Posted on 07/21/2009 1:51:29 PM PDT by AreaMan
- Klavan On The Culture - http://pajamasmedia.com/andrewklavan -
Cohen Goin’ Gone
Posted By Andrew Klavan On July 20, 2009 @ 3:52 pm In Uncategorized | 3 Comments
Am I alone in harboring a secret pleasure at the death of Bruno? The much-hyped follow-up to Sacha Baron Cohen’s hit Borat opened big at the box office then rapidly plummeted over 70 percent to fourth place – and when I heard about it, I smiled. I didn’t see the film and have no comment on its quality and I don’t care if it’s anti-gay since gays, God love them, should be fair targets for humor just like everybody else, and I don’t care if it’s raunchy either because I’ve seen everything. But there’s something about the talented, creative and undoubtedly funny Cohen’s whole modus operandi that just really bugs me.
I first saw Cohen several years ago when a friend showed me a DVD of his Ali G interviews. At first, when I saw Ali G putting the joke on famous people like Newt Gingrich, I laughed well enough. Newt’s a big man and a public man and has to be able to take care of himself. But in the next clip, Ali went after an ordinary policeman who trained other police officers. And I thought, “Gee, there’s a guy who would run into a burning building to save Cohen’s life… and this half-assed comedian is making fun of him? That kind of sucks.”
Unhip of me, I know. But I’ve hated this strain of humor ever since I saw David Letterman do it way back in the eighties. For me, show biz folks making fools of ordinary folks just stinks, plain and simple. Sure, it’s funny: put a banana peel under a fat woman – that’s funny, too. But it’s bullying and unfair. And I’m not impressed when someone tells me: well, yes, the targets are ordinary people but they deserve it because they’re bigots or they’re stupid or they’re macho or whatever else. To paraphrase Shakespeare: If everyone got what he deserved, who would escape a whipping? We can all be caught with our pants down and our prejudices showing. Especially if we’re targeted by someone rich and powerful enough to pay for a camera and a distribution deal and a lawyer to fend off lawsuits.
We’re living in a shameful moment when comedians haven’t got the guts to make fun of the most powerful man on earth: President Obama. Instead, they pick on the ordinary people whom they’re there to serve and entertain but whom, in fact, they despise. Are they funny? Of course they are – they’re professional comedians. But it’s still scummy business and when they bomb as they deserve – well, that’s when I really start laughing.
Article printed from Klavan On The Culture: http://pajamasmedia.com/andrewklavan
URL to article: http://pajamasmedia.com/andrewklavan/2009/07/20/cohen-goin-gone/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2009 Klavan On The Culture. All rights reserved.
My “mute” button is punched when adds for Bruno come on.
Cohen is routinely praised for showing up ordinary people as dumb bigots, etc.
When in reality, he is taking advantage of their good manners.
Can you think of any other country where he wouldn’t get his ass kicked outright?
I have considered how a movie could be made that would be just revealing. How about this... you can probably think of more examples.
"Mr. Constitution" stands up at a NOW/NAG convention saying that the supreme court has ruled that all abortions are outlawed.
"Mr. Constitution" goes to NEA meeting and stands up in favor of school vouchers.
"Mr. Constitution" attends a NAACP meeting and supports ending support to children of unwed mothers.
"Mr. Constitution" goes to a GLAAD meeting and stands in favor of NO gays in the military.
"Mr. Constitution" goes to a CAIR meeting and says that Islam is anti-God and subversive and should be excluded from the US.
The problem is, the movie could never be made, because "Mr. Constitution" would likely end up dead or dismembered at any one of these meetings..... So goes our nation...
Really....hmmm....I don't watch many movies anymore but maybe I should watch this one. Thanks.
Really....hmmm....I don't watch many movies anymore but maybe I should watch this one. Thanks.
Sorry, I meant my message to “All.”
Borat has definitely jumped the shark. I did enjoy Borat for what it was, but Sascha Cohen has an agenda and most Americans with an IQ above room temperature can spot it a mile away.
“Mr. Cohen’s model is to show and reveal the supposed bigotry and homophobia of Americans with his antics in “Borat” and “Bruno”. Many people support this assault and insult to middle-Americans.”
Mr. Cohen’s manner of representing “gays” is the equivalent of Larry Flynt going around doing the same kind of stuff and being written about as if he represented heterosexuals.
Mr. Cohen is simply a disgusting self-promoter, nothing more. Apparently behaving in a disgusting manner is his one “talent”.
Cohen is just plain mean and nasty. There are few things worse than the violation of hospitality and trust, and that’s his basic modus vivendi.
It's amazing to me that this kind of comedians escape the @ss-whoping they so richly deserve. Despite his frequent character-changes, you'd think that sooner or later he'd get spotted by one of his erstwhile targets and get his nose busted.
I agree.
If Bruno had anywhere near the production budget of Borat it’s already turned a massive profit, so it’s unlikely to be the end of Cohen.
He's a spoiled, upper-class Leftist, from a family of spoiled, upper-class Leftists and it's no coincidence most of his targets are American, conservative or military.
“Mr. Constitution” attends a NAACP meeting and says ‘Dredd Scott decison is settled law’”
I hate to admit this but I secretly wish that these jerks: Cohen, that douchebag from Punk'd, Jamie Kennedy would one day pick the wrong target and receive a "career-ending" dose of physical punishment.
Now, you were saying...??
2. Cohen has annoyed liberals as well. They have nothing to complain about. If they do they are adding hypocrisy to whatever other foibles revealed by Cohen's antics.
3. So-called average people who are only exhibiting "good manners" are the MOST deserving of Cohen's antics. What cave have these idiots been living in for the past twenty or so years? I'm sure these people claim that they no longer watch TV or movies because they're chock full o' filth. But by sticking their heads in the sand, these naive know-nothings didn't realize that reality TV was headed their way and just waiting to drag the naifs into the filth along with all of the Paris Hiltons of the world.
If someone has given up on the US and its culture they had better move to the middle of the forest and start living off the land. If instead they decide to live amongst the unwashed heathens, then they had better learn to protect themselves. Keep your money in a safe place, and keep away from gay Austrian fashionistas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.