Chiwetel Ejiofor reads possibly the funniest letter of recommendation ever

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  • Опубліковано 17 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 216

  • @wstavis3135
    @wstavis3135 2 місяці тому +504

    I do believe Curt was in the Navy as I recall reading of an evaluation that stated, "Salior is an excellent worker when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat."

    • @conmcgrath7174
      @conmcgrath7174 2 місяці тому +51

      I cannot cite the original but I can repeat what I remember, this is a report on how young 'Feathering-Smythe' is functioning as an Officer in the Royal Navy; 'he uses my ship to transfer him from port to port and his fellow officers to aid him from bar to bar......

    • @mooniejohnson
      @mooniejohnson 2 місяці тому +12

      @@conmcgrath7174 Not going to lie, that describes a *lot* of Navy friends I've had over the years. I think of them all fondly because... well, they could drink me under the deck of whatever ship was docked at the time. 😉

    • @Corvidknows
      @Corvidknows 2 місяці тому +18

      This reminds me of a short I saw here on UA-cam about a fighter pilot who was given the call sign Z.E.U.S: Zero Effort Unless Supervised. 😂

    • @chrisditto8701
      @chrisditto8701 Місяць тому +6

      I got a homeboy who's exit eval was basically this

    • @priscillaroberts7945
      @priscillaroberts7945 Місяць тому +8

      A naval gentleman asked about his service in Command over Prince Andrew replied an officer never speaks badly of a fellow officer so i shall say nothing at all.

  • @chasdawes7541
    @chasdawes7541 2 місяці тому +520

    Chiwetel Ejiofor has been a favorite since his remarkable role as the nameless assassin in Serenity.
    He has consistently shown himself to be an outstanding talent.
    I would gladly listen to this human read cereal ingredients.
    Fortunately, he has had the opportunity to share his skills with us all.

    • @RylanStorm
      @RylanStorm 2 місяці тому +10

      The assassin was called Keith.

    • @danwooller6101
      @danwooller6101 2 місяці тому +21

      @@chasdawes7541 ah, the film that bridged the gap between season 1 and season 2. Anytime now friends.

    • @mrkrunch4340
      @mrkrunch4340 2 місяці тому +24

      I have an almost strange compulsion, at any mention of Serenity or Firefly, to say this:
      How does a Reaver clean their spear?
      They run it through the Wash.

    • @iansharkeymr
      @iansharkeymr 2 місяці тому +21

      @@mrkrunch4340 Too soon…

    • @ecbrown6151
      @ecbrown6151 2 місяці тому +3

      Red Belt is a remarkable film

  • @rained5757
    @rained5757 2 місяці тому +145

    Both the letter and the reader are an absolute joy.

  • @hellohell1723
    @hellohell1723 2 місяці тому +372

    Such skillful writing is always a delight. Thank you for bringing these to the world.

    • @LettersLive
      @LettersLive  2 місяці тому +42

      Thank you for watching! x

  • @vdavis4785
    @vdavis4785 2 місяці тому +154

    This reminds me of the Lexicon of Intentionally Ambiguous Recommendations (by Robert Thornton), which includes such gems as:
    To describe an inept person-”I enthusiastically recommend this candidate with no qualifications whatsoever.”
    To describe an ex-employee who had problems getting along with fellow workers-”I am pleased to say that this candidate is a former colleague of mine.”
    To describe an unproductive candidate-”I can assure you that no person would be better for the job.”

    • @amydebuitleir
      @amydebuitleir 2 місяці тому +26

      Also from that book, IIRC, "You would be lucky to get this person to work for you."

  • @Dan210871
    @Dan210871 2 місяці тому +645

    I once wrote in a performance review that one of my co-workers had "delusions of adequacy". Instead of getting a lot of laughter (as Mr. Ejiofor rightly did), I got called in for an awkward conversation with the head of HR.

    • @younglaster
      @younglaster 2 місяці тому +33

      *stealing this😂

    • @EdelweisSusie
      @EdelweisSusie 2 місяці тому +25

      Brilliant. I’d have given you an Honorarium!!!

