CASPER BROOKER - EPICLY LATERD

[Atiba Applebum]

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this just made me want a blueprint epicly laterd

[close]

Tough titties.   Only ELs that are related to baker riders or people with direct relationships to baker riders

[close]

does vaughn baker count

Yes, but not for the last name.   Pretty sure he was in the Warner Ave crew back in the day

[Atiba Applebum]

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I watched this whole thing and came away not liking Casper Brooker very much. I don’t know how to describe it. It was like the did an epically later’d about him so they could talk about how shy he can be. OK great.

[close]

must be miserable to view the world this cynically. mental health clearly plays a big part in his life, especially after Ben’s death. why shouldn’t he talk about it? every other Epicly Later’d prominently features some struggle, whether it be addiction or identity or whatever. anxiety and mental health is his. if you just want to hear fun party stories watch the bunt

[close]

I don't need to hear fun party stories, but there was nothing inherently interesting about any of this. Call me cynical if you must, but I have zero interest in watching mental health PSAs via skate biographies. Everybody struggles with mental health.

[close]

People may struggle, but often it’s a silent struggle and that’s when tragedy happens.  Erasing the stigma, particularly for men, to open up helps the individual and society.  It’s important to repeat so it does become second nature and acceptable

[close]

I sort of agree with both of you.

Casper agreed to doing the show, but he obviously didn’t feel comfortable talking about himself and his life. He was open about struggling with depression, but he didn’t really talk much about what he actually suffers from. It would have been more relatable had he talked about his family or childhood or about what his depression is connected to. Others guessed it was because of the harsh winters or being isolated in London, but he didn’t really elaborate on it himself. Still, he tried to talk about it and he admitted he was doing therapy, which I think is important. It is also understandable not to want to talk too much about it, because it can also be weird to put your mental issues out there and use them for marketing, as happens sometimes with American celebrities.

Anyways, I liked this episode because of all the skate footage they had to show to fill time. I love Casper Booker‘s skating. He’s one of the best right now.

[close]

I don't know what it's like to live in London, but it doesn't sound fun if you're a skater.  I also assumed when he said during COVID lock downs and how he found himself on the floor crying a lot that he's likely not able to cope with something and or is avoiding dealing with something on a deeper/intimate level.  That can be hard to explain to people who may not have a deep emotional investment on a youtube channel

I also noticed that Heath is a producer for the show... has that been the case for these newer episodes that Heath is funding the series?

Producer doesn’t usually mean he’s funding it, that’s more of an EP credit - he’s likely getting that credit because he helps with day to day setting up the shoots (based off o’dell photos) or getting Odell access people to talk. 

[Sandwich Marty]

Fuckin Beagle comparing him to a stallion running free on the schoolyards was so good.

[rawbertson.]

being on EDGLRD really aged Mike Arnold. damn shame

he seemed about the same age as the other guys?

[Taffy Lee Fubbins]

I watched it a couple of times and it made me appreciate Casper and all of those guys much more. I have also had extended periods of executive dysfunction and prolonged depression that required a daily task/reminder list that included basic things like wake up, eat and drink coffee. The way they subtly handled the entire mental health aspect was really tastefully done, and was a touching tribute to Ben. Top blokes.

[Atiba Applebum]

I watched it a couple of times and it made me appreciate Casper and all of those guys much more. I have also had extended periods of executive dysfunction and prolonged depression that required a daily task/reminder list that included basic things like wake up, eat and drink coffee. The way they subtly handled the entire mental health aspect was really tastefully done, and was a touching tribute to Ben. Top blokes.

Shit man me too and I’ve been really struggling this past year with my routine being fucked with which has sent so much out of whack for me, especially taking my meds.   I think I started doing the list thing when I saw him talk about it for the Smile foundation a couple of years ago, so I kinda appreciate this timely reminder

[Alberteinstein]

Do yourself a favor and just watch that Nike part of him  at south bank

Super fucking boring video

[camel filters]

Good episode but I don’t get why he hates talking about music.

I don't like talking about it because I don't actually have well rounded opinions despite liking what I like. I just end up sounding dumb. I imagine it's the same with him.

