For those interested in a political giggle this fine Saturday, I recommend a cute sketch done by Comedy Central's Jon Stewart Thursday evening (embedded right).
First, Stewart lampooned Chris Wallace for placing a "24"-style ticker on the screen to illustrate how long it's been since the host of "Fox News Sunday" challenged Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama to come on his program.
Next, Stewart went after "Hardball's" Chris Matthews for his shameless cheerleading for Obama.
Yet, in the end, Obama had the last laugh, deliciously at Matthews' expense (viewers are cautioned about mild vulgarity in the clip):
Matthews: Let me ask you about, at any time in this campaign, did you have a chuckle that you just couldn't get rid of? Something weird that happened that was so crazy that you just went to bed laughing about?
Obama: Oh, I think that happens once a day. Yeah, but then I stopped watching cable news.
Badum bum bum.
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ROTFL ! Oh that was good
April 5, 2008 - 13:43 ET by BlazerROTFL ! Oh that was good stuff Noel.
Stewart on Matthew's:
"Someday you'll find a candidate worthy of your hard ball's"
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
I LOL on what he said about
April 5, 2008 - 13:55 ET by mjgI LOL on what he said about Matthews and "hard balls." I like the "24" time clock going too.
Good catch for some
April 5, 2008 - 14:07 ET by bigtimerGood catch for some laughter on a Saturday afternoon....
I saw the awesome much anticipated hard driven Obama interview...my favorite line was and still is when Obama said he stopped watching cable news....I cracked up laughing then....I'm still laughing now...it was priceless, just watching Matthews face and reaction after Obama his hero said that....hehheeee ...yep, be careful what you wish for.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Well... I knew there was a
April 5, 2008 - 14:34 ET by Warner Todd HustonWell...
I knew there was a reason I didn't watch Stewart. "Comedy" is not a word I'd associate with the man, it turns out.
Warner
April 5, 2008 - 14:56 ET by Noel SheppardWarner,
Are you serious? You found nothing about that funny? ns
I sort of smiled a little
April 5, 2008 - 15:12 ET by Warner Todd HustonI sort of smiled a little when he was gently ripping on Matthews, yes. But, most of it was not funny. Also, I find Stewart very unintelligent in presentation, a guy masquerading as smart but not succeeding very well. (I also find Colbert completely unfunny. Absolutely and completely UNfunny!)
But, I am very tough on humor. Let's put it this way, as far as I am concerned there hasn't been a funny stand-up comic since the late 70s -- and even then it was slim pickens, there has only been a tiny, tiny handful of funny American sitcoms, Hollywood hasn't made a good comedy in decades, Saturday Night Live was only funny during its first and second years... in other words, most of what passes for comedy in the USA is lowest common denominator garbage.
So, I am VERY unrepresentative of what people think is funny, I admit.
Ben Stiller-- never made a film worth a crap
Adam Sandler-- painfully stupid
Eddie Murphy-- WHY does he still get film work?
Will Ferrell-- Please, someone stop him before he films again
Martin Lawrence-- I'd rather have root canal
Mike Meyers-- Mugging for the camera does not mean "funny"
Dang Warner, I guess it's
April 5, 2008 - 15:15 ET by BlazerDang Warner, I guess it's not true that only liberal's dont' have a sense of humor. Thank's for breaking the stereotype. : )
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Well, if you think potty
April 5, 2008 - 15:21 ET by Warner Todd HustonWell, if you think potty humor is "funny," then, no, I don't have THAT sense of humor. I don't find lowering myself to that level very "funny." Unfortunately, that's about all you get with American comedy. Constant foul language, bad sex jokes, and poop talk.
You'd think every comedy writer in Hollywood is ten years old.
Awww c'mon Warner, you know
April 5, 2008 - 15:24 ET by BlazerAwww c'mon Warner, you know darn well the "bean's above the frank's" moment in "There's Something About Mary" was funny.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Never saw most of that film.
April 5, 2008 - 15:28 ET by Warner Todd HustonNever saw most of that film. Couldn't get past the first 10 minutes. Stiller is horrific.
