On the other hand, Socrates was a real party animal...
Posted on 04/01/2021 8:23:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
Plato treated laughter as something to be avoided at all costs; he considered it to be an emotion capable of nullifying one’s self-control.
The philosopher, one assumes, would very much approve of SNL, especially the latest episode, where a particularly unfunny segment stood out. It involved Bowen Yang, an Asian American comedian, and Colin Jost, a regular on the show since 2005. Yang was there to discuss the recent wave of anti-Asian hate crimes across the nation. He begins by saying the following: “things for Asian in this country have been bleak for the last two weeks…..and before that, forever.” This is a highly disingenuous point, unreflective of reality. Nevertheless, it goes unchallenged.
Then again, what could Colin Jost, who seems like an affable individual, really do? He is a “privileged,” white male, the very type of person Yang is there to castigate. Jost looks confused and more than a little afraid. The segment is highly reminiscent of Jimmy Kimmel’s self-flagellation at the most recent Emmys.
Jost asks what we – as in, white people - can do to help Asians in America. Yang responds, imploring white parents to feed their children “chicken feet.” One wonders how the consumption of chicken feet will help fight discrimination.
Yang continues, telling viewers that he can’t discuss the hatred shown towards Asians without discussing “class,” “gender,” and “imperialism.”
Really? Because SNL is the perfect outlet to discuss imperialism. Is this what the average viewer is tuning in for, to be lectured on the dangers of imperialism?
Unsurprisingly, Yang’s criticisms are largely misplaced. As Heather MacDonald recently highlighted in a fantastic piece for Quillette, the narrative that white people are the biggest perpetrators of violence against Asians is an erroneous one, not supported by actual data. However, in this age of feelings over facts, who cares about data? Facts are not funny. Then again, neither is SNL.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the purpose of comedy is to make people laugh, or at least it used to be. Instead, SNL producers spotted an opportunity to score woke, brownie points. They spotted an opportunity to deliver a poorly worded PSA disguised as a comedy sketch. Well, they failed, as this particular bit was neither informative nor was it funny. Just listen to the crowd. They don’t know whether to laugh or cry. They are caught somewhere between giggling and vomiting.
But, some may argue, stinging diatribes have always been a part of comedy. After all, Bill Hicks and George Carlin had plenty of issues with the country. Although this is true, both men had accumulated enough comedic capital to criticize America. These were legendary figures, and when they spoke, most people listened. Hicks and Carlin had put in the hours, earned the respect of their peers. In many ways, of all the comedians around at the time, they were two of the most qualified to preach to the masses. Who is Bowen Yang to lecture the American public? Who is Bowen Yang to tell American people to “do more”? Actually, who is Bowen Yang?
Also, when it comes to doing more, why can’t SNL “do more”? More specifically, why can’t SNL do more to make viewers laugh?
Bowen Yang is no Hicks or Carlin. He is, at best, an average comedian. Furthermore, he is an average comedian castigating millions of white viewers. How, in any way, is this acceptable? Perhaps, more importantly, how is this comedy?
SNL was once the Holy Grail of comedy. It was once a meritocracy, where only the best of the best, regardless of sex, race or skin color, made the cut. Funny wasn’t good enough. To get a spot on SNL, one had to be simply brilliant. This was a comedic colosseum, where great ideas battled it out for a five-minute segment. Gladiators like Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Steve Martin, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, John Belushi, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, and Steve Martin took to the stage. Truly brilliant comics delivering genuine moments of hilarity. No lecturing, just entertainment.
Those days, however, are long gone. SNL is no longer a meritocracy. If in doubt, ask yourself this: are the best comics and writers working on the show? Judging by the latest episode, the answer is clearly no.
[[Plato treated laughter as something to be avoided at all costs; he considered it to be an emotion capable of nullifying one’s self-control.
Ah crap, party’s over, Plato is here
On the other hand, Socrates was a real party animal...
Hicks.... fellow Mississippian
Was an ultra leftist
But he was funny
And vulgar
Satan and Vanilla Ice
Vulgar vulgar vulgar but funny as hell....
Immanuel Kant was a real pissant
Who was very rarely stable
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar
Who could think you under the table
David Hume could out-consume
Wilhelm Freidrich Hegel
And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel
There’s nothing Nietzsche couldn’t teach ya
‘Bout the raising of the wrist
Socrates, himself, was permanently pissed
John Stuart Mill, of his own free will
On half a pint of shandy was particularly ill
Plato, they say, could stick it away
Half a crate of whiskey every day
Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle
And Hobbes was fond of his dram
And Rene Descartes was a drunken fart
“I drink, therefore I am.”
Yes, Socrates himself is particularly missed
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he’s pissed
Monty Python - Philosopher’s Song
Tina Fey preaches too mr writer
Exactly
Townhall uniparty Ditz
Amy Peohler....frequently preaches in her comedy
Part of the problem SNL is the writing
And Lorne
The Reagan era DID give us that classic sketch with Phil Hartman as President Reagan — all warm and pleasant while meeting with Girl Scouts and such — and then INSTANTLY a tough, conniving control freak once the visitors were out of the way. It’s still a riot. I’ll bet even Reagan got a chuckle out of it.
I miss Phil Hartman. What a tragedy.
Yep Hicks is one of the few leftist comedians that I could tolerate.
“By the way if anyone here is in advertising or marketing…kill yourself.”
I know what all the marketing people are thinking right now too: “Oh, you know what Bill’s doing? He’s going for that anti-marketing dollar. That’s a good market. He’s very smart.”
Forget it, video is no longer available
Don’t forget Steve Martin.
“Sleeping Now, Losers!”
That’s true - it was hilarious!
The irony of that sketch though, was that although conservatives mostly took it as a compliment that President Reagan was depicted as tough and serious behind closed doors - no doubt the SNL Lefties intention was to “reveal” Reagan as a closet war-monger and monster, and to demonstrate that anything lovable or compassionate about him was a sham.
I miss Norm McDonald.
I always loved his politically incorrect takes on smoking.
"Did you know that millions of non-smokers die EVERY YEAR?"
(As he takes a drag on his cigarette.)
At the end of his career he just wasn't very funny anymore, just political.
He would go on tour to England and crap on America.
The Brits loved it, of course.
Amy Poehler & Tina Fey? Gladiators of comedy. Those women are barely funny.
I’ll watch the old greats on YouTube and that’s it. Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Ackroyd, Belushi, Eddie Murphy. Oh and Mike Meyer and Dana Carvey. Would not waste a nanosecond on the propaganda they are pumping out now.
What is really funny is that Asians do NOT consider themselves a “block group.” Koreans hate the Japanese and the Chinese. Chinese hate the Japanese and Koreans. And Japanese belittle the Koreans and Chinese. And not let’s not get into the area around Viet Nam.
He mentioned Steve Martin twice, but forgot Dan Aykroyd, Mike Meyers, Dana Carvey and Kristen Wiig. He included Amy Poehler and Adam Sandler, but left out Gilda Radner and Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Joe Piscopo, Tracy Morgan, Fred Armisen, Chris Rock, Molly Shannon, Bill Hader, Darrell Hammond, Cheri Oteri, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Phil Hartman and Kenan Thompson?
Lame.
bump to post 12 for later
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