as a barrier more as the spectrum of life – he was weaned on black music – blues from Shakerag Tupelo and never forgot that – he more than once made wonderful gestures of personal gifts to black people that were needy. HIs estate employ far more black than white employees and they are loyal to Elvis and his memory – You Sir have no right to label Elvis Presley as an overrated white man – he was a humane HUMAN and continues his humanitarianism from the grave – more Sir than you will ever do – I doubt you will publish this comment from a White Brit in the UK but that Sir is your prerogative.’

74. jarret wrote:

Marc Lamont Hill you must be behind the jail for by slanders and moral damage

75. KellyG wrote:

To say Elvis is overrated is like saying you are a fabulous person marc.Elvis went a long way in the short life he had and accomplished more than you can ever dream of doing.Sad that you have to make you money and get your attention by bad mouthing others.Take a look in the mirror sometime,you might be suprised.Also research ELVIS and see what you learn.I agree with so many other post but most of all the one that says Elvis has more talent in his toenail than you ever will. No he didnt write his songs,it was an honor for other artists to get Elvis to do their songs,He could play the guitar along with the piano and other instrament(what can you play).He was a great actor and did the best he could with what he was handed at the time.Look at his acting ability in charro and a few other movies.So how about laying off Elvis and get a life.

Try a list of overrated idiots,but be sure your name is #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

76. Ben wrote:

Oh crap, Marc. You just angered a sea of people who see color over merit with the Schmarock comment. Be prepared to feel the way tea partiers have felt for the past month or two in the face of comments by the likes of Garafalo, Carter etc. The Newsweek cover may have more aptly read “We Are All Racists Now.” though I assume you’re about to be entrusted with the idiotic “reverse racist.” There IS no reverse, there is just racist–no matter your color.
This is strange for me. I’ve agreed with you twice this week: once on your recent O’Reilly appearance and today on 6 of 8 people on the list.

77. Lyn wrote:

YOU are an over rated writer. Need to go back to the National Enquirer. That is where YOU belong. YOU do not speak the truth. YOU don’t know the truth.

78. Lyn wrote:

YOU are an over rated writer. Need to go back to the National Enquirer. That is where YOU belong. YOU do not speak the truth. YOU don’t know the truth. I forgot to add aren’t you on “The Bill O”rielly Show on Fox? BORING!

79. Teresa Campbell wrote:

Elvis Presley – Elvis didn’t write his own songs, barely played the guitar, and was a worse actor than the entire cast of Belly. Despite being a cheap facsimile of Little Richard, he is still known as the “King of Rock ‘n Roll.” Only in America.”

Mr. Marc Lamont Hill:
I see that this is the ‘change’ that America was waiting for…NOT!!!…how incredibly insulting to not only the person that was voted Entertainer of the Century, I.e. Elvis Presley, but to all of us fans that truly love, enjoy, and appreciate His music to this very day. There is no other singer as talented as He was or who has the beautiful and eloquent voice range that He did. Apparently you have not listened to very much of His music from your hateful and ridiculous statement here. Did you know that Graceland is the most visited residence in the United States of America outside of the White House itself? Did you know that Elvis was a most generous person, not only with His time given to His fans, but that He also gave generously to innumerable charities as well as to individuals who desperately needed financial help? Also, did you know that in the year 2007 during ELVIS WEEK, 30 years after His passing, that there were over 75,000 fans that showed up in Memphis and went to the Vigil to show and honor this man the respect that He well deserved? I am proud to say that I was one of them, and I continue to return to Memphis during the celebration of His birthday in Jan. And in Aug. To celebrate the life and the legend that is and always will be what Elvis Presley deserves. One more thing…I have to say that watching you on Fox News on the Bill O’Reilly show will be sickening to me from this point on. I intend to let them know. You are not superman who can leap tall buildings with a single bound, but your rapid and racially biased tongue is faster than a speeding bullit and does far more harm. Change???…oh yes…and now your bias truth is out there for all to finally see and acknowledge. I thank you for the opportunity to finally tell you what I truly believe and feel.
Teresa Campbell
Atlanta, Georgia

80. Debbie wrote:

The good thing for everyone alive today is that not a single person will know who you were or miss you 30 years after you are gone. It is gratifying to know that your 15 minutes of fame are about over. Elvis will continue to be not only a great entertainer but a great humanitarian. Neither quality can be, or ever will be said, about you. And let’s talk about todays music. YOu never heard a swear word come out of the mouth of Elvis Presley and certainly not in his music. He was never arrested for beating up his girlfriend the day of a big awards show. He never suggested killing police officers or your parents in his songs. Get real Mister, no one cares what you think or who you are. We will keep loving Elvis and forget you were ever born. What a waste of an education you are.

