Hi Dave. I appreciate your thoughtful, measured response to Chris Rock’s Netflix show. You actually put words to how I felt about the performance, that I couldn’t quite articulate at the time. Mainly: how Rock seems to have lost his edge, maybe primarily because extreme wealth has distorted his perspective. But also: the discomfort I felt at some of the bits (and not the usual, giddy kind of discomfort I used to get from Rock, when he would push an audience to see things differently, or voice uncomfortable truths). And yes, the last ten minutes were scalding.
I got to thinking: what comedians have NOT lost their edge over the course of a decades-long career? (Or did not, if they’ve already passed.) Or, if they didn’t get better, at least stayed consistently sharp? It’s a short list, but I’d put Carlin up there, who somehow kept going deeper and stayed relevant. Also: Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and especially Mr. George Wallace (bless him) are up there in this category. In fact, there are two main reasons why I would make a return trip to Vegas: to see George Wallace and Penn & Teller. Well, I guess that’s three. Any others?
Great choices! I'd also say that while Seinfeld's off-stage persona has gotten more annoying over time, he has remained relatively consistent! (But he never had too much of an edge to begin with imho)
Yes, good point on Seinfeld. I thought that the documentary of some years ago about Jerry’s return to stand-up, and his trying out and shaping new material, was a fascinating look at one guy’s creative process. (Fun fact: George Wallace served as Jerry’s best man at his wedding, and they were roommates many years ago early in their careers. Interesting how vast riches don’t seem to have ruined either of them...in terms of their comedic material.)
> Over on Decoding Reality, Justin and Deejay are continuing to recap the continuing misadventures of Zach Shallcross, or as he’s also known, “The Nickelback of Bachelor Nation.”
Hi Dave. I appreciate your thoughtful, measured response to Chris Rock’s Netflix show. You actually put words to how I felt about the performance, that I couldn’t quite articulate at the time. Mainly: how Rock seems to have lost his edge, maybe primarily because extreme wealth has distorted his perspective. But also: the discomfort I felt at some of the bits (and not the usual, giddy kind of discomfort I used to get from Rock, when he would push an audience to see things differently, or voice uncomfortable truths). And yes, the last ten minutes were scalding.
I got to thinking: what comedians have NOT lost their edge over the course of a decades-long career? (Or did not, if they’ve already passed.) Or, if they didn’t get better, at least stayed consistently sharp? It’s a short list, but I’d put Carlin up there, who somehow kept going deeper and stayed relevant. Also: Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and especially Mr. George Wallace (bless him) are up there in this category. In fact, there are two main reasons why I would make a return trip to Vegas: to see George Wallace and Penn & Teller. Well, I guess that’s three. Any others?
Thanks again for the well-observed writing.
Great choices! I'd also say that while Seinfeld's off-stage persona has gotten more annoying over time, he has remained relatively consistent! (But he never had too much of an edge to begin with imho)
Yes, good point on Seinfeld. I thought that the documentary of some years ago about Jerry’s return to stand-up, and his trying out and shaping new material, was a fascinating look at one guy’s creative process. (Fun fact: George Wallace served as Jerry’s best man at his wedding, and they were roommates many years ago early in their careers. Interesting how vast riches don’t seem to have ruined either of them...in terms of their comedic material.)
> Over on Decoding Reality, Justin and Deejay are continuing to recap the continuing misadventures of Zach Shallcross, or as he’s also known, “The Nickelback of Bachelor Nation.”
Mother of God... We appreciate your sacrifice lol