If that's what you think all
April 5, 2008 - 18:59 ET by balboaIf that's what you think all comedy is today, you haven't seen very much of it.
Who, besides Jonathan Winters do you find funny? Gallagher? Carrot Top?
Well, I laugh at you quite a
April 5, 2008 - 19:23 ET by Warner Todd HustonWell, I laugh at you quite a bit... in a sort of look-at-the-retard way.
Does that count?
(You shudda seen that 'un coming.)
_____
On missing the obvious:
"I just think you could point to a million different stories... But to point at one and blame the liberal bias seems pointless."
--Comment by Balboa, Feb 3, 2008 - 11:21 ET, on Newsbusters, a site where "exposing and combating liberal media bias" is the WHOLE point the site exists!
So, you enjoy "look at the
April 5, 2008 - 19:46 ET by balboaSo, you enjoy "look at the retard" humor? C'mon, I'm being serious.
OK, OK. I was taking the
April 5, 2008 - 20:15 ET by Warner Todd HustonOK, OK. I was taking the obvious shot!
Gallagher was amusing when he first started, but his act gets old REAL quick. Carrot top is just silly. He is sometimes inventive as a prop comic, but he is nothing to write home about. I have sometimes liked Weird Al's stuff. Hated Judy Tenuda, indifferent to her pal Emo Philips. I liked much of what Steven Wright did, he did juxtaposition well. Never thought much of Steve Martin's stand up. It was all just pointless non sequiturs. I found myself often laughing at Sam Kinnison even though he was very blue (and I am not a fan of blue).
bal
April 5, 2008 - 20:29 ET by botgare you a bear ----- with furniture?
"Television is where you watch people in your living room that you would not want near your house." Groucho
botg
April 5, 2008 - 20:36 ET by balboaI totally remember that Young Comedians special!
My favorite stand-up comedians: Jim Gaffigan, Brian Regan, Jimmy Pardo.
There is a difference
April 6, 2008 - 02:46 ET by zfThere is a difference between not finding the current pop culture/mainstream form of scripted or professional comedian humor unfunny and not having a sense of humor in real life and during daily existence. They are not always directly linked.
That said, I do think that while most humor has become rather facile and unimaginatively relying on blue humor and bodily functions these days as our tough pal Warner said <g>, there have been at decent sized niche of bright standouts that in large amounts bucked the trend. Frasier, Mystery Science Theater, and Whose Line to name a few.
Hey WTH... You left out
April 5, 2008 - 15:16 ET by bigtimerHey WTH... You left out Rosie O on your list there....
Just threw that in for the heck of it...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Sorry, but I must have not
April 5, 2008 - 15:22 ET by Warner Todd HustonSorry, but I must have not realized anyone thought Rosie O'Donnell was even supposed to be funny!
WTH... I was just joking
April 5, 2008 - 15:31 ET by bigtimerWTH...
I was just joking ya' know...
Come to think of it though, I remember when she first started out with stand-up comedy...I think I did think she was funny back then...of course I was younger and everything didn't seem political with the comedians then....or it was me too....lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Warner
April 5, 2008 - 15:21 ET by Noel SheppardWarner,
There hasn't been a funny stand-up comic since the late '70s? Yikes. Remind me not to tell you any jokes when we meet. :-)
Man, of that list you provided, I probably only agree with your view of Ben Stiller. Furthermore, in the past 30 years you got no pleasure from Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, or Dennis Miller? Zoinks! :-) ns
Robin Williams is the single
April 5, 2008 - 15:27 ET by Warner Todd HustonRobin Williams is the single most overrated "comic" in the USA. I have never seen him in a good comedy. He has been in some OK movies, but NEVER when he is supposed to be funny in them. Ever seen "RV"!? God what a crap film.
Billy Crystal, isn't so bad. Dennis Miller is OK, too. I have even enjoyed some of Seinfeld's stuff. His TV show was great.
Like I said, no one should use me as a barometer of what is funny in the USA.