[funeral_tuxedo]

What a powerful episode.
It touched on a very difficult subject and I really appreciated Casper Brooker putting himself out there. Shout out to making daily activity lists to help with mental health.

Also a nice reminder to rewatch Cathedral:

[truthislie]

Seen him warming up skating flat at SB a couple of years ago. Just a couple of switch heels so fast and powerful I couldnt believe it.

[j....soy.....]

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Good episode but I don’t get why he hates talking about music.

[close]

I don't like talking about it because I don't actually have well rounded opinions despite liking what I like. I just end up sounding dumb. I imagine it's the same with him.

O'dell awkwardly asking that question was probably the best part of the vid.  Loved this ep. not really on brand, but there's gotta be some stuff on the cutting room floor to give us another few little clips.  On coffee being on the list... it's the best part of the fucking day...it needs to be up there....

[Kielwasser]

I watched this whole thing and came away not liking Casper Brooker very much. I don’t know how to describe it. It was like the did an epically later’d about him so they could talk about how shy he can be. OK great.

I agree. What did it for me was playing up the mental health angle but then declining to name the tell tale signs of Ben's suicide. In the end, glazing his legacy won out over going into uncomfortable detail - and I find that cowardly. You're not really doing prevention if you aren't telling people that Ben had a massive substance abuse problem that none of those guys knew how to deal with and so he ended up more isolated than ever towards the end of his life not because of "weather" (bizarre Tom Knox take) but because he was hard to be around and they all lacked the tools to deal with that. I waited 40 minutes for one of them to talk about feelings of guilt that they couldn't save him and instead this vague implication of "nobody could have seen it coming" is created. Casper is damn right that all the telltale signs were there and he should've used this platform to put them out there and enable others to act on them earlier than they did for Ben.

Everybody in this thread acts like Casper is courageously breaking some new ground for conversation when EL has always been open about the dark side of pro life and there's literally a foundation run/initiated (?) by Ben's sister that tries to shed real and valuable light on mental health struggles. Go and watch their Ben documentary, it's open and explicit about Ben's descent into alcoholism and drugs and the role they played in turning a depression into a suicide.

But to be fair this isn't an individual fault in Casper or the AD crew, it's he entire skateboarding industry's biggest blind spot. I mean has Phelper's addiction ever been addressed inside our industry? Van Wastell's? It's almost like we really don't WANT to learn.

To end on something positive, the Baker camp coming through with easily the most wholesome, erudite and poetical commentary in EL history was not on my bingo card.

[Atiba Applebum]

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Good episode but I don’t get why he hates talking about music.

[close]

I don't like talking about it because I don't actually have well rounded opinions despite liking what I like. I just end up sounding dumb. I imagine it's the same with him.

[close]

O'dell awkwardly asking that question was probably the best part of the vid.  Loved this ep. not really on brand, but there's gotta be some stuff on the cutting room floor to give us another few little clips.  On coffee being on the list... it's the best part of the fucking day...it needs to be up there....

Thought people would be digging Heath in the background reading a magazine in Casper’s flat more

[niketiburon]

how tf Beagle has never been in England??

[Sandwich Marty]

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I watched this whole thing and came away not liking Casper Brooker very much. I don’t know how to describe it. It was like the did an epically later’d about him so they could talk about how shy he can be. OK great.

[close]

I agree. What did it for me was playing up the mental health angle but then declining to name the tell tale signs of Ben's suicide. In the end, glazing his legacy won out over going into uncomfortable detail - and I find that cowardly. You're not really doing prevention if you aren't telling people that Ben had a massive substance abuse problem that none of those guys knew how to deal with and so he ended up more isolated than ever towards the end of his life not because of "weather" (bizarre Tom Knox take) but because he was hard to be around and they all lacked the tools to deal with that. I waited 40 minutes for one of them to talk about feelings of guilt that they couldn't save him and instead this vague implication of "nobody could have seen it coming" is created. Casper is damn right that all the telltale signs were there and he should've used this platform to put them out there and enable others to act on them earlier than they did for Ben.

