MovieChat Forums > Funny People (2009) Discussion > Is American stand-up really like this?

Is American stand-up really like this?

posted 14 years ago by jack-hanly
74 replies | jump to latest

Hi, I've never really watched many Americans do stand-up with the exception of Chris Rock who's entire career revolves around imitating Richard Pryor and doing 'black jokes'.

Even though some of the stand-up was OK, do a lot of stand-ups in America talk about their cocks? People in the audience seemed to find it all hilarious. I've also seen Sarah Silverman who's a bit controversial at times but not great.

I'm sorry but I've seen hundreds of comedians in the UK and every one of them blew the stand-up stuff out of the water in this film. I know Rogan and Jonah Hill are not really renowned for stand-up but they could have at least written good jokes for them.

It might be just me, but what is stand-up generally like in America?

Personally my favourites are Lee Evans, Russell Brand, Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Peter Kay, Rhod Gilbert, Jack Dee, Jason Manford and Tommy Cooper (who's also a magician). So if anybody wants to see some British stand-up I recommend those, bit of a long list I know.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] dtones78 14 years ago

You really can't name one good comic from the United States? Where are you from the *beep* moon?

[–] jack-hanly 14 years ago

Don't get me wrong, I can name a few good comics, but none as funny as the ones I know in the UK, despite how relevant the material is.

Of course I find some funny - I like the Def Jam comedy stuff, but I find Chris Rock doesn't change his act very much to suit the times, there is still racism but his jokes are incredibly similar to the ones he was starting out with.

If you can name a few other popular ones in the US, I'd be happy to watch those and hopefully change my opinion. I see alot of comedians on TV and films but I'm not aware of how good they are doing stand-up.

[–] Sofa_King_Sleazy 14 years ago

Hmm. Didn't know it was our job to change your opinion. If you really wanted to know the answer to your question, you could've done your research. It's 2010, the world is at your fingertips. Instead, you base a whole media from one film and come in here to challange us to sway your already set opinion.

[–] stuart-sutcliffe 13 years ago

I would say that, by coming on here and asking the question, the OP is doing research using the technology at his fingertips.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] weiszed 10 years ago

If you watch "Whose Line is it Anyway", there are two versions. There is the American version hosted by Drew Carey and a UK version hosted by Clive Anderson. I think it's a great example to answer your specific question because it shows the direct contrast between humor in the UK and America, especially when some of the cast members from one show make appearances on the other.

The styles are just appreciated differently in both regions. To my own dismay, most American stand up comics talk almost exclusively about sex or race, but it is just deemed as funnier over here.

[–] Jizul 14 years ago

There's nothing funny about UK comedy.

[–] bedragonned 14 years ago

Uk's got the IT Crowd, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Spaced

USA's got My Name is Earl, South Park, Eastbound and Down, Family Guy

Uk's got Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey, Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais, Peter Cook (RIP)

USA's got Bill Hicks (RIP), Denis Leary, Robin Williams, Rich Hall, Steven Wright

Pretty even I'd say.

But Australia's got Jim Jeffries.....

[–] yobuddy 13 years ago

Including My name is earl and Eastbound and Down are about as lowest-common-denominator as it gets. They are smart comedies for idiots. They are as effective at providing examples of smart US comedy as Talladega Nights is. Remove them from your list.

[–] goodfellas30 13 years ago

Have you actually taken the time to watch Eastbound & Down? It's actually got a lot more too it than you think (the first season at least).

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room!

[–] MisterShhh 13 years ago

Lol. you mentioned Leary, and next to Hicks no less.

[–] learimfroste-558-593590 11 years ago

LOL. Im not saying one continent is better than the other in the way of comedians. Just commenting on Hicks vs Leary. I love both but Bill Hicks is in a different class of comedians. Like Putting Jeff Dunham against Louis C.K. OK, maybe not that extreme.

"That's nothing. Once I waited a whole year for September."
- Fozzie Bear

[–] siteoner 13 years ago

Whoa whoa wait a minute. You bemoan his listing Eastbound for it being "lowest common denominator" but not Family Guy? You do realize this throws your ENTIRE argument out the window right?

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Jimk99 13 years ago

nah

CALL 911! NOW!

[–] BobLennon123 13 years ago

Lee Evans, Monty Python, Inbetweeners, Shameless, these are the ones that the US are doing crap remakes of. Well at least the Inbetweeners and Shameless.

"Nobody is free, even the birds are chained to the sky" - Bob Dylan

[–] dtones78 14 years ago

Look up John Caparulo,Louie CK, Sam Kinison, George Carlin, Dave Chapelle, Mitch Hedburg, Ron White......honestly I'm leaving a ton of people off this list but the US is rich with stand up comedy.

[–] MrC_the_Amazing 14 years ago

I'm not the biggest follower of stand-up comedy, but I consider myself a fan, and honestly haven't heard that many comics talk as vulgar and crass as the comics portrayed in the film. The ones I've seen the most from are Jim Gaffigan, Mitch Hedberg and Bill Maher.