(Now, the Brits did some funny stuff. Python, Ripping Yarns, Dave Allen, the Two Ronnies... great stuff. But, even they have left a lot to be desired in the last decade or so.)
Hey you left out Benny Hill,
April 5, 2008 - 15:31 ET by BlazerHey you left out Benny Hill, the sole reason I watched PBS in the eighties.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Warner
April 5, 2008 - 15:35 ET by Noel SheppardWarner,
Actually, some of the funniest moments on television the last 30 years in my view have been Robin Williams on with either Carson, Letterman, or Leno. Years ago, I saw Williams on Carson with Jonathan Winters. So funny it was tough to breathe! And, the first week Letterman moved to CBS, Williams did an impromptu routine about Ed Sullivan that I'll never forget.
As for Williams being in just OK movies, he was spectacular in "Garp," and "Good Will Hunting" is one of the finest films of the past two decades. JMHO. ns
Noel
April 5, 2008 - 15:38 ET by shawn228Warner does not think there should be any funding for sports in high school either, and any protest should be met by threats of being expelled our suspended.
I'm not surprised that he does not find the humor in many things.
Shawn
April 5, 2008 - 15:44 ET by Noel SheppardShawn,
Yeah, I had seen that lengthy discussion here some months back and opted to stay out of it. As a health, fitness, and sports NUT, you can imagine where my sympathies lie in this regard. ns
Noel
April 5, 2008 - 15:46 ET by botgyou'd probally high jump for sports funding?
"Television is where you watch people in your living room that you would not want near your house." Groucho
b
April 5, 2008 - 15:56 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
Yes I would. In today's society where kids can find so much to do at home be it watching television or sitting in front of a computer, school sports programs are almost as essential as academics. Almost.
The statistics are especially astounding as it pertains to girls, for the numbers strongly suggest that females involved in organized sports are far less likely to be raped or involved in abusive sexual relationships. The confidence given to girls by athletics is just astounding.
I love sports dearly, and am constantly enthralled watching my kids perform. Those that don't understand this simple pleasure are missing out in my view. ns
I have never said that
April 5, 2008 - 15:49 ET by Warner Todd HustonI have never said that sports has no place and that "fitness" is not an admirable or important subject to pursue for one's own benefit. It merely has no benefit in the academic setting.
Besides, we ALL have our own little peccadillos, eh?
Your right Warner
April 5, 2008 - 15:58 ET by shawn228You never said any of things and I did not accuse you of saying any of those things either ,did I? You did say you hate it when someone knows the stats or their favorite team and that kind of makes them a loser didn't you? Don't make me chase down the article :-)
It IS funny that you seem to
April 5, 2008 - 15:45 ET by Warner Todd HustonIt IS funny, Shawn, that you seem to think that sports and comedy are similar enough to be coupled in such a manner, though. Funny, but not smart.
It is relevant in this case Warner
April 5, 2008 - 16:00 ET by shawn228It shows you are big stick in the mud and want complete controll over students and would be power drunk as a principle.
That leaves the impression of someone with no sense of humor
I'd say that someone should
April 5, 2008 - 16:08 ET by Warner Todd HustonI'd say that someone should have been "power drunk" enough to have helped you learn that there is only one "l" in control back in that school you're talkin' about.
How's THAT fer funny?
Gee warner
April 5, 2008 - 16:14 ET by shawn228tsk tsk....
I find even conservatives on this site don't like the spelling police. Good comeback Warner, obviously you like Bob Saget. Your brilliant comeback is almost worthy of dialogue.
Robin Williams was never
April 5, 2008 - 15:43 ET by Warner Todd HustonRobin Williams was never funny on Letterman or The Tonight Show as far as I have ever seen (and I have not seen all his appearances, to be sure). His schtick consists of him being manic, flailing his arms about and making funny noises. He has NO content behind the so-called humor.
On the other hand, Jonathan Williams WAS funny. He had some actual concepts behind the funny voices and noises. He was funny but Robin Williams is garbage. There isn't the first bit of concept or intelligence behind his funny noises and flailing arms. Robin Williams is no Jonathan Winters.