81. Charlee wrote:

Sir,
I think you need a better hobby!
Starting off with a trip to Memphis and Graceland
For you sure the hell know nothing about Elvis.
Elvis may not of wrote his own songs but he made what he sang his!
No other person as Elvis could sing from the heart and soul as he did and be able to feel it in your heart!
Elvis open doors to many in today music field.
As for his acting…Where do you come off of saying Elvis couldn’t act?

I have had many who thought as you and they have changed their remarks after sitting down
and really watch one of his movies!
There are so many today’s Generation’s who have found Elvis music and Elvis the man AWESOME!
Elvis Today Tomorrow and Always will be King of Rock and Roll!

82. DCI74 wrote:

Wow who knew this would get so much traction!

Umm for all of your newbies who are leaving comments in this thread, Doc Hill doesn’t delete comments even the ones that are vile and ignorant (if the shoe fits..) On another note it’s a shame you can’t buy a sense of humor from Target or Costco because some of you need one desperately.

83. Angie wrote:

First off.. who the heck are you and on what authority do you have to compile such a list? What have you done for the American society? I am sure your list of accomplishments is far inferior to Elvis Presley’s. If you had done your homework, you would know that Elvis Presley was much more than an Entertainer. While you may not like his music or movies, he did more for society than you are giving him credit for. He is under appreciated! No, he did not write songs but he had the most incredible voice and through his music, has brought joy and happiness to millions of people around the world generation after generation. He legacy continues today, 32 years “after” his death, and is evident by the many hundred thousands of fans that visit Graceland and by his continued record breaking album sales each year. FYI…. Graceland is the second most visited home in America, after the White House. Check history to see how many doors he helped open for “black musicians/music” and how many more he influenced. Elvis may not be the “best actor” but he made 33 very successful movies, not bad for someone in “your opinion” who could not act! How many successful movies have you made? Setting aside his ability to entertain, he was much more than just an Entertainer. He had the ability to reach people across racial lines, he was a caring human being who did countless acts of kindness that many people like yourself know nothing of. Take a walk down the halls at Graceland and look at the hundreds and hundreds of checks written to so many charities, year after year. Elvis gave away more than he ever kept. So before you just start lumping names on a list, you need to do your homework first! Elvis will be remembered today, tomorrow and forever… and you will be forgotten as soon as I hit the send button.

84. ~JJG~ wrote:

Ha! Hiiilllllarious . . .Marc, you don’ messed up talking about Elvis. . .

85. Michelle wrote:

Marc who are YOU to criticize ANYONE?
Elvis the artist painted a picture with how he interpreted the songs. He sang from the very depths of his soul unlike no other. All of his accomplishments speak for themselves. I could go on & on….. but it would not sink in to your narrow little mind.
You seriously do not know all of the facts. You have a battleship mouth & a sailboat a$$

“Don’t criticize what you don’t understand son, You never walked in that mans shoes”

FYI: Elvis paid for Jackie Wilson’s tomb stone if he had not Jackie would not have had one.

86. Casey wrote:

Obviously you have not received the proper education. I sense a MAJOR jealous streak in your writings.
ELVIS PRESLEY—OVERRATED??? You better inform the millions of fans he continues to gain over the years & explain that to them. I don’t think you’d like their reaction to your garbage!!!

87. Blessing wrote:

Who’s this Elvis guy that has everyone’s panties in a bunch? Yesh! I smell some fanatics!!

88. Cézsar wrote:

Damn Marc, you got them tea-baggers all shook up in here over Elvis hehehe! I wonder what the response would have been if Jesus was at the top of that list lol! I suspect not as passionate, er, I mean insane and racist as this. Truth is, Elvis was just another Vanilla Ice (they even had the same quiff lol) – a manufactured wannabe who got lucky because of the times he lived in. Same story with Eminem except he he really put the work in (fearful of the Vanilla Ice treatment), and at a time when Hip-Hop was already sat atop the musical mountain. But he forgot that the one thing real rappers don’t do is cuss out and publicly eviscerate their mothers like some damned to hell bastard, and now the world is full of mini-wannabe-ems…sigh…it’s all a bit sad really, cos the dude had some real potential. He’s poisoned and corrupted Hip-Hop in a very detrimental way for the new generation. But like RocknRoll, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, and Gospel before it, I have no doubts Hip-Hop will take its next evolutionary step shortly. As for Columbus, I don’t think I could describe him any better than Marc. The rest of the list doesn’t matter enough for me to mention.

