Why Conservative Comedy Does Not Work

[Chiyo-chichi]

This is a perennial topic here. Apologies if this HuffPo article from yesterday has already been posted, but Ward Anderson hits the nail on the head.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ward-anderson/conservative-comedy_b_4297911.html


The other day, in a typical "Right versus Left" argument, someone made a comment that stuck in my head. He said that there is almost no voice given to Conservative comedians and that comedians of today do not poke fun at liberals the way they do conservative politicians. The commenter made this point by stating that David Letterman is too soft on Obama compared to how he was with Bush.

I won't spend much time pointing out the fact that David Letterman is not a journalist or even member of the media. He is, of course, a comedian and talk show host. Since his talk show bears his own name and represents his own opinions, he can support any politician he likes. He doesn't owe anyone an unbiased platform any more than Rush Limbaugh owed Bill Clinton fairness when he hosted his own TV show in the 90s. Letterman doesn't pretend to be a journalist when he isn't one. That's Sean Hannity's job.

Still, there is a point which still stands: There really is less Conservative comedy out there and fewer jokes at the expense of Liberals than Conservatives. I won't disagree with this comment, but the people who complain about it as if it is some sort of grand conspiracy against Conservative humor in America kind of miss the point. Comedy is never about equality or representing both sides of the story. For comedy to really work, it usually comes from a particular source: The Underdog.

The Underdog is that comic who is a misfit. He's overweight or insecure. He's the dorky guy who talks about how he was always picked last in dodge ball. It's also the awkward woman who can't get a date or is afraid of living her life with only her cats. We cheer for The Underdog.

[Scuba]

1. The court jester was the one who got away with poking fun at the king.

[Wait Wut]

7. I blame the amygdala.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201104/conservatives-big-fear-brain-study-finds

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/formula-for-funny2.htm

We need a sciency person to compare these two articles and figure out why Republicans are boring and terrified.

[Scuba]

13. Recommended reading: Drew Westen's "The Political Brain". It's all explained there.

[Wait Wut]

17. Thanks!

Added it to my wish list.

[Warpy]

33. The historically inaccurate "The Tudors" had a protracted scene

with Henry VIII, devastated by the loss of Jane Seymour (which he was) closeted with his court jester and refusing to see anyone else (which he likely was not). The court jester was saying things that would have cost him his head had he been a noble and/or less funny.

So it goes in modern totalitarianism, comedians being the only ones to tell us the truth because they make us laugh at the same time. Conservative "comedy" doesn't work because their idea of humor means someone is being humiliated (they like pratfalls and suddenly disrobing women) and they have a very tenuous grasp on reality. It's not funny because it's mean.

[Deep13]

52. Which is why the comedians usually nail it.

Any why they are a genuine threat to power. There is a reason why the new Egyptian regime shut down the Egyptian counterpart to Stewart.

[Gothmog]

2. Fox tried to duplicate The Daily Show several years ago

Fox tried something called the Half Hour News Hour which was suppose to be a conservative alternative to the Daily Show. It was horrible. Basically, it was a normal Fox newscast with a laugh track added. Conservatives really lack a sense of humor

[Aristus]

10. Yeah. And it lasted about six weeks.

The Daily Show is, what? 15 years and counting?...

"Basically, it was a normal Fox newscast with a laugh track added. "

Perfect. Thanks for that.

[Gothmog]

18. On a dare from another board, I tried to watch this show

It was too painful. Conservatives really do not have a sense of humor and Fox was shocked that this show did not work

[HughBeaumont]

48. It wasn't even a laugh track . . . it was far worse . . .

. . . from what I remember, it was an audience peppered with "plants" who would guffaw loudly at every stupid bomb of a joke the anchors uttered in a desperate attempt to get the laughter going. Often, it wouldn't. That in itself was more cringe-worthy than the material.

[Gothmog]

50. I was trying to forget how bad this show was

Your description is causing me to have flashbacks. I hope that this this is not a permanent condition

[HughBeaumont]

51. I'm not even going to try and find it.

Now I'M having bad flashbacks. It was one of those things where you almost feel sorry for everyone involved.

Almost.

