Comedy isn't what it was
Matt Dial
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: ViewPoint
Comedy these days is like poetry, because anyone can do it.
Comedy also holds with another idea of poetry; with so many people claiming to be comedians, it is hard to pick anyone out to be the signature comedian or that group of performers to watch.
That is what makes someone legend. Everyone wants to watch that guy, and he sets himself apart from the rest of the group.
Bring in Don Rickles.
An actor and comedian who made it big in the 1960s while acting and making appearances on Johnny Carson and the original "Tonight Show," he holds nothing back and goes after anyone in the room when he is doing his comedy act, even at the ripe age of 82.
One of his signature plays is picking out someone in the front row, asking him or her a question and just running with it from that point.
On one night he picked out a larger man in the front row and asked him, "How much ya weigh tiny?"
He has a tasteful way of poking fun at different groups of people, which is a lost art in today's society.
The comedians of this decade are more about forcing the laughter than entertaining an audience.
Entertainers such as Dane Cook, Chris Rock and Katt Williams have these acts that are loud, pre-written and get people to the point where they either have to laugh or feel extremely uncomfortable for the entire act.
Don Rickles truly uses his environment to get people laughing.
He conveys a message that if you can't laugh at yourself then you can't laugh at anything.
Rickles even went after David Letterman on "The Tonight Show" when he said, "Personally, I liked you better when you were on the cover of Mad Magazine."
That is why he goes after everyone in the audience and all groups of people because no one can be excluded in this comical aspect of life.
Comedians don't do that anymore; play everyone as if they are fair game. They have a set act and do it over and over again.
Rickles uses his environment and works his act into the crowd because he understands that he is there to entertain and not spit out a script to a group of paying customers.
Comedy also holds with another idea of poetry; with so many people claiming to be comedians, it is hard to pick anyone out to be the signature comedian or that group of performers to watch.
That is what makes someone legend. Everyone wants to watch that guy, and he sets himself apart from the rest of the group.
Bring in Don Rickles.
An actor and comedian who made it big in the 1960s while acting and making appearances on Johnny Carson and the original "Tonight Show," he holds nothing back and goes after anyone in the room when he is doing his comedy act, even at the ripe age of 82.
One of his signature plays is picking out someone in the front row, asking him or her a question and just running with it from that point.
On one night he picked out a larger man in the front row and asked him, "How much ya weigh tiny?"
He has a tasteful way of poking fun at different groups of people, which is a lost art in today's society.
The comedians of this decade are more about forcing the laughter than entertaining an audience.
Entertainers such as Dane Cook, Chris Rock and Katt Williams have these acts that are loud, pre-written and get people to the point where they either have to laugh or feel extremely uncomfortable for the entire act.
Don Rickles truly uses his environment to get people laughing.
He conveys a message that if you can't laugh at yourself then you can't laugh at anything.
Rickles even went after David Letterman on "The Tonight Show" when he said, "Personally, I liked you better when you were on the cover of Mad Magazine."
That is why he goes after everyone in the audience and all groups of people because no one can be excluded in this comical aspect of life.
Comedians don't do that anymore; play everyone as if they are fair game. They have a set act and do it over and over again.
Rickles uses his environment and works his act into the crowd because he understands that he is there to entertain and not spit out a script to a group of paying customers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Chad Riden
posted 11/04/09 @ 7:09 AM CST
"Comedy these days is like poetry, because anyone can do it."
Bullshit. I've seen many try and fail.
Justin
posted 11/04/09 @ 11:00 PM CST
I agree with chad, and this article is bull s***. Chris Rock does more than just "play with the crowd" he conveys a message and a strong opinionated act that makes you laugh, and is one of the greatest comedic minds ever. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 11/10/09 @ 1:27 PM CST
I think you are getting Comedy confused with your type of Comedy. I dont think that the millions of people who attend Dane Cook, Kat Williams or Chris Rock shows are mindless drones giving into what society tells them to do. (Continued…)
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