89. Ireta wrote:

Well Marc(YOU MUST BE DIFFERENT CAUSE YOU SPELLED YOUR NAME WRONG) Anyway you better do some studying before you do these articles. Elvis did more for all the races than you will ever know. Take a trip to Memphis and just see how his name is everywhere. Who else has a week set aside for him and roads close and people pay him hommage . The whole area of Graceland is silent for hours because people are paying their respect to a man who has changed music history and the American culture.John Lennon said ‘BEFORE ELVIS THERE WAS NOTHING.”………So go back to your square one and do some research about the man who everyone loves. Both black and white. I suggest you rewrite your story when you get your FACTS correct….

90. pam wrote:

uh no elvis didn’t get lucky!!!! when you got the talent and the looks that man had no luck needed!!!! and i don’t see anything funny about stupidity!!!! and june i couldn’t have said it better, you are so right!! mr.hill you really need to do more research before you write about something so next time you wont look so stupid,by the way watch the 68 comeback special (sit down part in the black leather suit)see how well elvis plays the guitar, i think you’ll change your mind

91. zak wrote:

Whoa. I’ve seen you put this list up a couple of times before, but I’ve never seen this many people respond. Where else did you post this? Oh well.

Can a mulatto be underrated and overrated at the same time? That’s like…science fiction, man.

92. Paul wrote:

Elvis did more in 1953 by walking into Sun Studio than you’ve done in your life. You racist piece of shit.

93. Andre wrote:

One day…probably not in my lifetime (though it’s fun to imagine)…the world will realize that Elvis really WAS the King. The King of Grand Theft Music.

Marc I was expecting to see a modicum of opposition for putting Elvis on the list. But this is even more than I could’ve anticipated. Day-um!

All the same, nice list. I’m curious to see the overrated black list. I’m envisioning a top 5 of Tyler Perry, Puffy, Michael Eric Dyson, Biggie, and Kevin Garnett. But I’ll defer to the expert on this one.

94. SuZie wrote:

Hey I see Elvis boosted your comments……..up to 92
from the lows you are used to getting.
AND Elvis is definitely not over-rated….
your opinion doesn`t seem to be the “majority” thoughts.

We will pray for you & your thought proces….whatever it derives from ????
Gods` Blessings anyway….
Elvis would say…….I`m just an ENTERTAINER….not a politician
or one to tell anyone how or what to think or believe.

I`LL JUST KEEP ON SINGING A SONG ”
ELVIS A CLASS ACT !!!!!
love & prayers SuZie of Al.

95. Andre wrote:

“One day…probably not in my lifetime (though it’s fun to imagine)…the world will realize that Elvis really WAS the King. The King of Grand Theft Music.”

Clearly that day won’t arrive any time this week.

But I did notice something that I neglected before, Marc. I need to call you out for squaring an attack on my homeboy Tony Romo. One botched snap and a couple of bad picks aside, a reliance on T.O. – forced by Cowboys’ management, IMO – was Romo’s only problem. Now that T.O. is finally out of the picture (God is GOOD!), we can get down to business. Cowboy Super Bowl success is imminent.

96. pam wrote:

i dont like to actually name names but andre have you lost your mind? elvis didnt steal anything!! he covered other peoples music at times (as so many other people do), he couldn’t help it that he was better than EVERYBODY ,that he knew how to interpret a song better than ANYBODY!!! he had a GOD given talent and he has out lasted any other singer living or deceased, you or anyone else can’t dispute that. he deserves ALL the respect in the world, if not for him we would still be listening to junk like “how much is that doggie in the window” and i for one wouldn’t want that. no one else then or now has or had the talent , staying power and everything else he had to make music what it is . like it or not he deserves most of the credit and as for tony romo, t.o’s gone and he still’s not doing so hot! dont get me wrong their are many other talented artist out there but there is and always will be only one ELVIS!! he’s the best!!!

97. Andre wrote:

@ Pam: I’m a fervant believer in the idea that once a person lays their thoughts down (on paper, on a blog, wherever), criticism is fair game. No offense taken.