[klook]

3. Great quote from this article:

"Being forced to share the walkway with everyone else is not the same thing as actually being tread upon."

That perfectly sums up conservative overdog victimization syndrome.

[Chiyo-chichi]

5. And that makes me think of Mitt Romney's attempts at humor.

"You didn't make these cookies. They came from 7-11."

and

"I'd have a better chance of winning the election if my grandfather had been born to Mexican parents instead of Mormon missionaries in Mexico."

[klook]

9. Exactly!

To him the first one is probably hilarious because he wouldn't be caught dead in a 7-11. And the second is no doubt a knee-slapper among the entitled immigrant-bashers who imagine they got where they are by virtue of hard work, without any of the Affirmative Action crutches that make the lives of minorities so cushy.


"Tone deaf" is inadequate to describe that kind of "life-in-the-bubble" cluelessness.

[MisterP]

45. no plates like chrome for the hollandaise

that shows a very hermetic (and not the fun kind) isolation

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

4. When a guy in a fur-lined coat and top hat slips and falls on the ice it's funny

When it happens to a helpless little old lady it's tragic.

In my office, I have a cartoon that depicts the laughing mask of theatrical comedy next to the crying mask of theatrical tragedy. Under the Tragic mask, it says "I don't get it." Under the Comedic mask it says, "You never get it."

And that's what's ultimately funny about Republicans. They NEVER get it.

[NuclearDem]

6. Conservative comedy involves a lot of punching down.

It's hard to tell conservative comedy from actual conservatism.

[alterfurz]

36. "Republicans don't have a sense of humor...

...they have a mean streak, and think that is the same thing."

[Populist_Prole]

8. I'm around conservatives that try to be funny all the time. They're so lame

Usually they get "funny" if they lose an argument and the jokes are forced, obvious and lamer than a quadriplegic slug. Along the lines of:

Con: "What's your least favorite color?"

Me: "Brown"

Con: "Hey everybody, lets paint all the walls brown!....ha ha ha ha" ( with the serious belief they're upsetting me )

Or the lamest of lame "gotcha" zings that make no logical sense and usually backfire on them because they're not deep enough thinkers.

One last week thought he was such a wit used the "voting for Obama is like a chicken voting for Frank Perdue" quip and he honestly believed it was the most original all-time zinger ever.

[Chiyo-chichi]

26. He probably heard the chicken quip in 2nd grade in 1972 and changed it from "Colonel Sanders."

Paint the walls brown?

Are these conservatives you are talking about actual second graders?

[Populist_Prole]

38. Their insight is about the 2nd grade level

I didn't mean literally paint the walls brown ( it could be any color ) and they could just as well made a "joke" about one's least favorite food or TV show or how they "heard" your favorite food is really bad or will be banned. They think they're giving you clever digs but because they lack insight they fail to see the....well...fail.

[Chiyo-chichi]

43. That kind of thing IS very funny... if you're seven. Most people grow out of that sort of thing.

[scheming daemons]

11. Dennis Miller became dreadfully unfunny when he became a conservative

I think lack of a sense of humor is required to be a conservative.

[Fumesucker]

31. This covers it quite well I think, I first posted it on GD in 2009

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5533164

I have no talent for critical thinking; I am wholly incapable of discerning facts, presenting a coherent viewpoint incorporating salient facts, or mastering even the barest rudiments of logical argument.

My "perspective", such as it is, is a myopic hodge-podge of legacy reactionary bumper-sticker clichés coeval with coprolites, drowned in the greasy gravy of corporate media-manufactured neocon wingnut talking points.

I have a formidable capacity for intolerance, unreasoning contempt, and leaden snark. I believe that my country is the strongest and greatest country in the world, and that perforce its policies and conduct, domestically and internationally, is always Right-- because Might Makes Right, of course. What world are you living in?

I despise those who challenge this view, or seek to erode and dislodge the keystone of unreasoning Zealous Patriotic Faith that supports the soul of the Greatest Country in the World, the U S of A, in its never-ending battle against the Forces of Evil, i.e. Everybody Else (except Israel and the other members of Our Hegemony).