    • @EvonneLindiwe
      @EvonneLindiwe 2 місяці тому +7

      😂

    • @ellies6563
      @ellies6563 2 місяці тому +67

      I always likes the phrase “reality based inferiority complex”

    • @senseisecurityschool9337
      @senseisecurityschool9337 2 місяці тому +30

      Yeah ...
      On the weekends, I'm a comedian. I have recently discovered that the office, Monday through Friday, is not in fact a comedy show. Wording that goes over great on stage --- doesn't have quite the same effect at work.

  • @dicedrice7216
    @dicedrice7216 2 місяці тому +275

    There is a Kurt at my job.
    He was mostly useless for 6 months. Then one day he decided to rage-quit over some minor issue. Fortunately, he scrawled out a resignation letter ("F**k you! I quit!"), wadded it up, and threw it at the GM.
    That was at least 2 years ago. He calls once or twice a week and stops by every few months to ask when he'll be hired back.

    • @janloughran1503
      @janloughran1503 2 місяці тому +3

      😂😂😂😂

    • @natashabrooks4188
      @natashabrooks4188 2 місяці тому +1

      Omg😂😂😂😂

    • @jujutrini8412
      @jujutrini8412 2 місяці тому +1

      😱

    • @mooniejohnson
      @mooniejohnson 2 місяці тому +5

      Gotta say, that's a power move... undercut by his begging for the job back. Move on, useless sir, knowing you did the perfect "quit."

    • @BadYossa
      @BadYossa 2 місяці тому +4

      I've worked with a few Chef's like that. It's par for course in our industry!

  • @nycfunk
    @nycfunk 2 місяці тому +94

    A wonderfully witty letter read by my favorite actor in the deadpan delivery it deserved 😂

  • @LazyIRanch
    @LazyIRanch 2 місяці тому +125

    In high school, my brother's best friend was a guy named Kurt.
    He was a pretty good guy, just not too bright. One time he noticed someone left the keys in the ignition of a backhoe tractor at a construction site, so he decided to take it for a drive around town.
    The construction crew boss decided not to press charges because Kurt wasn't trying to steal it, he just "borrowed" it for about 15 minutes and left it in the ditch where it ended up because he didn't know what he was doing.
    Fortunately for Kurt, he didn't cause any real damage.

    • @351cleavland
      @351cleavland 2 місяці тому +2

      Oh, this is the same Kurt.

    • @omarnour348
      @omarnour348 Місяць тому +1

      Not sure why but I increasingly read this with Morgan Freeman as the narrator. The ending alone was worth it 😂.

  • @meganmills6545
    @meganmills6545 2 місяці тому +38

    "When you have to come know XX as well as we do I know you will appreciate them every bit as much as we do".

  • @Getpojke
    @Getpojke 2 місяці тому +56

    Brilliant letter & performance. Think Chiwetel Ejiofor would make an excellent James Bond - 007. Has that aura of calm assurance, danger & class.

    • @romulanwang
      @romulanwang Місяць тому +1

      Indeed he would.

    • @maxmustermann6395
      @maxmustermann6395 26 днів тому +2

      He would be a perfect choice!

    • @indivisibleat0m
      @indivisibleat0m 24 дні тому +6

      It would be hilarious if both him and Idris elba were both in it and they just... Never explain which one was actually James Bond

    • @FionaFarish-iq8kn
      @FionaFarish-iq8kn 3 години тому

      Good thinking 👏👏

  • @johannebaker9730
    @johannebaker9730 2 місяці тому +82

    Beautiful voice ❤

  • @PeterParslow
    @PeterParslow 2 місяці тому +24

    I did once write that "after several years as our store keeper, all losses had been made good by the time of his departure"

  • @mosquitocoast25
    @mosquitocoast25 2 місяці тому +156

    Brilliantly written and delivered.

  • @BobBob-ls5vz
    @BobBob-ls5vz 2 місяці тому +39

    Everyone needs drinking buddy like Kurt. Not a colleague at work or an employ or a neighbour, but a friend who lives in another state and you meet for a drink once in a while.

  • @janegardener1662
    @janegardener1662 2 місяці тому +36

    Loved this performance! Funny letter, great delivery.

