Isn’t Comedy Supposed to Be, You Know, Funny?
posted at 7:35 pm on May 10, 2009 by Jimmie Bise, Jr
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Is there something about the essential nature of left-wing “comedy” that it must be partisan and have only a thin coating of civility?
Once upon a time, I considered Lewis Black one of the three funniest comedians I’d ever heard. His routine about an overheard conversation at IHOP is hilarious. That was before George Bush was elected. For the past few years, all Black can seem to do is tell insult jokes about Republicans that just aren’t all that funny unless you’re already inclined to laugh. That’s not comedy, though; it’s pandering.
Admittedly, pandering does bring in the cash and being a raving leftist seems a sure way to get a show on Comedy Central. There won’t always be a wide audience for that sort of nasty, partisan hackery, though. The gravy train won’t go on forever and, especially in politics, what’s in today is way, way out tomorrow. I would hope that the more talented of the left-wing comedians (Black is one. Sykes is not) realized that before they become bitter D-listers begging to work for drinks at some crappy dive.
(Cross-posted at The Sundries Shack)
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Sykes is already a bitter b lister, and headed down rapidly once this dies down.
jeanie on May 10, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Just added your site to my morning schedule/favorites list Jimmie. Good stuff!
You’ve hit the nail on the head here; pandering… Leftist elites run Hollywood, as well as most every branch of the MSM. If you want work in those industries, you had better tote the line.
I speak from experience, having worked in and around that industry in So. Cal. for 25 years. I watched this dynamic up close. I can tell you this much; the majority of those working in that industry don’t live anything like what they preach. It’s all about pandering. I worked in hundreds of their homes, and can tell you that even the most radical voices are sparing no expenses in their private world. Green/Green/Green is only a talking point. One of many I might add.
Keemo on May 11, 2009 at 8:09 AM