In my world, crass name-calling, snide caricatures, and poorly-crafted personal put-downs and cheap shots are recognized as legitimate tactics in making points and winning arguments-- because, lacking intellectual acumen, depth, sophistication, and discernment, these clumsy skills are all we've got.

The proof of their efficacy can be seen in the applause and attaboys frequently expressed by my Troll Brethren in these comments; they confirm that I effortlessly steamroller over the pathetic and treacherous sedition disseminated on sites like this.

Cognitive dissonance is my friend; it keeps me strong and indomitable.

Little Brother


Edited to add author's handle.

[Rex]

12. It's not funny, that is the real reason for so little of it.

nt.

[EOTE]

14. Republicans really don't get this.

It's not our fault that republicans are painfully unfunny. There was a reason that the court jester was the only one allowed to insult the King. Same goes with music, republicans have Lee Greenwood and some really awful country/western and we have everything else. I believe truly good art requires empathy. Republicans lack empathy and as such will never be able to create great art.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Comdey is a destruction of decorum and of established status relationships. Conservatives love

the status quo and wish to preserve decorum, making them a tribe of Margaret DuMonts in a world ruled by the Marx Brothers.

[eppur_se_muova]

49. "a tribe of Margaret DuMonts in a world ruled by the Marx Brothers" deserves a DUzy ! nt

[nomorenomore08]

55. +2

[FatBuddy]

16. Conservatism is a key indicator

for lack of intelligence.

You have to smart to be funny.

[Wait Wut]

20. "You have to smart to be funny."

Yes. There was a recent (6 months or so?) article that explained further, but I can't find it. I've been running around Google looking up different things all morning, so I'm a little Googled out.

And...welcome to DU!

[FatBuddy]

28. thank you!

[calimary]

23. Welcome to DU, FatBuddy!

Glad you're here! This thread is full of rather astute observations. Good points all. Except for that moran guy.

Nothing so funny as wandering through some of the teabaggers' protest signs and noting how rotten the spelling and usage and punctuation all are. I keep thinking about the photo of the "Get a Brain! Morans" dude with his American flag do-rag over his bad mullet.

[FatBuddy]

29. thank you for the welcome!

[Chiyo-chichi]

41. In 2006 I Photoshopped the Morans guy into moments in history

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x581352

[calimary]

58. That's the one!!!!

Well done, Chiyo-chichi!!!!

[Morphia]

19. IDK. Tea Bagging for Jesus is funny

The signs they carry, the silly outfits. The sheer stupidity of what they say and do is comedy gold.

Now granted it is not intentional on their part but those of us with a brain do find them funny.

Now it is time for the annual war on Christmas, my favorite time of the year for pissing off findies and teahadists.

[JHB]

21. A lot of comedy involves a slightly skewed look at reality...

...drawing attention to odd juxtapositions, and when you looks at it that way it's funny.

If you live in a conservative alternate reality, how you look at things is already skewed so far that it just doesn't line up in a way that's funny to anyone outside your bubble.

Like with this lame Duck:

[BlueStreak]

27. Wow. Is that a real strip?

That duck seems to have some serious issues.

[JHB]

46. Yep. Gotta "balance" liberal strips like Doonesbury...

...and, in bygone days, Bloom County and Boondocks.

Of course, those three strips have ensemble casts, directed their attention toward a number of subjects, had characters that drove story lines from their own personalities, and and occasionally turned their humor inward (like Huey Freeman going overboard in his conspiracy theorizing and tying Santa to the Illuminati and George Bush).

In contrast, Mallard Fillmore has one joke: Liberals are stupid and always wrong, and the title character is always the wry voice of reason in amid vapid and hypocritical liberals. All. The. Time.

It has all the humor of an ass loudly braying in your ear.

[ThoughtCriminal]

61. Stewart poked at it in "America: the Books"

[hunter]

39. That was the worst "comic" I ever saw in our local papers.

Worse than Garfield or Dilbert.

It's gone now.

Mary Worth, Doctor Rex Morgan, and Peanuts reruns were a lot more fun.

