MovieChat Forums > Dave Chappelle Discussion > Not Funny

Not Funny

posted 3 years ago by cyberbob (3488)
16 replies | jump to latest

Super unfunny. Stand-up comedians, for some reason, think that their opinions on cultural phenomena are insightful or desired, but they are not

Many right-wingers complain that celebs delve into politics (because most celebs are leftists) and insist that they "shut up and act/dribble". Well, I actually agree with that sentiment. Sometimes stand-up comics reach a level of success and respect that they think that just giving their opinions and lazily writing half baked ;) jokes around those opinions qualifies as both doing their jobs AND giving pithy social commentary

I don't find political comics like John Oliver funny or insightful, much less do I find has-beens like Chappelle to be either

[–] triplea (3577) 3 years ago

Found the 4-speed.

[–] lordbishop34 (1442) 3 years ago

This is comedy, realistically nothing is out of bounds. The point is to be funny. I dont care about Chappelle's politics, was the joke funny is all I care about. However making fun of politics, current events or social things have been part of comedy since the beginning.

He has said things about all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds.

He is not like say Colbert who ripped Trump all the time, but somehow he has comedy gold in office now and he doesn't seem to have the same vigor going after him.

[–] Bloodshot77 (13843) 3 years ago

I agree. Except I find Oliver funny.

[–] Ace_Spade (9574) 3 years ago

Stand-up comedians used to tell jokes more like, "Two construction workers and an airline hostess walk into a bar..." and that sort of thing. Early pioneers of the art pushed it into more true-life and personal experiences/viewpoints, exaggerated, of course, and often with fabrication, but more of that "opinion" piece aspect. Audiences respond really, really well to these sorts of personal monologues. In other words, audiences largely do desire these opinions on cultural phenomena from stand-ups.

Dave Chappelle's stuff is hilarious to me. I laughed hard at The Closer, although Sticks and Stones left me nearly breathless for most of it.

He's not a has-been to me.

[–] Karl Aksel (1487) 3 years ago

Stand-up comedians used to tell jokes more like, "Two construction workers and an airline hostess walk into a bar..." and that sort of thing.

No, they didn't. Stand-up comedians have always relied on everyday observations that their audience could relate to. It's always been a form of satire. Here's one of George Carlin's early bits from 1965:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu-trYf96xo

And here's Will Rogers from a 1923 recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQkIfaS846w

The basic format has never changed. And for that matter, neither have most other things.

[–] Ace_Spade (9574) 3 years ago

I have listened to stand-ups talk about how joke-telling shifted from punchline-oriented to storytelling styles. Rap's a lot older than people realize, too, doesn't mean it was common/popular until much more recently.

[–] Karl Aksel (1487) 3 years ago

I have listened to stand-ups talk about how joke-telling shifted from punchline-oriented to storytelling styles.

Let me guess, they were complaining how things were better in the old days? People have always made such complaints - and the people who do usually have bad memories. Stand-up comedians have always been satirists, not simple joke-tellers. But if I'm wrong, you shouldn't have any trouble finding examples of what you say was typical for stand-up comedians in the old days.

[–] Ace_Spade (9574) 3 years ago

No, they weren't. They were just saying it changed.

I never said it wasn't satirical.

[–] Karl Aksel (1487) 3 years ago

Telling simple jokes is not satire. Satire is about observations.

[–] Ace_Spade (9574) 3 years ago

I heard Joe Biden wants to carve two new faces on Mt. Rushmore. His.

That's a "simple" joke in the setup-punchline mode and it's satirical.

(And for the record, I'm not meaning to comment on Biden in-particular, I first heard the joke about Obama, but it just kinda applies to the sitting president).

[–] sut6432 (2908) 3 years ago

Wrong. Funny.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I haven't watched his stand up, but I enjoy his performances in film and TV.

Nothing against stand up. Movies age better. Especially when Stand up comedians do politics. Movies focus on plot and character (usually), so the comedy ages better.

I read the hubbub on Chapelle over the last couple stand up performances. It doesn't matter. It will never ruin his TV show or movie performances. Same goes for Sarah Silverman, George Carlin, Jeneane Garafola, Artie Lang, Richard Prior , etc...

[–] ThrillerTalk (1118) 3 years ago

Was this really thread worthy though? big deal, you don't find a popular comedian as funny as other folks, but at the end of the day that's all it is. Your view which you're entitled to. Posting it isn't going to make that person less popular though. You say nobody wants to hear these people voice their political opinions? well last i checked a ton of other people out there who watch Chapelle and other comedians like Chris Rock, the late George Carlin and Lewis Black do like that stuff and applaud it. What they do works for them and their fanbase so it's not going to go away no matter how much you cry about wanting it canceled on the internet.

You can simply not pay attention if it doesn't interest you. If you come across it on tv, flip the channel. If you walk by it in person, simply keep walking rather than disturbed the group of people over their enjoying the show, etc, etc.

[–] keybored (2661) 3 years ago

So who do you find funny then?