To your point: I maintain that Elvis’ fame was primarly a product of taking pre-existing work and packaging it for white America. He gave songs from people like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Chuck Berry, and a number of “colored” artists exposure that wasn’t readily available for these cats because of racism, the cultural divide, segregated airwaves, etc. So in that respect, Elvis was a great SALESMAN. But if the measure of a great musician is in his/her ability to actually WRITE original songs, sorry…but El-Dawg doesn’t fit the bill.

To put it another way: Iet me use Marc as an example. He’s a frequent contributor on Fox News, right? Though I don’t have the stats at my fingertips, I’d suspect that most of Fox’s viewers are white (perhaps a few black conservatives here and there…but mostly our white brothers and sisters). So suppose Marc took Bill-O’s transcripts word for word and used them on a show he created on BET, capturing the interest of millions of black people. Can we really call Marc the “King” of Commentary? All he did in the aforementioned hypothetical scenario was help Bill O’Reilly’s commentary achieve validation from black people; black people who incidentally didn’t even KNOW the commentary was Bill’s in the first place.

My point: Elvis was a good deliverer. A good manufacturer? Not so much.

BTW, I don’t think I’ve lost my mind. But then again, I did just hit 30. So, maybe.

98. Diane wrote:

Andre wrote:
@ Pam: I’m a fervant believer in the idea that once a person lays their thoughts down (on paper, on a blog, wherever), criticism is fair game. No offense taken.

To your point: I maintain that Elvis’ fame was primarly a product of taking pre-existing work and packaging it for white America. He gave songs from people like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Chuck Berry, and a number of “colored” artists exposure that wasn’t readily available for these cats because of racism, the cultural divide, segregated airwaves, etc. So in that respect, Elvis was a great SALESMAN. But if the measure of a great musician is in his/her ability to actually WRITE original songs, sorry…but El-Dawg doesn’t fit the bill.

When I read something like this, it shows the true and utter ignorance of the writer. Until you research and know more of what you write, it’s best just not to write. Elvis was pure and raw and talented. With a few exceptions, he took the songs and made them different. Made them and the writer known. Otherwise they would have disappeared into obscurity. No one would have known who Muddy Waters was, and Big Mama Thornton’s Hound Dog was written by two white guys, Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. These guys still come to Memphis occasionally for Elvis Week as guests, along with others who have written hits for Elvis through those years.
Those blacks should thank this man for what he did . I often wonder if Elvis had never existed, just what might have happened. It was a very segregated time back then and on into the 60’s. I would bet you have NO IDEA how many writers said how thilled they were that Elvis did their song. Dylan said it was a highlight of his career. People were begging to write for Elvis and he was brilliant at choosing what to sing.
Manufacture? That really shows how uneducated you are regarding this most talented man who still rules after being dead 32 years. Elvis was not THE SALESMAN, as such. That would be Col Parker, the promoter.
Elvis should have ditched him when he was doing the movies. He then came back with the highly acclaimed 68 Special, where the song ‘If I can Dream” was written for him and he put his ALL into it.

To put it another way: Iet me use Marc as an example. He’s a frequent contributor on Fox News, right? Though I don’t have the stats at my fingertips, I’d suspect that most of Fox’s viewers are white (perhaps a few black conservatives here and there…but mostly our white brothers and sisters). So suppose Marc took Bill-O’s transcripts word for word and used them on a show he created on BET, capturing the interest of millions of black people. Can we really call Marc the “King” of Commentary? All he did in the aforementioned hypothetical scenario was help Bill O’Reilly’s commentary achieve validation from black people; black people who incidentally didn’t even KNOW the commentary was Bill’s in the first place.

A Very bad analogy, as Elvis did not do this. Not at all. Please say no more unless you know more facts. You are short on the truths about Elvis, so it’s best not to comment. If you are so inclined, and I feel you are not, read “Last Train to Memphis” by Peter Guralnick.

My point: Elvis was a good deliverer. A good manufacturer? Not so much.

So, so wrong. This man could do it all. Gospel, rock, blues, opera, country. He had a God given voice. It says something that after all these years, there are countless millions around the world of all ages who love and adore this man. Three generations in many families, including my own.. That’s more than a manufacture. It’s a gift.