Everybody in this thread acts like Casper is courageously breaking some new ground for conversation when EL has always been open about the dark side of pro life and there's literally a foundation run/initiated (?) by Ben's sister that tries to shed real and valuable light on mental health struggles. Go and watch their Ben documentary, it's open and explicit about Ben's descent into alcoholism and drugs and the role they played in turning a depression into a suicide.

But to be fair this isn't an individual fault in Casper or the AD crew, it's he entire skateboarding industry's biggest blind spot. I mean has Phelper's addiction ever been addressed inside our industry? Van Wastell's? It's almost like we really don't WANT to learn.

To end on something positive, the Baker camp coming through with easily the most wholesome, erudite and poetical commentary in EL history was not on my bingo card.

Jesus fucking Christ, man. wtf is wrong with you people complaining they didn’t go into enough detail about the guy’s inner turmoil. People have families and personal lives and just because they’re a pro skater doesn’t mean they need to be a spokesperson for mental health awareness. They touched on it enough to let you know, after that they don’t owe you or anyone else shit.

[Atiba Applebum]

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I watched this whole thing and came away not liking Casper Brooker very much. I don’t know how to describe it. It was like the did an epically later’d about him so they could talk about how shy he can be. OK great.

[close]

I agree. What did it for me was playing up the mental health angle but then declining to name the tell tale signs of Ben's suicide. In the end, glazing his legacy won out over going into uncomfortable detail - and I find that cowardly. You're not really doing prevention if you aren't telling people that Ben had a massive substance abuse problem that none of those guys knew how to deal with and so he ended up more isolated than ever towards the end of his life not because of "weather" (bizarre Tom Knox take) but because he was hard to be around and they all lacked the tools to deal with that. I waited 40 minutes for one of them to talk about feelings of guilt that they couldn't save him and instead this vague implication of "nobody could have seen it coming" is created. Casper is damn right that all the telltale signs were there and he should've used this platform to put them out there and enable others to act on them earlier than they did for Ben.

Everybody in this thread acts like Casper is courageously breaking some new ground for conversation when EL has always been open about the dark side of pro life and there's literally a foundation run/initiated (?) by Ben's sister that tries to shed real and valuable light on mental health struggles. Go and watch their Ben documentary, it's open and explicit about Ben's descent into alcoholism and drugs and the role they played in turning a depression into a suicide.

But to be fair this isn't an individual fault in Casper or the AD crew, it's he entire skateboarding industry's biggest blind spot. I mean has Phelper's addiction ever been addressed inside our industry? Van Wastell's? It's almost like we really don't WANT to learn.

To end on something positive, the Baker camp coming through with easily the most wholesome, erudite and poetical commentary in EL history was not on my bingo card.

[close]

Jesus fucking Christ, man. wtf is wrong with you people complaining they didn’t go into enough detail about the guy’s inner turmoil. People have families and personal lives and just because they’re a pro skater doesn’t mean they need to be a spokesperson for mental health awareness. They touched on it enough to let you know, after that they don’t owe you or anyone else shit.

It’s not morbid fascination.  Ben’s family have a foundation that goes into depth to educate people on mental health awareness of which Casper has been a spokesperson for.   People on here are just a little disappointed that with such a big platform as Epicly Laterd, interviewees just talked around the issue rather than be candid in a way that could help others recognize warning signs in themselves or others.   Could just be because they don’t really know O’Dell which is why Casper wouldn’t even open up about music, whereas Smile stuff is made by known entities which invites more vulnerability. 

[Shrimp]

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Good episode but I don’t get why he hates talking about music.

[close]

I'm kinda the same way with music, I'll talk about bands I like if I'm forced to but I dont like talking to other people about what I listen to. Being in the van and having to Aux is a nightmare for me and I avoid. I dont give a fuck what people think about me but then oddly care if people judge me based on what I say I like. Maybe its kinda like food where everyones tastes are different but everyone feels super strongly about what they like but I don't have a strong enough opinion other than I like it. I could def relate to him when Odell asked him that and he didnt wanna talk bout it. Good ep.