  • @gloriawalker3537
    @gloriawalker3537 2 місяці тому +14

    I LOVE THIS ACTOR . And He Is Very Handsome 😍

  • @callmelimitbreaker
    @callmelimitbreaker 2 місяці тому +21

    I remember being someone's reference for a job. I was expecting the call and told the recruiter all the good things. When she asked, "so what weaknesses does he have?" I totally blanked and I said "uhhh, his love life?" Thank god that got a laugh and I believe he got an offer! I don't think he took that job though 😅

  • @danwooller6101
    @danwooller6101 2 місяці тому +44

    Wonderful oration.

  • @MitchellTF
    @MitchellTF 27 днів тому +3

    This is one of those letters that brings SO MANY QUESTIONS!

  • @jerryayashar
    @jerryayashar 2 місяці тому +50

    I recommend Kurt for the Hall of Legends award. 😂

  • @rn2511
    @rn2511 2 місяці тому +39

    Written by a legend, read by. A legend. lol. Curt is also a legend.

  • @eternaldarkness3139
    @eternaldarkness3139 2 місяці тому +38

    "Do you know what your sin is, Kurt?"
    --The Operative

  • @tA-bc3rw
    @tA-bc3rw 2 місяці тому +13

    Great delivery & fabulous letter. 😂😂😂❤

  • @mooniejohnson
    @mooniejohnson Місяць тому +1

    Whenever I feel down I come back to this video because I know I'll leave with a grin on my face. Absolutely brilliant.

  • @TwinkleToestheBerserker
    @TwinkleToestheBerserker 2 місяці тому +61

    I have never known or worked with Kurt, but I would like to heartily recommend him for living as far away from me as humanly possible, which I think means Antarctica

    • @kellydalstok8900
      @kellydalstok8900 4 дні тому

      What did the penguins do to deserve Kurt.
      Also, does that mean you live on the North Pole?

  • @victorcarr212
    @victorcarr212 2 місяці тому +4

    He is an excellent actor and the writing of this monologue was very good!!!

  • @Waaaaaaahyt
    @Waaaaaaahyt 2 місяці тому +7

    I have been a giant fan of Chiwetel ever since I listened to his narration of Piranesi

    • @rescdsk
      @rescdsk 2 місяці тому +1

      Oh, thank you for the tip! I was thinking about rereading it, I'll listen instead

  • @aqacefan
    @aqacefan Місяць тому +4

    This brings to mind a story one of my former instructors told about a student he'd had several tears prior. He described the student at being an expert at converting oxygen into methane, and of discovering innovative methods of performing repetitive tasks.

  • @pz48128
    @pz48128 2 місяці тому +54

    I think Kurt may have been my upstairs neighbor some time ago, except he went by Ryan at the time...😄

  • @thetwitchywitchy
    @thetwitchywitchy Місяць тому +2

    “call it an almost supernatural sense of calm” 😂😂 I feel like I currently work with this man

  • @ilikethisnamebetter
    @ilikethisnamebetter 2 місяці тому +65

    I don't know if it was made clear at the performance (it isn't in the description above..), but this is a _fake_ letter, written by the supposed subject - Kurt Luchs - who is a humourist.

    • @balok63a40
      @balok63a40 2 місяці тому +11

      I think that it's pretty obvious that the letter must be fake - no one would ever write, let alone send, such a letter. It would be much less time consuming to put a sign on your back that says "PLEASE SUE ME."

    • @ilikethisnamebetter
      @ilikethisnamebetter 2 місяці тому

      @@balok63a40 The letter does not explicitly libel the ex-employee, and anyway, since it purports to be a letter of recommendation (and not one written in response to an enquiry to a referee) it would be given to the ex-employee. It would therefore be entirely at the discretion of the ex-employee who got to see it. So I disagree.

    • @kenkahre9262
      @kenkahre9262 2 місяці тому +6

      @@ilikethisnamebetter Pretty much half of that letter would not only be illegal, but prohibited by most company policies today. So yeah, no guess on that one.

