Comedy and Politics (May Stray A Bit Outside of Politics)

[nanana]

Hi Guys, 

@tallslenderguy wrote, and I really like this idea that comedians can help partisans see that the other side is human too:

On 4/2/2025 at 12:18 PM, tallslenderguy said:

i find it ironic that, to me, some of the best political commentary today comes from comedians: Steven Colbert, John Oliver, Jon Stewart. 

i loved this discussion between conservative Oren Cass and Jon Stewart on tariffs and the economy.  This, to me, is what has been buried in current polarized discussion in America today, and a place we need to get back to. Middle ground. i think dissent is a good thing for both sides to be able to practice, and honestly, i think it's supposed to be the American way.  Anyway, i appreciated these two sitting down and discussing this topic, thought it appropriate for what's going to transpire at 4 pm EST today. 

 

@BootmanLA had a nice insight (that I generally agree with) when he wrote:

On 9/2/2024 at 1:04 AM, BootmanLA said:

There's this thing about jokes and comedy: they're a lot funnier and stand the test of time better if they punch UP, not DOWN. Mocking people for disabilities may have once been considered "a joke", but I think it's a good thing we no longer accept that, just as we don't accept blackface and other ethnic mischaracterizations - or at least, some of us don't. 

The traditional fool who worked for the king was often the only one allowed to make fun of the king's bad decisions.  

I have a slightly different view of great comedy, related to both of these, but my favorite comedians are generally those who hold up the mirror to point out hidden truths, which can sometimes be painful but are often able to give voice to things that have gone unacknowledged for too long and are festering.  This can seem like punching down if there is no empathy for the target, but sometimes the culture has lost clarity and creates privileges for marginalized groups that become aggravators of discord among tribes.  

I  also would love to think that humor is universal, but I've found that people react very differently to comedy depending upon their partisanship, even if their intention is to be open to being amused, also can be offensive.  There is also comedy where the comedian thinks they're chasing truth but end up painting with too broad a brush in a way that people outside the cohort don't recognize and find stereotypical or just plain off.  It can also be so nice that it doesn't rise to the level of authenticity, which is also a humor killer.  

With that preface, I'd love to hear some other examples of comedians that may be great examples of political or above-political comedy, of comedy that makes the tribes love each other more or focuses on more universal truths that transcend partisanship, of punch-up comedy, of punch-down comedy, or of comedy that provides painful insights, like King Lear's fool (not necessarily punch-up or punch-down.  I'd also be interested to see people's reactions to the list.  Always looking for an insightful comedian.  (May have to be a great era of the comedian's career, or may be only one routine). 

It's often easier to find consensus from the past since most of us have grown up accepting wisdom from the victors, maybe George Carlin, or Dick Gregory? (Definitely harder to do when the would-be-victors are in the midst of past-making in the present, but still interested if people have comedians that they think are transforming or even better finding the absurdity in the culture right now):

Here's Dick Gregory at a Southern Diner in the Civil Rights era: 

 

 

George Carlin on the 7 words you can't say: 

 

These are old, but anything newer people might want to share?

[SomewhereonNeptune]

"...no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." - Desiderata

Carlin was edgy for his time in a way that many current comedians and late-night TV chat show hosts...well, aren't. Regardless of partisanship, I can enjoy a good laugh (and usually do) on political figures and the extremes on all sides since so often there is hypocrisy in all of it that makes for a healthy chuckle. The problem is that we have created a divided culture that seems intent on forcing a point of view with which we may not agree. Or particularly like being force fed. Or to have everything become politics. Here's an example:

I loved Letterman. I absolutely cannot stand Colbert. Loved Carson and Leno. Even Conan O'Brien. Now for the most part, many subscribe to similar political ideologies, but the ones that made you laugh and think through humor (absurd or sublime) appeal more than the ones who night after night after night repeat the same message to the point that I want to throw solid objects at my TV. Hell, I'd laugh constantly at Bush ("W", not the elder) and Biden for very similar reasons. They're comedy gold. Gutfeld and Graham Norton are both funny for similar reasons: Their chat show formats are focused on the humor exchanged in story-telling and discussions. By the same token, I don't laugh at Trump because there is very little that's true humor with the guy and he's more a troller. But I digress.

There is a subtle art at making you see the humor in yourself and your beliefs. There's humor in the every day absurd or the inherent contradictions in life. But having to beat your head in to make a point is much like explaining how or why a joke is funny: If you need to do either, your joke didn't land and the heckler in the back row is waiting for his turn. 

[viking8x6]

6 minutes ago, SomewhereonNeptune said:

"...no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." - Desiderata

Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love therefore;
It will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth:
The birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan
And let not the sands of time
Get in your lunch.

--National Lampoon

Edited 3 hours ago by viking8x6
attribution