editor@theotherpress.ca Feature The Other Press will pay $50 for a feature story of approximately 1,000 words. Please email Editor in Chief J.J. McCullough with your proposal at editor@theotherpress.ca. Offer good once per semester per student. Smart humor ts not hard to find Look beyond the mainstream gross-outs for true laughs By Siavash Emamzadeh Lee may be the best medicine, but if it was an actual pill pharmacies would distribute it in conservative rations because it’s also very rare. In fact, for this hypothetical pill, scientists would probably have to invent an all-new unit of measurement to categorize an item so diminutive that at times its very existence can be questioned. The recent string of so-called “comedies” at the theatre have been severely disappointing. I consider it disgraceful to subject my eyes to these twisted interpretations of sexuality, bodily functions and plain stupidity, yet that seems to be all Hollywood has to offer these days. I’m strongly convinced that the unduly popular Borat movie, for example, boasts all of the above, and after hearing one of Saha Baron Cohen’s award speeches, I’m also convinced that the star is actually quite disgusting himself. I do not, in the least bit, find the concept of human trafficking amusing, but Cohen, a self-proclaimed comedian, still pokes fun at the solemn issue. Luckily for me, I chose to not watch “On Frasier, every Sometimes, however, one must look for humor in unsuspecting corners and alleys—like a radio station devoted to broadcasting sports scores and news. ESPN radio boasts some part-time comics, who are disguised in their aliases as sports show hosts. I usually find substantial hilarity from hosts like Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic, Bob Valvano and Jason Smith. For example, Jason Smith does great impressions, Mike and Mike have funny banter, and Valvano offers witty introspections. And who wouldn’t love the opportunity to have fun while heeding sports news and scores. Indeed, it’s eclecticism at its absolute best. Another comedian that comes to mind is the very funny Frank Caliendo. This man likely impersonates better that any person that has every walked the face of the earth. He has visited the aforementioned Mike and Mike radio show, as well as Dave Letterman and Conan O’Brien. He does uncanny mimics of George W. Bush, Adam Sandler, John Madden, Jim Rome, Charles Barkley and many others. Fortunately, Caliendo decided to depart from the lowly Mad TV and his movie, perceptively determining : . . pursue what he does best. Now from the telling commercials that it contributing detail he even has his own television involved low-class humour. and asset collabo- show. I have immense difficulty Butit’snotjustmovies, television hs i containing myself while I listen to his continues to decline as well. One ated with afi USION _ impersonations, effectively consisting particular show that descended to the : ° of comprehensive facial details and point where it completely humbles of intelligence manipulations. gravity is Mad TV. | fondly recall and respect for Conan O’Brien is also a the time when Will Sasso was part ti Pe good bet. He successfully personifies of their cast, along with many other viewers. and utilizes | ‘“awkward-moment” talented members, as probably their best years. But it seems they have now ditched most of their wit along with Sasso. I used to enjoy Sasso’s clever impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Seagal, The Rock, and many others. Today, however, Mad TV has transitioned to little more than an endless string of repulsive jokes, often disguised as and referred to as “adult humour” —an alias that barely fools anyone. As far as celebrities go, one to add to the official list of failures is certainly Jay Leno, because of the ridiculously over-the-top and chronically perverted inquiries that dominate his show. His ineptitude is blatantly highlighted by the fact that he apparently refuses to ask any questions except the most obscene. Had he been as relentless in his professional efforts to improve his comedy, I wouldn’t be writing this. I could go on and on exposing even more cringe- worthy examples of failed “humor,” but I’m sure you know enough of your own. But not all is lost. Fortunately, good laughs are still available, for the species of competent comedians is not extinct. Not yet anyway. My standard of good comedy is simple. I seek and expect intelligent dialogue, interesting plots and occasionally, crude humor, but with major and crucial exceptions. The well-known and_ recently-concluded sitcom, Frasier, had tremendous writing and flawless acting from the likes of Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce and company. The sitcom revolved around a psychiatrist furiously competing with his brother (also a psychiatrist) in essentially all situations and chronically rebounding from a host of unsuccessful relationships. Select episodes entailed sophisticated plots and called for some use of memory, but the effort was always worth it when the punchline came. On Frasier, every contributing detail and asset collaborated with a fusion of intelligence and respect for viewers, and consequently conceived success. 12 comedy, best exemplified by his frequent interactions with his drummer, Max Weinberg. It seems that no matter how Weinberg responds to Conan’s greeting, he comes out looking like a fool after suffering Conan’s ridicule. Many of Conan’s tactics are best experienced and depicted via watching the show and seeing his goofy and amusingly arbitrary jokes. The “bonus” is that the audience is almost guaranteed to sustain some of Conan’s mockery if they say or do certain things. Oh yeah, did I mention he’s not afraid to poke fun at himself? He’s certainly number one in my books for late-night comedy. Let’s not forget the world’s best-known family, The Simpsons. The cartoon ferociously steamrolls the mediocre Family Guy and the unbearable catastrophe South Park (just revolting from end to end). The writers include Harvard-educated individuals, which doesn’t come as a surprise considering the show’s massive success. Indeed, one of those former Harvard students that wrote for the show several times is the previously- mentioned Conan O’Brien. It can’t be denied that Homer Simpson is one of the most comical characters of all time. He has invented some of the world’s most memorable quotes, all of which are exceptionally intelligent at being stupid (pardon the paradox). The difference between this stupidity and that of failing creations is that Homer’s stupidity is actually constrained by limits, yet still able to permit amusement. My concerns with comedy can not be effectively rebutted by the age-old responses: “you’re too uptight,” “you’re a prude,” “it’s just a joke,” “it’s not real,” etc. None of these mere excuses, or fabrications, justify why we are expected to chuckle at presentations. In fact, if you are receptive to this kind of comedy, then you might as well take a good look at yourself and laugh like crazy. After all, aren’t you just proving what movie producers and writers assume? That you are a desperate cash cow, savagely salivating for some pathetic, abhorrent compilation of low-class wit.