That's how I feel about music too; I hate having to DJ in the van. A lot of my taste is sort of esoteric, so I'll usually opt to play something that think everyone will like, and the whole thing becomes anxiety-inducing because I'm worried I'll embarrass myself by playing something that kills the vibe. I love music, and the music I connect with is an important aspect of my life, so I guess I take it personally when people don't like my music personal because I feel like my taste is part of my personality. This whole lame anxiety extends to even talking about music with most people, so I can definitely relate to Casper on that... I wouldn't want to try to describe my preferences or list my favorite bands on camera either.

[krooked-l]

Super interesting watch.

I don’t get the people here who are saying Casper should have talked more about the death of Ben Reamers. Maybe others did, but it was probably out of his comfortzone and I think this should be respected. Using other peoples actions as a reference for somebody with serious mental health issues is just a view with a lack of empathy.

It is super that Casper as a role model spoke up in his own way about mental health. At least it inspired me.


And besides that, he is one of the best on a board right now!

[Put It In Your Head]

My favorite part was O'Dell showing every piece of music merch Casper had at his place and Casper being shown wearing a few band tees only to tell him on the bridge 'I hate talking about music'.

[Mr. Jax Taylor]

Super interesting watch.

I don’t get the people here who are saying Casper should have talked more about the death Ben Reamers. Maybe others did, but it was probably out of his comfortzone and I think this should be respected. Using other peoples actions as a reference for somebody with serious mental health issues is just a view with a lack of empathy.

It is super that Casper as a role model spoke up in his own way about mental health. At least it inspired me.


And besides that, he is one of the best on a board right now!

Theyre Fucking Rubberneckers. Borderline True Crime Fans. Only Interested In The Gruesome Details Of A Tragedy With No Consideration To Tact Or How These Affect The Living Victims. Bens Passing Impacted London In A Deep And Meaningful Way And For Caspers EL Thats Enough

Also To Whatever Dipshit Was Acting Like Tom Knox’s Comment About Weather Was Ludicrous… Seasonal Depression And Isolation Is A Real Thing! How Are You Going To Stand On Your Soapbox And Preach If You Dont Even Know That?

[j....soy.....]

It’s his friend and his ep…so I think it’s up to him how he wants to present and share…..Got me to rematch this nonetheless:



‘I don’t know dude….if everything you know about England is from Morrisey songs….maybe there’s nothing to discuss here…’

Honestly like O’Dell putting himself in there and don’t mind him covering people who aren’t his close friends.  It makes it more interesting, we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have awkward questions….

[manuduncan]

andrew reynolds telling him to go back to jkwon to redo his ender because he didn't catch it good enough was amazing

[Lenny the Fatface]

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I watched this whole thing and came away not liking Casper Brooker very much. I don’t know how to describe it. It was like the did an epically later’d about him so they could talk about how shy he can be. OK great.

[close]

I agree. What did it for me was playing up the mental health angle but then declining to name the tell tale signs of Ben's suicide. In the end, glazing his legacy won out over going into uncomfortable detail - and I find that cowardly. You're not really doing prevention if you aren't telling people that Ben had a massive substance abuse problem that none of those guys knew how to deal with and so he ended up more isolated than ever towards the end of his life not because of "weather" (bizarre Tom Knox take) but because he was hard to be around and they all lacked the tools to deal with that. I waited 40 minutes for one of them to talk about feelings of guilt that they couldn't save him and instead this vague implication of "nobody could have seen it coming" is created. Casper is damn right that all the telltale signs were there and he should've used this platform to put them out there and enable others to act on them earlier than they did for Ben.

Everybody in this thread acts like Casper is courageously breaking some new ground for conversation when EL has always been open about the dark side of pro life and there's literally a foundation run/initiated (?) by Ben's sister that tries to shed real and valuable light on mental health struggles. Go and watch their Ben documentary, it's open and explicit about Ben's descent into alcoholism and drugs and the role they played in turning a depression into a suicide.

But to be fair this isn't an individual fault in Casper or the AD crew, it's he entire skateboarding industry's biggest blind spot. I mean has Phelper's addiction ever been addressed inside our industry? Van Wastell's? It's almost like we really don't WANT to learn.

To end on something positive, the Baker camp coming through with easily the most wholesome, erudite and poetical commentary in EL history was not on my bingo card.