    • @ilikethisnamebetter
      @ilikethisnamebetter 2 місяці тому +1

      @@kenkahre9262 Exactly what do you think would be illegal? As I pointed out in my previous comment, this would be a letter that would only be seen - unless he decided to share it - by the ex-employee.

    • @balok63a40
      @balok63a40 2 місяці тому +4

      @@ilikethisnamebetter I don't know what country you're posting from, but not all places require that employees be shown letters of recommendation prior to the letters being sent. The letter doesn't have to be libelous for the former employer to be sued; all that it has to be is sufficient for the former employee to be denied employment on the basis of what was written in the letter. If the former employer believes that he cannot provide a positive letter on behalf of the former employee, all he has to do is to refuse to provide one.

  • @alixthompson2836
    @alixthompson2836 2 місяці тому +8

    “It took a stun gun” 😅

  • @janerkenbrack3373
    @janerkenbrack3373 2 місяці тому +11

    Very funny. I didn't want it to end.

  • @thohangst
    @thohangst 2 місяці тому +3

    "...and filing clerk." That's humor, folks. Small audience rumble representing the real ones.

  • @marialeemlb1574
    @marialeemlb1574 2 місяці тому +15

    tears right now - we all need to write this for those in need

  • @user-sv4rp4iz81
    @user-sv4rp4iz81 Місяць тому

    Very funny and read by one of the U. K’s best actors.
    Excellent 🎉

  • @angelasaunders3558
    @angelasaunders3558 2 місяці тому +7

    This Kurt sounds like a real special person 😂😂😂

  • @rosebroady6618
    @rosebroady6618 2 місяці тому +9

    Lol oh this is vicious, not an obvious negative word but it's a total burn

  • @robhardingpoetry
    @robhardingpoetry 25 днів тому +1

    Love these! I imagine these are but the trinkets of someone who has a much more powerful item locked up in the Nest Egg

  • @Epicurus341
    @Epicurus341 2 місяці тому +153

    Despite being the subject of the "letter", Kurt Luchs is also the author. 😉 He has written for many publications - more details on his website...

    • @nmc5988
      @nmc5988 2 місяці тому +14

      Thank you for this information! I was trying to look this up on Google and then realized I should probably check the comments.

    • @myladycasagrande863
      @myladycasagrande863 2 місяці тому +14

      Makes sense - I was puzzled as to why any company would have kept such a massive liability on the payroll for 5 years (unless he was the boss's son).

    • @annainspain5176
      @annainspain5176 2 місяці тому

      Yeah, a lot of these letters are just comic bits, made up.

    • @pansepot1490
      @pansepot1490 2 місяці тому +15

      I feel scammed. I was under the impression that these were real letters, not literary creations. ☹️

    • @annainspain5176
      @annainspain5176 2 місяці тому +11

      @@pansepot1490 Some are, some aren't.

  • @wayne8797
    @wayne8797 2 місяці тому +4

    There is a Kurt in every organization…

    • @Birdnerd1968
      @Birdnerd1968 Місяць тому

      If you can't name the Kurt, you're the Kurt.

  • @sandy1653
    @sandy1653 2 місяці тому +4

    Brilliant.

  • @Wally535
    @Wally535 2 місяці тому +7

    I think I worked with him at at least one job! It’s the hands thing that’s the give away!

  • @gracasimplicio4597
    @gracasimplicio4597 2 місяці тому +4

    Wonderful and extremely funny❤😂

  • @edralphy
    @edralphy 2 місяці тому +5

    Bloody hilarious!!! ✌️

  • @WaitAMinute1989
    @WaitAMinute1989 2 місяці тому +5

    I grew up with a "Kurt", I heard that at the factory where he works, people's lunches and women's bums weren't safe.

  • @TamaCinema69
    @TamaCinema69 2 місяці тому +2

    This is one of the true greats from LL

  • @stevendevilliers471
    @stevendevilliers471 2 місяці тому +9

    Oh bugger , I think he works for me

    • @edralphy
      @edralphy 2 місяці тому

      Blahahahahaha!!! ✌️

  • @osananda
    @osananda 2 місяці тому +3

    👏🏾👍🏾👋🏾
    Thank you 🌸

  • @Gnome_with_no_name
    @Gnome_with_no_name 2 місяці тому +1

    I was trying to sharpen a pocket knife and I had to stop. I think Kurt was affecting me through the ether. 🤣

  • @efnissien
    @efnissien 2 місяці тому +2

    God bless Kurt.

