I got raped by AIDS, so I had to get an abortion. A BLACK abortion!
This is the tragedy of the new comedian. I see this guy all the time. He’s twenty years old, he grew up in the suburbs, and he hasn’t really figured out what makes him interesting yet. So instead of searching for anything original or sincere to talk about, he decides he’s going to shock everyone with his dangerous disregard for social norms! And then when he doesn’t get laughs, he can chalk it up to the audience for being uptight. “They just weren’t ready for my truth bomb about retarded people!”
The problem is, that’s not why people aren’t laughing. People aren’t laughing because the jokes this kid is telling are blatantly inauthentic. There’s no greater truth about society being unearthed, it’s just shock for shock’s sake. And that is some shit that I cannot abide.
I don’t object to anyone writing a joke about any of these topics, per se. In fact, I have a joke about abortion in my act right now. But it’s a joke that is grounded in truth about where I am as a person. I’m in a real relationship with a real person and we have real concerns about getting pregnant and having a kid. I’m not just spouting off about abortion because I know it riles people up.
This stuff also applies to ironic racism. Just more empty calories. I saw a comic, Bob Palos, sum it up nicely: being an ironic racist is like being an ironic pedophile. It doesn’t really make it any better that you’re winking the whole time.
I guess what I’m saying is, if you’re going to push an audience into an area of their minds that makes them uncomfortable, at least have something interesting to say when you get there. Don’t just namedrop the Holocaust and shrug.
But isn’t all of this the normal evolutionary process of a comic? First you do shock material, then you’re derivative for a while and finally, if you’re lucky enough, you find your own voice.
I feel like this is akin to being exacerbated by a baby who doesn’t know how to walk. (something something shoulda coat-hanger yawn)
Love reading the blog. Keep it up!
Every year at Phillies Phunniest (best punny spelling ever) I see like 3-4 comedians like this. Last year was one who spent 4 minutes cursing and being overly graphic and at the end the place was silent and he was pissed. I have seen many local comedians grow and become much funnier in the last few years but most people don’t know these evolutional stages of comedy. I think there is nothing better than watching a person find their voice after a couple of years.
I agree to a certain extent. In the 7 years I’ve been doing comedy, there has been a plethora of Jim Norton wannabes, Sarah Silverman clones, etc. Everyone knows that they are borrowing a persona from someone they admire. The deal is, if you are a good comic you will eventually figure this out on your own and realize you become a poor comparison at best. I get ticked when they are just stating shocking things instead of having an actual set-up then punchline. Anyone can go up on stage and say faggot. It takes Louis C.K. to get up on stage and use it without making it a hate crime.
At the same time, by bringing it up you open yourself up to a world of criticism from said comics. “You just don’t understand, you with your stupid girlfriend jokes…(garbled insult)”
In the end, these people will never grow until they acknowledge that the persona they are trying to put on fits them like a small jacket on a fat person. It’s tight, uncomfortable and everyone who can see it, knows it.
Kent, I’ll make you a deal: When rape stops being funny, I’ll stop telling jokes about it.
I couldn’t agree more. Ironic racism is the worst. Jokes about race – and other polemical topics – are fine as long as they are, in fact, jokes – and handled with some aplomb.
Great post. Found your blog via Sandpaper Suit. You’ve got a new reader.
I kind of agree with Steve here. As someone who’s very new to stand-up, I kind of had an “Oh shit, am I like that?” moment when I read this. But, at the same time, I don’t feel like I’m dropping a “truth bomb” when I perform my material. In fact, I watch the other, more seasoned comics who aren’t like this at a show and take note of the fact that they’ve honed they’re joke writing a lot longer than I have and are simply better at it.
So yea, I think there certainly is the type of comic you’re talking about here out there, but at the same time, its also possible that some of the people you’re seeing like this are new, have no clue what they’re doing, and are trying to get to a point where the material can be a little more subtle/personal/whatever they’re going for. Just a thought.
Steve and Greg – Absolutely, this is a problem of SOME newer comedians. Not every comic starts out trying to offend his way onto America’s television sets. But some do, because they haven’t figured out how to be funny yet.
So sure, some of these comics will grow and develop into great comedians, but in the meantime they’re annoying. I’m fine with people who are new and not always succeeding and trying to improve. I have a problem when a kid walks up on stage, rambles about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome for no goddamn reason, and then berates the crowd for being uptight, when in fact they just sniffed out his insincerity the moment he got onstage.
Good post, Kent. A lot of newer comics struggle with shock material because experienced comics who are willing to even talk to us will give this advice: “Write what you think is funny.” Until new guys know what they’re even doing, they throw it all out there…I definitely learned this the hard way. Then another comic came along and offered more advice: “Don’t blame the audience.” Ended up putting two and two together and…well, getting there. What do I know. I’m not even a year in yet. Hopefully your local comic offender fixes himself and LISTENS to whatever advice experienced and respected comics are willing to throw his way.