That man was somebody’s friend.

[pizzafliptofakie]

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I watched this whole thing and came away not liking Casper Brooker very much. I don’t know how to describe it. It was like the did an epically later’d about him so they could talk about how shy he can be. OK great.

[close]

I agree. What did it for me was playing up the mental health angle but then declining to name the tell tale signs of Ben's suicide. In the end, glazing his legacy won out over going into uncomfortable detail - and I find that cowardly. You're not really doing prevention if you aren't telling people that Ben had a massive substance abuse problem that none of those guys knew how to deal with and so he ended up more isolated than ever towards the end of his life not because of "weather" (bizarre Tom Knox take) but because he was hard to be around and they all lacked the tools to deal with that. I waited 40 minutes for one of them to talk about feelings of guilt that they couldn't save him and instead this vague implication of "nobody could have seen it coming" is created. Casper is damn right that all the telltale signs were there and he should've used this platform to put them out there and enable others to act on them earlier than they did for Ben.

Everybody in this thread acts like Casper is courageously breaking some new ground for conversation when EL has always been open about the dark side of pro life and there's literally a foundation run/initiated (?) by Ben's sister that tries to shed real and valuable light on mental health struggles. Go and watch their Ben documentary, it's open and explicit about Ben's descent into alcoholism and drugs and the role they played in turning a depression into a suicide.

But to be fair this isn't an individual fault in Casper or the AD crew, it's he entire skateboarding industry's biggest blind spot. I mean has Phelper's addiction ever been addressed inside our industry? Van Wastell's? It's almost like we really don't WANT to learn.

To end on something positive, the Baker camp coming through with easily the most wholesome, erudite and poetical commentary in EL history was not on my bingo card.

you sound like a fucking sociopath, dude.

[Chalupa]

^
Yeah, that’s the most fried take I’ve seen in a while. Adding details like would reduce Ben’s legacy.

Also, alcohol/drug use works the opposite way where people turn to it when they’re depressed. None of his friends have a background in psychology or psychiatry, so it makes sense not to go in depth about it.

[Kielwasser]

Y'all acting like SMILE foundation doesn't exist. Or maybe you just are that ignorant.

[HeavyAndExpensive]

Jesus fucking Christ, man. wtf is wrong with you people complaining they didn’t go into enough detail about the guy’s inner turmoil. People have families and personal lives and just because they’re a pro skater doesn’t mean they need to be a spokesperson for mental health awareness. They touched on it enough to let you know, after that they don’t owe you or anyone else shit.

LOL OK. Then I would suggest not signing up to make a documentary about yourself with mental health being a prominent component if that's not something you want to talk about. This isn't some nosey stalker voyeurism into someone's life without their consent. This entire episode watched like someone who was forced into making a biography about their life and mental health struggles, and had no interest in actually talking about any of it. He came off as annoyed and uncomfortable to me. I kept asking myself "why did you even sign up to do this?"

[Im-BLuE]

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Jesus fucking Christ, man. wtf is wrong with you people complaining they didn’t go into enough detail about the guy’s inner turmoil. People have families and personal lives and just because they’re a pro skater doesn’t mean they need to be a spokesperson for mental health awareness. They touched on it enough to let you know, after that they don’t owe you or anyone else shit.

[close]

LOL OK. Then I would suggest not signing up to make a documentary about yourself with mental health being a prominent component if that's not something you want to talk about.

Take ur cape off. The point ur tryna make is gross

[Taffy Lee Fubbins]

I just want to reiterate that this was a great episode and loving tribute to Ben and his legacy. Kudos to Casper, Tom, Jacob, and everyone that touched on Ben's passing, that isn't easy to do, and I commend Casper for opting not to discuss the so-called tell-tale signs. Hindsight is 20/20, and as it was discussed those glaring signs can be masked real easy. These guys lost their close friend, and they have to live with that forever. This was a loving tribute to Ben and UK skateboarding.

[Mr. Jax Taylor]

Y'all acting like SMILE foundation doesn't exist. Or maybe you just are that ignorant.

Coming From The Guy Who Isn't Familiar With The Concept Of Seasonal Depression....Okay Man