Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Comedy Is Not Pretty


For those that don’t know me along with those that DO know me personally, but have forgotten… I have a sick sense of humor. I always have and I imagine that I always will. George Carlin and Bill Hicks run deep in my blood of comedic influences. Their comedic stylings just watered the seeds that were already planted within my DNA. I’ve ALWAYS made sick jokes. Sometimes they hit and sometimes they make people question my mental state. I’ve even made sick jokes about my life and about myself. It’s just something I do.

But I have been amazed about how people feel it necessary to use it as a “teaching moment”. For me, they come across as condescending and judgmental because they know what’s best for me. They certainly don’t “act” that way so they must have a blueprint for my life because they’re so enlightened. Or perhaps they feel that I’m in a position of influence. I don’t know. I don’t care. I do what I do.

I made a joke once about not finding a dead junkie in a fast food restaurant on social media. One friend got upset about it because they knew the person that OD’d in that restaurant. And I still maintain this belief… “If you don’t want to be associated with a sick humored punchline, don’t overdose in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant.” I mentioned no name or even the sex of the individual. I merely made a sick joke based on actual fact.

I can understand why the person was offended. They acted accordingly. They made their case and unfriended me. Cool.

Sure, I felt bad about offending them. But I didn’t feel bad about the joke. I deleted it along with the comments at the request of my wife who reminded me about my quest of finding a job.

As for my recent Oprah Winfrey joke… She’s a public figure that publishes a list of her favorite things every holiday season so she can make money off her mindless acolytes. I made a joke about a casket being on this year’s list since her mother died. It got the ire of 2 people. One made an understandable case because I’m sure that it’s difficult dealing with the loss of a parent. It was something that she experienced. With Oprah’s documented past relationship with her mother, I’m betting there hasn’t been a whole lot of shed tears.

And of course, one of my enlightened friends felt it necessary to show me the way to proper behavior and attitude.

Look… it’s just a joke. If you don’t like it, keep moving. Give me that little red angry face. Type in “Booooo” as a comment. That’s totally cool with me. I understand that some jokes will fall flat. I get it. But when you come on with your enlightened insight, you sound like a condescending prick.

They poked, quickly tired of the debate, and ran off with their “good day” wishes. Why don’t you go hassle the tRump acolytes since they voted the guy into office and he’s ruining your life? Spread your enlightenment to folks that voted differently than you. He must have ruined your life because you can’t shut up about him on social media.

In the immortal words of Steve Martin… “Comedy is not pretty.” At times, it can be quite absurd. And since a casket wouldn’t actually be on the list of favorite things for Oprah, that’s where absurdity comes in. The phrase “Too soon?” has followed jokes for a few years because of the presence of easily offended folks that aren’t quite capable of realizing absurdity. Although, they’re just exhibiting good taste. And that’s the deal with sick humor. It’s not tasteful.

My humor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It’s subjective. Norm MacDonald made some great comedy about the passing of The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin just a week or so after Irwin’s death. Some felt that it was sick. I thought it was genius. Enjoy THIS. Ya know... If you're not easily offended. Just skip ahead to the 2:53 mark.


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