As to Benny Hill, as mentioned above. It was only so-so for humor. His mugging to the camera was highly annoying. But, he did have some funny stuff, certainly. His sight gags were often very good.
WTH... Do you like Jeff
April 5, 2008 - 15:51 ET by bigtimerWTH...
Do you like Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White or Larry the Cable Guy....just curious...me being a redneck and all...lol.
Btw...I know I'm in the minority here...as usual.... I just like the humor...laughter is great medicine, no matter who or what yanks your chain...
IMHO....
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Foxworthy is OK. Larry and
April 5, 2008 - 17:53 ET by Warner Todd HustonFoxworthy is OK. Larry and Ron White.... um, no. Their pal Bill Engvall is sometimes amusing, though.
But, give me the old Andy Griffith stuff, the original Bob Newhart phone call jokes... THAT stuff is funny. Once Lenny Bruce hit the boards, stand up went to hell and never really came back.
bt, Ron White is a total riot.
April 6, 2008 - 21:42 ET by R D HelmHe is my favorite of the whole bunch. :-)
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
The Blue Collar gang can be
April 6, 2008 - 21:44 ET by balboaThe Blue Collar gang can be funny, but I can only take them in small doses. Couldn't sit through a whole hour of them.
bal,
April 6, 2008 - 21:57 ET by R D HelmLOL-Hey, it's a southern thang, know whut ahh mean?
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
RD... Mine
April 6, 2008 - 21:47 ET by bigtimerRD...
Mine too!
GMLA....(great minds laugh alike...)
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt,
April 6, 2008 - 22:03 ET by R D HelmLOL-And it seems the more scotch he puts down, the funnier he gets, too.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Now RD... ...it may just
April 6, 2008 - 22:11 ET by bigtimerNow RD...
...it may just be the other way around ya' know...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Dave Allen, the Two
April 5, 2008 - 17:54 ET by red_dragon311Dave Allen, the Two Ronnies
The fact that you mention these two shows just goes to show that you sir have very good comic taste.
I love the songs on The Two Ronnies........Have you ever watched "Sorry" with Ronnie Corbit. That was a great show .
I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world's first analrapist
What's wrong with Stiller?
April 6, 2008 - 19:30 ET by balboaWhat's wrong with Stiller? Sure, his characters are often the same, but he was hilarious in Dodgeball, and funny in Starsky & Hutch. I liked him in Along Came Polly, too.
B
April 6, 2008 - 19:41 ET by Noel SheppardB,
I think this question was for me. Anyway, he just doesn't do anything for me. I think he's phony. Don't believe his characters. Just see him as Ben Stiller playing another part. Never believe he's the part he's playing. ns
Well, they are pretty much
April 6, 2008 - 19:58 ET by balboaWell, they are pretty much the same character. I guess I don't know much about what he's like to tell if he's just playing himself or not.
First time I saw There's Something About Mary, I almost split my gut laughing so hard. It's not quite as funny the next time you see it.
(It was a general question to everyone, I suppose. And his wife is kinda attractive, too. :-) )
b
April 6, 2008 - 21:25 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
"Mary" did absolutely nothing for me. Frankly, I didn't even finish it. Thought it was sophomoric and boring. Honestly. ns
N
April 6, 2008 - 21:32 ET by balboa"Mary" was sophomoric, deliciously so, to borrow a phrase. :-)
"Mary" did absolutely
April 6, 2008 - 21:38 ET by Blazer"Mary" did absolutely nothing for me. Frankly, I didn't even finish it. Thought it was sophomoric and boring. Honestly. ns "
Noel, that truly sadden's my heart, now please tell me you not only found "kingpin' funny, but also finished it, that movie is g-damn funny and I care what ya' say.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Blazer
April 6, 2008 - 22:36 ET by Noel SheppardBlazer,
Liked "Kingpin." Some very crazy scenes. :-) ns
Gosh -- I used to think I
April 6, 2008 - 19:46 ET by Jack BauerGosh -- I used to think I was harsh, but looking at that list proves I'll laugh at anything!