[Populist_Prole]

42. WTF? That's not even funny on mushrooms

I'd say the only mirth generated would be of the team player variety. Nobody will "get it" because there's nothing to get. Yet they'll surely manage a few forced weak chuckles to make it seem like they get it, and, in the name of right-wing solidarity.

Reminds me of that 'New Yorker' comic that Elaine on 'Seinfeld' tried to figure out.

[emrnews]

22. It's time.

I guess it's just time to innovate. Is about the issues we are having right now.

[gopiscrap]

60. welcome to DU

[Orrex]

24. There were five peanuts walking down the Straße

And one of them was a salted.




Peanut.

[BlueStreak]

25. Conservatives don't do empathy. They don't get irony.

Without empathy or irony, you are pretty much left with Larry the Cable Guy and "You might be a redneck if ..." jokes.

[Populist_Prole]

40. Precisely

If you really want to burn their asses, do the rope-a-dope thing. Play along at first then incrementally set it up so they make complete asses of themselves.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. Conservatives' concept of humor tends to be based on sheer meanness.

Being mean isn't funny.

[arcane1]

32. Yep. "Making fun of" and "being funny" are not automatically the same thing.

[demosincebirth]

34. Conservatives won't make fun of themselves when they f**kup. Democrats are able to make fun

of themselves as some screw up a la Wiener and Spitzer.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

35. From last August

because jokes against the powerful can be funny, while jokes about the powerless just aren't

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1166422

[ms liberty]

54. Yes, that's it in a nutshell. n/t

[TeamPooka]

37. Conservative comedy & Liberal talk radio: two things that go against the basic nature

of who they are trying to appeal to.
Comedy requires an ironic sensibility.
Talk radio appeals most to those who follow blindly.

[muriel_volestrangler]

44. Conservatives find Rush Limbaugh funny

Normal people may not, but they keep on about how what he does is 'entertainment' - especially when he says something offensive, and then it's all about how other people don't have a sense of humour. And he has been paid huge attention, as if he has something worth listening to, by a lot of the media for 2 decades or more. They have their 'voice'.

[nyquil_man]

47. A lot of good comedy is about looking at something familiar in a different way.

Conservatism is largely about looking at something familiar in a familiar way.

[Populist_Prole]

57. Hey I like that

Quotable it is.

[Deep13]

53. RW humor is always based on hate speech.

It always involves putting down some out-group. Plus, I've noticed the RW brain tends to be very literal and has a hard time with irony.

[Dawson Leery]

62. +1

[Jamaal510]

56. RWers can be funny sometimes, though it's almost always unintentional;

whether it's Ted Nugent being known for defecating in his pants to avoid military service, Rick Perry's "Oops" moment, or Bush ll's definition regarding tribal sovereignty. When they're funny, they are almost always at the butt of a joke.

[ThoughtCriminal]

59. Comedy should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable

Conservatives think I'm "Humorless" because I don't laugh at their sexist, racist, bigoted jokes.

[PeaceNikki]

63. Republicans and humor - going together like chinchillas and skee-ball since 1861.

[ErikJ]

64. Their SCIENCE though is funny: Jesus rode dinosaurs. HAHAHAHA

They actually think dinosaurs lived at the same time Jesus did. It makes me howl with laughter.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

65. What is he talking about. There are some great conservative comedians out there

Herman Cain, Michelle Bachmann, Christine O'Donnell, Sarah Palin, the list goes on.

Except of course that the joke stops being funny when you consider that there are too many people who not only take these people seriously but cheer them on for elected office

Anyone complaining about David Letterman and his alleged bias should consider tuning over to Jay Leno. From I've heard, he was still mollycoddling Dubya and getting by on recycled Clinton jokes even when it was finally plainly obvious to all in sundry that Dubya was a complete fraud and failure

I'll admit I haven't heard much conservative comedy but the brief snippets I've heard from alleged conservative comedians like Dennis Miller have convinced me that conservative comedians are mostly a failure for two main reasons. (1) they seem to be too hooked up on promoting the right wing meme of the day to be able to use their creative talents effectively and (2) their humor tends to be too focused on denigrating the left wing and/or their selected targets rather than actually coming up with valid points of humor to use against them