99. pam wrote:

have you even heard the original version of hound dog its not much like elvis’ version.he changed most of the words there’ s an interview with the writters that talks about it. in one way you are right about elvis , he covered alot of music but it was only because he respected them and their work! and when he did he made them better songs and something else you need to understand is back in those days people didn’t write alot of their own songs, now keep in mind i didn’t say nobody did just not most people, and about black music, back in those days most white people thought to listen to black music you where lowering yourself to the level of dogs, a feeling i DO NOT SHARE I THINK IS STUPID, and they thought elvis was a black man and hated him , thought he was singing devil music , he loved black music and thats why he sang it he couldn’t see what all the fuss was about.and to in those days there wasn’t songs written for his particular style so he did have to cover other peoples music and put his own style to it.and later on he didn’t write but songs were written for him and they were his and people covered them and no one is on a soap box about that!!! you and alot of other people need to check your elvis history before you go ragging a good man,not a perfect man but a good man about all this crap that you obviously know nothing about. he was a major influence on bridging the gap between white and black music and im glad he did it. to be separate was and is stupid. you can’t fault a man for being the total package he would sing anything that he liked and was great at it all!! he opened the door for alot of people ,give the man the respect he deserves, at the least stop talking about stuff you don’t know nothing about! i’m really not trying to be mean but talking about him like that it may sound strange but its like your talking about one of my family and i can’t handle that elvis fans are VERY loyal people!! i hope i got my point across. and turning 30 won’t make you lose your mind. all im asking is do a little reseach about the real man not what the tabloids say he was a good man and a great artist and so many other things that the media don’t want to print because that won’t sell papers!!!

100. COTLC: Great Movie Deaths; End-Times Cuisine and Frog Man Delighted About His Penis-Mushroom Legacy | ICED BORSCHT wrote:

[...] Lamont Hill provides a brief list of overrated white people. Brett Favre is conspicuous by his [...]

101. Andre wrote:

Clearly we’re not going to agree on this one. Tossing words like “facts” and “research” into this discussion (gentle euphemisms for “my opinion”) won’t make Elvis any less overrated to me…and I suspect hoards of other people of color. So please feel free to continue worshipping El-Boogie like he was born with a golden guitar in his hand. It’ll make for a much more interesting story when we’re all chillin’ in Heaven listening to Elvis himself tells us stories about how he was grossly overrated. Just don’t be mad when I say “I told you so.”

Oh, come on. I kid, I kid!

102. Chickoo wrote:

And who are you again?? Picking on Elvis was a big mistake…

103. James dONT wrote:

Marc puts this stupid story up every few months to drum up web hits and blow his name up. Ever since he switched to the new format this place has become a ghost town of the few regulars. This article, story whatever you want to call it is nothing more than a publicity stunt for his misguided website.

104. pam wrote:

well something we can agree on!! your right we’re NOT going to agree on this and alot of people of “color” as you put it respect elvis for what he did, you would know that if you knew anything about him that meant anything and i hope with all my heart he’s singing with the angels, thats the lords decision and thats all i’ll say about that i WON’T argue over that!! and i don’t worship elvis i ONLY worship GOD, i just happen to think elvis was a wonderful singer and man. oh and he was born VERY poor and worked very hard to get to where he was no one GAVE him anything. except of course the talent the Lord gave him.and there will be no i told you so’s, he didn’t understand his fame but he did understand that God gave him that wonderful voice and the talent to hear a song and know how it should go. you may be right about that “my opinion” statement to a certain extent but you have to admint that sometimes when you learn more about a situation opinions can be changed!

105. Alfonso wrote:

WTF??? Since when Columbus Day is about celebrating Columbus life??
I am from Spain and not even here the guy is celebrated like a hero…but to call him an ‘immoral treasure hunter’ and a ‘vicious conquistardor’ is a bit childish…he lived in a completely different time under a completely different set of rules and ‘moral expectations’…would you have behaved completely diiferent 5 centuries ago…as if you were born with the current ‘human rights declaration’ coded in your DNA? Give me a break…

And what´s with all this ‘white/black’ take on things…even if it´s made tongue in cheek …seriously…it has to go.

( Apologies for any errors…english is my second language ).

106. Fred wrote:

Not for nothing, but we are still waiting for Mr. Hill’s list of overrated black people. Until such time, I’ll be considering Mr. Hill a RACIST.

