MovieChat Forums > The Aristocrats (2005) Discussion > A theory for people who didn't like this...

A theory for people who didn't like this movie

posted 10 years ago by TheMachinistSleeps
3 replies | jump to latest

I'm sure a lot of people were attracted to this movie because of the big names in it, and maybe their favorite comedian from TV/movies is in it. For a lot of these viewers, the TV/movie persona of a comedian is the only one they have ever seen.

To get seen on TV, such as Letterman or another late show, a comedian almost always has to submit their jokes ahead of time for the show staff to review; the staff will send back notes with what they can and can't do (obviously they can't say anything like in this movie). Their jokes are then watered down, or cut out completely, until the point where you're not seeing who the comedian really is.

The set that they perform on TV has been so carefully crafted, usually over a year working out the material in clubs to see what works and editing what didn't work, so by the time it gets to you it seems like a masterpiece.

So, what's happening is that you think this comedian is some kind of classy guy. He wrote funny jokes, so he must be smart, and he doesn't say any "bad words". He's so sophisticated that in your eyes he is an aristocrat, and seeing how he is backstage hanging out with fellow comedians has destroyed your illusion.

Maybe?

[–] olliemankz 9 years ago

Yes, well, the aristocrats is a comedian's joke ... for comedians. I as a non-comedian get it but I also get that it's something that comedians love to pass around backstage as it were as you said. It's like a secret society handshake. And it's a society that "i wouldn't want to be a member of if it would take me," to paraphrase Groucho. The joke is really making fun of the snooty aristocrat who in the old days would have nothing to do with theater people except to watch them yet would probably do the most insane things in the privacy of his or her home ... and yet looked down his or her nose at theater people. But you can't say that on-stage. So, you're right, it's a back-stage, clubby thing.

[–] davedave11 8 years ago

My theory is that people who did not like the movie probably graduated high school and have a little class.

[–] TheMachinistSleeps 8 years ago

My theory is that people who did not like the movie probably graduated high school and have a little class.

The fancy man has spoken.