However, most of the stand-up I've seen is mostly from Comedy Central specials (used to watch Friday Night Stand-up religiously in middle and high school), so obviously they'd be edited from anything too vulgar. Most of the sets in the film were in clubs, so they might've (hypothetically) had free reign over material; not sure how the comedy club scene is, I've only been to one.

It's worth noting that for the film, Judd had Rogen, Hill and Sandler come up with their own material, so being rusty or not that experienced, they understandably went for the easy stuff.

Every time Michael Cole tries to be cool, an orphan dies.

[–] sorrytotellyouthis 14 years ago

UK comedy is a lot smarter and subtle. The top UK comedians rely on clever word play and controlled delivery. Unique perspectives and narrative threads.

American comedy is less refined, if they shout and swear with high energy it gets a laugh. It's all "LISTEN TO MY JOKE, I HAVE A MASSIVE *beep* COCK, *beep* YEAH"
As long as they have the balls to get up and do that, they just have to be in your face.

You would never get away with it in a UK comedy club. Likewise Stewart Lee could never last 5 mins in America. And he is probably very proud of that fact.

Thats why so many on both sides struggle to break through on the other. Those that do are usually outcasts in their own country.
Bill Hicks was loved more in England because he could tell his story, the jokes din't need to be signposted. Likewise, and of course less legendary, Reginald D.Hunter is probably less popular across in America because of his slow dead-pan delivery.

Also American comic actors:

Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler even. It's all shouting and silly voices and when they try something more subtle they can't pull it off.

English comic actors:

Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan, Rowan Atkinson. Their comedy relies on subtely and cleverely observed characters. When they go for something more emotional in the show its less contrived and often some of the best parts.

Of course there are exceptions on both sides.

[–] dtones78 14 years ago

Fishing...I guess I'll bite.

You forgot Yo Momma jokes and Knock Knock jokes.HUGE over here.I truly find it hard to believe that ALL English stand up is a lot smarter and subtle than ALL of American stand up. Thats what you're saying. I mean you characterize all of American Stand up as crap and then end your rant by saying

"Of course their are exceptions."

You don't really mean that so why type it? Seems to me you haven't watched much stand up from over here if youre final asesment of most american stand up is its yelling and dick jokes.

I would also venture to say that there are a good number of British comics who are loud and crass like American stanup comedians. I bet there are some who are even a little successful and have a good number of fans. If not,that sucks. I love American Stand up because there are so many different kinds of acts. If everybody went on stage and tried to be smart and subtle that would be really redudant don't you think?

I think Rickey Gervais is kick ass. I really liked Spaced and most of what Simon Pegg and Nick Frost do. Eddie Izzard is a great comic too.

But Rowan Atkinson????? Give me *beep* break,my big hairy balls are funnier than
that *beep* *beep*

[–] sorrytotellyouthis 14 years ago

RE: dtones78

As I said, there are exceptions, I was just referring to the culture of comedy as a whole on both sides.

There are some succesful loud and crass comedians in the UK, (Roy Chubby Brown, Jim Davidson), but they are generally frowned upon by the mainstream fans of stand up.

I really like the material of Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, but I often can't watch it for too long because it is rammed down your throat and every line is prefixed with obsecenities. Its just the american culture, everything around you is rammed in your face and comedy is just the same.

I think your comment about Rowan Atkinson just sums up what I was saying. I'm not talking about Mr Bean. Check out Blackadder. I can't imagine your average joe American comedy fan enjoying that.

It is one of the most loved sitcoms ever over here but it is full of historical references and intricate wordplay. It makes no excuses for being clever, and the final episode is the most emotional scene you will ever see in a comedy.

[–] jamesl9 13 years ago

You're such an ignorant British stereotype on American comedy-one John Cleese has criticized repeatedly and one which the Simpson's once completely and hilariously eviscerated. I was going to pick apart your original post line by line but your second post about Richard Pryor is so staggeringly dumb, you're not worth the time, even given the satisfaction it would have given me to to rip your post to shreds.

[–] hitgirlfan15 13 years ago

Your post/this thread in general reminds me of that American Express commercial with Jerry Seinfeld where his usual American stand-up routine fails in London cause it doesn't translate well and he doesn't get their humor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94SkBG6Z7Q

[–] chrismueller83 14 years ago

If you mean hilarious then yes

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] jamesl9 13 years ago

Clearly, his only knowledge of American comedy comes from big budget Hollywood films. How can you talk about American comedy and standup and not talk about Carlin? And he thinks Carrey is American. Ugh.

[–] grenud 14 years ago

I don't think either UK or American comedians are either better or worse. I like both of their stand-up comedians, comedy actors and films. Just to name a few...

Films & Shows

UK: In The Loop, The Office, Extras, Trainspotting
US: Louie, Seinfeld, Curb Your enthusiasm, Arrested Development, Eastbound & Down

Stand-up & Actors

UK: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Nick Frost, Russel Brand
US: George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Louis CK, Larry David, Danny McBride

[–] 14 years ago

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