107. Gusella wrote:

I do not know why FOX fired you and I do not know if the article “Overrated White People” had anything to do with the firing, but if you are the author of the Article “Overrated White People” it was not a smart thing to do. Are you sure you even wrote the article or is there an imposture? How is writing an article like this not going to inflame whites? The article is incendiary. The title is abrasive. It is not what you say, it is how you say it. I respect you and I enjoy listening to you, but is there not a smarter way to make your point without being so offensive especially since you are a professor. You are supposed to be racially sensitive. You have to be careful how you attack peoples GODS and ICONS. Attacking Elvis is like launching an attack against ISLAM or JUDAISM or CHRISTAINITY.
People like Rush and Hannity would love to chew you up and spit you out. Why then make yourself their fodder. Maybe you should have written the article “Overrated Black People” first. Maybe you should not have written such an article at all. What purpose did you hope to serve? Some things are better not said. It was more an attack article rather than academic dialogue and you being a professor, people expect that you would be professional especially on issues like this. If you truly wrote this article, then this is a new low for you and FOX was right to fire you because you have become a part of that “divide the races crowd” by giving the races something else to fight about. This kind of rhetoric be it fact or fiction is not going to help America move forward. America is about moving forward for the good of all Americans. I thought so highly of you that I am still hoping this is a joke and you really did not write the article.

108. BigSmooov in DC wrote:

I have to disagree with you on Eminem Dr. Hill. He deserves his props.

But you can add Brett Farve. Everyone and their mother knows if ANY black QB get the same chances and opportunities…they would get the same treatment. On the flip side to that, if you have the same black QB throw as many INT’s as he did….then they would’ve been yesterday’s news light years ago.

109. BigSmooov in DC wrote:

As far as Elvis….Dr Hill…YOU ARE CORRECT!!!!!

People think Elvis was a hero from a racial front!?!?!?!? That tells me right there they know nothing about that redneck! Only “barriers” he broke down were the ones between the rednecks and the middle class whites! LoL He was a music stealing racist simple and plain.

Micheal was bigger than him by far. Even “banged” his daughter. LoL Until you show me footage of a mass amount of black men and woman that fainted at his concerts vs. Michael having masses of white fans (male and female) passing out ……than just be quite.

110. Heather wrote:

i am a white person and you know what is so over rated its black people going around hollering all the time Discreamination when they don’t get their way , that is over rated and the other two things i think is so overrated is Michael Jackson who cares everyone knows he was a pediphile and those kids were not lying on him and if you want to talk about something talk about Jon and Kate Gosselin they are white but they got on national tv and told a bare face lie in order to obtainm free stuff and they expolited their 8 kids to get the free stuff.so lay off of Elvis he done nothin to you i thought the Michael Jackson passing and funeral was overrated like anyone really cared i know i sure didn’t. before you start to critize Elvis or anyone else please look deeply into what Michael Jackson done and the word Discreamination that is used all the time by black people when they don’t get their way.

111. Heather wrote:

and one more thing you know what else is overrated is the day people celebrate Martin Luther King Day in January when all places are shut down to honor this man i don’t see what he done so great all he done was go from state to state starting trouble with the white people that is all he done and why people want to remember this man i don’t know why cause i don’t he nothin more but a trouble maker black person.he is overreated me and my family don’t celebrate MLK day he didn’t do nothin for us he was just another trouble maker causing trouble everywhere he went always running his mouth about things he knew anything about like always.

112. Vixen wrote:

amber rose on the list please

who are all thee elvis water carriers??? lmao

113. DCI74 wrote:

@ Vixen – although I still don’t quite know what Amber Rose does she’s only half white. She’s Italian and Cape Verdean.

114. Pat wrote:

Elvis Presley: For you to include *Elvis Presley* in your list of overrated White people, only goes to show your ignorance as well as your self rightoues bigoted attitude! I hope you include yourself in the list of overrated Black People, which I have yet to see. Elvis Presley had more talent in his little finger than you could muster up throughout your lifetime. Elvis Presley never took guitar lessons, piano lessons or voice lessons. His ability to do all of it was a gift from God and for you to insult that is disgusting!. The Guitar was not his thing, he was a amazing singer and entertainer, so you should know what your talking about before bashing him or anyone else for that matter. Elvis was also a great Actor, his films were not chosen by him but by the Colonel for him which Elvis himself did not like. There is not a day that goes by, that either Elvis Presley, one of his songs or an event honoring him is not seen on T.V. Either in a commercial, a movie or on a talk show. Every Single Day you will hear or see Elvis Presley. 31 years later, Elvis Presley is honored by his millions of fans even today. Wonder who will honor you, 6 months after you pass on. I would imagine NADA!

115. Really? wrote:

Most overrated black people: YOU

116. Repl wrote:

Facsimile of Little richard?? LOL! Elvis is way before little richard, check discographies!