  • @ViXen2022
    @ViXen2022 2 місяці тому +8

    Love him 😅😂

  • @kristenrosales2919
    @kristenrosales2919 2 місяці тому +2

    Brilliant!!

  • @naggoob
    @naggoob 29 днів тому

    These letters are so cool, I love it. 🤣😂😅

  • @friedsoybean
    @friedsoybean 11 днів тому

    Oh to possess this degree of sarcasm, what a champ.

  • @edwardcrocker4015
    @edwardcrocker4015 2 місяці тому +2

    Love this letter

  • @FireyTinkerHell
    @FireyTinkerHell 2 місяці тому +1

    Stellar!! ❤❤

  • @1Kent
    @1Kent 2 місяці тому +4

    Kurt sounds like a fun guy.

  • @carlotta4th
    @carlotta4th 2 місяці тому +5

    Obviously a performance review of a Star Trek Captain.

    • @AllStraysAreWelcome
      @AllStraysAreWelcome 2 місяці тому +1

      Kurt is James T. Kirk?

    • @Getpojke
      @Getpojke 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@AllStraysAreWelcome Always remember thinking, even as a kid. I would put Kirk in charge of a pedalo, never mind a starship. Picard on the other hand was pretty much perfect.

    • @Getpojke
      @Getpojke 2 місяці тому

      ​@@AllStraysAreWelcome Always remember thinking, even as a kid. I would put Kirk in charge of a pedalo, never mind a starship. Picard on the other hand was pretty much perfect.

  • @Madcapredcap
    @Madcapredcap 2 місяці тому +2

    This is the politest “fuck this guy” I’ve ever heard

  • @jamieandthemore
    @jamieandthemore 2 місяці тому +2

    Fantastic

  • @kasondaleigh
    @kasondaleigh 2 місяці тому +1

    Hilarious!
    What a good sport!

  • @mrpicky1868
    @mrpicky1868 Місяць тому

    fantastic letter. where do they all get this amazing writing talent? PS amazing reading.

  • @RobertDPore
    @RobertDPore 2 місяці тому +1

    Excellent letter reading! I noticed in the description that y'all spelled a certain word "unusal." I think you meant "unusual," although it is also possible that you wish for a person named Unusal to tell you of the waters of his homeword. In the latter case, you should watch out for sandworms - I hear that they sneak up underneath anyone who calls them something other than "Shai Halunusal." Take care.
    (Writing this made me wish Chiwetel Ejiofor had been in the new Dune movies)

  • @campfire_cat
    @campfire_cat 2 місяці тому +3

    Are we sure he's not talking about the crew onboard Firefly and just collectively calling them Kurt?

  • @rosiemackenzie5976
    @rosiemackenzie5976 2 місяці тому

    The short hand version of that letter is don't hire him.

  • @naomigreen9749
    @naomigreen9749 18 днів тому +2

    Imagine the arrogance of giving someone who had to court order you off the premises as a reference!

  • @EddieFonzarelli
    @EddieFonzarelli 2 місяці тому

    This guy is my next James Bond!
    Also, Ryan Gossling is my next Shaft

  • @Passion84GodAlways
    @Passion84GodAlways 2 місяці тому

    😍 CHIWETEL!!! 🤩

  • @englishrose4388
    @englishrose4388 2 місяці тому

    Hysterical.

  • @EL-gu8fv
    @EL-gu8fv 2 місяці тому

    I'd happily work for this employer!

  • @joxerthemighty9148
    @joxerthemighty9148 2 місяці тому +1

    we have had one or two of these people at our work... they decided they didn't like the work and likely decided to try their " degrees and experience " elsewhere. best of luck to them. ( the ones that didn't return to continue there stint at " Harvard " )

  • @WickedDandelion
    @WickedDandelion 2 місяці тому +5

    I'm sending this to every HR person I iknow. So funny.