Thak goodness you didn't include Jackie Mason!
Jeez Warner you dont' like
April 5, 2008 - 17:38 ET by BlazerJeez Warner, you dont' like sport's or find low brow humor funny. You would definitley make a lousy bro-date.
Bro-Search: http://info.break.co...
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
....No I'm not on Roids but
April 5, 2008 - 17:46 ET by bigtimer....No I'm not on Roids but thanks for asking....
ROFL...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
LOL, Yeah, I'm the guy that
April 5, 2008 - 17:50 ET by Warner Todd HustonLOL,
Yeah, I'm the guy that gets bored REAL quick. I want to talk about consequential stuff and sports AIN'T it! I really don't even want to do the typically Neanderthal-like I'd-do-her talk.
I am not a good "bro-date" at all.
No sport's, no low brow
April 5, 2008 - 17:59 ET by BlazerNo sport's, no low brow humor and now no "I'd do her talk". You definitly hit the trifecta of anti-bro-ness now.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Don't I know it! LOL
April 5, 2008 - 19:21 ET by Warner Todd HustonDon't I know it!
LOL
Warner Todd Huston--Comedy is No Laughing Matter
April 5, 2008 - 21:18 ET by JerWarner, when I was a young boy living in "smalltown" Tennesse in the 1950's, a local shoe store would run a promotional gimmick for a week each year by hiring a guy known as "Smile-O" to stand in the display window, while onlookers outside on the sidewalk would take turns trying to make him laugh--or even crack a faint smile. If, by some chance, the goofy, clownish antics were successful, the person engaging in same would be awarded a free pair of shoes. To the best of my knowledge, Smile-O never smiled and the store never had to cough up any shoes. [I have since speculated, but never confirmed, that Smile-O--whose eyes always had an odd glazed appearance--was actually blind with glass eyeballs.]
In any event, you are much too young to be Smile-O, but I was wondering if he might be somewhere in your family tree. Will you take a look? I know it might seem silly, but humor me. <wink>
Jer
Was Smile-O a clown ? If
April 5, 2008 - 21:33 ET by BlazerWas Smile-O a clown ? If he was that must have been pretty darn creepy in a David Lynch kind of way.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Blazer...Smile-O was
April 5, 2008 - 21:52 ET by JerBlazer...Smile-O was definitely weird. He had a waxy, mummified look. Wore a suit and a brown fedora hat. Another theory was that he was a dressed-up cadaver from Murphy's funeral home. His arms would move in a robotic manner...much like the dummies the Home Alone kid manipulated with strings to make them appear lifelike and fool the bad guys.
Jer
good spotting
April 5, 2008 - 22:20 ET by JethrofishHats off to Noel. This is a rare bit where a candidate actually denounces the media that praises them, in a funny way.
Jon Stewart is mainly liberal but he's bashed Hillary quite a lot, and Obama. It's easy pickin's. Lol.
I've noticed the same small
April 6, 2008 - 02:34 ET by zfI've noticed the same small turnabout from SNL.
Perhaps now that the Democrats and liberalism have taken center stage in Congress and in the presidental race, their lunancy and infantality are too plain to even lovers of liberalism.
Or maybe they just want more viewers, either way it's OK with me.
"Oh, I think that happens
April 6, 2008 - 02:25 ET by zf"Oh, I think that happens once a day. Yeah, but then I stopped watching cable news."
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I hope that doesn't mean Matthews and Obama can't be friends anymore. <g>
I have found myself
April 6, 2008 - 05:26 ET by spiderdanI have found myself ignoring the politically active comics -- Bush bashers get not one penny from me.
I did get a huge kick out of Richard Pryor and Sam Kinison (modern comics with a zest for racy language but impeccable comic timing). Jonathon Winters was the original "wired for comedy" guy -- put him on with Carson and stand by to bust a gut laughing.
I will never watch Letterman again, never got into Leno. Johnny Carson was the man, sheer comic genius. These clowns today couldn't carry a bag of Carson's dirty laundry across the street.