Tenacious D sadly re-confirms one bad sentence can end a long career

For most people, we can never be sure of a successful future doing the same things we have in the past. We have to work on ourselves and improve, both personally and professionally. Even if we have been in positions for quite a while, one slip-up can sometimes cause our careers to end.

Should life be that way? Maybe. Many times the mess-up depends on how bad it is.

In the case of Tenacious D's Kyle Gass, his error was bad. Very bad. Part of the issue is that he said what lots of people are thinking out loud (and no, we are not saying what Gass said was correct in any fashion). This is one reason Gass's words struck such a chord. The words were too true for many and, therefore, any humor he might have meant would have been lost.

Kyle Gass's bad words likely marked the end of Tenacious D

What happened was that Tenacious D was putting on a concert in Australia. The date was also his 64th birthday. The day before there was an attempt on former United States president (and current presidential candidate) Donald Trump's life and Trump was shot in the ear. As a cake was brought out to celebrate Gass's birthday, he was asked to make a wish and he answered, "Don’t miss Trump next time."

He should not have said those words for lots of reasons. First, one should always take the high road and have a sense of decorum. Secondly, after three decades of decent success for Tenacious D, Gass's five words probably ended the band.

The rest of the tour was canceled the next day. This included the rest of the gigs in Australia as well as the upcoming shows in the US. Fans of the D likely read Jack Black's - Gass's more famous bandmate - reaction on social media with sadness.

Black wrote, "I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form. After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding."

Gass was also dropped by his talent agency, Greene Talent, due to the incident. Whenever he finds work again might be a long time away.

Black might find it difficult to work with Gass again as well. He has his career to look after and doing future projects with Gass is only going to make Black look guilty by association. His swift response to what Gass said proved he has a much greater self-awareness than Gass could ever have.

Gass did issue an apology on social media (though he has since deleted), saying, "The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused."

Should Tenacious D never play together again, they would just be another warning sign on the path to ruin. Lots of careers have ended in seconds. Jack Black will likely continue on without issue. Kyle Gass might never work in the entertainment industry again.

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