MovieChat Forums > Comedian Discussion > Stand up a dead artform

Stand up a dead artform

posted 19 years ago by UN_Jefferson
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm a huge Seinfeld fan but truth be told the jokes he was telling weren't really even that funny. 99% of stand up is just rehashed junk that gets laughs because people are in the mood to laugh. Unfortunatly the genere has just been played out and is really watered down with hacks like Orny Jones or whatever that guy's name was.

Someone needs to come along an reinvent stand up. A modern version of a guy like Sam Kinison or Andy Kaufman.

People rip on Kathy Griffin but at least she is doing something unique. Talking smack about people from first hand expierince and naming names.

All the other hacks out there just do there really lame observations... yawn.

[–] evilpumbaa 19 years ago

dont say that, ive just given an open mic night ago and it went really well....

if its so dead, how come its so popular? Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, Eddie izzard, Jack Dee (if u dont know them, search em, they are ace) are selling loads of dvds and selling out anywhere they go.

observational humour will never end because people are always going to do stupid things and funny things are always going to happen.

i only hope my next open mic goes as well as my first...

[–] chubs8879 19 years ago

It's not dead. There are plenty of great comics still around; it is constantly evolving and changing. We haven't had a revolutionary comic since Sienfeld, but that was only last decade anyway. Dane Cook is getting there...

[–] MisterNataliePortman 19 years ago

I like Dane Cook, but he isn't a revolutionary comedian by any means. Dane Cook takes observations, and throws in some obscure language in describing the observations. That is the basic formula for his jokes. He also does some more abstract material which is made funny by his use of obscure language. I'm waiting for another Bill Hicks.

[–] nyhxc86 19 years ago

stand-up is far from dead and the fact that you name Kathy Griffin as a good comedian shows how your opinion on the subject is off-base. Dane is a funny guy but hes not the best, the best comics out there if you want thought-provoking, edgy humor are Colin Quinn and Greg Giraldo. Other comics that absolutely kill are Nick DiPaolo, Jim Norton, Rich Vos, and Patrice O'Neal. That is real comedy.

[–] MisterNataliePortman 19 years ago

Are you serious about Colin Quinn and Greg Giraldo as being thought provoking and edgy? Hahahahahahahahaha. Try Bill Hicks, George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, or David Cross.

[–] nyhxc86 19 years ago

Ummm yeah, way to pick the obvious comics. Have you ever actually SEEN either of those two live? If not, you really arent in the position to comment on them.

[–] MisterNataliePortman 19 years ago

No, I have not seen them live, but I have seen their performances on TV and I didn't find anything edgy and thought provoking about them.

[–] dwarvenfighter 18 years ago

My personal favorite who i think was absolutely hilarious and original was Mitch Hedberg, its just a shame he died last year. And if youve seen them on TV thats your answer right there, im surprised Jim Norton gets much airtime, not because he's bad (in fact he's very very good) but just cuz so much is offensive and not fit for tv.

[–] Zuma66 16 years ago

nyhx. I think you are an Opie and Anthony fan. :)

[–] Adventurous_Stranger 17 years ago

zack galafianakis

[–] Elemenoh 8 years ago

So nearly 11 years later, it's only stronger.

Care to revise?