  • @julierogers1155
    @julierogers1155 2 місяці тому +4

    OMG!

  • @amznmmdprncss
    @amznmmdprncss 2 місяці тому +1

    I know a Kurt.
    I wish I didn't.

  • @Vophsigem
    @Vophsigem 2 місяці тому

    THAT was beautiful

  • @Jean-gf3fi
    @Jean-gf3fi Місяць тому

    hilarious!!!

  • @Key3de
    @Key3de 2 місяці тому +8

    Kurt is the irl version of Dwight Schrute, it seems.

  • @Michael-hw5wk
    @Michael-hw5wk 15 днів тому

    "Any other firm" huh.

  • @Heothbremel
    @Heothbremel 2 місяці тому +1

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @Vinemaple
    @Vinemaple 2 місяці тому +4

    This has all the hallmarks of a fictional Shouts & Murmurs article from The New Yorker, not a real letter. Of course, the story of the barrel of bricks is presumed to be fiction as well, but, some things, you just _have_ to read them aloud.

    • @LindaVernon
      @LindaVernon 2 місяці тому +1

      The barrel of bricks is one of the funniest things I have heard read aloud. 😀

  • @StarkRG
    @StarkRG 2 місяці тому +2

    Poor Kurt. Although, to be fair, he probably should have known better than to ask that particular former employer for a letter of recommendation. It kinda sounds like he didn't have a lot of options, though.

  • @alixthompson2836
    @alixthompson2836 2 місяці тому

    This is hilarious

  • @relfyem
    @relfyem 2 місяці тому +1

    You get sued for writing honest bad employee references these days. This author got around that admirably.

  • @louisea.7736
    @louisea.7736 2 місяці тому +1

    ❤❤❤

  • @Peter-oh3hc
    @Peter-oh3hc 2 місяці тому

    I read someone got a review of “they have the six pack, but not the little plastic thingy to hold them all together”. Sounds a little like me tbh

  • @aazappa
    @aazappa 2 місяці тому +6

    Please tell me Kurt was a washed out police K9, and this would be perfect.

    • @reginabillotti
      @reginabillotti 2 місяці тому +1

      A k-9 who worked as a filing clerk? I'd like to see that.

  • @Svensk7119
    @Svensk7119 2 місяці тому +1

    How do you pronounce Chiwetel Ejiofor?
    He has been a great actor since I first saw him in Amistad.

    • @lesedimakeketa5683
      @lesedimakeketa5683 2 місяці тому

      Like most African names, you pronounce it phonetically

    • @Svensk7119
      @Svensk7119 2 місяці тому

      @lesedimakeketa5683 Alright. But what phonetics? That is, what sounds do the written vowels represent?

  • @pratyush7
    @pratyush7 2 місяці тому +1

    I think I know Kurt...s

  • @LightandLov
    @LightandLov Місяць тому

    George from Seinfeld = Kurt

  • @laurapoindexter9695
    @laurapoindexter9695 Місяць тому

  • @dorothyjohnson6743
    @dorothyjohnson6743 Місяць тому

    ❤😂

  • @alxen9814
    @alxen9814 2 місяці тому

    Sounds like a screenplay for Jim Carrey movie.

  • @firefly4704
    @firefly4704 2 місяці тому +1

    Does anyone know if Letters Live are sold on DVD?

    • @michellebyrom6551
      @michellebyrom6551 2 місяці тому

      You can save to list and download most videos to watch/listen later. :)

  • @andrewc2024
    @andrewc2024 6 днів тому

    Kurt's a schizo or psychotic, right? Ahw that's a hard pill to swallow but the letter is so damn dry and funny and, of course, beautifully read that my pang of conscience is drowned out by the sound of my laughter!

  • @sparklingoracle
    @sparklingoracle 2 місяці тому

    Hire Kurt immediately.

  • @georgetirebiter4343
    @georgetirebiter4343 Місяць тому

    So did he get the job?

  • @mrgwclipz
    @mrgwclipz Місяць тому

    I never knew this mf had an accent lmao bruh I just realized he’s from London

  • @karl-konradkoriander3716
    @karl-konradkoriander3716 2 місяці тому

    😄