Is there something about the essential nature of left-wing “comedy” that it must be partisan and have only a thin coating of civility?
Once upon a time, I considered Lewis Black one of the three funniest comedians I’d ever heard. His routine about an overheard conversation at IHOP is hilarious. That was before George Bush was elected. For the past few years, all Black can seem to do is tell insult jokes about Republicans that just aren’t all that funny unless you’re already inclined to laugh. That’s not comedy, though; it’s pandering.
Admittedly, pandering does bring in the cash and being a raving leftist seems a sure way to get a show on Comedy Central. There won’t always be a wide audience for that sort of nasty, partisan hackery, though. The gravy train won’t go on forever and, especially in politics, what’s in today is way, way out tomorrow. I would hope that the more talented of the left-wing comedians (Black is one. Sykes is not) realized that before they become bitter D-listers begging to work for drinks at some crappy dive.
(Cross-posted at The Green Room)
Tags: Ed Driscoll, Humor, Progressives
