So... James Wolcott wrote, in the most recent issue of Vanity Fair (the one with the stars of Dyspeptic Barmaids on it), about Stand-up Comedy being dead, and there being no edge left to it.
The blog-unfindable Lizzy first alerted my sector of the world to this article, so I fig'red it would be a good read. I found a copy of VF at the sto', but wasn't going to drop $4.50 when all I wanted was about 12 pages of the magazine. You know you're a maturing male when the articles are more interesting. I have an imagination, thank you, and whatever Teri Hatcher's doing to Marcia Cross with that Kitchen Aid mixer and a stomach pump whilst both don firefighter's overalls and little else, well, it idn't yer garsh dern bidnoose.
I miss my friend's blogs.
I found Wolcott's article on-line, and am preparing to read it as I type this. The first quote in the article is from Garry Shandling, saying how Johnny Carson, God rest his soul, was the first person Shandling ever craved the approval of. I can understand that. It has to get edgier for references, I hope. Garry Shandling?
Wolcott lives in Manhattan, and is a book, TV, movie, and general pop culture critic, while doubling duty as a moderate weirdouche. He has 3 cats, and appears to have written a poof-piece about a the dating scene in Manhattan that rips of Jane Austen, "The Catsitters." For the love of Street Jokes, the guy writes for VANITY FAIR. I sense that most of Britney's videos illicited a change in heart rate for Wolcott. I'll find out more after I read his stuff.
Review of reviewer to be released as soon as time, packing, and my being on hiatus allows.
Take Me Home
My Blog About My Dad
Geoff Lott: Comedian, Writer, Philosoteur. I am here to amuse you, not entertain you. If not now, later. If not you, somebody else. If you can't laugh at yourself, that's just fine, too. I will do it for you.
3 comments:
This is the worst hiatus ever. I'm glad for it.
Agreed, there isn't a definite statement that you "made it" like the Carson appearance used to signify. But to say stand-up is dead is an obvious stretch. Like saying disco is dead and implying that, by so, all relevant popular music since is dead. Stand-up on network TV is so sanitized and PC that it's almost impossible to be edgy or fresh. Due to the current conservative political atmosphere TV has become too unwilling to attempt to shock or challenge viewers. You'd have to call yourself something stupid like , say, 'Blue Collar' (more like redneck asspipe) to be accepted on network TV. I'm not sure Hedberg, Hicks or the like would make it to Carsons' couch. Like music has evolved, so has comedy, thankfully. There are always those who bemoan the fact that there aren't any new Carlins, Kleins, Cosbys, or Seinfelds coming up are like the people who think good music died after 'Frampton Comes Alive'. It has just gotten edgier than network TV, or basic cable for that matter, will allow. Like the way my father thought Letterman was so much racier than his idle, Milton Berle. Some peoples music and comedy taste stopped evolving once they passed a certain age and they think everything new sucks and is a copy (OW! Freebird! Freebird!). About the only place to find good fresh edgy stand-up is in the clubs, blogs, or if cable takes a chance occasionally on some new talent. Stand-up isn't dead, it's just hiding from the FCC.
moustachioed gave me goose bumps. Very nice.
-amanda
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